The 2021-2022 Season Thread

[UAEebs86]

How does Ballo have 4 years to play if he played this year? azgreg posted his stats.

Is it the Covid waiver?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Like when we tried to play Ayton and Ristic together in 17-18?

Dunno man, 3 true C's is a tough puzzle to work.

Sorta feel like there's a criticism to be made of Miller here. Ayton and Ristic were both very good college players. That team should've been better, imo.

It was problematic in terms of difficulty playing alongside each other. It's hard having 2 true centers at the same time because at least one becomes a target on defense.

That's what the issue with the 17-18 team was, defense, in large part because there was a constant mismatch with Ristic and Ayton out there together.

Turning to Ballo, I'm not sure I see how he fits with the two guys we have. He's a RS soph, and he poses the same issue of not being able to play alongside Koloko or Brown. In the same way we couldn't play Koloko with Brown, we can't add a third.

If the idea is he plays Batcho minutes, my first response would be, so none?

[MountainCat]

How does Ballo have 4 years to play if he played this year? azgreg posted his stats.

Is it the Covid waiver?

I thought all players have a do-over because of Covid.

Ballo was at Gonzaga for two years. First years was an academic redshirt for him and last year was his freshman year. With the Covid waiver, he is a freshman again. Am I wrong?

[1stNGrant Frys]

How does Ballo have 4 years to play if he played this year? azgreg posted his stats.

Is it the Covid waiver?

I thought all players have a do-over because of Covid.

Ballo was at Gonzaga for two years. First years was an academic redshirt for him and last year was his freshman year. With the Covid waiver, he is a freshman again. Am I wrong?

If he is a 4 year player, he'll be like a BYU redshirt senior in age

[Chicat]

Like when we tried to play Ayton and Ristic together in 17-18?

Dunno man, 3 true C's is a tough puzzle to work.

Sorta feel like there's a criticism to be made of Miller here. Ayton and Ristic were both very good college players. That team should've been better, imo.

It was problematic in terms of difficulty playing alongside each other. It's hard having 2 true centers at the same time because at least one becomes a target on defense.

That's what the issue with the 17-18 team was, defense, in large part because there was a constant mismatch with Ristic and Ayton out there together.

Miller was enamored with the pure size of the front line and Ayton wanted to show NBA execs that he could play the 4.

It wasn't a great strategy for on court success but you live, you (hopefully) learn.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Like when we tried to play Ayton and Ristic together in 17-18?

Dunno man, 3 true C's is a tough puzzle to work.

Sorta feel like there's a criticism to be made of Miller here. Ayton and Ristic were both very good college players. That team should've been better, imo.

It was problematic in terms of difficulty playing alongside each other. It's hard having 2 true centers at the same time because at least one becomes a target on defense.

That's what the issue with the 17-18 team was, defense, in large part because there was a constant mismatch with Ristic and Ayton out there together.

Miller was enamored with the pure size of the front line and Ayton wanted to show NBA execs that he could play the 4.

It wasn't a great strategy for on court success but you live, you (hopefully) learn.

I tended to think it was just, if Deandre Ayton wants to come, you take him and hope to figure the rest out.

[MountainCat]

How does Ballo have 4 years to play if he played this year? azgreg posted his stats.

Is it the Covid waiver?

Here - A quote from the Tommy Lloyd thread:

"Ballo, who turns 19 in July, was the top international player in the 2019 recruiting class, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. 247Sports rated him as the No. 78 player in his class and the No. 20 center. He chose Gonzaga over Arizona and Baylor. Lloyd was his lead recruiter.

A native of Koulikoro, Mali, Ballo will have four years of eligibility at Arizona and should be able to play immediately thanks to the new one-time transfer rule.

Before joining the Zags, Ballo helped Mali finish second in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, where he was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five. He averaged 17.6 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 block per game on 52.4 percent shooting."

[Alieberman]

I would really appreciate it if we could have our entire coaching staff and 2021-2022 roster set by 2pm PST today.

Thank You. (I'm getting cramps in my fingers from refreshing every 90 seconds)

[MountainCat]

I would really appreciate it if we could have our entire coaching staff and 2021-2022 roster set by 2pm PST today.

Thank You. (I'm getting cramps in my fingers from refreshing every 90 seconds)

Agreed - I can't believe how slow Lloyd has been since being hired. We may loose everything and cease to exist as a basketball program. Needless to say, we may have made the wrong choice...

