South Region Discussion

[Bordercat]

Terry, Kerr, Kier, Zou, Ballo and Larson none of them played a particularly great.It was all Benn and CLo.

The only reason TCU came back and took control of the game is because we let them. Missed free throws, missed layups, not boxing out. And the refs kept them in the game with those weak ass three point fouls. And not calling other blatant fouls.

We have not played well since final UCLA game.

I think they will enjoy a little hostility and us against world stuff and seeing the odds makers are favoring Houston.

Terry needs to put a check on running his mouth he really wasn't playing that great.

[Spaceman Spiff]

What are Houston's strengths that are expected to give Arizona problems? Streaking at the right time? Size?

Houston is #2 in the country in second chance points

https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-baske ... s-per-game

Last 3 games they're at 12 second chance points, vs Kofi and Illinois they had 17 second chance pts

We need to be far better in that area than vs TCU. We gave up a ton of second chance points and that can't continue.

Offensively, we'll be ok. We went 5-27 from 3 and still won. If we control the defensive glass and make a few, we're in a solid place. We weren't getting awful looks, we just couldn't throw it in the ocean from a boat.

[EastCoastCat]

Yeah to me it will be more about leaking out to early for the fat break and having everyone crash the boards.

[EVCat]

Two things

1. the final play in regulation, and the need for Benn's 3, may not have been the situation at all if we had not been screwed yet again by the clock operators. If the rule is truly that is is on the team with the ball to know the clock operator messed up and proceed accordingly, that is ridiculous. Shot at 7, Benn rebounds at what would be 6, clearly looks right at the clock on the hoop, sees the reset shot clock, and steps back, taking a couple of dribbles. Refs run in 4 seconds later blowing the whistle to stop play...then count that 4 seconds that it took them to recognize the error, that we were operating with what looked to be a full shot clock, against us in resetting the clock, giving us a 2 second possession rather than a 6 second one. BIIIG difference, and with only 2, we got a rushed airball. Six seconds is enough to run a full end of game style set. We are penalized because the clock operator? That's insane. It's not like there's a whistle when a rim is or isn't hit, or some way players are signaled that, other than by looking at the shot clock. A player can't see officials and the ball when playing.

2. a lot of talk about giving up offensive boards, and too much of it directed at our bigs. Perimeter defense is much more of an issue in this case. They were running the same action off the screen, and the ball handler kept getting to the rim. The big has to play help defense, and many times not just go for the block, but to cut off the drive a step or two off the rim. As soon as that happens, one of their bigs has a free path to the rim. The guards are beat and above the play, and a big, usually Koloko, has had to step away from boxing out to defend/block shot of a guard. The getting to the rim was the biggest issue. There was one subtle, yet big, play Koloko made on one of these where he had to come baseline (different action, same situation) to cut off a drive past Mathurin. He got to the driver a couple steps away from the rim, and the shooter threw up a push shot over him...it got to the rim, and bounced, and Lampkin was straight on the rim and unchecked. It was going to be an easy put back. But Christian landed from the block attempt and went straight back up, almost FIBA style, and swatted the ball away from being rebounded, back toward the backcourt. It wasn't on the rim, but was just bouncing off. CK wasn't at a good angle to get it because he had just faced the baseline drive, but he was long enough to reach behind his head with one arm and tap it to safety. That's what happens when perimeter D fails...yet bigs get blamed for O rebounds almost all the time.

[SabinoDrifter]

great breakdown, EVCat. Tommy chewed out the clock operator after that happened, not sure if others noticed. And on your second point, you damn well know Kelvin Sampson is going to put together a similar game plan to put pressure on the perimeter defense.

[CalStateTempe]

great breakdown, EVCat. Tommy chewed out the clock operator after that happened, not sure if others noticed. And on your second point, you damn well know Kelvin Sampson is going to put together a similar game plan to put pressure on the perimeter defense.

Also without the clock fuckery, DTs jam at the end stands due to at least .5 additional on the clock.

[Longhorned]

Houston is like a college team from the 1980s. Usually those cohesive teams made up of experienced seniors lack athleticism and have long-distance snipers. This is a team of very athletic seniors/grads who don't depend on distance shooting. Their team defense against Illinois looked so good. They're so zeroed in on rebounding their missed three-pointers.

[EVCat]

great breakdown, EVCat. Tommy chewed out the clock operator after that happened, not sure if others noticed. And on your second point, you damn well know Kelvin Sampson is going to put together a similar game plan to put pressure on the perimeter defense.

Also without the clock fuckery, DTs jam at the end stands due to at least .5 additional on the clock.

