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The future for Weber State is already in place for Weber State.

No doubt, Damian Lillard sucks up nearly every ounce of attention paid to Weber State basketball, and rightfully so. The junior leads Division I with a 25.5 scoring average.

There have been questions about how the Wildcats (18-4, 10-1 Big Sky) — who play at Northern Arizona on Thursday before a return Saturday to the Dee Events Center against Eastern Washington — will perform once Lillard leaves for the NBA either this season or next.

No worries.

Coach Randy Rahe has his program in full gear, with freshmen and sophomores contributing crucial minutes as starters and substitutes. Forward Byron Fulton (sophomore) and guards Jordan Richardson (sophomore) and Gelaun Wheelwright (freshman) scored 23 points off the bench in the Wildcats' 93-81 victory Saturday against Northern Colorado, one that clinched a spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament.

"We got great production off the bench," Rahe said.

Richardson and Wheelwright have quick feet and hands and, according to Rahe, are extremely coachable.

For the season, the two guards and Fulton average more than 15 points a game combined. Another freshman, center James Hajek, averaged 3.4 points off the bench before dislocating his knee. A third sophomore, center Kyle Tresnak, starts and averages 10 points. Both centers stand about 6-foot-10 and weigh more than 250 pounds.

"I just tell them to be aggressive and don't worry about making mistakes," Rahe said. "If they make mistakes while being aggressive, we'll take it." —

Weber State at Northern Arizona

P At Rolle Activity Center (Flagstaff, Ariz.)

Tipoff • Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

TV • None

Radio • 1280 AM

Records • NAU 5-19, 1-11; WSU 18-4, 10-1

Series • WSU, 67-26

Last meeting • WSU, 82-55 (Feb. 10, 2011)

About the Lumberjacks • NAU has lost 11 consecutive games. … Northern Arizona is last in the Big Sky in scoring offense at 62.4 points per game.

About the Wildcats • With two wins last week, Weber State became the first team to clinch a spot in the Big Sky Tournament. … Junior Scott Bamforth, WSU's second-leading scorer, averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists last week.