UA Basketball 2014-2015 Discussion

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:03 pm

dcZONAfan wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote: I'd say that's a good crunch time lineup. I don't really love the Harrisons, but I like them better when neither has to play the point. They have plenty of flexibility b/c the Harrisons and Booker can all play the 3 if necessary. Working through rotations and getting people to share the ball would be big.
I agree with you but man would I love to see one of those three try to cover RHJ.

You would need solid shooters to play Kentucky. They have to much depth and length to beat them by continually getting to the rim. Foul out Dakari, they bring Towns. That's the one area they are overflowing with riches, tall guys who can defend inside.

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:13 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
Actually, Cal has done a staggering job getting very talented guys to buy into the team concept. The man made DeMarcus Cousins look half sane. He's regularly had top 10 recruits in supporting roles and they accept it. Poythress was top ten and he basically didn't have a play run for him all year last year.

Cal gets a bad rap, but he puts together pretty cohesive teams for the talent level. Only the Noel year did it really blow up in his face.

They don't "buy into a team concept", they buy into a chance to be a lotto pick. Cal deserves the bad rap he gets. He runs the largest AAU program in the nation.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:26 pm

Olsondogg wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
Actually, Cal has done a staggering job getting very talented guys to buy into the team concept. The man made DeMarcus Cousins look half sane. He's regularly had top 10 recruits in supporting roles and they accept it. Poythress was top ten and he basically didn't have a play run for him all year last year.

Cal gets a bad rap, but he puts together pretty cohesive teams for the talent level. Only the Noel year did it really blow up in his face.
They don't "buy into a team concept", they buy into a chance to be a lotto pick. Cal deserves the bad rap he gets. He runs the largest AAU program in the nation.

Do you really think most top recruits are in it for the love of State U? It's hard to have a team with as much turnover and egos as he has and get the results he does. He uses the lure of the NBA absolutely, but it isn't easy or simple to get a AAU and high school superstar to become a lesser known dirty work guy in college. Yet he's gotten that out of guys like MKG, Poythress, etc.

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:35 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
Olsondogg wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
Actually, Cal has done a staggering job getting very talented guys to buy into the team concept. The man made DeMarcus Cousins look half sane. He's regularly had top 10 recruits in supporting roles and they accept it. Poythress was top ten and he basically didn't have a play run for him all year last year.

Cal gets a bad rap, but he puts together pretty cohesive teams for the talent level. Only the Noel year did it really blow up in his face.
They don't "buy into a team concept", they buy into a chance to be a lotto pick. Cal deserves the bad rap he gets. He runs the largest AAU program in the nation.
Do you really think most top recruits are in it for the love of State U? It's hard to have a team with as much turnover and egos as he has and get the results he does. He uses the lure of the NBA absolutely, but it isn't easy or simple to get a AAU and high school superstar to become a lesser known dirty work guy in college. Yet he's gotten that out of guys like MKG, Poythress, etc.

No, I think UK does the most fringe work to get the players that they get. There is a reason that Cal is a "great coach" and isn't his style or his X's and O's.

Additionally you seem to think Poythress is the next Jordan or something. Could just be me, but he isn't trending in the right direction...

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:40 pm

Olsondogg wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
Olsondogg wrote:
They don't "buy into a team concept", they buy into a chance to be a lotto pick. Cal deserves the bad rap he gets. He runs the largest AAU program in the nation.
Do you really think most top recruits are in it for the love of State U? It's hard to have a team with as much turnover and egos as he has and get the results he does. He uses the lure of the NBA absolutely, but it isn't easy or simple to get a AAU and high school superstar to become a lesser known dirty work guy in college. Yet he's gotten that out of guys like MKG, Poythress, etc.
No, I think UK does the most fringe work to get the players that they get. There is a reason that Cal is a "great coach" and isn't his style or his X's and O's.

Additionally you seem to think Poythress is the next Jordan or something. Could just be me, but he isn't trending in the right direction...

