The 2020-2021 Season Thread

[Spaceman Spiff]

My impression has been that Kriisa has a higher ceiling than Barcello, perhaps a much higher ceiling.

Hopefully he'll just give us another solid guard option as we head into the final stretch of the season.

Barcello took a while and never realized his potential here, but he's currently averaging 16 and 5 on 58% from the floor and 60% from 3 for BYU.

I see it as a compliment to Kriisa to say he could get to that level sooner than the 4 years Barcello took. Like, as in, I could see Kriisa turn into a double digit scorer with great shooting %'s by a soph.

[dmjcat]

[Chicat]

[Spaceman Spiff]

To be honest, one of the things that tweet makes me think is he seems to plan to return. Which is good news.

[IndianaZonaFan]

To be honest, one of the things that tweet makes me think is he seems to plan to return. Which is good news.

That would be really dumb. He would rush back to play 1 or 2 games for what? He needs to take his time and have a really good offseason again to come back next year at full strength.

[Spaceman Spiff]

To be honest, one of the things that tweet makes me think is he seems to plan to return. Which is good news.

That would be really dumb. He would rush back to play 1 or 2 games for what? He needs to take his time and have a really good offseason again to come back next year at full strength.

Sorry, should have been clearer. I meant plan to return next year. He's technically a senior and would have had to petition for next year if I remember correctly, although that no longer matters.

I agree with you.

[IndianaZonaFan]

To be honest, one of the things that tweet makes me think is he seems to plan to return. Which is good news.

That would be really dumb. He would rush back to play 1 or 2 games for what? He needs to take his time and have a really good offseason again to come back next year at full strength.

Sorry, should have been clearer. I meant plan to return next year. He's technically a senior and would have had to petition for next year if I remember correctly, although that no longer matters.

I agree with you.

Yeah I definitely interpreted that wrong hahaha. My bad.

I’m also unsure of his eligibility situation moving forward. Think you’re right about having to petition, but covid helped us there. He might still be able to play the next 2 years for us.

[MountainCat]

Since we’re up that way, let’s see if Gonzaga has a day off.

[azgreg]

Since we’re up that way, let’s see if Gonzaga has a day off.

They play St Mary's Saturday.

[MountainCat]

Since we’re up that way, let’s see if Gonzaga has a day off.

They play St Mary's Saturday.

What are they doing Monday then?

[U.P. Zona Fan]

And Gonzaga has 88 with 3 min left.

[YoDeFoe]

Ahhhh I care about Arizona basketball again... Pour one out to OAD'ers Mathurin and Tubelis, we hardly knew thee.

No but for real that was fun to watch after **blank memory** last week. That's a bad OSU team but we showed up and blew the doors off them. Wish we had Oregon next.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Ahhhh I care about Arizona basketball again... Pour one out to OAD'ers Mathurin and Tubelis, we hardly knew thee.

No but for real that was fun to watch after **blank memory** last week. That's a bad OSU team but we showed up and blew the doors off them. Wish we had Oregon next.

Seriously, I want this team back intact next year. As frustrating as last week was, you can see the flashes of big time potential.

[EastCoastCat]

I am trying to recall a game we played that I enjoyed so much. I know OSU is not as talented and hasn't played much recently but man the combination of talent, execution and effort was a thing of beauty.

It took me back to the old days.

[gronk4heisman]

Mathurin's ascent worries me he wont ever be here to help us in a NCAA tournament. I do not recall seeing week to week growth like this from a player on Arizona since Jordan Hill.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Mathurin's ascent worries me he wont ever be here to help us in a NCAA tournament. I do not recall seeing week to week growth like this from a player on Arizona since Jordan Hill.

He has a great physical profile for an NBA wing. His jumper has really improved.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/pl ... lits/2021/

His month to month splits on shooting % and 3 point % are nuts. He's literally jumped each % by about 20% month to month. I REALLY REALLY hope we see him in Tucson as a soph, but he's also clearly our best pro prospect. I remember saying as much a few months ago when some people were pushing Terry. Mathurin's always been the highest ceiling guy we have for the pros, with Tubelis second.

Tubelis is another guy you can literally see growing on a daily basis right now.

[gronk4heisman]

Terry could grow into a player but he gives me a Chase Jeter vibe where you can see the potential but it just likes it will never come together. He is very rigid in his movement and does not look natural.

