ESPN Men's Basketball

Updated: October 28, 2009, 2:37 PM ET

Team preview: Weber State

Blue Ribbon Yearbook previews the 2009-10 season, exclusively on Insider

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Blue Ribbon Yearbook

Editor's Note: ESPN Insider has teamed with Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook to provide a comprehensive look at all 334 Division I teams. To order the complete 2009-10 edition of Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, visit www.blueribbonyearbookonline.com or call 1-877-807-4857.
(Information in this team report is as of Oct. 1.)

COACH AND PROGRAM

Weber State wasn't expected to make a big splash in Big Sky play last season, but the Wildcats certainly did. They rolled to a 15-1 conference record, took home the regular season title and then ... lost on their homecourt in the Big Sky Tournament, losing to Montana State.

All in all, it was still a successful season. The Wildcats overachieved a bit, returning just two starters -- one, Kellen McCoy, a surprise Big Sky MVP pick -- and in the end received an NIT berth (where the Wildcats lost to San Diego State in the first round).

"I was real proud of the guys," said upbeat coach Randy Rahe. "We did not see that kind of season coming. We were fairly young last year, and to go 15-1 in conference was a nice accomplishment. Our togetherness was terrific. We try to recruit chemistry guys, tough guys who don't care who gets the credit. We had good players who came together."

It appears the Wildcats could do similar damage if they find replacements for the 5-6 McCoy (14.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, .438 3PT) and honorable mention All-Big Sky player Daviin Davis (9.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg).

"You don't know if you can replace a guy like Kellen McCoy, an MVP. But we hope we can fill the void," Rahe said.

PLAYERS

It helps that the Wildcats return Damian Lillard (11.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.9 apg, .374 3PT), a first-team All-Big Sky player last year as a freshman. The 6-2 sophomore should contend for Big Sky MVP honors this season.

"We knew he was good. He was a fine high school player," Rahe said. "But he played with more maturity than I thought he would for a 17-year-old. His teammates loved him. He let the game come to him. He's the first freshman in the 30-year history of the Big Sky to be named first-team all-conference."

Lillard wasn't the only first-year standout for the Wildcats. Forward Kyle Bullinger (8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .381 3PT), a 6-7, 210-pounder, had a fine freshman season and was chosen honorable mention all-Big Sky.

"He's a tough player and more of a four player for us, but he can step out and shoot it, too," Rahe said.

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Weber's other returning starter is Steve Panos (9.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg), a 6-8, 240-pound senior, an in-state player whose Greek lineage has allowed him to play on some Greek national teams. Panos is a rugged player and a true center.

Trevor Morris (6.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg), a 6-9, 235-pound junior, will back up Panos. Darin Mahoney (2.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), a 6-8, 225-pound sophomore, also returns at forward, as does 6-7 redshirt junior Matt Washington.

Two 6-2 newcomers are actually listed as guard/forwards because of their athletic ability. Junior Franklin Session from Saddleback (Calif.) College, could be the best of the new players. Session averaged 14.0 points and a surprising 10.5 rebounds per game last season in JUCO ball.

"Franklin is a very athletic player who has tremendous quickness and speed," Rahe said. "He has a high skill level and has the ability to affect the game in a lot of ways."

The other new swingman is junior Josh Noble from Snead State (Ala.) Community College. As a sophomore he averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 boards, 5.2 assists and 5.0 steals.

"Josh is a gifted athletic player with a high skill level," Rahe said. "He has the ability to score in a variety of ways, is a great defender, and has a team-first, unselfish attitude."

Two freshmen forwards, Blake Davis and Byron Fulton, 6-5 and 6-7, respectively, played together at St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, Ariz., last season. Either one could play this season, but Rahe admitted he likes the idea of red-shirting younger players.

Nick Hansen (8.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg), a 6-4, 200-pound senior, returns to the starting lineup after starting every game last season at the off-guard spot, even ahead of Davis. He's a big-time three-point threat who shot .383 from behind the arc (67-of-175). He led the team in three-pointers made and attempted.

In-state prep standouts Dee Crandall, 6-2, and Pablo Coro, 6-3, will compete for time. Crandal comes from Judge Memorial in Salt Lake City and Coro from Juan Diego Catholic in Draper.

And yet another junior-college standout, Lindsey Hughey, a 6-3, 200 junior, joins the squad after a fine career at Seminole State (Okla.) Junior College.

Rahe has his usual mix of junior college players, outstanding preps, and older, more mature players who have been on church missions. It usually works out well for the Wildcats and should this season -- especially with four starters returning.

"On paper, I like our guys. We are eight or nine deep, and some kids we'll look at redshirting," Rahe said. "Our JUCO kids are capable when they learn our system. No question they will help us. We have decent depth. We have extremely high-character guys, good athletes, and tough kids who can compete."

That's the usual formula at Weber, and expect it to work again as the Wildcats contend for the league title.

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: A
BENCH/DEPTH: B
FRONTCOURT: B+
INTANGIBLES: A+

There's plenty of talent, both returning and incoming, at Weber State. The Wildcats could run away with the regular season title again -- last year they won it by four games -- and this time take care of business in the conference tournament.

Lillard is a sensational player and will contend for conference player of the year honors. Bullinger, Panos and Hansen are proven commodities in the Big Sky, and can play with anyone. Three quality JUCO guards will fortify the Wildcats' backcourt depth.

There might be some question about front-line depth, as most of the talent is on the perimeter. But Rahe, one of the hot coaching commodities in the West, usually finds a way.

For the most comprehensive previews available on all 334 Division I teams, order the "Bible" of college basketball, the 2009-10 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, at www.blueribbonyearbookonline.com or call 1-877-807-4857.