College Hoops Top 50

Last Year: 18-15; 3rd (12-6) in the Big Sky Conference, No Postseason Appearance

Head Coach: Eric Duft (Second Year)

Projected Starting Lineup

G KJ Cunningham – 6’2″, 190 – Senior (5th)

G Steven Verplanken, Jr – 6’4″, 205 – Senior (5th)

F Dillon Jones – 6’6″, 230 – Senior

F Dyson Koehler – 6’7″, 225 – Senior

C Alex Tew – 6’11”, 250 – Junior

Projected Starters’ 2022-23 Stats

KJ Cunningham: 6.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.6 spg – 35.5% 3FG

Steven Verplancken, Jr: 13.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.7 spg – 41.7% 3FG

Dillon Jones: 16.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.6 spg – 46.2% FG

Dyson Koehler: 6.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.7 spg – 35.8% 3FG

Alex Tew: 6.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.8 spg, 0.5 bpg – 55.5% FG

Experienced Reserves

G Blaise Threatt – 6’3″, 210 – Junior

F Louie Jordan – 6’9″, 215 – Sophomore

F/C Arnaud Revaz – 6’10”, 230 – Junior

F/C Handje Tamba – 6’11”, 230 – Sophomore

Experienced Reserves’ 2022-23 Stats

Blaise Threatt: 18.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.6 spg – 45.2% 3FG @ Colorado Mesa

Louie Jordan: 0.5 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.2 apg – 21.4% 3FG

Arnaud Revaz: 14 games, 9 points across 3 seasons @ Maryland

Handje Tamba: 1.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.5 bpg, 0.2 spg – 62.5%

Freshmen

W Chris Dockery, Jr – 6’6″, 190 – Redshirt Freshman

W Viljami Vartiainen – 6’6″, 200 – Freshman / Finland

W Nemanja Šarenac – 6’6″, 200 – Freshman / Serbia

F/C Marko Šarenac – 6’10”, 225 – Freshman / Serbia

Why should a team, which ranked 354th in offensive rebounding and 342nd in total rebounding, 343rd in assists per game, and finished 359th in blocks per game out of 363 Division I college basketball teams, be included anywhere near a list of the Top 100 teams in college basketball heading into this season? 

Well, because that team has Dillon Jones. Obviously.

Weber State’s legendary Randy Rahe handed off the reins as head coach to Eric Duft, his assistant of 16 years, prior to last season. In doing so, he did the new Wildcats coach a solid. Rahe retired while Dillon Jones was still on the roster, and Jones is now probably the best player in the Big Sky Conference. Jones is also one of the biggest stars yet to be introduced to the broader national conversation – though, that has been changing. Luckily for everyone involved with the Weber State program, Jones decided to postpone his NBA dreams for one more season and play his senior year in Ogden. With a cohesive, veteran core around him and some intriguing youngsters from all over the globe, Jones seems to have enough pieces around him for Weber State to make a run, and the hype in Ogden is becoming real. This winter, Jones is hoping to do his best Damian Lilliard impersonation, win all of the league’s top awards – and do the Wildcats’ greatest alum one better: lead Weber State to the NCAA Tournament. 

Jones, Big Sky Rookie of the Year his first season and a back-to-back all-conference selection in each of the succeeding two campaigns, is an outstanding all-around basketball player. He scores inside and out, has averaged a double-double across his last 65+ games, creates plays for his teammates, and plays stout defense with whatever is left of his energy. “Dillon Jones probably could have left and made a lot of money in NIL, and he had a terrific summer,” Duft told KUTV News this summer. “Overall he’s a really good player…he’s heading in the right direction for his professional career for sure.” This past spring, after years dominating the Big Sky, the whole world found out what Jones could do at the NBA’s G-League Elite Camp in Chicago. Though he wasn’t initially selected to participate, Jones got a last-minute call that another prospect couldn’t play, and the Weber State star capitalized upon his opportunity. Jones played so well that he was one of just eight players invited to move on from the camp to the NBA’s Draft combine. While he didn’t remain in the pool of draftable players, Jones turned a good many heads during both events, and was told that if he slims down and improves his outside shot, Jones will surely be drafted into the NBA. 

