let's talk '17

[Spaceman Spiff]

The whole point to commit this early if you're a player of his stature is to have one school commit resources into helping you get qualified, so he's doing this the right way if he does intend to play in college. It's absolutely insane that he chose us, but wow if he does end up on campus and is cleared calling this commitment huge is an understatement of the highest order. He's the best prospect in the last decade not named Anthony Davis.

I hope you're right. I have not been convinced about motor from other things, but dude is a legit talent. If this signals a genuine commitment to get into college, he has time to address issues that Ferguson didn't. Hit that summer school.

I don't know why he'd commit now if overseas was the plan. So at least we have that to hope for.

I think he's more lacking a back to the basket game than anything else, although in this modern age of basketball that doesn't bother me much. I think his motor is just fine fwiw.

For what it's worth, here's the article. The tidbit about his motor is near the back.

http://www.campusrush.com/josh-jackson- ... 43946.html" target="_blank

[3goggles]

With in half an hour of Aytons commitment we received a crystal ball for Troy Brown. Any connections with these two guys. Also seems like Ayton and Billy Preston seem to very close. How many top recruits are looking to team up with Ayton ala Duke with Jahlil Okafor.

[pokinmik]

Am I allowed to be happy about this or do I have to look to the reaction of other people to decide if I am excited?

Lol, no shit. I guess as a fan base we've been burned and have come up justtt short a few too many times recently. I'm excited as fuck, this is awesome! I'll save the disappointment for when he actually goes overseas.

[HiCat]

With in half an hour of Aytons commitment we received a crystal ball for Troy Brown. Any connections with these two guys. Also seems like Ayton and Billy Preston seem to very close. How many top recruits are looking to team up with Ayton ala Duke with Jahlil Okafor.

hmmm, got me thinking

http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/ ... redictions" target="_blank

[gumby]

Wasn't Jennings also No. 1?

[rgdeuce]

Jennings #4 composite. ESPN had him #1.

[rgdeuce]

With in half an hour of Aytons commitment we received a crystal ball for Troy Brown. Any connections with these two guys. Also seems like Ayton and Billy Preston seem to very close. How many top recruits are looking to team up with Ayton ala Duke with Jahlil Okafor.

Interesting. He has his five officials lined up in Sept/Oct. Oregon, Bama, G'Town, Kansas, Ohio St. Guess we will see if any of that changes in the near future.

[Alieberman]

He used to be the most in-the-know insider, but it got to be less so recently.

Our roster is set and its too soon for '17

Left and right, guys are declaring their "favorites," trimming their "lists," etc. So '17 is very much upon us. Most likely, we're not "leading" or likely to get commitments from some of these top 20-ish guys. Miller will get a few, but they probably won't be AG or SJ level talent. We'll see.

And as for 97, I wish him well and pray he's healthy. Lots in life more important than hoops. Or maybe he just feels the discourse level here has sunken so low that he's lost interest.

Beachcat for the win!

[Beachcat97]

Amazing turn of events. Ayton could be a game-changer. Even just having him committed has that magnet-effect of drawing greater interest from elite players in the '17 class.

[Chicat]

He used to be the most in-the-know insider, but it got to be less so recently.

Our roster is set and its too soon for '17

Left and right, guys are declaring their "favorites," trimming their "lists," etc. So '17 is very much upon us. Most likely, we're not "leading" or likely to get commitments from some of these top 20-ish guys. Miller will get a few, but they probably won't be AG or SJ level talent. We'll see.

And as for 97, I wish him well and pray he's healthy. Lots in life more important than hoops. Or maybe he just feels the discourse level here has sunken so low that he's lost interest.

Beachcat for the win!

We haven't gotten a high level recruit to commit early for a while. Think Leaf was the last one. These guys won't decide until Spring of their senior year, maybe even Summer.

[ChooChooCat]

With in half an hour of Aytons commitment we received a crystal ball for Troy Brown. Any connections with these two guys. Also seems like Ayton and Billy Preston seem to very close. How many top recruits are looking to team up with Ayton ala Duke with Jahlil Okafor.

Interesting, I heard we pretty much moved on from him as he just wasn't that into us. Ayton is tight with a lot of guys, so it will be interesting to see what guys we were seen as "out of it" with that we'll end up being in it for.

I know that Ayton is tight with Brandon McCoy, PJ Washington, and some other guys we're recruiting.

[Beachcat97]

This is the earliest we've had a major recruit commit for a while.

