Bear Down Wildcats

In need of a general thread for the 2016-2017 season.

Probable 2016-2017 Roster

FRESHMAN:

Kobi Simmons (G): ★★★★★ • 6'5 -- McDonald's All American

Rawle Alkins (G): ★★★★★ • 6'4

Terrance Ferguson (G): ★★★★★ • 6'7 -- McDonald's All American

Lauri Markkanen (F): ★★★★★ • 6'11

SOPHOMORES:

Allonzo Trier (G): ★★★★★ • 6'4 -- McDonald's All American

Ray Smith (F): ★★★★★ • 6'8

Chance Commanche (C): ★★★★✩ • 6'10

JUNIORS:

Parker "Parker Jackson-Cartwright" Jackson-Cartwright (G): ★★★★✩ • """5'11"""

Dusan Ristic (C): ★★★★✩ • 7'0

SENIORS:

Kadeem Allen (G): ★★★★✩ [JUCO/POY] • 6'3

Final Four is in Phoenix! But why go to Glendale when you can watch it at the Arcadia Tavern.

We're probably a top 10-12 w/o Ferguson, with Ferguson 8-10. Jackson puts up in the same tier of Duke & Kentucky. EE caliber team with FF a possibility depending on matchups and seeding.

#1 in my heart

Excited to see how this team gels. My hope is that these guys who see themselves in the NBA next year note that a highlight reel pass is sometimes better for their reputations than a heat check 3-ball that goes in during the rout of some lowly opponent.

I'm excited for next year already.

However, I'm excited every year.

A year of promise, large uncertainty/a million questions AND high expectations. Honestly, when was the last time we had all three? 2013-2014, but even with TJ, Rondae and Gordon being new faces, the uncertainty doesn't come close to this coming year's team. Before that, how far do you go back?

the offseason is such a drag. first official day, and i'm already over it. how many days 'til the red-blue game?

dirtbags wrote:the offseason is such a drag. first official day, and i'm already over it. how many days 'til the red-blue game?

Assuming that is on a Sunday in the middle of October as it has been for the last couple of years (this year that would be Oct. 15), then only 193 days from today.

WildcatLouis wrote:

dirtbags wrote:the offseason is such a drag. first official day, and i'm already over it. how many days 'til the red-blue game?

Assuming that is on a Sunday in the middle of October as it has been for the last couple of years (this year that would be Oct. 15), then only 193 days from today.

Is Michael Jackson's doctor still practicing medicine? I'd like to be put into a propofol coma for the majority of the offseason.

WildcatLouis wrote:

dirtbags wrote:the offseason is such a drag. first official day, and i'm already over it. how many days 'til the red-blue game?

Assuming that is on a Sunday in the middle of October as it has been for the last couple of years (this year that would be Oct. 15), then only 193 days from today.

Always on Saturdays

Is Ray Smith technically considered a freshman?

rgdeuce wrote:A year of promise, large uncertainty/a million questions AND high expectations. Honestly, when was the last time we had all three? 2013-2014, but even with TJ, Rondae and Gordon being new faces, the uncertainty doesn't come close to this coming year's team. Before that, how far do you go back?

I can think of worse places to be. We have a decent old/new face ratio, IMO. That sort of combination has paid off recently for teams like UK and Duke.

I have difficulty not seeing us being an elite offensive team. We have a lot of firepower and very few weak spots. Even in dominant years like 13-14 and 14-15, we didn't have that number of guys who can put up numbers.

What I want to see is D. We don't return any stoppers. We get guys who have potential, but freshmen don't wind up being AG or RHJ too often. If we can be a good defensive team, our offense has sky high potential.

A short list of questions:
1. Who's our pg?
2. Are Dusan, LM and Chance enough down low?
3. Is Ray back in full?
4. Who emerges to set the direction of the team?

billk78 wrote:Is Ray Smith technically considered a freshman?

If he applies for and receives a medical redshirt, then yes. Not sure if they're planning on doing that though, and I don't think they have to decide until he wants that year of eligibility back.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:A short list of questions:
1. Who's our pg?
2. Are Dusan, LM and Chance enough down low?
3. Is Ray back in full?
4. Who emerges to set the direction of the team?

