The 2020-2021 Season Thread

[Postmaster]

I hate to say this but Terry reminds me of the Shoe Dribbler.
Only in his movement. Not his effectiveness, ceiling, skill et al.

Gabe York?

One Pac
The Golden Child
The chosen One

Shakur

[Spaceman Spiff]

I hate to say this but Terry reminds me of the Shoe Dribbler.
Only in his movement. Not his effectiveness, ceiling, skill et al.

Gabe York?

One Pac
The Golden Child
The chosen One

Shakur

Now that you say it, yeah, his game isn't like Mustafa, but he runs and dribbles like him and the J sort of has that too far in front of his body aspect.

[Merkin]

I hate to say this but Terry reminds me of the Shoe Dribbler.
Only in his movement. Not his effectiveness, ceiling, skill et al.

Gabe York?

One Pac
The Golden Child
The chosen One

Shakur

Ah yes, led the PAC in unforced errors by stepping on the baseline.

My personal recollection of York is him dribbling the ball off his foot end of game 2 or 3 times in crunch time.

[Postmaster]

I never expected York to be a ball handler,
Shakur was hyped to be Better than Bibby.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I never expected York to be a ball handler,
Shakur was hyped to be Better than Bibby.

Shakur frustrated me to no end with overpenetration. He would just dribble into the D to see what happened.

[Postmaster]

I’m less fond of Shakur than 97 is of PJC.

[SabinoDrifter]

Stanford's Jerod Haase is steering a potential Pac-12 power

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

[Merkin]

I never expected York to be a ball handler,
Shakur was hyped to be Better than Bibby.

Yep, #2 PG in his class after Chris Paul.

Actually had a decent senior season. Averaged almost 7 assists per game. Don't think anyone has matched that since.

[Chicat]

Hansen gets a chubby every time Arizona loses. He loves it like I love getting high and eating cookies.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I never expected York to be a ball handler,
Shakur was hyped to be Better than Bibby.

Yep, #2 PG in his class after Chris Paul.

Actually had a decent senior season. Averaged almost 7 assists per game. Don't think anyone has matched that since.

Ehh, he also did that because he played 35 MPG and had almost 4 turnovers a game.

TJ produced a higher assist rate at a much lower turnover rate. If he'd played the same # of minutes, he'd have had more assists.

[Beachcat97]

Stanford's Jerod Haase is steering a potential Pac-12 power

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

Actually, Stanford just beat UCLA and AZ, down three starters. So while I'm not sure that makes them a "Pac 12 power," they have absolutely earned respect this season.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Stanford's Jerod Haase is steering a potential Pac-12 power

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

Actually, Stanford just beat UCLA and AZ, down three starters. So while I'm not sure that makes them a "Pac 12 power," they have absolutely earned respect this season.

I'd go further and note they have the #12 and #44 player nationally in the 2021 class. They have Ziare Williams in this class and had Tyrell Terry in the 2019 class.

Stanford's on the upswing.

[Beachcat97]

Stanford's Jerod Haase is steering a potential Pac-12 power

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

Actually, Stanford just beat UCLA and AZ, down three starters. So while I'm not sure that makes them a "Pac 12 power," they have absolutely earned respect this season.

I'd go further and note they have the #12 and #44 player nationally in the 2021 class. They have Ziare Williams in this class and had Tyrell Terry in the 2019 class.

Stanford's on the upswing.

Yeah. It seems like Haase already has them trending upward in a way Dawkins never really did. This Stanford team, at full strength, would be a very tough out in the tourney. This may sound a little nuts, but they've actually looked better to me than UCLA, Oregon or USC.

[SabinoDrifter]

Stanford's Jerod Haase is steering a potential Pac-12 power

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

Actually, Stanford just beat UCLA and AZ, down three starters. So while I'm not sure that makes them a "Pac 12 power," they have absolutely earned respect this season.

I'd go further and note they have the #12 and #44 player nationally in the 2021 class. They have Ziare Williams in this class and had Tyrell Terry in the 2019 class.

Stanford's on the upswing.