I don't think I'm the only one surprised by yesterday's news.

[JMarkJohns]

TAKE THIS FUCKIN L FUEGS!!!!!!!

Congratulations. He's my new Tarczewski. Let's see if Miller crushes the career of another top 10 potential NBA draft pick like he did Tarczewski.

How are the Superstar Careers of Oubre, Alexander and Diallo? I'm sure they are all MVP candidates after getting the Self treatment.

Xavier Henry and Josh Selby are hurt you forgot about them.

I literally did forget about them.

[HiCat]

Any guesses??


Arizona Working Hardest for Billy Preston

 By
 
 
Adam Zagoria


 Jul 17, 2015 | 10:21AM

When he was asked if any schools have been working hard than others, Preston did say one in particular has offered and has been showing more interest than anyone else.

"After this year, I think a lot of schools will start to press hard," Preston said. "Arizona is showing a lot of interest, but besides that, everyone is about the same."

Preston currently has offers from Arizona, Kansas, UConn, SMU, UCLA, Oregon, USC, Arizona State, Baylor and Utah.

https://www.sny.tv/college-recruiting/n ... /152986946" target="_blank


8% per 247

http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/ ... redictions" target="_blank

[Merkin]

8% per 247

http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/ ... redictions" target="_blank

After their Ayton prediction, I would say nothing from nothing leaves nothing.

[catgrad97]

That's about an accurate predictor of Billy Preston's future as Futurama, where he sounds more like a character from anyway.

[JMarkJohns]

Preston isn't really a recruit any longer. Lots of questions surrounding him, and ultimately it seems the press Miller made a year ago has been backed off from, so my guess is USC.

[HiCat]

Preston isn't really a recruit any longer. Lots of questions surrounding him, and ultimately it seems the press Miller made a year ago has been backed off from, so my guess is USC.

Okay then...time to move on eh

[Spaceman Spiff]

TAKE THIS FUCKIN L FUEGS!!!!!!!

Congratulations. He's my new Tarczewski. Let's see if Miller crushes the career of another top 10 potential NBA draft pick like he did Tarczewski.

How are the Superstar Careers of Oubre, Alexander and Diallo? I'm sure they are all MVP candidates after getting the Self treatment.

Xavier Henry and Josh Selby are hurt you forgot about them.

I literally did forget about them.

Kansas has that effect on some top 5 recruits.

[Beachcat97]

Is Preston the kind of player who will dominate from day one? Haven't watched him yet.

[gumby]

Preston isn't really a recruit any longer. Lots of questions surrounding him, and ultimately it seems the press Miller made a year ago has been backed off from, so my guess is USC.

Plus, we're Outta Space.

[dmjcat]

We appear to still be in the running for a number of highly ranked point guards:

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/ ... 86722.html" target="_blank

[Beachcat97]

We appear to still be in the running for a number of highly ranked point guards:

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/ ... 86722.html" target="_blank

Feeling more confident we'll get one of these guys, after the Ayton commit. '17 could be Miller's best class at AZ.

If we add Duval...wow. He'd join a backcourt that already has RA and KS.

[JMarkJohns]

I wouldn't focus my attention on PGs in 2017.

2018?

Now we might be talking.

Center, Combofoward or Stretch 4, and Wing are priorities.

Simmons, PJC, DSmith, Barcello and maybe Alkins. Lotta guards already.

Maybe if Sexton can be swayed. Other than that, I'd focus on:

McCoy, Lee, and whatever scoring wing wants to join.

True SF is without a doubt the biggest need as far as depth.

[RichardCranium]

The academic issue at Hillcrest centered around the academic program provided by StarShine Academy, which was not certified by the NCAA. Hillcrest switched to a program (Arizona Connections) certified by the NCAA, which should help Ayton’s case should there be any questions with the NCAA Clearinghouse.[/u] In an April interview with the Louisville Courier-Journal Ayton denied there being any concern about his academics, saying “I’m NCAA eligible, so I don’t know what’s the problem.”

Semi-side issue: WTF is the NCAA doing 'certifying' schools. There is a perfectly good organization called Advance-ED that accredits schools in the United States (and even internationally). If a school is properly accredited by Advance-Ed and is certified by the State to confer diplomas, then there shouldn't be any reason for the NCAA to duplicate that effort and keep kids hanging. If a school is not accredited and is not sufficiently on the path toward gaining that accreditation, then kids should be warned off - again nothing for the NCAA to do except approve kids from accredited schools and reject kids from non-accredited schools - end of story.

