Bear Down Wildcats

Chicat wrote:O’Neill = Mackovic

The fucking worst.

Merkin wrote:

Catintheheat wrote:

YoDeFoe wrote:Bayless was absurdly strong (and consequently fearless) going to the rim. Truth.

Tried to draw fouls all the time too.

And got the calls early in the OOC season, and didn't get them later in the PAC season, so complained to the refs, meanwhile his teammates had to play 4 on 5 defense.

It's sort of an odd twist that Pac refs now usually blow the whistle on minimal contact that may well not get a call in an OOC game.

YoDeFoe wrote:

Chicat wrote:O’Neill = Mackovic

The fucking worst.

Hashtag “blessed”

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Merkin wrote:

Catintheheat wrote:

YoDeFoe wrote:Bayless was absurdly strong (and consequently fearless) going to the rim. Truth.

Tried to draw fouls all the time too.

And got the calls early in the OOC season, and didn't get them later in the PAC season, so complained to the refs, meanwhile his teammates had to play 4 on 5 defense.

It's sort of an odd twist that Pac refs now usually blow the whistle on minimal contact that may well not get a call in an OOC game.

On a big man.

That’s the caveat.

YoDeFoe wrote:

Chicat wrote:O’Neill = Mackovic

The fucking worst.

Speaking of the worst, who's the AD that hired those bums, plus nearly stuck us with Tim Floyd, plus did his best to fuck up the Sean Miller hire (you know, the ex - EXavier coach)? But, boy could he balance the books!

I never considered that Jeremiah Robinson-Earl would commit to Arizona. I'm now writing "Jeremiah Robinson-Earl + Arizona" and putting it under my pillow when I sleep.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

Merkin wrote:

Catintheheat wrote:

YoDeFoe wrote:Bayless was absurdly strong (and consequently fearless) going to the rim. Truth.

Tried to draw fouls all the time too.

And got the calls early in the OOC season, and didn't get them later in the PAC season, so complained to the refs, meanwhile his teammates had to play 4 on 5 defense.

I got tired of seeing that.
his flopping, flailing arms about, looking to the ref for a call, and bitching when it didn't come.

at some point adjust to the fact you're not getting the calls, and stop playing for the foul.

Goodman shows no Secret Scrimmage for Arizona... wonder if this means we don't have one, or if Miller is just better at keeping secrets.

When is red blue game and what channel will it be on?

YoDeFoe wrote:Here.

CST I am not hating on you here but everyone needs to know this address for all things Arizona Basketball TV and Time and opponent

https://arizonawildcats.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball" target="_blank

PHXCATS wrote:CST I am not hating on you here but everyone needs to know this address for all things Arizona Basketball TV and Time and opponent

https://arizonawildcats.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball" target="_blank

Is assume there's a question mark after the Pac 12 Network because the channel could go under at any second?

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:CST I am not hating on you here but everyone needs to know this address for all things Arizona Basketball TV and Time and opponent

https://arizonawildcats.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball" target="_blank

Is assume there's a question mark after the Pac 12 Network because the channel could go under at any second?

I know we have disagreed a lot but God Bless You for this wonderful post. Honestly it is for it being on specific PAC-12 channels but my God this is really funny.

Damn this Sunday!!!
Awesome.

Miller needs to buy up the rest of the tickets and start handing them out. Get that sell out, one way or another.

What it’s not sold out???

First time since Miller's early years, though really he began the tradition of selling out the Red Blue.

No big named returner, no one and done recruit. The diehards will always show up hence why still 13,500 tickets have been sold, but the non-diehards literally have no idea who's on this team plus there's zero preseason expectations. Next year it'll sell out in a week.

The only reason this game is not sold out is because of Machina.

ChooChooCat wrote:No big named returner, no one and done recruit. The diehards will always show up hence why still 13,500 tickets have been sold, but the non-diehards literally have no idea who's on this team plus there's zero preseason expectations. Next year it'll sell out in a week.

And besides the red blue game never was a huge deal seemingly until like 2010/11. Before that it didn't fill up a lot of the time.

Alieberman wrote:The only reason this game is not sold out is because of Machina.

Damn I am even a bigger deal that I thought. Thanks bud

I think showing up for the red blue game should be mandatory for pre-sale access for all ncaa tourney Arizona tickets.

