Let's Talk '22

[Longhorned]

Everyone would need to take a big step forward for this group to not be pretty clearly worse than last year.

And lets be real: I'm not expecting to win the conference by three games and take a 1 seed into March. We should be prepared for a step back from last season.

One bonus here is that while we lose the defense of Clo in the starting line-up, we remove Benn as a sieve on the wing and replace him with Larsson who is a darn good defender (and again, can show more next season with some growth). Additionally, I think another year in the offense and no lotto-pick-scorer will produce better offensive flow.

I agree. Last year was lightning in a bottle.

But the thing everyone wants next is a deeper run, conference success be damned. (I disagree with everyone.) You don't need a great season to have a great tourney.

[azcat49]

If Terry stays I really think we will miss CLo more than Mathurin. That seems odd for me to say but I think we can replace his offense and he was a minus defender (which was surprising to me) .

We need a shooter on the wing and another PG to help KK. I think we will be 1-2 with UCLA and Oregon next year once again

[ChooChooCat]

[Beachcat97]

Where would you put our chances, Choo?

[ChooChooCat]

Where would you put our chances, Choo?

Depends if we get him on campus. He's visiting Florida on Thursday.

[goslingswagg]

he’s my number 1 or 2 guy currently in the portal that I’d want to come here most (along with Brandon Murray). He’d be a dream fit in Lloyd’s system, with tons of upside, positional flexibility/versatility, and zero real holes in his game. Would be a big add from an athleticism standpoint as well. Go to work Tommy!

[Beachcat97]

Where would you put our chances, Choo?

Depends if we get him on campus. He's visiting Florida on Thursday.

Feel like our campus and coach are going to be more attractive at the moment than Florida's.

[RondaeShimmy]

[Spaceman Spiff]

You have to like any 2 time DPOY, but I wonder if we're the best spot for him, given he's a C and we have Ballo and potentially even Koloko.

You figure he's a guaranteed starter at a few of those other schools in a way he isn't here.

[YoDeFoe]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

[EastCoastCat]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Kobi Simmons.

[ChooChooCat]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Isn't Hill from South Carolina?

[EastCoastCat]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Isn't Hill from South Carolina?

He was born in SC but went to High School in Atlanta (Sandy Springs).

Kobi Simmons was born in Atlanta and played HS ball there too (Milton).

[YoDeFoe]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Kobi Simmons.

We don't claim him

[Spaceman Spiff]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Kobi Simmons.

We don't claim him

Fun fact, Kobi Simmons has played in more NBA games than Nick Johnson and Miles Simon combined.

[Beachcat97]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Kobi Simmons.

We don't claim him

Fun fact, Kobi Simmons has played in more NBA games than Nick Johnson and Miles Simon combined.

Man. That's a heck of an argument for leaving school quickly.

[YoDeFoe]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Kobi Simmons.

We don't claim him

Fun fact, Kobi Simmons has played in more NBA games than Nick Johnson and Miles Simon combined.

That's not very fun at all.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Will Richard, please visit. I'm evidence of the success of the Atlanta to Tucson pipeline (I guess Jordan Hill as well).

Kobi Simmons.

We don't claim him

Fun fact, Kobi Simmons has played in more NBA games than Nick Johnson and Miles Simon combined.

Man. That's a heck of an argument for leaving school quickly.

Or being tall and athletic...half my argument about Koloko, basically.

[dmjcat]

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketbal ... recruiting

[Beachcat97]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... -23-season

Choo (or anyone else who's close to the situation): would love an update on which from this list we're looking at.

[Chicat]

Get Premium

[Postmaster]

Get Premium

I sent in a money order. I think I made It out to Jessie W.

[ChooChooCat]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... -23-season

Choo (or anyone else who's close to the situation): would love an update on which from this list we're looking at.

I don’t have a subscription to check that list Beach lol. Either way we’re not seriously involved with any open transfer at this point.

[Dave]

The portal moved pretty fast last year. I wonder how much impact the May 1st deadline will have?

