Re: let's talk '18
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 12:48 pm
Just wait until he starts calling Sean Miller at 2 in the morning.
You're right, ultimately the blame falls on ESPN for this hot mess.Spaceman Spiff wrote:In all honesty, my major anger is directed at ESPN still. Even if that report is fully debunked, they really f***ed us for years to come. Williams and Shareef would be in the fold without that, and they would be contributors for a while.
They got all the negative consequences visited on us without showing they were right on the report. I still have a tough time blaming the players, who only get college once. ESPN isn't under that gun.
This! I still think some sort of legal action against ESPN (even if odds are low) might help win the ‘PR War’ vs ESpin. Or does it just drag out their BS and make their talking heads drag it out and trash us further?ChooChooCat wrote:You're right, ultimately the blame falls on ESPN for this hot mess.Spaceman Spiff wrote:In all honesty, my major anger is directed at ESPN still. Even if that report is fully debunked, they really f***ed us for years to come. Williams and Shareef would be in the fold without that, and they would be contributors for a while.
They got all the negative consequences visited on us without showing they were right on the report. I still have a tough time blaming the players, who only get college once. ESPN isn't under that gun.
I'd take him and a grad transfer PG.NYCat wrote: Top 100 PG from California decommited from UConn due to Ollie being fired
https://247sports.com/Player/James-Akinjo-93836" target="_blank
You are who you can recruit.Alieberman wrote:So are we going to refer to ourselves in 2018 as #TransferU?
2017 Peach Jam MVP. Only 6'0" but he's a gamer. I'd rather have BWill but if he doesn't want to join I'd gladly take Akinjo.NYCat wrote: Top 100 PG from California decommited from UConn due to Ollie being fired
https://247sports.com/Player/James-Akinjo-93836" target="_blank
I'll admit I haven't watched a ton of Kennesaw State games, but he appears to be able to score the ball.ChooChooCat wrote:Normal sit out a year transfer that we're on.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... ames-scott" target="_blank
just not efficiently. Have not seen him either, but, those stats are scary. more turnovers than assists.Spaceman Spiff wrote:I'll admit I haven't watched a ton of Kennesaw State games, but he appears to be able to score the ball.ChooChooCat wrote:Normal sit out a year transfer that we're on.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... ames-scott" target="_blank
Yeah on the surface it looks like Dylan Smith v2.0 to me.baycat93 wrote:just not efficiently. Have not seen him either, but, those stats are scary. more turnovers than assists.Spaceman Spiff wrote:I'll admit I haven't watched a ton of Kennesaw State games, but he appears to be able to score the ball.ChooChooCat wrote:Normal sit out a year transfer that we're on.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... ames-scott" target="_blank
Regarding that, if he was a good defender, I'd be into that. Smith isn't bad, but I'd like his contributions much better if he was a stouter defender.ChooChooCat wrote:Yeah on the surface it looks like Dylan Smith v2.0 to me.baycat93 wrote:just not efficiently. Have not seen him either, but, those stats are scary. more turnovers than assists.Spaceman Spiff wrote:I'll admit I haven't watched a ton of Kennesaw State games, but he appears to be able to score the ball.ChooChooCat wrote:Normal sit out a year transfer that we're on.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... ames-scott" target="_blank
https://www.azdesertswarm.com/recruitin ... ts-commitsArizona offered four-star guard Tevian Jones in early February and appeared to be gaining some traction in his recruitment before the ESPN wiretap report, but it appears that is no longer the case.
Jones, an Arizona native who attends Culver City HS in California, has visited Illinois and plans to visit Xavier, Mississippi State, and probably Cal too, per 247Sports.
We might as well keep recruiting Williams and see what happens. Right now, it's not like we're so overflowing with options that we can be super picky.ChooChooCat wrote:For high school kids i'd look at Doutrive and the PG who just decommitted from UCONN, James Akinjo. I still have zero faith Williams ends up back with us.
