let's talk '18

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:17 pm

Grad transfer name tracker Arizona has talked to.

Ryan Luther (Pitt)
Ryan Taylor (Evansville)
Joseph Chartouny (Fordham)
Trey Porter (Old Dominion)
Joe Cremo (Albany)
Aaron Calixte (Maine)

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:32 pm

It's Grad-transfer-palooza.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:38 pm

Good since we probably need 2-3 of them to field a team next season.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:15 am

NYCat wrote:
Grad transfer name tracker Arizona has talked to.

Ryan Luther (Pitt)
Ryan Taylor (Evansville)
Joseph Chartouny (Fordham)
Trey Porter (Old Dominion)
Joe Cremo (Albany)
Aaron Calixte (Maine)

And I don't feel really confident in landing any of these guys. Probably best shot with Luther, but I could EASILY see Bagman Capel "coaxing" him into coming back to Pitt. I don't think Calixte is a serious option and if he is then we're uber fucked.

Captain Obvious · Post by **Captain Obvious** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:00 am

az91 wrote:Brandon Williams is on an unofficial visit to ASU. Can 2018 recruiting get any more bleak?

It can and almost certainly will. One things for sure in my mind; Brandon Williams isn't coming anywhere near Arizona and who can blame him. With multiple offers from better programs such as Oregon, Gonzaga, and now Kentucky BW has swiped Arizona left and isn't looking back. Wake up people, the program is in trouble. Just fielding a team next year will be hard enough. And the FBI investigation will drag on and on followed by whatever the NCAA decides to do to us. You add that up and it's probably minimum 5 to 6 years and a new coach just to get Arizona basketball out of the basement. I don't mean to sound harsh but let's be realistic about this and quit pretending a grad transfer here and there and a landing five star talent is even possible at this point with all the uncertainty hovering over the program.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:08 am

Captain Obvious wrote:
az91 wrote:Brandon Williams is on an unofficial visit to ASU. Can 2018 recruiting get any more bleak?
It can and almost certainly will. One things for sure in my mind; Brandon Williams isn't coming anywhere near Arizona and who can blame him. With multiple offers from better programs such as Oregon, Gonzaga, and now Kentucky BW has swiped Arizona left and isn't looking back. Wake up people, the program is in trouble. Just fielding a team next year will be hard enough. And the FBI investigation will drag on and on followed by whatever the NCAA decides to do to us. You add that up and it's probably minimum 5 to 6 years and a new coach just to get Arizona basketball out of the basement. I don't mean to sound harsh but let's be realistic about this and quit pretending a grad transfer here and there and a landing five star talent is even possible at this point with all the uncertainty hovering over the program.

I had a great sarcastic reply to this post all written up about how it was impossible for anyone on this board to know this without you posting your astute observations, but then I saw what your name is and all I can do is tip my cap sir. Well played.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:30 am

Captain Obvious wrote:
az91 wrote:Brandon Williams is on an unofficial visit to ASU. Can 2018 recruiting get any more bleak?
It can and almost certainly will. One things for sure in my mind; Brandon Williams isn't coming anywhere near Arizona and who can blame him. With multiple offers from better programs such as Oregon, Gonzaga, and now Kentucky BW has swiped Arizona left and isn't looking back. Wake up people, the program is in trouble. Just fielding a team next year will be hard enough. And the FBI investigation will drag on and on followed by whatever the NCAA decides to do to us. You add that up and it's probably minimum 5 to 6 years and a new coach just to get Arizona basketball out of the basement. I don't mean to sound harsh but let's be realistic about this and quit pretending a grad transfer here and there and a landing five star talent is even possible at this point with all the uncertainty hovering over the program.

Unfortunately this is how I feel and all my friends feel as well. Feels like we have entered purgatory

Hopefully we are wrong and Miller finds a way to bring in talent this off season...odds are not in that favor though

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:12 am

ChooChooCat wrote:
NYCat wrote:
Grad transfer name tracker Arizona has talked to.

Ryan Luther (Pitt)
Ryan Taylor (Evansville)
Joseph Chartouny (Fordham)
Trey Porter (Old Dominion)
Joe Cremo (Albany)
Aaron Calixte (Maine)
And I don't feel really confident in landing any of these guys. Probably best shot with Luther, but I could EASILY see Bagman Capel "coaxing" him into coming back to Pitt. I don't think Calixte is a serious option and if he is then we're uber fucked.

With Calixte, the part you never know is the part I care most about, D and team D.