...not

[EastCoastCat]

We were going to have our entire coaching staff and 2021-2022 roster set by 2pm PST today, and then the UA President got involved.

[YoDeFoe]

It was problematic in terms of difficulty playing alongside each other. It's hard having 2 true centers at the same time because at least one becomes a target on defense.

That's what the issue with the 17-18 team was, defense, in large part because there was a constant mismatch with Ristic and Ayton out there together.

Turning to Ballo, I'm not sure I see how he fits with the two guys we have. He's a RS soph, and he poses the same issue of not being able to play alongside Koloko or Brown. In the same way we couldn't play Koloko with Brown, we can't add a third.

If the idea is he plays Batcho minutes, my first response would be, so none?

Gonzaga very rarely ran a true two post line-up, 10-15% / 4 - 6min/g max. They were far more likely to play a small ball center. What looks like habits though may simply be a factor of who is on the roster (a la Miller playing Ristic alongside incoming future NBA stars who wanted to play the 4).

Looking at 2021... maybe we have to play some twin post stuff, I'd certainly hope not, but maybe that's where the talent on the roster lies. We'll see how it shakes out.

Looking at 2022... a front court of Anderson and Ballo would be pretty darn ideal. Two 7 footers, one a presence at the rim, the other able to stretch the floor.

The most important thing for Ballo - after sitting out a season due to NCAA eligibility and then getting spot minutes last season mostly riding the bench - is just getting into a rhythm and maintaining confidence and motivation through playing time... and I have no idea how he'll get that this season at Arizona. Maybe if Jordan Brown develops his jumper more... it's Brown and Tubelis at the four and Ballo and Koloko at the five? Or maybe there's more departures to be expected.

[Chicat]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

[ChooChooCat]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

[RondaeShimmy]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

Dalen also looking more likely?

[EastCoastCat]

I like Koloko and would love to see him at his full potential as a Wildcat. He would also seem to fit better in a "free flowing" system to take advantage of his athleticism. Never thought he was that strong as a back to the basket post player.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

Brown too? I guess you never know, it just seems odd to me that Ballo comes if Koloko and Brown are here this year and Anderson gets added next year. Center is easily the deepest position on the roster and Ballo is a center only.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Looking at 2021... maybe we have to play some twin post stuff, I'd certainly hope not, but maybe that's where the talent on the roster lies. We'll see how it shakes out.

Looking at 2022... a front court of Anderson and Ballo would be pretty darn ideal. Two 7 footers, one a presence at the rim, the other able to stretch the floor.

The most important thing for Ballo - after sitting out a season due to NCAA eligibility and then getting spot minutes last season mostly riding the bench - is just getting into a rhythm and maintaining confidence and motivation through playing time... and I have no idea how he'll get that this season at Arizona. Maybe if Jordan Brown develops his jumper more... it's Brown and Tubelis at the four and Ballo and Koloko at the five? Or maybe there's more departures to be expected.

I mean, Miller didn't play Koloko and Brown together much because it was tough to put those two together on D. Ballo's even tougher, IMO, bc he's probably the least mobile of the 3, so you figure whoever plays with him at PF will have a target on every ball screen.

I just don't really see the fit without Koloko or Brown leaving. Koloko's got a defensive presence that Ballo doesn't, and Brown has a higher offensive skill set. Both Koloko and Brown have two more years of eligibility, so...dunno, then you add Anderson and it gets even more confusing.

[Beachcat97]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

Brown too? I guess you never know, it just seems odd to me that Ballo comes if Koloko and Brown are here this year and Anderson gets added next year. Center is easily the deepest position on the roster and Ballo is a center only.

I'm wondering about Tubelis too. Haven't heard anything about him. He's important.

[Alieberman]

Big guys get hurt. Can never have enough

[ChooChooCat]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

Brown too? I guess you never know, it just seems odd to me that Ballo comes if Koloko and Brown are here this year and Anderson gets added next year. Center is easily the deepest position on the roster and Ballo is a center only.

I'm wondering about Tubelis too. Haven't heard anything about him. He's important.

Tubelis will be back.

[ChooChooCat]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

Brown too? I guess you never know, it just seems odd to me that Ballo comes if Koloko and Brown are here this year and Anderson gets added next year. Center is easily the deepest position on the roster and Ballo is a center only.

From what I understand every post player you can think of will be returning barring a change of heart of course.

