Bear Down Wildcats

Puerco wrote:My wife asked me how the game went, and I told her, 'Best possible result. We won by 20 but the coaches still have a strong message to send.'

Ding ding ding! our worst game stopping dribble pentetration. A lot to show on film.

A lot of that was just the relentlessness of Texas Southern. That was their game plan. Dribble drive down our throats, over and over again, get to the line, get our guys in foul trouble. How many teams have had that gameplan against us this year? How many teams are crazy enough to be undersized, and dribble drive into the heart of an Arizona packline defense with four players 6'7 or taller?

I think the combination of us not being used to teams doing that, combined with the large lead early is why the defense wasn't up to snub. It was like we were waiting for them to give up and start jacking up 3's and pulling up, but it didnt happen. That's what normal teams do, they give up and/or adjust. I tip my hat to Texas Southern, they had heart and their coach had a gameplan and all involved had the balls to stick with it,.

rgdeuce wrote:A lot of that was just the relentlessness of Texas Southern. That was their game plan. Dribble drive down our throats, over and over again, get to the line, get our guys in foul trouble. How many teams have had that gameplan against us this year? How many teams are crazy enough to be undersized, and dribble drive into the heart of an Arizona packline defense with four players 6'7 or taller?

I think the combination of us not being used to teams doing that, combined with the large lead early is why the defense wasn't up to snub. It was like we were waiting for them to give up and start jacking up 3's and pulling up, but it didnt happen. That's what normal teams do, they give up and/or adjust. I tip my hat to Texas Southern, they had heart and their coach had a gameplan and all involved had the balls to stick with it,.

Completely agree with your assessment of Texas Southern and their game plan. As a coach, I'm sure miller will use it as a coaching moment because they were lazy on defense. From York, to TJ, to rhondae, to SJ, neither slid their feet. Do that against Russell and Scott, the outcome could be very different than yesterday.

rgdeuce wrote:A lot of that was just the relentlessness of Texas Southern. That was their game plan. Dribble drive down our throats, over and over again, get to the line, get our guys in foul trouble. How many teams have had that gameplan against us this year? How many teams are crazy enough to be undersized, and dribble drive into the heart of an Arizona packline defense with four players 6'7 or taller?

I think the combination of us not being used to teams doing that, combined with the large lead early is why the defense wasn't up to snub. It was like we were waiting for them to give up and start jacking up 3's and pulling up, but it didnt happen. That's what normal teams do, they give up and/or adjust. I tip my hat to Texas Southern, they had heart and their coach had a gameplan and all involved had the balls to stick with it,.

I give TxSo credit, but one of the fundamentals of defense is finishing plays. Staying down and countering that second and third attempt is what separates teams. They exploited it, but intensity giving out before the drive was over was a recurring issue.

If I was a coach, game film would be 10 of those possessions where we relaxed on the play before they did, then the message you can beat TxSo with that, but to beat OSU, we need to finish each possession.

Yeah, I agree that Texas S was relentless and didn't quit. I also tip my hat to them for fighting till the end. (mentioned above) Arizona's defensive intensity did drop a bit when Cats got ahead by 20 + pts. It seems like an uncharacteristic mental "lapse" during the second half. I'm betting that this will be addressed properly. Hopefully there will be a sense of urgency at practice prepping for OSU.

I'd like to see a killer instinct mindset going forward. If you get a team down, keep em down...mentally and on the score board.

Should be fun on Saturday.

I loved Rondae's quote about TxSo not rebounding defensively.

“It was tough because they don’t (defensive) rebound,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “They don’t try. They just take off. You look up and your man would be down the court. And we were trying to offensive rebound, you know?”

Gotta love cherry pickers.

Miller was very upset at halftime up 21 with the defensive play, and let them know at halftime. The interviewer noted him yanking Johnson for his lack of defensive intensity.

Unfortunately his half time talk didn't help. He was also upset in his post game presser about lack of defense. They will be getting an earful today.

Merkin wrote:Miller was very upset at halftime up 21 with the defensive play, and let them know at halftime. The interviewer noted him yanking Johnson for his lack of defensive intensity.

Unfortunately his half time talk didn't help. He was also upset in his post game presser about lack of defense. They will be getting an earful today.

Being good enough and cruising to a 20 point win doesn't cut it with Miller.

Merkin wrote:Miller was very upset at halftime up 21 with the defensive play, and let them know at halftime. The interviewer noted him yanking Johnson for his lack of defensive intensity.

Unfortunately his half time talk didn't help. He was also upset in his post game presser about lack of defense. They will be getting an earful today.

Yeah, he had that line about some kids only staying a year or two. Ouch. Pointed.

