2018-2019 Arizona Basketball

[Spaceman Spiff]

Thanks TucsonClip, as ever.

I don't get why the transition D is so ineffective. We'd seem to have the right personnel for good transition D. How on earth is the floor so open?

A lot of new players, including guys like Williams, Randolph and Akot, who still need to tutoring on where to be, who to pick up, how to not get cross matched in transition. A lot of it is awareness. While we have guys who are athletic, can slide side to side, and stick on their man, this year it has been the issues off the ball that have slowed us down defensively.

Overall, we have been good. But transition defense is all about communication and awareness. That is definitely a process and something Miller can 100% get these guys to improve on over the course of the season. The issues in previous years was the lack of athletic or lateral ability from our defenders.

I 100% agree with the bolded. I hammered before the season that our D can make this team better than our talent level would indicate. I think we still have room to grow, and I'm optimistic that this year's players are more invested in growth than last year's.

You hit the nail on the head about execution. We do well individually, but when things get scrambled, it's more than just effort, it's also heavily about execution. We are still learning how to execute. One thing is that the learning should be a multi-year process for guys like BWill, Lee and Akot. What they learn now, they can put into play in 19-20 too.

Thank you for the game breakdown. They're always fun to read.

[azcat49]

Where do we rank on both side in efficiency? There used to be an index on that if I remember correctly

[97cats]

12/7/18
62 off & 46 def

[azcat49]

That seems about right, better on the defensive end which we will need to be. Wondering if we can push that up into the top 30 on both ends by the conference tourney?

[Spaceman Spiff]

12/7/18
62 off & 46 def

FWIW, we're still in a place where preseason projections matter too.

https://kenpom.com/contact.php" target="_blank

"When is the influence of preseason ratings removed from the system?

As of 2018, it is 73 days from the date of the first game. This ends up being sometime around January 20th. However, the influence of the preseason ratings is gradually reduced between the first week of the season and this point, so that the influence of the preseason ratings is minimal in mid-January."

We've been trending in the right direction since the preseason. Between that and the continued effect of the preseason rankings, I don't feel bad about where we are at all. For a team that needs development, we are moving in a decent direction, and have been most of the year.

Hopefully, UVU was a reality check that we can be good, but not if we lapse in intensity.

[NYCat]

#19

No change, actually dropped from 18 to 19 after winning at UConn.

[azgreg]

is this what we're going to do all year? Dip a big hole, jump to the bottom, then spend the rest of the game coming back?

[AZCatGirl]

is this what we're going to do all year? Dip a big hole, jump to the bottom, then spend the rest of the game coming back?

Not going to win the Pac playing like that.

This loss might send us to the NIT. Margin for error is razor thin from here on out.

[Longhorned]

Ira Lee seems like a really nice guy. He's a great teammate. He's funny. And he has a big body.

[scumdevils86]

PAC 12 is garbage so we probably can't afford any more than about 4 losses the rest of the season

[Spaceman Spiff]

is this what we're going to do all year? Dip a big hole, jump to the bottom, then spend the rest of the game coming back?

People can blame who they want, but you won't win many after you start down by 19.

[ChooChooCat]

That'll be the game that puts us on the wrong side of the bubble.

[ASUHATER!]

That'll be the game that puts us on the wrong side of the bubble.

Yeah now we have to finish ooc 3-0 and go at least 13-5 in conference to feel comfortable going into the PAC 12 tournament

[CatFanOneMil]

I dun't know...everyone is saying the Pac 12 is crap, and for the most part at this point of the season it is true, but it always seems way to premature to me for people to say "this game" or "that game" in December is THE game that ended a trip to the tourney for ANY team...

Injuries happen...hell the FBI investigation is still going on and the NCAA has other crap to find just about all over the map...

Outside of a handful of teams there are no really "great" teams in College basketball right now...so its an open field...I think the thing that has hurt the Pac 12 the worst is its record in the tourney the last few years and a good portion of that is on us.

[Frybry02]

If we are able to win at home and split on the road, that would put the cats with a 13-5 conference record. Heck even 12-6 in conference would put this team solidly in the field.