When I think of how we could be ok next year, I always start with team D not being a disaster like this year. If Lee, Akot and Randolph get it, we could actually be a pretty good defensive team. PJC wasn't some defensive juggernaut, so a decent defender could complement an overall improvement in team D, which I see as our way forward.

CatHoops · Post by **CatHoops** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:53 am

Losing Ristic, Trier, and PJC the D can only get better.

DrWildcat · Post by **DrWildcat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:21 am

CatHoops wrote:Losing Ristic, Trier, and PJC the D can only get better.

Until you realize that when the backups came it wasn't any better. Those backups are now our starters...

Sure the potential is there for some of the guys to be good defensively, but there will need to be a lot of improvement.

CatHoops · Post by **CatHoops** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:28 am

4-5 star recruits we have 6 returning. Should all take a nice step forward.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:29 am

DrWildcat wrote:
CatHoops wrote:Losing Ristic, Trier, and PJC the D can only get better.
Until you realize that when the backups came it wasn't any better. Those backups are now our starters...

Sure the potential is there for some of the guys to be good defensively, but there will need to be a lot of improvement.

Well, at least there's potential. With Ristic, Trier and PJC, it was set in stone. Jeter and Randolph/Akot have a lot more potential than Ristic and Trier. We'll see how it comes together.

CatHoops · Post by **CatHoops** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:35 am

No word on assistants yet? Wish something would happen

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:48 am

James Akinjo's recruitment has taken off since he was released from his UConn NLI two weeks ago.

Last week, Akinjo hosted head coaches from UNLV, California, Tennessee and Georgetown for in-home visits. The offers haven’t stopped either as Wichita State, Gonzaga, Arizona, Florida State and Baylor are just a few that have come in recently.

Patrick Ewing was the first head coach to see Akinjo after his release and the Hoyas look to be well-positioned but Arizona looks to be the team to beat. The Wildcats only have six scholarship players returning to next year's squad, and the idea of 25-plus minutes per game as a freshman could be very enticing to Akinjo.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:51 am

NYCat wrote:

James Akinjo's recruitment has taken off since he was released from his UConn NLI two weeks ago.

Last week, Akinjo hosted head coaches from UNLV, California, Tennessee and Georgetown for in-home visits. The offers haven’t stopped either as Wichita State, Gonzaga, Arizona, Florida State and Baylor are just a few that have come in recently.

Patrick Ewing was the first head coach to see Akinjo after his release and the Hoyas look to be well-positioned but Arizona looks to be the team to beat. The Wildcats only have six scholarship players returning to next year's squad, and the idea of 25-plus minutes per game as a freshman could be very enticing to Akinjo.

This pretty much insinuates that the belief among "recruiting expert circles" is that Brandon Williams will end up at some place not named Arizona.

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:55 am

I'll take Akinjo gladly if it means the whole program can move on from the Brandon Williams soap opera.

Not sure where the kid's head is at, but let him play for Oregon or ASU if he wants. See how far that gets him.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:59 am

ChooChooCat wrote:
NYCat wrote:

James Akinjo's recruitment has taken off since he was released from his UConn NLI two weeks ago.

Last week, Akinjo hosted head coaches from UNLV, California, Tennessee and Georgetown for in-home visits. The offers haven’t stopped either as Wichita State, Gonzaga, Arizona, Florida State and Baylor are just a few that have come in recently.

Patrick Ewing was the first head coach to see Akinjo after his release and the Hoyas look to be well-positioned but Arizona looks to be the team to beat. The Wildcats only have six scholarship players returning to next year's squad, and the idea of 25-plus minutes per game as a freshman could be very enticing to Akinjo.
This pretty much insinuates that the belief among "recruiting expert circles" is that Brandon Williams will end up at some place not named Arizona.

We could take Akinjo and Williams both with time for both. I agree that 25+ is less likely with Williams, but Barcello won't eat up a ton of time. Right now, we need a perimeter guy to step forward before things get too clogged.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:00 am

Fwiw if Arizona were to land Brandon Williams then Arizona would not need a grad transfer PG. If Arizona were to land Akinjo it would still need a grad transfer PG. The best of Akinjo will come in years 3-4.

CatHoops · Post by **CatHoops** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:09 am

So u think when beewill ends his tour we might get some guys to sign?

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:13 am

ChooChooCat wrote:Fwiw if Arizona were to land Brandon Williams then Arizona would not need a grad transfer PG. If Arizona were to land Akinjo it would still need a grad transfer PG. The best of Akinjo will come in years 3-4.