Months long 'clearinghouse' bureaucratic bullshit be damned. The NCAA should not be in the accreditation business, there are other organizations that do that as their single reason for existence.

[Beachcat97]

I wouldn't focus my attention on PGs in 2017.

2018?

Now we might be talking.

Center, Combofoward or Stretch 4, and Wing are priorities.

Simmons, PJC, DSmith, Barcello and maybe Alkins. Lotta guards already.

Maybe if Sexton can be swayed. Other than that, I'd focus on:

McCoy, Lee, and whatever scoring wing wants to join.

True SF is without a doubt the biggest need as far as depth.

If only AT leaves next year, you're right: we have a nice group of guards. But I'm pretty sure we're still after Duval, and now that we've got our crown jewel of the '17 class, it shouldn't surprise anyone to see other top 20 guys commit to AZ in the coming months.

[JMarkJohns]

Duval and Preston are recruits in past relationship only.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The academic issue at Hillcrest centered around the academic program provided by StarShine Academy, which was not certified by the NCAA. Hillcrest switched to a program (Arizona Connections) certified by the NCAA, which should help Ayton’s case should there be any questions with the NCAA Clearinghouse.[/u] In an April interview with the Louisville Courier-Journal Ayton denied there being any concern about his academics, saying “I’m NCAA eligible, so I don’t know what’s the problem.”

Semi-side issue: WTF is the NCAA doing 'certifying' schools. There is a perfectly good organization called Advance-ED that accredits schools in the United States (and even internationally). If a school is properly accredited by Advance-Ed and is certified by the State to confer diplomas, then there shouldn't be any reason for the NCAA to duplicate that effort and keep kids hanging. If a school is not accredited and is not sufficiently on the path toward gaining that accreditation, then kids should be warned off - again nothing for the NCAA to do except approve kids from accredited schools and reject kids from non-accredited schools - end of story.

Months long 'clearinghouse' bureaucratic bullshit be damned. The NCAA should not be in the accreditation business, there are other organizations that do that as their single reason for existence.

The NCAA certifies because it enables the NCAA to concentrate their own power and control over the process. The NCAA exists in large part because it builds layers of regulations that must be complied with. The purpose isn't because there's necessarily a difference between a NCAA certified course and one that isn't. The purpose is to create an arbitrary distiction that the NCAA can derive power from "enforcing."

[Spaceman Spiff]

I wouldn't focus my attention on PGs in 2017.

2018?

Now we might be talking.

Center, Combofoward or Stretch 4, and Wing are priorities.

Simmons, PJC, DSmith, Barcello and maybe Alkins. Lotta guards already.

Maybe if Sexton can be swayed. Other than that, I'd focus on:

McCoy, Lee, and whatever scoring wing wants to join.

True SF is without a doubt the biggest need as far as depth.

If only AT leaves next year, you're right: we have a nice group of guards. But I'm pretty sure we're still after Duval, and now that we've got our crown jewel of the '17 class, it shouldn't surprise anyone to see other top 20 guys commit to AZ in the coming months.

Only a week ago, we were fast approaching Armageddon, and now we're the leader in the clubhouse for most top 20 recruits.

We could use a pg unless Kobi stays. Barcello is a guy I would feel ok about contributing as a 4th year junior or 5th year senior. Before that point...well, I want another option. Having Kobi is a blessing and a curse. If he stays, we don't need a '17 pg. He leaves, we really do.

[EOCT]

Like the looks of Quade Green's game a lot. A very strong distributor who hawks the ball on defense and is a decent scoring threat. He seems exactly like Coach Miller's type as a heady, in-control combo distributor, scorer and D guy.

I think DeAndre and Lauri(If we're lucky to have him in 17) would do cartwheels if we got Quade.

[Beachcat97]

Some are doubting whether KS can play PG. Maybe he's more of a combo? Hasn't worked so well in the past.

[EVCat]

Only a week ago, we were fast approaching Armageddon, and now we're the leader in the clubhouse for most top 20 recruits.

We could use a pg unless Kobi stays. Barcello is a guy I would feel ok about contributing as a 4th year junior or 5th year senior. Before that point...well, I want another option. Having Kobi is a blessing and a curse. If he stays, we don't need a '17 pg. He leaves, we really do.