[PHXCATS]

This Arizona team is gonna make the tournament. This game does not hurt that one bit. Game would have given more insurance but this doesnt hurt one bit.

Cant so reactionary to every win and loss

[scumdevils86]

Like when Sean Miller blamed fans for a loss? That was pretty reactiona.....oh wait, that was made up.

[TheBlackLodge]

Like when Sean Miller blamed fans for a loss? That was pretty reactiona.....oh wait, that was made up.

Fuck you cunt

It did happen. I was there you piece of shit

Time to get the ban poll fired up.

[Frybry02]

If the cats win out OOC and finish 10-3, how would you rate their OOC record?

I will be pretty happy at 10-3 OOC.

[Alieberman]

R-E-L-A-X

[PHXCATS]

If the cats win out OOC and finish 10-3, how would you rate their OOC record?

I will be pretty happy at 10-3 OOC.

10-3 would be pretty solid. Many ranked teams would go 10-3 with that OOC schedule.

This loss isnt a big deal. Go a few games over 500 in conference and the Cats are solidly in the tournament

[Beachcat97]

If the cats win out OOC and finish 10-3, how would you rate their OOC record?

I will be pretty happy at 10-3 OOC.

10-3 would be pretty solid. Many ranked teams would go 10-3 with that OOC schedule.

This loss isnt a big deal. Go a few games over 500 in conference and the Cats are solidly in the tournament

Only a few games over 500 in a weak AF Pac? I'm not sure about that. I think we need to go closer to 12-6, which feels doable given how godawful this league is, but I do respect how hard it is to win on the road consistently. Even the best AZ teams have dropped road games to much weaker teams. I don't think 7+ Pac losses gets us into the tourney. I think even 12-6 is pushing it. As it stands, only ASU (Miss State) and Oregon (Syracuse) have wins over ranked opponents, and there aren't too many opportunities left. The Pac is actually looking a little more promising in the current Net rankings with 6 teams ranked in the top 60, so there's that.

Bottom line, though: it's hard to see AZ going 11-7 in the Pac and then getting into the tourney.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

If we go 12 & 6 in conference, I think we have to win the pac12 tourney. I don't think they let a 10 loss Pac12 team in this year.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Usc went 12&6 last year,

[Beachcat97]

If we go 12 & 6 in conference, I think we have to win the pac12 tourney. I don't think they let a 10 loss Pac12 team in this year.

Right. The margin for error not just for AZ but really for every Pac team is razor thin. ASU and Oregon remain best-positioned to reach the tourney, but things can unravel quickly for them if they're beaten by, say, OSU or WSU. Those bottom tier Pac teams are going to be tourney bid killers this year.

[CalStateTempe]

That was one of our bad pac 12 losses that we just spent.

Go 14-2 or 13-3 and we should be fine.

[Beachcat97]

That was one of our bad pac 12 losses that we just spent.

Go 14-2 or 13-3 and we should be fine.

Ha...you mean 16-2 or 15-3...and those are incredible Pac records. Most Pac champions finish with 2 or 3 conference losses.

[CalStateTempe]

That was one of our bad pac 12 losses that we just spent.

Go 14-2 or 13-3 and we should be fine.

Ha...you mean 16-2 or 15-3...and those are incredible Pac records. Most Pac champions finish with 2 or 3 conference losses.

Yes (correct my mistake) and yes.

[EastCoastCat]

16-2 would be a wee bit optimistic for this team wouldn't you say?

[ChooChooCat]

My money is on 12-6, which is probably not good enough.

[zonagrad]

My money is on 12-6, which is probably not good enough.

12-6 would be a very good performance by this team. Winning on the road is tough in this conference. Nobody scares me at McKale, but that doesn't mean Oregon, Stanford or Washington won't have a hot hand against us. We're thin inside and one really shitty foul call on Chase Jeter at the wrong time can really handicap this team. Roadies to Stanford, UCLA, USC, ASU, CU and Oregon & OSU will all be very difficult.

We really needed to win that game in Tuscaloosa.

[baycat93]

My money is on 12-6, which is probably not good enough.

