The 2020-2021 Season Thread

97cats · Post by **97cats** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:49 am

spiff, thats a great idea actually

would like your help, whos the final five to make up the #16 seed?

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 12:17 pm

97cats wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:49 am spiff, thats a great idea actually

would like your help, whos the final five to make up the #16 seed?

I'll lead with being 39 years old, so I may not be fully fair to 80's and before players. Also, it's hard to weigh guys who achieved their full potential elsewhere, and I'm specifically thinking of my PG.

Here's my shot:

Bynum
Alkins
Corey Williams
Josh Green
Your choice of Tubelis, Kevin Parrom for a super small ball team or Grant Jerrett.

Bynum was his best at GT, but still legit at GT. If it's not obvious, I was struggling for a guy bigger than 6'9. When Isiah Fox and Kyryl start looking appealing, you know you're reaching.

I wanted Parrom on there in part because I feel like he would have been a star if he didn't get shot. You had some damn good lists, though. When I thought of a name that might have been missed, it was always covered.

Edit: if we can take based off potential, I'll call it right now that Tubelis will be rising fast if he's back next year.

VegasCatFan · Post by **VegasCatFan** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 5:18 pm

I'd like to see Jimmy Rappis somewhere on the list. In a way, he kind of reminds me a little of TJ McConnell. And I always thought Larry Demic was underrated in a lot of lists I've seen. He was a great player for us, a top 10 draft pick, but flopped big time in the NBA. Maybe that's why he tends to be so low a lot of times, if he's even mentioned at all.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:33 pm

16 W Rustand, Gilbert Myles, Phil Taylor, Ernie McCray, Joe Skaisgar

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 7:06 pm

My all wild card team.

Josiah Turner
Gilbert Arenas
Chris Rodgers
Craig Victor
Isiah Fox

Also, Oregon State just knocked off USC.

U.P. Zona Fan · Post by **U.P. Zona Fan** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 7:50 pm

I bet if we beat the terd gerbils twice in a row, Duke will be ranked the week after.

That osu win is looking better all the time.

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:21 pm

The Pac is crap again, imo.

Oregon and UCLA are the only ones likely to win a game in the tournament, and even that is doubtful.

dmjcat · Post by **dmjcat** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:33 pm

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:38 pm

TheCatInTheHat wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 3:35 pm 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

Okay...roster update. The above is based on their year-to-date stats. Apparently Graham has been out with mono, but he'll be returning for our game. Cherry's been out for "personal reasons" and apparently still is. (Hey, I didn't claim I watched a lot of their games. I can only take so much of Remy Martin Cognac banging into somebody, then snapping his neck back and giving the nearest ref an outraged look.)

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:01 pm

So Hansen wrote a long column on how great it is to have Bobby Hurley in the league and how he's prayed for somebody colorful to write about. I'm reminded of some of the dialogue in My Cousin Vinny- Judge: "That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection." Vinny: "Thank you, Your Honor." Judge: "Overruled." Hurley's done a surprisingly good job of recruiting, and bringing fans in, so I'm sure they're happy with him at ASU. Hansen's point is that all of the league's rivalry games in basketball are one-sided over the last 25 years, with Arizona going 31-13 against ASU. But the games always mean something. Hurley making odd poses sticking his gut out in his too-old-for-it skinny dress shirt, turning red, and having his eyes bug out while he's crying about calls adds a bit of screwball color, but that's about it. It's about like the shower curtain; an unnecessary cheap sideshow to the main event. I think Hansen wants to go back to the WAC days of people throwing whiskey bottles and half of the league coaches playing it up like the villain in WWF. Great if you're looking for things to write about, but I just want to see good basketball.

atlantakat · Post by **atlantakat** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:19 am

azcat49 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:33 pm 16 W Rustand, Gilbert Myles, Phil Taylor, Ernie McCray, Joe Skaisgar

Very late to this thread but glad to see more love for pre-Lute eras.