Maybe. If we had been given 6, like we should have, we probably still would have used all 6. But more important was that possession, and what is possible/percentage of chance to make a basket or get fouled with 6 seconds vs 2 seconds. A full 6 leaves time to drive and get fouled or make a basket, or make a pass to an open shooter. Two seconds just leaves desperation shots. It was incredibly impactful (we got an airball heave) and no one can properly explain why that should be on the players to know.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Two things

1. the final play in regulation, and the need for Benn's 3, may not have been the situation at all if we had not been screwed yet again by the clock operators. If the rule is truly that is is on the team with the ball to know the clock operator messed up and proceed accordingly, that is ridiculous. Shot at 7, Benn rebounds at what would be 6, clearly looks right at the clock on the hoop, sees the reset shot clock, and steps back, taking a couple of dribbles. Refs run in 4 seconds later blowing the whistle to stop play...then count that 4 seconds that it took them to recognize the error, that we were operating with what looked to be a full shot clock, against us in resetting the clock, giving us a 2 second possession rather than a 6 second one. BIIIG difference, and with only 2, we got a rushed airball. Six seconds is enough to run a full end of game style set. We are penalized because the clock operator? That's insane. It's not like there's a whistle when a rim is or isn't hit, or some way players are signaled that, other than by looking at the shot clock. A player can't see officials and the ball when playing.

2. a lot of talk about giving up offensive boards, and too much of it directed at our bigs. Perimeter defense is much more of an issue in this case. They were running the same action off the screen, and the ball handler kept getting to the rim. The big has to play help defense, and many times not just go for the block, but to cut off the drive a step or two off the rim. As soon as that happens, one of their bigs has a free path to the rim. The guards are beat and above the play, and a big, usually Koloko, has had to step away from boxing out to defend/block shot of a guard. The getting to the rim was the biggest issue. There was one subtle, yet big, play Koloko made on one of these where he had to come baseline (different action, same situation) to cut off a drive past Mathurin. He got to the driver a couple steps away from the rim, and the shooter threw up a push shot over him...it got to the rim, and bounced, and Lampkin was straight on the rim and unchecked. It was going to be an easy put back. But Christian landed from the block attempt and went straight back up, almost FIBA style, and swatted the ball away from being rebounded, back toward the backcourt. It wasn't on the rim, but was just bouncing off. CK wasn't at a good angle to get it because he had just faced the baseline drive, but he was long enough to reach behind his head with one arm and tap it to safety. That's what happens when perimeter D fails...yet bigs get blamed for O rebounds almost all the time.

Very much agree with both. On #1, you could see Benn reset with a pass after checking the shot clock.

On #2, our biggest issue was controlling people running free from the outside in. That's the way you have to limit people on the glass, by preventing them from being inside 10-12 feet unchecked.

Some of it's simple. If a perimeter guy gets beat and Koloko comes to challenge, the perimeter guy needs to fall to get a body on Koloko's man.

Some of it's on weak side defenders. When penetration happens or a shot goes up, you have to find your man if he's going to the glass.

Do those two things and a lot can change. I agree fully it wasn't as much on the bigs. The most I'd tell the bigs is be aggressive on fighting for 50/50 boards. Ballo was the only one in foul trouble, and it wasn't from rebounding.

[pokinmik]

Yea thatwthat sequence was definitely bullshit. Clock operator fucked up and the clock should’ve gone back to 6 and go from there, start fresh. You shouldn’t punish the kids on the floor when they look up and see a reset clock in the heat of the moment. Glad Tommy at least bitched out the ref and clock operator.

[EVCat]

Houston is very good. But they are also a 5 seed for a reason. Memphis beat them by double digits twice in the last month, and they needed 2 OTs to get past Wichita St. They also lost to SMU right after losing to Memphis. Their style is very much like TCU, but I felt we got looks we wanted when we ran offense. They want to force you to the flats and trap or overplay...maybe a little UNLV from the 80s/90s Amoeba concept...but if you are quicker and move the ball fast, they can't be everywhere. It will take confident play, and some 3s...we need to hit a couple of 3s to force them to extend in reaction to our players rather than to force action.

I mean...not going down 10-2 would help

[Longhorned]

Two things

1. the final play in regulation, and the need for Benn's 3, may not have been the situation at all if we had not been screwed yet again by the clock operators. If the rule is truly that is is on the team with the ball to know the clock operator messed up and proceed accordingly, that is ridiculous. Shot at 7, Benn rebounds at what would be 6, clearly looks right at the clock on the hoop, sees the reset shot clock, and steps back, taking a couple of dribbles. Refs run in 4 seconds later blowing the whistle to stop play...then count that 4 seconds that it took them to recognize the error, that we were operating with what looked to be a full shot clock, against us in resetting the clock, giving us a 2 second possession rather than a 6 second one. BIIIG difference, and with only 2, we got a rushed airball. Six seconds is enough to run a full end of game style set. We are penalized because the clock operator? That's insane. It's not like there's a whistle when a rim is or isn't hit, or some way players are signaled that, other than by looking at the shot clock. A player can't see officials and the ball when playing.

