2016-2017 Arizona Basketball

[rgdeuce]

Lot of work to be done and plenty of concerns, but a lot of positives to take away from what we saw tonight.

1) PJC made me want to throw my remote a lot of the night. But he stepped up and finished. And he did it AWAY FROM MCKALE. Looks like hes following last year's early shooting woes trend, outside of that end of shot clock prayer.
2) Kadeem will get the praise for the game winner, but his quiet veteran leadership out there was evident. And it was most evident on the defensive end. Everyone else is not there, and hes no Rondae, but replace him w a replacement level defender and this team would be in shambles defensively.
3) Chance is a difference maker and hes only gonna get better. Stuff that doesnt show up in a stat sheet all the time. He reminds me of another tall, skinny guy from the late 90s teams.
4) Kobi is scary talented. Was not expecting a game like that this early.
5) The team defense has a long way to go, but the effort was noticeable. These guys get the importance of defending and they want to defend.
6) This team has grit and drive. Down 17-2 away from home. Then Michigan St went on that late run and looked like the game was slipping from us. We responded.

The sooner this team establishes its offensive identity the better. AKA Lauri needs to be the focal point. Part of that is him. But still. Rawle's defense makes me want to rip my eyes out. On offense, hopefully he is now picking up that he needs to take a step back until he gets his legs under him. Dusan is Dusan. It is what it is. He will tease us w some nice games but yeah.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Good take, RG.

I agree that this team seems to want to play D. Lauri, Rawle and Kobi just don't really know how yet, but they try. The closing out was really inconsistent. Then, we'd get a decent closeout and shut down our feet and get beat.

Lauri is better on D than he looked. Bridges is just a really bad matchup for him right now.

Rebounding from the 17-2 hole is really a great sign for a young team.

PJC...well, he improved, but it's a bad sign that I can remember every field goal he made off the top of my head. He competed and didn't get down, but some of it, like that side of the backboard three...

Kadeem was what you want in a senior. Not flashy, but he was a pg when we needed it, made plays and was by far our most consistent defender.

Pinder continues to be a nice surprise. Dusan looked overmatched. He still has a role, but given the matchup, it was not particularly encouraging. Chance was clearly a better option tonight.

Rawle needs to learn that you have to show restraint at this level. You just can't take off and force your way to the rim at this level. He needs to sharpen us his D, but I'm not panicking.

Kobi flashed the talent he has. When his jumper falls, he's going to be a dynamic offensive player. Like Rawle, he needs to clean up the defensive footwork. One thing I really liked, when he figured out the refs were calling everything, he immediately exploited his physical advantages.

All in all, a good effort that leaves a lot of optimism for the future. Now, we jsut have to pray Trier can be back. That would leave us with a nice post-Ray roster. Trier, Allen, Kobi and Alkins is still a pretty good wing rotation, especially/hopefully by March. We are deep and talenred in the post. PJC has hopefully turned a corner.

[KOQSTRONG]

I watched the first half from my temporary apartment above my restaurant that I bought with my business partner about 5 months ago. Feeling kinda good and in the spirit I wore my Arizona hat and wandered down to the restaurant with my girlfriend to maybe get dinner but also see how things were going. Welp, we were more slammed than I had ever seen. So I had to help out my business partner and 4 employees while things were crazy. I ended up taking a bill to one of the tables out on the patio to some guy maybe 30 or so and he saw my hat and was like "UofA?? Really?? Really??" while making some sign with his hands and fingers. I had no fucking clue what he was doing and at first thought he went to UofA as well. I was like "Yeah man you too?" I then realized he was doing the Shocker and said "Hell no, ASU" while still doing the shocker. I laughed and tried to play it off while he said something snarky to his girlfriend. Oh well, can't win them all. Stay classy with the Shocker gesture as well. Things slowed down and I was chatting with some other customers when we hit the game winner and I did a giant fist pump. Good times and a great first game of the year. Hoping we get Trier back but if not, this game gives me hope for a good year regardless.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

Yet another piece of anecdotal evidence that ASU alumnus have no class. Glad you took the high road KOQSTRONG.

PS. How pathetic that he learned 'the shocker' (don't know what this is but assuming it's WSU hand sign?) and his only glory is our loss in the NCAA last year....

[KOQSTRONG]

Yet another piece of anecdotal evidence that ASU alumnus have no class. Glad you took the high road KOQSTRONG.

