Bear Down Wildcats

Newportcat wrote:

Harvey Specter wrote:

Newportcat wrote:You guys can hate on me all you want, I get why fans of Arizona Basketball who would post on an Arizona message board do not agree with me.

If I lived in Tucson and can attend games lives, I would probably feel differently. But I don't so at this point, especially given the past couple years under Miller, I really do not care about the regular season outside of making sure we make the tourney, and working to get as high a side as possible.

How Miller has done coaching this team will be solely determined in the tournament. If we lose in the first round you might be calling Miller and the players a name that rhymes with "Witch".

That is my point, we lose in the first round you can flush the entire season down the drain.

Its not like we can fight for a bye or home court games in the tourney game like other sports. Hell, I almost want a lower seed so we DON'T play in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 at the Honda Center. Ship us out East or to the Midwest.

Do you seek out ways to set expectations that assure more misery than joy? Every football and basketball season is a wasted one without a Rose Bowl or Final 4... it sucks to be you.

You certainly have good reason to fear a Miller-coached team getting bounced in the first round, oh wait... Never mind. It will undoubtedly happen someday - and any fan that calls him something that rhymes with witch will be acting like something that rhymes with runt.

As for other comments... If only all our sports programs had the 'tournement issues' that our basketball program does. Wow.

This program defines excellence. That should be celebrated and appreciated.

Again, I grow up a Lakers fan where the only thing that matters is Banners. The only thing you are judged on as a sports program is winning championships.

I am not even saying I need our teams to win championships but get to the place to be in a position to do so.

Every football season Arizona football does not make a Rose Bowl is a waste of time, I literally believe that every year of Arizona football has been a giant waste of time since we joined the PAC 12. When people think about our program what do they say "Arizona is the only PAC 10 team to never make a Rose Bowl". Any season which does not remove that moniker does nothing to change our program

Every Arizona basketball season which does not end in a Final Four is a waste of time just like every Arizona baseball season which does not end in making a College World Series is a waste of time, same for Softball.

Do I think we lose in the first round this year, no. My point is if we did, all this carrying about winning the PAC 12 in basketball means nothing. If we lose in the second round or sweet 16 it means nothing too especially knowing that this is not a team that builds off each other.

Every year our team is entirely different given how recruiting works which means to me either they make a final four or they don't.

Newportcat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Saying the regular season is irrelevant is a measure of how spoiled we are as a fan base. To bubble teams, the regular season is pretty relevant.

It's only because we have ascended to the point that we expect it to be a given that people dare to call the season irrelevant. Talk to UCLA about whether the regular season is irrelevant.

For the love of God we are not spoiled. Arizona fans are spoiled with Arizona Softball. From 1988 through 2001 Arizona basketball fans were spoiled. Since that point HELL NO.

I swear to god that statement that Arizona fans are spoiled Basketball fans makes me want to puke. To be spoiled in college basketball means you make Final Fours or Championships on a regular basis. Duke is spoiled, Kentucky is Spoiled, UNC is Spoiled, Arizona...NO.

Have you guys forgotten our 5 loses in the Elite 8 since 2003. Because thats all any college basketball fan remembers about Arizona right now.

The only thing you have to do in the regular season is make the tournament, after that winning your conference or your conference tourney title is completely and utterly irrelevant in my opinion especially in light of the fact that all these Arizona teams are so different year to year. We never have teams that build off each where you say, watch this team next year or wait two years when all these guys are juniors. Its they better make a final four because half the team will be gone next year.

EVCat wrote:300+ teams and a top 8 finish is worthless?

I just don't get that line of thinking.

Harvey Specter wrote:

Newportcat wrote:

Harvey Specter wrote:

Newportcat wrote:You guys can hate on me all you want, I get why fans of Arizona Basketball who would post on an Arizona message board do not agree with me.

If I lived in Tucson and can attend games lives, I would probably feel differently. But I don't so at this point, especially given the past couple years under Miller, I really do not care about the regular season outside of making sure we make the tourney, and working to get as high a side as possible.