2. a lot of talk about giving up offensive boards, and too much of it directed at our bigs. Perimeter defense is much more of an issue in this case. They were running the same action off the screen, and the ball handler kept getting to the rim. The big has to play help defense, and many times not just go for the block, but to cut off the drive a step or two off the rim. As soon as that happens, one of their bigs has a free path to the rim. The guards are beat and above the play, and a big, usually Koloko, has had to step away from boxing out to defend/block shot of a guard. The getting to the rim was the biggest issue. There was one subtle, yet big, play Koloko made on one of these where he had to come baseline (different action, same situation) to cut off a drive past Mathurin. He got to the driver a couple steps away from the rim, and the shooter threw up a push shot over him...it got to the rim, and bounced, and Lampkin was straight on the rim and unchecked. It was going to be an easy put back. But Christian landed from the block attempt and went straight back up, almost FIBA style, and swatted the ball away from being rebounded, back toward the backcourt. It wasn't on the rim, but was just bouncing off. CK wasn't at a good angle to get it because he had just faced the baseline drive, but he was long enough to reach behind his head with one arm and tap it to safety. That's what happens when perimeter D fails...yet bigs get blamed for O rebounds almost all the time.

Very much agree with both. On #1, you could see Benn reset with a pass after checking the shot clock.

On #2, our biggest issue was controlling people running free from the outside in. That's the way you have to limit people on the glass, by preventing them from being inside 10-12 feet unchecked.

Some of it's simple. If a perimeter guy gets beat and Koloko comes to challenge, the perimeter guy needs to fall to get a body on Koloko's man.

Some of it's on weak side defenders. When penetration happens or a shot goes up, you have to find your man if he's going to the glass.

Do those two things and a lot can change. I agree fully it wasn't as much on the bigs. The most I'd tell the bigs is be aggressive on fighting for 50/50 boards. Ballo was the only one in foul trouble, and it wasn't from rebounding.

FWIW Steve Kerr laments that's really hard to coach now because AAU/high school coaches stopped teaching that early. He complained about being unable to coach it at Golden State, and about sitting on his couch watching League Pass and not seeing any defenders doing that on rebounds.

[RondaeShimmy]

What are Houston's strengths that are expected to give Arizona problems? Streaking at the right time? Size?

Houston is #2 in the country in second chance points

https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-baske ... s-per-game

Last 3 games they're at 12 second chance points, vs Kofi and Illinois they had 17 second chance pts

We need to be far better in that area than vs TCU. We gave up a ton of second chance points and that can't continue.

Offensively, we'll be ok. We went 5-27 from 3 and still won. If we control the defensive glass and make a few, we're in a solid place. We weren't getting awful looks, we just couldn't throw it in the ocean from a boat.

Our constant defense switching makes this hard because it sometimes leaves us in bad rebounding positions.

[Beachcat97]

Between Houston, Michigan and Nova, I just don't see a team left in our region who has any answer for our size. Michigan has Dickinson and Diabate. Nova is a pretty small team. And Houston's tallest player is 6'11.

Just as it was vs. TCU, our size is going to be a PROBLEM for these teams. We could help ourselves greatly by not shooting 5-27 from three. I mean, if we hit a few more of those, we beat TCU in regulation. But in the end, our size and long arms on defense stifled TCU. They really struggled to get the ball up court and get good looks. I expect Houston will be better, but I think we'll bother them in the same way.

If Kriisa and/or Tubelis shoot well on Thursday, and all the same things from last night happen, we will beat Houston by 5 to 10 points.

[CopaCat]

Two things

1. the final play in regulation, and the need for Benn's 3, may not have been the situation at all if we had not been screwed yet again by the clock operators. If the rule is truly that is is on the team with the ball to know the clock operator messed up and proceed accordingly, that is ridiculous. Shot at 7, Benn rebounds at what would be 6, clearly looks right at the clock on the hoop, sees the reset shot clock, and steps back, taking a couple of dribbles. Refs run in 4 seconds later blowing the whistle to stop play...then count that 4 seconds that it took them to recognize the error, that we were operating with what looked to be a full shot clock, against us in resetting the clock, giving us a 2 second possession rather than a 6 second one. BIIIG difference, and with only 2, we got a rushed airball. Six seconds is enough to run a full end of game style set. We are penalized because the clock operator? That's insane. It's not like there's a whistle when a rim is or isn't hit, or some way players are signaled that, other than by looking at the shot clock. A player can't see officials and the ball when playing.