1. I'm guessing it's an open competition between PJC and Simmons, and if PJC wins it, we're in trouble. Some people think Allen will be moved back to SG exclusively, but I think it will only take PJC getting run over so many times on defense for Allen to be back in the mix.

2. Against most teams, yes. Can Chance and LM be effective weak-side shot blockers? If so, then I'm more than happy with their ability to clean up around the basket and with Dusan on the block from time to time to keep teams honest.

3. I would bet yes.

4. Coach Sean Miller. On the court? Allonzo Trier.

ASUHATER! wrote:

WildcatLouis wrote:

dirtbags wrote:the offseason is such a drag. first official day, and i'm already over it. how many days 'til the red-blue game?

Assuming that is on a Sunday in the middle of October as it has been for the last couple of years (this year that would be Oct. 15), then only 193 days from today.

Always on Saturdays

I will be surprised when you actually get something correct one day.

In the last ten years four times it was not on a Saturday

2012-sun
2010-sun
2009-sun
2007-tue

I think the NCAA also changed the hard and fast rule of the 15th to include like 30 days prior to first game so it is now more of a variable date I believe

Chicat wrote:

billk78 wrote:Is Ray Smith technically considered a freshman?

If he applies for and receives a medical redshirt, then yes. Not sure if they're planning on doing that though, and I don't think they have to decide until he wants that year of eligibility back.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:A short list of questions:
1. Who's our pg?
2. Are Dusan, LM and Chance enough down low?
3. Is Ray back in full?
4. Who emerges to set the direction of the team?

1. I'm guessing it's an open competition between PJC and Simmons, and if PJC wins it, we're in trouble. Some people think Allen will be moved back to SG exclusively, but I think it will only take PJC getting run over so many times on defense for Allen to be back in the mix.

2. Against most teams, yes. Can Chance and LM be effective weak-side shot blockers? If so, then I'm more than happy with their ability to clean up around the basket and with Dusan on the block from time to time to keep teams honest.

3. I would bet yes.

4. Coach Sean Miller. On the court? Allonzo Trier.

1. I think PJC will be 3rd off the bench at PG. You just can't overcome physical deficiencies. And seriously, 5'11"? Not in his biggest best 'fro day in high school. Has to be KS then KA.

2. Don't expect much from Ristic, same physical deficiencies, his being lateral speed. Hopefully he will get his shot back, and that will make up for him being unable to rotate.
Expect a lot from Chance. Too bad we didn't see more of him earlier in the season. Besides a few freshmen mistakes, he looked pretty good with a high ceiling. Have to wait and see on LM, a lot different game in Europe as Ristic has proven.

3. From what I was just reading, Smith is back and full speed, and the best practice player.

4. Agree 100% on CSM and 'Zo.

Early -- too early -- projections think highly of the Cats.

http://arizonasports.com/story/619659/a ... -rankings/" target="_blank

billk78 wrote:Is Ray Smith technically considered a freshman?

I thought Ray Smith died awhile back.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/a ... h-obituary

Puerco wrote:

billk78 wrote:Is Ray Smith technically considered a freshman?

I thought Ray Smith died awhile back.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/a ... h-obituary

'Hater called it.

Smith is an academic sophomore, redshirt freshman athlete.

I am having a hard time seeing why we would be ranked behind uCla. I am a homer, true, but that makes no sense.

Olsondogg wrote:I am having a hard time seeing why we would be ranked behind uCla. I am a homer, true, but that makes no sense.

As long as Alford is the coach and his son is getting the most playing time, I agree 100%.

If we don't get JJ or Ferguson then I can see Oregon ranked ahead of us but that's it

Athleticism is back, and I couldn't be more excited about it. Let's get to Phoenix

Main Event wrote:Athleticism is back, and I couldn't be more excited about it. Let's get to Phoenix

I like this thought. Especially considering I entered the lottery for tix to the Final 4....

Just don't get in the same bracket as Duke.

Olsondogg wrote:I am having a hard time seeing why we would be ranked behind uCla. I am a homer, true, but that makes no sense.

Who did that? Would like to read it.

gumby wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:I am having a hard time seeing why we would be ranked behind uCla. I am a homer, true, but that makes no sense.

Who did that? Would like to read it.

Rothstein, and SI, I believe...