PS. How pathetic that he learned 'the shocker' (don't know what this is but assuming it's WSU hand sign?) and his only glory is our loss in the NCAA last year....

Ha, Thanks! Luckily I brought him his credit card receipt and not just the bill. I'm still waiting for the bad yelp or Facebook review if he's that much of asshat.

[WildcatStunner]

Yet another piece of anecdotal evidence that ASU alumnus have no class. Glad you took the high road KOQSTRONG.

PS. How pathetic that he learned 'the shocker' (don't know what this is but assuming it's WSU hand sign?) and his only glory is our loss in the NCAA last year....

I think asu fans throw the shocker cause it is supposed to be pitchforks. I only know this cause about 3 years ago I was having dinner with some friends and an asu fan came to our table and did that. I had on a UofA shirt, and he felt it necessary to let me know he was an asu supporter. I told him to act like an adult and let me eat dinner with my friends in peace. His response was something like, "Relax man, it is just a joke."

[Bangkok Wildcat]

Yet another piece of anecdotal evidence that ASU alumnus have no class. Glad you took the high road KOQSTRONG.

PS. How pathetic that he learned 'the shocker' (don't know what this is but assuming it's WSU hand sign?) and his only glory is our loss in the NCAA last year....

I think asu fans throw the shocker cause it is supposed to be pitchforks. I only know this cause about 3 years ago I was having dinner with some friends and an asu fan came to our table and did that. I had on a UofA shirt, and he felt it necessary to let me know he was an asu supporter. I told him to act like an adult and let me eat dinner with my friends in peace. His response was something like, "Relax man, it is just a joke."

Thanks Stunner...I get it now. Yet again, ASU fans showing how classless they are....unbelievable that he'd come up to your table uninvited like that. Smh.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/11/college ... -bill-self

Sean at #11 seems about right....until he breaks through to a FF then I'd expect him to be higher. Thad Matta, OSU, at #12??? Alford at #26??? Doesn't seem right to me.

[KOQSTRONG]

Yet another piece of anecdotal evidence that ASU alumnus have no class. Glad you took the high road KOQSTRONG.

PS. How pathetic that he learned 'the shocker' (don't know what this is but assuming it's WSU hand sign?) and his only glory is our loss in the NCAA last year....

I think asu fans throw the shocker cause it is supposed to be pitchforks. I only know this cause about 3 years ago I was having dinner with some friends and an asu fan came to our table and did that. I had on a UofA shirt, and he felt it necessary to let me know he was an asu supporter. I told him to act like an adult and let me eat dinner with my friends in peace. His response was something like, "Relax man, it is just a joke."

Yeah I know it's a pitchfork, but I think calling it "The Shocker" sounds funnier And it's so fitting their hand signal is basically the same as a sexual innuendo. Porn Star U!!

[gumby]

Good reviews, guys.

Like others, I'm uncertain about how Ristic keeps his minutes. Against organized defense, he just takes too long to make a move . Offense is why you play him.

One time a big made a quick move with the left hand, and I thought it was Dusan. It was Chance . He is the key if we go to the next level, especially in a league with Boucher and Rabb. Dusan too slow to check those guys . Chance may be the answer.

PJC can't have double-digit shot attempts. Could be a function of Trier's absence.

[rgdeuce]

Good take, RG.

I agree that this team seems to want to play D. Lauri, Rawle and Kobi just don't really know how yet, but they try. The closing out was really inconsistent. Then, we'd get a decent closeout and shut down our feet and get beat.

Lauri is better on D than he looked. Bridges is just a really bad matchup for him right now.

Rebounding from the 17-2 hole is really a great sign for a young team.

PJC...well, he improved, but it's a bad sign that I can remember every field goal he made off the top of my head. He competed and didn't get down, but some of it, like that side of the backboard three...

Kadeem was what you want in a senior. Not flashy, but he was a pg when we needed it, made plays and was by far our most consistent defender.

Pinder continues to be a nice surprise. Dusan looked overmatched. He still has a role, but given the matchup, it was not particularly encouraging. Chance was clearly a better option tonight.

Rawle needs to learn that you have to show restraint at this level. You just can't take off and force your way to the rim at this level. He needs to sharpen us his D, but I'm not panicking.