How Miller has done coaching this team will be solely determined in the tournament. If we lose in the first round you might be calling Miller and the players a name that rhymes with "Witch".

That is my point, we lose in the first round you can flush the entire season down the drain.

Its not like we can fight for a bye or home court games in the tourney game like other sports. Hell, I almost want a lower seed so we DON'T play in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 at the Honda Center. Ship us out East or to the Midwest.

Do you seek out ways to set expectations that assure more misery than joy? Every football and basketball season is a wasted one without a Rose Bowl or Final 4... it sucks to be you.

You certainly have good reason to fear a Miller-coached team getting bounced in the first round, oh wait... Never mind. It will undoubtedly happen someday - and any fan that calls him something that rhymes with witch will be acting like something that rhymes with runt.

As for other comments... If only all our sports programs had the 'tournement issues' that our basketball program does. Wow.

This program defines excellence. That should be celebrated and appreciated.

Again, I grow up a Lakers fan where the only thing that matters is Banners. The only thing you are judged on as a sports program is winning championships.

I am not even saying I need our teams to win championships but get to the place to be in a position to do so.

Every football season Arizona football does not make a Rose Bowl is a waste of time, I literally believe that every year of Arizona football has been a giant waste of time since we joined the PAC 12. When people think about our program what do they say "Arizona is the only PAC 10 team to never make a Rose Bowl". Any season which does not remove that moniker does nothing to change our program

Every Arizona basketball season which does not end in a Final Four is a waste of time just like every Arizona baseball season which does not end in making a College World Series is a waste of time, same for Softball.

Do I think we lose in the first round this year, no. My point is if we did, all this carrying about winning the PAC 12 in basketball means nothing. If we lose in the second round or sweet 16 it means nothing too especially knowing that this is not a team that builds off each other.

Every year our team is entirely different given how recruiting works which means to me either they make a final four or they don't.

Like most Laker fans, you need to wake up to the current reality that the Showtime era is dead, and so are the dysfunctional yet successful Kobe-Shaq teams. And they have been for a long, long time.

The Lakers are yesteryear's news, much like the Dallas Cowboys. When you look in the mirror, do you see a senior in college?

The Lakers and Cowboys would be better focused on trying to make the playoffs... As opposed to milking achievements that today's college players and stars are not old enough to remember. But nice attempt to live back in the 'glory days'.

If we go back far enough... Army had one helluva football program. Back to back Heisman winners. Anything short of that is failure.

Right.

Harvey Specter wrote:

Newportcat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Saying the regular season is irrelevant is a measure of how spoiled we are as a fan base. To bubble teams, the regular season is pretty relevant.

It's only because we have ascended to the point that we expect it to be a given that people dare to call the season irrelevant. Talk to UCLA about whether the regular season is irrelevant.

For the love of God we are not spoiled. Arizona fans are spoiled with Arizona Softball. From 1988 through 2001 Arizona basketball fans were spoiled. Since that point HELL NO.

I swear to god that statement that Arizona fans are spoiled Basketball fans makes me want to puke. To be spoiled in college basketball means you make Final Fours or Championships on a regular basis. Duke is spoiled, Kentucky is Spoiled, UNC is Spoiled, Arizona...NO.

Have you guys forgotten our 5 loses in the Elite 8 since 2003. Because thats all any college basketball fan remembers about Arizona right now.

The only thing you have to do in the regular season is make the tournament, after that winning your conference or your conference tourney title is completely and utterly irrelevant in my opinion especially in light of the fact that all these Arizona teams are so different year to year. We never have teams that build off each where you say, watch this team next year or wait two years when all these guys are juniors. Its they better make a final four because half the team will be gone next year.

Making 5 Elite 8's is the equivalent to (or arguably a greater achievement than) making 5 Rose Bowls. But you call it meaningless.

You really are a chode. By your expectations, I am quite sure your career is a complete waste of time...

And making the NCAA tournament , which we take for granted, is a far more impressive accomplishment than making a bowl game, which more teams than not accomplish.

