Weber State basketball: Wildcats have motivation in 'meaningless' game

It's a game that, as far as standings go, couldn't be any more meaningless.

Weber State, the Big Sky champions and No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, plays at Montana State in the regular season finale for both teams tonight. The Bobcats are also locked into their postseason fate, as they're the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament and will play at No. 3 Montana on Saturday.

Although they have nothing to gain or lose in this game, the Wildcats say they'll be plenty motivated. Montana State is the only team to defeat Weber State in conference play, and the Wildcats are looking for some payback tonight.

"They beat us," said senior guard Kellen McCoy. "We owe them one. We will have no problem getting motivated at all."

The Wildcats also hope to send a message to the Bobcats because the two teams would play for a third time in the Big Sky semifinals if Montana State defeats Montana on Saturday. Weber State will play the lowest seeded team to come out of the first round in the semifinals in Ogden next Tuesday.

"I didn't feel like we gave them our best," said Wildcats coach Randy Rahe. "I think our kids are excited about going up there and playing. They want to give them their best. They want to show them, 'Hey, we're a little better now than we were then.' "

The Wildcats have won 11 straight games since their 75-70 loss to Montana State at the Dee Events Center on Jan. 15. Weber State feels like it didn't play its way in that contest, and it certainly struggled on defense, allowing the Bobcats to shoot 49 percent from the field.

Montana State looked like a league-title contender the night it defeated Weber State but hasn't been anything close to one. The Bobcats lost three straight games following their loss to Weber State. They enter tonight's game on a four-game losing skid and losers of six of their last seven games.

"Of course, we want to get back at them," said guard Nick Hansen. "We want to try to keep our momentum going, keep this going day-by-day and work as hard as we can."

The Wildcats get a full week to prepare for the conference semifinals following tonight's game.

Wildcats on the air

Weber State (20-8, 12-1) at Montana State (13-15, 6-9)

Tonight, 7:05 p.m.

TV None

Radio: 1430 AMHeady

E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com