I think it's a testament to Cal's ability to manage egos that a top ten HS player went from a starter to the bench, had a vastly reduced offensive role and bought into being a dirty work guy scoring off garbage points without having a prima Donna fit. I don't think Poythress is awesome, I think Cal has done a tremendous job in keeping him engaged and productive despite the fact his career hasn't gone the way I'm sure he expected.

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:45 pm

You act as if Cal hasn't had transfers...

So he managed the ego of one highly rated HS player that stayed past a Sophomore year, and was relegated to the bench. Hats off to him for that, absolutely amazing work.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 1:22 pm

Olsondogg wrote:You act as if Cal hasn't had transfers...

So he managed the ego of one highly rated HS player that stayed past a Sophomore year, and was relegated to the bench. Hats off to him for that, absolutely amazing work.

Everyone has transfers.

Poythress is only one example. He got guys like Miller and Liggins who were basically recruited over to stay productive. I used MKG as an example of a highly rated guy who took a lesser role. Same with the sucky Harrison. Doron Lamb, etc. There are a lot of McD's all Americans who take lesser roles.

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:54 pm

Anyone know what this is about?

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:01 pm

Probably a donation from Kerr/Iggy, Byrne was just in San Fran

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:17 pm

Jefe wrote:Probably a donation from Kerr/Iggy, Byrne was just in San Fran

Yeah, last week on 1290 he said he was going out of town to meet a big donor and might have something to announce soon.

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:36 pm

I forgot about that. I wonder how big the donation will be.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:39 pm

I'm rooting for $1,000,000,000. Give us the best athletic facilities for every sport in the world lol.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:44 pm

ASUHATER! wrote:I'm rooting for $1,000,000,000. Give us the best athletic facilities for every sport in the world lol.

3goggles · Post by **3goggles** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:45 pm

From looks of it they will be getting new uniforms according to point guard u

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:51 pm

Not that I trust that info, but new uniforms would be sweet. Right after we started a new uni thread here...coincidence?

3goggles · Post by **3goggles** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:52 pm

Funny how that works!!!

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 10:38 am

Latest rumors involve the new uni's being a "retro look" and going full retro, as in shorty shorts:

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 10:41 am

Olsondogg wrote:Latest rumors involve the new uni's being a "retro look" and going full retro, as in shorty shorts:

[youtube]UcvjXAtzaMU[/youtube]

Main Event · Post by **Main Event** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:03 pm

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:08 pm

Love the new white uniforms. Kind of a modern upgrade of the old ones.

Red lines on the blue and blue lines on the red will take some getting used to.

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:52 pm

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 1:56 pm

[youtube]T4FMq6P81vg[/youtube]

HibachiZero · Post by **HibachiZero** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:54 pm

Damn, this would be fun to watch. They might have a lot of the team there
Check this twitter thread:

3goggles · Post by **3goggles** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 8:36 am

Where will the scoring come from?

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... to-scoring

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:40 am

3goggles wrote:Where will the scoring come from?

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... to-scoring

Oh dear god. This every year?

What ever will we do? Scoring is gonna be an issue? Puhleeeze...

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:41 am

3goggles wrote:Where will the scoring come from?

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... to-scoring

Not a very good article. Ashley, SJ, TJ, and York can all hit big clutch shots. It seems like the author was desperate to find some weakness with this year's team. Not to say that we won't have some weaknesses; every team does. But I don't think clutch shooting will be one of them.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:58 am

Beachcat97 wrote:
3goggles wrote:Where will the scoring come from?

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... to-scoring
Not a very good article. Ashley, SJ, TJ, and York can all hit big clutch shots. It seems like the author was desperate to find some weakness with this year's team. Not to say that we won't have some weaknesses; every team does. But I don't think clutch shooting will be one of them.

Also, RHJ. We have plenty of firepower.

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:25 pm

That has to be the most boring article I've ever seen ESPN do about us. It's like Dana O'Neil was bored and realized there hadn't been any articles about us lately.