12-6 in the PAC and 31-9 overall would be a pretty good year.

[Newportcat]

Like when Sean Miller blamed fans for a loss? That was pretty reactiona.....oh wait, that was made up.

Fuck you cunt

It did happen. I was there you piece of shit

Time to get the ban poll fired up.

[CalStateTempe]

My money is on 12-6, which is probably not good enough.

12-6 in the PAC and 31-9 overall would be a pretty good year.

I’m down with this.

[RiseAndFire]

Overall 20-13
P12 + Vegas 10-10: Ore, @UCLA, @ASU, Wash, UCLA, @Colo, @Ore, @OreSt, ASU + Vegas loss

By now most coaches nationwide but especially in the P12 have the pamphlet on Miller that hasn't changed in 10 years:

- you'll only need to prepare for Bennett-ball - that means one specific variant of man-defense.
- a Miller team can't handle a zone, particularly with 3-point specialists that a average 30%
- don't worry about stopping an Az fast break - we like to settle into our half court offense for low percentage shots because it builds character and shows we're tough as a PA coal miner!
- count on Miller to waste all his timeouts so he can hyperventilate and point wildly at the player who missed a defensive assignment (does not apply to offensive miscues)
- see a talented but raw offensive player on the bench who might flourish with playing time? (Doutrive, Kobi, Chol, on and on)? Well don't worry they won't see the floor until the following year when nobody else is on the roster, because Defense matters!

I'll wager my signature on at least 8 conference losses (reg season).

[Spaceman Spiff]

Overall 20-13
P12 + Vegas 10-10: Ore, @UCLA, @ASU, Wash, UCLA, @Colo, @Ore, @OreSt, ASU + Vegas loss

By now most coaches nationwide but especially in the P12 have the pamphlet on Miller that hasn't changed in 10 years:

- you'll only need to prepare for Bennett-ball - that means one specific variant of man-defense.
- a Miller team can't handle a zone, particularly with 3-point specialists that a average 30%
- don't worry about stopping an Az fast break - we like to settle into our half court offense for low percentage shots because it builds character and shows we're tough as a PA coal miner!
- count on Miller to waste all his timeouts so he can hyperventilate and point wildly at the player who missed a defensive assignment (does not apply to offensive miscues)
- see a talented but raw offensive player on the bench who might flourish with playing time? (Doutrive, Kobi, Chol, on and on)? Well don't worry they won't see the floor until the following year when nobody else is on the roster, because Defense matters!

I'll wager my signature on at least 8 conference losses (reg season).

I like the argument about how we can't succeed in the Pac despite 5 Pac titles in 9 years and never finishing lower than 4th. Those Pac coaches have sure figured Miller out.

Especially when you add in that we've won 4 of the last 5 Pac titles. They're really figuring out Miller's system and how easily it can be beaten.

[cats101]

Overall 20-13
P12 + Vegas 10-10: Ore, @UCLA, @ASU, Wash, UCLA, @Colo, @Ore, @OreSt, ASU + Vegas loss

By now most coaches nationwide but especially in the P12 have the pamphlet on Miller that hasn't changed in 10 years:

- you'll only need to prepare for Bennett-ball - that means one specific variant of man-defense.
- a Miller team can't handle a zone, particularly with 3-point specialists that a average 30%
- don't worry about stopping an Az fast break - we like to settle into our half court offense for low percentage shots because it builds character and shows we're tough as a PA coal miner!
- count on Miller to waste all his timeouts so he can hyperventilate and point wildly at the player who missed a defensive assignment (does not apply to offensive miscues)
- see a talented but raw offensive player on the bench who might flourish with playing time? (Doutrive, Kobi, Chol, on and on)? Well don't worry they won't see the floor until the following year when nobody else is on the roster, because Defense matters!

I'll wager my signature on at least 8 conference losses (reg season).

I like the argument about how we can't succeed in the Pac despite 5 Pac titles in 9 years and never finishing lower than 4th. Those Pac coaches have sure figured Miller out.

Especially when you add in that we've won 4 of the last 5 Pac titles. They're really figuring out Miller's system and how easily it can be beaten.