Please, jump off the bandwagon. It's already full.

Newportcat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Saying the regular season is irrelevant is a measure of how spoiled we are as a fan base. To bubble teams, the regular season is pretty relevant.

It's only because we have ascended to the point that we expect it to be a given that people dare to call the season irrelevant. Talk to UCLA about whether the regular season is irrelevant.

For the love of God we are not spoiled. Arizona fans are spoiled with Arizona Softball. From 1988 through 2001 Arizona basketball fans were spoiled. Since that point HELL NO.

I swear to god that statement that Arizona fans are spoiled Basketball fans makes me want to puke. To be spoiled in college basketball means you make Final Fours or Championships on a regular basis. Duke is spoiled, Kentucky is Spoiled, UNC is Spoiled, Arizona...NO.

Have you guys forgotten our 5 loses in the Elite 8 since 2003. Because thats all any college basketball fan remembers about Arizona right now.

The only thing you have to do in the regular season is make the tournament, after that winning your conference or your conference tourney title is completely and utterly irrelevant in my opinion especially in light of the fact that all these Arizona teams are so different year to year. We never have teams that build off each where you say, watch this team next year or wait two years when all these guys are juniors. Its they better make a final four because half the team will be gone next year.

Newportcat wrote:
Last time I check Lakers won a championship in 2010 so its not like it has been 20 years since their last championship. They are going to struggle for a while for sure but they are still the greatest professional sports franchise since the year I was born in 1980 in terms of success. The thing I love about Lakers fan is no one ever celebrates anything but Championships. Laker Hate all you want but since the year I was born we have won 10 NBA Championships. I can suffer through some bad years with that type of success knowing the franchise is 100% focused on doing everything possible to win championships, spend whatever money they have to, build the best new NBA practice facility etc.

gumby wrote:An elite program is one that makes Final Fours. We haven't been making those. But we're still an elite program, so we better get to the Final Four. Why? So we can be considered an elite program.

I'm getting dizzy.

catgrad97 wrote:If there is one Arizona team to whom the regular season has never been more relevant, it is this team--which has had more "one and done"s, essentially, contribute than any other team in program history.

The one-time development of Ryan Anderson, Mark Tollefsen and possibly Allonzo Trier from virtual unknowns into Wildcats.

The twilight of Elliott Pitts.

Zeus' long-awaited assumption of man-beast status (on the boards, at least) and becoming the new winningest player in program history.

Kadeem Allen's explosion from juco star into combo guard threat.

If the regular season is truly irrelevant--if you think you can just turn a TV on in the first round of the NCAAs and start caring what Arizona does, like people say about the NBA in the fourth quarter or when both teams hit 100--then you would have no clue about the basketball identities of any of the above players.

You just wouldn't understand their roles. It would be like playing the early NBA video games with all the fake last names. You might as well go root for Duke or Kentucky.

It is because all of these players develop, and you can see it from game to game, that the regular season matters. It is part of the subtle beauty of college basketball.

It's why I was happy to just observe and not get all star-struck about Damon, Khalid, Miles, Bibby, JT and the gang (I saved that for Lute) just because I went to college with them and saw them around campus.

Like Lute before him, Miller is dedicated to developing these boys into men every day. Think how rare that is, especially in this day and age of D-I coach as mercenary and paid pitch man.

It is the purity of that teaching that you can't see anywhere else--and will never change with this program. If it does, then everything becomes irrelevant. At least to this 35-year fan.

Newportcat wrote:

catgrad97 wrote:If there is one Arizona team to whom the regular season has never been more relevant, it is this team--which has had more "one and done"s, essentially, contribute than any other team in program history.

The one-time development of Ryan Anderson, Mark Tollefsen and possibly Allonzo Trier from virtual unknowns into Wildcats.

The twilight of Elliott Pitts.

Zeus' long-awaited assumption of man-beast status (on the boards, at least) and becoming the new winningest player in program history.

Kadeem Allen's explosion from juco star into combo guard threat.

