The 2021-2022 Season Thread

[TheCat]

If it's really true that Lloyd is already a done deal... why the fuck would we wait until everyone is gone to announce?

I cannot comprehend anything that is going on.

Then how could they explain the $200K we are spending on a search group.
You can't understand it because your logical.

"Search groups" do more than find you candidates, they also do due diligence to ensure you don't end up with someone like Les Miles. Also, it has been said the search group has been working for us since January, though I am not sure the accuracy of that.

Well if they do due diligence Damon would not be a candidate. You would eliminate anyone with multiple drug conviction right? Anyone know if a search firm has been looking since Jan? Not sure I believe that.

[gronk4heisman]

It’s funny: the new coach’s first measuring stick is going to be how much of our current roster he’s able to keep.

Isn't that always the case though?

Maybe, but the circumstances at AZ are currently unusual. We’re not going to get our full recruiting mojo back until the scandal is truly behind us, which may not be for a few years. It makes our *current* roster that much more valuable, and losing players that much more costly.

When Kentucky fired Gillespie and hired Calipari, they were landing top recruits almost immediately. Won’t be that way with our next hire.

I am not so sure of that. It depends on who the head coach is. The facilities at UA are great. UA has the transportation the coaches need to see recruits. The Cats won't be down long. The first step is to recruit a new president and AD.

I know Miller was getting transportation via a booster private plane for like 40 hours a year. Don't just assume that is still there. I'm sure the admin would give him that perk but it may come with a cost. I assume we have lost at least the booster that put the retainment policy in place for Sean. Not sure he was the one with the jet.

The booster who offered the Oil & Gas shares as a retainment policy is Jeff Stevens who has connections with Gonzaga and is probably all for a Tommy Lloyd hiring. Their son actually worked with Lloyd as the teams manager while he was a student there. Not sure if he is the same one with the private plane.

[Merkin]

Wasn't the private plane guy the man who used to sit next to Lute at McKale?

[azpatnca]

Is there really any point in even having a team until the sanctions are over. They could give us a 10 year post season ban. Who knows? I wouldn't stick around if I were a player good enough to transfer. With no players and no coach and no post-season what's the point? Just cancel basketball until the ban has been served. Let the pac11 suffer without the TV revenue.

Heck, same for football, but for different reasons. There really is no point in having a football team either. Only Alabama and Oregon and maybe LSU and 2 or 3 others have it all, and everyone else should just quit. There should be maybe 6-8 football teams nationwide and that's it. There's no point in the rest of us having teams.

[gronk4heisman]

Is there really any point in even having a team until the sanctions are over. They could give us a 10 year post season ban. Who knows? I wouldn't stick around if I were a player good enough to transfer. With no players and no coach and no post-season what's the point? Just cancel basketball until the ban has been served. Let the pac11 suffer without the TV revenue.

Heck, same for football, but for different reasons. There really is no point in having a football team either. Only Alabama and Oregon and maybe LSU and 2 or 3 others have it all, and everyone else should just quit. There should be maybe 6-8 football teams nationwide and that's it. There's no point in the rest of us having teams.

The NBA should also get rid of teams in the preseason that have no shot, as should the NFL and MLB. Also, if you work for a company that is not at the top of your industry that company should shut down. There's no point in other companies.

[azpatnca]

Is there really any point in even having a team until the sanctions are over. They could give us a 10 year post season ban. Who knows? I wouldn't stick around if I were a player good enough to transfer. With no players and no coach and no post-season what's the point? Just cancel basketball until the ban has been served. Let the pac11 suffer without the TV revenue.

Heck, same for football, but for different reasons. There really is no point in having a football team either. Only Alabama and Oregon and maybe LSU and 2 or 3 others have it all, and everyone else should just quit. There should be maybe 6-8 football teams nationwide and that's it. There's no point in the rest of us having teams.

The NBA should also get rid of teams in the preseason that have no shot, as should the NFL and MLB. Also, if you work for a company that is not at the top of your industry that company should shut down. There's no point in other companies.

Agree. There is no point in New Orleans having a team if LA is just going to take their players. The NBA should have only NY vs LA and maybe keep Chicago and maybe Boston and Miami. But utah, phx, sacramento, cleveland, new orleans, etc? They're just going to have their players leave to the big guys. Same with baseball. Just have the Yankees and one other team.

The nfl seems to value parity over dynasties, so I'd make the exception there. They can keep doing what they're doing.

[Merkin]

The nfl seems to value parity over dynasties, so I'd make the exception there. They can keep doing what they're doing.

Unless you are a Lions fan. They should get their franchise license pulled.

[azpatnca]

I know you were being sarcastic, and I'm clearly being hyperbolic. But there's a titch of truth here. I was ready to retire the sport of football after holding season tix during Mackovic years. 70-7 pretty much broke me, but here's hoping the future can remind me why I loved ua football once. So same for lloyd or damon or o'neill or whatever we get.

