POCATELLO, Idaho -- After tonight, only one man will stand between Damian Lillard and Weber State's all-time scoring record.
At 1,622 points, Lillard needs three points against Idaho State to pass Jimmy Degraffenreid (1991-96) and then only Bruce Collins (1976-1980) and his 2,019 points remain, 398 away from where Lillard stands now.
The Wildcats (16-3, 8-0 Big Sky) are riding a 10-game winning streak as they go into Holt Arena tonight to face the Bengals (6-14, 4-4). Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
Though names like Harold Arceneaux, Willie Sojourner, Jermaine Boyette and soon, Degraffenreid, are in his rear view mirror, Lillard says it's not time yet to think about who he's passed in the pantheon of Weber State greats.
"I never really put too much thought in to it," the 6-foot-2 junior point guard from Oakland, Calif., said. "After the season, since it's been such a great season for our team and myself, individually, I'll be able to take it all in. I'm kind of just in the moment. If I start focusing on that, that will be the center of my attention and that's not the most important. Winning the Big Sky championship and winning our next game, those are the most important things."
Weber State coach Randy Rahe says Lillard isn't focused on setting records, but any he breaks are because of hard work.
"It's terrific," Rahe said. "I've said time and time again, anything good that happens to him, it's because he's earned it. He's worked so hard to become the kind of player he is and continues to work to still try to get better, he's earned that right to be mentioned with those guys and moving up the ladder. There are some great players in Weber State history and if you asked him, he'd say it's an honor to be mentioned with them."
Lillard has ranked first in the country in points per game since late November. He currently averages 24.8 ppg, ahead of Creighton's Doug McDermott (23.5 ppg).
While there is contingent of NBA scouts on hand at every Weber State game now, Lillard says he doesn't worry about impressing them.
"It doesn't bother me. I'm comfortable with it," he said. "They come to see me do what I do so as long as I don't try to get away from doing what I've been doing, I'll be fine."
Other 'Cats are contributing, too. Four Wildcats were in double figures in Thursday's 75-60 win over Idaho State, including senior forward Darin Mahoney, who had a season high 14 points in his first career double-double. Junior guard Scott Bamforth averages 17.6 ppg in Big Sky Conference play, fourth in the league.
As a team, WSU leads the nation in free throw shooting percentage (.806).
Idaho State is well aware of what Lillard and Co. can do, having dropped seven straight to Weber State, but the Wildcats haven't forgotten that ISU senior guard Chase Grabau poured in 31 points in Ogden in the Big Sky opener on Dec. 29. Grabau has averaged 19.8 ppg in league play, third behind Lillard and Portland State's Charles Odum.
The Bengals, who saw coach Joe O'Brien resign in early December and be replaced by interim coach Deane Martin, have won two straight and three of their last four.
"They're a tough team," Mahoney said. "Their 3 man, Grabau, he played really well against us and it's always a good game up there. I know we had a triple overtime game up there once, I know we've had a double overtime game. We always have really tough games against them so we'll have to be ready to go."
Comments