Derp.

Olsondogg wrote:I am having a hard time seeing why we would be ranked behind uCla. I am a homer, true, but that makes no sense.

They're looking at:

Ball
Hamilton
Bolden
Leaf
Welsh

Bench: Bryce (I don't think Steve can rationalize starting him next season), Holiday, Ali, Golomon, Anigbogu

Are we better?

If we get Ferguson? Absolutely we are.

ASUHATER! wrote:If we get Ferguson? Absolutely we are.

Certainly in our backcourt. I'm not sure there's a backcourt in America better than ours if we get TF.

Frontcourt, though? We'll have to see how quickly Chance adapts to his larger role and how quickly Lauri can impact the game.

Beachcat97 wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:I am having a hard time seeing why we would be ranked behind uCla. I am a homer, true, but that makes no sense.

They're looking at:

Ball
Hamilton
Bolden
Leaf
Welsh

Bench: Bryce (I don't think Steve can rationalize starting him next season), Holiday, Ali, Golomon, Anigbogu

Are we better?

We have a decisive talent advantage at coach.

Beachcat97 wrote:

ASUHATER! wrote:If we get Ferguson? Absolutely we are.

Certainly in our backcourt. I'm not sure there's a backcourt in America better than ours if we get TF.

Frontcourt, though? We'll have to see how quickly Chance adapts to his larger role and how quickly Lauri can impact the game.

Sure, but same goes for Leaf.

gumby wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:

ASUHATER! wrote:If we get Ferguson? Absolutely we are.

Certainly in our backcourt. I'm not sure there's a backcourt in America better than ours if we get TF.

Frontcourt, though? We'll have to see how quickly Chance adapts to his larger role and how quickly Lauri can impact the game.

Sure, but same goes for Leaf.

Leaf vs. LM will be interesting, almost as interesting as Steve finally realizing Bryce shouldn't start.

ray will squash leaf .

dirtbags wrote:ray will squash leaf .

He'll leave him shaking like a...Leaf.

First, I was gonna use the leafblower for a pun, then I realized those puns only go in bad directions.

What probably will happen:

Kobi Simmons // Allen - PJC
Allonzo Trier // Rawle Alkins - Ferguson -Allen
Ray Smith // Terrance Ferguson
Lauri Markkanen // Ray Smith
Dusan Ristic // Chance Commanche

Talented and follows the more prototypical and traditional positions. Half court team. Allen might start at the point to early in the season. Talented two deep at the wings.

What i selfishly want:

Kobi Simmons // Allen --- PJC
Allonzo Trier // Rawle Alkins - Ferguson - Allen
Terrance Ferguson // Smith - Alkins
Ray Smith // Lauri Markkanen
Dusan Ristic // Chance Commanche

Really athletic starting 5 that can run everyone out of the building and defend, probably could use heavy pressure defense or press to create easier offense. Ferguson gives much needed shooting and spacing. We'll need Smith as a stretch 4, and will be able to guard the more athletic 4s better than Lauri.

Regardless we'll be 100x more athletic and have the ability to defend the way Miller wants. We should be able to score easier as well. Good defense will lead to better offense, and vice versa. We still only have 3 true bigs, which could be a problem.

Probably ranked top 8 now to begin the season. Compete with Oregon for the PAC.

Ready for Red and Blue

The only possible need left is a big to make us four deep in the post. On the perimeter, we are really, really deep.

The kid from UNLV via Oregon should do nicely.

You know who is probably most happy about Simmons, Alkins, Ferguson, Smith, and Lauri?

Allonzo Trier

He now has a point guard who is a distributor and a threat to score from the outside, a SG/SF who presents a threat to put the ball on the floor and can drive and kick when defenses collapse, a legit three point assassin who will keep defenses from packing in the paint, a SF/PF who will allow us to run pick & roll/pick & pop/pick & swing and open up an entire half of the court, and a stretch 4 who will spread the floor.

Trier will have a whole lot more room to operate next year. Look out...

Spaceman Spiff wrote:The only possible need left is a big to make us four deep in the post. On the perimeter, we are really, really deep.

We already are. I'll take a practice body though.