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:09 pm

AZCatGirl wrote:That has to be the most boring article I've ever seen ESPN do about us. It's like Dana O'Neil was bored and realized there hadn't been any articles about us lately.

Or the alternative reason: O'Neil is not a very good writer.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:42 pm

Ristic is good to go as the backup 5? Or will we go smaller when Zeus subs out?

Frybry02 · Post by **Frybry02** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:55 pm

Anyone have a link to Greenberg's article?

prh · Post by **prh** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 6:15 pm

Greenberg article

Kentucky has been the topic of conversation in college basketball during the past two weeks, but there’s a different group of Wildcats that just might be the best team in the country. Though Arizona lost its top two scorers in Pac-12 Player of the Year Nick Johnson and NBA lottery pick Aaron Gordon (who combined to account for 39 percent of the Wildcats’ points), coach Sean Miller’s team returns three starters and the best sixth man in the country in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

What Miller has is a mature, deep team with one of the best point guards in the country in T.J. McConnell and a five-man recruiting class that includes three ESPN 100 prospects (featuring No. 7 overall player Stanley Johnson). The talented freshmen will provide Arizona with the versatility it was missing at the end of last season.

The Wildcats are an old-school group -- they are hard to score against, commit only 10 turnovers a game and rarely take bad shots. Defensively, they ranked No. 3 in the nation last season in efficiency, allowing 90.2 points per 100 possessions. It should be similar in 2014-15, given the talent and length on this roster.

I'll argue that if you wanted an early model for a team built for a Final Four run, it would look something like this season’s Arizona squad. It's a physical and tough team that can play at more than one speed, can score both out of its defense and off a missed shot. Miller’s group also has a designated shooter off the bench and has players willing to embrace roles. It has everything needed for a deep run in April.

Let's take a look at crucial team factors, and the players.

Managing the roster, expectations

Expectations are a good thing. High expectations mean your team is positioned to have a special year. How a staff manages those expectations is pivotal. With a deep roster, it will be important for Miller to get everyone on the same page. Hollis-Jefferson, Johnson and Kadeem Allen can't get caught up in positions; they'll need to focus on what they can do to help the team win. They can't get caught up in thinking about the next level, individual statistics or the static that goes with being an elite player.

Hollis-Jefferson does not have to show NBA scouts that he has 3-point range, just that he is a versatile, winning player. Allen and Johnson need to understand that what they accomplished in junior college and high school, respectively, is in the past. They now have new roles and should focus on playing for a national championship, not their personal goals. How they embrace their roles and give up a little of themselves for the good of the group could determine how good these Wildcats can be.

Backup post

Arizona occasionally played last season with Gordon at the center position and was able to defend and rebound better than most frontcourts in the country. In fact, the Wildcats finished No. 9 in the nation for rebound percentage (54.6 percent).

But that may not be the case in 2014-15. Kaleb Tarczewski is a 28- to 32-minutes-a-game player, but who’s behind him?

Freshman Dusan Ristic will need to give Arizona 10 solid minutes a game. He does not need to get outside himself. Rustic must concentrate on defending, rebounding both ends and setting good screens. Brandon Ashley (6-foot-8) potentially could play alongside 6-7 Craig Victor, but that would be an undersized frontcourt that could struggle defending the post. One major advantage Arizona has is its wings; Hollis-Jefferson and Johnson are big, long and excellent rebounders.

Consistent shooting

This is a good but not great shooting team. Nick Johnson was Arizona's most consistent perimeter threat (36.7 percent from the perimeter), but he left early for the NBA. The designated zone buster, Gabe York, has been inconsistent. Miller’s perimeter players need to be committed to not settling, but dictating the shot they want. At the same time, the Wildcats' frontcourt players and weakside wing must be in position to get to the offensive glass.

Now a quick scouting report on key players.

