The 2021-2022 Season Thread

[BeardownZonaZona]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

[Postmaster]

Not sure what is implying.....I’d hope CSM isn’t chasing people off to get someone “better”. The turnover really hinders the defensive development.

I’d hope it would be Batcho leaving over Brown. Not that I want anyone to depart.

[BeardownZonaZona]

We get 15 and 10 outta tubelis, Mathurin gives me a good 15 a game, and Akinjo has a similar year to this year I don't care who else we got. We're gonna be a pretty tough team. I'd love to have Koloko and J. Brown back. Curious what batcho can bring. So I guess optimally we retain Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, Tubelis, Koloko and Jordan Brown in my opinion

[TucsonClip]

We need another guy who can create and score, I don't care what anyone says about how great our offense will be next year.

We have far too many lulls because we don't have enough guys who can create offense off the dribble.

TyTy sounds like someone who fits that mold.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

[Beachcat97]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

That’s an excellent core if we can actually keep all those guys.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Not sure what is implying.....I’d hope CSM isn’t chasing people off to get someone “better”. The turnover really hinders the defensive development.

I’d hope it would be Batcho leaving over Brown. Not that I want anyone to depart.

I think the idea is Miller thinks he needs to win big next year or he'll be fired. Thus, he has to load up for next year and look past development.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

You and I think the same except I would leave out Baker/T. Brown.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

You and I think the same except I would leave out Baker/T. Brown.

Included them as an either/or option. Both have value as ball handlers with really good A:TO and both could get a shot when needed, one for 3’s and the other for drives and mid range.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

You and I think the same except I would leave out Baker/T. Brown.

Included them as an either/or option. Both have value as ball handlers with really good A:TO and both could get a shot when needed, one for 3’s and the other for drives and mid range.

I agree they could have value, I just think Akinjo and Kriisa will eat most of the minutes and that's where all our freshmen will play.

I'd rather have Akinjo and Kriisa play 30 and let the freshmen clean up.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Thinking about it. Baker could be a huge part of our team next year. Maybe we forget how good he is cuz he got hurt but before he got hurt he was having a very good year. I think he could've cracked all PAC12 second team. He was able to make his own shot and that was huge. He could come off the bench in a super sixth man role and just score. Lead the second unit and have the offense run through him in that second unit

[IndianaZonaFan]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

You and I think the same except I would leave out Baker/T. Brown.

Included them as an either/or option. Both have value as ball handlers with really good A:TO and both could get a shot when needed, one for 3’s and the other for drives and mid range.

I agree they could have value, I just think Akinjo and Kriisa will eat most of the minutes and that's where all our freshmen will play.

I'd rather have Akinjo and Kriisa play 30 and let the freshmen clean up.

I would put them at the bottom of the priority list. Just like having the older/more experienced players. But whoever it is between these 2 and the freshmen...better bring some defense with them. That’s what will make or break next years team in general. I’m hoping for more of a Kenpom rating around 10-15 on offense and 30-35 on defense. Big improvements need to be made on defense, and I’m thinking that koloko and mathurin will improve a lot with an actual offseason/preseason

[Spaceman Spiff]

Indiana/Zona, to not quote to infinity, my concern with Baker and Terrell is I'd regard them as our weakest defensive guards. To me, that makes them the most expendable.

IMO, job 1 for next year is improving perimeter D.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Indiana/Zona, to not quote to infinity, my concern with Baker and Terrell is I'd regard them as our weakest defensive guards. To me, that makes them the most expendable.

IMO, job 1 for next year is improving perimeter D.

Agree 100% I like Akinjo and Kriisa as I see them as our poor mans version of TJ and Nick when compared to the rest of our options.

[Postmaster]

Not sure what is implying.....I’d hope CSM isn’t chasing people off to get someone “better”. The turnover really hinders the defensive development.

I’d hope it would be Batcho leaving over Brown. Not that I want anyone to depart.

I think the idea is Miller thinks he needs to win big next year or he'll be fired. Thus, he has to load up for next year and look past development.

I understand that, I just don’t think that works with CSM’s style of basketball.
Unless AG and RHJ figured out how to get an extra year due to covid

[Spaceman Spiff]

Indiana/Zona, to not quote to infinity, my concern with Baker and Terrell is I'd regard them as our weakest defensive guards. To me, that makes them the most expendable.

