The 2021-2022 Season Thread

[Beachcat97]

I don’t honestly see UCLA or Oregon as head and shoulders above us. I feel like we should be right there in the running for the Pac12 title (pending injuries).

Are you saying this based on the strength of our roster? I could be trippin, but UCLA's roster clearly looks like the best in the Pac. They're adding the league's best freshman (Watson) and one of the league's best transfers (M. Johnson) to a team that went to the FF. I get the point that UCLA was actually kind of middling heading into the tourney and that it's questionable whether Juzang can play like that for an entire season. Maybe they're a little overrated to begin the season. But they're also deep, and they've got one of the best PGs in the league in Campbell.

Oregon has Richardson returning and a bunch of good transfers. That's been Altman's recipe for success for a while now: keep a few key pieces, combine it with impact transfers...rinse and repeat. They also have Bittle (freshman) who's expected to make an impact immediately.

It's hard not to give the nod to Cronin and Altman over Lloyd, at least initially. The first two have coached for many years and have gotten deep in the tourney. Lloyd is on his inaugural flight.

Haven't looked closely at USC, Stanford or Colorado yet. Is Oregon State going to sneak up on people again?

[YoDeFoe]

Dana Altman has shown he is a very good coach and likely the best in the Pac 12, he has talent and the conference is weak. I am not really following the argument being made. I don't see anyone saying they will be a final four team but if you are arguing that they are not a tournament team I think you are delusional. Oregon has won at least one game in the tournament 7 of the last 8 years (excluding Covid year)

I'm arguing that Oregon is a top 30 team and not a top 15 team, and that the only way to look at their roster (turnover and current construction) and say otherwise is to just hand-waive it with a "eh, Dana Altman"

[97cats]

UCLA is way better than Arizona
excited for a fresh start

Go Cats!

[Beachcat97]

UCLA is way better than Arizona
excited for a fresh start

Go Cats!

Yeah, it's probably true. But we also probably said that, in reverse, the year we had Nico, Green and Nnaji.

Just saying. I'm not sure I trust UCLA to steamroll the conference, including AZ. My guess is the conference race will be tighter than most expect.

[gronk4heisman]

Yeah, it's probably true. But we also probably said that, in reverse, the year we had Nico, Green and Nnaji.

Just saying. I'm not sure I trust UCLA to steamroll the conference, including AZ. My guess is the conference race will be tighter than most expect.

When we had Nico, Green and Nnaji we were coming off arguably our worst season since pre Lute and still expected to be starting Dylan Smith and Chase Jeter, so I am pretty sure no reasonable person thought that team was going to steamroll the conference.

[Beachcat97]

Yeah, it's probably true. But we also probably said that, in reverse, the year we had Nico, Green and Nnaji.

Just saying. I'm not sure I trust UCLA to steamroll the conference, including AZ. My guess is the conference race will be tighter than most expect.

When we had Nico, Green and Nnaji we were coming off arguably our worst season since pre Lute and still expected to be starting Dylan Smith and Chase Jeter, so I am pretty sure no reasonable person thought that team was going to steamroll the conference.

That's not what I said. I said (or implied) the perception of AZ heading into that season turned out to be different from the actual product on the floor. Happens every year with highly rated teams.

[gronk4heisman]

Yeah, it's probably true. But we also probably said that, in reverse, the year we had Nico, Green and Nnaji.

Just saying. I'm not sure I trust UCLA to steamroll the conference, including AZ. My guess is the conference race will be tighter than most expect.

When we had Nico, Green and Nnaji we were coming off arguably our worst season since pre Lute and still expected to be starting Dylan Smith and Chase Jeter, so I am pretty sure no reasonable person thought that team was going to steamroll the conference.

That's not what I said. I said (or implied) the perception of AZ heading into that season turned out to be different from the actual product on the floor. Happens every year with highly rated teams.

I get what your saying, that year probably isn't the best example seeing as how we started the season ranked 21st and ended 29th in the coaches poll. The Ayton year would be a better example where we were preseason #3 and ended a 4 seed but even then we won the Pac 12. I can not think of a perceived favorite as much as UCLA were they did not end up winning the conference or close barring major injury issues.

[Beachcat97]

Yeah, it's probably true. But we also probably said that, in reverse, the year we had Nico, Green and Nnaji.

Just saying. I'm not sure I trust UCLA to steamroll the conference, including AZ. My guess is the conference race will be tighter than most expect.

When we had Nico, Green and Nnaji we were coming off arguably our worst season since pre Lute and still expected to be starting Dylan Smith and Chase Jeter, so I am pretty sure no reasonable person thought that team was going to steamroll the conference.

That's not what I said. I said (or implied) the perception of AZ heading into that season turned out to be different from the actual product on the floor. Happens every year with highly rated teams.

