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It appears Randy Rahe has reloaded in Ogden.
Following a 13-17 finish in 2014-15, the Weber State men's basketball team seems set to return atop the Big Sky Conference. The Wildcats were picked as the No. 1 team in the preseason coaches poll and return seven contributors from last year, most notably senior Joel Bolomboy, a versatile 6-foot-9 forward.
Alongside Bolomboy are guards Jeremy Singling and Richaud Gettins, two talented scoring guards expected to highlight a deep backcourt for Rahe's Wildcats.
"I feel good about our depth, especially at the guard line," Rahe said. "We've got more skilled players this year. We can shoot it a little bit better than we did last year and we've got some guys we can throw it down into inside."
Added Rahe: "It feels more like one of our normal teams other than last year."
His ninth year at Weber State was a frustrating one. The Wildcats struggled to, as Rahe explained, "stay connected" as they have during their run as one of the most consistent teams in the Big Sky. With so many returning players from last year's underachieving group, he expects them to utilize the losses of last year as fuel in Rahe's 10th year at the helm.
"Those returners don't want to go through that again," he said. "I feel that there's some hunger and a little more determination to restore the order a little bit. I do see that from our guys. There's a motivation there, I think a little bit more."
If the Wildcats are to contend for another conference crown, they'll need a stellar senior year from Bolomboy. He was one of 20 players named to the watch list for the 2016 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.
"He's playing with a very clear mind," Rahe said. "He's just playing for his teammates. Last year, at times, he had a lot of pressure on him. Our depth wasn't very good … I think he put a lot of pressure on himself to have to perform."
Twitter: CKTribune —
Weber State at a glance
» Key Additions: F/C Zach Braxton, G/F Dusty Baker
» Key Losses: C James Hajek
» Projected Starters: G Jeremy Senglin [6-2], G Richaud Gittens [6-4], G/F Dusty Baker [6-4], F Zach Braxton [6-9], C Joel Bolomboy [6-9].
» Bottom Line: Rahe says this group has the talent to compete for a conference championship, but to get there the new faces and returners must mesh well. —
Season opener
P Utah State at Weber State
Friday, 7 p.m.
TV • KJZZ