2024-25 Arizona Basketball

[Merkin]

Many will blame Lloyd

Lloyd has no blame today. 100% on the players

I think everyone played with tremendous heart and effort today.

I think we lost because we ran out of gas with Tommy not trusting Delly and TT at all in the 2nd half.

I 100% blame this on Tommy. The players were fine.

UH:
Love 38 minutes
Bradley 37 minutes

KSU:
Love 39 minutes
Bradley 38 minutes

Cats record:
0-2


UA v. Princeton:
Tubelis 38 minutes
Kriisa 36 minutes

[MrKyle]

Many will blame Lloyd

Lloyd has no blame today. 100% on the players

I think everyone played with tremendous heart and effort today.

I think we lost because we ran out of gas with Tommy not trusting Delly and TT at all in the 2nd half.

I 100% blame this on Tommy. The players were fine.

UH:
Love 38 minutes
Bradley 37 minutes

KSU:
Love 39 minutes
Bradley 38 minutes

Cats record:
0-2


UA v. Princeton:
Tubelis 38 minutes
Kriisa 36 minutes

I’m with you on this being on CTL - roster construction is a huge, as is realizing when players need a breather or aren’t performing as well as they can.

That last 3 point shot from KJ was a great example - when the play broke down he should have called time and reset rather than having KJ heave up a contested 3 off the dribble

[Merkin]

Tommy saying that the Cats need to toughen up, this is the B12, and hope things will get better doesn't seem like a good coaching strategy.

ADO played well, for him anyway. Trey had some good minutes too. Made a couple of bonehead decisions, but no more than any other player on the team. Love ended up with 5 TOs, Bradley 2, no one else had more than one.

Put ADO and TT in for 4-5 minutes each half, and give the crunch time guys a blow. Veesaar missing 2 FTs really hurt. Understand of course that Awaka was just too short out there to really make an impact, but he is a body and strong AF.

What time did UH start their 13-0 run? About the 8 minute mark? That's usually when the Cats start failing with poor passes, and poor shot decisions. The whole 2nd half looked like bad shot decisions. Either driving into traffic in the paint, or chucking up a covered on ball 3 point shot.

I know Lloyd is giving Love a free pass and admits it, but the rest of the players need to wait for the catch and shoot 3 point shot.

Also, why does the Cats give up a turnover after a timeout? Is the play Tommy called just too hard to execute?

[Chicat]

Not having another guard who can give us 15 minutes will be the ultimate downfall of this Arizona team.

[MrKyle]

Not having another guard who can give us 15 minutes will be the ultimate downfall of this Arizona team.

Something we sorely need for sure - would have been nice for Boz to pan out here but that’s another story

[Postmaster]

Many will blame Lloyd

Lloyd has no blame today. 100% on the players

I think everyone played with tremendous heart and effort today.

I think we lost because we ran out of gas with Tommy not trusting Delly and TT at all in the 2nd half.

I 100% blame this on Tommy. The players were fine.

UH:
Love 38 minutes
Bradley 37 minutes

KSU:
Love 39 minutes
Bradley 38 minutes

Cats record:
0-2


UA v. Princeton:
Tubelis 38 minutes
Kriisa 36 minutes

I felt like we started losing steam versus TT but were able to hang in there and get the win.

[Merkin]

Aren't both Boswell and Kriisa coming off the bench? If they were willing to be bench players they should have stayed, assuming UA had enough NIL money anyway.

Bradley recent games minutes:
37
38
39
36
34
41
35
37
39
38
39
37

Those are Jason Gardner numbers, and he was the best ironman the UA ever had.

[Postmaster]

Boz is back home and KK had a bad foot injury earlier.

[MrKyle]

Need to get a true PG in the next year or two - been a long time since we had a stud PG (really since TJMC since Mannion didn’t pan out)

[PHXCATS]

Tommy not to blame

Team is good

Team is fine

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[MrKyle]

Tommy not to blame

Team is good

Team is fine

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X

I know you’ve usually got the rose colored glasses on Machina…

But if you can’t see that the team is visibly worn out and minutes piling up then not sure if we are watching the same ball games.