I think what he meant to say was "hi, I only post after losses, and when I do, its the same drivel I've spewed over the last few years. Don't take my post serious, thanks in advance."

[zonagrad]

Overall 20-13
P12 + Vegas 10-10: Ore, @UCLA, @ASU, Wash, UCLA, @Colo, @Ore, @OreSt, ASU + Vegas loss

By now most coaches nationwide but especially in the P12 have the pamphlet on Miller that hasn't changed in 10 years:

- you'll only need to prepare for Bennett-ball - that means one specific variant of man-defense.
- a Miller team can't handle a zone, particularly with 3-point specialists that a average 30%
- don't worry about stopping an Az fast break - we like to settle into our half court offense for low percentage shots because it builds character and shows we're tough as a PA coal miner!
- count on Miller to waste all his timeouts so he can hyperventilate and point wildly at the player who missed a defensive assignment (does not apply to offensive miscues)
- see a talented but raw offensive player on the bench who might flourish with playing time? (Doutrive, Kobi, Chol, on and on)? Well don't worry they won't see the floor until the following year when nobody else is on the roster, because Defense matters!

I'll wager my signature on at least 8 conference losses (reg season).

If Sean Miller rewarded defensively challenged players like Kobi & Chol with unlimited minutes, then he'd look a lot like Andy Enfield who still hasn't done shit in this conference.

I'm gonna go slow cook some brisket and wait for Rise & Fire to name a Pac 12 coach who has a better winning percentage during Sean Miller's tenure.

[RiseAndFire]

Overall 20-13
P12 + Vegas 10-10: Ore, @UCLA, @ASU, Wash, UCLA, @Colo, @Ore, @OreSt, ASU + Vegas loss

By now most coaches nationwide but especially in the P12 have the pamphlet on Miller that hasn't changed in 10 years:

- you'll only need to prepare for Bennett-ball - that means one specific variant of man-defense.
- a Miller team can't handle a zone, particularly with 3-point specialists that a average 30%
- don't worry about stopping an Az fast break - we like to settle into our half court offense for low percentage shots because it builds character and shows we're tough as a PA coal miner!
- count on Miller to waste all his timeouts so he can hyperventilate and point wildly at the player who missed a defensive assignment (does not apply to offensive miscues)
- see a talented but raw offensive player on the bench who might flourish with playing time? (Doutrive, Kobi, Chol, on and on)? Well don't worry they won't see the floor until the following year when nobody else is on the roster, because Defense matters!

I'll wager my signature on at least 8 conference losses (reg season).

I like the argument about how we can't succeed in the Pac despite 5 Pac titles in 9 years and never finishing lower than 4th. Those Pac coaches have sure figured Miller out.

Especially when you add in that we've won 4 of the last 5 Pac titles. They're really figuring out Miller's system and how easily it can be beaten.

Lol, because the rest of the PAC is always bringing in Top 10 classes for 7 straight years like Miller and Book did, right? Being able to win a P12 with an Ayton, Lauri, Trier, Gordon, Stanley is like being able to win the LLWS with a MLB All-Star pitcher on the mound and then awarding yourself a great big shiny meaningless trophy.

Also, I noticed you didn't quibble with any part of the pamphlet on Miller, because its all true and you know it, lol!

Bottom line, who will sack up and wager their signature on less than 8 losses. Comon not even you head cheerleader Spiff?

[Beachcat97]

My money is on 12-6, which is probably not good enough.

12-6 in the PAC and 31-9 overall would be a pretty good year.

Pretty sure you mean 21-9, but yeah.

[dcZONAfan]

Overall 20-13
P12 + Vegas 10-10: Ore, @UCLA, @ASU, Wash, UCLA, @Colo, @Ore, @OreSt, ASU + Vegas loss

By now most coaches nationwide but especially in the P12 have the pamphlet on Miller that hasn't changed in 10 years:

- you'll only need to prepare for Bennett-ball - that means one specific variant of man-defense.
- a Miller team can't handle a zone, particularly with 3-point specialists that a average 30%
- don't worry about stopping an Az fast break - we like to settle into our half court offense for low percentage shots because it builds character and shows we're tough as a PA coal miner!
- count on Miller to waste all his timeouts so he can hyperventilate and point wildly at the player who missed a defensive assignment (does not apply to offensive miscues)
- see a talented but raw offensive player on the bench who might flourish with playing time? (Doutrive, Kobi, Chol, on and on)? Well don't worry they won't see the floor until the following year when nobody else is on the roster, because Defense matters!