That's basically how I see it too. I think we can reasonably accomodate 2 pg's if one is Akinjo because he's more the developmental type. If he comes, we still need to settle who starts in '18 at pg.

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:18 am

CatHoops wrote:So u think when beewill ends his tour we might get some guys to sign?

Again, why wait? Brandon Williams clearly wants the whole courtship process now, and if he doesn't choose Arizona, Miller is left high and dry.

Go all-in on a grad transfer for next season, then the best non-commit PG for '19. End this dalliance with those who still want to play the field this late in the process.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:30 am

CatHoops wrote:So u think when beewill ends his tour we might get some guys to sign?

Arizona isn't in the position to tell anybody remotely talented no. We're not slow playing Akinjo for Williams. Every recruit is going at their own pace here.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:31 am

catgrad97 wrote:
CatHoops wrote:So u think when beewill ends his tour we might get some guys to sign?
Again, why wait? Brandon Williams clearly wants the whole courtship process now, and if he doesn't choose Arizona, Miller is left high and dry.

Go all-in on a grad transfer for next season, then the best non-commit PG for '19. End this dalliance with those who still want to play the field this late in the process.

Totally agree

At this point we need to take the sure thing since we only have 6 scholarship guys

Land the first couple selling up playing time. BWill is going to take his sweet time. Just don't see how you can wait right now

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:34 am

If you're a grad transfer come on down!

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:34 am

Newportcat wrote:
catgrad97 wrote:
CatHoops wrote:So u think when beewill ends his tour we might get some guys to sign?
Again, why wait? Brandon Williams clearly wants the whole courtship process now, and if he doesn't choose Arizona, Miller is left high and dry.

Go all-in on a grad transfer for next season, then the best non-commit PG for '19. End this dalliance with those who still want to play the field this late in the process.
Totally agree

At this point we need to take the sure thing since we only have 6 scholarship guys

Land the first couple selling up playing time. BWill is going to take his sweet time. Just don't see how you can wait right now

Arizona isn't waiting.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:40 am

ChooChooCat wrote:
Newportcat wrote:
catgrad97 wrote:
CatHoops wrote:So u think when beewill ends his tour we might get some guys to sign?
Again, why wait? Brandon Williams clearly wants the whole courtship process now, and if he doesn't choose Arizona, Miller is left high and dry.

Go all-in on a grad transfer for next season, then the best non-commit PG for '19. End this dalliance with those who still want to play the field this late in the process.
Totally agree

At this point we need to take the sure thing since we only have 6 scholarship guys

Land the first couple selling up playing time. BWill is going to take his sweet time. Just don't see how you can wait right now
Arizona isn't waiting.

Very glad they are not

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:40 am

ChooChooCat wrote:If you're a grad transfer come on down!

It is Pool party season!

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:41 am

ChooChooCat wrote:
Newportcat wrote:
catgrad97 wrote:
CatHoops wrote:So u think when beewill ends his tour we might get some guys to sign?
Again, why wait? Brandon Williams clearly wants the whole courtship process now, and if he doesn't choose Arizona, Miller is left high and dry.

Go all-in on a grad transfer for next season, then the best non-commit PG for '19. End this dalliance with those who still want to play the field this late in the process.
Totally agree

At this point we need to take the sure thing since we only have 6 scholarship guys

Land the first couple selling up playing time. BWill is going to take his sweet time. Just don't see how you can wait right now
Arizona isn't waiting.

The dominoes will fall soon and in quick succession.

NLI signing date is 4/11.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:42 am

I would throw Akinjo and Barcello into the fire and let them learn on the job tbh

It will hopefully pay off in years 3-4

CatHoops · Post by **CatHoops** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:47 am

Akinjo is visiting next week so hopefully he can't leave until he signs

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:57 am

CatHoops wrote:Akinjo is visiting next week so hopefully he can't leave until he signs

Is it next week?

baycat93 · Post by **baycat93** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:07 am

My order of priority:

1 Williams (1a. Cremo if no Williams, or first to committ)
2. Luther (need more big bodies!)
3. Doutrive
4. Akinjo
5. Taylor

Caveat: If Tevian Jones or Cassius Stanley become options they would be 3b. If we dont get Williams, Akinjo becomes more of a priority.