[Jefe]

Did Kerr break his nose in practice? 3 weeks to heal up

[Spaceman Spiff]

Terry could grow into a player but he gives me a Chase Jeter vibe where you can see the potential but it just likes it will never come together. He is very rigid in his movement and does not look natural.

His 3 point percentage can't be .227 if he wants to be a contributor. He's not the athlete Mathurin is, so he needs that shot to open up his game.

He is a good passer and handler for his size, but against higher level teams, the opportunities don't just present themselves. He needs that J to make things happen, and he's struggled there all year.

That said, he hung onto his starting role for so long because his defensive win shares and DBPM are better than Mathurin's. He has solid defensive potential and can rebound and pass. He just needs to find his shot. His EFG is 39% and that's just below average.

I'd like to see him get a few elbow looks against a zone if possible.

[Beachcat97]

Yeah, I'm not ready to even consider Mathurin and/or Tubelis not being back. We need just one year where we catch a break with the early departures.

[Spaceman Spiff]

So I tried to research Mathurin's draft status, and there's really not a ton of material out right now. None of the major sites have a fully updated profile even. One or two preseason mocks had him in the second round, but I couldn't find any that currently had him there.

One thing, he doesn't turn 19 until June. I'm not sure what that means to his thinking, but even if he returned as a soph, he would enter the 2022 draft essentially the age most OAD's are. Of course, being younger is also a selling point for the NBA, so...who knows.

He definitely has a bright future and I hope it includes one more year here. We'll get a better sense as more mocks develop, I think.

[84Cat]

This is Arizona...he will be a OAD

[Beachcat97]

This is Arizona...he will be a OAD

That's what I'm thinking too.

Spiff: it doesn't really matter what the draft predictions said before the season or even now; all that matters is where the player is at season's end. If Mathurin's current trajectory continues through March, it's very hard to imagine this guy staying in school unless his plan all along has been to play more than one season.

[Spaceman Spiff]

This is Arizona...he will be a OAD

That's what I'm thinking too.

Spiff: it doesn't really matter what the draft predictions said before the season or even now; all that matters is where the player is at season's end. If Mathurin's current trajectory continues through March, it's very hard to imagine this guy staying in school unless his plan all along has been to play more than one season.

I mean, if he continues to make 20% more of his threes every month, he will be making 100% of them by March.

I'm not sure this is a hugely helpful thing. Yes, the end of the season matters. He also probably won't continue to shoot 60% from 3, and this is a deep wing class.

[Spaceman Spiff]

As of today:
RPI-44
BPI-36
AP- 31
Coaches- NR (48 teams receiving votes)
NET- 21
KenPom-28

after getting swept at home by LA schools

RPI-79
BPI-46
AP- NR (46 teams receiving votes)
NET- 39
KenPom-42

Well, back up to 30 in Kenpom. We're #13 on offense nationally.

[UAEebs86]

Nothing gets you better quicker than pounding some Beaver.

[azgreg]

106th is a strange ranking for a Final Four team.

[azgreg]

[Beachcat97]

106th is a strange ranking for a Final Four team.

I don't see any Pac teams getting to the FF. Maybe Oregon if they heat up. UCLA is solid, but I think they'd be in trouble against a team with good bigs.

[azgreg]

I don't see any Pac teams getting to the FF. Maybe Oregon if they heat up. UCLA is solid, but I think they'd be in trouble against a team with good bigs.

ASSu was a pick from some of the talking heads pre-season as a possibility for the Final Four along with UCLA.

[84Cat]

Remy didn't play last weekend due to a death in the family. Of course they were never going to the ff

[Beachcat97]

I don't see any Pac teams getting to the FF. Maybe Oregon if they heat up. UCLA is solid, but I think they'd be in trouble against a team with good bigs.

ASSu was a pick from some of the talking heads pre-season as a possibility for the Final Four along with UCLA.

ASU at full strength could still be interesting. UCLA got killed by SDSU, who has now lost to multiple bad teams, and they also lost to their only other ranked opponent, OSU. So with all due respect to the Bruins, who are cleaning up in another mediocre Pac season, I think they'll be in trouble once they face some genuinely strong competition. But yeah, from the Pac, it's basically Oregon, ASU and UCLA, and I'd be a little surprised to see any of them get beyond the S16.

[dovecanyoncat]

Speaking of Kriisa: can we impeach the NCAA?