Yeah. It seems like Haase already has them trending upward in a way Dawkins never really did. This Stanford team, at full strength, would be a very tough out in the tourney. This may sound a little nuts, but they've actually looked better to me than UCLA, Oregon or USC.

I agree, I'm just bitching to bitch because he spends a lot of time writing about teams that aren't Arizona.

[zonagrad]

Stanford's Jerod Haase is steering a potential Pac-12 power

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

Still waiting for his Utah prediction to come through.

You could thumb through his files over the last five years and easily find stories hyping the following programs destined for greatness and a return to glory because they won a key game or two and had a decent season:

Washington - Mike Hopkins leading Huskies to prominence
California - Cuonzo Martin leading Cal Bears back to prominence
ASU - Bobby Hurley leading Sun Devils to prominence
Utah - Larry Krystowiak leading Utes back to the glory days
Oregon State - Wayne Tinkle has Oregon State returning to glory days
Colorado - Tad Boyle has Buffs stampeding for conference glory
USC - Hot shot coach Andy Enfield ready to lead Trojans to the same glory as Florida Gulf Coast

Did I miss anyone? Just waiting for Wazzu to pull off a decent win and perhaps Hansen can dial up the Dick & Tony Bennett glory days for the Cougs

Crap - Stanford has enjoyed the luxury of keeping some key players for several seasons. It's about time they got their shit together and won a few games. They've underachieved and been Miller's bitch for the last 12 years.

[Spaceman Spiff]

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

Actually, Stanford just beat UCLA and AZ, down three starters. So while I'm not sure that makes them a "Pac 12 power," they have absolutely earned respect this season.

I'd go further and note they have the #12 and #44 player nationally in the 2021 class. They have Ziare Williams in this class and had Tyrell Terry in the 2019 class.

Stanford's on the upswing.

Yeah. It seems like Haase already has them trending upward in a way Dawkins never really did. This Stanford team, at full strength, would be a very tough out in the tourney. This may sound a little nuts, but they've actually looked better to me than UCLA, Oregon or USC.

I agree, I'm just bitching to bitch because he spends a lot of time writing about teams that aren't Arizona.

We can't really be back because we never really leave.

[Postmaster]

Stanford has great size. Our guards can’t see around or over them and their bigs are a bit quicker than ours.
Seemed like they blocked every dunk or layup we attempted.

[Postmaster]

I never expected York to be a ball handler,
Shakur was hyped to be Better than Bibby.

Yep, #2 PG in his class after Chris Paul.

Actually had a decent senior season. Averaged almost 7 assists per game. Don't think anyone has matched that since.

Was it his senior year when they Wyoming guy fell over and still made a shot over Shakur?
Tournament game, I believe.

I always felt like he had a growth spurt and he was never able to regain coordination afterwards.

[Beachcat97]

Stanford has great size. Our guards can’t see around or over them and their bigs are a bit quicker than ours.
Seemed like they blocked every dunk or layup we attempted.

That's a good breakdown of what's happened in our two games with them.

Give credit to Haase. He's recruited well, and his players are stepping up. Seems like that program's in a good place.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I never expected York to be a ball handler,
Shakur was hyped to be Better than Bibby.

Yep, #2 PG in his class after Chris Paul.

Actually had a decent senior season. Averaged almost 7 assists per game. Don't think anyone has matched that since.

Was it his senior year when they Wyoming guy fell over and still made a shot over Shakur?
Tournament game, I believe.

I always felt like he had a growth spurt and he was never able to regain coordination afterwards.

Purdue player in the tourney.

[SCCats]

Stanford's Jerod Haase is steering a potential Pac-12 power

How the fuck does Greg Hansen still write for the Arizona Daily Star? His takeaway from last night was that Stanford is a potential Pac-12 power? They're 10-5 and 6-3 in the league. It is ridiculous how out of touch he is with not only the league and the rest of sports in 2021.

Still waiting for his Utah prediction to come through.

