Bear Down Wildcats

I usually really enjoy Tommy's interviews. That was one I really did not enjoy. Our defense has been a mess since the Purdue game. I wish I could pin it all on an effort problem.

Tommy's got his work cut out. This team has shown what they're capable of, but they've hit some kind of wall the past few games. It's only January 4th. Plenty of time to get our mojo back.

He just isn't going to talk Xs and Os in a granular way. He glosses over topics deliberately and keeps his cards close to the vest. IMO he's more cagey than he comes off, and it's kinda frustrating. I can't blame him for getting short with Pascoe. Pascoe never finished a sentence in his life without interrupting himself and re-starting every clause with backfilling and fragmentation. He drives even me crazy. If I were Tommy I'd end up yelling SPIT. IT. OUT. BIMBO! JUST. SPIT. IT. OUT!!!

I love JB's shirt (a Tommyism).

Arizona Basketball Press Conference - Jaden Bradley

I think Tommy has it all figured out. When folks said we were in the top 10 defensively according to Ken P stats, he said that was a lie and recited each of the guards defensive ratings since the Purdue game. He knows where the problem is and is making the players recognize it too. We will see if we can correct it or not.

Utah will be a huge threat as we do not matchup great against them. Their center is a true 3 point threat and Ballo can not much up with him on the outside. Will we go small? They are going to be a struggle.

TheCat wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:00 pm Utah will be a huge threat as we do not matchup great against them. Their center is a true 3 point threat and Ballo can not much up with him on the outside. Will we go small? They are going to be a struggle.

The same Utah that ASU beat pretty easily tonight? The Utes shot 7-22 from 3. So either ASU is a fine defensive team or Utah is saving their best game for this weekend.

TheCat wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:00 pm Utah will be a huge threat as we do not matchup great against them. Their center is a true 3 point threat and Ballo can not much up with him on the outside. Will we go small? They are going to be a struggle.

Ballo isn't getting any better, and Krivas is. Sure not looking like a true frosh out there. His footwork is really good.

Posting for the KenPom numbers not the snarky Scheer quote

The reports on Arizona's demise may have been a bit premature....

We also went from 7 to 2 on Kenpom Skullfuck. When normalized for cheese grater efficiency we're #1.

Why do I feel like we’re going to struggle with Utah?

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:32 am Why do I feel like we’re going to struggle with Utah?

Because they're a much better team than Colorado?

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:32 am Why do I feel like we’re going to struggle with Utah?

Also, we're acting like a win over an undermanned Colorado team was a freaking Final Four run. We were supposed to win last night. It was great to see KB get his groove back and great to see the team getting back to what they do best. But our hard game this week is tomorrow, and Utah needs quality wins.

On Paper- Utah should be our toughest Pac home game

Gabe Madsen is a prolific 3-point shooter, and as we all know, this is the kind of player who's been going off against us this season. He made 8 threes vs. Houston back in November.

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:32 am Why do I feel like we’re going to struggle with Utah?

Because they are probably getting 9 injured players back.

I think teams have figured out that if enough of them lose to ASU, it becomes not as bad a loss, and as long as they save it up to play us really good, it really helps their metrics. So they go into the weekend focused on us and use ASU as warmups or a cool down. It's a conspiracy, espn is paying them off so they can see Bobby Hurley coach in the tourney.

Nah, it’s just they really prepare for us and then get sideswiped by ASSU.

Not much more than that…

Ballo is liability defensively. We have to figure out something because he is terrible on ball screens.

ETA: and all of our perimeter defense

Any update on Henri?

Top 5 offense and defense at kenpom now.

That's rare.

"We've never worked on a left-handed, double- bounce pass from 70 feet. And we never will.'

Presser: Tommy Lloyd

I'm tellin' ya guys, Johnny Petraglia is an assistant coach. I don't know why y'all won't believe me.

With only one game this week, it's a long wait for the roadie at WSU Saturday. But, we'll be able to watch the Cougs on Wednesday night when they play at USC. They're 10-5/1-3, with neutral court losses to Mississippi St and Santa Clara. Then, they got swept at Utah & Colorado, and split with the Oregons in Pullman, beating OSU. Nothing particularly exceptional jumps out from their schedule or performance to date. They've been reasonably competitive in their losses, with the exception of a 22-point blowout at Salt Lake City.

SunnyAZ wrote: ↑Sat Jan 06, 2024 7:47 pm Any update on Henri?

On BetMGM we have the second best odds to win the natty at +1100.

Purdue is +800 and Houston is also +1100.

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:51 am On BetMGM we have the second best odds to win the natty at +1100.

Purdue is +800 and Houston is also +1100.

The last year Michigan won the national title in football…1997.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:06 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:51 am On BetMGM we have the second best odds to win the natty at +1100.

Purdue is +800 and Houston is also +1100.

The last year Michigan won the national title in football…1997.

They actually won it in January of 1998 for the 1997 season. We won before them.

Don't think I remember any team, any year, ever being in the top 10, at the same time, of KenPom offense, defense, tempo, and strength-of-schedule.

This team is indeed special. Let's all enjoy the next three months.

