Bear Down Wildcats

Yeah, I liked it.. both brought great energy needed in the moment. Hope they keep improving each game.

Freshman play with energy but make freshman mistakes, just play them so they won't have to learn next year

I wanted to see more Akot last night. He was playing well but got yanked when he fell asleep on one possession and got beat off the dribble for a layup.

No Barcello at all

Jefe wrote:No Barcello at all

I don't think we are going to be seeing much of him for the rest of this year.

Alieberman wrote:

Jefe wrote:No Barcello at all

I don't think we are going to be seeing much of him for the rest of this year.

Blowouts, maybe. He doesn't look like a viable option against good teams yet.

RondaeShimmy wrote:Freshman play with energy but make freshman mistakes, just play them so they won't have to learn next year

I remember many AZ freshman over the years that could actually contribute off the bench. These guys do not look like 5 and 4 star players.

midnightx wrote:

RondaeShimmy wrote:Freshman play with energy but make freshman mistakes, just play them so they won't have to learn next year

I remember many AZ freshman over the years that could actually contribute off the bench. These guys do not look like 5 and 4 star players.

A talented point guard running the show eliminates a lot of problems.

zonagrad wrote:

midnightx wrote:

RondaeShimmy wrote:Freshman play with energy but make freshman mistakes, just play them so they won't have to learn next year

I remember many AZ freshman over the years that could actually contribute off the bench. These guys do not look like 5 and 4 star players.

A talented point guard running the show eliminates a lot of problems.

No doubt about it. It is highly unlikely that PJC is going to lead this team to a title. Miller has brought in some incredible talent over the past several years, but his inability to recruit point guards has been a major issue. McConnell, a transfer, was the only viable point guard Arizona has had during Miller's tenure.

This freshman class may save us over the next 2-3 years.

jajoyce wrote:This freshman class may save us over the next 2-3 years.

Agreed.

Am I the only who thinks Ira Lee just doesn't play like he's serious? I wonder if he looks that way in practice, too.

I specifically watched Ira Lee in today's game and believe that his pouts were timely and appropriate. He looked serious to this untrained eye.

Didn’t get to see the game but WTH happened to Ira??? 6 minutes, 4 fouls and nothing else.

I did watch the game and was surprised to see his line. He appeared more involved than that to me. Pinder was also active and Miller must have liked him better.

Bangkok Wildcat wrote:Didn’t get to see the game but WTH happened to Ira??? 6 minutes, 4 fouls and nothing else.

Every time he was in, Oregon went at him successfully. He plays hard, but it was not a good dsy.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Bangkok Wildcat wrote:Didn’t get to see the game but WTH happened to Ira??? 6 minutes, 4 fouls and nothing else.

Every time he was in, Oregon went at him successfully. He plays hard, but it was not a good dsy.

Thanks Spiff. Wow, only 6 minutes and 4 fouls though....terrible game for Ira no doubt.

Bangkok Wildcat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Bangkok Wildcat wrote:Didn’t get to see the game but WTH happened to Ira??? 6 minutes, 4 fouls and nothing else.

Every time he was in, Oregon went at him successfully. He plays hard, but it was not a good dsy.

Thanks Spiff. Wow, only 6 minutes and 4 fouls though....terrible game for Ira no doubt.

When people state that Ira should replace Dusan at starter, I can't believe it. Dusan has issues, but its not even close. Ira has tons of potential, but in this game his turnover/fouls (Dylan Smith was also particularly boneheaded today) was the catalyst for Oregons run. As said, they also went straight at him with much success.

The basketball IQ is not there for him, Smith, Akot or Randolph yet. They all clearly have talent and athleticism. I think playing tentatively on such a short lease takes a toll on their judgement.

Oregon’s big guys are active and experienced as always. Dusan was outclassed in one way and Lee in another. Pinder was the only one of the three who could hold his own on D. Plus the refs were crap.

Longhorned wrote:Am I the only who thinks Ira Lee just doesn't play like he's serious? I wonder if he looks that way in practice, too.

Yeah he needs to tough up and grow up.

Alieberman wrote:

Jefe wrote:No Barcello at all

I don't think we are going to be seeing much of him for the rest of this year.

Nope.

Still not ready for prime time. The kid needs to play better defense, make a couple of big shots when his number is called. Seems like it would boost his confidence. (my guess anyway)

HiCat wrote:Still not ready for prime time. The kid needs to play better defense, make a couple of big shots when his number is called. Seems like it would boost his confidence. (my guess anyway)

Is this about Barcello or Randolph? Maybe Lee or Akot?

