The 2021-2022 Season Thread

[Merkin]

Once Robbins cancelled the post season, I thought Miller should have let Tibet, Batcho and the walkons get some court time.
I know that’s not the way Miller does things but it’s not as if there was a real downside at that point.

Especially since there was no need to redshirt the past season.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Once Robbins cancelled the post season, I thought Miller should have let Tibet, Batcho and the walkons get some court time.
I know that’s not the way Miller does things but it’s not as if there was a real downside at that point.

Miller might have thought he still had a job and needed to win to maintain it.

I also sort of disagree bc I worry you lose the team doing that. You always coach habits, and if you don't show your team you're trying to win 100%, those bad habits creep in.

Also, I've always thought rule 1 has to be you earn PT, it's not given.

[ChooChooCat]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

[gronk4heisman]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

Hoping to add 3 guys soon? Damn.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

You mean beyond him potentially never working his way into the rotation?

[BeardownZonaZona]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

Am I hearing a possible transfer coming? Or could it be the kid who just decommitted from UNLV, both those options would be very exciting

[Jefe]

Skies the limit for Jordan Brown under Tommy? He should be a top 3 big in D1

[YoDeFoe]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

Am I hearing a possible transfer coming? Or could it be the kid who just decommitted from UNLV, both those options would be very exciting

If Tommy pulls in Arthur Kaluma I'll fucking flip - that kid can flat out play and only looks to be getting better.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

Am I hearing a possible transfer coming? Or could it be the kid who just decommitted from UNLV, both those options would be very exciting

If Tommy pulls in Arthur Kaluma I'll fucking flip - that kid can flat out play and only looks to be getting better.

He does go to school right up the road and he Lloyd knows some guys with connections to said school

[Beachcat97]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

Am I hearing a possible transfer coming? Or could it be the kid who just decommitted from UNLV, both those options would be very exciting

If Tommy pulls in Arthur Kaluma I'll fucking flip - that kid can flat out play and only looks to be getting better.

You just throwing that out, or are we actually recruiting him?

[NickyBCats]

Kaluma has big upside if offensive game catches up to defense and motor. Kid is a stud athlete.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Dude we need another Rondae!!

[TheCat]

They still have one open scholie even if Tyty commits? Unless they fill it, they should give it to Reeves for just the next season. Pastner did the same thing, as with other walk ons who were given scholies for just a year.

I think if we end up with any open scholarships we should declare we self imposed a reduction so we can get credit for that. I like given them to walk-ons but in this case might be good to just not fill it.

[ChooChooCat]

You guys are fun.

[YoDeFoe]

You guys are fun.

We’ve regained hope - anything is possible now

[SCCats]

You guys are fun.

We’ve regained hope - anything is possible now

It feels good to have hope again!!

[Postmaster]

Once Robbins cancelled the post season, I thought Miller should have let Tibet, Batcho and the walkons get some court time.
I know that’s not the way Miller does things but it’s not as if there was a real downside at that point.

Miller might have thought he still had a job and needed to win to maintain it.

I also sort of disagree bc I worry you lose the team doing that. You always coach habits, and if you don't show your team you're trying to win 100%, those bad habits creep in.

Also, I've always thought rule 1 has to be you earn PT, it's not given.

I’m not saying these guys should have gotten 20 minutes a game.
But I think they work hard in practice and should get a little PT.
Also, it gets guys a little game experience for the future, guys who you thought would be part of future.

[Catintheheat]

Once Robbins cancelled the post season, I thought Miller should have let Tibet, Batcho and the walkons get some court time.
I know that’s not the way Miller does things but it’s not as if there was a real downside at that point.

Miller might have thought he still had a job and needed to win to maintain it.

I also sort of disagree bc I worry you lose the team doing that. You always coach habits, and if you don't show your team you're trying to win 100%, those bad habits creep in.

Also, I've always thought rule 1 has to be you earn PT, it's not given.

