Bear Down Wildcats

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:41 am Pac 12 POY.

The 11 tacos are the defining stat.

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:02 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:41 am Pac 12 POY.

The 11 tacos are the defining stat.

I bet he won the battle to get to the bathroom...

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:04 am

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:02 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:41 am Pac 12 POY.

The 11 tacos are the defining stat.

I bet he won the battle to get to the bathroom...

They're both pretty skilled around the rim, but Ballo tends to have more time with his back to the basket.

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:09 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:04 am

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:02 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:41 am Pac 12 POY.

The 11 tacos are the defining stat.

I bet he won the battle to get to the bathroom...

They're both pretty skilled around the rim, but Ballo tends to have more time with his back to the basket.

Well played...

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:17 am

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:09 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:04 am

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:02 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:41 am Pac 12 POY.

The 11 tacos are the defining stat.

I bet he won the battle to get to the bathroom...

They're both pretty skilled around the rim, but Ballo tends to have more time with his back to the basket.

Well played...

.... and I didn't even once give into temptation to bring up skullfucking.

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:02 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:41 am Pac 12 POY.

The 11 tacos are the defining stat.

I need to know if these were small street tacos or full-sized regular tacos.

UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:45 am

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:02 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:41 am Pac 12 POY.

The 11 tacos are the defining stat.

I need to know if these were small street tacos or full-sized regular tacos.

That's because you're an unabashed basketball nerd quant. Personally, I bet those tacos were low in cilantro, and that makes them less important come seeding.

Benn had a different level of intensity to start the Oregon game. He looked ready from the tip and he was very assertive.

I thought by far that was his best game defensively in awhile

best game at McKale Center all season

I'm really interested to see how he performs in the Tourney. Like really interested.

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:05 pm I'm really interested to see how he performs in the Tourney. Like really interested.

He'll be stellar, as will Kriisa. A self-imposed RAP ban makes it a conclusion categorical.

Well, that makes 3 for Benn. TB and Juzang have 2 apiece.

Benn is on pace for the award. Ju-clang has a boo boo and has been outshined by ucla's bench lately. TB will probably average 30 ppg over the next two weeks, if I had to guess. Probably ends up being very close between our guy and TB.

The thing I am really starting to appreciate about Benn is even with all the hype surrounding him, he has refrained from "flash" just to make sure he scores...in several places in the last few games he COULD have done demonstrative dunks but chose instead to do a soft layup to guarantee a bucket rather than do a flashy dunk that could have gone sideways...

He plays to win, not to impress...which IS impressive given his skillset.

CatFanOneMil wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:17 pm The thing I am really starting to appreciate about Benn is even with all the hype surrounding him, he has refrained from "flash" just to make sure he scores...in several places in the last few games he COULD have done demonstrative dunks but chose instead to do a soft layup to guarantee a bucket rather than do a flashy dunk that could have gone sideways...

He plays to win, not to impress...which IS impressive given his skillset.

He's got that Chauncey Billups vibe. Just goes about his business, quietly getting his 20+, winning game after game.

My wife watched the Oregon game with me (she is an IU fan and hardly pays attention to our games) and she heard Benn had 20+ and said she wouldn’t have guessed anything near that.

I love that he Just plays within the team and makes the right play instead of forcing his shot.

This team is fucking special. I have been a fan since ‘97, and I put this team with this group as far as teams that give me joy:

1997 (obviously)
2001
2005 (except the last game)
2011
2014
2022

CatFanOneMil wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:17 pm The thing I am really starting to appreciate about Benn is even with all the hype surrounding him, he has refrained from "flash" just to make sure he scores...in several places in the last few games he COULD have done demonstrative dunks but chose instead to do a soft layup to guarantee a bucket rather than do a flashy dunk that could have gone sideways...

He plays to win, not to impress...which IS impressive given his skillset.

I’m guessing he was sufficiently embarrassed about pooping down his leg on that one windmill dunk attempt that he’d rather the ball just goes in at this point.

This team reminds me so much of 87. From the start of the seasonbeating a ranked Michigan team in a tournament to having a road win against a ranked B1G (Iowa/Illinois).

Then rolling through the season with only a couple of losses and getting a 1 seed in the big dance.

To sharing the ball so well and having a bench that knew and accepted its roles. Loved that team and love this team. Just hope this season ends in a more spectacular way. That 87 team was by far the best team in the tournament but one bad shooting night killed the dream

Great Picture.....

TheCat wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:37 pm Great Picture.....