If the regular season is truly irrelevant--if you think you can just turn a TV on in the first round of the NCAAs and start caring what Arizona does, like people say about the NBA in the fourth quarter or when both teams hit 100--then you would have no clue about the basketball identities of any of the above players.

In my observation funny thing about Ryan is that he has this incredible ability to score with 2 players draped over him but can't score when he's untouched. It's weird. I don't think he will be an NBA player, but if he continues to grow he sure will be.
You just wouldn't understand their roles. It would be like playing the early NBA video games with all the fake last names. You might as well go root for Duke or Kentucky.

It is because all of these players develop, and you can see it from game to game, that the regular season matters. It is part of the subtle beauty of college basketball.

It's why I was happy to just observe and not get all star-struck about Damon, Khalid, Miles, Bibby, JT and the gang (I saved that for Lute) just because I went to college with them and saw them around campus.

Like Lute before him, Miller is dedicated to developing these boys into men every day. Think how rare that is, especially in this day and age of D-I coach as mercenary and paid pitch man.

It is the purity of that teaching that you can't see anywhere else--and will never change with this program. If it does, then everything becomes irrelevant. At least to this 35-year fan.

I get what you are saying but tough to get into the narrative you describe when every year it seems our team completely changes over. The guys you mentioned like Damon, Khalid, JT etc all stayed four years and you saw them grow into world class players. Today, guys come and go so quickly tough to really get behind them. Ryan Anderson is a great player but here today gone today. Thats the way College Basketball works nowadays which just puts more pressure on them to perform in the tournament because they only get one shot at glory.

ASUHATER! wrote:Co champs. Tiebreakers are just for determining tournament seeding. But if we're both 14-4 then we technically are both 2016 champions

Newportcat wrote:I get I am debating Diehards which is kind of like me trying to convince crack heads in a crack house that crack isnt good for them. We all want the same thing in the end I just care a lot less about things which do not end the "Arizona is great BUT"

Newportcat wrote: I get what you are saying but tough to get into the narrative you describe when every year it seems our team completely changes over. The guys you mentioned like Damon, Khalid, JT etc all stayed four years and you saw them grow into world class players. Today, guys come and go so quickly tough to really get behind them. Ryan Anderson is a great player but here today gone today. Thats the way College Basketball works nowadays which just puts more pressure on them to perform in the tournament because they only get one shot at glory.

DaddyO'Cat wrote:I typed a mssg in a reply format but don't see it and don't know why it is not showing up and will repeat and hope it is not a double post... was commenting on RA.... Watched him and strange how he scores at such a high rate with at least 1 or 2 defenders draped all over him but can't score when he's untouched. I don't think he will be an NBA player unless he continues his trajectory and develops a reliable jump shot. But damn he is good for us ala jimmer was for BYU.

Newportcat wrote:

gumby wrote:An elite program is one that makes Final Fours. We haven't been making those. But we're still an elite program, so we better get to the Final Four. Why? So we can be considered an elite program.

I'm getting dizzy.

Yes an Elite program is one that makes final fours. I believe our program CAN be an elite program as it was from 1988 through 2001 but since then we have simply been a good to great program. Nothing special or that will get remembered by the average college basketball fan. When we start making final fours again and hopefully winning a national championship again then we can be back in that same list as Duke, North Carolina, etc.

We are a Great BUT program right now. Arizona is Great BUT they keep losing in the Final Four. Sean Miler is a great coach BUT he still has not made a final four. Arizona is great BUT they have lost 5 elite 8 games since 2003.

I dont want to be a Great BUT program, I want to be Elite PERIOD Elite. We recruit at an elite level, we have facilities at an Elite level, I think our coaching is elite BUT until we make final fours we will not be viewed as an Elite program. And I personally hate that so anything that does not help us get back to being Elite is basically irrelevant to me.

Maybe I am too competitive or much more competitive then the people here. All I know is I have asked all my buddies the question whether they would be excited if we won the PAC 12 title and all of them said they could give two sh*ts and the only thing that matters is how we perform in the tourney.