[Beachcat97]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... -23-season

Choo (or anyone else who's close to the situation): would love an update on which from this list we're looking at.

I don’t have a subscription to check that list Beach lol. Either way we’re not seriously involved with any open transfer at this point.

I have a subscription. Here are the top 25:

1. Nijel Pack, Kansas St.
2. KJ Williams, Murray St.
3. Johni Broome, Morehead St.
4. Norchad Omier, Arkansas St.
5. Mark Sears, Ohio (committed to Alabama)
6. Brandon Murray, LSU
7. Trevon Brazile, Missouri (committed to Arkansas)
8. Tristen Newton, East Carolina
9. Terrence Shannon Jr., Texas Tech
10. Fardaws Aimaq, Utah Valley
11. Andre Curbelo, Illinois
12. Jahmir Young, Charlotte
13. Will Richard, Belmont
14. Courtney Ramey, Texas
15. Tanner Holden, Wright St. (committed to Ohio St)
16. Jake Stephens, VMI
17. Noah Carter, Northern Iowa
18. Manny Bates, NC St.
19. Kario Oquendo, Georgia
20. Antonio Reeves, Illinois St
21. Terry Roberts, Bradley
22. Jalen Graham, Arizona St. (committed to Arkansas)
23. Ben Vander Plas, Ohio
24. Jalen Bridges, West Virginia
25. Adam Miller, LSU

As you can see, most of these guys are still on the market.

[RondaeShimmy]

I'm no insider but I don't think Lloyd will be adding much this off-season if he only expects to replace Mathurin this off-season (like he told Andy Katz).

There's no major minutes available other than backup PG mins, maybe some SG mins too if Nowell isn't ready or transfers.

[YoDeFoe]

Just saw that Will Richard from Belmot committed to Florida. Damn, that was one I wanted to land.

[Spaceman Spiff]

It feels like Courtney Ramey has been in college for 15 years.

[Beachcat97]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ll-program

Cross another one off the list.

[Spaceman Spiff]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ll-program

Cross another one off the list.

I'm amazed Patrick Ewing still coaches there.

[RawleArenas]

This is very interesting. I think someone said on here that Lloyd is not actively looking through the portal to fill vacant scholarships. If that's the case then I hope he has an ace in his pocket, because other teams are loading up. Arkansas is looking really good in the portal and they have a top class coming in this year, not to mention their back to back elite eights.

The Pac (or the west coast for that matter) has not had a championship in over 25 years, so we need to change it up a bit. The teams that got the closest were the teams had outstanding guards like UCLA, the Zags and Oregon. UCLA had Westbrook, Farmar, Collison and the Zags had Suggs and NWG while Oregon had Pritchard. All of those guards spent some time in the NBA. There's a high correlation between NBA point guard talent and deep runs, although it's not necessarily a prerequisite.

I got a little grief for implying that the Zags are trending downward. My point being is that now that they are able to get the big time recruits, their success in the tournament is suffering. In my opinion, the reason why they made the two championship runs they had was because they had NWG and Suggs. You can't always count on getting guys like that, it's not easy. I prefer their old way of recruiting better, it forced them to be more resourceful. And many Zags fan feel that the loss of Lloyd will most certainly be felt in the coming years (Euro pipeline).

I think we need a smart, savvy point guard to pair with Kriisa. I don't think that Bal is there yet or will be there after the summer, although I do expect a big jump. We also need another strong frontcourt player; an athletic blue collar guy. If Lloyd is able to find a guy either through the portal or through overseas recruiting, then I think we'll be a more well rounded and dangerous team for next year.

[ChooChooCat]

There’s nobody currently on that top 25 transfer list that Arizona is seriously pursuing. There are certain guys who have declared for the draft and will go through the process, but will inevitably return to college and transfer. That’s the group of guys you need to watch out for in the portal.