Kobi flashed the talent he has. When his jumper falls, he's going to be a dynamic offensive player. Like Rawle, he needs to clean up the defensive footwork. One thing I really liked, when he figured out the refs were calling everything, he immediately exploited his physical advantages.

All in all, a good effort that leaves a lot of optimism for the future. Now, we jsut have to pray Trier can be back. That would leave us with a nice post-Ray roster. Trier, Allen, Kobi and Alkins is still a pretty good wing rotation, especially/hopefully by March. We are deep and talenred in the post. PJC has hopefully turned a corner.

Agree 100 percent.

Think Rawle's going to be great for us down the road, but I find myself seeing him as a 3-year guy at Arizona. The only plus pro attribute I see right now is his size/athletecism combo. Like, Stanley was the 8th pick and his class was nothing like Rawle's. Now think of where Stanley was the first three times we saw him and where Rawle is. It's stark. Stanley was just a nightmare in college despite his offensive rawness. Now hes in the league and he is struggling offensively w the bigger and faster players, despite the physical advantages over most of them - he's just gotta polish to use that slight advantage to his advantage. Thats how Rawle right now, but he's in college. I aint complaining though, we need 3-4 year five star guys.

Defensively, he is just not doing much of anything right outside of effort (though he checks out too many possessions). Closeouts, positioning, lack of instinct and awareness, Multiple white boys off benches blow by him w their dribble. He looks like the kid that wants to ride the bike w his friend more than anything but he cant stay on it. I'll take the will though, just gonna take time for him to become competent and inderstand you cant take plays off.. Right now I consider him a liability, but he needs the minutes to change that.

Lauri shows promise to be a competent defender.. Someone noted his lack of lateral quickness in the game thread. I mean, the dudes a 7 footer and has been matched up w Bridges who is a nightmare for anyone (Jesus I was so f--king impressed w that kid) and some other smaller, quicker guys. Thing is, its understandable. Different type of player he is being asked to guard here in the US, and hes hypefocused on the (proper) technique Miller is teaching. Specifically, his guy gets a step on him and he is thinking technique (shuffle shuffle shuffle) when he needs to drop step, keep his arms up and worry about recovering/forcing a guy to the baseline or into help. Again though, he has the will. Cant ask for more right now. Kobi is not perfect, but most mistakes are tremendously mitigating by his superior athleticism. You just arent going to find quicker feet on many players. The effort is there for him. Kobi has the potential to be an elite NBA defender.

PS. Did I mention how impressed I was with Miles Bridges? Michigan St really messed up down the stretch, should been like, ok Miles, your game. They wanna beat us they need to stop you.

[Merkin]

Ristic was pretty bad. Looks like he lost all confidence in his shot again, like the second half of last year.

Remember when he was expected to be a first rounder after his freshman year? If Zeus can't find a spot in the NBA with his ability to defend and run the court, not sure where Ristic will fit in unless he can score more than he gives up.

Lauri showed he has no lateral quickness, but at least he can score from all over the court.

[gumby]

Would like to see more of Lauri on the block. Many times he starts there, ball is swung to his side, and he pops out to set a screen. I'm sure it's by design.

But how about mixing it up, where he stays there and receives the pass. From there he can face and shoot or make a move to the bucket or draw defenders and pass.

On the picks, he's getting the ball and then passing it to someone else on the perimeter. Then we're deep into shot clock. He doesn't look comfortable shooting off the dribble, so we need sets where he's in positions to score.

Find tape on the stuff Wisconsin ran for Kaminsky (we have plenty, unfortunately). He always seemed to receive the ball in a spot where he could do damage.

Lauri should have 8-10 free throws per game.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Good take, RG.

I agree that this team seems to want to play D. Lauri, Rawle and Kobi just don't really know how yet, but they try. The closing out was really inconsistent. Then, we'd get a decent closeout and shut down our feet and get beat.

Lauri is better on D than he looked. Bridges is just a really bad matchup for him right now.

Rebounding from the 17-2 hole is really a great sign for a young team.

PJC...well, he improved, but it's a bad sign that I can remember every field goal he made off the top of my head. He competed and didn't get down, but some of it, like that side of the backboard three...

Kadeem was what you want in a senior. Not flashy, but he was a pg when we needed it, made plays and was by far our most consistent defender.

Pinder continues to be a nice surprise. Dusan looked overmatched. He still has a role, but given the matchup, it was not particularly encouraging. Chance was clearly a better option tonight.

