let's talk '20

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Wed May 27, 2020 10:42 am

Anybody want to translate this?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAsyRWihyPH ... dgt4axf4zv" target="_blank

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Wed May 27, 2020 10:55 am

Thought this was funny

BeardownZonaZona · Post by **BeardownZonaZona** » Wed May 27, 2020 10:57 am

Via his Instagram post:
"Today I had to make the hardest decision of my life. After very long reading, I decided not to rush a professional career and I will defend the honor of @aplayersprogram for next season. I think this is the most appropriate solution for my future. Thank you (his euro team) where I took my first steps towards my dreams. Thank you for every coach for their hard work and not only in basketball, but also in life. Thank you to every teammate whom I enjoyed victory and learned from our losses. I especially thank (his euro team) whole organization for our time together. I will remember our victories not only there but in the eurocup tournament. I believe my national team career is not over yet and we will meet again in the future. Go wolves! P.S Arizona, I'm coming!
Something along those lines. Hard to translate English and Lithuanian. It's kinda an awkward translation

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Wed May 27, 2020 11:15 am

BeardownZonaZona wrote:Via his Instagram post:
"Today I had to make the hardest decision of my life. After very long reading, I decided not to rush a professional career and I will defend the honor of @aplayersprogram for next season. I think this is the most appropriate solution for my future. Thank you (his euro team) where I took my first steps towards my dreams. Thank you for every coach for their hard work and not only in basketball, but also in life. Thank you to every teammate whom I enjoyed victory and learned from our losses. I especially thank (his euro team) whole organization for our time together. I will remember our victories not only there but in the eurocup tournament. I believe my national team career is not over yet and we will meet again in the future. Go wolves! P.S Arizona, I'm coming!
Something along those lines. Hard to translate English and Lithuanian. It's kinda an awkward translation

Thanks my man.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Wed May 27, 2020 11:21 am

I really hope this part of the translation is accurate "I will defend the honor of @aplayersprogram for next season. "

That's awesome! We need guys wanting to defend our honor!!!!

BeardownZonaZona · Post by **BeardownZonaZona** » Wed May 27, 2020 11:35 am

Alieberman wrote:I really hope this part of the translation is accurate "I will defend the honor of @aplayersprogram for next season. "

That's awesome! We need guys wanting to defend our honor!!!!

Me too man. My buddy is a certificated translator and that's what he translated it as. He said it's very awkward of a translation because of the languages. I hope he defends our honor!

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Wed May 27, 2020 11:40 am

ChooChooCat wrote:Just in case there's any question, he starts day 1 at the 4 and is a one and done candidate.

Seriously?! Yowza!

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Wed May 27, 2020 11:43 am

zonagrad wrote:We have a lot of new faces and it could take some time to get some team chemistry. But damn, this is not an inexperienced team. Akinjo, Brown and our Euros give us some serious seasoned players. I hope everyone keeps sleeping on us, until we start making noise in December.

In a few months' time, this roster has gone from also-ran to contender. Amazing.

atlantakat · Post by **atlantakat** » Wed May 27, 2020 1:19 pm

Miller is a ragana.

goslingswagg · Post by **goslingswagg** » Wed May 27, 2020 1:28 pm

Miller is an absolute freak show on the recruiting grind...my god. Cautiously optimistic about next year's team - if the pieces fit well, think we have a chance to be really good.

97cats · Post by **97cats** » Wed May 27, 2020 1:55 pm

luv luv luv me some lefty big men...tough for young, inexperienced players to guard.

great get

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:07 pm

goslingswagg wrote:Miller is an absolute freak show on the recruiting grind...my god. Cautiously optimistic about next year's team - if the pieces fit well, think we have a chance to be really good.

We'll also be comfortably under the radar. Polls will be bearish on us after last year's outcome and the many unheralded new players.

Seems like this team could sneak up on people. Looking forward to it.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:15 pm

97cats wrote:luv luv luv me some lefty big men...tough for young, inexperienced players to guard.

great get

Love that these international guys have been practicing with and playing against men. Not with/against kids who are worried about what ESPN says their ranking is and which shoe company is going to sponsor their AAU team.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:16 pm

Jack Murphy deserves a ridiculous amount of credit here. David Miller as well.