CalStateTempe wrote:I think showing up for the red blue game should be mandatory for pre-sale access for all ncaa tourney Arizona tickets.

Why do fans need to go to a practice to see the team play in the NCAA tournament?

Because if I want choice tickets and attending the blue red game gave me a better shot st them, well I’m booking that flight.

Just a thought idea I’m throwing out for discussion.

CalStateTempe wrote:Because if I want choice tickets and attending the blue red game gave me a better shot st them, well I’m booking that flight.

Just a thought idea I’m throwing out for discussion.

It's reasonable. You could just have a point based eligibility system where certain actions get you certain points. Red/blue tickets could be one point getter.

ASUHATER! wrote:And besides the red blue game never was a huge deal seemingly until like 2010/11. Before that it didn't fill up a lot of the time.

Uhhh Midnight Madness was a full house every year

I went to 3 or 4 midnight madnesses around 2004-2008 and it was never totally full.

CalStateTempe wrote:I think showing up for the red blue game should be mandatory for pre-sale access for all ncaa tourney Arizona tickets.

That'd be absurd.

Red/Blue is cool, but it is just an introduction to the season. The fan living in Chicago who wants to go see the Cats in the Indiana regional should have flown to Tucson for Red/Blue?

No offense directed to you, because I am sure you just came up with that on the fly, but that is silly, and quite a bit elitist from the perspective of expendable income.

Or, worse, people from all over the country buy them so they can get NCAA tickets, and we have an empty Red/Blue

97cats wrote:

YoDeFoe wrote:Jeff Goodman puts Arizona outside of his preseason top 50.

Oregon at 17, Washington at 22, ASU, UCLA, and USC in the 25-50 group in that order.

Arizona is going to better than most people think

PHXCATS wrote:Arizona makes the NCAA tournament. Look errr Book it

I'm sensing a 2011-2012-esque season in which we miss the tournament despite 23 wins & finishing 4th in the conference.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2012.html" target="_blank

Arizona does not have overwhelming talent to overcome the lack of minutes played for last year's inexperienced recruits, the transfers learning a new system and a team that hasn't played any live minutes together. Maybe the 3 guards thing will help as Arizona will at least not be big and slow. Hopefully Akot, Randolph, Lee make the jump they should, Williams comes in and instantly makes an impact and the 3 starting transfers adjust quickly. Personnel wise though I don't see it as the main problem with making a tournament, it's the lack of quality wins that the team will have imo.

Right now I'm seeing @UConn & @Bama as the only potential Q1/Q2 games on our non conference schedule.

In the PAC 12 Q1, Q2 games could be

• 1/17 vs Oregon
  1/24 @ USC
  1/26 @ UCLA
  1/ 31 @ ASU
  2/7 vs Washington
  3/2 @ Oregon
  3/9 vs ASU (?)

The PAC 12 sent 3 teams to the NCAA tournament last year, two of those in play in games. The year before they sent 4, 1 in a play in game. Oregon & Washington seem like the only for sure tournament teams. This year is looking similar to the last several years, pretty weak conference and maybe 3-4 teams in. 5 if someone makes a run in the conference tournament. Finishing middle of the pack won't get the team into the tournament.

Making the tournament will require imo...

• A strong Maui performance, Have to win at least two here, hopefully 3 even if it's in the losers bracket.
• Winning at least 3 games of the tough early PAC 12 conference schedule which includes Oregon, @ USC, @ UCLA, @ Asu & Washington
• Top 4 finish in a hopefully stronger PAC 12 conference
• A couple wins in the conference tournament, no early exits here like in 2012

It all comes down to Maui, do well there.

NYCat wrote: I'm sensing a 2011-2012-esque season in which we miss the tournament despite 23 wins & finishing 4th in the conference.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2012.html" target="_blank

Arizona does not have overwhelming talent to overcome the lack of minutes played for last year's inexperienced recruits, the transfers learning a new system and a team that hasn't played any live minutes together. Maybe the 3 guards thing will help as Arizona will at least not be big and slow. Hopefully Akot, Randolph, Lee make the jump they should, Williams comes in and instantly makes an impact and the 3 starting transfers adjust quickly. Personnel wise though I don't see it as the main problem with making a tournament, it's the lack of quality wins that the team will have imo.