All four of those guys, you keep wanting to see things click, you think they're just a little bit away, and...

Alex Barcello’s ‘time will come’ at Arizona
7 comments
Barcello has struggled lately, falling out of UA’s rotation, but Sean Miller still has high hopes for the freshman
By Ryan Kelapire@RKelapire Jan 15, 2018,

“As we’re in the middle of January, there are tough decisions that we have to make to put our team, this year’s team, in the best light,” Miller said. “But he has a great attitude, he’s working hard in practice, and he can get called on at any time with foul trouble, injuries, and he’s working hard everyday to get better.”

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketbal ... cartwright" target="_blank

2 straight plays where the CU guard saw Barcello was on him and completely destroyed him, like Kobe v. a high school player pretty much sealed his fate for the rest of the season.

Ira Lee has Chris Boucher’s game . . . . but in Dillon Brooks’s body. That actually gives me a lot of hope about his future. He’s going to get stronger and start finishing through contact. And he’s got the timing and hops to be a shot-blocker. Once the game slows down for him, watch out. He’ll start to pick teams apart because he has the capacity to be crafty and explosive.

I know Miller always tightens his rotation come January, but am so surprised that besides Ayton, our freshman class has become basically just filler to get our other starters a little rest.

Still think we need 1 or 2 to step it up by March.

I may be the only one on here who feels this way, but I like Lee's facial expressions and reactions. I even like watching him on the bench. He is really into the game.

Man I hope Barcello lives up to his potential by Feb. PJC needs a legit backup when the going gets rough.

Savage life.

DiehardDave37 wrote:I may be the only one on here who feels this way, but I like Lee's facial expressions and reactions. I even like watching him on the bench. He is really into the game.

I feel the same way. I had compared him to a puppy in his energy, motor and enthusiasm. Also in his current difficulty in channeling that energy, motor and enthusiasm in productive directions.

If he is able to learn how to direct his obvious passion into the fundamentals of execution, he should be a really valuable piece going forwards. It's all about the learning curve and maturation for him.

Alieberman wrote:I know Miller always tightens his rotation come January, but am so surprised that besides Ayton, our freshman class has become basically just filler to get our other starters a little rest.

Still think we need 1 or 2 to step it up by March.

Want a concerning stat?

Brandon Randolph is 1-16 from the floor in the last 5 games. He has the highest upside, but he has to be able to make some shots to stay in the rotation. That is a epically bad run.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Alieberman wrote:I know Miller always tightens his rotation come January, but am so surprised that besides Ayton, our freshman class has become basically just filler to get our other starters a little rest.

Still think we need 1 or 2 to step it up by March.

Want a concerning stat?

Brandon Randolph is 1-16 from the floor in the last 5 games. He has the highest upside, but he has to be able to make some shots to stay in the rotation. That is a epically bad run.

Yikes.

I keep waiting for Randolph, Smith, Lee, or Akot to bust out as that bench scoring threat. Stopped holding my breath a while ago though...

Smith is that guy right now I guess but we really really need either Randolph or Akot to fight and earn some legit playing time

Alieberman wrote:Smith is that guy right now I guess but we really really need either Randolph or Akot to fight and earn some legit playing time

Throwing out the game where he got the start in place of Rawle, Smith is 4-14 and 2-9 from three. In the game he started, he was 5-5 (4-4 from three) for 14 points.

Maybe Smith needs to start to be effective?

Chicat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Alieberman wrote:I know Miller always tightens his rotation come January, but am so surprised that besides Ayton, our freshman class has become basically just filler to get our other starters a little rest.

Still think we need 1 or 2 to step it up by March.

Want a concerning stat?

Brandon Randolph is 1-16 from the floor in the last 5 games. He has the highest upside, but he has to be able to make some shots to stay in the rotation. That is a epically bad run.

Yikes.

I keep waiting for Randolph, Smith, Lee, or Akot to bust out as that bench scoring threat. Stopped holding my breath a while ago though...

I feel bad for Randolph. He can create makeable shots, but they just aren't going in right now.

I thought Akot would be the breakout player, esp. on defense, but the tendinitis must really be slowing him down.

Chicat wrote:

Alieberman wrote:Smith is that guy right now I guess but we really really need either Randolph or Akot to fight and earn some legit playing time

Throwing out the game where he got the start in place of Rawle, Smith is 4-14 and 2-9 from three. In the game he started, he was 5-5 (4-4 from three) for 14 points.