IMO, job 1 for next year is improving perimeter D.

Agree 100% I like Akinjo and Kriisa as I see them as our poor mans version of TJ and Nick when compared to the rest of our options.

I'm excited to see what Kriisa can do on both ends when he isn't playing catch up. He seems to have a very good combination of lateral mobility and instincts. Maybe it's just because he's European, but he has soccer player feet.

What he needs is strength, and I have hope that with another year of lifting, eating and development, he'll really explode.

[zonagrad]

Indiana/Zona, to not quote to infinity, my concern with Baker and Terrell is I'd regard them as our weakest defensive guards. To me, that makes them the most expendable.

IMO, job 1 for next year is improving perimeter D.

^^^^^This

And not just perimeter D -- but interior D as well. Everyone needs to improve their D -- Mathurin has the physical tools to be an elite defender.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Indiana/Zona, to not quote to infinity, my concern with Baker and Terrell is I'd regard them as our weakest defensive guards. To me, that makes them the most expendable.

IMO, job 1 for next year is improving perimeter D.

^^^^^This

And not just perimeter D -- but interior D as well. Everyone needs to improve their D -- Mathurin has the physical tools to be an elite defender.

It's something that frustrated me this year. J. Brown, Tubelis, Mathurin, T. Brown, Akinjo and Kriisa all have above average footspeed for their position, IMO. Terry has average footspeed but above average length.

The only one who was actually above average as a defender, IMO, was Kriisa, and part of that is I grade him on a curve bc he missed so much time.

I see the tools, but the production didn't match the tools.

[Chicat]

Makes you wonder who, if anyone, stood out on defense during practice.

[TucsonClip]

Makes you wonder who, if anyone, stood out on defense during practice.

Down the final stretch of the season, Miller closed small with Terry at the 4. That tells me all I need to know.

[Postmaster]

I notice that.

But what exactly are you saying?

[TucsonClip]

I notice that.

But what exactly are you saying?

Miller started playing smaller, especially late in games in order to spread the floor for Akinjo to create and open things up for everyone else. But also to get Terry on the floor as a defender without destroying the spacing by closing with him at the 3, Zu at the 4 and Koloko/Brown at the 5.

Point being, when the games mattered the most as the season wore on, Millers tendency to go big adjusted to spreading the floor to open up his offense and as a result allowed him to slot in another reliable defender (Terry, plus Kerr).

[ChooChooCat]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

You and I think the same except I would leave out Baker/T. Brown.

I would too.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

You and I think the same except I would leave out Baker/T. Brown.

I would too.

The rest seem like a viable option? I just don’t want to get my hopes up and then find out 1 or 2 of these guys are leaving.

[ChooChooCat]

Gimme Akinjo, Kerr, Mathurin, and Tubelis and I'll be happy. Those 4 will make or break our team

My wishlist:

Akinjo
Kerr
Mathurin
Tubelis
Baker/T. Brown
Terry
J. Brown
Koloko

You and I think the same except I would leave out Baker/T. Brown.

I would too.

The rest seem like a viable option? I just don’t want to get my hopes up and then find out 1 or 2 of these guys are leaving.

At this moment I'd expect Baker/T. Brown gone/done and the only other two options for leaving early on that wish list are Benn and Akinjo. I'd lean towards both returning, but obviously things can change.

[Beachcat97]

At this moment I'd expect Baker/T. Brown gone/done and the only other two options for leaving early on that wish list are Benn and Akinjo. I'd lean towards both returning, but obviously things can change.

I’d mentioned earlier that it feels super unusual, in the Miller era, that we keep our best freshman for a second season. Someone mentioned B-Will and Trier, both exceptions to this trend.

What *really* seems unusual, though, is keeping *all* key players from a previous year’s roster. This probably doesn’t happen often anywhere, let alone AZ (though Gonzaga and Nova seem to pull it off occasionally).

If Akinjo, Mathurin, Tubelis, Kerr, Terry, J. Brown and Koloko are all back, it will be one of the most fortunate roster continuity stretches Miller has had here.