I get what your saying, that year probably isn't the best example seeing as how we started the season ranked 21st and ended 29th in the coaches poll. The Ayton year would be a better example where we were preseason #3 and ended a 4 seed but even then we won the Pac 12. I can not think of a perceived favorite as much as UCLA were they did not end up winning the conference or close barring major injury issues.

How about '17 UCLA? That team with Lonzo. Ranked pretty high to start the season, pretty sure they were a top 5 team for portions of the season. Finished 3rd in the conference, lost in S-16.

That team didn't start with anywhere near the expectations of this year's UCLA team, but we don't have to go too far back in time to find examples of teams who look poised to dominate but...didn't.

In '20, UNC started the season #9 and then finished overall 14-19. That's pretty bad. In '15, they started the season at #6, and finished 5th in the ACC.

Last year, Michigan State started the season ranked 13th, rose as high #4, before falling out of the rankings entirely for much of the season. Then they crapped the bed vs. UCLA in the First Four of the tourney.

Again, that's still not a team with the expectations of 2021-22 UCLA.

The beginning of that Ayton year was brutal, but yeah, they did find their footing in league play before completely collapsing in the tourney.

[TheCat]

N'Fale Dante is a super star in the making if he comes back from injury.

Superstar? That's a bit much. He'll be a very good player for sure, but he's not exactly all that.

We'll see......I think he will be a great player based on the limited amount we saw from him.

[Merkin]

This is pretty cool. Of course just my luck I just started up Sling TV.

[TheCat]

UCLA is way better than Arizona
excited for a fresh start

Go Cats!

We will know about UCLA fairly quickly because of their out of conference schedule is good. My thoughts are they went on a fantastic run that no one expected and that was great for the conference and for their recruiting. The realty is they lost 10 games last year, they lost 4 in a row before the tourney, lost the first game in the pac-12 tourney and for a coach that is all about the "D" they were rated somewhere I believe in the 70's. All that gives me pause. I also saw a few of their players do better in the tourney than the 3 years of previously watching them. There is a reason they were in a play in game that went to overtime. Are they better than us.....yep ....they beat us straight up twice. If they lose early it will screw up the conference as being weak when someone so highly thought of gets off to a rough start instead of questioning their number 2 ranking. I always pull for the conference in the tourney so I hope all PAC teams do well there.

[Beachcat97]

I haven't heard anyone propose a sleeper Pac contender yet. There's normally one team (sometimes two) who outperforms their preseason estimation and scores a few upsets. I'll go ahead and predict that UW will be better than most are envisioning. Hopkins has had a rough couple seasons, but I think he gets a little mojo back this year. Huskies have some really good transfers. I don't think they'll actually contend for the title, but I think they'll push the teams in that middle tier.

[IndianaZonaFan]

I don’t honestly see UCLA or Oregon as head and shoulders above us. I feel like we should be right there in the running for the Pac12 title (pending injuries).

Are you saying this based on the strength of our roster? I could be trippin, but UCLA's roster clearly looks like the best in the Pac. They're adding the league's best freshman (Watson) and one of the league's best transfers (M. Johnson) to a team that went to the FF. I get the point that UCLA was actually kind of middling heading into the tourney and that it's questionable whether Juzang can play like that for an entire season. Maybe they're a little overrated to begin the season. But they're also deep, and they've got one of the best PGs in the league in Campbell.

Oregon has Richardson returning and a bunch of good transfers. That's been Altman's recipe for success for a while now: keep a few key pieces, combine it with impact transfers...rinse and repeat. They also have Bittle (freshman) who's expected to make an impact immediately.

It's hard not to give the nod to Cronin and Altman over Lloyd, at least initially. The first two have coached for many years and have gotten deep in the tourney. Lloyd is on his inaugural flight.

Haven't looked closely at USC, Stanford or Colorado yet. Is Oregon State going to sneak up on people again?

That’s fair. What I’m saying is that with 4-5 games remaining, I expect to be within 2 games of winning the conference. I think we should finish anywhere between 1-3 and if it’s lower I will be very disappointed.

I’m looking forward to the new style of play. I like our roster and think we’re being heavily overlooked. If we win the PAC, I won’t be as shocked as I will if we finish lower than 4th.

[Beachcat97]

I’m looking forward to the new style of play. I like our roster and think we’re being heavily overlooked. If we win the PAC, I won’t be as shocked as I will if we finish lower than 4th.

Love the optimism!

The only hesitation I have about agreeing is that I think the standings are going to be airtight. Very little space separating 2nd place and, say, 6th. Maybe a game or two, tops. This means AZ could actually do about as well as you're anticipating but still finish, say, 5th. If the Pac is strong, we should be looking at 4 or 5 tourney bids. I'm focused more on being primed and ready for March than I am on where we might finish in the standings. Miller won a bunch of Pac titles, and very few people gave af. I'd like to see Lloyd's teams just get steadily better over the course of the season and consistently play their best ball late in the season. I don't think Miller was quite able to do that during the decade he was our coach, save for 2013 to 2015.