Rawle needs to learn that you have to show restraint at this level. You just can't take off and force your way to the rim at this level. He needs to sharpen us his D, but I'm not panicking.

Kobi flashed the talent he has. When his jumper falls, he's going to be a dynamic offensive player. Like Rawle, he needs to clean up the defensive footwork. One thing I really liked, when he figured out the refs were calling everything, he immediately exploited his physical advantages.

All in all, a good effort that leaves a lot of optimism for the future. Now, we jsut have to pray Trier can be back. That would leave us with a nice post-Ray roster. Trier, Allen, Kobi and Alkins is still a pretty good wing rotation, especially/hopefully by March. We are deep and talenred in the post. PJC has hopefully turned a corner.

Agree 100 percent.

Think Rawle's going to be great for us down the road, but I find myself seeing him as a 3-year guy at Arizona. The only plus pro attribute I see right now is his size/athletecism combo. Like, Stanley was the 8th pick and his class was nothing like Rawle's. Now think of where Stanley was the first three times we saw him and where Rawle is. It's stark. Stanley was just a nightmare in college despite his offensive rawness. Now hes in the league and he is struggling offensively w the bigger and faster players, despite the physical advantages over most of them - he's just gotta polish to use that slight advantage to his advantage. Thats how Rawle right now, but he's in college. I aint complaining though, we need 3-4 year five star guys.

Defensively, he is just not doing much of anything right outside of effort (though he checks out too many possessions). Closeouts, positioning, lack of instinct and awareness, Multiple white boys off benches blow by him w their dribble. He looks like the kid that wants to ride the bike w his friend more than anything but he cant stay on it. I'll take the will though, just gonna take time for him to become competent and inderstand you cant take plays off.. Right now I consider him a liability, but he needs the minutes to change that.

Lauri shows promise to be a competent defender.. Someone noted his lack of lateral quickness in the game thread. I mean, the dudes a 7 footer and has been matched up w Bridges who is a nightmare for anyone (Jesus I was so f--king impressed w that kid) and some other smaller, quicker guys. Thing is, its understandable. Different type of player he is being asked to guard here in the US, and hes hypefocused on the (proper) technique Miller is teaching. Specifically, his guy gets a step on him and he is thinking technique (shuffle shuffle shuffle) when he needs to drop step, keep his arms up and worry about recovering/forcing a guy to the baseline or into help. Again though, he has the will. Cant ask for more right now. Kobi is not perfect, but most mistakes are tremendously mitigating by his superior athleticism. You just arent going to find quicker feet on many players. The effort is there for him. Kobi has the potential to be an elite NBA defender.

PS. Did I mention how impressed I was with Miles Bridges? Michigan St really messed up down the stretch, should been like, ok Miles, your game. They wanna beat us they need to stop you.

I think facing Bridges will wind up being really good for Lauri. Lauri does some good things defensively, but not the kind of things that helped with Bridges. Bridges was a great learning tool because he showed Lauri what to work on. Plus, there are some things Bridges did where it just doesn't matter. I think of the iso at the top of the key where he spun on Lauri and rose for the layup. It doesn't really matter how Lauri defended that, it was just too good a play. There aren't many people on earth that could have done anything more than Lauri did with that play. It's a good check against bad habits, and Lauri isn't going to see a tougher matchup all year.

I agree on Kobi and Rawle. Technically, I don't think they're very far apart, but Kobi has length and athleticism that hides it better right now. They were the opposite of Kadeem, who has the technical aspects sorted out.

What they both don't get yet is what a lot of freshmen don't. If you competently defend the first look, if a team swings the ball, you can't just act like your job is done. That relaxing was where we got hurt.

The upside: other than the start to both halves, we actually shut them down. They put up 19 points in the first 7 minutes and started the second half shooting 7/10. Other than that, we did a good job, other than Bridges just being a handful. Take away the start and we gave up 44 points in 33 minutes, which isn't bad for a first effort vs a good team.

[Main Event]

Monster, enjoy the 1 year.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Ristic was pretty bad. Looks like he lost all confidence in his shot again, like the second half of last year.

Remember when he was expected to be a first rounder after his freshman year? If Zeus can't find a spot in the NBA with his ability to defend and run the court, not sure where Ristic will fit in unless he can score more than he gives up.

Lauri showed he has no lateral quickness, but at least he can score from all over the court.