Can our 6 deep compete with the best out there - I’d say more or less yes. Unfortunately that usually isn’t good enough come later in the season and tournament

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Not having another guard who can give us 15 minutes will be the ultimate downfall of this Arizona team.

Something we sorely need for sure - would have been nice for Boz to pan out here but that’s another story

Some guys need narrower guard rails to stay on task for an entire season.
As a swimmer, we were just too tired to get into trouble with two a days and weight room. I'm sure that Daddy Brad doesn't suffer any foolishness.

What we need is Pelle back, man I miss him.

[Lute4God]

Need to get a true PG in the next year or two - been a long time since we had a stud PG (really since TJMC since Mannion didn’t pan out)

MrK I have heard this said, but I don't get it.

Bradley is efficient with usually low TOs and one of our most consistent scorers and best defenders.

I can't think of anything Bradley doesn't provide from the PG spot.

Can someone tell me how he is 'Not a PG"?

[Fishclamps]

I think when most people say that they mean a pass first PG that really is there to facilitate.

[PHXCATS]

Major

M
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Run coming

[Merkin]

If Tommy said it, he must be thinking it too.

"We got to keep plowing ahead".

Now how do you translate that into any actually actions? So just do that same as you have been doing, even though he admits himself his players are tired.

I think when most people say that they mean a pass first PG that really is there to facilitate.

JB 3.8 APG
TJ 6.3 APG

[Merkin]

Tommy on his players being tired. He seems to think they have something left in the tank. History does not bear this out.


“We’re at where we’re at, and we’re putting the players out there (where) we think (we have) the best chance to be successful to win the game. Maybe they’re a little bit tired, but I know this: if you want something bad enough, there’s always something left in the tank. I know that.”


https://allsportstucson.com/2025/02/15/ ... FzNPo_KRLQ

[MrKyle]

Need to get a true PG in the next year or two - been a long time since we had a stud PG (really since TJMC since Mannion didn’t pan out)

MrK I have heard this said, but I don't get it.

Bradley is efficient with usually low TOs and one of our most consistent scorers and best defenders.

I can't think of anything Bradley doesn't provide from the PG spot.

Can someone tell me how he is 'Not a PG"?

Not saying JB isn’t doing a good job - but at his core he’s a combo guard. We just have no one behind him who comes close to a true PG - Conrad is that but doesn’t seem like he’s got the chops right now.

JB is having to shoulder a big load by having to try and score more as well. His best offense has been breaking down other team with drives to the rack, which gets harder to do when he’s worn out by game end.

As Fish said, a pass first guard who is primarily looking to setup team and has elite handles. Someone who can make the defense pay when needed with a drive here and there - or good spot up shot.

Would love for the team to get back to our Point Guard U days when we had a long line of top notch PGs coming in.

[PHXCATS]

For fuck sake

Assists dont matter

Points per game don't matter

Steals per game don't matter

Turnovers don't matter

Stats don't matter

Plus minus doss not matter

Only wins and losses matter

Podcasting had poised brains

[dovecanyoncat]

For fuck sake

Assists dont matter

Points per game don't matter

Steals per game don't matter

Turnovers don't matter

Stats don't matter

Plus minus doss not matter

Only wins and losses matter

Podcasting had poised brains

I may have my head up my ass, but my brain is always poised.

[azgreg]

If we're just avg from 3 the last 2 games we win them both.

[dmjcat]

Many will blame Lloyd

Lloyd has no blame today. 100% on the players

I think everyone played with tremendous heart and effort today.

I think we lost because we ran out of gas with Tommy not trusting Delly and TT at all in the 2nd half.

I 100% blame this on Tommy. The players were fine.

UH:
Love 38 minutes
Bradley 37 minutes

KSU:
Love 39 minutes
Bradley 38 minutes

Cats record:
0-2


UA v. Princeton:
Tubelis 38 minutes
Kriisa 36 minutes

Who do you suggest he sub in for Love/Bradley???

Conrad would have been killed by Houstons guards. ADO can't defend.

CTL has no choice but to ride Love/Bradley

[Frybry02]

If we're just avg from 3 the last 2 games we win them both.