You could thumb through his files over the last five years and easily find stories hyping the following programs destined for greatness and a return to glory because they won a key game or two and had a decent season:

Washington - Mike Hopkins leading Huskies to prominence
California - Cuonzo Martin leading Cal Bears back to prominence
ASU - Bobby Hurley leading Sun Devils to prominence
Utah - Larry Krystowiak leading Utes back to the glory days
Oregon State - Wayne Tinkle has Oregon State returning to glory days
Colorado - Tad Boyle has Buffs stampeding for conference glory
USC - Hot shot coach Andy Enfield ready to lead Trojans to the same glory as Florida Gulf Coast

Did I miss anyone?

I gotta do it, just no choice.

Sean Miller leads Arizona to prominence.

[prh]

It only took the trees 12 years to beat Sean, despite some of our terrible teams lately. Let everyone feel good about themselves this year before we go crazy next year

[IndianaZonaFan]

Excited to finally see Kriisa this week. I don’t expect him to be special immediately, but I am thinking we are going to see some really good flashes in the next month. Very excited about what he could do next season, with lots of reps this year in practice, these next few games as game experience, and a more normal offseason.

[97cats]

I’m less fond of Shakur than 97 is of PJC.

no you’re not

[ChooChooCat]

Excited to finally see Kriisa this week. I don’t expect him to be special immediately, but I am thinking we are going to see some really good flashes in the next month. Very excited about what he could do next season, with lots of reps this year in practice, these next few games as game experience, and a more normal offseason.

Best passer on the team.

[Merkin]

Excited to finally see Kriisa this week. I don’t expect him to be special immediately, but I am thinking we are going to see some really good flashes in the next month. Very excited about what he could do next season, with lots of reps this year in practice, these next few games as game experience, and a more normal offseason.

Best passer on the team.

Now that's saying a lot, esp after Akinjo's performance yesterday.

TJ part 2? Hoping for some tenacious TJ type defense.

[Postmaster]

He hope that’s not like “best shooter in practice......”.

[BBQ wildcat]

During the time when he was ineligible, was he allowed to practice with the team? I thought I had read an article that said "starting February 6 (now February 4) Kriisa will be able to practice and play with the team"

[84Cat]

Sean says he has been practicing with the team all season

[Spaceman Spiff]

He hope that’s not like “best shooter in practice......”.

Most of it is age related competition, but Kriisa's done fairly decent stuff in international ball. Of the things I worry about with him, being ready for the stage isn't one.

Rust and his physicality, particularly on D are what I worry about with him.

[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

after winning @ ASU

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

after L vs Stanford & W vs Cal & ASU

RPI-67
BPI-36
AP- NR (43 teams receiving votes)
NET- 41
KenPom-32 (22/56)

[Postmaster]

During the time when he was ineligible, was he allowed to practice with the team? I thought I had read an article that said "starting February 6 (now February 4) Kriisa will be able to practice and play with the team"

I took that as referring to Kriisa being unavailable to practice due to concussion and broken nose.

[Merkin]

Outside of that medical issue, and going home to play for the national team, he has practiced with the team the entire time per Miller as 84cat has mentioned.

[SCCats]

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)

after L vs Stanford & W vs Cal & ASU

RPI-67
BPI-36
AP- NR (43 teams receiving votes)
NET- 41
KenPom-32 (22/56)

Italian opera singer voice: “We used to be good! Now it’s a process. O sole mio, so Steve Alfrodino!”

[Jefe]

Sean says he has been practicing with the team all season

The broken nose and concussion were 2 separate practice incidents?

[MountainCat]

Sean says he has been practicing with the team all season

The broken nose and concussion were 2 separate practice incidents?

With that type of outcome, sounds like he likes to dial up the defense intensity.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Italian opera singer voice: “We used to be good! Now it’s a process. O sole mio, so Steve Alfrodino!”

I don't understand the negativity. First off, Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky, 3 blue bloods, have 3 total top 25 votes among them. We are probably as good as UNC and probably better than Duke and Kentucky.

Point being, worse stuff happens to everyone.

Second, I'm honestly mystified how someone can watch this year's team and not walk away with very high hopes for the future and excited for our young talent. Honestly mystified how you can watch this team and walk away with such negativity.