I disagree about no lateral quickness. 7 footer vs a very, very athletic and good 6'7 guy will turn out like that. There aren't a whole lot of Miles Bridges's walking around. Match him against TJ Leaf and he will look much better. MSU just has a 4 who is a very strong, athletic 3 skillset and speed level.

Bridges is the worst matchup Lauri will see except maybe Oregon. Other than those two, he will be fine. Some of what Bridges did, look, Aaron Gordon would have gotten beat, and AG is the standard for our 4's and lateral quickness.

[Merkin]

Monster, enjoy the 1 year.

Wouldn't exactly call those "highlights"

But it did show what a difference maker he was when he became aggressive. A couple good examples of following your own shot. Honestly, who does that anymore? With all the pressure on man to man defense, most UA shooters take off for the other basket when their shot goes up so their man who beat them down the court.

[azcat49]

Just finished watching the game and was sorry I missed it live.

I think the first 15 minutes of the first half told me all I needed about this team. Didn't like the Ristic /LM match up with MSU. We just didn't have enough quickness on the floor to compete but once we brought in CC and Pinder we looked great.

I really like our new players. Kobi was great and love him coming off the bench with energy and athleticism. Pinder is a steal. Hustles and looks to understand his role well. Need those kind of guys. He will be better then Jesse Perry.

It was nice to see PJC not go in a funk and he was pretty good as was said away from McKale. Hope it continues. Allen was really good defensively. He expends a lot of effort there so it doesn't surprise me when he doesn't shoot it well. But hey, he hit the one that counted

[TucsonClip]

Wow, that was one hell of a game. Lived up to my feelings/expectations of a second weekend match up in March. Gutty, grueling win for Miller and his guys. They deserved that one. Was out watching the game and USA v. Mexico, so had to go back today and rewatch the game.

The first ten minutes were absolutely painful. Shit perimeter defense, no help, turnovers, ect. Keeping with the second weekend of March theme, the start to that game looked very familiar.

However, Miller got his guards locked in defensively and dialed up the pressure. Also, KOBI! He's settling in off the ball and proved, yet again, that he can turn the corner and get in the paint at ease when he is on his game. I made the comment after the final scrimmage that the biggest thing I noticed was that Kobi can handle the pressure, the stage isnt too big for him.

Also, I think we need to set an over/under for floor slaps per game from the MSU players. Im not sure what there were more of... Floor slaps or offensive fouls.

I thought PJC was fine defensively. Not sure PJC will get a better match up than Tum Tum. He wasnt looking to drive, just set up the offense and then cut to the corner. So while I thought PJC was fine defensively, and he made some big plays jumping passing lanes, this wasnt much of a litmus test. Offensively, I am glad we are seeing a spike in his confidence, but he took some crap shots.

Kadeem is a stud, but was not good offensively. Made the big plays on both ends of the floor when we need them. Not a lot to say about him, he was clutch and is the heartbeat of this team.

Rawle needs to make some adjustments offensively. Cant just put your head down an go all the time. Defense needs to get better.

Kobi balled out in the first half and saved our asses. Quick first step, looked to penetrate the defense, consistently turned the corner, and drew a ton of fouls. Shot selection still needs to improve, but hard to argue when hes beating guys off the dribble and then defenders are giving him open threes because of it. He was pretty solid defensively as well. Looked locked in off the ball, and was ok on the ball. Great first game from a guy we really need to keep developing like this.

We need Trier on the floor. End of story. I think it was pretty apparent that there was a hole in the offense without him there. If he gets cleared and our defense keeps improving, we are a top 10 team with a bullet.

Lauri is a monster and will feast on teams all year long. We need to get him more touches in the paint based on match ups. His creation off the dribble was great, IMO, for game #1 of his career. Thats going to be a huge asset for us this season. I also thought he was fine defensively. He was always going to be at a pretty big disadvantage vs. Bridges, but I thought overall he moved pretty well defensively, he competed and I think he will surprise us with solid defense by the end of the year. Finally, while I love that he gets his within the flow of our offense, he needs to look for his own shot a little bit more.