I disagree with this take also. If I was coach and my team had the game in hand, I am going to play the players who rarely see the floor. I would not want to play for a coach who didn't care for the whole team. To the team members who rarely play, being able to play in a game is special and moments to be remembered. I would never take that away from them.

[EastCoastCat]

This is big time P5 college basketball. Not tiddlywinks.

End of the bench players know their roles, which is to contribute in practice to prepare the rotation players for each game. They have also been told they will rarely see action unless there is a blowout or injury.

These guys know what they’ve signed up for. The coaches job is to win games. Period.

[Longhorned]

On the final possession when the game's on the line, a coach should empty his bench and allow for a new hero.

Don't disagree. Don't be the guy who we all have to point to and say, "He towel-snapped Rudy. Yeah, him. The one wearing a towel with the crazy look in his eyes." Look at yourself in the mirror. That's you.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Once Robbins cancelled the post season, I thought Miller should have let Tibet, Batcho and the walkons get some court time.
I know that’s not the way Miller does things but it’s not as if there was a real downside at that point.

Miller might have thought he still had a job and needed to win to maintain it.

I also sort of disagree bc I worry you lose the team doing that. You always coach habits, and if you don't show your team you're trying to win 100%, those bad habits creep in.

Also, I've always thought rule 1 has to be you earn PT, it's not given.

I disagree with this take also. If I was coach and my team had the game in hand, I am going to play the players who rarely see the floor. I would not want to play for a coach who didn't care for the whole team. To the team members who rarely play, being able to play in a game is special and moments to be remembered. I would never take that away from them.

He didn't say end of game. I don't have an issue with playing backups in garbage time.

He was saying when we got the tourney ban, backups and walkons should have been in the regular rotation to some extent. I disagree with that in that it tells the team you're not playing to win as you normally do.

I also think Miller probably knew he was on the hot seat and was trying to win.

[Merkin]

I also think Miller probably knew he was on the hot seat and was trying to win.

That makes the most sense. Play well, get into the tourney, make a long run, and makes it that much harder to get fired.

Then the UA president got involved.

[Spaceman Spiff]

On the final possession when the game's on the line, a coach should empty his bench and allow for a new hero.

Don't disagree. Don't be the guy who we all have to point to and say, "He towel-snapped Rudy. Yeah, him. The one wearing a towel with the crazy look in his eyes." Look at yourself in the mirror. That's you.

This describes my basketball career quite well.

[RondaeShimmy]

Btw the Gorener transfer will make more sense here soon enough.

Am I hearing a possible transfer coming? Or could it be the kid who just decommitted from UNLV, both those options would be very exciting

If Tommy pulls in Arthur Kaluma I'll fucking flip - that kid can flat out play and only looks to be getting better.

You just throwing that out, or are we actually recruiting him?

Recently got his release from UNLV and Arizona is recruiting him.

Probably could mean Koloko or Brown leaves

[Postmaster]

I said I’d like to see some court time. I wasn’t saying they should get starter minutes.

[Postmaster]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

[Longhorned]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Why would he start being reasonable now?

As far as ESPN goes generally, I'd guess they saw how they got away with broadsiding a program without factual basis, and they'll do it again. Not necessarily to Arizona, but Arizona should get capable leadership in place and be ready.

[midnightx]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Vitale allegedly had a one-sided vendetta against Miller. As others have pointed out over the years, once Miller arrived at Arizona and started encroaching on recruiting territory once dominated by Duke, Kansas, Carolina and Kentucky -- and doing it with allegedly less than reputable means, he started alienating some of the power players associated with big NCAA basketball programs and the media. It also didn't help that he blitzed Duke twice on the national stage early in his career with Arizona, solidifying his national stature. Whether all of this is pure conjecture and speculation, or if there is some truth to it, the issue seemed to be more against Miller than Arizona. One suspects Vitale will ease up on Arizona now that a Gonzaga associated coach is at the helm. Arizona has been a big national brand for 35 years, with a history of recruiting major players. If Lloyd continues the trend of making Arizona a premier destination for talent, it shouldn't be a negative story.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Why would he start being reasonable now?