[TheCat]

Akinjo and Kriisa really hurts us size wise on the defensive end. Teams abused Kriisa because he does not have the size or strength necessary to defend in the paint and that is where they took him. He is good for taking a charge and has the fire we all like but is a one trick pony on offense. I think he will be better but you need at least one guard with size on defense. To me Akinjo shoots to much for a good point guard. It was necessary at times when our offense stalled but just a little to much looking for own shot. One of the keys to me is how much can you get out of J.Brown on a consistent basis. He was up and down but one of our best low post scorer. Develop him and Mathurin to be more consistent and you have a really good team.

[zonagrad]

I expect Arizona to be much more of a 4 out, 1 in team next year (Terry at the 4), with Tubelis at 5.

The more depth and options we have to go big or small -- the less susceptible Arizona will be to match-up problems (We didn't match up well with Oregon & UCLA).

To be able to go small with Tubelis at the 5 -- or go big with Koloko will be a luxury.
I see Miller recruiting for a bunch of guys in the 6'4"-6'6" range who can all play 1-4. Hopefully the offensive philosophy will follow.

[EastCoastCat]

Call me crazy but I want Baker to return. He can score better than Krissa, Brown or Terry and while his defense isn’t great he won’t get pushed around in the paint by bigger guards like we saw with just about all of guards except for Terry.

And he has always had a good A/T ratio as we know.

I’m a Baker fan.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Baker is a really great scorer. He probably is a starter at almost every PAC 12 school

[84Cat]

I expect Arizona to be much more of a 4 out, 1 in team next year (Terry at the 4), with Tubelis at 5.

The more depth and options we have to go big or small -- the less susceptible Arizona will be to match-up problems (We didn't match up well with Oregon & UCLA).

To be able to go small with Tubelis at the 5 -- or go big with Koloko will be a luxury.
I see Miller recruiting for a bunch of guys in the 6'4"-6'6" range who can all play 1-4. Hopefully the offensive philosophy will follow.

We need better defensive guards to be lethal with this scheme. Why does Sean like so many guards who are under 6"?

[Merkin]

Miller is certainly offering taller guards and wings like someone posted recently.

[Fendicent4ever]

I want Baker back and Brown if hes up for it. I'm not ready to crown Kerr as the second coming from a handful of games- although I like what I saw.

I also REALLY enjoy Jemarls' tee shirt acumen. Kid loves this school and was really strong out of the gate to start this season. Be nice to have that work back his way.

[TheCat]

Baker was inconsistent at the start of the year but I think that is because he got alot of attention has one of our best scorers. Don't forget he got 31 and that is not easy no matter who you are playing. Put me in the want Baker back camp.

[Frybry02]

Earl Timberlake transferring from Miami. I wonder if MIller and his staff reach out

[BeardownZonaZona]

Scheer implying we're making a run on Tari Eason. All freshman team for the American conference. Could play the 4 for us. About 6'8" or so. Shot 24% from 3 and 46% from the field. I'd assume he's not going to be shooting many 3s. Primarily a post player. Great defender and rebounder. Can block shots pretty well. This would allow us to go small and throw Tubelis at the 5. I think we should be pretty interested

[Spaceman Spiff]

Scheer implying we're making a run on Tari Eason. All freshman team for the American conference. Could play the 4 for us. About 6'8" or so. Shot 24% from 3 and 46% from the field. I'd assume he's not going to be shooting many 3s. Primarily a post player. Great defender and rebounder. Can block shots pretty well. This would allow us to go small and throw Tubelis at the 5. I think we should be pretty interested

Big yes for me on Eason. Forget the other guys.

Big plus as a defender and rebounder with athleticism. You hope he can develop a J and lower the TO's, but he should have no issue defending any kind of 4 the opponent has.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Scheer implying we're making a run on Tari Eason. All freshman team for the American conference. Could play the 4 for us. About 6'8" or so. Shot 24% from 3 and 46% from the field. I'd assume he's not going to be shooting many 3s. Primarily a post player. Great defender and rebounder. Can block shots pretty well. This would allow us to go small and throw Tubelis at the 5. I think we should be pretty interested

Big yes for me on Eason. Forget the other guys.

Big plus as a defender and rebounder with athleticism. You hope he can develop a J and lower the TO's, but he should have no issue defending any kind of 4 the opponent has.