RondaeShimmy · Post by **RondaeShimmy** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:25 pm

RondaeShimmy wrote:

Keep watching this. He moves like a smaller left handed KP. That first play is pure pornography.

If only he had his shooting. Oh well, he'd probably be a pro by now if he did.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:41 pm

Now let’s all pray there are no Covid-related travel restrictions and we can get all these Euros to Arizona.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:42 pm

Beachcat97 wrote:
goslingswagg wrote:Miller is an absolute freak show on the recruiting grind...my god. Cautiously optimistic about next year's team - if the pieces fit well, think we have a chance to be really good.
We'll also be comfortably under the radar. Polls will be bearish on us after last year's outcome and the many unheralded new players.

Seems like this team could sneak up on people. Looking forward to it.

The loser talk is back. Under the radar is complete BS

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:42 pm

Chicat wrote:Now let’s all pray there are no Covid-related travel restrictions and we can get all these Euros to Arizona.

Think Choo said somewhere upthread that this wasn't going to be a problem.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:44 pm

Beachcat97 wrote:
Chicat wrote:Now let’s all pray there are no Covid-related travel restrictions and we can get all these Euros to Arizona.
Think Choo said somewhere upthread that this wasn't going to be a problem.

I love Choo’s inside info but I don’t know that it extends to what governments may do during a global pandemic.

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:49 pm

Chicat wrote:
Beachcat97 wrote:
Chicat wrote:Now let’s all pray there are no Covid-related travel restrictions and we can get all these Euros to Arizona.
Think Choo said somewhere upthread that this wasn't going to be a problem.
I love Choo’s inside info but I don’t know that it extends to what governments may do during a global pandemic.

Yeah. Feels like things are looking more promising on that front, but who knows?

I'm also thinking about traveling during the season. Still a lot of things to figure out for hoops and football.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Wed May 27, 2020 3:22 pm

No Azuolas without Tautvilas? Safe to assume this was a package deal?

We gotta start coming up with some nicknames

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Wed May 27, 2020 3:26 pm

Chicat wrote:Now let’s all pray there are no Covid-related travel restrictions and we can get all these Euros to Arizona.

Honestly, I think you should pray for a season at all.

Catintheheat · Post by **Catintheheat** » Wed May 27, 2020 3:44 pm

Olsondogg wrote:
Chicat wrote:Now let’s all pray there are no Covid-related travel restrictions and we can get all these Euros to Arizona.
Honestly, I think you should pray for a season at all.

This. Right now it doesn't look good. Perhaps with no fans, at least at the start.

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Wed May 27, 2020 4:32 pm

The blue hairs will finally get their wish: no yelling ot other loud noises at games

That image showed them wearing #10 and #20. Hope they back it up.

I also hope all these guys speak basketball English.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed May 27, 2020 5:14 pm

There's no way I'm going to be able to pronounce all these names.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Wed May 27, 2020 6:50 pm

Chicat wrote:
Beachcat97 wrote:
Chicat wrote:Now let’s all pray there are no Covid-related travel restrictions and we can get all these Euros to Arizona.
Think Choo said somewhere upthread that this wasn't going to be a problem.
I love Choo’s inside info but I don’t know that it extends to what governments may do during a global pandemic.

Yeah far from my expertise. If things keep trending positively though I can't imagine they won't be here by fall semester.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Wed May 27, 2020 7:10 pm

Jefe wrote:No Azuolas without Tautvilas? Safe to assume this was a package deal?

We gotta start coming up with some nicknames

Package deal. When you're competing against pro teams you gotta get what edge you can.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Wed May 27, 2020 7:40 pm

Are we out of schollies? Does BWill still have one?

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Wed May 27, 2020 7:43 pm

Chicat wrote:Are we out of schollies? Does BWill still have one?

Yes and he's got a medical scholarship if he wants it. A playing one on the other hand...

97cats · Post by **97cats** » Wed May 27, 2020 8:33 pm

fun to look back a bit given the way things turned out.

then

97cats wrote:Miller is going to get next year and i expect Arizona to be competitive, perhaps even thrive...will it be enough?