Because of shooting, the ceiling isn’t high for this year’s team. We haven’t been average from 3 all year.

[dmjcat]

If we're just avg from 3 the last 2 games we win them both.

Agree.

I think its important going forward that we redistribute who is taking the 3's.

We need less Caleb Love 3 pt shooting and more Carter Bryant/Veesar/ADO

[MrKyle]

If we're just avg from 3 the last 2 games we win them both.

Agree.

I think its important going forward that we redistribute who is taking the 3's.

We need less Caleb Love 3 pt shooting and more Carter Bryant/Veesar/ADO

Agree, the only 3s Love should be shooting are on kick outs or wide open looks, otherwise he should be driving and looking to score or distribute.

[dirtbags]

If Tommy said it, he must be thinking it too.

"We got to keep plowing ahead".

Now how do you translate that into any actually actions? So just do that same as you have been doing, even though he admits himself his players are tired.

Tommy on his players being tired. He seems to think they have something left in the tank. History does not bear this out.


“We’re at where we’re at, and we’re putting the players out there (where) we think (we have) the best chance to be successful to win the game. Maybe they’re a little bit tired, but I know this: if you want something bad enough, there’s always something left in the tank. I know that.”


https://allsportstucson.com/2025/02/15/ ... -happened/

right - this is a little worrisome, and the tight turnaround to waco will not be any help. i do share some of y'alls concerns about the team peaking too early and being grounded down to nubs come tournament time. like who gives a shit about winning the regular season title when the players are limping into the postseason and HEB. would be nice if arizona could put a few of our remaining games away early so the starters can sit.

[Winger]

Only saw the game live and haven’t done a rewatch yet but here were the storylines, in no particular order:

1. There is never 1 reason why a team lost but Arizona lost this game because it got absolutley smoked at the PG position; and its hard to win when that happens. Uzan put up 19 points on 8 for 12 shooting, had 5 assists and a couple boards and steals, and did not turn the ball over in 38 minutes. As importantly, he controlled the game. Bradley didn’t do that and had 4 points on 1 for 6 shooting, turned it over a couple times, and committed 3 fouls (tho was better/good on the glass).

2. Don’t know why this wasn’t a game for Awaka (couldn’t play w/o fouling maybe?) but it shouldn’t have been. Sampson doesn’t play a guy taller than 6’8” and Arizona really really needed points from the interior against a team like Houston. Make them pay for playing small bigs so they can aggressively switch every ball screen and Arizona completely fizzled on the interior.

3. College basketball is a game of many things, but shooting is a big one, and this Arizona team simply can’t shoot. Not from 3 and it also has issues from the line at times. Imv 23 of 54 shots from beyond the arc is way too many and this is becoming a theme in Arizona’s losses this season (shooting too many 3s). Lewis in particular should never shoot another 3, as his release is broken (the last one he took was so far off it nearly missed the backboard). Hard to win games if you can’t shoot and we can’t shoot.

4. Arizona was good enough (Love’s TOs aside) everywhere else yesterday to win. Effort, handling Houston’s defensive pressure, on the glass, protecting the ball, getting to the rim (including on back doors!!!), and holding their poise. But ultimately the team’s deficiencies were too much to overcome vs a team as good as Houston.

Lloyd said postgame that everyone thinks Arizona is going to lose Monday, Well, I don’t think that but Baylor is going to be another big/important game, I do know that.

Shoot, when it comes to seeding, they might all be from here on out.

[Chicat]

I like that Lloyd is trying to make it an Us against the World thing but the truth is that we are catching Baylor at a pretty good time. They aren’t playing particularly good basketball at the moment and this could be a get right game for our boys even on the road.

We are going to need to win a road game to avoid going 3-5 over our last 8 and falling out of the top-4 double bye group. Waco looks like a better opportunity than at Ames or Lawrence.

[Winger]

I like that Lloyd is trying to make it an Us against the World thing but the truth is that we are catching Baylor at a pretty good time. They aren’t playing particularly good basketball at the moment and this could be a get right game for our boys even on the road.