[BBQ wildcat]

Is there really any point in even having a team until the sanctions are over. They could give us a 10 year post season ban. Who knows? I wouldn't stick around if I were a player good enough to transfer. With no players and no coach and no post-season what's the point? Just cancel basketball until the ban has been served. Let the pac11 suffer without the TV revenue.

Heck, same for football, but for different reasons. There really is no point in having a football team either. Only Alabama and Oregon and maybe LSU and 2 or 3 others have it all, and everyone else should just quit. There should be maybe 6-8 football teams nationwide and that's it. There's no point in the rest of us having teams.

Sounds like you are as depressed and hopeless as I feel.

[Postmaster]

Isn't that always the case though?

Maybe, but the circumstances at AZ are currently unusual. We’re not going to get our full recruiting mojo back until the scandal is truly behind us, which may not be for a few years. It makes our *current* roster that much more valuable, and losing players that much more costly.

When Kentucky fired Gillespie and hired Calipari, they were landing top recruits almost immediately. Won’t be that way with our next hire.

I am not so sure of that. It depends on who the head coach is. The facilities at UA are great. UA has the transportation the coaches need to see recruits. The Cats won't be down long. The first step is to recruit a new president and AD.

I know Miller was getting transportation via a booster private plane for like 40 hours a year. Don't just assume that is still there. I'm sure the admin would give him that perk but it may come with a cost. I assume we have lost at least the booster that put the retainment policy in place for Sean. Not sure he was the one with the jet.

The booster who offered the Oil & Gas shares as a retainment policy is Jeff Stevens who has connections with Gonzaga and is probably all for a Tommy Lloyd hiring. Their son actually worked with Lloyd as the teams manager while he was a student there. Not sure if he is the same one with the private plane.

I thought the plane came from the car dealer (not Click).
He owns horses. His kid is on the team.
Weitman or something like that.

[TheCat]

We will see how this holds true next year.

16. Arizona Wildcats
A mostly forgotten team this past season, Arizona was a likely NCAA tournament team for most of the campaign despite having nothing to play for due to a self-imposed ban. It's not clear the Wildcats will be able to play in next season's NCAA tournament either (or if Sean Miller will still be the coach), but until a punishment is handed down, I'm rolling with them as a potential second-weekend team. Miller's teams in the past have been known for defense, but this version was terrific offensively. James Akinjo is an excellent playmaker at the point of attack, and the Wildcats have an assortment of versatile frontcourt players to give teams problems. Benedict Mathurin, Kerr Kriisa, Dalen Terry, Azuolas Tubelis and Jordan Brown all made impacts during their first year in Tucson, and Miller also brings in a solid recruiting class led by top-100 prospect Shane Nowell. Expect Arizona to hit the portal, too.

Projected starting lineup:

James Akinjo (15.6 PPG)
Dalen Terry (4.6 PPG)
Bennedict Mathurin (10.8 PPG)
Azuolas Tubelis (12.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG)
Jordan Brown (9.4 PPG)

[Postmaster]

Was Musselman Browns former coach?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Was Musselman Browns former coach?

Yes, JB transferred when Mussleman left for Arky.

[BeardownZonaZona]

I saw Mac McClung entered the draft but also the portal. Any chance we take a look at him? Him and Akinjo are former teammates and we could use a true 2 guard

[IndianaZonaFan]

I saw Mac McClung entered the draft but also the portal. Any chance we take a look at him? Him and Akinjo are former teammates and we could use a true 2 guard

I’d guess he’s either pro (not likely) or a Texas lean. I feel like he would follow Beard

[U.P. Zona Fan]

As of today, before we hire Uri Whosawhatski from outer Slobovia,
KenPom has us at 29.

This is just below texas, kansas, and tennesee

[EastCoastCat]

As of today, before we hire Uri Whosawhatski from outer Slobovia,
KenPom has us at 29.

This is just below texas, kansas, and tennesee

But aren't we #1 when we factor in the biggest dipshit President & AD in the country?

[zonagrad]

As of today, before we hire Uri Whosawhatski from outer Slobovia,
KenPom has us at 29.

This is just below texas, kansas, and tennesee

But aren't we #1 when we factor in the biggest dipshit President & AD in the country?

That would be the KenPom AAF or "Adjusted Administrative Fuckery."

[gronk4heisman]

Batcho entered the portal, no major surprise here as this was expected even had we retained Miller.

[84Cat]

Batcho entered the portal, no major surprise here as this was expected even had we retained Miller.

[BeardownZonaZona]

Batcho entered the portal, no major surprise here as this was expected even had we retained Miller.

Yup. Heard a lot of the reason was he just wasn't that good honestly

[Postmaster]

Lee
Batcho
Baker
T Brown
BJ Nowell (sp)

Anyone else?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Lee
Batcho
Baker
T Brown
BJ Nowell (sp)

Anyone else?

Simpson. Did Nowell decommit too?

[BeardownZonaZona]

I've heard nowell is a terry guy. If terry is here, Nowell will likely be here

[Beachcat97]

Sorry if this was made clear already, but was only Miller fired, or were he and his entire staff fired?