Since he’ll be back in Ogden this winter, though, Jones will be the Wildcats’ go-to guy, and he’s a devastating three-level scorer when he’s rolling. Jones attempted 110+ shots each at the rim, from mid-range and from the outside last year, but was most effective inside the arc. He hit 60.0% of his shots near the rim and made 45.5% of his other 2FG’s, per Bart Torvik; and Jones earned enough tickets to the freebie stripe to finish second in the Big Sky with 157 made foul shots. While he doesn’t usually play above the rim, and the consistency of his outside shot is a priority for improvement, Jones can do everything else offensively. He can pick and pop or roll, drive his man off the bounce, and Jones can bully perimeter players and smaller forwards on the block. An outstanding passer who often drives the Weber State offense from the high post, Jones keeps everyone involved and is outstanding at finding the guy who has a clean shot once the defense moves to double him. It’s staggering to consider that, as much as the Wildcats rely on Jones to score, he still managed to post a 23.9% assist rate as a junior – fourth-best in the Big Sky. Jones came back to school both to improve himself and to win big for the Wildcats. “I want to be able to win a championship. I haven’t won one since Keenan (High School). Feels like forever. Being that team is good and really close, I don’t know when I will be in that position again”, Jones told The State newspaper in his native South Carolina this summer. “I know a lot of players that play that aren’t in good situations that would die to be in a good situation. I have been blessed to be in one…I feel like what I’ve got at Weber State is certain.”

After transferring from Southern Illinois last fall, Steven Verplancken, Jr, became the second scorer Duft needed to go along with Jones. Verplancken, who has splashed 150 triples at a rate of 40.1% over his three Division I seasons, will be counted on to do even more this year. A true jump shooter, Verplancken also made an excellent 52.3% of his 149 two-point attempts away from the rim last year, and his 65 treys ranked seventh in the Big Sky. The big guard from the Dominican Republic sank a game-winner against Montana with just over a second remaining, was a vital floor-spacing element, and even recieved an invitation to Damian Lilliard’s ‘Formula Zero’ camp after his debut performance with the Wildcats. There, Verplancken joined 39 other top prep and college players such as Marquette’s Tyler Kolek and TCU’s Jameer Nelson, Jr, in nearly a week of on-and-off court drills and seminars aimed at making great players even better. Verplancken only made 18 shots around the rim last year, and has made working his way into the paint a focus of his training both at Lilliard’s camp and in summer practices. If Verplancken can cut to the rack for more easy buckets this season, it will take his scoring to the next level. Defenses will both be keying on Jones and, with his 41.7% rate from the land of trey last season, playing Verplancken to shoot. If the Dutch/Dominican scorer can show a bit more authority getting to the cup and maybe a few new wrinkles picked up over the course of his eventful summer, Verplancken will be an even bigger factor in keeping the Weber State offense running consistently in his second season.

KJ Cunningham and Alex Tew return at the point and in the post, respectively, and Duft is hoping for some big steps from two of his most experienced secondary scorers. Cunningham started 21 games and played an average of 25.9 minutes last winter, after playing less than seven minutes per game two years ago. Never a star, Cunningham’s career experience has run the gauntlet nonetheless, from deep reserve to key contributor. A 34.4% career shooter from deep, Cunningham made a career-best 33 triples last year at 35.5%. Being that Cunningham is much more of a spot-up shooter than a threat off the bounce the further he ranges from the paint, Duft hopes that he can continue to make open shots when Jones finds him. While not the primary playmaker, Cunningham is comfortable with the ball in his hands and has always handed out more assists than turnovers. Once he gives the ball up, Cunningham moves well around screens and cuts effectively after dropping off a feed to Jones; Cunningham shot 67.7% at the rim last year, with more than a few buckets coming on snappy feeds from the Wildcats’ star. Overall, Cunningham shot 55.6% inside the arc, and Duft would love for him to translate that efficiency into more points during his ‘Covid Year’. 