Right now I'm seeing @UConn & @Bama as the only potential Q1/Q2 games on our non conference schedule.

In the PAC 12 Q1, Q2 games could be

• 1/17 vs Oregon
  1/24 @ USC
  1/26 @ UCLA
  1/ 31 @ ASU
  2/7 vs Washington
  3/2 @ Oregon
  3/9 vs ASU (?)

The PAC 12 sent 3 teams to the NCAA tournament last year, two of those in play in games. The year before they sent 4, 1 in a play in game. Oregon & Washington seem like the only for sure tournament teams. This year is looking similar to the last several years, pretty weak conference and maybe 3-4 teams in. 5 if someone makes a run in the conference tournament. Finishing middle of the pack won't get the team into the tournament.

Making the tournament will require imo...

• A strong Maui performance, Have to win at least two here, hopefully 3 even if it's in the losers bracket.
• Winning at least 3 games of the tough early PAC 12 conference schedule which includes Oregon, @ USC, @ UCLA, @ Asu & Washington
• Top 4 finish in a hopefully stronger PAC 12 conference
• A couple wins in the conference tournament, no early exits here like in 2012

It all comes down to Maui, do well there.

This is good, sober analysis. The NCAA continues to move towards a tally of quality wins and the Pac-12 doesn't have many to offer. Agreed that we'll need to be top 3 to avoid a play-in game. Winning our first game in Maui against Iowa St will be paramount.

Arizona comes in at #4 in the Pac-12 media poll.

ChooChooCat wrote:Arizona comes in at #4 in the Pac-12 media poll.

I'll take the over

Irish27 wrote:

I have equal amounts of confidence in Miller to coach a team up and Alford to coach a team down.

So 90 percent of conference media back talented but unproven Nike U and good old Alford-led UCLA over a coach who has owned them both in ALL the big games?

God, what a bunch of scared conformists this conference's beat writers have become. Somebody find that lone first-place vote and buy him a beer.

catgrad97 wrote:So 90 percent of conference media back talented but unproven Nike U and good old Alford-led UCLA over a coach who has owned them both in ALL the big games?

God, what a bunch of scared conformists this conference's beat writers have become. Somebody find that lone first-place vote and buy him a beer.

I mean I give the media ton of credit to even put us at #4 honestly.

ChooChooCat wrote:

catgrad97 wrote:So 90 percent of conference media back talented but unproven Nike U and good old Alford-led UCLA over a coach who has owned them both in ALL the big games?

God, what a bunch of scared conformists this conference's beat writers have become. Somebody find that lone first-place vote and buy him a beer.

I mean I give the media ton of credit to even put us at #4 honestly.

Yup, honestly the media putting Arizona that high is kinda surprising. I guess it's respect for the program and/or Miller.

Count me among the surprised to see us at four, though that's where I rated us as well.

UCLA I'm selling - I think they finish fourth or worse. Washington I'm buying - I think they finish second or better.

Pac-12 preseason power rankings: Oregon's new wrinkle

Pac-12 preseason power rankings
9:22 AM PT
Myron Medcalf

Last season started with a lot of hype for the West Coast's only Power 5 league. It ended with three NCAA tournament bids for the entire conference. And all three teams were done before the second weekend.

It's unclear if this league will exceed that tally on Selection Sunday in 2019. Nothing feels like a certainty in the Pac-12 entering the season. But that could also open the door to a tumultuous and fascinating 2018-19.

1. Oregon Ducks: Dana Altman's squad is the most intimidating program in the Pac-12. Bol Bol, the 7-foot son of former NBA veteran Manute Bol who is comfortable in the paint or 15 feet from the basket, adds a new wrinkle to Oregon's plans with his size and versatility. He'll play next to veteran Payton Pritchard and five-star wing Louis King on a team that could win Oregon's third Pac-12 title in four years. The only lingering question for this talented team is the health of King, who is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered as a senior in high school.