Point Guard
T.J. McConnell | Senior

McConnell, a fifth-year senior, is one of the most underappreciated players in the country. He’s a bulldog on and off the ball defensively. McConnell is hard to beat off the dribble and has great hands, averaging 1.7 steals a game last season.

Offensively, McConnell does a good job of being an extension of Miller. He has a high basketball IQ and does an excellent job of managing the game, feeding the post and is best in late situations. He’s quick enough to beat his man off the bounce and has excellent vision. McConnell reminds me of former Ohio State guard Aaron Craft, but he comes with a quicker release and a more consistent jump shot.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright | Freshman

Jackson-Cartwright is a terrific defender who has a great feel for the game. He’s the best high school point guard to sign with Arizona since Mike Bibby. The 5-8, lighting-quick guard reminds Southern California scout Frank Burlison of former UCLA point guard Tyus Edney. The ESPN 100 point guard is a complete player, has a high basketball IQ and good leadership skills. He will back up McConnell, and I expect them both to be on the floor in late-game situations.

Shooting Guard/Small Forwards
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | Sophomore

Hollis-Jefferson is a unique talent with a high motor. He’s a lockdown defender who can defend multiple positions, run the floor, and finish, and he is hard to keep off the glass. He reminds me of former UNLV player Stacey Augmon.

He also might be Arizona's third-best ball handler. Hollis-Jefferson’s versatility makes him one of the most complete players in college basketball. Last season, in only 25 minutes a game, he averaged 9.1 points and almost a rebound every four minutes. With the departure of Nick Johnson and Gordon, I expect him to have an even greater impact in 2014-15.

The nation’s No. 1-ranked small forward recruit is a big, physical and skilled wing who comes from an elite basketball program at Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California). He can shoot the ball at the 3-point line and can attack the basket off the bounce. Johnson plays to and through contact. His versatility will fit into the Arizona motion, with opportunities to play on the perimeter off screens as well post against smaller defenders. He rebounds his position and will fit well in Miller’s system.

Gabe York | Junior

York comes off the bench to open the floor and spread the defense. Last season he shot 38.5 percent from the 3-point line. York understands and accepts his role.

Kadeem Allen | Junior

Allen is the X factor for the Arizona backcourt. The former two-time junior college player of the year at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College is a 6-3 athletic guard who can score. Last season he averaged 25.9 points a game, and he can shoot the ball to 3-point range and has a middle game.

Allen had 13 games of 30 or more points last season and is Hutchinson’s No. 2 all-time assists (324) and steals leader (157). An active defender, he is also second in career steals. The junior is important for Arizona because when Nick Johnson left, the Wildcats lost their most consistent shooter.

Frontcourt
Kaleb Tarczewski | Junior

Tarczewski is a 7-foot, 235-pound junior who has been a two-year starter. He’s a big man who is comfortable being a low-post player. Tarczewski has improved significantly during the past year, averaging 9.9 points per game. An excellent screener on and off the ball, Miller is not afraid to play through Tarczewski. He’s an active and physical defender who does a nice job as a help defender.

Brandon Ashley | Junior

Ashley's season was cut short when he had ligament surgery in his right foot 22 games into the season. A healthy Ashley gives Arizona a versatile forward who can shoot the ball. Last season he averaged 11.5 points a game while shooting better than 52.2 percent from the field and just under 37.9 percent from long range. Though Ashley did a nice job rebounding the ball (5.8 a game), he needs to do a better job of attacking and getting to the free throw line. A healthy Ashley could be for Arizona what a healthy Willie Cauley-Stein is for Kentucky -- another mature player who returned to help his team win and compete for a national championship.

Craig Victor | Freshman

Victor, a 6-7 forward from New Orleans, will give Arizona depth in the frontcourt. Though he’s not a great athlete, Victor is a competitive and blue-collar big man who can play on the block and in the high post. In a perfect scenario, he could have an impact on Arizona the way Nigel Hayes did with Wisconsin last season.