Whereas Jones would likely be on an NBA roster already if he stood two or three inches taller, Tew has the unteachable size to help him maximize the skills which he’s been honing. A crafty scorer with solid touch around the bucket, Tew needs to become more of a physical presence if he’s to take his game to another level. Tew became a starter last season, and showed that he’s a reliable finisher inside who can set a screen and roll to the rim. He can make short jumpers and has a useful right-handed hook shot; and when he’s within arm’s reach of the rim, the big Englishman is often of a mind to throw it down. 32 of his 59 made shots around the hoop were dunks last year, and he’s a threat to finish lobs when the defense gets too concerned about Jones. Tew led the Wildcats in both blocks and offensive boards last year, but Duft needs more of both this season. If Tew decides to be more of a bully, he could develop quickly.

Five Stats Which Tell The Tale (with national ranks)

76.2% – Team Free Throw Rate (35th)

66.3 – Points Per Game (293rd)

53.1 – Opponent Field Goal Attempts Per Game (29th)

17.9% – Offensive Rebounding Rate (355th)

12.8 – Turnovers Per Game (140th)

Dyson Koehler, the Wildcats’ other starting forward, was even better at scoring in the paint than either Cunningham or Tew. Koehler made an outstanding 82.4% of his shots inside last year, but compounded those efforts by shooting just three of twenty (15%) on all other 2FG attempts, per Bart Torvik. The former Cal Poly transfer is a 37.6% shooter from downtown since arriving in Ogden, though, so if he remains a strictly inside/outside scorer, he still brings significant value to the Wildcat offense. Koehler has the size to help out inside defensively, and is one of Duft’s better and smarter defenders regardless of position; skills which help allow Jones to be at his best on the offensive end. If Koehler can help out more on the boards, it will go an even longer way towards making life easier for his teammates.  

A trio of youngsters from last year’s team will fight the newcomers to earn their role in Duft’s rotation. Handje Tamba, like Tew, has the size to make an impact up front. He ranked second on the team in blocks despite playing just over 11 minutes per game, and commands defensive attention in the post. If Tamba can grab a couple of offensive boards and finish a lob every game, that amount production could transform Duft’s frontcourt. Tew’s countryman, Louis Jordan, is a forward who can shoot it from outside. In fact, all of Jordan’s field goal attempts came from the land of trey as a freshman, though he made just 21.4% of them. With his size and length, Jordan could become a nice perimeter weapon if he makes a greater percentage of his tries. The most naturally talented individual on the roster not named Jones may be redshirt freshman guard Chris Dockery. Coming off of a developmental season, Duft is excited to truly see what the versatile young guard can do. If Dockery’s outside shot has improved, he could be an impact freshman, as he brings stronger strong defensive skills to the team.

A multi-talented scoring guard and the son of 14-year NBA veteran Sedale Threatt, the younger Threatt is expected to step immediately into the Wildcats’ rotation

Like many Division II stars the past couple of seasons, former Colorado Mesa star Blaise Threatt has moved up to the bigger stage. If he can continue to improve the way he has over the past two seasons, Threatt may end up becoming one of Duft’s most indispensable players. A multi-talented scoring guard and the son of 14-year NBA veteran Sedale Threatt, the younger Threatt is expected to step immediately into the Wildcats’ rotation and make an impact at both ends of the court. Despite a solid prep career, Threat was injured while chasing a loose ball, which resulted in a bad cut on his back which took significant time to heal, and ended Threatt’s potential recruitment from Division I programs. After a year off, he debuted at Colorado Mesa, and has worked relentlessly since reappearing on the court. A strong, physical perimeter player, Threatt is a very effective defender and rebounder – music to Duft’s ears. Threatt can score in the post, and when he gets a smaller player in isolation, will back them down and look to score at the rim. Once, he was not much of a deep threat, but Threatt has spent the last couple of summers working tirelessly with his father to become a better shooter. “We were getting thousands and thousands of shots up – on the move, off the catch, full-speed, sprinting, half-court spot up, any type of catch-and-shoot you can think of, deep 3’s, just trying to perfect a rhythm for me that would really work so people would have to respect my shot,” Threatt told Brett Hein for the Ogden Standard-Examiner this spring. Last season, that effort really began to pay off, and Threatt made 52 triples at a 45.2% clip. He’s also made 75% of the 296 free throw tries he has earned over 64 games the past two seasons, and Threatt’s ability to fight through contact and still create his own looks should be very valuable to Duft. If Threatt could step in as a #3 scoring option who, like Jones, Verplancken and Cunningham, can keep the ball moving, it may revitalize the Wildcat rotation when the established scorers need a breather.