On March 2nd, 2018 five-star guard Brandon Williams out of Crespi (Calif.) de-committed from Arizona amidst the Sean Miller scandal. Williams became a super hot commodity when he re-opened his recruitment.
"I got so many calls I couldn't even keep up," Williams told me.
Among those schools to call Williams the day he announced he was decommitting were the Oregon Ducks. I was able to chat with Brandon Williams earlier today about the Ducks.
1. Jake Weingarten, ScoopDuck: How did you feel when you picked up the Oregon offer?
Brandon Williams: Always happy after an offer especially from a prestigious school like Oregon because I know what they have done with their players, and I mean it's Oregon... and having the opportunity to play with guys like Bol and Lou can't pass that up.
2. Jake: Have you been in touch with anyone from the 2018 class?
Brandon: Yeah, as a matter of fact, they [Bol/Lou] both texted me yesterday.
3. Jake: What did you and Coach Altmann talk about?
Brandon: Coach Altman tells me how they need a guard with a "pop", get in the lanes and make smart decisions.
4. Jake: Thoughts on the coaching staff?
Brandon: I love the coaching staff. I have that feeling that I have with Arizona as far as I can talk to them about almost anything. Even though I only knew them for a few weeks, they have been texting me every day just checking up.
5. Jake: Seems like Bol and the guys want you in Eugene, what have they said to you about it?
Brandon: They've said a lot, Bol was saying how he wants a guard that can get in the paint and make athletic plays for him. I told him, I played with Deandre Ayton before and it wasn't hard to throw it up and tell him to go get it (laughs). Then with another guy like Lou a shooter and bucket getter, he will find a way to score.
6. Jake: How do you think you’d mesh with a guard like Will Richardson?
Brandon: I don't think that would be a big issue. I can play with honestly anybody, moving the position on the court or who brings the ball up. Will is a great player that I have no problem playing alongside with.
7. Jake: Brandon, I’ve had fans ask. When are you visiting Eugene, give us the date or a time table! (he answers later in the story)
Brandon: Haha, to be honest, I'm not even sure yet. I can give you guys this, when I go I'm pretty sure I'll be accompanied by another prospect (!).
Adam Cohen from Stanford should've been a candidate to replace Pasternack before Romar became a possibilityYoDeFoe wrote:How about: what coaches are we recruiting??
Because we have two openings on the bench after Romar exits and no one to help Miller recruit in the off-season. No way that Miller and his family enjoy this job more with LESS help.
Can I please cross my fingers and pray to God that Thad Matta comes to Tucson. I know I'm crazy but look: we just picked up Romar and Kevin Sumlin. We're basically the top coaching destination among southern border schools.
This.NYCat wrote:I don't think it matters if Arizona keeps recruiting Williams, which they still are BTW.
Miller and Phelps are recruiting. Rarely do you need more than 2 guys if you have narrowed your targets.YoDeFoe wrote:How about: what coaches are we recruiting??
Because we have two openings on the bench after Romar exits and no one to help Miller recruit in the off-season. No way that Miller and his family enjoy this job more with LESS help.
Can I please cross my fingers and pray to God that Thad Matta comes to Tucson. I know I'm crazy but look: we just picked up Romar and Kevin Sumlin. We're basically the top coaching destination among southern border schools.