2. a lot of talk about giving up offensive boards, and too much of it directed at our bigs. Perimeter defense is much more of an issue in this case. They were running the same action off the screen, and the ball handler kept getting to the rim. The big has to play help defense, and many times not just go for the block, but to cut off the drive a step or two off the rim. As soon as that happens, one of their bigs has a free path to the rim. The guards are beat and above the play, and a big, usually Koloko, has had to step away from boxing out to defend/block shot of a guard. The getting to the rim was the biggest issue. There was one subtle, yet big, play Koloko made on one of these where he had to come baseline (different action, same situation) to cut off a drive past Mathurin. He got to the driver a couple steps away from the rim, and the shooter threw up a push shot over him...it got to the rim, and bounced, and Lampkin was straight on the rim and unchecked. It was going to be an easy put back. But Christian landed from the block attempt and went straight back up, almost FIBA style, and swatted the ball away from being rebounded, back toward the backcourt. It wasn't on the rim, but was just bouncing off. CK wasn't at a good angle to get it because he had just faced the baseline drive, but he was long enough to reach behind his head with one arm and tap it to safety. That's what happens when perimeter D fails...yet bigs get blamed for O rebounds almost all the time.

Your 2nd point is what worries me about Houston. They are a guard heavy team and they have some pretty quick guards. Our D will have to scheme something to prevent a Mike Miles #2 from happening. Quite frankly if he hadn't got into foul trouble we might not be as happy as we are today.

Seeing that Houston is a great offensive rebounding team tells me their guard play puts pressure on the paint.

Tommy definitely has some work to do this week, but I trust he will get it done.

[CatsbyAZ]

I love that we are now going to be the team TCU bitches about for a generation.

Was thinking about this too, and you know what, screw their fans. Mostly because, before this season, have both the tags “TCU” and “basketball fan” ever been heard in the same sentence?

[RaisingArizona]

I mean...not going down 10-2 would help

And not committing three fouls on three point attempts

[azgreg]

https://a.espncdn.com/sec/media/2021/NC ... 20Book.pdf

Section 12. Backcourt
Art. 1. A team’s frontcourt shall consist of that part of the playing court
between its end line and the nearer edge of the division line, including its basket
and the inbounds part of its backboard.
Art. 2. A team’s backcourt consists of the rest of the playing court, including
its opponent’s basket and inbounds part of the backboard and the division line,
excluding the mathematical edge nearest the team’s basket.

Art. 4. A player shall not be the first to touch the ball in the backcourt (with
any part of the body, voluntarily or involuntarily) when the ball came from
the frontcourt while that player’s team was in team control and that player/
teammate was the last to touch the ball before it went into the backcourt.
(Exception: See Rule 9-12.5)

[Spaceman Spiff]

I mean...not going down 10-2 would help

And not committing three fouls on three point attempts

It's borderline miraculous to me we shot 5-27 from 3, gave up 20 offensive boards and lost. Those are both WHOA stats.

[WildcatStunner]

I know tcu beat us on the glass, but they also gave up 14 offensive boards themselves.

[RondaeShimmy]

I know tcu beat us on the glass, but they also gave up 14 offensive boards themselves.

Both teams shot like shit from the field
Arizona 45% - 35% TCU

From 3
Arizona 18% (5-27) - 23% (6/26) TCU

A lot of boards to be grabbed

[UAEebs86]

I know tcu beat us on the glass, but they also gave up 14 offensive boards themselves.

Both teams shot like shit from the field

From 3
Arizona 18% (5-27) - 23% (6/26) TCU

But they were effectively 9/26 (35%) with the 3 fouls called. I can't remember if they made all 9 free throws, I think they missed one or two?

[EastCoastCat]

great breakdown, EVCat. Tommy chewed out the clock operator after that happened, not sure if others noticed. And on your second point, you damn well know Kelvin Sampson is going to put together a similar game plan to put pressure on the perimeter defense.

Also without the clock fuckery, DTs jam at the end stands due to at least .5 additional on the clock.

And what was even more pathetic is the announcers agreed with the refs clock operator fuck up. I felt like I was living in bazzaro world.

[97cats]

great breakdown, EVCat. Tommy chewed out the clock operator after that happened, not sure if others noticed. And on your second point, you damn well know Kelvin Sampson is going to put together a similar game plan to put pressure on the perimeter defense.

Also without the clock fuckery, DTs jam at the end stands due to at least .5 additional on the clock.

