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Show 8 THE SIGNPOST Friday, May 25, 1990 Wildcats SSS., ..... i illllllllgl Sports By Jon Yorgason Sports Editor of The Signpost After finishing 14-15 this past season, the Weber State men's basketball team has high hopes for next year. For the first time, the Wildcats have more than 10 returning players. "We now have experience," said Head Coach Denny Huston, "and well reap the benefits. "We're also very pleased with the quality of recruits," he said. "They are very capable of giving us immediate help." Instant help is something It took Freud 38 years to understand it You have one night. The psych exam is in 12 hours. And your id wants to party. Your ego wants to conk out. But your superego knows you need to stay awake tonight to cram. Fortunately, you've got Vivarin. It helps keep you awake and mentally alert for hours. Safely and conveniently. So all your brainpower can focus on understanding the brain. If Freud had used Vivarin, maybe he could have understood the brain faster, too. c I'J'Xl Sijmund In ud tujn nil rt-prt-sfiiltd t) I hi hope to from which the Wildcats could benefit, especially when playing on the road. The 'Cats were a paltry 3-12 away from the Dee Events Center this year. In Ogden, however, the Wildcats were 11-3, only losing to the University of Utah, Utah State and the University of Montana. "We're 20-6 the last two years in the Dee Events Center," said Huston. "I'm pleased with our young ball club's ability to compete at home." Huston was also pleased with his team's ability to rebound, shoot three-pointers and defend. The Wildcats were 15th in the nation in rebound margin, pulling down six more boards per game than their opponents. WSC was also 20th in the nation in field goal percentage (.437). They just missed the top 20 list in field goal percentage as a team (.489). Guiding the 'Cats this year was all-conference member Michael Ostlund. The senior from Tacoma, Washington averaged nearly 12 points per game as well as leading the team in steals (1.7 spg) and free throw percentage (.910). He was one of the nation's best in the free throw category. Ostlund is the school's career leader in three pointers attempted and made. Aaron Bell and Anthony McGowan also averaged nearly WmrUr lU VIVA P kuncr Hit hnun Aficnu. lii vcrlv Mills. A reap benefits of past season WSC Head Coach Denny Huston discusses stragegy with his team during a 12 points per game. McGowan was the 'Cats leading rebounder as well, averaging 6.3 rebounds per contest, including 14 in one game. Jerry Mcintosh was right behind with 6.2 boards per game. Tony Nicholas led the Wildcats in assists. In addition to passing the ball well, he could shoot it, too. One game he scored 33 points, the highest total by a Weber State player this year. The only real problems the 'Cats had were turnovers and free throws. Weber State was last in the Big Sky Conference in turnover ratio. "We must become more aggressive on defense to create more turnovers," said Huston. "And we must be able to handle '""ft 1V11L, Willi T 1 YIlVlll. ....... - . . 5 - - , , X . "5 I . .. - ,. o -V i ? - " . . X v .- - f..- -v., .. . m ' ' ' s defensive pressure." Free throws weren't much of a problem until the shots really counted at the end of the game. "When we missed them is what hurt us," said Huston. "But that problem is very correctable." The climax of the year was probably the last day of the regular season. The 'Cats were at home against Boise State. The winner went to the conference tournament, the loser stayed home. The 'Cats gave it all they had and pulled out a 77-74 overtime victory, despite former Bonneville High star Tanoka Beard's 29 points and Brian King's amazing shooting spree. King scored Boise State's final 17 HYP8 for fast pick up-safe as coffee Mfi time - out in a game with Utah State. points, including two three pointers, one a 30-footer to cut the lead to one in overtime. The Wildcats went 1-1 in the playoffs in Boise, defeating Nevada by nine points before falling to Eastern Washington in the Semi-final round. WSC's Jason Joe was the only Wildcat named to the all-tournament team. Huston described this season as "reorganization a transition year." Was he satisfied? "Any coach that is satisfied won't have a better club next year," said Huston. "Fd have to say 'no, I wasn't satisfied.' If we were 21-7, I'd probably have to make the same comment." c lXISimtliKlint- Hft-fluni I'M' a. dirt'Clfd ontaiivs cuHcuu- ciinv.iknt kIiwo iitps i rod civ |