O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
Has it! I thought somebody said they had regrets committing to UCLA so soonzonagrad wrote:O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
Well, with Alford as the head coach that's probably been mentioned by a few recruits.3goggles wrote:Has it! I thought somebody said they had regrets committing to UCLA so soonzonagrad wrote:O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
Hey man I have seen crazier things happen in this tournament(UMBC beating Virginia) then getting O’Neal back on our side.zonagrad wrote:Well, with Alford as the head coach that's probably been mentioned by a few recruits.3goggles wrote:Has it! I thought somebody said they had regrets committing to UCLA so soonzonagrad wrote:O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
And probably by quite a few recruits after they had been there for 1 week and at 2 weeks and at 3 weeks, etc...zonagrad wrote:Well, with Alford as the head coach that's probably been mentioned by a few recruits.3goggles wrote:Has it! I thought somebody said they had regrets committing to UCLA so soonzonagrad wrote:O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
He did, he's over it. He's staying at ucla.3goggles wrote:Has it! I thought somebody said they had regrets committing to UCLA so soonzonagrad wrote:O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
Did he sign a letter of intent, or just scholarship papers? Either way, he is not coming back to AZ.ChooChooCat wrote:He did, he's over it. He's staying at ucla.3goggles wrote:Has it! I thought somebody said they had regrets committing to UCLA so soonzonagrad wrote:O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
Not this year...Alford is good.TheCat wrote:If UCLA fires Alford (doubtful) we can grab those kids.
NLI signing day for the spring isn't until April. He will be signing with ucla then. He's a much better fit at UCLA than Arizona and quite frankly if it weren't for the Ball family he would've committed to them long ago.midnightx wrote:Did he sign a letter of intent, or just scholarship papers? Either way, he is not coming back to AZ.ChooChooCat wrote:He did, he's over it. He's staying at ucla.3goggles wrote:Has it! I thought somebody said they had regrets committing to UCLA so soonzonagrad wrote:O'Neal??? I think that ship has sailed.3goggles wrote:So doutrive and O’Neal squared off in the state playoffs with Miller watching the game. To me that’s a good sign that Miller isn’t going anywhere. Can we pull Williams, doutrive and O’Neal with a few grad transfers?
Lol if you say so.Beachcat97 wrote:Of the other schools BW is considering, I'm not sure he'd start anywhere but AZ.
Oregon has Brown and Pritchard, UCLA has Hands and Wilkes, Gonzaga has Perkins and Norvell. It's doubtful any of these guys are leaving early. Where else is BW considering?ChooChooCat wrote:Lol if you say so.Beachcat97 wrote:Of the other schools BW is considering, I'm not sure he'd start anywhere but AZ.
Brown is a wing and likely NBA bound and you can argue Pritchard is Oregon's problem right now. I'd play both Pritchard and Williams at the same time and Altman would too. I'm not considering UCLA at all in this. Zaga does have Perkins, but Norvell can easily slide over to the 3. So at 2 of the 3 you named he could and very likely easily start.Beachcat97 wrote:Oregon has Brown and Pritchard, UCLA has Hands and Wilkes, Gonzaga has Perkins and Norvell. It's doubtful any of these guys are leaving early. Where else is BW considering?ChooChooCat wrote:Lol if you say so.Beachcat97 wrote:Of the other schools BW is considering, I'm not sure he'd start anywhere but AZ.
That's quite high expectations you're giving BW. He's clearly a good player, but talented freshmen have an uphill battle to start over older, more experienced players, especially guys who started throughout the previous season. It's really only the Aytons and Bagleys of the world who can come in and start from day one. By some rating services, BW isn't even among the top 10 PGs in his class. He's good, but is he as awesome as you're making him sound? Is he a program-changer? I don't think so. But at AZ, he'd arguably be more central to our success next season than he would at other schools.ChooChooCat wrote:Brown is a wing and likely NBA bound and you can argue Pritchard is Oregon's problem right now. I'd play both Pritchard and Williams at the same time and Altman would too. I'm not considering UCLA at all in this. Zaga does have Perkins, but Norvell can easily slide over to the 3. So at 2 of the 3 you named he could and very likely easily start.Beachcat97 wrote:Oregon has Brown and Pritchard, UCLA has Hands and Wilkes, Gonzaga has Perkins and Norvell. It's doubtful any of these guys are leaving early. Where else is BW considering?ChooChooCat wrote:Lol if you say so.Beachcat97 wrote:Of the other schools BW is considering, I'm not sure he'd start anywhere but AZ.