I'm as excited for this season as I was after the signed classes of '12 (Bash, Tarc, Grant) and '13 (AG, RHJ). The tapes on the three better-covered US players TF, RA, and KS ooze athleticism, toughness, personality. We have 5-stars, and 5-stars want to gamble more on defense to get out in transition and make plays where they shine, not be stuck in a half-court GRIND game all the time.

Question is can CSM ADAPT his approach to suit players like TF and focus on Offense a bit more? Or are we going to be trying the square peg in round hole approach that worked so well with say Gordon and RHJ who lets face it were "challenged" in the half court offense here at AZ. Will AZ be another GRIND team like 13-14 that struggles to score in the half court, has slow start after slow start, rarely gets transition buckets being firmly locked into a single flavor of super-duper-intense man defense?

Time will tell
Note on the 2016 FF: One team made this year's FF playing exclusively the Z-word defense, that's right, not a single shred of pack line or even just straight man2man! Not sure if Syracuse was given an asterisk in the NCAA record books for making the FF while playing a defense that isn't as "tough" and "intense" as man-2-man.

RiseAndFire wrote:I'm as BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH "tough" and "intense" as man-2-man.

You REALLY need to give it a rest.

RiseAndFire wrote:Question is can CSM ADAPT his approach to suit players like TF and focus on Offense a bit more? Or are we going to be trying the square peg in round hole approach that worked so well with say Gordon and RHJ who lets face it were "challenged" in the half court offense here at AZ. Will AZ be another GRIND team like 13-14 that struggles to score in the half court, has slow start after slow start, rarely gets transition buckets being firmly locked into a single flavor of super-duper-intense man defense?

GRINDing like having the 21st highest scoring team in the country? Focusing more than being the 20th most efficient offense in the country? All this is an obviously down year?

Your eye test results fail, R&F. Sean Miller has always had excellent offenses. If you want to see a 40 minutes of hell game, or a Paul Westhead game, then you're going to need to find another team to watch as long as Sean Miller is UA's coach.

Puerco wrote:

RiseAndFire wrote:Question is can CSM ADAPT his approach to suit players like TF and focus on Offense a bit more? Or are we going to be trying the square peg in round hole approach that worked so well with say Gordon and RHJ who lets face it were "challenged" in the half court offense here at AZ. Will AZ be another GRIND team like 13-14 that struggles to score in the half court, has slow start after slow start, rarely gets transition buckets being firmly locked into a single flavor of super-duper-intense man defense?

GRINDing like having the 21st highest scoring team in the country? Focusing more than being the 20th most efficient offense in the country? All this is an obviously down year?

Your eye test results fail, R&F. Sean Miller has always had excellent offenses. If you want to see a 40 minutes of hell game, or a Paul Westhead game, then you're going to need to find another team to watch as long as Sean Miller is UA's coach.

If we're not careful, we might end up like the 13-14 team and grind our way to being undefeated, #1 in the country and on a path for a national championship when Brandon Ashley breaks his foot.

That's why I just laugh at R+F. His example of how bad it could get is the best season our program has had in the last 15 years (possibly longer).

What's so crazy is that RS is effectively a member of the '16 freshman class, so we've actually got five 5-stars added to the roster for next season. It's Caliparian.

Beachcat97 wrote:What's so crazy is that RS is effectively a member of the '16 freshman class, so we've actually got five 5-stars added to the roster for next season. It's Caliparian.

If Im Miller Im trying to figure out how to put Kobi, Trier, TF, Rawle, and Lauri/MysteryBig on the court for the lions share of the minutes. But I know that won't happen because someone would likely always be exposed and abused on defense (since you cant "hide" anybody in pack-line D).

Puerco wrote: GRINDing like having the 21st highest scoring team in the country? Focusing more than being the 20th most efficient offense in the country? All this is an obviously down year?

Your eye test results fail, R&F. Sean Miller has always had excellent offenses. If you want to see a 40 minutes of hell game, or a Paul Westhead game, then you're going to need to find another team to watch as long as Sean Miller is UA's coach.

Cool stats, unfortunately that was 21st ranked with a SOS a very weak 70 and a NonCon SOS of 210 ... tough sledding there.

I'll go with my eye test TYVM, and the lasting optic of this supposedly good offense facing Wichita St a team with tallest starter of 6'7"