[Beachcat97]

This is very interesting. I think someone said on here that Lloyd is not actively looking through the portal to fill vacant scholarships. If that's the case then I hope he has an ace in his pocket, because other teams are loading up. Arkansas is looking really good in the portal and they have a top class coming in this year, not to mention their back to back elite eights.

The Pac (or the west coast for that matter) has not had a championship in over 25 years, so we need to change it up a bit. The teams that got the closest were the teams had outstanding guards like UCLA, the Zags and Oregon. UCLA had Westbrook, Farmar, Collison and the Zags had Suggs and NWG while Oregon had Pritchard. All of those guards spent some time in the NBA. There's a high correlation between NBA point guard talent and deep runs, although it's not necessarily a prerequisite.

I got a little grief for implying that the Zags are trending downward. My point being is that now that they are able to get the big time recruits, their success in the tournament is suffering. In my opinion, the reason why they made the two championship runs they had was because they had NWG and Suggs. You can't always count on getting guys like that, it's not easy. I prefer their old way of recruiting better, it forced them to be more resourceful. And many Zags fan feel that the loss of Lloyd will most certainly be felt in the coming years (Euro pipeline).

I think we need a smart, savvy point guard to pair with Kriisa. I don't think that Bal is there yet or will be there after the summer, although I do expect a big jump. We also need another strong frontcourt player; an athletic blue collar guy. If Lloyd is able to find a guy either through the portal or through overseas recruiting, then I think we'll be a more well rounded and dangerous team for next year.

I think this is an excellent post, Rawle.

I especially agree about the guards. This year's team had one of the deepest, most versatile backcourts we've had in ages, and look at what happened. Didn't get to the FF, but we basically hit every other possible performance goal.

So next year: Kriisa, Terry, Larsson, Bal...it's a solid group for sure, but we lose the veteran leadership of Kier and the all-around awesomeness of Mathurin. Is there another Kier out there? Might one of our elite '23 recruits reclassify? Sounds like we're still a long way from knowing what our 2022-23 roster will look like.

We also don't know which other Pac rosters remain in flux.

Big picture, though: I want to see us get back to being a guard-oriented program, as we were this past season. Our FF teams all had outstanding guard play, and that's not a coincidence. Even as the game has changed, the importance of elite guards has always remained.

[azcat49]

If the lure for Terry is to have more time facilitating from the PG, then why bring in a pure PG?

I think we need another shooter and wing so a combo guard or three point specialist seems a good fit for me.

I really thought we played a lot better with Terry running the point, especially after KK went down in Vegas.

Another guy I would take would be a Uber athletic 4. Someone who could bang low snd was a terror on the glass

[ChooChooCat]

If the lure for Terry is to have more time facilitating from the PG, then why bring in a pure PG?

I think we need another shooter and wing so a combo guard or three point specialist seems a good fit for me.

I really thought we played a lot better with Terry running the point, especially after KK went down in Vegas.

Another guy I would take would be a Uber athletic 4. Someone who could bang low snd was a terror on the glass

The goal for Terry is to be more of a primary offensive option as opposed to tertiary at best. No one doubts his point wing ability.

[ChooChooCat]

Also if you guys are counting on Lloyd adding another PG (outside of Boswell possibly reclassifying) I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Another Kier type will be added to fill that hole. Terry returning makes that sort of decision real easy for Lloyd.

[YoDeFoe]

Also if you guys are counting on Lloyd adding another PG (outside of Boswell possibly reclassifying) I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Another Kier type will be added to fill that hole. Terry returning makes that sort of decision real easy for Lloyd.

GOOD

[Spaceman Spiff]

If the lure for Terry is to have more time facilitating from the PG, then why bring in a pure PG?

I think we need another shooter and wing so a combo guard or three point specialist seems a good fit for me.

I really thought we played a lot better with Terry running the point, especially after KK went down in Vegas.

Another guy I would take would be a Uber athletic 4. Someone who could bang low snd was a terror on the glass

The goal for Terry is to be more of a primary offensive option as opposed to tertiary at best. No one doubts his point wing ability.