[SCCats]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

Brown too? I guess you never know, it just seems odd to me that Ballo comes if Koloko and Brown are here this year and Anderson gets added next year. Center is easily the deepest position on the roster and Ballo is a center only.

I'm wondering about Tubelis too. Haven't heard anything about him. He's important.

Tubelis will be back.

Nice

[AZOO7]

Hearing Tubelis is coming back is making my life better. Sports shouldn’t have that effect on your daily life, but damned if it does.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I don’t think it’s in any way a given Koloko is a Wildcat next year, which I personally think would be a shame. One of the all time “what ifs” in our program’s history.

At the moment he's likely returning.

Brown too? I guess you never know, it just seems odd to me that Ballo comes if Koloko and Brown are here this year and Anderson gets added next year. Center is easily the deepest position on the roster and Ballo is a center only.

From what I understand every post player you can think of will be returning barring a change of heart of course.

Hmm. Not sure I understand the Ballo fit, but I guess I'm not the one who has to understand it.

[ChooChooCat]

Hmm. Not sure I understand the Ballo fit, but I guess I'm not the one who has to understand it.

I don't know the plan either honestly. I guess we'll see.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Juzang entered the draft

[84Cat]

Juzang entered the draft

Preserving his college eligibility

[pdx123]

I would really appreciate it if we could have our entire coaching staff and 2021-2022 roster set by 2pm PST today.

Thank You. (I'm getting cramps in my fingers from refreshing every 90 seconds)

A point guard would be nice too.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Odds Simpson takes his spot?

[gronk4heisman]

Hmm. Not sure I understand the Ballo fit, but I guess I'm not the one who has to understand it.

I don't know the plan either honestly. I guess we'll see.

It kind of has the smell of add Ballo to appease Mathurin more than actually improving the roster. We already have one scholarship of that nature taken with Tautvillas.

[ChooChooCat]

Hmm. Not sure I understand the Ballo fit, but I guess I'm not the one who has to understand it.

I don't know the plan either honestly. I guess we'll see.

It kind of has the smell of add Ballo to appease Mathurin more than actually improving the roster. We already have one scholarship of that nature taken with Tautvillas.

Ballo has a SIGNIFICANTLY higher ceiling than Tautvilas and it's not even close. Ballo needs development and maybe he just thinks Lloyd is the guy to develop him. I highly doubt Lloyd would take him to appease Mathurin. FWIW it doesn't hurt with Benn, but Ballo sure as hell wouldn't be the move to keep the guy.

[YoDeFoe]

Odds Simpson takes his spot?

Pretty sure they're at the scholly limit if Johnny leaves... so no room for KJ yet even with his departure. Obviously rosters are in flux

[gronk4heisman]

Hmm. Not sure I understand the Ballo fit, but I guess I'm not the one who has to understand it.

I don't know the plan either honestly. I guess we'll see.

It kind of has the smell of add Ballo to appease Mathurin more than actually improving the roster. We already have one scholarship of that nature taken with Tautvillas.

Ballo has a SIGNIFICANTLY higher ceiling than Tautvilas and it's not even close. Ballo needs development and maybe he just thinks Lloyd is the guy to develop him. I highly doubt Lloyd would take him to appease Mathurin. FWIW it doesn't hurt with Benn, but Ballo sure as hell wouldn't be the move to keep the guy.

Agree that Ballo is a much better player than Tautvilas and actual stands on his own merits, I was referring more to the added value seems low based on our current and future roster. Glad to hear that you don't think that this was done for the purpose of appeasing another player.

[Beachcat97]

Juzang should go pro. He's likely a first round pick. The way he just played in the tourney might have just gotten him the highest draft stock he can possibly have. He should go. Not saying that as a homer, but he likely isn't going to have higher draft stock and is a first round pick. He's a good kid and deserves to make some cash

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... urn-school

Think he's gone. His stock will never be higher than it is right now.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Agree that Ballo is a much better player than Tautvilas and actual stands on his own merits, I was referring more to the added value seems low based on our current and future roster. Glad to hear that you don't think that this was done for the purpose of appeasing another player.

This is the part I struggle with. If you think you're retaining JB and Koloko for 2 years, Azuolas for 1 and getting Anderson next year...dunno, it's just hard to see what Ballo brings until maybe 3 years in the future.

If he wants to be here and is cool with minutes being tough to come by, ok, I guess. Spokane is too cold, maybe?