What does it for me is he can guard multiple positions. Haven't had too many of those guys lately. He can guard 3-5 and some of the bigger 2s. We get Eason that'd be huge. Seattle kid, maybe the JET can use that connection

[Spaceman Spiff]

Scheer implying we're making a run on Tari Eason. All freshman team for the American conference. Could play the 4 for us. About 6'8" or so. Shot 24% from 3 and 46% from the field. I'd assume he's not going to be shooting many 3s. Primarily a post player. Great defender and rebounder. Can block shots pretty well. This would allow us to go small and throw Tubelis at the 5. I think we should be pretty interested

Big yes for me on Eason. Forget the other guys.

Big plus as a defender and rebounder with athleticism. You hope he can develop a J and lower the TO's, but he should have no issue defending any kind of 4 the opponent has.

What does it for me is he can guard multiple positions. Haven't had too many of those guys lately. He can guard 3-5 and some of the bigger 2s. We get Eason that'd be huge. Seattle kid, maybe the JET can use that connection

What does it for me is the 17.1% rebound rate and 7.0% block rate. The rebounding is good, the block rate is elite for a 6'8 guy. You can see on tape he has good lateral mobility and his defensive win shares are very good.

His offense clearly needs work. The TO's are high and his efficiency isn't great. The fact Cincy let him take 1.3 threes a game implies his stroke is ok in practice at least.

I know Choo hinted at turnover among our posts, but I would love retaining Koloko, Jordan and Tubelis and Eason would be a perfect complement to them. He would give us a smaller defender to up the activity level and provide mobility the other 3 lack.

[BeardownZonaZona]

I really like the flexibility he would bring. He'd allow us to go small and put tubelis at the 5 or go big like we have this year based on the opponent. He's going to be one of the top transfers available and I expect a lot of competition for Eason. As for his offense, it's going to need some work but he improved throughout the season so I have confidence it can improve.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I really like the flexibility he would bring. He'd allow us to go small and put tubelis at the 5 or go big like we have this year based on the opponent. He's going to be one of the top transfers available and I expect a lot of competition for Eason. As for his offense, it's going to need some work but he improved throughout the season so I have confidence it can improve.

Watching film, he has a solid looking J. The form is good and it looks great when he's on balance.
He just gets sped up. He needs experience and to calm down a bit and he could be really good.

I hope we can pull him in.

[BeardownZonaZona]

What are your guy's thoughts on Kaiden Rice or Jamison Battle? Both are good shooters and could play the stretch 4 for us. I would still take Eason over both but these two aren't bad

[BeardownZonaZona]

And Terrell Brown just entered the transfer portal

[Chicat]

I wish him luck. He'll be a great addition for a mid-major looking for steady leadership.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Agreed. Our backcourt is going to be crowded next year, but I would've loved to see him back. Hope it works out for him

[84Cat]

I loved how T.Brown played with class and heart. Any team will be lucky to have him

[Spaceman Spiff]

What are your guy's thoughts on Kaiden Rice or Jamison Battle? Both are good shooters and could play the stretch 4 for us. I would still take Eason over both but these two aren't bad

Not big into Rice. His offensive game is very 3 point centric in a way I don't think will translate well (10.6 threes shot per game, WTF?). Battle is more balanced offensively, but Eason dwarfs both on D.

We have more than enough firepower. I'd want a better defender than Rice/Battle, and Eason fits that bill with a developing offensive game.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I loved how T.Brown played with class and heart. Any team will be lucky to have him

He was really much better than I expected. It sucks he wasn't able to get the year here he deserved due to the tourney ban and Covid, but good luck to him.

He showed he can be a good true PG. I hope he finds a team that'll let him have the reins from day 1.

[BeardownZonaZona]

What are your guy's thoughts on Kaiden Rice or Jamison Battle? Both are good shooters and could play the stretch 4 for us. I would still take Eason over both but these two aren't bad

Not big into Rice. His offensive game is very 3 point centric in a way I don't think will translate well (10.6 threes shot per game, WTF?). Battle is more balanced offensively, but Eason dwarfs both on D.

We have more than enough firepower. I'd want a better defender than Rice/Battle, and Eason fits that bill with a developing offensive game.

Good explain, I'd have to agree. We're going to have a lot of great offensive players next year. Defense is going to be the key to our success. If we can play decent defense as a team we're going to be very good. Our defense this year was really poor

[BeardownZonaZona]

Any news on Tyty Washington? Maybe this transfer could be because it's looking good for us getting Washington? Tyty honestly looks like a really solid player and could be huge for this team