2. Washington Huskies: Last season, Mike Hopkins guided Washington to wins over Arizona, Arizona State and Kansas to cap a 21-win season in his first year with the program. His team's 10-8 finish in league play wasn't sufficient for an NCAA tournament berth. But David Crisp (11.6 PPG, 3.1 APG), Noah Dickerson (15.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG), Matisse Thybulle (11.2 PPG), Jaylen Nowell (16.0 PPG) and Dom Green (43 percent from the 3-point line) all return to a team that adds four-star freshmen Bryan Penn-Johnson, Jamal Bey and Elijah Hardy, a collection of standouts who could lead the Huskies back to the NCAA tournament and a Pac-12 title.

3. UCLA Bruins: Steve Alford followed his trend of signing elite recruiting classes by locking up another incoming group that's ranked third on ESPN.com. Although Shareef O'Neal will not play this season because of a heart condition and guard Tyger Campbell will miss the season because of a torn ACL, the Moses Brown-led freshman crew represents Alford's third consecutive top-five class. But that talent pool hasn't led to a Pac-12 title. Perhaps Kris Wilkes, Jaylen Hands, Prince Ali and this strong recruiting class will change that.

4. USC Trojans: USC looked like a conference champion and potential Final Four contender before the 2017-18 season, but the season ended with an NIT berth. Bennie Boatwright (13.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG before he suffered a season-ending injury) is healthy again, and the Trojans will also welcome a class full of top-100 recruits (Elijah Weaver, Kevin Porter, J'Raan Brooks). Andy Enfield can lead this team back to the NCAA tournament.

5. Arizona State Sun Devils: Bobby Hurley lost veteran guards Shannon Evans, Kodi Justice and Tra Holder, a trio that helped the Sun Devils reach the NCAA tournament. Newcomer Zylan Cheatham, who averaged 9.1 PPG for San Diego State in 2016-17 before sitting out last season, will join Remy Martin to spark a roster that must replace the trio. Freshman wing Luguentz Dort and top-100 forward Taeshon Cherry could blossom in their first season with the program.

6. Arizona Wildcats: Arizona finds itself in this unlikely position below the top tier of the Pac-12 after a season in which the program became part of the FBI bribery investigation. The fallout probably cost coach Sean Miller key recruits. Duke transfer Chase Jeter is eligible, Pitt transfer Ryan Luther (12.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG) comes aboard and a group of bouncy wings will try to keep the Wildcats afloat, but no player on the roster averaged double figures for Arizona last season.

7. Oregon State Beavers: It's up to the coaches' kids to assist Wayne Tinkle in his effort to send Oregon State to the NCAA tournament for the second time and secure a top-five finish in Pac-12 play for the first time of his tenure. Tres Tinkle, the head coach's son, is the leader of this team, and assistant coach Stephen Thompson Sr.'s sons, Stephen Jr. and Ethan, round out a trio that hopes to lead the Beavers to the top of the league and, possibly, save Tinkle's job.

8. Utah Utes: Despite losing three first-round picks since 2015 (Delon Wright, Jakob Poeltl and Kyle Kuzma), Larry Krystkowiak's teams have made more than 52 percent of their shots inside the arc for five seasons in a row. He'll be challenged to continue that streak with veteran Justin Bibbins, David Collette and Tyler Rawson, a trio of scorers who averaged double figures, all gone. Sedrick Barefield (12.0 PPG) and a multitude of newcomers will attempt to keep Utah from the Pac-12's basement.

9. Colorado Buffaloes: If McKinley Wright IV, the team's top scorer from a season ago, can improve upon his 30.4 percent clip from beyond the arc, he might put together an All-American campaign. He averaged 14.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 5.5 APG, while shooting 77 percent from the free throw line in 2017-18. But the Buffaloes lost George King and more than 27 points per game of offensive production overall, so Wright has a lot of weight to

10. Stanford Cardinal: Reid Travis, an All-Pac-12 big man, had a chance to come back for another season and lead an intriguing mix of young talent. His choice to leave and transfer to Kentucky puts more pressure on sophomores Daejon Davis (10.7 PPG), Kezie Okpala (10.0 PPG) and four-star freshman Cormac Ryan to anchor this group. That's a difficult task for any underclassman.

11. Washington State Cougars: To exceed expectations and do more than last season's squad, which finished 4-14 in league play, Ernie Kent will call for Robert Franks to steady the ship. Franks considered the NBA after making 40 percent of his 3-pointers and 85 percent of his free throw attempts last season. The senior wing will get the same opportunities to put up big numbers for the Cougars this season.