And what was even more pathetic is the announcers agreed with the refs clock operator fuck up. I felt like I was living in bazzaro world.

me too

[CatFanOneMil]

Houston is going to be a physical battle AGAIN...they don't have as much height, but they have weight...half the team is 210 lbs or more...lots of seniors, deep bench only play 2 freshman AT ALL...5th year guys...this will be like a more physical UCLA squad...

Hopefully we are legions faster...our NBA hopefuls might make the difference again.

[97cats]

Houston is going to be a physical battle AGAIN...they don't have as much height, but they have weight...half the team is 210 lbs or more...lots of seniors, deep bench only play 2 freshman AT ALL...5th year guys...this will be like a more physical UCLA squad...

Hopefully we are legions faster...our NBA hopefuls might make the difference again.

they are a stronger tougher version of TCU without the size and length inside and without the scoring ability.

AZ loses only if the refs completely swallow their whistles and/or a freak thing happens.

otherwise, AZ should win this one going away in the second half as Houston tires and struggles to find the bottom of the basket.

[LuteIsGod]

Free throw line extended shots need to be taken by our bigs, including Tubelis and that should open up the offense to allow for some open 3s and less contested shots in general.

I thought Tubelis played so well last year, but he has played sloppily during the Pac tourney and NCAA tourney this year.

I haven't been this excited about our team since Olson last coached. They're fun to watch!

[DrWildcat]

Houston is going to be a physical battle AGAIN...they don't have as much height, but they have weight...half the team is 210 lbs or more...lots of seniors, deep bench only play 2 freshman AT ALL...5th year guys...this will be like a more physical UCLA squad...

Hopefully we are legions faster...our NBA hopefuls might make the difference again.

they are a stronger tougher version of TCU without the size and length inside and without the scoring ability.

AZ loses only if the refs completely swallow their whistles and/or a freak thing happens.

otherwise, AZ should win this one going away in the second half as Houston tires and struggles to find the bottom of the basket.

Have you watched Houston a ton to know they struggle to score? I haven't watch a single game of theirs so I can only really go off of stats and KenPom for example has them 10th in offensive efficiency where TCU was 75th. I realize something like KenPom can be inflated by blowing out bad teams but still that is pretty high. Just wondering if you (or anyone) has some more insight into Houston's scoring ability as the stats don't necessarily back up your comment comparing Houston and TCU.

[97cats]

Houston is going to be a physical battle AGAIN...they don't have as much height, but they have weight...half the team is 210 lbs or more...lots of seniors, deep bench only play 2 freshman AT ALL...5th year guys...this will be like a more physical UCLA squad...

Hopefully we are legions faster...our NBA hopefuls might make the difference again.

they are a stronger tougher version of TCU without the size and length inside and without the scoring ability.

AZ loses only if the refs completely swallow their whistles and/or a freak thing happens.

otherwise, AZ should win this one going away in the second half as Houston tires and struggles to find the bottom of the basket.

Have you watched Houston a ton to know they struggle to score? I haven't watch a single game of theirs so I can only really go off of stats and KenPom for example has them 10th in offensive efficiency where TCU was 75th. I realize something like KenPom can be inflated by blowing out bad teams but still that is pretty high. Just wondering if you (or anyone) has some more insight into Houston's scoring ability as the stats don't necessarily back up your comment comparing Houston and TCU.

i have watched them a few times and they score because their defense allows them to score easily. made baskets are the kryptonite for Houston, they live a feed off turnovers offensive boards and mental mistakes by the opposition.

an ELITE level team that plays a clean game for the most part should handle Houston, a team that hasnt played a whole hell of a lot of anybody.

[Olsondogg]

At some point the quality of competition comes into play. There’s a reason why the Zags play the ooc schedule that they do, and it’s not just for metrics.

Houston is good, no doubt. But beating up on the Tempe normals every week isn’t something to brag about.

Arizona needs to take care of the ball and rebound.

[DrWildcat]

Houston is going to be a physical battle AGAIN...they don't have as much height, but they have weight...half the team is 210 lbs or more...lots of seniors, deep bench only play 2 freshman AT ALL...5th year guys...this will be like a more physical UCLA squad...

Hopefully we are legions faster...our NBA hopefuls might make the difference again.

they are a stronger tougher version of TCU without the size and length inside and without the scoring ability.

AZ loses only if the refs completely swallow their whistles and/or a freak thing happens.

otherwise, AZ should win this one going away in the second half as Houston tires and struggles to find the bottom of the basket.

Have you watched Houston a ton to know they struggle to score? I haven't watch a single game of theirs so I can only really go off of stats and KenPom for example has them 10th in offensive efficiency where TCU was 75th. I realize something like KenPom can be inflated by blowing out bad teams but still that is pretty high. Just wondering if you (or anyone) has some more insight into Houston's scoring ability as the stats don't necessarily back up your comment comparing Houston and TCU.

i have watched them a few times and they score because their defense allows them to score easily. made baskets are the kryptonite for Houston, they live a feed off turnovers offensive boards and mental mistakes by the opposition.

an ELITE level team that plays a clean game for the most part should handle Houston, a team that hasnt played a whole hell of a lot of anybody.