I'll wager my signature on at least 8 conference losses (reg season).

I like the argument about how we can't succeed in the Pac despite 5 Pac titles in 9 years and never finishing lower than 4th. Those Pac coaches have sure figured Miller out.

Especially when you add in that we've won 4 of the last 5 Pac titles. They're really figuring out Miller's system and how easily it can be beaten.

Lol, because the rest of the PAC is always bringing in Top 10 classes for 7 straight years like Miller and Book did, right? Being able to win a P12 with an Ayton, Lauri, Trier, Gordon, Stanley is like being able to win the LLWS with a MLB All-Star pitcher on the mound and then awarding yourself a great big shiny meaningless trophy.

Also, I noticed you didn't quibble with any part of the pamphlet on Miller, because its all true and you know it, lol!

Bottom line, who will sack up and wager their signature on less than 8 losses. Comon not even you head cheerleader Spiff?

I'll wager my signature

[U.P. Zona Fan]

I'll wager mine too. Not losing 8 in conference, I'm thinking 4 excluding the tourney.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Overall 20-13
P12 + Vegas 10-10: Ore, @UCLA, @ASU, Wash, UCLA, @Colo, @Ore, @OreSt, ASU + Vegas loss

By now most coaches nationwide but especially in the P12 have the pamphlet on Miller that hasn't changed in 10 years:

- you'll only need to prepare for Bennett-ball - that means one specific variant of man-defense.
- a Miller team can't handle a zone, particularly with 3-point specialists that a average 30%
- don't worry about stopping an Az fast break - we like to settle into our half court offense for low percentage shots because it builds character and shows we're tough as a PA coal miner!
- count on Miller to waste all his timeouts so he can hyperventilate and point wildly at the player who missed a defensive assignment (does not apply to offensive miscues)
- see a talented but raw offensive player on the bench who might flourish with playing time? (Doutrive, Kobi, Chol, on and on)? Well don't worry they won't see the floor until the following year when nobody else is on the roster, because Defense matters!

I'll wager my signature on at least 8 conference losses (reg season).

I like the argument about how we can't succeed in the Pac despite 5 Pac titles in 9 years and never finishing lower than 4th. Those Pac coaches have sure figured Miller out.

Especially when you add in that we've won 4 of the last 5 Pac titles. They're really figuring out Miller's system and how easily it can be beaten.

Lol, because the rest of the PAC is always bringing in Top 10 classes for 7 straight years like Miller and Book did, right? Being able to win a P12 with an Ayton, Lauri, Trier, Gordon, Stanley is like being able to win the LLWS with a MLB All-Star pitcher on the mound and then awarding yourself a great big shiny meaningless trophy.

Also, I noticed you didn't quibble with any part of the pamphlet on Miller, because its all true and you know it, lol!

Bottom line, who will sack up and wager their signature on less than 8 losses. Comon not even you head cheerleader Spiff?

UCLA's had a top ten recruiting class 6 of the last 7 years, same as we have. How's that going for them?

I'll bet you when you learn to spell come on. Or common.

I don't seriously engage you for the same reason I don't punch a child who tries to make a joke about me.

[goslingswagg]

My money is on 12-6, which is probably not good enough.

I think 12-6 would be right on the bubble, and would likely depend on our performance in the conference tourney. A 21-9 record with this year’s team, including losses in the non-con to two top 10 teams, is a decent enough performance to sneak into the tourney. The NET rankings like us which is big, and I think we should finish in the 30s in Kenpom once preseason projections are taken out of the numbers.

[SabinoDrifter]

My biggest concern is after the starting five and Luther, this team is a total mystery. Not enough depth and consistency to rely on long stretches of sustained success, IMO.