Ristic.... Yikes. I saw that deer in headlights look on him again from the first minute. Its almost like hes too scared of missing his defensive assignments, and has so much nervous energy that his head is whipping around, but his feet dont move. He looked slow defensively, did a poor job helping at the rim and just looked like he was out there trying not to make a mistake. Offensively, he was far too easy to defend, Izzo had his guys keeping their feet active, making it easy to stay with his slow post moves. He had smaller guys on him all night, but he never gets low and uses his base to establish position. He's always standing straight up and leaning on guys, making it easy to push him off the block or 3/4 him. During the scrimmages, he was flowing and playing seamlessly; reacting and not thinking. He was virtually unplayable all night.

Chance did a good job overall for it being his first action of the year. He looks more comfortable in the system this year and is going to be a key part of our success. That said, he and Ristic provided shit for help at the rim. At times it was maddening to see guys getting to the rim and the help from our bigs no where to be found. There were a few times that Chance and Ristic were literally bodying up their own man at the rim, but didnt even slide over three feet to help on the ball, resulting in a layup. He needs to use his length to slide from the weakside, help and contest shots at the rim.

Pinder did exactly what we thought he would. Love what he brings, but its going to be difficult for him to defend on the perimeter. Sadly, we need him to do that without Ray around.

Overall, I was very impressed. My main concern was our perimeter defense and I thought the guards defended quite well. Nobody had a chance to slow down Bridges out there without help behind them, so im not really factoring him into this equation. The backside rotations and help were not good, but that is to be expected with all the new guys in the system. Great win, one these guys deserved.

[Longhorned]

So far Ristic is showing all the qualities of a back-up center in limited minutes. Too easy to prepare for, but his size and post skills are dangerous off the bench.

Simmons needs to slide into the starring role previously destined for Trier.

We're good with the rotations of three-guard line-ups, but my concern is that neither PJC nor Allen will be the answer at point guard in key games. Simmons will be needed too badly on the wing to groom him for the 1.

[Spaceman Spiff]

So far Ristic is showing all the qualities of a back-up center in limited minutes. Too easy to prepare for, but his size and post skills are dangerous off the bench.

Simmons needs to slide into the starring role previously destined for Trier.

We're good with the rotations of three-guard line-ups, but my concern is that neither PJC nor Allen will be the answer at point guard in key games. Simmons will be needed too badly on the wing to groom him for the 1.

I'm not sure we need to settle on Ristic or Comanche. Dusan is ok vs big guys with time to work on the box. Chance is the more mobile, defensive oriented option. Against teams that give us one look or another, we can just up the time of the guy who is a better fit. I don't think we need a long term chance so much as to be flexible about who we emphasize in each game.

[Olsondogg]

We are a game into the season. If anyone is making conclusions about anything at this point, just remember that Kreal's best game as a wildcat was his first game as a wildcat.

[Longhorned]

We are a game into the season. If anyone is making conclusions about anything at this point, just remember that Kreal's best game as a wildcat was his first game as a wildcat.

My opinion will change game to game. I'm not going to wait for a substantial body of evidence to formulate a stable conclusion -- I like to talk about basketball all the time.

The value of Comanche in today's college game, and on this team, is clear. I don't think Ristic's is, outside of limited minutes.

[whatisee]

We are a game into the season. If anyone is making conclusions about anything at this point, just remember that Kreal's best game as a wildcat was his first game as a wildcat.

Thanks for taking a big shit in here. We're not allowed to feel good about anything.

[Olsondogg]

We are a game into the season. If anyone is making conclusions about anything at this point, just remember that Kreal's best game as a wildcat was his first game as a wildcat.

Thanks for taking a big shit in here. We're not allowed to feel good about anything.

What the fuck are you talking about.

[azcat49]

I do like CC with LM with Ristic coming off the bench with Pinder.

I like Kobi coming off the bench with those guys as wll but if Rawlee can't get going and we have ore slow starts then he will need to slide in

[dcZONAfan]

I do like CC with LM with Ristic coming off the bench with Pinder.

I like Kobi coming off the bench with those guys as wll but if Rawlee can't get going and we have ore slow starts then he will need to slide in

It was one game and Rawle got fucked by the refs over and over. Kid is going to be fine

[Spaceman Spiff]

I do like CC with LM with Ristic coming off the bench with Pinder.

I like Kobi coming off the bench with those guys as wll but if Rawlee can't get going and we have ore slow starts then he will need to slide in

Rawle and Kobi are freshmen. They will have good games and bad games. Friday was not a great one for Rawle, but he will learn. Having Trier would be so big in terms of having two solid, experienced wings for times when Kobi or Rawle are off.

So long as there's no friction, I don't think it matters who starts right now.