We are going to need to win a road game to avoid going 3-5 over our last 8 and falling out of the top-4 double bye group. Waco looks like a better opportunity than at Ames or Lawrence.

I think we can get 4 of our last 6 but it feels to me like Baylor has to be one of those …

… and …

… its time for the starting of DellOrso and Townsend each half TO END.

There is no “safe” time to play these two. Every possession matters exactly as much as any other possession. Lloyd isn’t getting away with anything by starting these two. He is costing Arizona wins. They should be on the bench and — sparingly — used to spell the 6 guys who can play.

And Lloyd needs to fucking ditch whatever off season evaluation process he used to identify and sign these two.

[Chicat]

I like that Lloyd is trying to make it an Us against the World thing but the truth is that we are catching Baylor at a pretty good time. They aren’t playing particularly good basketball at the moment and this could be a get right game for our boys even on the road.

We are going to need to win a road game to avoid going 3-5 over our last 8 and falling out of the top-4 double bye group. Waco looks like a better opportunity than at Ames or Lawrence.

I think we can get 4 of our last 6 but it feels to me like Baylor has to be one of those …

… and …

… its time for the starting of DellOrso and Townsend each half TO END.

There is no “safe” time to play these two. Every possession matters exactly as much as any other possession. Lloyd isn’t getting away with anything by starting these two. He is costing Arizona wins. They should be on the bench and — sparingly — used to spell the 6 guys who can play.

And Lloyd needs to fucking ditch whatever off season evaluation process he used to identify and sign these two.

It’s definitely time to stop playing Townsend and ADO together. We are just way too one dimensional on offense since neither can create their own shot and we are basically Swiss cheese on defense. They should be situational subs to give either a 1-3 or 4/5 a rest. And the 15 minutes a game they are currently getting should be well spaced out between TV timeouts where guys like Henri and KJ can sit for 3-5 minutes of court time but get 7-10 minutes of actual rest.

And before anyone comes at me with the “you think you know better than the coaches???” stuff, I know you see it too. We are just not as good when those two guys are on the court. Putting them together to start halves is just a head-scratcher to me, and every time Tommy has to pull one or both of them early because they gave up 5 quick points, you have to wonder what he was thinking putting them out there to start to begin with.

[Alieberman]

I agree.

If Tommy is going to basically bench them in The 2nd half except for a couple minutes to start the 2nd half…. Why not use those couple minutes to insert them in somewhere in the middle of the 2nd half to actually give give valuable rest to the others? Starting them does not give the others the added rest benefit they clearly need

[UAEebs86]

Why would you play them against the other teams starters? Makes no sense. Get them their few minutes against the backups.

[Merkin]

3 tough games in 6 days with a lot of travel has to be brutally hard on the 6 players. Not like in AAU or high school where you don't play defense.

[PHXCATS]

Lloyd is the coach

I trust Lloyd

U of A is fine

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[Chicat]

U of A is fine

Fine doesn’t win national championships.

[Merkin]

You mean there is a chance? I don't see it though. S16 at the absolute ceiling and that's if Lloyd changes the lineup so the players don't get so gassed end of game. And when was the last time Love had 5 good games in a row, 2022?

The BPI projects Arizona with a 3.2 percent chance to win the national championship, 8.0 percent to reach the title game, 17.1 percent to advance to the Final Four, 32.8 percent for an appearance in the NCAA Tournament regional final, 59.2 percent to reach the regional semifinal and 90.9 to win their first-round game.

https://zonazealots.com/arizona-still-h ... agivwqVSmg

[U.P. Zona Fan]

All right we have 6 games left, to keep on the mix for a 4 seed we can only lose 2 of @Baylor, @ISU, and @KU. Can't lose any of the other 3 or we are dropping. But who cares 4 or 5 seed is almost the same thing. The main thing I want to see is continued toughness and improved decision making.

That Houston game was ours except for we let cryer get loose for 2 threes and some missed free throws.

[TheCat]

U of A is fine

Fine doesn’t win national championships.

If that is all that is going to make you happy I'm afraid you're going to be sad. This team isn't good enough to win a National championship just like every other team at Arizona but one.

[UAEebs86]

U of A is fine

Fine doesn’t win national championships.