And, Smith, Barcello and Lee aren't exactly guys you can sub in to get a defensive spark.

[RiseAndFire]

UPZonafan and dcZonafan betting their sig on 7 or fewer losses - deal. Spiff is busy making excuses, must be scared. That’s very un-head-cheerleader-like of you Spiff!

and for the record i hope i’m wrong and Miller transforms in front of my eyes into a dynamic strategic, adaptive and resourceful in-game coach with skillful roster development! But fool me 9 times shame on me!

[CatFanOneMil]

Watching the game Sunday I sometimes wonder if Miller gives these guys too much information...the instance of kicking the ball late in the clock at the end of the game indicates a basic low basketball IQ for some of these guys...and watching Akot at the beginning of the season gave me the impression he was having to think waaay more than he was accustomed to...its almost like ALL of them (with the exception of Jetter who is probably smarter than most and more experienced) are trying to process big data files with little Pentium II computers...there's a lot of "lag" in real time going on with this team.

[zonagrad]

Watching the game Sunday I sometimes wonder if Miller gives these guys too much information...the instance of kicking the ball late in the clock at the end of the game indicates a basic low basketball IQ for some of these guys...and watching Akot at the beginning of the season gave me the impression he was having to think waaay more than he was accustomed to...its almost like ALL of them (with the exception of Jetter who is probably smarter than most and more experienced) are trying to process big data files with little Pentium II computers...there's a lot of "lag" in real time going on with this team.

I generally think these players are on the court a lot -- but they don't play the game strategically. I blame a lot of that on the AAU circuit, which does not value basketball IQ. It values athleticism and spectacular playmaking over making a smart play that can save a turnover or a foul.
Some players exhibit these characteristics, some don't.

I do know that you do not want players on the floor with low b-ball IQ's late in the game because one bonehead play can cost you a possession. Jamelle Horne was one of those players. Right now, Dylan Smith fits that mold (Ira Lee, too). If I was a coach, I wouldn't trust them late in the game.

[EastCoastCat]

I think we are over-analyzing this basketball IQ thing. It's so easy to criticize sitting on your couch watching the game. When you are on the court things are happening so quick it's your basketball instincts, not your IQ that takes over.

While granted some players have better instincts than others the ball kicking example is just stupid to me. Anyone that has ever played the game for real knows that's such a split second reaction play that 99 players out of 100 would do the same thing.

We are going to criticize Miller for not saying in the huddle "remember not to kick the ball defending because it will give them 11 more seconds on the clock."

Seriously.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Watching the game Sunday I sometimes wonder if Miller gives these guys too much information...the instance of kicking the ball late in the clock at the end of the game indicates a basic low basketball IQ for some of these guys...and watching Akot at the beginning of the season gave me the impression he was having to think waaay more than he was accustomed to...its almost like ALL of them (with the exception of Jetter who is probably smarter than most and more experienced) are trying to process big data files with little Pentium II computers...there's a lot of "lag" in real time going on with this team.

Something like kicking at a pass on D, which is what I think you're talking about, is just instinct for my money. At least when I played, you don't have time to think situationally on things like that. It's like questioning why a guy bats a ball on a rebound. In those scenarios, it's just instinct to deflect the ball.

In terms of our overall thought process, I definitely think some players process better and faster than others. That matters in their performance, but it's hard to coach.

That's one reason I harp on multiyear development and not giving up on guys like Akot. Wiring how to play into a player isn't a one year thing, and that doesn't always come in HS. Consistently running someone through situations until they're internally rewired to better instincts where thought doesn't exist is the goal.

That's why we fall in love with the raw talent of freshmen and it doesn't always translate. If they can't process the game at a college level, they disappoint. In HS, all of our recruits just had to show up and be great. Every Arizona player was a star and big man on campus in HS. In college, the physical gifts get you only so far.

Chol came up and he was a great example. Physically, he looked like a dominator but that got limited every step of the way by the fact he never adjusted to the mental side and doing more than just dominating kids smaller, slower and weaker than him.