Bear Down Wildcats

“I know everyone’s impression of him will be they’ll see him and kind of push him to the side because of how small he is,” McConnell said. “In my opinion, that would be idiotic because the kid can play with the best of them. I learned that when he stopped on campus. He’s probably one of the best players I’ve played against. He’s deceivingly quick. He’s a smart player and a great point guard. He’ll definitely be able to lead this team to great things.”

Main Event wrote:

Puerco wrote:I don't like how Stanley's standing apart from the rest of the team. Plus those socks. I sense an audition year...

3goggles wrote:Joseph Blair is the tallest guy in the picture! Oh no we are not MASSIVE!!!

Olsondogg wrote:

3goggles wrote:Joseph Blair is the tallest guy in the picture! Oh no we are not MASSIVE!!!

We are also THICK. Well, at least the linebacker on the right is.

Olsondogg wrote:

3goggles wrote:Joseph Blair is the tallest guy in the picture! Oh no we are not MASSIVE!!!

We are also THICK. Well, at least the linebacker on the right is.

Main Event wrote:

prh wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:

3goggles wrote:Joseph Blair is the tallest guy in the picture! Oh no we are not MASSIVE!!!

We are also THICK. Well, at least the linebacker on the right is.

Hey let's get creative here. SJ looks like a linebacker. We have issues at linebacker. Hmm...

Olsondogg wrote:I am going on record that TJ got faster cause of the new haircut.

Olsondogg wrote:

prh wrote:
Hey let's get creative here. SJ looks like a linebacker. We have issues at linebacker. Hmm...

Never in a million years would Miller let this thought even become a thought...

ASUHATER! wrote:I think I'm alone in this, but I'm somewhat kinda excited for basketball season.

Why they are here: The Wildcats have had a remarkable turnaround. Sean Miller was the right person to replace two interim coaches who followed Lute Olson. He has masterfully mixed his recruiting base in the Northeast and an adoption of Arizona's historical past with the state of California's talent. Arizona has been the benchmark program in the Pac-12 for decades now and that trend is going to continue. Arizona can get involved with any of the top players in the West, and the improvements to the McKale Center should make it even more inviting. The results under Miller speak volumes already with a Sweet 16 and two Elite Eight finishes in the past four seasons. The Arizona brand is national once again -- this program will be hunting titles. -- Andy Katz

Dilemma: Miller has raised the bar in Tucson, Arizona, over the past few years, but he knows he can't continue to replenish the cupboard if he keeps losing players early to the NBA. Arizona is not Kentucky, Kansas or North Carolina. Miller had some good fortune while Ben Howland and Kevin O'Neill were at UCLA and USC, but now it won't be quite as easy to raid California. The only other concern would be Miller leaving Arizona to return closer to the East Coast, but that's tough to imagine while he's got it going (as he does right now) in Tucson. -- Jeff Goodman

Pipeline: With continuous top-10 recruiting classes, Miller has pretty much owned the West Coast in recruiting. One of the best freshmen in college basketball will be Stanley Johnson, who combines power and finesse. With a rock-solid body and a strong motor, Johnson can dominate anywhere inside the arc and is a more-than-capable 3-point shooter. The Wildcats' 2015 recruiting class is shaping up to yet again be highly ranked. -- Paul Biancardi

Main Event wrote:1)Duke
2)Kansas
3)UK
4)Louisville
5)Florida

COACHING (25 percent): Quality of coaching staff over next three seasons, with heavy emphasis on the head coach
CURRENT TALENT (25 percent): Quality of players currently in the program, focusing on the future
RECRUITING (25 percent): Projected quality of 2015 and 2016 recruiting classes, and recruiting momentum
PROGRAM POWER (15 percent): Fan and institutional support, facilities, resources and tradition
STABILITY (10 percent): Accounts for potential roster and coaching staff turnover

Just in case

KaibabKat wrote:All the coaches from the top five schools have won at least one National Championship and have been to multiple Final Fours.

Olsondogg wrote:Why is Jeff Goodman such a tool? That's the real question.

Merkin wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:Why is Jeff Goodman such a tool? That's the real question.

http://frontrow.espn.go.com/2013/06/rep ... l-insider/

The Boston native, who has worked for the Associated Press, Scout.com, FoxSports.com, and most recently, CBSSports.com, fell in love with journalism in his teens, and college basketball, during his studies at the University of Arizona.


What attracted you to this new role?
There’s nothing like ESPN. It’s the Duke and [North] Carolina. It’s the Kentucky. It’s a place that I didn’t even aspire to have a chance to work at because I didn’t even think it was realistic. I’ve always worked with great people and know that will continue here.


At least he changed his bio that mentioned the 3 first round exits during his time at the UA without mentioning the FInal 4 that also happened.

I follow a lot of college sportswriters tweets, but not his. Same with Doyle.

Olsondogg wrote:I would just like to mention that I am excited for basketball season to begin. Like really excited. Like time-is-moving-slooooooowly type excited.

Merkin wrote:Zeus getting some guns.

7. Arizona Wildcats
This one might seem like a stretch. Arizona wasn't what you'd call poetry in motion on offense last season, and that was with first-team All-American Nick Johnson in the lineup. Johnson and fellow starter Aaron Gordon are now in the NBA, but hear me out. If freshman Stanley Johnson (a projected 2015 lottery pick) pans out for Sean Miller, a rotation that already brings Brandon Ashley, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and T.J. McConnell to the table should top what the Wildcats got done on offense in 2013-14.

1. Arizona Wildcats
I'd feel even more confident with this pick if Aaron Gordon were still in Tucson. Nevertheless, with a healthy Brandon Ashley on hand to go along with Kaleb Tarczewski, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, T.J. McConnell and highly acclaimed freshman Stanley Johnson, I trust Sean Miller will have what he requires to put together another outstanding defense.

Keep in mind the Wildcat D can be "worse" than it was in 2013-14 and still be excellent. Last season, Arizona held Pac-12 opponents to just 0.91 points per possession. No other defense in the league allowed less than one point per trip. Miller and the Cats took their defense to a different level, and even without Gordon that D projects to be very good again in 2014-15.

3goggles wrote:Does anybody know if there will be a meet the team this year?

Jefe wrote:Tequila!

Jefe wrote:

3goggles wrote:Does anybody know if there will be a meet the team this year?

Not sure, but I saw this on fb this morning. Not sure what the event was:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10 ... =2&theater