Bear Down Wildcats

I just wanted to congratulate Tony Bennett on his undefeated season, advancing to the Sweet 16, and getting 8 McDonald’s All-Americans to play together unselfishly. Anyone who can do that is a no-brainer for USBWA coach of the year, right?


—Ryan

If we put coaches on All-American teams like we do with players, Bennett would be a first-team lock this year. But anyone who doesn’t name Calipari coach of the year either isn’t paying attention or has a serious ax to grind. I hate that these awards always go to the coach who exceeded expectations, as if recruiting and developing players isn’t also part of the job. Some coach could pull 12 guys from the campus rec center and go 2-32, and I bet there’d be a handful of people supporting that coach for year-end awards because “that’s two more games than anyone thought he’d win!!!” And if you think my exaggeration here is too ridiculous, then consider that Frank Haith, Mike Brey, Tubby Smith, Al Skinner, and Ben Howland each have more USBWA coach of the year awards than Mike Krzyzewski, Rick Pitino, Jim Calhoun, Lute Olson, Jerry Tarkanian, Denny Crum, Lefty Driesell, and Bob Huggins combined.

When it comes to winning undeserved coach of the year awards, nobody does it better than Tony Bennett.

I went to Arizona between 1999 and 2004, and after watching T.J. McConnell take over against Ohio State, I started talking with some friends about the best point guards in school history. Because of when we attended U of A, we had a particular affinity for Jason Gardner and the 2001 team. We all agreed that Mike Bibby is No. 1, with McConnell or Gardner as No. 2. Gardner had a better supporting cast (Richard Jefferson, Luke Walton, Gilbert Arenas, Michael Wright, Loren Woods), and McConnell does more defensively. But depending on how the next couple weeks go, I could see McConnell making a case for No. 1. Thoughts?
—Charles

No matter the order, the top five Arizona point guards have been set in stone for some time — Steve Kerr, Damon Stoudamire, Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, and Jason Gardner. Every one of those guys played in the Final Four. The first four names had strong NBA careers, while Gardner was a four-year starter who was first team all-conference three times. I’m thinking McConnell has to at least get to the Final Four before he can crack that list. He’s already at a disadvantage because he started his career at Duquesne before transferring to Arizona, so his impact on the program might not feel as great as a four-year player like Gardner or a five-year guy like Kerr. But longevity isn’t a dealbreaker for McConnell. Bibby only played two years, and he’s clearly the best all-time. Here’s how I’d rank the top five:

1. Bibby
2. Gardner
3. Stoudamire
4. Kerr
5. Terry

Assuming Arizona loses to Kentucky in the Final Four and McConnell continues playing well and serving as the Wildcats’ clear-cut leader, I’d probably put him at third all-time. Kerr was a great shooter, but he wasn’t the defender or the facilitator that McConnell is. Terry put up stupid numbers in his one year as Arizona’s starting point guard, but the Cats lost in the first round that year. The same goes for Stoudamire’s senior year. But Jason Gardner was the heart and soul of Arizona’s great early 2000s teams, and Bibby has the national title trump card. If McConnell can lead the Cats to a championship, then we can debate whether he deserves the top spot over Bibby. For now, I think he’s sixth on the list and two wins away from jumping up to third.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Gardner over Damon is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as Sean Miller's ceiling.

threenumberones wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Gardner over Damon is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as Sean Miller's ceiling.

Yea. Can only think that these are people that just weren't watching UA basketball in the early 90s. Could make a strong case for Damon over Bibby as well if it weren't for the title.

97cats wrote:1 -- Bibby
2 -- Kerr
3 -- Terry
4 -- Stoudamire

*** McConnell -- to be inserted; slot dependent on end result.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

threenumberones wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Gardner over Damon is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as Sean Miller's ceiling.

Yea. Can only think that these are people that just weren't watching UA basketball in the early 90s. Could make a strong case for Damon over Bibby as well if it weren't for the title.

Personally, I don't put Bibby at #1, but he has the ring, so I can't criticize anyone who does. It's the one thing no one else has.

I'd go:

1. Damon/Dylan
2. Bibby/Dylan
3. Terry/Dylan
4. Reeves/Dylan
5. Kerr/Dylan

Gardner and TJ as honorable mention. Kerr vs Reeves is a tough one. Reeves is a better player, but Kerr was more important to the program.

threenumberones wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

threenumberones wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Gardner over Damon is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as Sean Miller's ceiling.

Yea. Can only think that these are people that just weren't watching UA basketball in the early 90s. Could make a strong case for Damon over Bibby as well if it weren't for the title.

Personally, I don't put Bibby at #1, but he has the ring, so I can't criticize anyone who does. It's the one thing no one else has.

I'd go:

1. Damon/Dylan
2. Bibby/Dylan
3. Terry/Dylan
4. Reeves/Dylan
5. Kerr/Dylan

Gardner and TJ as honorable mention. Kerr vs Reeves is a tough one. Reeves is a better player, but Kerr was more important to the program.

Reeves was absolutely not a PG.

Merkin wrote:Jason Terry was only the frickin' NPOY.

threenumberones wrote:

Merkin wrote:Jason Terry was only the frickin' NPOY.

Consensus first team AA and PAC10 POY. Don't think he won any of the national awards. One of those puke clowns swept as I recall.

Merkin wrote:

threenumberones wrote:

Merkin wrote:Jason Terry was only the frickin' NPOY.