We're also the #1 scoring offense right now.

https://www.ncaa.com/stats/basketball-m ... t/team/145

Jonathan Givony's updated 2024 mock draft:

SECOND ROUND

35. Portland Trail Blazers (via Charlotte Hornets)
Pelle Larsson | Arizona | SG | Age: 22.8

37. Boston Celtics (via Chicago Bulls)
Kylan Boswell | Arizona | PG | Age: 18.4

38. New York Knicks (via Utah Jazz)
Keshad Johnson | Arizona | PF | Age: 22.5

What scouts want to see from these 21 college prospects

Kylan Boswell | 6-2 | PG | Age: 18.7 | Arizona | Mock draft: No. 37

Boswell doesn't turn 19 until April, making him arguably the most intriguing long-term player at Arizona, where he's settled in as their starting point guard. He's still young enough as a sophomore that he shouldn't need to rush into the draft, but he's begun to make a better case of late, making seven 3s over his past two games and showcasing the shot-making ability that will play a big determinant in his professional ceiling. Boswell is an excellent passer and sturdy defender who plays hard consistently, while still growing into his own as a leader and learning how to control the flow of a game. Proving he can lead a team with conference title expectations and Final Four potential will help build his profile and should position him to hear his name called if he does turn pro. -- Woo

https://archive.is/reWnQ

Caleb deserves more draft consideration. Maybe scouts will come around on him.

arizonawildcats wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:53 am Caleb deserves more draft consideration. Maybe scouts will come around on him.

He's a scorer, not a shooter, and shooting 32.3% 3PT this season and 29.9% last season has to hurt his chances.

Larsson is shooting 57% 3 PT and Boswell 43% this season.

Caleb is more of a g-league/overseas player. He could go nuts some nights overseas and put up big numbers. Not a bad life, getting to travel the world( not just US) and play basketball. The pay isn’t as good, but you’re still getting paid to be on a long-term vacation in Europe/Asia while also getting your travel, and housing paid for.

Merkin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 10:58 am

arizonawildcats wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:53 am Caleb deserves more draft consideration. Maybe scouts will come around on him.

He's a scorer, not a shooter, and shooting 32.3% 3PT this season and 29.9% last season has to hurt his chances.

Larsson is shooting 57% 3 PT and Boswell 43% this season.

Yeah. I love Caleb, and I'm very appreciative of what he's doing for the program this season. But those long, at times quickly-taken 3s aren't going to play well for scouts unless he's Trae Young, which he isn't. He needs to become an even better defensive player, develop a reliable mid-range game, and switch some of those fancy dunk attempts to simple lay-ups. He's hurting his own FG%.

Maybe he'll come back?

U.P. Zona Fan wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:37 pm Maybe he'll come back?

Isn’t this his final year of eligibility?

Yes, this is his 4th full year, so he is done.

No COVID year?

U.P. Zona Fan wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 2:37 am No COVID year?

He is eligible for 1 more year after this one. Most appear to be assuming he is gone after this year. I for one would love him to come back

Also, TECHNICALLY…only Keshad is out of eligibility. Otherwise we could run it back….some would have to transfer or go pro (draft or overseas) though obviously

I really don’t think Caleb will play another year of college ball. He can play pro ball next year if he wants to. Maybe not NBA, but he can go get paid in Europe or Asia.

The more interesting situation, to me, is Kylan. He could be an all-American next season, and he’d probably be the best PG in the Pac. But he’s a future pro, and if he’s given a guarantee that he’ll be taken in the 2nd round, I think he’s gone.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:30 am I really don’t think Caleb will play another year of college ball. He can play pro ball next year if he wants to. Maybe not NBA, but he can go get paid in Europe or Asia.

The more interesting situation, to me, is Kylan. He could be an all-American next season, and he’d probably be the best PG in the Pac. But he’s a future pro, and if he’s given a guarantee that he’ll be taken in the 2nd round, I think he’s gone.

Best PG in the what now?

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:30 am I really don’t think Caleb will play another year of college ball. He can play pro ball next year if he wants to. Maybe not NBA, but he can go get paid in Europe or Asia.

The more interesting situation, to me, is Kylan. He could be an all-American next season, and he’d probably be the best PG in the Pac. But he’s a future pro, and if he’s given a guarantee that he’ll be taken in the 2nd round, I think he’s gone.

You think a 2nd round pick grade would be a sure bet for him to leave?

I don't know shit about NIL... but can't you make more NIL then you would as a 2nd rounder?

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:07 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:30 am I really don’t think Caleb will play another year of college ball. He can play pro ball next year if he wants to. Maybe not NBA, but he can go get paid in Europe or Asia.

The more interesting situation, to me, is Kylan. He could be an all-American next season, and he’d probably be the best PG in the Pac. But he’s a future pro, and if he’s given a guarantee that he’ll be taken in the 2nd round, I think he’s gone.

Best PG in the what now?

My bad Best PG in the B12.

Alieberman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:10 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:30 am I really don’t think Caleb will play another year of college ball. He can play pro ball next year if he wants to. Maybe not NBA, but he can go get paid in Europe or Asia.

The more interesting situation, to me, is Kylan. He could be an all-American next season, and he’d probably be the best PG in the Pac. But he’s a future pro, and if he’s given a guarantee that he’ll be taken in the 2nd round, I think he’s gone.

You think a 2nd round pick grade would be a sure bet for him to leave?

I don't know shit about NIL... but can't you make more NIL then you would as a 2nd rounder?

I suppose it's just a question of how eager a player is to get to the next level. I'd think Kylan could do very well via NIL next season, but I also see his name creeping higher on mock drafts. His decision will probably have the biggest impact on our 2024-25 roster and prospects.