Ain't it funny how that all works? We had a bad year last year, but I think we can say with some strength that last year was a lot more than just a bad PG. We had SERIOUS issues that fractured a team. We also had smaller issues that would fracture a team but were minor compared with the Pitts thing. Most notably, we had one year seniors and there were players in the program that had earned their stripes who didn't much care for "leadership" from guys who have degrees or 120 units from WCC or ACC schools. TJ had 3, and basically was as Wildcat as anyone could ever get. But last year? We did not have the personalities to hold hands. We didn't have a Nick or TJ to pull 4 year part timers and one and dones together, or to have a 4 year senior listen to a 1 year senior. Last year was more than personnel. That team could beat Wichita State talent wise. There are reasons Tolly never became what we hoped, or the ball wasn't in the right hands at the end of games, etc. And while some fingers can be pointed at PJC and KaDeem, there were huge chemistry issues for lots of other reasons. And I am not privy to the info 97Cats has alluded to about PJC and family, but add that to the mix.

Barcello is a guy I think you will see freshman contribution from, sophomore crucial play from, and will lead this team as a junior and senior. Not only is a a high 4 star talent, but he is a 5 star kid. He is Nick more than TJ, leadership-wise. These superstar types love him, because he can hang, but also can defer the spotlight. He could be much more of a spotlight player if he chose, and is much better than, say, Gabe. What will make him special, IMO, is his hoops talent mixed with his leadership. But he isn't TJ and that needs to be shaken from the mind as a comparison. He is more Steve Nash, if you have to have a white guy to compare him to and have to call out the comparison is white to make people happy. But that's really the best comparison...a PG that can play the 2 who can shoot, but more importantly can score, and in odd looking ways off the wrong leg, etc. Ultimately, defense will determine if he plays early, and if he is a disappointment, this will be why, I suppose.

[EVCat]

Some are doubting whether KS can play PG. Maybe he's more of a combo? Hasn't worked so well in the past.

Some aren't.

How about let's just find out? He is a freshman...he won't be at his best this year. And KaDeem will be in year two at D1 and PJC might even be a little better. We won't be as short in the backcourt. AT won't have a broken bone in his hand and that Chauncey Billips comparison might come more into play. We won't have two stiffs in the post so there will be more ball handling in motion and we won't be so dependent on our PG to get depth to start the offense.

There are so many factors in basketball beyond "what EA Sports rating would our PG have in NBA Live"? We have won with literally every type of PG, from score first to pass first to a forward named Walton who initiated the offense. This obsession with traditional point play is overblown because we just came off of TJ McConnell and followed that with a team (not a position, but a team) that was poor in initiating the offense. When LM or Ray Smith are at the 4, and Kobi/AT/name your third are in the backcourt, it is not going to be as important to have an offense-starting single point of attack point guard initiate the offense.

Basketball is more sophisticated than "PG dribble and pass, SG shoot and dunk, F rebound, C post". Especially when you run motion principles. We got our shit pushed in last year because...our team was a mess and divided over the Pitts matter, we had upperclassmen with 3 and 4 years in the program battling with upperclassmen carpetbaggers, we had spots filled haphazardly after losing 3 straight one and dones and a 2 and done, we had ZERO height at the wings, and our best player was a Freshman who broke his hand. It is easy...and far too simple and inaccurate...to take the WSU game and say "all of our problems were because PJC and KaDeem play point." No, we had problems because our team was built to require strong point play and we didn't have it. And all the rest of it.

Kobe just needs to be good, not great. Or PJC or KaDeem just need to be a little better. We don't need TJ with this roster. We'd be awesome with him, and point play is a concern. But with this flexibility and this many ball handlers (if Ray is not dead and AT stays healthy), we can overcome questions at the point...and thrive if Kobe is actually good.

[ChooChooCat]

Like the looks of Quade Green's game a lot. A very strong distributor who hawks the ball on defense and is a decent scoring threat. He seems exactly like Coach Miller's type as a heady, in-control combo distributor, scorer and D guy.

I think DeAndre and Lauri(If we're lucky to have him in 17) would do cartwheels if we got Quade.

We're not even really recruiting Quade at this point. I'm not sure we're recruiting any PG at this point other than maybe Sexton.

[Beachcat97]

Some are doubting whether KS can play PG. Maybe he's more of a combo? Hasn't worked so well in the past.

Some aren't.