Arizona's Sean Miller worries about D with D'Angelo Russell looming
March 19, 2015 9:58 pm ET
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Arizona coach Sean Miller knows how it sounds. On an NCAA Tournament day when No. 3 seeds Iowa State and Baylor lost and Notre Dame barely won, finding fault in second-seeded Arizona's 93-72 victory over Texas Southern requires perspective.

But defense was a sore point for Miller, namely allowing 72 points and 47 percent shooting to the nation's 165th-most efficient offense, according to kenpom.com.

"I told the guys afterwards, I don't want to be Coach Gloom and Doom," Miller said. "I recognize we're in the tournament. I know we won. I know we won by a big margin. But we have high hopes and high aspirations. In this tournament, you don't get a second chance. I know a couple games were played simultaneous to ours. Those teams wish they had a do-over, but there isn't one. The best team doesn't always win, it's the team that's best on that night or that day."

This is the backdrop for Arizona as it tries to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2001. This is the narrative for Miller, who is the latest coach to be labeled The Best Coach To Never Make The Final Four.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... YHF7e3228e

4 points on 1/12 shooting.. lets hope that's a one time thing

How many of those were misses close to the bucket/failed putbacks/him being fouled

Confidence wasn't there...you could see it on that uncontested 10 footer in the lane with no one on him.

Hopefully, he will shake it off. He usually bounces back pretty strong.

Miller said that Johnson is the one player that makes a bad play then immediately forgets about it and makes a great one.

Today's game was the guards. Next game the wings.

Merkin wrote:Miller said that Johnson is the one player that makes a bad play then immediately forgets about it and makes a great one.

Today's game was the guards. Next game the wings.

He also said in the presser that he thinks Stanley will be more comfortable in his next game now that he has the first two under his belt.

Merkin wrote:Miller said that Johnson is the one player that makes a bad play then immediately forgets about it and makes a great one.

Today's game was the guards. Next game the wings.

I'm thinking Stanley will have a very good game next Thursday. He should be motivated enough and might try to do too much...but I hope he resists that urge.

Nice job Stanley.

I'm going to chalk up Young's girly slap and elbow of Zeus to heat of the moment/frustration with getting his ass kicked over and over by Arizona. Kid has a lot of heart and can play. If Oregon's second and third guys showed up yesterday, they had a really good shot at Wisky. He's going to have a career in the NBA

Johnson, as always, was not fazed by his offensive struggles. When asked about his performance, he said, matter-of-factly, "I feel good about it. We won the game. One for 12, (15)-point win, Sweet 16, I can live and be happy."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /25168419/

Dekker-Johnson match-up was killer. Stan scored two points total in both second halves in LA. Dekker was insane. Career game in a big game.

Nice season. Rough finish. Hope he does well in the League. Hope the eye is OK.

Waste of a game for Stanley. He was useless.
Second time this year he had a double dribble in a pressure situations.
Not as concerned about him not being here next year as RHJ or Ashley

Will be remembered as a Jerryd Bayless type of player.

Nice knowin ya

Enjoyed having him, and good luck in the NBA.

Starting to wonder if his draft stock is down vs. earlier this year.

azpenguin wrote:Starting to wonder if his draft stock is down vs. earlier this year.

He's always been showing around 5 and my feeling is that's low. Just in my opinion, but if I was the Lakers there's no chance I let hometown boy fall past their pick at 4.

Salty wrote:Will be remembered as a Jerryd Bayless type of player.

Nice knowin ya

Yup. I sure wish that he would stick around for one more year, but no way that happens.

Feel bad for Stanley. That was just some shitty luck.

Sad way to go out. Too bad there's no two-year rule. Oh well. Maybe our most talented player ever, and this will be the way many remember him...as the guy who disappeared on the biggest stage. Is that fair? No way. But it's the reality.

azpenguin wrote:Starting to wonder if his draft stock is down vs. earlier this year.

I really doubt it. He is still only 18.

UAdevil wrote:Sad way to go out. Too bad there's no two-year rule. Oh well. Maybe our most talented player ever, and this will be the way many remember him...as the guy who disappeared on the biggest stage. Is that fair? No way. But it's the reality.

Certainly won't be remembered as the go-to scorer so many expected him to be.

I still don't understand how he was called for a foul, when he got hit in the eye.

CalStateTempe wrote:I still don't understand how he was called for a foul, when he got hit in the eye.

You are not alone...

CalStateTempe wrote:I still don't understand how he was called for a foul, when he got hit in the eye.

Makes NO sense.

That eye was just too damn aggressive.

What was the foul? Over the back?

AZCatGirl wrote:

Well, could always try again next year

CalStateTempe wrote:What was the foul? Over the back?