Truth is we have room for at least 4 of those top 6 w/o blinking. I am hesitant to bring Taylor in as I want to see Akot and Randolph get those minutes. I think they could be just as good by Late January.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:09 am

baycat93 wrote:My order of priority:

1 Williams (1a. Cremo if no Williams, or first to committ)
2. Luther (need more big bodies!)
3. Doutrive
4. Akinjo
5. Taylor

Caveat: If Tevian Jones or Cassius Stanley become options they would be 3b. If we dont get Williams, Akinjo becomes more of a priority.

Truth is we have room for at least 4 of those top 6 w/o blinking. I am hesitant to bring Taylor in as I want to see Akot and Randolph get those minutes. I think they could be just as good by Late January.

Tevian Jones committed to Illinois today.

CatHoops · Post by **CatHoops** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:15 am

Doutrive and akinjo are cats next year imo.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:18 am

CatHoops wrote:Doutrive and akinjo are cats next year imo.

I believe this is where we're headed. It's just a matter of who else comes in to fill the holes in the post and at starting point guard (unless Miller just decides to hand the keys over to Akinjo & Barcello).

baycat93 · Post by **baycat93** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:30 am

ChooChooCat wrote:
CatHoops wrote:Doutrive and akinjo are cats next year imo.
I believe this is where we're headed. It's just a matter of who else comes in to fill the holes in the post and at starting point guard (unless Miller just decides to hand the keys over to Akinjo & Barcello).

Two good players. If no Williams or Cremo... would probably need to prioritize Taylor more for scoring, even though I really want to see Randolph and Akot get all the time they can handle early.

Choo.. any comment on who you think (assistants) will be coaching these kids?

dcZONAfan · Post by **dcZONAfan** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 12:09 pm

catgrad97 wrote:I'll take Akinjo gladly if it means the whole program can move on from the Brandon Williams soap opera.

Not sure where the kid's head is at, but let him play for Oregon or ASU if he wants. See how far that gets him.

Just a salty, selfish take here. You really blame the kid? Oregon would be a great place for him. Do I want that? Of course not. But to be bitter about this kid is unfair to him and the fact that it is the smart decision for him NOT to come here.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 12:18 pm

dcZONAfan wrote:
catgrad97 wrote:I'll take Akinjo gladly if it means the whole program can move on from the Brandon Williams soap opera.

Not sure where the kid's head is at, but let him play for Oregon or ASU if he wants. See how far that gets him.
Just a salty, selfish take here. You really blame the kid? Oregon would be a great place for him. Do I want that? Of course not. But to be bitter about this kid is unfair to him and the fact that it is the smart decision for him NOT to come here.

I'm not sure it's the best decision, but it would be understandable. This year has done a lot of damage.

Someone needs to remind BW that ASU self-imposes a tourney ban through their on court performance almost every year.

Gladiator Cat · Post by **Gladiator Cat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 6:58 pm

Still see there are massive rainbow and unicorn dreams dancing in most peoples heads. This program is about to go into a dark funk for a couple of years before any meaningful recovery. The current crop of roster players and possible transfers are not going to move the needle.

I would be amazed if next years club is even able to finish as high as forth in the conference. I might add in an atrociously bad conference, which will be an abject afterthought nationally.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:06 pm

ChooChooCat wrote:
NYCat wrote:
Grad transfer name tracker Arizona has talked to.

Ryan Luther (Pitt)
Ryan Taylor (Evansville)
Joseph Chartouny (Fordham)
Trey Porter (Old Dominion)
Joe Cremo (Albany)
Aaron Calixte (Maine)
And I don't feel really confident in landing any of these guys. Probably best shot with Luther, but I could EASILY see Bagman Capel "coaxing" him into coming back to Pitt. I don't think Calixte is a serious option and if he is then we're uber fucked.

Gladiator Cat · Post by **Gladiator Cat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:17 pm

So Grand Canyon warrants a visit over Arizona who misses the cut............is anyone awake yet.

TatetheGreat · Post by **TatetheGreat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:49 pm

Gladiator Cat wrote:So Grand Canyon warrants a visit over Arizona who misses the cut............is anyone awake yet.

He's a combo guard with more TOs than assists. Hopefully we were cut due to lack of interest on our part.

MC1983 · Post by **MC1983** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:56 pm

Gladiator Cat wrote:So Grand Canyon warrants a visit over Arizona who misses the cut............is anyone awake yet.

Did Arizona offer him and he turned them down? I only saw that Arizona showed interest at one point.

BibbysTowelDude · Post by **BibbysTowelDude** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:57 pm

He was never a serious candidate to come here. He was always a last resort type of option. I'd be pretty surprised if he ends up anywhere but Grand Canyon or maybe DePaul. I can't imagine Lon Kruger is that hard up for a player like that. Cuonzo and Lenny I doubt very seriously are after him that much.