Five Out-of-Conference Games to Keep an Eye on

@ Saint Mary’s – November 12

@ Nevada – December 13

N – Yale – November 19

N – Colgate – November 18

@ Utah Valley – December 5

While he didn’t put up big numbers in his own previous stop, Swiss big Arnaud Revaz is expected to fit in with the Wildcats more easily than at Maryland, and provide useful depth in the post. With names like Donta Scott and Julian Reese ahead of him, he didn’t get the consistent minutes to show off his talents in College Park. Revaz is tall, mobile, and can finish near the rim; and his experience fighting against Big Ten post players should help out Weber State’s awful rebounding numbers. In practice and during past international competition, he’s also shown solid form on his jumper, and his combined experiences will serve Revaz well as he looks to carve a decent role for himself out West. 

Despite its location along the Wasatch Front, Weber State’s roster has an international flavor, and this year’s freshman class will add to it. Nemanja and Marko Šarenac are Serbian cousins who will help on the perimeter and up front, respectively. A talented outside shooter, Nemanja spent his final two seasons playing in New York, and turned down offers from such high major programs as BYU and Stanford to play in Ogden. A big wing who can get his shot even while being guarded closely, Nemanja should be ready to step in and provide a floor-spacing presence off the bench as a freshman. Marko is an interior player, and at nearly 6’11”, gives Weber State a versatile trio of true bigs to mix and match against opposing lineups. Marko has some perimeter skills, and can face up to make jump shots and pass the ball confidently. “We never played together,” Marko Šarenac told the Ogden Standard-Examiner . “As kids we played one on one, that’s why I’m looking forward to being (on) the same team.” Viljami Vartiainen arrives from Finland to occupy time on the perimeter as well, and like Nemanja Šarenac, Vartiainen is a big guard who can shoot. He has a solid handle and can put it on the floor to drive his man and finish at the rim. Like the Šarenac cousins, Vartiainen has international experience, and this past year he averaged 13.7 points in helping Baylor commit Miro Little to lead Finland to a third place finish at the FIBA European U-18 Championships. 

Last season was one of change for the Wildcats. As their 16-8 finish would indicate, though, the changes have mostly worked out. The roster which Duft has welcomed back for his second season in charge of Weber State is one that has a great deal of familiarity with what he will demand and also a tremendous amount of experience playing winning basketball. “We had a new team; we started out 2-7, we weren’t playing very well at all, and made some changes in how we play,” Duft told KUTV News, reflecting on last season. “From that point on, we played very good basketball…overall it was a season where we learned a lot about ourselves.”

This time around, Duft knows what he has, and is excited by what the Wildcats have added. If Threatt and the other veterans can combine with Verplancken to give Jones consistent help, the Wildcats will be good. With even incremental improvements from the returnees, Weber State might end up being very good, even. It’s not always that a surefire pro stays on for an extra season at the mid major level, and Duft has set the Wildcats up to succeed in this likely final season rallying around one of the nation’s most versatile players. “We have everybody in place and we’re really excited about where we’re going,” Duft feels, heading into this year. Where the Wildcats will go remains to be seen, but this Weber State squad has all the pieces needed to win a conference title and advance to the program’s first NCAA Tournament in nearly a decade.