[rgdeuce]

I do like CC with LM with Ristic coming off the bench with Pinder.

I like Kobi coming off the bench with those guys as wll but if Rawlee can't get going and we have ore slow starts then he will need to slide in

It was one game and Rawle got fucked by the refs over and over. Kid is going to be fine

He was on the wrong end of a few calls, but the concerns/limitations were visible in the MSU game and the Chico State exhibition. I think there is a very strong argument for Kobi to start over Rawle with or without the presence of Trier. The latter is the now and until we get news otherwise, that's what we should be going on.

Reason #1, Kobi is the superior defender. We will run into teams who have physical/big bodied wings and Alkins bulk will be needed, but in most every other scenario Kobi is the guy you rather have out there.

Reason #2, we need wing scorers/scorers in general. I wouldn't call anyone crazy if they felt PJC's season (offensively) is looking to play out exactly like last year's. Kadeem had an off game offensively against MSU. Well, hopefully it was just an off game, that's what I think it is at least. There is also the possibility that maybe the offensive load may be too much for a player like Kadeem. Especially when you factor in the fact that he is our go-to defender and is not going to have the legs to be that guy and carry the load of being the first or second option on offense and still be efficient. Obviously we want Lauri to be the guy for us on offense, but he still has to embrace that role and he only has one regular season game under his belt. That assertiveness is needed and will take time. Last year, we saw it with Trier, but he morphed into the alpha dog pretty quickly and went on that huge run before his injury.

Reason #3, we dont appear to be a good 3-point shooting team. I'd argue that Kobi has looked to be the better outside shooter thus far. Regardless, he is a nightmare to guard on the perimeter and can get into the paint for us more efficiently and effectively than Alkins at this point. We are going to need that because I see plenty of, outside of Lauri, a lot of bad nights behind the arc and we all know how much Arizona teams love to pass the ball around on the perimeter and kill the shot clock before getting things going. Kobi also gives us a slight edge if we decide we are going to run a little more off D, rather than try our best in the half court game. Not many teams are going to be able to keep up with a five man lineup of PJC, Kadeem, Kobi, LM and Chance.

Regardless, semantics really. Kobi got more minutes in the MSU game than Alkins and it wasn't just because he had the hot hand in the first half.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

Love the commentary rgdeuce.....very interesting and compelling case for Kobi to start.

BTFD on getting Trier back by the spring semester....in the meanwhile I am going to enjoy Rawle and Kobi develop under the heavier workload.

[dcZONAfan]

RG i agree with all of your points. I think Kobi showed out and most certainly has a higher ceiling and will be starting pretty soon. My comment was directed more toward the part of his point where he said "If Rawle can't get going".....It's those type of comments, after one game, about a freshman, that I expect only from someone like ASUhater and his doomsday approach. Like when, 5 minutes into our season, he was already in "I just hope we make the tournament" mode.

[Beachcat97]

Once Alkins learns how to safely create contact and draw fouls, he's going to be amazing.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Once Alkins learns how to safely create contact and draw fouls, he's going to be amazing.

So you're saying he needs pointers on how to penetrate safely?

[gumby]

We are a game into the season. If anyone is making conclusions about anything at this point, just remember that Kreal's best game as a wildcat was his first game as a wildcat.

My opinion will change game to game. I'm not going to wait for a substantial body of evidence to formulate a stable conclusion -- I like to talk about basketball all the time.

The value of Comanche in today's college game, and on this team, is clear. I don't think Ristic's is, outside of limited minutes.

What? All the time? Change opinion? You're doing it wrong! You lock in now and defend against all evidence to the contrary!

[gumby]

Once Alkins learns how to safely create contact and draw fouls, he's going to be amazing.

So you're saying he needs pointers on how to penetrate safely?

Against every team but the Trojans.

[Chicat]

I just really like this team. They hustle and scrap, and also seem like really good kids who enjoy being around each other. A real easy bunch to root for. If they get Trier back, look out.

[Olsondogg]

Agreed.

[gumby]

I take it back. Lauri can shoot off the dribble. His handle surprises me. He's more seasoned than pork shoulder. He is SUURI.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=u ... authuser=0" target="_blank

Alkins with the treys to pull us out of ANOTHER $%%&&* SLOW START. Hey, where is POM?

Simmons with the high-rising three-point play to seal the deal (despite the 8-0 run that followed).