TheGreatCatsby · Post by **TheGreatCatsby** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:15 pm

At a party this weekend met some twentysomething people who worked at the U of A in various departments, casual fans and female workers who all are pretty much over with the Miller era. Got the sense that in their viewpoint he tarnishes the reputation of the University and its workers, and they added he does squat in the tournament. Very casual fans reactionary stuff. Not to say Sean is going anywhere, but that look at some current employee morale at the university isn't so positive for his long term health here, unless he gets pure vindication somehow. But ironically, next year could be the year Miller actually coaches lesser one and done talent and makes a real team out of it. You know he wants that chance, as long as he doesn't implode.

But also agree there is such a dark cloud over the program right now, worst it's ever been, and we could fall into a chasm. And we don't have any idea when it will end, that's the frustrating part, it can drag on for eeeevvveeeeerrrr. We're going to need to see some positive traction somehow with decent recruiting to at least fill out a roster, and see what changes get made to ncaa basketball rules in the next 6 months.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:38 pm

Gladiator Cat wrote:So Grand Canyon warrants a visit over Arizona who misses the cut............is anyone awake yet.

You're overreacting. Arizona has higher priorities than him, hence why it never went beyond "hi how you doing?". Quite frankly he's not worth shit and that's not sour grapes at all.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:40 pm

TatetheGreat wrote:
Gladiator Cat wrote:So Grand Canyon warrants a visit over Arizona who misses the cut............is anyone awake yet.
He's a combo guard with more TOs than assists. Hopefully we were cut due to lack of interest on our part.

Yep.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:43 pm

TheGreatCatsby wrote:At a party this weekend met some twentysomething people who worked at the U of A in various departments, casual fans and female workers who all are pretty much over with the Miller era. Got the sense that in their viewpoint he tarnishes the reputation of the University and its workers, and they added he does squat in the tournament. Very casual fans reactionary stuff. Not to say Sean is going anywhere, but that look at some current employee morale at the university isn't so positive for his long term health here, unless he gets pure vindication somehow. But ironically, next year could be the year Miller actually coaches lesser one and done talent and makes a real team out of it. You know he wants that chance, as long as he doesn't implode.

But also agree there is such a dark cloud over the program right now, worst it's ever been, and we could fall into a chasm. And we don't have any idea when it will end, that's the frustrating part, it can drag on for eeeevvveeeeerrrr. We're going to need to see some positive traction somehow with decent recruiting to at least fill out a roster, and see what changes get made to ncaa basketball rules in the next 6 months.

Arizona just had a fired football coach sued for sexual harassment. Last week, an ex-track coach at Arizona was convicted of felony agg assault against an ex-athlete.

Miller makes employees of Arizona look bad?

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:48 pm

What's the chance that Miller already has his kids but due to the media storm so far has asked everyone to be quite untill signing day?

MC1983 · Post by **MC1983** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:54 pm

TheGreatCatsby wrote:At a party this weekend met some twentysomething people who worked at the U of A in various departments, casual fans and female workers who all are pretty much over with the Miller era. Got the sense that in their viewpoint he tarnishes the reputation of the University and its workers, and they added he does squat in the tournament. Very casual fans reactionary stuff. Not to say Sean is going anywhere, but that look at some current employee morale at the university isn't so positive for his long term health here, unless he gets pure vindication somehow. But ironically, next year could be the year Miller actually coaches lesser one and done talent and makes a real team out of it. You know he wants that chance, as long as he doesn't implode.

But also agree there is such a dark cloud over the program right now, worst it's ever been, and we could fall into a chasm. And we don't have any idea when it will end, that's the frustrating part, it can drag on for eeeevvveeeeerrrr. We're going to need to see some positive traction somehow with decent recruiting to at least fill out a roster, and see what changes get made to ncaa basketball rules in the next 6 months.

So glad the big boosters, AD, and President are not F- tards like these idvisuauls you speak of. Waving the white flag over Espn’s BS is the biggest p-ssy move you could make. I’m proud the University stood up to that $hit show. As for these 20 years olds I would love to hear who they would like to replace him. Than LMAO when they come with a brain dead reply of Mile Simon. Now on to the tournament there was just something put out about a week ago showing that Miller actually has a good record in it. It was actually better than Lute Olson’s. Hell I thought for the longest time Jay Wright would never get there.

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