As far as ESPN goes generally, I'd guess they saw how they got away with broadsiding a program without factual basis, and they'll do it again. Not necessarily to Arizona, but Arizona should get capable leadership in place and be ready.

I'm not so sure. I think half this was lining up behind the Schlabach report. Robbins gave ESPN the ability to claim victory on that by firing Miller. They could use the implication he was dirty, camouflage the report shortcomings and move on.

I'm not sure ESPN or Vitale really wants to resurrect the story at this point. They got their W when Miller was fired.

[EastCoastCat]

I said I’d like to see some court time. I wasn’t saying they should get starter minutes.

Up by 20 with less than 2 minutes - yes
Any other time - no.

A 3-4 minute bad stretch at any point with scrubs playing during a non-blowout game could cost you. No HC in their right mind would do that.

[Longhorned]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Why would he start being reasonable now?

As far as ESPN goes generally, I'd guess they saw how they got away with broadsiding a program without factual basis, and they'll do it again. Not necessarily to Arizona, but Arizona should get capable leadership in place and be ready.

I'm not so sure. I think half this was lining up behind the Schlabach report. Robbins gave ESPN the ability to claim victory on that by firing Miller. They could use the implication he was dirty, camouflage the report shortcomings and move on.

I'm not sure ESPN or Vitale really wants to resurrect the story at this point. They got their W when Miller was fired.

Yeah but that's power affirmed for when they see it in their interests to take out a different upstart "non-ESPN" coach/program. They aren't a media outlet. They're a full cable TV network and entertainment conglomerate without any real competing network who can pretend to break news in order to drive viewership at the expense of organizations they aren't invested in. It's hard to see how they'd expect anything other than a repeat of their on-air personalities lining up to defend a story that had no evidence.

[Merkin]

I said I’d like to see some court time. I wasn’t saying they should get starter minutes.

Up by 20 with less than 2 minutes - yes
Any other time - no.

A 3-4 minute bad stretch at any point with scrubs playing during a non-blowout game could cost you. No HC in their right mind would do that.

I recall one time, forgot the game, when Lute put the scrubs in with 2 minutes left and up by around 20. The scrubs did so poorly Lute said he almost put the starters back in.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I said I’d like to see some court time. I wasn’t saying they should get starter minutes.

Up by 20 with less than 2 minutes - yes
Any other time - no.

A 3-4 minute bad stretch at any point with scrubs playing during a non-blowout game could cost you. No HC in their right mind would do that.

Yeah, if you do this, it sends a message you are treating this like one of those summer trips to play abroad. Everyone gets minutes then because wins and losses don't matter.

Tell me a team doesn't lose their intensity and edge immediately when they're tourney banned and the coach is sending signals that the outcome doesn't matter. Program building is about consistency in culture and you can't get there without consistent intensity and edge.

[zonagrad]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Vitale allegedly had a one-sided vendetta against Miller. As others have pointed out over the years, once Miller arrived at Arizona and started encroaching on recruiting territory once dominated by Duke, Kansas, Carolina and Kentucky -- and doing it with allegedly less than reputable means, he started alienating some of the power players associated with big NCAA basketball programs and the media. It also didn't help that he blitzed Duke twice on the national stage early in his career with Arizona, solidifying his national stature. Whether all of this is pure conjecture and speculation, or if there is some truth to it, the issue seemed to be more against Miller than Arizona. One suspects Vitale will ease up on Arizona now that a Gonzaga associated coach is at the helm. Arizona has been a big national brand for 35 years, with a history of recruiting major players. If Lloyd continues the trend of making Arizona a premier destination for talent, it shouldn't be a negative story.

I hope Lute's ghost haunts Vitale's home nightly and generally fucks with his sleep habits.

[zonagrad]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Why would he start being reasonable now?

As far as ESPN goes generally, I'd guess they saw how they got away with broadsiding a program without factual basis, and they'll do it again. Not necessarily to Arizona, but Arizona should get capable leadership in place and be ready.