A couple more old school names come to mind that I did not see (or may have just missed) in the great lists in this thread.: Joe Nehls, Mo Udall, and Len Gordy

BeardownZonaZona · Post by **BeardownZonaZona** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:14 am

I was expecting everyone to be happy on this thread right now. No posts yet about the game today? I'll start. Big win and an even bigger finish for the freshman out of Lithuania. Our guards were on it tonight. Bigs really struggled against a very small team, which was surprisingly as I took every big in the RAP thinking they'd dominate a much smaller team, but hey. A win is a win, and winning over the scum up north on their own court is even sweeter than any other win

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:56 am

I think you’ll find most of our jubilation in the game thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=6492

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:15 am

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:39 am

He said after the game that it was his first game winning shot. I'm so happy for the guy after he struggled during most of the game

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:31 am

Our D still needs a lot of work, but it's good to see us fight and win some close games. Terry being solid helped a lot. Hopefully this is a good growing experience for Tubelis to build confidence and learn he can rebound from a tough first half.

A buzzer beater to win vs ASU is always fun.

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:58 am

The officiating was completely one-sided in his favor, but Hurley wanted the game handed to him even MORE at the aptly-named charity stripe? Unreal. What a putz. And other than one guy who's a tough one-on-one matchup and a few good outside shooters, I don't see any amazingly well-coached team from him. Just lots of arm bars and crying all game to the refs. And this is supposed to be his big peak, with the media fawning all over him at the beginning of the season. All I saw at the beginning of the season was that he didn't have much of a front line and just more of the same from him, and that seems to be the case. BTW, if ASu was allowed to have about 75 people in attendance and that was enough to influence the refs, we should have 150 people spread out in McKale Monday night.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:02 am

Speaking of poor coaching, how could ASU let Tubelis block the ball, then while Remy is flopping around like a fish out of water, the other ASU players just stand around and let Tubelis go to the opposite basket unimpeded?

That should have been Hurley's complaint, and certainly not the reffing.

TheCat · Post by **TheCat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:43 am

Merkin you are exactly right. It was Remy flopping around and not getting back that forced someone to cover James and allowed a layup. I didn't hear him complain about the call on us that GAVE them the ball in the first place. This aint Duke where ever call goes in your favor bitch. They will be ready for war on Monday so I hope we are too.

MountainCat · Post by **MountainCat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:19 am

TheCatInTheHat wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:58 am The officiating was completely one-sided in his favor, but Hurley wanted the game handed to him even MORE at the aptly-named charity stripe? Unreal. What a putz. And other than one guy who's a tough one-on-one matchup and a few good outside shooters, I don't see any amazingly well-coached team from him. Just lots of arm bars and crying all game to the refs. And this is supposed to be his big peak, with the media fawning all over him at the beginning of the season. All I saw at the beginning of the season was that he didn't have much of a front line and just more of the same from him, and that seems to be the case. BTW, if ASu was allowed to have about 75 people in attendance and that was enough to influence the refs, we should have 150 people spread out in McKale Monday night.

Who ever attends, ought to wear yellow hoodies that say "Bagley Loves Tucson".

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:29 am

TheCat wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:43 am Merkin you are exactly right. It was Remy flopping around and not getting back that forced someone to cover James and allowed a layup. I didn't hear him complain about the call on us that GAVE them the ball in the first place. This aint Duke where ever call goes in your favor bitch. They will be ready for war on Monday so I hope we are too.

I believe Jalen Graham was matched up with Tubelis. In a tie game, he just jogged back down the court while Azoulas sprinted and was rewarded with the put-back. Maybe he thought there was less time on the clock and we'd launch a desperation half-court shot and it would go overtime. But not getting back on defense is a cardinal sin at every level of basketball, so I imagine he's heard about it and will continue to.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:32 am

Here's the best angle I've seen on the no call that Hurley's been crying about.

https://mobile.twitter.com/SunDevilSour ... 3653191682

Tubelis jumps straight up, Martin jumps into Tubelis's chest. There's no clear contact on the arm and I'm not at all convinced Martin needed to jump to the other side of the basket to make his shot. It seems he jumps to hunt contact and there isn't much Tubelis can do to avoid him.

Fine with that as a no call, especially with less than 10 seconds.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:39 am

Looks like the majority of ASU fans think it was a good no call.

Which only serves to make Bobby look like an even bigger whiny little bitch.

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:42 am

Hurley's always been a total baby. Martin has made an entire college career out of initiating contact with a defensive player and then doing his Sarah Bernhardt impression to get his free throws. Not sure how well that'll go over in Italy, or wherever he winds up playing.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:47 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:39 am Looks like the majority of ASU fans think it was a good no call.