Consensus first team AA and PAC10 POY. Don't think he won any of the national awards. One of those puke clowns swept as I recall.

JeT was definitely NPOY! Only way to get your jersey retired.

http://www.arizonawildcats.com/ViewArti ... =209897638

Old 03-31-2009 #1
Irish27
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The I do not want Sean Miller thread

If Livengood hires Miller, it will not get the "Wow" response, it will get the "Fire Livengood!" response.

Livengood has gone on record as saying he wants a veteran coach who has won a national title who also runs an up-tempo game. Miller does not fit any of those requirements.

The UofA needs a coach who is well known and recruits want to come play for. I don't see recruits getting excited about playing for Sean Miller.

threenumberones wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

threenumberones wrote:
Yea. Can only think that these are people that just weren't watching UA basketball in the early 90s. Could make a strong case for Damon over Bibby as well if it weren't for the title.

Personally, I don't put Bibby at #1, but he has the ring, so I can't criticize anyone who does. It's the one thing no one else has.

I'd go:

1. Damon/Dylan
2. Bibby/Dylan
3. Terry/Dylan
4. Reeves/Dylan
5. Kerr/Dylan

Gardner and TJ as honorable mention. Kerr vs Reeves is a tough one. Reeves is a better player, but Kerr was more important to the program.

Reeves was absolutely not a PG.

UofACat23 wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So here's how I expect the rest of the season to go:

@UW L
@WSU W
USC W
UCLA W
@Col W
@Utah L
Cal W
Stan W

Pac 12 tourney: semifinalist

NCAA tourney: Sweet Sixteen

Bump.

Exhibit A of why you shouldn't make emotional predictions after a loss.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

threenumberones wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

threenumberones wrote:
Yea. Can only think that these are people that just weren't watching UA basketball in the early 90s. Could make a strong case for Damon over Bibby as well if it weren't for the title.

Personally, I don't put Bibby at #1, but he has the ring, so I can't criticize anyone who does. It's the one thing no one else has.

I'd go:

1. Damon/Dylan
2. Bibby/Dylan
3. Terry/Dylan
4. Reeves/Dylan
5. Kerr/Dylan

Gardner and TJ as honorable mention. Kerr vs Reeves is a tough one. Reeves is a better player, but Kerr was more important to the program.

Reeves was absolutely not a PG.

If Terry had played with Bibby the whole time, their roles would have been virtually identical. Khalid actually posted higher assist per 40 min totals.

AZCatGirl wrote:Yup. Never getting to a Final 4.

AZCatGirl wrote:Or ever.

cats101 wrote:

AZCatGirl wrote:Or ever.

Yeah. His best team can't get past the E8. Terrible.

SCCats wrote:protip for the night: think before you post

Coop Cat wrote: -Lack of fouling at the end of the game

Coop Cat wrote:There were some very questionable decisions made tonight:

-Kaleb on Frank so much when RHJ appeared to be handling him good
-Not able to run set plays for York/Pitts to get some open look at 3s
-Lack of fouling at the end of the game

Salty wrote:

cats101 wrote:

AZCatGirl wrote:Or ever.

Yeah. His best team can't get past the E8. Terrible.

Last year was the best Arizona team, pre-Ashley injury.

Coop Cat wrote:There were some very questionable decisions made tonight:

-Kaleb on Frank so much when RHJ appeared to be handling him good
-Not able to run set plays for York/Pitts to get some open look at 3s
-Lack of fouling at the end of the game

etank34 wrote:No coach expects a team to shoot 10/12 from 3 in a single half. Stop and fucking think before you start pointing fingers. That last dagger Dekker hit on Rondae could not possibly have been covered better. They just couldn't miss.

Salty wrote:

Coop Cat wrote:There were some very questionable decisions made tonight:

-Kaleb on Frank so much when RHJ appeared to be handling him good
-Not able to run set plays for York/Pitts to get some open look at 3s
-Lack of fouling at the end of the game

Tarc played solid D

Leaving Pitts in for those two threes hurt bad. Should have taken him out. That's what started their run from beyond the arc.

AZCatGirl wrote:

SCCats wrote:protip for the night: think before you post

You're right. I'm posting on emotion.

I take it back. Stupid thing to say. Just really upset. I thought we had this.

Coop Cat wrote:

Salty wrote:

Coop Cat wrote:There were some very questionable decisions made tonight:

-Kaleb on Frank so much when RHJ appeared to be handling him good
-Not able to run set plays for York/Pitts to get some open look at 3s
-Lack of fouling at the end of the game

Tarc played solid D

Leaving Pitts in for those two threes hurt bad. Should have taken him out. That's what started their run from beyond the arc.

Tarc played sold D on Frank? Are you crazy??? Go back and watch each time that he was on Frank. Too slow. Cannot stick with him. Jumped at almost every shot fake. He DID NOT play solid D on Frank.

Coop Cat wrote:

Salty wrote:

Coop Cat wrote:There were some very questionable decisions made tonight:

-Kaleb on Frank so much when RHJ appeared to be handling him good
-Not able to run set plays for York/Pitts to get some open look at 3s
-Lack of fouling at the end of the game

Tarc played solid D

Leaving Pitts in for those two threes hurt bad. Should have taken him out. That's what started their run from beyond the arc.

Tarc played sold D on Frank? Are you crazy??? Go back and watch each time that he was on Frank. Too slow. Cannot stick with him. Jumped at almost every shot fake. He DID NOT play solid D on Frank.