He got hit in the face by two guys. That was the only contact.

Come on back Stanley..although you may have to play PF

Macho Grande wrote:

UAdevil wrote:Sad way to go out. Too bad there's no two-year rule. Oh well. Maybe our most talented player ever, and this will be the way many remember him...as the guy who disappeared on the biggest stage. Is that fair? No way. But it's the reality.

Certainly won't be remembered as the go-to scorer so many expected him to be.

I wonder if it was the system he played in?

az91 wrote:

Macho Grande wrote:

UAdevil wrote:Sad way to go out. Too bad there's no two-year rule. Oh well. Maybe our most talented player ever, and this will be the way many remember him...as the guy who disappeared on the biggest stage. Is that fair? No way. But it's the reality.

Certainly won't be remembered as the go-to scorer so many expected him to be.

I wonder if it was the system he played in?

I think the pack line is responsible for his double dribble late in the game (as well as his fouling out), and his tendencies to try and make a 1-on-4 Fastbreak and turn the ball over during the season. It has also prevented several highly talented players from fulfilling their potential and getting drafted into the NBA.

I really like Stanley and I wish him well; he was among the best freshmen we've ever had. Very smart, talented kid with a bright future. He will be the best NBA player our school has ever produced. So far.

But if you want to be forever loved, you either have to get to a Final 4 or stick around more than one year.

Seriously would he be the #1 pick next year?

That double dribble play was the last glimmer of hope we had. I really thought he was going to have an 18-8 type of game tonight. Stanleys career didn't end the way we thought it would, but he was a damn good player and will rep Arizona nicely at the next level. His draft stock is in no way affected, hes still going 3-5.

Macho Grande wrote:

UAdevil wrote:Sad way to go out. Too bad there's no two-year rule. Oh well. Maybe our most talented player ever, and this will be the way many remember him...as the guy who disappeared on the biggest stage. Is that fair? No way. But it's the reality.

Certainly won't be remembered as the go-to scorer so many expected him to be.

No, but:

http://tucson.com/sports/blogs/pascoe/u ... ?id=201408

He wound up Arizona’s leading scorer with an average of 13.8 points a game and was second in rebounding at 6.5. Johnson also led the Wildcats with 178 free throws taken over 38 games, and he hit them at a 74.2 percent rate.

Stan was a great Wildcat, and one of the best players in the country all year...as an 18 year old freshman. Sure his season didn't end the way he, or you, or his teammates and coaches wanted.

None of that means he wasn't a fantastic basketball player. He was as advertised, and was a great Wildcat.

Remember what you want, but don't diminish what he was cause he didn't win your team one more game than you wanted.

In their single seasons at AZ:

AG -- 12.4 PPG, 8 RPG, 2 APG, .9 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.4 TPG, .495 FG%, .422 FT%, .356 3FG%

SJ -- 14 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, .4 BPG, 2.1 TPG, .446 FG%, .739 FT%, .374 3FG%

I thought SJ was a great competitor this year, and he was a crucial part of this team. But now that his one and only season at AZ is in the books, I still feel like AG's total impact on our program and team was greater. I'm sure some will disagree.

Beachcat97 wrote:In their single seasons at AZ:

AG -- 12.4 PPG, 8 RPG, 2 APG, .9 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.4 TPG, .495 FG%, .422 FT%, .356 3FG%

SJ -- 14 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, .4 BPG, 2.1 TPG, .446 FG%, .739 FT%, .374 3FG%

I thought SJ was a great competitor this year, and he was a crucial part of this team. But now that his one and only season at AZ is in the books, I still feel like AG's total impact on our program and team was greater. I'm sure some will disagree.

How was it greater? The seasons ended the same way. Stanley's team won a conference tourney championship...

Stupid comments are stupid comments.

Let's cut the crap to what "impact" is:

AG has more highlight reel dunks and ally oops than Stanley. AG made SC Top 10 weekly.Therefore, AG had the bigger impact.

Third-team AA, becoming the 28th Wildcat to earn AA honors.


NABC All-America First Team

Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky

Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin

Jahlil Okafor, Duke

D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State


NABC All-America Second Team

Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia

Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky

Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa

Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga

Delon Wright, Utah

NABC All-America Third Team

Justin Anderson, Virginia

Buddy Hield, Oklahoma

Stanley Johnson, Arizona

Georges Niang, Iowa State

Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga


Both Duke guards are better than Pangos. McConnell is, too. And that guy who rained in all those threes? Not an All-American.

CalStateTempe wrote:I still don't understand how he was called for a foul, when he got hit in the eye.

Still havent found a replay of that. Anyone?

Wait, where is Joe Young?