Which only serves to make Bobby look like an even bigger whiny little bitch.

Yeah, most of the comments are either that Tubelis went straight up or that it might be a foul, but it's not getting a whistle in that situation.

It's a strange feeling to feel respect for ASU fans.

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:51 am

If Martin lets the clock run a little more before driving, or if all the ASU players get back on defense, they still get it to OT.

Hurley knows his guys fucked up, but he can't help himself. Obi-wan (Coach K) taught him well.

97cats · Post by **97cats** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 1:53 pm

f*ck ASU

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:02 pm

UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:51 am If Martin lets the clock run a little more before driving, or if all the ASU players get back on defense, they still get it to OT.

Hurley knows his guys fucked up, but he can't help himself. Obi-wan (Coach K) taught him well.

The usual rule is if on a high pick and roll, you want to be heading into the pick with ~6 seconds left.

Martin went in with 12 on the shot clock and 14 on the game clock. If he goes with 6 and 8, the game is in OT, no doubt. We maybe get up a 40 footer or something with no chance for an offensive rebound.

I stand by that it was a good no call, and in that situation, you're 100% right Martin went too soon. It was a tie game, so he needs to ensure only one shot and maybe a putback. But, lucky for us, he doesn't.

So as 97 said **** ASU.

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:53 pm

Today on radio they said that illegal screen call on AZTU was wrong because he actually hit Akinjo not Martin.

Also, does everyone think Akinjo was shooting or passing?
To me, it looked like he started to shoot then saw ASTU and passed it

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 8:42 am

Looked like a shot all the way to me.

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:00 am

He said in the presser that it was a lob but it looked to me like a shot

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:06 am

Postmaster wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:53 pm Today on radio they said that illegal screen call on AZTU was wrong because he actually hit Akinjo not Martin. Also, does everyone think Akinjo was shooting or passing? To me, it looked like he started to shoot then saw ASTU and passed it

The official scorer had it as a missed shot and an offensive rebound. But you have to wonder how Akinjo could have been a good foot short of the rim. He's not that bad a shooter, and he wouldn't have choked that much. So I think you're right. He pulled up for the shot, then saw Tubelis open underneath. Indecision's brutal when you start doing one thing and just have a split-second to change it. So, he didn't manage to switch from a one-handed release to a two-handed overhead pass (which Tubelis might not have handled if he put too much steam on it.) But I think he just had enough time to pull back and short-arm his shot so Tubelis would get it easily for the wide-open layup. It was weird and awkward, and he won't ever get official credit for an assist, but that's what it looked like to me.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:21 am

Just watched it again and I think you’re right. Looks like he was looking to shoot it but changed his mind at the last second when he saw Tubelis open. Heck of a play with 2 seconds left.

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:30 am

It's kind of weird. There's a part of me that feels like justice was served in that Akinjo didn't get a game-winning assist when he was caught in-between and just managed to pull off an odd and somewhat lucky play. (Like, what if the high arching short-shot "pass" ate up too much time and the buzzer went off before Tubelis could put it in?) But, I don't think it's going to bother him one bit, as he was still resourceful and contributed big-time to his team in that way.

U.P. Zona Fan · Post by **U.P. Zona Fan** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:16 am

Was the shot altered? That's what I kind of thought, that someone got a fingertip on it.

Postmaster · Post by **Postmaster** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 7:19 pm

I don’t think so, but I haven’t checked into that.

Any update on JET’s hammy?

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:29 am

U.P. Zona Fan wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:16 am Was the shot altered? That's what I kind of thought, that someone got a fingertip on it.

I didn't DVR the game, and it was on ESPN, so I guess there'll be none of the constant replays on Pac-12 Arizona, which is what I was waiting for to respond. But my impression was that Akinjo went up pretty high while the defender just stood there with arms up to avoid fouling, and Akinjo was able to get off a clean "shot", or "passhot" or whatever it should be called.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:40 am

Going to be one heck of a game tonight. Cats opened as 5 point favorites but it has slid down to 4. Betting man with no dog in the fight would take those points

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:46 am

TheCatInTheHat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:29 am
U.P. Zona Fan wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:16 am Was the shot altered? That's what I kind of thought, that someone got a fingertip on it.
I didn't DVR the game, and it was on ESPN, so I guess there'll be none of the constant replays on Pac-12 Arizona, which is what I was waiting for to respond. But my impression was that Akinjo went up pretty high while the defender just stood there with arms up to avoid fouling, and Akinjo was able to get off a clean "shot", or "passhot" or whatever it should be called.