12. California Golden Bears: Wyking Jones is still finding his way after accepting the job following Cuonzo Martin's move to Missouri last summer. He'll have a pair of four-star wings, Jacobi Gordon and Matt Bradley, on this season's roster. But it's unlikely they'll replace the production of veterans Marcus Lee and Don Coleman.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... r-rankings

Arizona is going to better than most people think

97cats wrote:Arizona is going to better than most people think

Medcalf is an idiot. We will be a top 4 team in the PAC12.

3rd place finish at worst is my feeling.

Trusting Alford, Enfield, or Hurley is a fool's errand. No way we finish below asu.

I agree 3rd at the worst, but I'll still say the Pac12 title runs through Arizona. Medical mentions Oregon looking for a 3rd title in 4 years. We're looking for 3rd straight. Let's go

prh wrote:Trusting Alford, Enfield, or Hurley is a fool's errand. No way we finish below asu.

I agree 3rd at the worst, but I'll still say the Pac12 title runs through Arizona. Medical mentions Oregon looking for a 3rd title in 4 years. We're looking for 3rd straight. Let's go

I would be very surprised if UCLA finishes above Arizona in the PAC12 this year, particularly after the Shareef and Tyger injuries. They are somewhat similar in terms of their returning talent to us, and they have Aflord as their coach....not happening.

goslingswagg wrote:

prh wrote:Trusting Alford, Enfield, or Hurley is a fool's errand. No way we finish below asu.

I agree 3rd at the worst, but I'll still say the Pac12 title runs through Arizona. Medical mentions Oregon looking for a 3rd title in 4 years. We're looking for 3rd straight. Let's go

I would be very surprised if UCLA finishes above Arizona in the PAC12 this year, particularly after the Shareef and Tyger injuries. They are somewhat similar in terms of their returning talent to us, and they have Aflord as their coach....not happening.

Yeah let me take this one...

UCLA IS FUCKED

Unless Jaylen Hands turned into Darren Collison over the summer, that team is fucked. There's no one to initiate the offense outside of Hands who plays like a less efficient LaMelo Ball. And the defense? Oh boy. UCLA sure didn't get better losing Aaron Holiday and Tom Welsh. Welsh may not have seemed like a defensive presence, but he knew how to play the game - best rated defensive player for them last season and a monster on the boards. Instead they've got a bunch of first year big men. Good fucking luck.

No leadership, bad coach, gunner point guard. They'll put up points in spurts but I can't see that team playing 40 minutes of winning basketball. They're going to be a colossal fucking mess this season.

Absolutely agree on UCLA YDF. I'm a bit confused by all of the preseason top 25 lists I see them in...doesn't make sense. IMO Arizona and Washington are better choices. I think the PAC12 finishes:
1. Oregon
2. Washington
3. Arizona

A big jumble after that with UCLA, USC, ASU being the top of the next group. Wouldn't be surprised to see Arizona finishing #2 either.

goslingswagg wrote:Absolutely agree on UCLA YDF. I'm a bit confused by all of the preseason top 25 lists I see them in...doesn't make sense. IMO Arizona and Washington are better choices. I think the PAC12 finishes:
1. Oregon
2. Washington
3. Arizona

A big jumble after that with UCLA, USC, ASU being the top of the next group. Wouldn't be surprised to see Arizona finishing #2 either.

If this happens and Arizona doesn't make the tournament, that would suck big time. Last year Arizona finished first, USC 2nd place and played in a play in game. Asu finished 9th and played in the play in game because they beat Kansas & Xavier. I only see maybe 3 or 4 teams in the PAC 12 making into the tournament field.

Which is a long way to say that good performance at Maui early in the season is really really really important. The quadrant wins system is different and doing well in non conference & preseason tournaments is paramount, in the case of asu, even more important than the conference record.

If Arizona starts slow in the non conference schedule but finishes strong in conference, we might get punished for it come selection Sunday. Season rests on Maui.
The 3 guard lineup with Luther & Jeter should be fun. But I'm most looking forward to the Coleman, Williams, Randolph, Akot, Jeter lineup

And there you go.