ChooChooCat wrote: I doubt thrive, but I'd expect competitive.

goslingswagg wrote: I’d be really surprised if we thrived next year...just don’t see it barring a Ziaire/Banchero pick up level pick up.

SCCats wrote: Right now Jerry Palm doesn’t have us in the tournament next year.

Are we talking about “competing” for a tournament spot?

NickyBCats wrote:Choo. With this latest stuff with Walton, Juzang and Griffin going elsewhere, what’s our board looking like? Zaire, Haarms, Kriisa, Euro Big, Minlend? Any other guys out there that we would take?

ChooChooCat wrote:Nobody else that I'm aware of, but that can change at any time.

97cats wrote:i said "perhaps" and thats becasue we dont know the roster today. i do think Arizona will be competitive regardless - begs the question, is middle to upper middle of the road Pac 12 team whose fighting for a tournament spot good enough?

maybe if commits are loaded for the following year? maybe there is more rope?

Miller gets this year i do know that, and that in itself is interesting to say the least.

now

Alieberman wrote:Amazing class considering what many thought was going to happen.

ChooChooCat wrote: Yeah the fruits of this class may not come to fruition until the 2021-2022 season, but we went from a fringe tourney possibility to guaranteed making the tourney next season.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Wed May 27, 2020 8:37 pm

Combine this class with the hire of the jet and the tie in with the past and I think a Miller just hit a walk off. Go to the FF in the next two years and he hit a grand salami

goslingswagg · Post by **goslingswagg** » Wed May 27, 2020 9:10 pm

Interesting progression 97...feel like I fell for the classic trap of underestimating Miller on the recruiting trail. I have a significant amount of hope for next year, which is much more than I anticipated I would have when all of this was being discussed a month or two ago.

That being said, I still have to be in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode with Miller when it comes to on-court success. Compete for a PAC12 title, get to a Sweet 16, and I’ll be all in for the 2021-2022 season.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Wed May 27, 2020 9:13 pm

ChooChooCat wrote:Jack Murphy deserves a ridiculous amount of credit here. David Miller as well.

If Murphy being groomed to possibly take over at some point?

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Wed May 27, 2020 9:34 pm

Is Az taking Bwills’ scholie or was there still an open one?

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Wed May 27, 2020 9:44 pm

Postmaster wrote:Is Az taking Bwills’ scholie or was there still an open one?

BWill is gonna leave to make room.

YoDeFoe · Post by **YoDeFoe** » Wed May 27, 2020 10:09 pm

This program is so wildly unpredictable that the roller coaster should be expected by now.

If you wanted even money on a single starting position for the majority of the season, I wouldn't take it.

Wonder what Dalen Terry expected vs what his class is now. Top in the Pac and top-5-ish in the country? Wish granted.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Wed May 27, 2020 10:19 pm

Alieberman wrote:
ChooChooCat wrote:Jack Murphy deserves a ridiculous amount of credit here. David Miller as well.
If Murphy being groomed to possibly take over at some point?

Not that I'm aware of. He's more setting himself up for the Pasternack route i.e. getting a better smaller school job and going from there.

RondaeShimmy · Post by **RondaeShimmy** » Wed May 27, 2020 10:20 pm

YoDeFoe wrote: If you wanted even money on a single starting position for the majority of the season, I wouldn't take it.

Excluding injuries..

I'd take Akinjo, Azuolas, Jordan Brown, Mathurin as starters the whole season. In that order.

prh · Post by **prh** » Wed May 27, 2020 11:03 pm

Do we think Tautvilas will be a contributor down the road at least?

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Wed May 27, 2020 11:11 pm

Alieberman wrote:
ChooChooCat wrote:Jack Murphy deserves a ridiculous amount of credit here. David Miller as well.
If Murphy being groomed to possibly take over at some point?

He was 78 - 149 at NAU. He would definitely not win the press conference

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Thu May 28, 2020 8:37 am

AZCatGirl wrote:
Postmaster wrote:Is Az taking Bwills’ scholie or was there still an open one?
BWill is gonna leave to make room.