Thanks, that makes sense. Just trying to put some context to the the stats. I do worry about our turnover tendencies with a team like Houston though. But agree that if we play to our potential we will be fine.

[97cats]

Thanks, that makes sense. Just trying to put some context to the the stats. I do worry about our turnover tendencies with a team like Houston though. But agree that if we play to our potential we will be fine.

youre more than welcome - in this game Arizona turnovers committed and offensive rebounds for Houston allowed will tell the tale of this game

[RondaeShimmy]

Since March 1st we've had the #3 offense

However our defense has ranked #56

https://www.barttorvik.com/?year=2022&s ... mingames=5#

Kansas and Houston have been the best both ways. Our kenpom before was #6-8 overall at 88-89 ppp, and is now #19-20 at 92+ PPP also confirms the same thing.

This also from Miyakawa from before the tournament says the same. Looking at Kentucky, no surprise they lost early. Duke and Arizona are also in that similar situation.

If I weren't an Arizona fan, I'd bet against Arizona heavily. I didn't pick Kentucky going past the S16 for this reason alone, alarming defensive tanking.

This should honestly be concerning, but we keep winning for now.

[97cats]

South Regional
Thursday -- AT&T Center in San Antonio

(1) Arizona vs. (5) Houston

Scouting the Wildcats -- Arizona enjoyed a solid run during Sean Miller's 12 seasons, but the Wildcats haven't made a Final Four since 2001. First-year coach Tommy Lloyd has the program primed to change that. The former longtime Gonzaga assistant has seamlessly implemented the offensive philosophies of his former program with the help of stars like Bennedict Mathurin and Azuolas Tubelis. While offense is this team's strength, the Wildcats have two excellent rim protectors in Christian Koloko and Oumar Ballo. When the Wildcats are really humming, they can rack up points faster than anyone in college basketball, and it's an impressive sight to behold considering that it's Lloyd's first year. – Cobb
Scouting the Cougars -- Despite losing leading scorer Marcus Sasser and fifth-leading scorer Tramon Mark during the month of December, Houston's into the Sweet 16 for a third consecutive season under legendary coach Kelvin Sampson. This Cougars team has embraced the identity of many of Sampson's best bunches by smashing teams on the boards, playing a methodical and effective style on offense and suffocating teams with effort and scheme on defense. They've won 11 of their last 12 games headed to the Sweet 16 and are fresh off dominant wins over UAB and Illinois in the Big Dance. – Boone

(11) Michigan vs. (4) Villanova

Scouting the Wolverines -- The Wolverines barely made the NCAA Tournament, but they validated their inclusion with victories over Colorado State and Tennessee on the opening weekend. Big man Hunter Dickinson is the engine of the team, but fifth-year senior Eli Brooks may be the soul. Together, the duo combined for 50 points against the Volunteers. This marks Michigan's fifth straight Sweet 16 appearances, a feat which spans the tenures of John Beilein and current coach Juwan Howard, who is in his third season. – Cobb
Scouting the Wildcats -- Villanova struggled early in Round 1 against No. 15 seed Delaware but turned it on in the second half with a 20-point win that carried over into the second round, where it went wire to wire and defeated No. 7 seed Ohio State. This Wildcats team is among the oldest in this year's field led by senior guard Collin Gillespie and junior Justin Moore, a hallmark of some of coach Jay Wright's teams. Two of his last Nova clubs that made it this far wound up winning the title, and this team has the goods to do the same coming out of a wide-open South Region. – Boone

https://www.cbssports.com/college-baske ... -rolls-on/

[Olsondogg]

Since March 1st we've had the #3 offense

However our defense has ranked #56

https://www.barttorvik.com/?year=2022&s ... mingames=5#

Kansas and Houston have been the best both ways. Our kenpom before was #6-8 overall at 88-89 ppp, and is now #19-20 at 92+ PPP also confirms the same thing.

This also from Miyakawa from before the tournament says the same. Looking at Kentucky, no surprise they lost early. Duke and Arizona are also in that similar situation.

If I weren't an Arizona fan, I'd bet against Arizona heavily. I didn't pick Kentucky going past the S16 for this reason alone, alarming defensive tanking.

This should honestly be concerning, but we keep winning for now.