I get I am debating Diehards which is kind of like me trying to convince crack heads in a crack house that crack isnt good for them. We all want the same thing in the end I just care a lot less about things which do not end the "Arizona is great BUT"

Harvey Specter wrote:

Newportcat wrote:

gumby wrote:An elite program is one that makes Final Fours. We haven't been making those. But we're still an elite program, so we better get to the Final Four. Why? So we can be considered an elite program.

I'm getting dizzy.

Yes an Elite program is one that makes final fours. I believe our program CAN be an elite program as it was from 1988 through 2001 but since then we have simply been a good to great program. Nothing special or that will get remembered by the average college basketball fan. When we start making final fours again and hopefully winning a national championship again then we can be back in that same list as Duke, North Carolina, etc.

We are a Great BUT program right now. Arizona is Great BUT they keep losing in the Final Four. Sean Miler is a great coach BUT he still has not made a final four. Arizona is great BUT they have lost 5 elite 8 games since 2003.

I dont want to be a Great BUT program, I want to be Elite PERIOD Elite. We recruit at an elite level, we have facilities at an Elite level, I think our coaching is elite BUT until we make final fours we will not be viewed as an Elite program. And I personally hate that so anything that does not help us get back to being Elite is basically irrelevant to me.

Maybe I am too competitive or much more competitive then the people here. All I know is I have asked all my buddies the question whether they would be excited if we won the PAC 12 title and all of them said they could give two sh*ts and the only thing that matters is how we perform in the tourney.

I get I am debating Diehards which is kind of like me trying to convince crack heads in a crack house that crack isnt good for them. We all want the same thing in the end I just care a lot less about things which do not end the "Arizona is great BUT"

That is what it is Newport... You are just a wolf among sheep, a gladiator surrounded by monks... you competitive animal you!

Give me a break. So you have to be in the top 4 out of 347, or you are a failure? Okay, Eldrick. Who cares if I am number 1 in the Western US at my job... If I am not top 4 on the globe then I deserve to be fired!

You are clearly.an over-achieving MMA street fighter. Women want you... Men fear you... Children want to be like you. Us mere mortals are humbled to be in the presence of your greatness.

By your defeatist definition, the world is filled with losers... and I am quite sure you are probably one of them. But call it competitiveness if you wish.

rgdeuce wrote:Seriously, what does competitiveness have to do with this? Unless you are a gambler who thinks they are the greatest at handicapping.... I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. Some of us have really big problems with competitiveness. Even stuff as stupid as video games and fantasy football as a grown ass man.... But how are you making a competition out of watching someone else play basketball if it isn't gambling and you aren't a coach?

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

rgdeuce wrote:Seriously, what does competitiveness have to do with this? Unless you are a gambler who thinks they are the greatest at handicapping.... I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. Some of us have really big problems with competitiveness. Even stuff as stupid as video games and fantasy football as a grown ass man.... But how are you making a competition out of watching someone else play basketball if it isn't gambling and you aren't a coach?

It's bizarre. Here's the thing, I bet every poster on this site (except the trolls) would list the #1 accomplishment we could have this year as a national championship. Every single one would want that more than a #1 seed, Pac title, etc.

The question is what happens if we don't get there. Newport seems to suggest we should view it as a disappointment and no more. Again, I think every poster was sad when we lost to Wisconsin, and every poster is gonna be sad if/when we lose in the NCAA tourney.

Some of us will just acknowledge there were still things that happened this year that Arizona fans should be happy about. Newport seems incapable of that next step. It isn't competitiveness, it's a messed up perspective.

PHXCATS wrote:Completely get your points and agree with them. What are the things you are happy about so far this year?

PHXCATS wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

rgdeuce wrote:Seriously, what does competitiveness have to do with this? Unless you are a gambler who thinks they are the greatest at handicapping.... I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. Some of us have really big problems with competitiveness. Even stuff as stupid as video games and fantasy football as a grown ass man.... But how are you making a competition out of watching someone else play basketball if it isn't gambling and you aren't a coach?