That was the runniest game I can recall.

This team, with Trier, oh my. Without him, still dangerous.

I like the Pinder-Davison comparison.

PJC was money against pressure.

Nice to see Dusan get a couple to fall.

[Airizona]

Was at the game last night.

Lauri is super skilled.

Alkins has great court vision, just needs to add a floater to his offensive arsenal... I think most of his turnovers came from him just running the opponent over (reminds me of Stanley's first few games).

Ristic will be fine.

Simmons has the potential to be a great defender and I can't wait for a fast break where he doesn't fumble the ball from anticipation of the dunk.

PJC was solid.

Pinder plays with a ton of energy and seems to have a good feel for the game.

[EOCT]

Alkins. Such a sweet and very quick release. Also, so quick to recognize opportunity and start his shot. His defenders were slow to pick up on his decisions.

Tendency to attack in a straight line? Lots of high school vids show him throwing nice moves all over the place when driving, so I think we'll see him start this soon rather than running over players. Also, I think we'll see pull-ups when he feels his defender is starting to lock position expecting to take a charge.

PJC. Strong game. His break-out of the CSU trapathon in the back court late in the game was a thing of beauty.

[rgdeuce]

Alkins is going to find that his life is going to be a lot easier when he shows the D he can hit that outside shot. He really just gets himself into trouble when he thinks he HAS to be the guy to make something out of nothing: like when he gets the ball and the shot clock is within 8 and he thinks the team needs him to make a play when nothing is there, or in less advantageous fast break situations. He starts going AND 1 mixtape and puts his head down and barrels over dudes and because the talent level is higher and players are quicker, he gets into trouble. Shoot, drive and drunk. That's what he knows when he is in attack mode. Just going to take time for him to get a feel for this level of play and understand there are other options between the drive and the dunk. His body is an asset (pause), he's just gotta figure out that it is controlled force rather than just brute force.

[EVCat]

Alkins is going to find that his life is going to be a lot easier when he shows the D he can hit that outside shot. He really just gets himself into trouble when he thinks he HAS to be the guy to make something out of nothing: like when he gets the ball and the shot clock is within 8 and he thinks the team needs him to make a play when nothing is there, or in less advantageous fast break situations. He starts going AND 1 mixtape and puts his head down and barrels over dudes and because the talent level is higher and players are quicker, he gets into trouble. Shoot, drive and drunk. That's what he knows when he is in attack mode. Just going to take time for him to get a feel for this level of play and understand there are other options between the drive and the dunk. His body is an asset (pause), he's just gotta figure out that it is controlled force rather than just brute force.

One of the hardest transitions for high school stars at this level, other than the whole "other players are really good too" bit, is patience in the shot clock. In high school, either they play with an optional shot clock or none at all, and the best situation can be found with patience. If they play with the clock in AAU, a panic sets in at 8 to 10 seconds because it is just a series of pass to one on one scenarios. In college, with a good team, 8 seconds is still plenty to run your offense and not break into a one on one force situation. If you have the ball on the wing with 8, you can still dribble up top, get a screen, and run action off of it. You can even get action, a pass, and a reaction pass off that pass to a cutter or shooter with plenty of time. But the young guys, especially early on, see 10 or 8 on the shot clock as time to pound the floor and go, because there is no way offense was going to yield a good shot in previous levels and them forcing might have been the best option anyway.

[Merkin]

Hmmm, mid-year addition sounds promising.

Has worked before with Ivan Radenovic.

[84Cat]

He did say they have already had tryouts for new walkons also.

[ASUHATER!]

i'd take another Radenovic in a heartbeat. people forget how good of a player he was for us. was averaging 14 pts and 7 rebounds a game by his junior/senior years.

[Merkin]

Oh well. Going to be a very thin year.

[Beachcat97]

Just get Trier eligible. Everything seems to hinge on that.

[Jefe]

was there a press conference we missed today?

yes there was

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShVaycdRSu4" target="_blank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyFMuQvbLrk" target="_blank

[RiseAndFire]

aggressive pack line m2m defense for 40 minutes isn't going to work with 7 or even 8'players , unless they don't need to play offense. another reason why having just one flavor of defense is so foolish.

this year will be about watching kobi, Rawls,lauri, and Pinder - pretty athletic bunch. chances of making it to Phoenix are slim as usual

[Chicat]

Look who's back!