I get your point, but the Illini had great defense too…

Great offense >>>>>>> Great Defense in tourney

[RawleArenas]

Clark Kellogg said something about Cats going in to the TCU game. He said that us and Gonzaga were the two least flawed teams in the tournament field, to which everyone agreed. I think its a testament to the fact that we have high level pieces that fit in the right system. It's also why we can have a game where our defense is so-so and have multiple players give a no show and still come out on top.

I said before the game that we would need great defense in order to come out on top. Well, we didn't. We had great defense in spurts but still had a Scooby Doo game - - a game where we stumbled and bumbled but still solved the mystery. I worry less about Houston because although they have a stingy defense, they were 1-4 in Quad 1 games and 2-4 in Quad 2 games (we are 9-0 in Quad 2 by comparison). So it's clear that they have huge holes, we need to find out what they are and exploit them.

Illinois went back and forth with them but they are a one trick pony with capable, but streaky shooters. We're not Illinois. If we put together a defensively sound game and are able to get contributions from more than Mad Mathurin and Koloko, then when we should be ok. I still worry though about the 50-50 balls, that needs improvement.

[RondaeShimmy]

Since March 1st we've had the #3 offense

However our defense has ranked #56

https://www.barttorvik.com/?year=2022&s ... mingames=5#

Kansas and Houston have been the best both ways. Our kenpom before was #6-8 overall at 88-89 ppp, and is now #19-20 at 92+ PPP also confirms the same thing.

This also from Miyakawa from before the tournament says the same. Looking at Kentucky, no surprise they lost early. Duke and Arizona are also in that similar situation.

If I weren't an Arizona fan, I'd bet against Arizona heavily. I didn't pick Kentucky going past the S16 for this reason alone, alarming defensive tanking.

This should honestly be concerning, but we keep winning for now.

I get your point, but the Illini had great defense too…

Great offense >>>>>>> Great Defense in tourney

Illinois I don't think had a great defense, their offense and defense had actually gotten worse since March 1st (bottom left in that graph with Baylor, Villanova, Ohio St).

Houston has and has had better metrics then them (top 12 in both) and rightfully so was favored over Illinois and beat them.

Btw TCU since March 1st has been #33 in offense and #7 in defense

[azgreg]

Boy, the internet blowing up over the end of regulation non call has been something.

[97cats]

kid flopped 37 times last night and caused the contact jumping into the defender on almost every call his way.

dude is a fucking hack and the refs had had enough and were not going to bail him out in that situation

[UAEebs86]

Yeah, trying to figure out how DT, moving mostly lateral to him and maybe even slightly away, launched him off his feet into the backcourt like he was being shot out of a cannon.

[Chicat]

Boy, the internet blowing up over the end of regulation non call has been something.

The undeniable fact is that TCU had five more minutes to win that game.

They didn’t.

[RaisingArizona]

Since March 1st we've had the #3 offense

However our defense has ranked #56

https://www.barttorvik.com/?year=2022&s ... mingames=5#

Kansas and Houston have been the best both ways. Our kenpom before was #6-8 overall at 88-89 ppp, and is now #19-20 at 92+ PPP also confirms the same thing.

This also from Miyakawa from before the tournament says the same. Looking at Kentucky, no surprise they lost early. Duke and Arizona are also in that similar situation.

If I weren't an Arizona fan, I'd bet against Arizona heavily. I didn't pick Kentucky going past the S16 for this reason alone, alarming defensive tanking.

This should honestly be concerning, but we keep winning for now.

Worked out great for Iowa. Is St. Peter's the only team in that top right quadrant still alive?

[CatFanOneMil]

TCU was our first encounter with UCLA, Houston will be our second...the difference was the will to survive in both benn and C-lo overcame some abysmal playing by the rest of the team...give Krissa 3 more shots and its EXACTLY UCLA with one make...but this was his first game back and his will to play probably overcame some seriously messed up physical liabilities...Tommy even mentioned that it was not a "light sprain"...risky but it looks like it will pay off because it blows out the cobwebs and UA was +24 with him in the game.

Houston is the team that beat Bryant by 67, so they do not even care about "swagger"...and I'm pretty sure Tommy will tap down the swagger into a more manageable "effort over drama" type of play...

Apparently when Benn plays angry, get the fuck out of the way because he is perfectly capable of owning your house and as a general rule plays better away than at home...I don't expect another 30 point game from him but you never know.

Houston looks like they want to run...bring it.

They are more experienced and a bit heftier...they are older and heavier than our average player...but talent wise we are tough to match up against.

People rave about C-Lo as a center but keep in mind that when Tommy needed to shut down the last game hot-shot-hero he went to C-Lo and Terry...there's a reason Koloko was the Pac 12 defensive player of the year and its not just because of his blocking ability...

Houston has NEVER encountered a player like him, and whats more his replacement Ballo is no slouch either.