I realize how poorly I worded my question.
Is Azoulas taking Bwill’s scholarship and Tautvilas getting a different or do they need to make room for Tautvilas?

RondaeShimmy · Post by **RondaeShimmy** » Thu May 28, 2020 8:44 am

Postmaster wrote:
AZCatGirl wrote:
Postmaster wrote:Is Az taking Bwills’ scholie or was there still an open one?
BWill is gonna leave to make room.
I realize how poorly I worded my question.
Is Azoulas taking Bwill’s scholarship and Tautvilas getting a different or do they need to make room for Tautvilas?

Azuolas is taking an empty scholarship not filled. Tautvilas is likely getting Williams' that likely would've been unused (because he won't be able to play). But of course needed to bring in the more talented brother. Current scholarship count is at capacity.

1. Akinjo
2. Baker
3. Koloko
4. Lee
5. Brown
6. Brown
7. Terry
8. Mathurin
9. Kriisa
10. Batcho
11. Goerner
12. Tubelis
13. Tubelis

And Arizona only loses Lee and Brown this upcoming year. Most of these guys are multi-year guys so going to be interesting what Miller does IF he only has 2 to work with.

ChooChooCat · Post by **ChooChooCat** » Thu May 28, 2020 8:55 am

prh wrote:Do we think Tautvilas will be a contributor down the road at least?

Nope. Truthfully he probably goes whenever Azuolas decides to go pro.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Thu May 28, 2020 9:00 am

RondaeShimmy wrote: And Arizona only loses Lee and Brown this upcoming year. Most of these guys are multi-year guys so going to be interesting what Miller does IF he only has 2 to work with.

Have we ever not had a couple unexpected players leave early / transfer?

2 open will ultimately lead to at least 4 open...

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Thu May 28, 2020 9:05 am

Just have to be excited with what Miller has done. Grow this roster with experience next year and see a big number come back and then land a couple of 5 star guys to Load up For a huge run to the FF.

With this class and the Jet coming home, Miller has performed some real magic I think

RondaeShimmy · Post by **RondaeShimmy** » Thu May 28, 2020 9:17 am

Alieberman wrote:
RondaeShimmy wrote: And Arizona only loses Lee and Brown this upcoming year. Most of these guys are multi-year guys so going to be interesting what Miller does IF he only has 2 to work with.
Have we ever not had a couple unexpected players leave early / transfer?

2 open will ultimately lead to at least 4 open...

I know but I want to believe only 2-3 players will leave. I'm tired of the last minute put together patchwork teams. I want some continuity, and not just from the role players but the core of team. We have absolutely nothing to show from the Mannion/Green/Nnaji team other than Koloko.

If Kriisa, Akinjo, Brown, Koloko, Azuolas, one of Terry/Mathurin are here after this year then I'm good if like say Batcho or Baker transfer.

The core of team changing every single year has been terrible.

97cats · Post by **97cats** » Thu May 28, 2020 10:20 am

goslingswagg wrote:That being said, I still have to be in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode with Miller when it comes to on-court success.

moving forward, as an Arizona fan, until Miller can pierce the starfish, this is a totally understandable and reasonable space to reside in and further, probably sound thinking all-together, imnsho.

baycat93 · Post by **baycat93** » Thu May 28, 2020 11:40 am

ChooChooCat wrote:
Alieberman wrote:
ChooChooCat wrote:Jack Murphy deserves a ridiculous amount of credit here. David Miller as well.
If Murphy being groomed to possibly take over at some point?
Not that I'm aware of. He's more setting himself up for the Pasternack route i.e. getting a better smaller school job and going from there.

As is Terry

BeardownZonaZona · Post by **BeardownZonaZona** » Thu May 28, 2020 2:06 pm

Azoulas was rated the 56th best player in this class and is a 4 star. Tautvilas is ranked as a 2 star. This is via 247

gronk4heisman · Post by **gronk4heisman** » Thu May 28, 2020 2:11 pm

So a class of 4 guys in the 45 - 65 range, that is a good range to build long term. Hopefully we can retain and develop these guys along with Tibet and Batcho.

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