I'm not so sure. I think half this was lining up behind the Schlabach report. Robbins gave ESPN the ability to claim victory on that by firing Miller. They could use the implication he was dirty, camouflage the report shortcomings and move on.

I'm not sure ESPN or Vitale really wants to resurrect the story at this point. They got their W when Miller was fired.

Neither Schlabach, Vitale or anyone else has specifically defended the original reporting. They know it was a lie. And they know they can make vague assertions about Miller (cloud over the program, NCAA investigation, etc...). And yes, they probably feel vindicated now that Miller is fired.

But Arizona fans have looong memories. Vitale may think the whole thing will be forgotten once Lloyd is in place and I'm sure he'll be singing his praises and cheerleading Arizona. That's what Vitale does. But good luck having him broadcast a game at McKale -- Arizona fans won't forget.

[ekat]

I said I’d like to see some court time. I wasn’t saying they should get starter minutes.

Up by 20 with less than 2 minutes - yes
Any other time - no.

A 3-4 minute bad stretch at any point with scrubs playing during a non-blowout game could cost you. No HC in their right mind would do that.

I recall one time, forgot the game, when Lute put the scrubs in with 2 minutes left and up by around 20. The scrubs did so poorly Lute said he almost put the starters back in.

Aida did that a couple times this year - watched the bench start to give up a big lead and threw the starters back in for the last minute.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Why would he start being reasonable now?

As far as ESPN goes generally, I'd guess they saw how they got away with broadsiding a program without factual basis, and they'll do it again. Not necessarily to Arizona, but Arizona should get capable leadership in place and be ready.

I'm not so sure. I think half this was lining up behind the Schlabach report. Robbins gave ESPN the ability to claim victory on that by firing Miller. They could use the implication he was dirty, camouflage the report shortcomings and move on.

I'm not sure ESPN or Vitale really wants to resurrect the story at this point. They got their W when Miller was fired.

Neither Schlabach, Vitale or anyone else has specifically defended the original reporting. They know it was a lie. And they know they can make vague assertions about Miller (cloud over the program, NCAA investigation, etc...). And yes, they probably feel vindicated now that Miller is fired.

But Arizona fans have looong memories. Vitale may think the whole thing will be forgotten once Lloyd is in place and I'm sure he'll be singing his praises and cheerleading Arizona. That's what Vitale does. But good luck having him broadcast a game at McKale -- Arizona fans won't forget.

That's what I think their strategy is. Don't specifically defend or relitigate the original article. Instead, push articles about Miller's firing under the "cloud of suspicion." Rely on casual fans not to dig deeper and assume the initial story was true.

I doubt they'll go after Lloyd because it doesn't serve their interests to resurrect this. I think most plugged in Arizona fans know what's up, but you still see plenty of casual AZ fans on FB taking the ESPN article like gospel.

[splitsecond]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Vitale allegedly had a one-sided vendetta against Miller. As others have pointed out over the years, once Miller arrived at Arizona and started encroaching on recruiting territory once dominated by Duke, Kansas, Carolina and Kentucky -- and doing it with allegedly less than reputable means, he started alienating some of the power players associated with big NCAA basketball programs and the media. It also didn't help that he blitzed Duke twice on the national stage early in his career with Arizona, solidifying his national stature. Whether all of this is pure conjecture and speculation, or if there is some truth to it, the issue seemed to be more against Miller than Arizona. One suspects Vitale will ease up on Arizona now that a Gonzaga associated coach is at the helm. Arizona has been a big national brand for 35 years, with a history of recruiting major players. If Lloyd continues the trend of making Arizona a premier destination for talent, it shouldn't be a negative story.

Getting cross-device banned from Twitter for berating Vitale during one of his looney anti-Miller rants was the last time I enjoyed social media.

[midnightx]

Is vitale going to keep saying AZ is dirty if Tommy pulls in all these guys?

Why would he start being reasonable now?

As far as ESPN goes generally, I'd guess they saw how they got away with broadsiding a program without factual basis, and they'll do it again. Not necessarily to Arizona, but Arizona should get capable leadership in place and be ready.