[Alieberman]

Agree that Ballo is a much better player than Tautvilas and actual stands on his own merits, I was referring more to the added value seems low based on our current and future roster. Glad to hear that you don't think that this was done for the purpose of appeasing another player.

This is the part I struggle with. If you think you're retaining JB and Koloko for 2 years, Azuolas for 1 and getting Anderson next year...dunno, it's just hard to see what Ballo brings until maybe 3 years in the future.

If he wants to be here and is cool with minutes being tough to come by, ok, I guess. Spokane is too cold, maybe?

I like having players that aren't afraid of some tough competition.

[ChooChooCat]

Agree that Ballo is a much better player than Tautvilas and actual stands on his own merits, I was referring more to the added value seems low based on our current and future roster. Glad to hear that you don't think that this was done for the purpose of appeasing another player.

This is the part I struggle with. If you think you're retaining JB and Koloko for 2 years, Azuolas for 1 and getting Anderson next year...dunno, it's just hard to see what Ballo brings until maybe 3 years in the future.

If he wants to be here and is cool with minutes being tough to come by, ok, I guess. Spokane is too cold, maybe?

See, you’re assuming JB intends to stay past next season. I wouldn’t assume that at all regardless how he performs.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Agree that Ballo is a much better player than Tautvilas and actual stands on his own merits, I was referring more to the added value seems low based on our current and future roster. Glad to hear that you don't think that this was done for the purpose of appeasing another player.

This is the part I struggle with. If you think you're retaining JB and Koloko for 2 years, Azuolas for 1 and getting Anderson next year...dunno, it's just hard to see what Ballo brings until maybe 3 years in the future.

If he wants to be here and is cool with minutes being tough to come by, ok, I guess. Spokane is too cold, maybe?

I like having players that aren't afraid of some tough competition.

Yeah, but those players can easily become players who are dissatisfied with their role when the minutes they thought they could get don't appear.

Which is why I made the cold joke. Ballo had tough competition at Gonzaga, and every article I could find said he'd wanted a larger role. I'm just not sure I see that as likely at Arizona.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Any chance we look at any European prospects for next season?

[ChooChooCat]

Any chance we look at any European prospects for next season?

As long as every thing works out as Arizona wants it to then no. If Arizona’s top options end up elsewhere then it’s certainly possible.

[Beachcat97]

So Choo, in your estimation, everything working out the way we want it to looks like...

Akinjo leaves, Tyty commits.
Mathurin, Koloko, Kerr, Terry, J. Brown and Tubelis back.
Nowell and Dezonie stay committed.

Does that cover it?

[gronk4heisman]

So Choo, in your estimation, everything working out the way we want it to looks like...

Akinjo leaves, Tyty commits.
Mathurin, Koloko, Kerr, Terry, J. Brown and Tubelis back.
Nowell and Dezonie stay committed.

Does that cover it?

If Aiken is not coming, we still have another spot to fill in addition to Tyty (or another PG) if my count is right.

[ChooChooCat]

So Choo, in your estimation, everything working out the way we want it to looks like...

Akinjo leaves, Tyty commits.
Mathurin, Koloko, Kerr, Terry, J. Brown and Tubelis back.
Nowell and Dezonie stay committed.

Does that cover it?

Yes, with the two freshmen being up in the air. I believe if JET stays as an assistant (I doubt he does, but you never know) then Nowell will stay committed. As far as Dezonie goes I think it’ll depend on if Lloyd likes him or if he lands the transfer they’re talking to. Still a lot to TBD on those two guys.

[ChooChooCat]

So Choo, in your estimation, everything working out the way we want it to looks like...

Akinjo leaves, Tyty commits.
Mathurin, Koloko, Kerr, Terry, J. Brown and Tubelis back.
Nowell and Dezonie stay committed.

Does that cover it?

If Aiken is not coming, we still have another spot to fill in addition to Tyty (or another PG) if my count is right.

3 spots currently open, 2 if Kerr returns.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Oooooo a transfer ya say... Dezonie is a two guard, so we're looking into a two guard. Very interesting

[NickyBCats]

Would you take this transfer over Nowell or Dezonie?

[UAEebs86]

[NickyBCats]

I spy everyone not named Akinjo. Let’s go!!!

[gronk4heisman]

What are the rules on practices? I thought there was some rule that during the offseason you can not have more than 4 players in a workout at a time.

[YoDeFoe]

Benn and Kerr here... love to see it. Roster looking like it'll settle in nicely.