[Beachcat97]

Speaking Kriisa: can we impeach the NCAA?

My renewed goal for the season: go undefeated once Kriisa becomes eligible.

[ByJoveByJingle]

I don't see any Pac teams getting to the FF. Maybe Oregon if they heat up. UCLA is solid, but I think they'd be in trouble against a team with good bigs.

ASSu was a pick from some of the talking heads pre-season as a possibility for the Final Four along with UCLA.

Final Four or bust! Ok . . . bust it is.

[azgreg]

I don't see any Pac teams getting to the FF. Maybe Oregon if they heat up. UCLA is solid, but I think they'd be in trouble against a team with good bigs.

ASSu was a pick from some of the talking heads pre-season as a possibility for the Final Four along with UCLA.

Final Four or bust! Ok . . . bust it is.

It's starting to look like the play-in game might be their ceiling.

[dmjcat]

I don't see any Pac teams getting to the FF. Maybe Oregon if they heat up. UCLA is solid, but I think they'd be in trouble against a team with good bigs.

ASSu was a pick from some of the talking heads pre-season as a possibility for the Final Four along with UCLA.

Final Four or bust! Ok . . . bust it is.

It's starting to look like the play-in game might be their ceiling.

I wasn't aware the NIT had a play in game??

[Beachcat97]

Pac is looking pretty weak again. UCLA almost lost to 1-10 UW, at Pauley, and ASU just can't seem to put it together. Oregon and USC, maybe? UCLA got to skip their game at Eugene, so did USC. So if I were a betting man, those would be my two favorites to win the league. Followed by Oregon.

[TheCatInTheHat]

For anybody unfamiliar with ASU, as they've had some games cancelled, here's what they look like in advance of our game Thursday:

#1 Remy Martin 6-0 SR 16.5 PPG .216 3% .870 FT% 2.6 RPG 33/16 A/TO 10 STL
#13 Josh Christopher 6-5 FR 16.5 PPG .243 3% .857 FT% 5.3 RPG 15/16 A/TO 14 STL
#11 Alonzo Verge 6-2 SR 15.9 PPG .389 3% .761 FT% 4.1 RPG 30/23 A/TO 12 STL
#23 Marcus Bagley 6-8 FR 13.3 PPG .388 3% .690 FT% 7.0 RPG 6/8 A/TO 7 STL
#24 Jalen Graham 6-9 SO 5.6 PPG .000 3% .357 FT% 3.0 RPG 3/9 A/TO 13 BLK

#0 Holland Woods 6-1 SR 6.5 PPG .308 3% .692 FT% 2.0 RPG 21/9 A/TO 9 STL
#4 Kimani Lawrence 6-8 SR 5.0 PPG .250 3% .333 FT% 1.9 RPG 3/9 A/TO 5 STL
#21 Chris Osten 6-9 JR 4.4 PPG .000 3% .316 FT% 3.7 RPG 4/5 A/TO 9 BLK
#35 Taeshon Cherry 6-8 JR 3.9 PPG .318 3% .316 FT% 2.3 RPG 2/0 A/TO 3 STL
#10 Jaelen House 6-1 SO 3.0 PPG .556 3% 1.000 FT% 1.1 RPG 6/5 A/TO 8 STL

[IndianaZonaFan]

As of today:
RPI-44
BPI-36
AP- 31
Coaches- NR (48 teams receiving votes)
NET- 21
KenPom-28

after getting swept at home by LA schools

RPI-79
BPI-46
AP- NR (46 teams receiving votes)
NET- 39
KenPom-42

after beating Oregon state by 30+

RPI-66
BPI-33
AP- NR
NET- 31
KenPom-29

[Spaceman Spiff]

For anybody unfamiliar with ASU, as they've had some games cancelled, here's what they look like in advance of our game Thursday:

#1 Remy Martin 6-0 SR 16.5 PPG .216 3% .870 FT% 2.6 RPG 33/16 A/TO 10 STL
#13 Josh Christopher 6-5 FR 16.5 PPG .243 3% .857 FT% 5.3 RPG 15/16 A/TO 14 STL
#11 Alonzo Verge 6-2 SR 15.9 PPG .389 3% .761 FT% 4.1 RPG 30/23 A/TO 12 STL
#23 Marcus Bagley 6-8 FR 13.3 PPG .388 3% .690 FT% 7.0 RPG 6/8 A/TO 7 STL
#24 Jalen Graham 6-9 SO 5.6 PPG .000 3% .357 FT% 3.0 RPG 3/9 A/TO 13 BLK

