Nico Mannion

[YoDeFoe]

He had one play after the ten minute mark of the second half where he hit another gear to get past his defender and then finished with a nice layup at the rim where I thought, “Oh yeah, that’s what I came to see.”

You can tell he‘ll have more of those moments. It just won’t be consistent at first.

Love the pace that he can play at. Loved the variety of his offensive weapons - bounce passes, dump offs, alley oops, jumper, floater, layup... Offensively you can see how exceptional he can be, like a Trier + TJ combo. TBD on how soon he’ll meet that potential.

[dovecanyoncat]

Someone (not me) posted this on FB on University.

This should be shown to every cold weather recruit!

The Law of Unintended Consequences says it will just lead to Kansas coeds dying of exposure in January.

[84Cat]

[Spaceman Spiff]

Why does that guy have a plus sign in [ ] tattooed on his wrist? Is he trying to remind himself to be a positive person?

[Beachcat97]

Nico's freshman season at AZ will most resemble:

(a) Bibby's freshman year
(b) Bayless' freshman year
(c) McConnell's junior year
(d) Gardner's freshman year
(e) none of the above (stupid quiz, BC)

[UAEebs86]

Nico's freshman season at AZ will most resemble:

(a) Bibby's freshman year
(b) Bayless' freshman year
(c) McConnell's junior year
(d) Gardner's freshman year
(e) none of the above (stupid quiz, BC)

I’ll go with c.

[Alieberman]

All of the above

[Spaceman Spiff]

Nico's freshman season at AZ will most resemble:

(a) Bibby's freshman year
(b) Bayless' freshman year
(c) McConnell's junior year
(d) Gardner's freshman year
(e) none of the above (stupid quiz, BC)

Statistically, Bibby. If tournament results match that, I'd be happy.

[YoDeFoe]

Nico's freshman season at AZ will most resemble:

(a) Bibby's freshman year
(b) Bayless' freshman year
(c) McConnell's junior year
(d) Gardner's freshman year
(e) none of the above (stupid quiz, BC)

(a) but without the steals.

[Beachcat97]

Feels like his game is most reminiscent of TJ's, but he's bigger and more athletic.

[97cats]

well - i opened this up earlier and was suprised ... plus #15

6 - Nico Mannion | Arizona | Fr | PG | 6-3, 180

Minnesota's glaring roster weakness right now is at point guard; conversely, its glaring roster strength right now is Karl-Anthony Towns. So to maximize Towns' potential, an upgrade at point guard is in order. Mannion may not be the immediate fix, but his scoring and passing could give the bench a desperately-needed boon.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-baske ... bleheader/

[Beachcat97]

well - i opened this up earlier and was suprised ... plus #15

6 - Nico Mannion | Arizona | Fr | PG | 6-3, 180

Minnesota's glaring roster weakness right now is at point guard; conversely, its glaring roster strength right now is Karl-Anthony Towns. So to maximize Towns' potential, an upgrade at point guard is in order. Mannion may not be the immediate fix, but his scoring and passing could give the bench a desperately-needed boon.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-baske ... bleheader/

It's possible that Nico is a year or two away from just unleashing his full potential/talent. You rarely see a guy's full ability at the college level, only hints. Maybe the pro game is better suited to Nico's up-tempo, open-court style.

Still, he's gonna have to show *some* kind of flashes of brilliance this year. As highly regarded as he is, he's still gotta earn that lottery spot. Let's revisit this in March.

[catgrad97]

A good turnover is when you keep stepping down on the baseline over and over and over again. That’s a move I hope he develops.

for me this is second only behind dribbling off your foot out of bounds - now that’s a good turnover

Long-time fans simply call this kind of turnover the Shakur.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Feels like his game is most reminiscent of TJ's, but he's bigger and more athletic.

I don't think he's as good a defender as TJ, but a better shooter and penetrator. Bibby just seems like a better fit for him.

TJ was solid, but not the kind of guy who could really attack a D. Bibby could attack.

[Beachcat97]

Feels like his game is most reminiscent of TJ's, but he's bigger and more athletic.

I don't think he's as good a defender as TJ, but a better shooter and penetrator. Bibby just seems like a better fit for him.

TJ was solid, but not the kind of guy who could really attack a D. Bibby could attack.

Yeah. I definitely can see that attack element in Nico's game, and I'm excited to see him get more comfortable within our offense. Once he's a little further along with anticipating other guys' cuts to the basket and where guys are on the break, he's going to really thrive. We have to keep in mind that he's still getting to know these teammates in game situations. Not the same as practice.

Man could Bibby slice and dice.

[YoDeFoe]

Built for big games

[CalStateTempe]

He reminded me of Salim from three tonight.

[84Cat]

One thing I hope comes from Nico playing here is that high level pg's understand that you can play for Sean Miller and you will be given the keys to the offense. He has micro managed all our guards up to now because we haven't had any nba level guards play here in the Miller era

[StickItInTheyFace]

His control over the game made me almost as hard as enfuego gets when he watches dogs screw. I did say almost.