It's bizarre. Here's the thing, I bet every poster on this site (except the trolls) would list the #1 accomplishment we could have this year as a national championship. Every single one would want that more than a #1 seed, Pac title, etc.

The question is what happens if we don't get there. Newport seems to suggest we should view it as a disappointment and no more. Again, I think every poster was sad when we lost to Wisconsin, and every poster is gonna be sad if/when we lose in the NCAA tourney.

Some of us will just acknowledge there were still things that happened this year that Arizona fans should be happy about. Newport seems incapable of that next step. It isn't competitiveness, it's a messed up perspective.

Completely get your points and agree with them. What are the things you are happy about so far this year?

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

We're only barely in the top ten. Not even top five.

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Schedule does not set up well for the Cats the last two weeks

Olsondogg wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Schedule does not set up well for the Cats the last two weeks

Uh ok. 2 games on the road after a week off, and two games at home.

Furthermore Arizona plays Wednesday- Saturday and Tah plays Thursday-Saturday...so essentially an extra day to prep. Then two games at McKale to end up the season.

Arizona controls their own destiny...and yet the schedule does not set up well.

Your arguments are pitiful.

Olsondogg wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Schedule does not set up well for the Cats the last two weeks

Uh ok. 2 games on the road after a week off, and two games at home.

Furthermore Arizona plays Wednesday- Saturday and Tah plays Thursday-Saturday...so essentially an extra day to prep. Then two games at McKale to end up the season.

Arizona controls their own destiny...and yet the schedule does not set up well.

Your arguments are pitiful.

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Schedule does not set up well for the Cats the last two weeks

Uh ok. 2 games on the road after a week off, and two games at home.

Furthermore Arizona plays Wednesday- Saturday and Tah plays Thursday-Saturday...so essentially an extra day to prep. Then two games at McKale to end up the season.

Arizona controls their own destiny...and yet the schedule does not set up well.

Your arguments are pitiful.

Actually Arizona does not unless you want to hang a banner for co champs. No use in talking rationally to a blind homer. You are pitiful of you do not see how much easier Utah and Orwgon have it their lat two weeks vs U of A

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Schedule does not set up well for the Cats the last two weeks

Uh ok. 2 games on the road after a week off, and two games at home.

Furthermore Arizona plays Wednesday- Saturday and Tah plays Thursday-Saturday...so essentially an extra day to prep. Then two games at McKale to end up the season.

Arizona controls their own destiny...and yet the schedule does not set up well.

Your arguments are pitiful.

Actually Arizona does not unless you want to hang a banner for co champs. No use in talking rationally to a blind homer. You are pitiful of you do not see how much easier Utah and Orwgon have it their lat two weeks vs U of A

RichardCranium wrote:Arizona can win out. I no longer rate it as a 'should win out'. It'll be a tough game in SLC, but certainly do-able.

Oregon is vulnerable to Washington and will lose at least one in LA.

Utah has 3 home games, A$$U, UA, Co. They could easily lose to both A$$U and Arizona, but that is a big ask for the scummies on the road.

What I would like to see happen is for the Scummies to beat the Utes in 4 or 5 overtimes on Friday.

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:People are now having to defend what they're happy about a 22-5, 1st place in PAC season?

Schedule does not set up well for the Cats the last two weeks

Uh ok. 2 games on the road after a week off, and two games at home.

Furthermore Arizona plays Wednesday- Saturday and Tah plays Thursday-Saturday...so essentially an extra day to prep. Then two games at McKale to end up the season.

Arizona controls their own destiny...and yet the schedule does not set up well.

Your arguments are pitiful.

Actually Arizona does not unless you want to hang a banner for co champs. No use in talking rationally to a blind homer. You are pitiful of you do not see how much easier Utah and Orwgon have it their lat two weeks vs U of A

Beachcat97 wrote:I'd be thrilled if any of these happen:

-reg season Pac title
-Pac tourney title
-Sweet Sixteen or better

If none of the above happens, I'll be bummed but still proud of them.