#0 Holland Woods 6-1 SR 6.5 PPG .308 3% .692 FT% 2.0 RPG 21/9 A/TO 9 STL
#4 Kimani Lawrence 6-8 SR 5.0 PPG .250 3% .333 FT% 1.9 RPG 3/9 A/TO 5 STL
#21 Chris Osten 6-9 JR 4.4 PPG .000 3% .316 FT% 3.7 RPG 4/5 A/TO 9 BLK
#35 Taeshon Cherry 6-8 JR 3.9 PPG .318 3% .316 FT% 2.3 RPG 2/0 A/TO 3 STL
#10 Jaelen House 6-1 SO 3.0 PPG .556 3% 1.000 FT% 1.1 RPG 6/5 A/TO 8 STL

Wait, they have 4 rotation players shooting under 36% from the freethrow line?

[TheCatInTheHat]

Yep. Every one of their bigs except Bagley.

[UAEebs86]

If it's close 'Cats can go Hack-a-Shaq at the end.

[UAEebs86]

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Whoa, two in a row against the gerbils?

[IndianaZonaFan]

That’s one less game for Kriisa unless we move an early game to that final week. If we move 2 games, then it’s an extra game for him.

[97cats]

Mathurin's ascent worries me he wont ever be here to help us in a NCAA tournament. I do not recall seeing week to week growth like this from a player on Arizona since Jordan Hill.

a lil Gil 2.0 in him

[IndianaZonaFan]

Mathurin's ascent worries me he wont ever be here to help us in a NCAA tournament. I do not recall seeing week to week growth like this from a player on Arizona since Jordan Hill.

a lil Gil 2.0 in him

Not a bad thing. Hope he stays at least 1 more year though. Would be amazing to watch this kind of kid mature within the program.

[97cats]

its a great thing - i see it in his body and shoulders, long arms, and the love of the left hand.

1) Bibby - Arenas - S. Elliot - Gordon - Ayton
2) D. Stoudamire - Kerr - B. Elliot - D. Williams - B. Williams
3) Terry - Norman - Mills - Markkanen - Woods
4) Money - Reeves - A. Iguodala - Wright - Frye
5) McConnell - Bayless - Simon - Fleming - J. Hill
6) S. Stoudamire - N. Johnson - Jefferson - Walton - Cook
7) Gardner - Trier - S. Hill - Budinger - Nnaji
8) Lyons - Buechler - Dickerson - Radenovic - Tarczewski
9) Shakur - Hollis-Jefferson - Tolbert - Davis - Ristic
10) Lofton- H. Harris - Adams - S. Johnson - Rooks
11) Mannion - Fogg - Geary - P. Williams - Blair
12) Brown - McMillian - M. Williams - Davison - Stokes
13) Allen - Othick - Owes - Ryan Anderson - Ashley
14) Wise - Muehlebach - Rick Anderson - Perry - Bramlett
15) Jones - York - Horne - Demic - D. Harris

[Spaceman Spiff]

its a great thing - i see it in his body and shoulders, long arms, and the love of the left hand.

1) Bibby - Arenas - S. Elliot - Gordon - Ayton
2) D. Stoudamire - Kerr - B. Elliot - D. Williams - B. Williams
3) Terry - Norman - Mills - Markkanen - Woods
4) Money - Reeves - A. Iguodala - Wright - Frye
5) McConnell - Bayless - Simon - Fleming - J. Hill
6) S. Stoudamire - N. Johnson - Jefferson - Walton - Cook
7) Gardner - Trier - S. Hill - Budinger - Nnaji
8) Lyons - Buechler - Dickerson - Radenovic - Tarczewski
9) Shakur - Hollis-Jefferson - Tolbert - Davis - Ristic
10) Lofton- H. Harris - Adams - S. Johnson - Rooks
11) Mannion - Fogg - Geary - P. Williams - Blair
12) Brown - McMillian - M. Williams - Davison - Stokes
13) Allen - Othick - Owes - Ryan Anderson - Ashley
14) Wise - Muehlebach - Rick Anderson - Perry - Bramlett
15) Jones - York - Horne - Demic - D. Harris

Add #16 and let's do a voting tournament for who would win. For my money, seeds 1-7 could all win.