[84Cat]

A lot of empty seats tonight

[Catintheheat]

The Cats are going to be fun to watch. I like the transition type of basketball they play.

[84Cat]

The Cats are going to be fun to watch. I like the transition type of basketball they play.

Guys look pretty winded. They are going to need to up their fitness

[AZCatGirl]

A lot of empty seats tonight

There always is for exhibition games. Or any game that isn't some big name team.

I just like seeing any fans again.

[Postmaster]

No game thread?

The headband makes Kriisa look taller.

[Postmaster]

Need a program

[Catintheheat]

Kier is on fire.

[84Cat]

On pace for 100

[U.P. Zona Fan]

They sure aren't wasting time getting their shots up.

[azgreg]

When you play Arizona you're going to have to guard everybody.

[Catintheheat]

Tubelis is not having a good game. He seems way out of sync.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Dalen terry has really taken a big step forward. That's nice to see

[YoDeFoe]

Tubelis is not having a good game. He seems way out of sync.

Was quiet, then did some good stuff, and then some hectic stuff.

[Postmaster]

What’s the rule on red shirt this season?
Can you play in these exhibitions and still RS?
I’m assuming that the free years are done

[YoDeFoe]

We need to spend a practice just working lobs lol

[84Cat]

Lost my feed. Anyone have a feed?

[dmjcat]

Lost my feed. Anyone have a feed?

http://www.blueflag.ga/2021/10/1b1f3c1b.html?m=1

[AzCatFan2]

Koloko with a 3! Having fun. Team looks athletic, and nice to see a zone D. Have a lot of very good players, but not sure if we have a true, go to star. Who takes the last shot? Tubelis? Mathurin? Kier, who is a super senior?

Will be tough to beat UCLA, but we should be a tournament team and finish top 4 in the PAC.

[Olsondogg]

Koloko with a 3! Having fun. Team looks athletic, and nice to see a zone D. Have a lot of very good players, but not sure if we have a true, go to star. Who takes the last shot? Tubelis? Mathurin? Kier, who is a super senior?

Will be tough to beat UCLA, but we should be a tournament team and finish top 4 in the PAC.

Mathurin is a star

[Postmaster]

Ballo is a big dude

[AzCatFan2]

Koloko with a 3! Having fun. Team looks athletic, and nice to see a zone D. Have a lot of very good players, but not sure if we have a true, go to star. Who takes the last shot? Tubelis? Mathurin? Kier, who is a super senior?

Will be tough to beat UCLA, but we should be a tournament team and finish top 4 in the PAC.

Mathurin is a star

Mathurin has the talent and ability to average 16+ and be an all PAC-12 breakout star. If he does this, and becomes our go to player, we can make a run. I'm not sold on Mathurin being that player yet. He's still young and learning.

If Mathurin can work himself into a 1st rounder NBA draft choice this year, I'd take that trade off of one great year. If it doesn't happen this year, lookout for next year.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Kerr played well. Shot wasn’t falling, but it will.

Benn is a stud

Dalen is much better than last year. This style is perfect for him.

Tubelis looked out of sort at times..and like a monster at others. Needs to get better at grabbing the ball when rebounding instead of tapping it.

Koloko played great on D and rebounded well.

Kier and Aiken are GREAT Bench players. Both really good all around and high IQ. Throw in Pelle and our wing depth is incredible. Aiken will be a good small ball 4.

Ballo is better than expected. Looks in better shape than I thought.

Nowell will be good in a year or 2

Bal will be a star in a year or 2

[Chicat]

I liked the pace, and how the ball continually moved. Not a ton of perimeter dribbling which is definitely an improvement over previous years. Seemed though we had some issues recognizing when Tubelis, Koloko, and Ballo had their men sealed in the post. Passes were either a hair late, allowing the defense to recover, or didn’t come at all because passing lanes collapsed. Hopefully just a first game timing issue.

I’m curious to see this offense against teams that have similar talent and athleticism. If they can push us off the three point line, can we get the ball inside consistently to allow Tubelis & Koloko to drive & shoot/dish?

[YoDeFoe]

Kier and Aiken looking the part of floor raisers who can keep the team going if the stars aren't shinning like they should on a given night.

Koloko showed everything I hoped for (and more with that three).

Ballo needs to be careful with college refs and his size advantage, but also showed nice tough on his FT, great catch radius and some nice agility.

Kerr a little forced on some of those quick threes but love his fight (and the stroke is pure, it'll fall).

Zu a forced some stuff on offense but showed more of the "extra stuff" that Lloyd is asking of him.