I'm not so sure. I think half this was lining up behind the Schlabach report. Robbins gave ESPN the ability to claim victory on that by firing Miller. They could use the implication he was dirty, camouflage the report shortcomings and move on.

I'm not sure ESPN or Vitale really wants to resurrect the story at this point. They got their W when Miller was fired.

Neither Schlabach, Vitale or anyone else has specifically defended the original reporting. They know it was a lie. And they know they can make vague assertions about Miller (cloud over the program, NCAA investigation, etc...). And yes, they probably feel vindicated now that Miller is fired.

But Arizona fans have looong memories. Vitale may think the whole thing will be forgotten once Lloyd is in place and I'm sure he'll be singing his praises and cheerleading Arizona. That's what Vitale does. But good luck having him broadcast a game at McKale -- Arizona fans won't forget.

I will be shocked if Vitale ever steps foot in McKale again.

[Chicat]

Fuck DukieV. That halfblind fuck better not ever step into McKale.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I feel like the solution is obvious.

ESPN needs to program a Dickie V hologram with AI to spout his catchphrases, let the hologram on air and put the flesh and blood Dickie V out to pasture.

I don't need a live human to tell me that when UNC goes on an 12-0 run, Mike Kryzyzewski might need a TO baby. Honestly, I feel like I can figure that out without assistance.

[Beachcat97]

Dickie V has always been a glorified cheerleader, right? Everyone knows 99% of what he says is superficial nonsense, and his "columns" on the website are basically plagiarized summaries of whatever he read that morning.

But somewhere along the way, going back a LOT of years, he became a fixture in college hoops culture because he's goofy and animated.

I'd like to see Bill Walton replace him in all his various roles.

[Longhorned]

He talks about his bald dome, but as you see below from 50 years ago, his dome wasn't always completely bald:

[KaibabKat]

Duckie V's problem with Arizona started before Miller and before Olson. It dates to when he was coach at Detroit and Fred Snowden took the Wildcats back there to play them. Lots of bad blood ever since.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Dickie V has always been a glorified cheerleader, right? Everyone knows 99% of what he says is superficial nonsense, and his "columns" on the website are basically plagiarized summaries of whatever he read that morning.

But somewhere along the way, going back a LOT of years, he became a fixture in college hoops culture because he's goofy and animated.

I'd like to see Bill Walton replace him in all his various roles.

At some point he was legit. He actually coached a full NBA season for the Pistons. Yes, it was a crappy season and he got fired shortly after, but the NBA HC has to count for something.

That was also after 4 solid years in college at Detroit Mercy. Of course, the thing is he got fired by the Pistons in 1979, and has been a commentator since.

So, whatever actual qualifications he had are 4 decades old, and he rose to fame as a CBB equivalent of a hype man. He's the Flava Flav of CBB, except Flava Flav might be holding up better nowadays.

[gronk4heisman]

Has there been any movement of the final assistant spot? Any chance Tommy gets one of his pals Gentry (Illinois) or Jakus (Baylor)? Or is that Phoenix Suns analytics guy the leader?

[zonagrad]

Duckie V's problem with Arizona started before Miller and before Olson. It dates to when he was coach at Detroit and Fred Snowden took the Wildcats back there to play them. Lots of bad blood ever since.

Tell me more.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Duckie V's problem with Arizona started before Miller and before Olson. It dates to when he was coach at Detroit and Fred Snowden took the Wildcats back there to play them. Lots of bad blood ever since.

Tell me more.

I would like to hear more about this also, sounds intriguing!

[Postmaster]

Wasn’t most of Snowden’s team from the Detroit area?

[jajoyce]

Duckie V's problem with Arizona started before Miller and before Olson. It dates to when he was coach at Detroit and Fred Snowden took the Wildcats back there to play them. Lots of bad blood ever since.

Tell me more.

Don't know about this situation, but this reminds me of our Phil Martelli beef when we canceled the St. Joe's game. We will get to see him next year against Michigan as I think he is their asst. coach.