I follow a lot of the UA photo/video guys: https://www.instagram.com/nacolosimo/

Dude is ripped. Bet his fat content is around 5%.

Jefe wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:49 pm

TheCat wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:37 pm Great Picture.....

I follow a lot of the UA photo/video guys: https://www.instagram.com/nacolosimo/

I feel like I'm stalking dude at this point lol - I hit the like button for everything he posts.

It's funny though that he's also responsible for the video work and did the original intro video for the Red Blue... which we all hated. He's put it through several revisions since. He's been open that he's learning a lot on the job this season... expecting even better from him in the years to come.

27mins - 14pts - 6-15fg - 2-5(3pt) - 0-0ft - 3rb - 4a - 3st - 0blk - 1to

20pt road win just a few makes away from 20+ again. handling and sharing the ball much better being more assertive. terrific defense but no attempts at the line is odd.

Pac12 POY Front Runner

I would say lock…. But it is the PAC… so who knows

97cats wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 12:22 am 27mins - 14pts - 6-15fg - 2-5(3pt) - 0-0ft - 3rb - 4a - 3st - 0blk - 1to

20pt road win just a few makes away from 20+ again. handling and sharing the ball much better being more assertive. terrific defense but no attempts at the line is odd. And a thunderous ally oop in bounds dunk that rocked the house.

Pac12 POY Front Runner

Edited it for you.

well done thank you !!!

after that play, ECC Casey Jacobson said that what a pro looks like when they are playing in college.

great comment but what i find interesting is that seems to be the compliment so many who know the game say when they see Mathurin live.

Alieberman wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 6:40 am I would say lock…. But it is the PAC… so who knows

ya well while youre prob right, im treading a little lighter on the lock talk - lord knows i dont want to defend my poor math again.

if Arizona beats Colorado (im assuming they wont lose at home) then i will move both AZ to lock status on the seed chart and move Mathurin into POY lock status.

must beat Buffs

97cats wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 9:41 am

Alieberman wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 6:40 am I would say lock…. But it is the PAC… so who knows

ya well while youre prob right, im treading a little lighter on the lock talk - lord knows i dont want to defend my poor math again.

if Arizona beats Colorado (im assuming they wont lose at home) then i will move both AZ to lock status on the seed chart and move Mathurin into POY lock status.

must beat Buffs

I think Tubelis and Mathurin will split votes and allow someone in 3rd to swoop in

9. Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona | Sophomore
Height: 6' 6" | Weight: 210 | Age: 19 | Last rank: 11
After making a certifiable early leap and backing it up in conference play, Mathurin put himself in the lottery conversation. His combination of run-jump athleticism and shooting ability give him a fairly sound pathway to value, although there’s debate as to whether or not his ceiling is much higher than a solid starter. He’s improved as a playmaker, but improvising doesn’t come naturally to him, and he’s a good but not truly elite perimeter scorer who can be streaky from distance. Mathurin leaves something to be desired at times defensively, as well. Still, between his rebounding, transition play and potential to improve guarding on the wing, there’s enough of a secondary skill set here to buy in early. Arizona’s uptempo style has been a terrific showcase for all he can do.

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2022/02/24/ ... 0-rankings

azcat49 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 10:15 am 9. Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona | Sophomore
Height: 6' 6" | Weight: 210 | Age: 19 | Last rank: 11
After making a certifiable early leap and backing it up in conference play, Mathurin put himself in the lottery conversation. His combination of run-jump athleticism and shooting ability give him a fairly sound pathway to value, although there’s debate as to whether or not his ceiling is much higher than a solid starter. He’s improved as a playmaker, but improvising doesn’t come naturally to him, and he’s a good but not truly elite perimeter scorer who can be streaky from distance. Mathurin leaves something to be desired at times defensively, as well. Still, between his rebounding, transition play and potential to improve guarding on the wing, there’s enough of a secondary skill set here to buy in early. Arizona’s uptempo style has been a terrific showcase for all he can do.

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2022/02/24/ ... 0-rankings

I'm sure recruits have taken note

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 10:41 am

azcat49 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 10:15 am 9. Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona | Sophomore
Height: 6' 6" | Weight: 210 | Age: 19 | Last rank: 11
After making a certifiable early leap and backing it up in conference play, Mathurin put himself in the lottery conversation. His combination of run-jump athleticism and shooting ability give him a fairly sound pathway to value, although there’s debate as to whether or not his ceiling is much higher than a solid starter. He’s improved as a playmaker, but improvising doesn’t come naturally to him, and he’s a good but not truly elite perimeter scorer who can be streaky from distance. Mathurin leaves something to be desired at times defensively, as well. Still, between his rebounding, transition play and potential to improve guarding on the wing, there’s enough of a secondary skill set here to buy in early. Arizona’s uptempo style has been a terrific showcase for all he can do.