Finally, it's odd to me to see people (and you can correct me if I'm wrong and this isn't you) complain about OAD's struggling like Green and Nico last year...then complain about the necessary process this year moving away from OAD's.

I look at this team and it really gets me fired up for the future.

[SCCats]

Italian opera singer voice: “We used to be good! Now it’s a process. O sole mio, so Steve Alfrodino!”

I don't understand the negativity. First off, Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky, 3 blue bloods, have 3 total top 25 votes among them. We are probably as good as UNC and probably better than Duke and Kentucky.

Point being, worse stuff happens to everyone.

Second, I'm honestly mystified how someone can watch this year's team and not walk away with very high hopes for the future and excited for our young talent. Honestly mystified how you can watch this team and walk away with such negativity.

Finally, it's odd to me to see people (and you can correct me if I'm wrong and this isn't you) complain about OAD's struggling like Green and Nico last year...then complain about the necessary process this year moving away from OAD's.

I look at this team and it really gets me fired up for the future.

It’s not negativity. It’s positivity that we now have the process. Yes, I love it. Just like I love the NCAA continually being up our ass. Just like I love the continuing shit fest from the national media. And the FBI, I love that the most.

I love it, because we have the results. And by results, I mean the process. A process that might lead us to being a fringe top 25 team next year. I can already feel our six seed; it makes me feel warm inside. It’s the feeling of love.

You think this is negative, but it’s positive. I love it.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Italian opera singer voice: “We used to be good! Now it’s a process. O sole mio, so Steve Alfrodino!”

I don't understand the negativity. First off, Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky, 3 blue bloods, have 3 total top 25 votes among them. We are probably as good as UNC and probably better than Duke and Kentucky.

Point being, worse stuff happens to everyone.

Second, I'm honestly mystified how someone can watch this year's team and not walk away with very high hopes for the future and excited for our young talent. Honestly mystified how you can watch this team and walk away with such negativity.

Finally, it's odd to me to see people (and you can correct me if I'm wrong and this isn't you) complain about OAD's struggling like Green and Nico last year...then complain about the necessary process this year moving away from OAD's.

I look at this team and it really gets me fired up for the future.

It’s not negativity. It’s positivity that we now have the process. Yes, I love it. Just like I love the NCAA continually being up our ass. Just like I love the continuing shit fest from the national media. And the FBI, I love that the most.

I love it, because we have the results. And by results, I mean the process. A process that might lead us to being a fringe top 25 team next year. I can already feel our six seed; it makes me feel warm inside. It’s the feeling of love.

You think this is negative, but it’s positive. I love it.

Cool. I'm trying to be respectful with actual commentary and hopefully that speaks for me. As-Salaam Alaikum.

[prh]

Italian opera singer voice: “We used to be good! Now it’s a process. O sole mio, so Steve Alfrodino!”

I don't understand the negativity. First off, Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky, 3 blue bloods, have 3 total top 25 votes among them. We are probably as good as UNC and probably better than Duke and Kentucky.

Point being, worse stuff happens to everyone.

Second, I'm honestly mystified how someone can watch this year's team and not walk away with very high hopes for the future and excited for our young talent. Honestly mystified how you can watch this team and walk away with such negativity.

Finally, it's odd to me to see people (and you can correct me if I'm wrong and this isn't you) complain about OAD's struggling like Green and Nico last year...then complain about the necessary process this year moving away from OAD's.

I look at this team and it really gets me fired up for the future.

Trolls gotta troll.

Watching them obliterate Cal and thinking about next year, I had a tiny inkling of 2013-2014 team. Was that just me?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Italian opera singer voice: “We used to be good! Now it’s a process. O sole mio, so Steve Alfrodino!”

I don't understand the negativity. First off, Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky, 3 blue bloods, have 3 total top 25 votes among them. We are probably as good as UNC and probably better than Duke and Kentucky.

Point being, worse stuff happens to everyone.

Second, I'm honestly mystified how someone can watch this year's team and not walk away with very high hopes for the future and excited for our young talent. Honestly mystified how you can watch this team and walk away with such negativity.

Finally, it's odd to me to see people (and you can correct me if I'm wrong and this isn't you) complain about OAD's struggling like Green and Nico last year...then complain about the necessary process this year moving away from OAD's.