If that is all that is going to make you happy I'm afraid you're going to be sad. This team isn't good enough to win a National championship just like every other team at Arizona but one.

Two. 2001 was stolen by the refs and Arenas' injury. Lute deserved another ring the season Bobbi passed.

[Chicat]

U of A is fine

Fine doesn’t win national championships.

If that is all that is going to make you happy I'm afraid you're going to be sad. This team isn't good enough to win a National championship just like every other team at Arizona but one.

A) Thank you Dr. Freud for my happiness analysis but I never said anything about that being “all” that’s going to make me happy, but shouldn’t a national championship be the goal every year and isn’t there a certain amount of sadness for every true fan when their team loses in the tourney?

B) We’ve had a number of teams good enough to win the national championship. It just hasn’t happened due to bad luck, injuries, running into hot teams at the wrong time, etc. If you really think we’ve only had one team good enough to win it all and that was 1997, what about 1998 when we returned everyone?

[LuteIsGod]

U of A is fine

Fine doesn’t win national championships.

If that is all that is going to make you happy I'm afraid you're going to be sad. This team isn't good enough to win a National championship just like every other team at Arizona but one.

Two. 2001 was stolen by the refs and Arenas' injury. Lute deserved another ring the season Bobbi passed.

You’re so very right!

[azgreg]

Baylor opens as a 1.5 point favorite.

[84Cat]

Jon Sciambi and Fran Fraschilla on the call tonight

[AZCatGirl]

Not that the AP poll matters much, but we drop to 19. Seems a bit harsh considering the competition.

[azgreg]

Not that the AP poll matters much, but we drop to 19. Seems a bit harsh considering the competition.

I can't believe Kansas didn't move into the top 5.

[TheCat]

U of A is fine

Fine doesn’t win national championships.

If that is all that is going to make you happy I'm afraid you're going to be sad. This team isn't good enough to win a National championship just like every other team at Arizona but one.

A) Thank you Dr. Freud for my happiness analysis but I never said anything about that being “all” that’s going to make me happy, but shouldn’t a national championship be the goal every year and isn’t there a certain amount of sadness for every true fan when their team loses in the tourney?

B) We’ve had a number of teams good enough to win the national championship. It just hasn’t happened due to bad luck, injuries, running into hot teams at the wrong time, etc. If you really think we’ve only had one team good enough to win it all and that was 1997, what about 1998 when we returned everyone?

A) YES and YES
B) No you haven't had a team good enough to win it all or you would have won. You can blame it on whatever you want but just couldn't do it. I was devastated at some of those losses but enjoyed the teams regardless. Even some early bow outs. In 1998 even though we returned everyone we were not good enough to win it all. Results show that. We lost in the sweet 16 right? Mike D is still hating himself for that game. The game before that we blew out the competition but just couldn't beat Utah.
Contrary to most peoples thought process on here is the other team has players that want to win and coaches trying to figure out how to help them.

[azcat49]

98 we lost to Utah in the elite 8. We beat Maryland in the sweet 16.

[Chicat]

The team that wins the national championship is the ONLY team that year that was good enough to do so? Ok….

[TheCat]

Only saw the game live and haven’t done a rewatch yet but here were the storylines, in no particular order:

3. College basketball is a game of many things, but shooting is a big one, and this Arizona team simply can’t shoot. Not from 3 and it also has issues from the line at times. Imv 23 of 54 shots from beyond the arc is way too many and this is becoming a theme in Arizona’s losses this season (shooting too many 3s). Lewis in particular should never shoot another 3, as his release is broken (the last one he took was so far off it nearly missed the backboard). Hard to win games if you can’t shoot and we can’t shoot.

Lloyd said postgame that everyone thinks Arizona is going to lose Monday, Well, I don’t think that but Baylor is going to be another big/important game, I do know that.

Shoot, when it comes to seeding, they might all be from here on out.

We shoot exceptional from the line. If you are relating to one or two games sure. I think we are in the high 70%. That is good. I think Tommy was pissed we lost to Houston and I think he was trying to fire up his guys.

[AZCatGirl]

Showing the country we can play with the big boys.