[RondaeShimmy]

that floater is wet

[Spaceman Spiff]

Here's The Athletic's Sam Vecenie on Mannion's 2020 draft position:

11. Nico Mannion

6-3 guard, Pinnacle High School (Phoenix, AZ). Committed to Arizona

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t the biggest believer in Mannion prior to this month. It’s not that I thought he was a bad player or anything, I just wasn’t sure I saw the one-and-done potential that some did. And at McDonald’s, I thought it took him some time to figure out how to attack against length and elite athletes. But here’s the thing: Mannion is an incredibly smart player. So once he showed up to Hoop Summit about two weeks later, it was clear he had figured some things out. What followed in the practices and games was Mannion morphing into the week’s top performer, consistently playing with terrific pace and poise.

Unsurprisingly, Mannion’s skill level is incredibly high. He can hit shots from all three levels, and has a terrific in-between game. I worry about finishing at the basket for a player who isn’t quite as explosive as some other lead guards, but it’s possible that his floater game can help him make up for it. The real place where he excels is running the show as a point guard, though. He is a terrific passer who can drop dimes all over the floor to teammates for efficient shots. Arizona fans are going to love having him next season after the team’s offense plummeted toward the bottom of the Pac-12 this past season in large part due to a lack of cerebral point guard play. I now expect that Mannion will be a one-and-done.

The bolded...that's why I've been so hyped about Nico. He's always had the IQ and skills, and his body has grown to allow him to express them. He knows how to play the game and should be very easy to play with.

I know, I'm quoting myself, but I believe this more and more. He just is such a smart and mature player. It staggers me you can still see he isn't fully adapted to this level yet. When he is, watch out.

[StickItInTheyFace]

My favorite part of the game was him shit talking the Illinois Guard while we were down like 7 points. Dude is not lacking confidence and that is a beautiful sight that we haven't seen since in recent pg's. This team really felt like it lost its edge and swagger after TJ left. Its back.

[ChooChooCat]

My favorite part of the game was him shit talking the Illinois Guard while we were down like 7 points. Dude is not lacking confidence and that is a beautiful sight that we haven't seen since in recent pg's. This team really felt like it lost its edge and swagger after TJ left. Its back.

Nico is a massive shit talker and always has been. He loves to take it and dish it right back.

[97cats]

i cried last night, thats right, cried.

im not over it, still sad.

i may never get over it, i may never stop looking back

its just so depressing.

[YoDeFoe]

My favorite part of the game was him shit talking the Illinois Guard while we were down like 7 points. Dude is not lacking confidence and that is a beautiful sight that we haven't seen since in recent pg's. This team really felt like it lost its edge and swagger after TJ left. Its back.

Nico is a massive shit talker and always has been. He loves to take it and dish it right back.

Dude thrives on the pressure. It's incredible to see.

[YoDeFoe]

i cried last night, thats right, cried.

im not over it, still sad.

i may never get over it, i may never stop looking back

its just so depressing.

You sure called it. He's gonna score and score and score some more...

[Spaceman Spiff]

My favorite part of the game was him shit talking the Illinois Guard while we were down like 7 points. Dude is not lacking confidence and that is a beautiful sight that we haven't seen since in recent pg's. This team really felt like it lost its edge and swagger after TJ left. Its back.

Nico is a massive shit talker and always has been. He loves to take it and dish it right back.

That's the competitive spirit you like. Someone wants to go after you? Go after him harder.

We showed that across the board. Illinois played a very good first half. We kept fighting and when they cooled off in the second, we broke it open.

It's been a couple years since we had guys who wanted to fire back. At PG, it really has been since TJ. That's what I like about Nico and Green. Neither of them is ever looking to let up.

[TucsonClip]

The way he can see and manipulate the floor at such a young age is amazing. Great example was late in the game on that lob to Zeke.

Nico had been busting them with that floater from the elbow. Before he attacked, he pointed to Zeke basically saying be ready. drives left, draws Zeke's man out of position because of the threat of his floater and then lobs one at the rim for Zeke to slam home.

Miller hasn't had a player who can do that during his time in Tucson. He does now.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The way he can see and manipulate the floor at such a young age is amazing. Great example was late in the game on that lob to Zeke.

Nico had been busting them with that floater from the elbow. Before the ball screen came, he pointed to Zeke basically saying be ready. He attacks off the screen, draws Zeke's man out of position because of the threat of his floater and then lobs one at the rim for Zeke to slam home.

Miller hasn't had a player who can do that during his time in Tucson. He does now.

We've had good scorers and good distributors. Now we have both in a single player.

One of the things that impresses me a lot about Nico is his ability to go back and forth between a scorer and distributor seamlessly. When Illinois made a mini run to cut to 11, he flipped the switch and hit a driving layup and floater to stop their momentum.

He's good at knowing what the moment calls for.

[YoDeFoe]

The way he can see and manipulate the floor at such a young age is amazing. Great example was late in the game on that lob to Zeke.

Nico had been busting them with that floater from the elbow. Before the ball screen came, he pointed to Zeke basically saying be ready. He attacks off the screen, draws Zeke's man out of position because of the threat of his floater and then lobs one at the rim for Zeke to slam home.

Miller hasn't had a player who can do that during his time in Tucson. He does now.