You can replay as many times as you want. Drive starts around the 26:00 mark

IndianaZonaFan · Post by **IndianaZonaFan** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:48 am

IndianaZonaFan wrote: ↑Mon Jan 18, 2021 7:07 am
IndianaZonaFan wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 7:54 am
IndianaZonaFan wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:58 am 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

after winning @ ASU

RPI-59
BPI-36
AP- 43 (out of 43 receiving votes)
NET- 32
KenPom-27 (16/63)

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:17 am

azcat49 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:40 am Going to be one heck of a game tonight. Cats opened as 5 point favorites but it has slid down to 4. Betting man with no dog in the fight would take those points

Another opportunity for growth for our young team. I expect ASU will be ready, so us bringing intensity is gonna be big.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:25 am

If we win Martin will have a losing record against us. He wins snd he will be one of the few devils who leave college with a plus .500 record against us.

Seems like a nice kid but I hope we send him packing below .500

TheCat · Post by **TheCat** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:39 am

We better eliminate some of the fouls and rebound the hell out of the ball. Hurley has the refs primed to look at every tic tac foul against us. Send them packing.

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:47 am

Looking ahead, here's how I expect us to finish:

ASU (W)
Stanford (W)
Cal (W)
@Utah (W)
@Colorado (L)
OSU (W)
Oregon (W)
@UCLA (L)
@USC (L)
WSU (W)
UW (W)

So I expect we'll win 8 of 11 to finish the season. Not bad.

zonagrad · Post by **zonagrad** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:29 pm

ASU shot 11-21 from deep in the last meeting. Replicating that number won't be easy, nor will having a +12 advantage at the FT line. I doubt Arizona shoots it as well from deep either (11-20). Arizona should rebound the ball better as that will be a point of emphasis by Miller.

I'd give the points and take Arizona -4.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:43 pm

zonagrad wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:29 pm ASU shot 11-21 from deep in the last meeting. Replicating that number won't be easy, nor will having a +12 advantage at the FT line. I doubt Arizona shoots it as well from deep either (11-20). Arizona should rebound the ball better as that will be a point of emphasis by Miller.

I'd give the points and take Arizona -4.

We are not great at controlling penetration without fouling. Just overall, I'd want to see that improve. If it does, ASU has a hard time beating us.

We have too much size and versatility. They need to spread us out and break us down to win. I expect a close game, as that game plan tends to work against our D.

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:52 pm

Remind me: when do we get Kriisa? Shit is taking forever.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 1:00 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:52 pm Remind me: when do we get Kriisa? Shit is taking forever.

Think it was around February 5th, but with his broken nose and concussion who knows...

TheCatInTheHat · Post by **TheCatInTheHat** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 1:04 pm

84Cat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:46 am
TheCatInTheHat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:29 am
U.P. Zona Fan wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:16 am Was the shot altered? That's what I kind of thought, that someone got a fingertip on it.
I didn't DVR the game, and it was on ESPN, so I guess there'll be none of the constant replays on Pac-12 Arizona, which is what I was waiting for to respond. But my impression was that Akinjo went up pretty high while the defender just stood there with arms up to avoid fouling, and Akinjo was able to get off a clean "shot", or "passhot" or whatever it should be called.
You can replay as many times as you want. Drive starts around the 26:00 mark

Okay, so there's a link on the UArizona website to an ESPN clip of the last seconds of the game. Bagley took a sideways swipe at the ball and may or may not have contacted it as Akinjo was going up. After Bagley's swipe, Akinjo kept going up and got the shot away. I'm sure he was at the least distracted by Bagley, but I definitely wouldn't call it a deflection. Whether that was enough for Akinjo's shot to have fallen that far short is debatable. That may be the case, but I also think he could see Tubelis wide open under the hoop, and he may have tried to one-hand "push" it toward him at the last instant. That's what he says, anyway. In any event, it turned into the equivalent of an awkward lob pass.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 1:21 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:52 pm Remind me: when do we get Kriisa? Shit is taking forever.

He's eligible for the 2/6 game, although I think that one might be suspended due to Covid. 2/6 onwards.

Login • Register