How about let's just find out? He is a freshman...he won't be at his best this year. And KaDeem will be in year two at D1 and PJC might even be a little better. We won't be as short in the backcourt. AT won't have a broken bone in his hand and that Chauncey Billips comparison might come more into play. We won't have two stiffs in the post so there will be more ball handling in motion and we won't be so dependent on our PG to get depth to start the offense.

There are so many factors in basketball beyond "what EA Sports rating would our PG have in NBA Live"? We have won with literally every type of PG, from score first to pass first to a forward named Walton who initiated the offense. This obsession with traditional point play is overblown because we just came off of TJ McConnell and followed that with a team (not a position, but a team) that was poor in initiating the offense. When LM or Ray Smith are at the 4, and Kobi/AT/name your third are in the backcourt, it is not going to be as important to have an offense-starting single point of attack point guard initiate the offense.

Basketball is more sophisticated than "PG dribble and pass, SG shoot and dunk, F rebound, C post". Especially when you run motion principles. We got our shit pushed in last year because...our team was a mess and divided over the Pitts matter, we had upperclassmen with 3 and 4 years in the program battling with upperclassmen carpetbaggers, we had spots filled haphazardly after losing 3 straight one and dones and a 2 and done, we had ZERO height at the wings, and our best player was a Freshman who broke his hand. It is easy...and far too simple and inaccurate...to take the WSU game and say "all of our problems were because PJC and KaDeem play point." No, we had problems because our team was built to require strong point play and we didn't have it. And all the rest of it.

Kobe just needs to be good, not great. Or PJC or KaDeem just need to be a little better. We don't need TJ with this roster. We'd be awesome with him, and point play is a concern. But with this flexibility and this many ball handlers (if Ray is not dead and AT stays healthy), we can overcome questions at the point...and thrive if Kobe is actually good.

Epic post, EV. Great breakdown and analysis.

[Merkin]

EV brining his A game on a couple of threads.

[UAEebs86]

EV brining his A game on a couple of threads.

Except for misspelling Kobi

[gumby]

EV brining his A game on a couple of threads.

Except for misspelling Kobi

Where the beef?

[Puerco]

EV brining his A game on a couple of threads.

Except for the 'stiffs in the post' line it was good stuff.

[Puerco]

Some are doubting whether KS can play PG. Maybe he's more of a combo? Hasn't worked so well in the past.

Some people are saying you're Donald Trump. I don't know for sure, but it's probably true.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Some are doubting whether KS can play PG. Maybe he's more of a combo? Hasn't worked so well in the past.

Some people are saying you're Donald Trump. I don't know for sure, but it's probably true.

This is frighteningly accurate.

[rgdeuce]

Yeah, EV has been coming with the real lately.

[dmjcat]

We made the cut for a 6'5" guard

http://www.bloggersodear.com/2016/9/12/ ... n-syracuse" target="_blank

[HiCat]

This is why Sean Miller made the state’s top guard a main priority this summer.

"They (Arizona) started recruiting me hard this summer when I was playing on the Nike circuit (EYBL)," Barcello said. "They kept on me hard and made me a top priority." During those 16 games on the circuit, he averaged 19 points per game and shot 37 percent from deep.

All the hard work over the last three years paid off when, less than 24 hours into his official visit to Tucson, the 2014 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year announced his commitment to Arizona. With it, he became the first person in the 2017 class.

"When I visited, I knew it was the right fit for me," explained Barcello. "It felt like home. Being around all the players and the coaching staff and being in the environment with all the students there, it felt right for me."

http://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball ... don-alkins" target="_blank

[UAEebs86]

Preston isn't really a recruit any longer. Lots of questions surrounding him, and ultimately it seems the press Miller made a year ago has been backed off from, so my guess is USC.

Yep

[Beachcat97]

USC

[dmjcat]

Update on UA recruiting:

http://www.azdesertswarm.com/recruiting ... vanderbilt" target="_blank

[HiCat]

Update on UA recruiting:

http://www.azdesertswarm.com/recruiting ... vanderbilt" target="_blank

Interesting news DMJ, Miller's always on the go.

[ChooChooCat]

USC

Or not college.

[EVCat]

EV brining his A game on a couple of threads.

Except for misspelling Kobi

In my defense, I spell it two different ways in the same post. One of them has to be right...right? 50% from the field is solid...

I'll accept the kudos and keep them as currency for when I piss everyone off...which is likely going to happen, if it hasn't already. I am just passionately analytical, if that is possible.