Benn is legit.

Dalen looks like he's fighting for stardom.

And we haven't even added Pelle Larsson.

[Beachcat97]

And we haven't even added Pelle Larsson.

What do you envision is the main way PL will contribute? Offense? Just bench depth? I really haven't seen him play.

[gronk4heisman]

And we haven't even added Pelle Larsson.

What do you envision is the main way PL will contribute? Offense? Just bench depth? I really haven't seen him play.

He will be key, if he isn't starting right off the bat he will be soon after likely moving Terry to the bench.

Ballo was awful, not sure how anyone saw otherwise. He is basically Kyryl to me and everyone will be begging to never play him when we play decent teams. I love the pace, but we need to tighten up the execution. 16 turnovers against a division II team is worrisome to me. Terry looks to have made a huge step which could be huge for our long term and short term success.

[Dave]

PL is easily one of the best players on this team. Great size, athletic, versatile, great defender, and can really shoot it.

[84Cat]

CTL said that it will be a work in progress getting the bigs to commit less turnovers in his system. The bigs had 8 in the 1st half alone. He said they had the same situation at Zaga

[billk78]

And we haven't even added Pelle Larsson.

What do you envision is the main way PL will contribute? Offense? Just bench depth? I really haven't seen him play.

He will be key, if he isn't starting right off the bat he will be soon after likely moving Terry to the bench.

Ballo was awful, not sure how anyone saw otherwise. He is basically Kyryl to me and everyone will be begging to never play him when we play decent teams. I love the pace, but we need to tighten up the execution. 16 turnovers against a division II team is worrisome to me. Terry looks to have made a huge step which could be huge for our long term and short term success.

I agree about Ballo. Physically he's a monster. But he looks too raw. Let's see how fast he can develop. Depth among our bigs is probably my biggest worry.

I don't agree that Pelle will take Dalen's spot. Dalen looked like one of our best players. Good problem to have haha. If we have Kier, Pelle and Aiken off the bench that's some amazing depth (again, though, no bigs).

[EastCoastCat]

As far as Ballo goes a lot of people said the same thing about Koloko (too raw) in the beginning. I'm not expecting that much contribution this year but boy what a big physical specimen he is. Interesting to see how he develops.

What I really liked is Kier and Aiken look like legit contributors to a very strong core base of Mathurin, Koloko, Terry, Tubelis and Kerr.

I have to say though Kerr's shooting still reminds me of the Barcello period. Hope he proves me wrong.

[Chicat]

The Pac12 refs are going to LOVE Ballo. They might wear out their whistles if he gets more than 10 minutes a game.

[gronk4heisman]

As far as Ballo goes a lot of people said the same thing about Koloko (too raw) in the beginning. I'm not expecting that much contribution this year but boy what a big physical specimen he is. Interesting to see how he develops.

What I really liked is Kier and Aiken look like legit contributors to a very strong core base of Mathurin, Koloko, Terry, Tubelis and Kerr.

I have to say though Kerr's shooting still reminds me of the Barcello period. Hope he proves me wrong.

Koloko clearly had promise from day 1, Ballo looks lost out there in all aspects. He is not good on offense or defense, a guy half his size backed him down for a post move. The same guy tried to do the same to Koloko and the ball was blocked at the point of release. We kept trying to feed him on offense and almost every time it ended up bad. Also he did not look like he knew how to box out on rebounds, which has to be pretty easy for someone his size.

Kerr will be allowed to shoot through his struggles, something Barcello was not afforded. We will see how it pays off. Our Wings appear to be our strength, Mathurin looked to have made the next step where he is almost surely gone. Kier looked solid, Terry much improved, Aiken reminds me of the old man at the park who just makes plays with effort and no athleticism, and then we add Pelle who many have said will be one of our top 3 players.

[Beachcat97]

Which former player does Mathurin most remind ya'll of? Arenas? N. Johnson? Maybe Dickerson?

[84Cat]

Which former player does Mathurin most remind ya'll of? Arenas? N. Johnson? Maybe Dickerson?

Dickerson for sure. He can stroke it from downtown or take it to the rack with ease

[gronk4heisman]

Which former player does Mathurin most remind ya'll of? Arenas? N. Johnson? Maybe Dickerson?

He reminds me of a lot of Lute players. Arenas, Dickerson (the closest comparison), Adams, Chase, Elliott, etc. Sean never really had dominate wings with the ability to attack and spot up like Ben. Stanley, NJ, Parrom, Randolph all fit that mold but never really got there for various reasons but also may have been restricted by the system.

[Jefe]

Which former player does Mathurin most remind ya'll of? Arenas? N. Johnson? Maybe Dickerson?

The headband and hops reminded me of hot sauce at time last night. Higher ceiling than Hassan though