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2022/02/24/ ... 0-rankings

I'm sure recruits have taken note

And any Euro 4 who loves to run the floor is Jonesing to be the next Tubelis.

Haven't seen this mentioned in the thread, but TB's performance has gotten more unsteady over the last few weeks. I think he's getting to be more of a long shot to win Pac POY. And I don't think Ju-clang was ever really in the running. That dude should've gone pro when his stock was high; now he's just another chucker with middling athleticism.

Benn is Pac POY. His closest competition is his teammate.

What I noticed is he is not forcing anything anymore. I thought he was pressing for a streak there but now.....NO

While he's obviously the most talented and probably hears the "pro" accolades on a daily basis he still plays within the framework of this team - flows within this passing/probing-for-the-best shot offense, plays tough D, hits the boards, not afraid to do the dirty work, always compliments his teammates & coaches, etc...

I just want to reach out and tell him thank you for wanting this team to be great.

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 4:06 pm While he's obviously the most talented and probably hears the "pro" accolades on a daily basis he still plays within the framework of this team - flows within this passing/probing-for-the-best shot offense, plays tough D, hits the boards, not afraid to do the dirty work, always compliments his teammates & coaches, etc...

I just want to reach out and tell him thank you for wanting this team to be great.

This 100%. Benn is a wonderful teammate, clearly. Also, this roster is so balanced and so deep that we don't need Benn to take a ton of shots each game. We just need him to seize on scoring opportunities as they arise, defend well and make good decisions with the ball, which he does 99% of the time. I really can't say enough about how Benn's maturity and personality have been key assets to this team. He's carving a place for himself in Wildcat history.

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 5:25 pm

Jefe wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:49 pm I follow a lot of the UA photo/video guys: https://www.instagram.com/nacolosimo/

I feel like I'm stalking dude at this point lol - I hit the like button for everything he posts.
It's funny though that he's also responsible for the video work and did the original intro video for the Red Blue... which we all hated. He's put it through several revisions since. He's been open that he's learning a lot on the job this season... expecting even better from him in the years to come.

Is this a good time to mention his other acct: https://www.instagram.com/nicks_tape/

MIke Christy has a great acct too: https://www.instagram.com/wildcatphotog/

https://pac-12.com/article/2022/02/28/p ... eb-28-2022

Can't believe I'm about to write this, but Drew Peterson is making a late push for Pac POY.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 1:33 pm https://pac-12.com/article/2022/02/28/p ... eb-28-2022

Can't believe I'm about to write this, but Drew Peterson is making a late push for Pac POY.

Haha..............................................no.

Ivey would be his main competition for the West award.

Mathurin today has been attacking the basket A LOT.

When he does that he's incredibly dangerous, I don't know why he went away from it.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 1:33 pm https://pac-12.com/article/2022/02/28/p ... eb-28-2022

Can't believe I'm about to write this, but Drew Peterson is making a late push for Pac POY.

Drew Peterson should not be mentioned in the same category as Bennedict Mathurin

Benn should be the unanimous pick as Pac-12 Player of the Year

I'm a Drew Peterson fan, kid does a lot of good things, but he tried to play at Benn Mathurin's level tonight and that was a very bad decision.

Not. Even.Close.

Benn was absolutely awesome last night - a performance that should have locked up PAC PoY. When he plays like this, we are close to impossible to beat. His confidence is contagious, and when he is locked in and feeling it, the rest of the team just looks so much better.

33mins - 19pts - 7-13fg - 3-6(3pt) - 2-2ft - 5rb - 6a - 3st - 0blk - 1to

over his last six games Mathurin has twenty-one assists versus three turnovers while averaging nineteen points per game and shooting 48.8% from the floor - quite remarkable making his teammates better (something he wasnt supposed to be able to do) while staying efficient and productive himself not missing a beat scoring the basketball.

the improvement on the handle has lifted his game to another level - and everyone else's too - smiles around.

with the inspired play hes all but a shoe-in for Pac12 POY and garnering serious 1st Team All American consideration.

he wont win it, but hes been NPOY good this season