Dusan Ristic | Freshman

Ristic is a young developing post. He’s physically strong, boasting a major-college body. He will remind the Arizona faithful of a young but less athletic Tarczewski.

Frybry02 · Post by **Frybry02** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 7:42 pm

Thanks

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:09 pm

Other than leaving Pitts out, that's a good preview.

Puerco · Post by **Puerco** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:30 am

High praise for PJC. Interesting. I was thinking he might be an afterthought given all the recruiting of higher rated players that Sean & Co. have been doing.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:13 am

Puerco wrote:High praise for PJC. Interesting. I was thinking he might be an afterthought given all the recruiting of higher rated players that Sean & Co. have been doing.

If he can defend, he'll get time. His height was the only reason he was rated where he was. Make him 6'2 and people would be gushing.

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:54 am

Yeah, I am always astonished at how consistently recruiting services downgrade the quick guard just because he happens to be under six feet.

Didn't Damon, Edney or Spud Webb prove anything to these fools?

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:34 pm

How soon Jason Gardner is forgotten. PJC better than him as a high school point? Better than Skakur as a high school point?

Both of them were Mickey Ds.

Or is he projecting this?

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:42 pm

gumby wrote:How soon Jason Gardner is forgotten. PJC better than him as a high school point? Better than Skakur as a high school point?

Both of them were Mickey Ds.

Or is he projecting this?

Maybe he's measuring by national championships.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:34 pm

gumby wrote:How soon Jason Gardner is forgotten. PJC better than him as a high school point? Better than Skakur as a high school point?

Both of them were Mickey Ds.

Or is he projecting this?

Shakur was the #2 PG in his class after Chris Paul. PJC at best is #11.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 4:13 pm

TJ
SJ
RHJ
BA
Zeus

Has this starting lineup really sunk into your brains yet?

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 4:26 pm

Lotta Js.

Post by **UAdevil** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 4:31 pm

Hopefully they'll all be able to make a lot of J's.

Daryl Zero · Post by **Daryl Zero** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:09 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Other than leaving Pitts out, that's a good preview.

Our secret weapon. No one expects the Pitts!

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 5:19 pm

No stems. No seeds. No Pitts.

TheBlackLodge · Post by **TheBlackLodge** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 5:23 pm

HiCat · Post by **HiCat** » Fri Sep 05, 2014 4:03 pm

Puerco wrote:High praise for PJC. Interesting. I was thinking he might be an afterthought given all the recruiting of higher rated players that Sean & Co. have been doing.

Jackson-Cartwright impresses McConnell

1 hour ago • By Bruce Pascoe

The way T.J. McConnell sees it, there's one line on the 2014-15 Arizona basketball roster that might fool some people.

That’s the one that says freshman Parker Jackson-Cartwright is only 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, the smallest player in the Pac-12.

“I know everyone’s impression of him will be they’ll see him and kind of push him to the side because of how small he is,” McConnell said. “In my opinion, that would be idiotic because the kid can play with the best of them. I learned that when he stopped on campus. He’s probably one of the best players I’ve played against. He’s deceivingly quick. He’s a smart player and a great point guard. He’ll definitely be able to lead this team to great things.”

During an interview with the Star, McConnell said he “absolutely” thought his projected backup could help UA right away this season.

“It can obviously give us a different look. We can do many things with Parker and myself. I just think it’s another added weapon that this team has got. He’s fully capable of running this team. … the thing I love about him he just doesn’t make mistakes. He makes open shots. He plays defense. He gives great energy and that’s what I respect most about him. He didn’t have an ego coming in and all of us respect him for that.”

http://tucson.com/sports/blogs/pascoe/u ... f887a.html

Main Event · Post by **Main Event** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:44 am

3goggles · Post by **3goggles** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:49 am

Nice to see NJ there and damn SJ looks like a beast!

HibachiZero · Post by **HibachiZero** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:43 am

Good grief, SJ looks like a linebacker. Can't wait to see this team play.

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