We've had good scorers and good distributors. Now we have both in a single player.

One of the things that impresses me a lot about Nico is his ability to go back and forth between a scorer and distributor seamlessly. When Illinois made a mini run to cut to 11, he flipped the switch and hit a driving layup and floater to stop their momentum.

He's good at knowing what the moment calls for.

I said that I thought Nico could be a combo of Trier's scoring and TJ's passing... that's what I saw last night.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The way he can see and manipulate the floor at such a young age is amazing. Great example was late in the game on that lob to Zeke.

Nico had been busting them with that floater from the elbow. Before the ball screen came, he pointed to Zeke basically saying be ready. He attacks off the screen, draws Zeke's man out of position because of the threat of his floater and then lobs one at the rim for Zeke to slam home.

Miller hasn't had a player who can do that during his time in Tucson. He does now.

We've had good scorers and good distributors. Now we have both in a single player.

One of the things that impresses me a lot about Nico is his ability to go back and forth between a scorer and distributor seamlessly. When Illinois made a mini run to cut to 11, he flipped the switch and hit a driving layup and floater to stop their momentum.

He's good at knowing what the moment calls for.

I said that I thought Nico could be a combo of Trier's scoring and TJ's passing... that's what I saw last night.

I really do like the Bibby comparison. I could see him dicing up a press like Bibby did to Kentucky. Bibby was another who could do everything.

[CalStateTempe]

My favorite part of the game was him shit talking the Illinois Guard while we were down like 7 points. Dude is not lacking confidence and that is a beautiful sight that we haven't seen since in recent pg's. This team really felt like it lost its edge and swagger after TJ left. Its back.

I saw that too and it was glorious

[CalStateTempe]

Yeah in overall game Bibby is a good comparison

[Lando05]

I've said it on TOS and in here all summer. Nico is the best freshman PG we've had since Bibby.

[azcat49]

Two biggest trash talkers I have seen at AZ WERE kelvin Eafon and Reggie Geary and both were great leaders. One in football and the basketball. Their confidence was all encompassing. The other players were lifted. 12-1 in one sport and a FF in another. This year will be special

[Merkin]

Cover boy!

[84Cat]

How can Nico be a surprise? 247 had him rated the 9th best prospect and their #1 point guard. This article just shows how biased ESPN is.

[97cats]

in fairness, I read it as Arizona (not necessarily Mannion) is the biggest surprise so far.

f*ck ESPN anyway

[Beachcat97]

Not really seeing how our being undefeated at this point is a big surprise. Zeke’s play and DD’s exit are the only surprises. If we make it to the start of Pac play without a loss, that too would be surprising.

[Captain Obvious]

Not really seeing how our being undefeated at this point is a big surprise. Zeke’s play and DD’s exit are the only surprises. If we make it to the start of Pac play without a loss, that too would be surprising.

It shouldn't be a surprise since all we've played are cupcakes so far. Baylor and Gonzaga will determine whether we're for real or not. I believe we are and will only get better. One game at a time.

[Longhorned]

On a scale from toilet to sewer, we’re still a stinking turd in a clogged toilet until we play Baylor and prove we should have self-banned from post-season this year.

[97cats]

it’s the fashion in which Arizona won its first four games (specifically Illinois and NMST) that has been a surprise to many, not that they are 5-0 or the remainder of the schedule thus far.

again as well, in fairness, the article referenced was written before the uneven performance against NDST, so it was a take at 4-0.

long season to go including road tests which will tell much more about this bunch, but I understand why the piece from ESPN was written - the way in which Arizona has dominated early has been a surprise for me too.

[Longhorned]

Not everyone at ESPN picked Arizona to beat NMSU.

[CalStateTempe]

Yup, it’s the Spanish soccer new media attitude, it’s not good enough to win, but you have to win with style/look good doing so.

Last time I felt this way was the year we were cruising to 40-0 until bash broke his foot against cal.

[Beachcat97]

long season to go including road tests which will tell much more about this bunch, but I understand why the piece from ESPN was written - the way in which Arizona has dominated early has been a surprise for me too.

That's fair, 97. You're right: we ran Illinois out of the building, for instance. I thought we'd win but not by 21.

I think our blow-out victories give a glimpse of this team's potential. We're winning on sheer talent right now. Miller is still figuring out his rotations. Will Smith remain a big minute player? Will Koloko get more minutes? Baker or Hazzard as first guard off the bench? I hope that DD's departure clarifies some things and removes any tensions.

[YoDeFoe]

Oh this is cool

[CalStateTempe]

I don’t know why we let espn on campus

[Chicat]

I don’t know why we let espn on campus

To improve our players’ draft stock/pro options.

They’re certainly not getting any help from the conference or the Pac-12 Network.

[azcat49]

Would ESPIN dare to bring game day to McKale for the Zags game. Would that be fun or what

[Longhorned]

Would ESPIN dare to bring game day to McKale for the Zags game. Would that be fun or what

Sort of seems like ESPN crossed the Rubicon a long time ago on that one. I don't think they're ready for the requisite admissions and apologies in the coming weeks to make that kind of live television appearance possible.