This isn't a shot at Terry, but that's a marker of why I doubt the potential in 22-23 is as high as 21-22. Terry is many good things, but on this level and the next, he's more an all around guy than a primary offensive option.

[YoDeFoe]

This isn't a shot at Terry, but that's a marker of why I doubt the potential in 22-23 is as high as 21-22. Terry is many good things, but on this level and the next, he's more an all around guy than a primary offensive option.

I'm of two minds about this:

1) It seems obvious that losing Mathurin and Koloko will lower the ceiling of the team, even with the addition of a stud freshman (if we can finally unwrapped the big gift under the tree marked "Euro"). I don't expect us to win the conference by three games.

2) What last year's team needed most to lift its ceiling was experience and toughness, two things I think they're likely to have gained over this past season and post-season. We're going to go from playing a roster of guys who had basically done NOTHING of significance to a starting five of all upperclassmen who just won their conference, conference tournament, and went as a one seed to the Sweet Sixteen.

My last note on #2 is again that I think Lloyd will continue to roll out his preferred offense (which required simplification for everyone but especially for Mathurin), and that a full year and another offseason within that system is going to be huge for these guys.

[goslingswagg]

Also if you guys are counting on Lloyd adding another PG (outside of Boswell possibly reclassifying) I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Another Kier type will be added to fill that hole. Terry returning makes that sort of decision real easy for Lloyd.

I envision the current most likely scenario being - i) Mathurin and Koloko go pro; ii) Boswell reclassifies and fills the backup PG role; iii) mystery Euro commits; and iv) we sign one more player - either a 4 or a wing (a wing if Nowell leaves, but potentially more of an Aiken type if not). Does that seem realistic?

[dmjcat]

The "Mystery Euro" is almost certainly Henri Veesaar of Estonia. As Bruce Pascoe pointed out recently he's one of 3 international players being followed by the UA basketball programs Instagram account:

https://www.ktbs.com/sports/national/ex ... 7367e.html

Arizona's Instagram account has been following prospects such as Stromer of Southern California, Koa Peat of Gilbert Perry, Matas Buzelis of Lithuania (via Chicago), Tyrese Proctor of Australia and Henri Veesaar of Estonia.

Veesaar is an interesting prospect. A bit on the thin side but more athletic than Tubelis. He reminds me of Lauri Markkanen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6u-Hp9C36Q

https://www.nbadraftjunkies.com/henri-veesaar

[goslingswagg]

The "Mystery Euro" is almost certainly Henri Veesaar of Estonia. As Bruce Pascoe pointed out recently he's one of 3 international players being followed by the UA basketball programs Instagram account:

https://www.ktbs.com/sports/national/ex ... 7367e.html

Arizona's Instagram account has been following prospects such as Stromer of Southern California, Koa Peat of Gilbert Perry, Matas Buzelis of Lithuania (via Chicago), Tyrese Proctor of Australia and Henri Veesaar of Estonia.

Veesaar is an interesting prospect. A bit on the thin side but more athletic than Tubelis. He reminds me of Lauri Markkanen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6u-Hp9C36Q

https://www.nbadraftjunkies.com/henri-veesaar

fingers crossed we can land him - he looks like a legit 5 star level talent and someone that can pretty reliably replace most of CK’s minutes (if we lose him).

[UAEebs86]

Mike Luke mentioned Buzelis on the Locked On Wildcats podcast but he thinks Kentucky is the favorite.

[NickyBCats]

Any sliver of hope Ben stays?

[ChooChooCat]

The "Mystery Euro" is almost certainly Henri Veesaar of Estonia. As Bruce Pascoe pointed out recently he's one of 3 international players being followed by the UA basketball programs Instagram account:

https://www.ktbs.com/sports/national/ex ... 7367e.html

Arizona's Instagram account has been following prospects such as Stromer of Southern California, Koa Peat of Gilbert Perry, Matas Buzelis of Lithuania (via Chicago), Tyrese Proctor of Australia and Henri Veesaar of Estonia.