Experience does count for a lot and this is their third consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 but I think a better comparison would be if UCLA were playing in the Mountain West conference...yes they have some wins and a decent record, they got as high as #15 this season...but they're kind of an old big fish in a little pond.

If we play their game we can lose, if we play our game they are out of their water.

[RondaeShimmy]

Houston looks like they want to run...bring it.

They're #333 out of 358 in the country in tempo. They like to slow it down even more than TCU.

Villanova is also really slow at #345 btw.

[prh]

Houston looks like they want to run...bring it.

They're #333 out of 358 in the country in tempo. They like to slow it down even more than TCU.

Villanova is also really slow at #345 btw.

That tempo is deceptive because they get so many offensive rebounds that the total possession count isn't so high. That Illinois game was like a track meet except they had a few minute long possessions

[CatFanOneMil]

Houston looks like they want to run...bring it.

They're #333 out of 358 in the country in tempo. They like to slow it down even more than TCU.

Villanova is also really slow at #345 btw.

Did you watch them against Illinois?

Its that time in the season when the average metric is worthless...they played Illinois way faster than they normally play.

[Captain Obvious]

I'm still concerned with our turnovers but aside from that I think we match up very well with Houston. Our size could really give them problems. We just have to rebound, rebound, rebound and limit their second shots. We need other players to contribute more as well. AT and Ballo need to give us good minutes and I believe they will. Drive, draw and dish to spread their defense and keep them guessing. We'll need a one on one offensive playmaker in this game so thank God we have BM. Obviously It won't be easy but I think we win again in overtime and the cardiac cats march on.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

Two thoughts after reading about Houston in this thread:

1. I’m so damn nervous already and am chomping at the bit to watch this game….AND
2. I’m so ecstatic to be able to feel this way today in the Sweet 16!

Next up on the dance card is Houston…. BTFD and let’s get it done!

[97cats]

I'm still concerned with our turnovers but aside from that I think we match up very well with Houston. Our size could really give them problems. We just have to rebound, rebound, rebound and limit their second shots. We need other players to contribute more as well. AT and Ballo need to give us good minutes and I believe they will. Drive, draw and dish to spread their defense and keep them guessing. We'll need a one on one offensive playmaker in this game so thank God we have BM. Obviously It won't be easy but I think we win again in overtime and the cardiac cats march on.

obviously Captain Obvious it wont be easy but this post is less of a shit stain that your others, i kind of applaud you.

i too agree that the size of AZ is the biggest advantage and if it plays true to form will wear down Houston in the last ten minutes but AZ must control the defensive backboard.

developing and playing Ballo and Koloko on the floor at the same time allows Lloyd to pick whoever is clicking that specific point in the game and run them flank in NBA line-up. it worked again last night and it will work against Houston as well as long as AZ (as you mention) limits the turnovers and takes care of the ball and rebounds - a healthier and livelier Kriisa will help with the Ball(s) care, the rest and rehab will do him wonders and i dont expect ten threes attempted again from him or just one make, some balance in that number will return.

been beautiful to watch Terry become such a well rounded and fantastic all around player adding consistency to his game, hes really matured and come into his own the last thirty days. i hope he stays cause he could be All-American type player next season that three at the end of regulation was one of his biggest ever at AZ......and of course Mathurin is an All-American this season so theres that too.

the second weekend is where the better and more dominant teams generally begin to flex their muscle - i expect more of the same this weekend in all the regions.

[CatFanOneMil]

Here's a video from how Sampson has setup Houston from last year, still relevant...

How Houston Scores



A few thoughts:

1. They double the post...C-Lo has been doubled all year and it makes very little difference, we've lost 3 games all year and not one of them was because C-lo was doubled...he's a good passer, he's got good footwork if he gets the ball and hangs on to it he scores here...

The downside is if they double and he turns it over or passes out and they intercept...but I doubt Houston has played ANY team with 2 Bigs and that changes the metric quite a bit.

2. They are currently #4 in offensive rebounding in the country...we just beat the team that was #1 in offensive rebounding...it was a battle for sure, but it wasn't their scrappy guards getting the put back it was their big pogo jumping and volleyball putbacks...they only got 4 more rebounds than us total, yes they got more offensive rebounds than we did, but we also scored more points than they did.

I have a good feeling about this game.

The TCU game was PERFECT warm up for Houston...it will much the same with a slightly different twist, besides having more time to scout and not depend solely on Jack Murphys scouting the team (which is what happened with TCU)...we had one day to prepare for TCU, we have more time and also time for Krissa to heal...

My son and I have lost every bet we've placed in this tournament until last night...I told him we should pick UA to win but not cover and thats what happened...I think Az covers and more on this game.