I look at this team and it really gets me fired up for the future.

Trolls gotta troll.

Watching them obliterate Cal and thinking about next year, I had a tiny inkling of 2013-2014 team. Was that just me?

We're lining up to be a deep and talented team. If everyone returns, we may not have the top tier talent as 13-14, but we're much deeper.

[97cats]

if everyone returns (Miller included) the future is bright.

Mathurin is a beast - he has All-American type talent next season.

NCAA is the key.

[azcat49]

Geez, that all sounds ominous. Can’t imagine putting our future into the hands of the NCAA. It must assume we will have an answer before next season?

[prh]

Trolls gotta troll.

Watching them obliterate Cal and thinking about next year, I had a tiny inkling of 2013-2014 team. Was that just me?

We're lining up to be a deep and talented team. If everyone returns, we may not have the top tier talent as 13-14, but we're much deeper.

Yep, for sure not the top tier talent but a relentless stream of talented dudes coming for you. I was thinking in particular about how that team would tighten the clamps and put a run on people and just curb stomp them out of the gym.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Trolls gotta troll.

Watching them obliterate Cal and thinking about next year, I had a tiny inkling of 2013-2014 team. Was that just me?

We're lining up to be a deep and talented team. If everyone returns, we may not have the top tier talent as 13-14, but we're much deeper.

Yep, for sure not the top tier talent but a relentless stream of talented dudes coming for you. I was thinking in particular about how that team would tighten the clamps and put a run on people and just curb stomp them out of the gym.

Yeah. Part of me is just not 100% we'll ever see a defensive team as good as 13-14. TJ and NJ were lights out as a defensive backcourt. Rondae and AG were long, versatile, athletic defenders. Zeus and Ashley were strong bigs inside. We were so stacked on D that year.

This upcoming year, I hope we improve on D. I could see us being strong like 13-14, just more balanced. Rondae and AG not being shooters always limited us a bit on offense in 13-14. I don't think we have similar limits with this group.

So we might not be quite the defensive team, but we have potential to be more balanced and explosive offensively. I'd hope we return guys and with experience and growth, can crack top 20 on D nationwide from in the 50's right now.

I do like the potential of our interior defenders. I would like to see the emergence of some perimeter guys and wings. That's what I don't see right now, the NJ/TJ/AG/RHJ perimeter D.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Geez, that all sounds ominous. Can’t imagine putting our future into the hands of the NCAA. It must assume we will have an answer before next season?

It's really with the IARP. No one really knows how long the IARP will take because no school has made it through yet. I think the first IARP school has been in it 10 months with no decision.

[azcat49]

Well 97 alluded to the NCAA and I figured he was speaking to any sanctions that might come in determining whether Miller is extended. I would extend him right now but that’s just me. He obviously will have his decision before next year from us as he can’t coach/recruit without an extension I would guess

[Spaceman Spiff]

Well 97 alluded to the NCAA and I figured he was speaking to any sanctions that might come in determining whether Miller is extended. I would extend him right now but that’s just me. He obviously will have his decision before next year from us as he can’t coach/recruit without an extension I would guess

Sure, I just meant that the NCAA can seek additional sanctions, but the IARP will ultimately decide whether additional sanctions occur.

Based on the IARP timeline so far, I would think it would be extremely unlikely they decide prior to next year starting. If/when Miller is extended, I would just expect a clause referring to penalties levied against him.

[Chicat]

They should extend him now. Reward him for the job he has done with Covid, a totally new roster, and keeping them motivated and successful without the prospect of a postseason.

It’s a signal to recruits that unless something crazy happens, Sean Miller will be the coach for a long time to come.

[zonagrad]

If we're going to get to an elite level next year, we'll need our bigs to step up. Tubelis will be more experienced and stronger. Jordan Brown needs to take it up a notch or two. I expected a little more from a McD's All-American. He's been decent -- but not great. He's not a game changer and I'm not sure he ever will be. If he can get to the point where opponents MUST double-team him to stop him down low, then we'll be an elite team.