Veesaar is an interesting prospect. A bit on the thin side but more athletic than Tubelis. He reminds me of Lauri Markkanen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6u-Hp9C36Q

https://www.nbadraftjunkies.com/henri-veesaar

Bruce finally cracked the code!

[UAEebs86]

The "Mystery Euro" is almost certainly Henri Veesaar of Estonia. As Bruce Pascoe pointed out recently he's one of 3 international players being followed by the UA basketball programs Instagram account:

https://www.ktbs.com/sports/national/ex ... 7367e.html

Arizona's Instagram account has been following prospects such as Stromer of Southern California, Koa Peat of Gilbert Perry, Matas Buzelis of Lithuania (via Chicago), Tyrese Proctor of Australia and Henri Veesaar of Estonia.

Veesaar is an interesting prospect. A bit on the thin side but more athletic than Tubelis. He reminds me of Lauri Markkanen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6u-Hp9C36Q

https://www.nbadraftjunkies.com/henri-veesaar

Bruce finally cracked the code!

[azcat49]

Looks a lot like Dylan Anderson. Might have a better handle and vision but to me they look very similar

[goslingswagg]

Looks a lot like Dylan Anderson. Might have a better handle and vision but to me they look very similar

Henri looks to be a much better player and prospect than Dylan. Dylan from my view looks to be at least a year from contributing, probably someone that won't play a big role until he's an upperclassmen. Henri looks like a starter-level player from day 1

[Spaceman Spiff]

This isn't a shot at Terry, but that's a marker of why I doubt the potential in 22-23 is as high as 21-22. Terry is many good things, but on this level and the next, he's more an all around guy than a primary offensive option.

I'm of two minds about this:

1) It seems obvious that losing Mathurin and Koloko will lower the ceiling of the team, even with the addition of a stud freshman (if we can finally unwrapped the big gift under the tree marked "Euro"). I don't expect us to win the conference by three games.

2) What last year's team needed most to lift its ceiling was experience and toughness, two things I think they're likely to have gained over this past season and post-season. We're going to go from playing a roster of guys who had basically done NOTHING of significance to a starting five of all upperclassmen who just won their conference, conference tournament, and went as a one seed to the Sweet Sixteen.

My last note on #2 is again that I think Lloyd will continue to roll out his preferred offense (which required simplification for everyone but especially for Mathurin), and that a full year and another offseason within that system is going to be huge for these guys.

Losing Mathurin...why I think it matters most is just looking at the games where I think we'd have lost without him. We lose to Wichita, Illinois and TCU without him. We also probably get blown out by Tenn without him keeping us in it.

That's a dimension I don't think I can see without him. We don't return a guy I think can go get you 30 to keep you in a game you'd otherwise lose. Terry is a good player, but he isn't a guy who will produce points like Benn. Tubelis is as close as we'd have to a guy who can go get points, and I'm worried with him after a major funk to end the year.

Koloko has a similar impact on the other end. He was an eraser and good enough in space he wasn't exploitable. Ballo is above average as a shotblocker, but not elite like Koloko, and more limited in space.

In short, we look at losing our biggest offensive and defensive weapon. I agree toughness is necessary to develop, but I'm not sure I think we were as handicapped in 21-22. These days it's rare a team returns 5 guys who started the year before. Yeah, they were only sophs and a junior, but it's rare to get 5 starters back. Not even the two teams in the NCG could boast that.

[Beachcat97]

That's a dimension I don't think I can see without him. We don't return a guy I think can go get you 30 to keep you in a game you'd otherwise lose. Terry is a good player, but he isn't a guy who will produce points like Benn. Tubelis is as close as we'd have to a guy who can go get points, and I'm worried with him after a major funk to end the year.

True. Think you're talking about an "alpha." As great as Terry is, and as productive as Tubelis has been, neither of those two is an alpha offensive player. We need an Akinjo or Lyons type.