Maybe Smith needs to start to be effective?

You know that thought actually ran across my mind that if we really wanted a bench player spark we should make Rawle our 6th man... but that's not going to happen

HiCat wrote:Man I hope Barcello lives up to his potential by Feb. PJC needs a legit backup when the going gets rough.

Savage life.

LOL, I would be surprised if Barcello plays another meaningful minute this season. I'm not sure there is that much potential there either.

Chicat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Alieberman wrote:I know Miller always tightens his rotation come January, but am so surprised that besides Ayton, our freshman class has become basically just filler to get our other starters a little rest.

Still think we need 1 or 2 to step it up by March.

Want a concerning stat?

Brandon Randolph is 1-16 from the floor in the last 5 games. He has the highest upside, but he has to be able to make some shots to stay in the rotation. That is a epically bad run.

Yikes.

I keep waiting for Randolph, Smith, Lee, or Akot to bust out as that bench scoring threat. Stopped holding my breath a while ago though...

Outside of Ayton, the freshman class has been a dud this year.

az91 wrote:

Chicat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Alieberman wrote:I know Miller always tightens his rotation come January, but am so surprised that besides Ayton, our freshman class has become basically just filler to get our other starters a little rest.

Still think we need 1 or 2 to step it up by March.

Want a concerning stat?

Brandon Randolph is 1-16 from the floor in the last 5 games. He has the highest upside, but he has to be able to make some shots to stay in the rotation. That is a epically bad run.

Yikes.

I keep waiting for Randolph, Smith, Lee, or Akot to bust out as that bench scoring threat. Stopped holding my breath a while ago though...

Outside of Ayton, the freshman class has been a dud this year.

Ditto. I keep hoping to see them stepping up soon! Tick tock..March is coming boys...we're burning daylight.

Akot has been stepping up and playing big. His energy and intensity you can't teach. Glad to see he's over coming his injuries, and growing pains

whatisee wrote:Akot has been stepping up and playing big. His energy and intensity you can't teach. Glad to see he's over coming his injuries, and growing pains

Akot and Randolph have switched roles.

What we need from the freshmen/bench is 10 mpg of busting ass on D, taking advantage of openings on offense and not turning the ball over. That's it.

Having high ceiling players like Randolph, Akot and Lee as multiyear guys is a good thing for our program.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

whatisee wrote:Akot has been stepping up and playing big. His energy and intensity you can't teach. Glad to see he's over coming his injuries, and growing pains

Akot and Randolph have switched roles.

What we need from the freshmen/bench is 10 mpg of busting ass on D, taking advantage of openings on offense and not turning the ball over. That's it.

Having high ceiling players like Randolph, Akot and Lee as multiyear guys is a good thing for our program.

Agreed. We don't need Trier or Ayton getting rest. We shouldn't need Alkins getting rest either. 20 - 30 min a game from our bench is all we need and that's okay.

Hoping this is a good learning exercise for the young players... how much it takes to make it at a high level in this game.

I'm always bothered when natural talent isn't groomed and is played behind lesser, but more experienced talent. I'm glad Akot has carved himself out a role, but it still bugs me that Smith gets the PT over Randolph at this point. It is what it is though and hopefully it's corrected next year.

I think Randolph will overtake Smith next year due to the "sophomore jump." Smith's extra year on the bench as a Redshirt won't give him the edge that it did this year.
But I still believe Akot is the key for this year. With his defensive potential, we have to give him enough minutes to grow into a role and just "Grin and bear it" when he doesn't quite do his job. He has the tools, he just needs the reps.

I think these frosh will step into their roles nicely when given more early season pt. Not gonna dominate but good for an unexpectedly long run in the tourney next year once they figure it out. Instead of being surprised how early we are out, there will be surprise at how long we stick around.

How is Lee doing with his concussion protocol?

DiehardDave37 wrote:How is Lee doing with his concussion protocol?

I think they already said he won't play until next week at the earliest.

With the uncertainty surrounding Ayton, if he has completed the protocol, I'd have someone in Tucson help get his butt on a plane to Eugene ASAP. I suppose Ristic, Pinder, Alkins and Akot might be able to handle the ducks inside. Could Jake give us a minute or 2 without TOs? The NCAA has me more paranoid now than I've been in 81 years. I don't trust anyone but you and me, and ofttimes I have doubts about thee.