[azpatnca]

For the record, we were preseason top- 25 in the morning after the tourney polls?

Just noting it as a benchmark for where we end up.

[Chicat]

Sorry if this was made clear already, but was only Miller fired, or were he and his entire staff fired?

The staff is still in place with Murph at the helm until a new coach is hired and makes his own personnel decisions.

[Beachcat97]

Sorry if this was made clear already, but was only Miller fired, or were he and his entire staff fired?

The staff is still in place with Murph at the helm until a new coach is hired and makes his own personnel decisions.

Thanks, man.

That's right. Murph is interim coach. Well, it seems like Terry would be an obvious choice to keep around given his connection to AZ's legacy and his recruiting potential. But I could also imagine a new coach wanting to bring in all of his own guys.

I legit can't believe this isn't resolved yet. Feels like the program is damaged a little further each day there's no hire.

[Postmaster]

Lee
Batcho
Baker
T Brown
BJ Nowell (sp)

Anyone else?

Simpson. Did Nowell decommit too?

My mistake.
Just Simpson.

[Alieberman]

Sorry if this was made clear already, but was only Miller fired, or were he and his entire staff fired?

The staff is still in place with Murph at the helm until a new coach is hired and makes his own personnel decisions.

Or until Robbins decides he knows how to put the perfect staff together and hires his favorite wait staff at Vivace

[dovecanyoncat]

Sorry if this was made clear already, but was only Miller fired, or were he and his entire staff fired?

The staff is still in place with Murph at the helm until a new coach is hired and makes his own personnel decisions.

Or until Robbins decides he knows how to put the perfect staff together and hires his favorite wait staff at Vivace

Say goodbye to the Packline. Our next defensive regime is the Melanzane matchup zone.

[azpatnca]

Maybe Murphy is good.

[EastCoastCat]

Sorry if this was made clear already, but was only Miller fired, or were he and his entire staff fired?

The staff is still in place with Murph at the helm until a new coach is hired and makes his own personnel decisions.

Or until Robbins decides he knows how to put the perfect staff together and hires his favorite wait staff at Vivace

Say goodbye to the Packline. Our next defensive regime is the Melanzane matchup zone.

I thought it was going to the "Douche & 1" which of course will be dictated by the 2 dimwits.

[RondaeShimmy]

[84Cat]

That was quick. Hopefully we can re-recruit him

[Spaceman Spiff]

So much for Lloyd's European connections. At least off the bat.

[Olsondogg]

So much for Lloyd's European connections. At least off the bat.

I question when the quote was obtained. Post hiring?

[billk78]

So much for Lloyd's European connections. At least off the bat.

I question when the quote was obtained. Post hiring?

This quote seems like it came before the Lloyd announcement. He says "depending on how things Shake out"

[Alieberman]

We could really use someone who is good with international students to talk to him.

Do we have anyone like that on our staff?

[Spaceman Spiff]

So much for Lloyd's European connections. At least off the bat.

I question when the quote was obtained. Post hiring?

I don't fully mean it like that. Mainly, Kerr clearly wasn't saving himself for Lloyd.

I don't mean he put in due to Lloyd, just that he clearly wasn't close enough to the idea of Lloyd to wait. Sorry, hope that clarifies.

We'll see the remainder of the roster in the next week or so, I'd figure.

[Dave]

Seriously Kerr? You might want to re-think that.

[RondaeShimmy]

So much for Lloyd's European connections. At least off the bat.

I question when the quote was obtained. Post hiring?

This quote seems like it came before the Lloyd announcement. He says "depending on how things Shake out"

yup

Definitely got the quote before the news of a new hire

[EastCoastCat]

Akinjo returning is the key.

I like Kerr but Akinjo coming back is really what we need.

[gronk4heisman]

Akinjo, Mathurin and Tubelis are the three biggest pieces followed in an order that be argued of Koloko, Brown, Kerr and Terry. Nowell and Aiken also help fill out the roster. I believe as it stands now if Kerr and Akinjo were to come back and no one else bolts that leaves one open spot for Tommy to fill.

[NickyBCats]

Ben, Koloko and Terry are likely to join Kerr in the portal. Apparently the team had a zoom with Lloyd tonight and he’ll be here for the presser tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll talk with each player. Will be interesting to see who we have going into next year and what Lloyd can do in the portal and internationally.

[Olsondogg]

Mathurin is a huge huge loss if it happens. He’s special

[UofAlum05]

Mathurin is a huge huge loss if it happens. He’s special

Especially if he goes to Oregon which is the rumor.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Mathurin is a huge huge loss if it happens. He’s special

Benn is probably the best, but Terry, Kerr and Koloko are all major rotation building blocks. I'll put it like this, if those guys and Akinjo leave and everyone else is in the fold, here's your lineup.

Brown
Tubelis
Aiken
Nowell
Dezonie

Brown and Tubelis are solid/good and the rest are guys who shouldn't have gotten more than 10 mpg next year.

[Postmaster]

Timmy Allen to Texas

[84Cat]

Good for the players but this will make keeping teams intact 10 times worse.