The 2021-2022 Season Thread

[84Cat]

Is Aiken practicing?

No word on Aiken other than he is still part of the team unless choo has some insider info

[azgreg]

[azgreg]

[EastCoastCat]

Schedule does line up pretty favorably over the next 4 games:

- Tonight at home vs Udub
- Then Sat at ASSU
- Next week at home vs. the Buffs and Utes

While we shouldn't take any team for granted none of those 4 teams look that good this year.

[azgreg]

[azgreg]

[azgreg]

Terry was two assists short of a triple double.

[Postmaster]

Two players with dbl/dbl.

[MountainCat]

So when’s the last time we had three players score 20 points or more in a game?

[AZCatGirl]

So sick of this shit.

[Longhorned]

ugh

[azcat49]

Sounds awful convenient for Coach Hurley. Not sure I’m buying

[84Cat]

[Chicat]

So sick of this shit.

Should make them forfeit.

Not that beating them at full strength is in doubt but we are going to be worn the fuck out playing three or four games a week down the stretch.

Also, fuck ASSU.

[SabinoDrifter]

You know you can score when you turn it over 21 times and still average 1.23 points per possession.

[Olsondogg]

Who’s gonna throw their brass balls on the table first, Cronin or Enfield?

[Beachcat97]

You know you can score when you turn it over 21 times and still average 1.23 points per possession.

If we can cut the turnovers to no more than 10 per game, we’re winning by bigger margins, especially against also-rans like Washington and ASU.

Is it just that we’re playing at a faster pace and that the TOs are more likely with this style of play?

[EastCoastCat]

I really wanted to get that stupid game out of the way and pound the scummies.

This sucks.

[MountainCat]

Who’s gonna throw their brass balls on the table first, Cronin or Enfield?

Both need to. USC has a cancelled game now too. We need to pack the bags and head to LA today and play them on Thursday/Saturday.

[Spaceman Spiff]

You know you can score when you turn it over 21 times and still average 1.23 points per possession.

Turnovers have been the sticking point recently. We've averaged 17 per game over our last 3 games, which would put us close to the bottom ten nationally.

Yes, there's an element of nitpicking, but vs a 5-6 team, what else can you do?

[Beachcat97]

Gonna be hard to advance in March with 17 turnovers.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Gonna be hard to advance in March with 17 turnovers.

It's not the end of the world to have an issue in early January, but turnovers and mental mistakes would be #1 on my list of things that need to be improved on.

Tenn is a great example. The reffing wasn't good and we weren't stellar in other areas, but it was a winnable game minus our turnovers and other mental mistakes. To go far in the tourney, you probably see at least one game where you take bad reffing, shoot poorly or the opponent gets hot. Not giving possessions away is at a premium in those games.

[pokinmik]

So when’s the last time we had three players score 20 points or more in a game?

I saw a tweet that said it was Wise, Budinger, and Hill in 2009 against Stanford.

[Beachcat97]

Gonna be hard to advance in March with 17 turnovers.

It's not the end of the world to have an issue in early January, but turnovers and mental mistakes would be #1 on my list of things that need to be improved on.

Tenn is a great example. The reffing wasn't good and we weren't stellar in other areas, but it was a winnable game minus our turnovers and other mental mistakes. To go far in the tourney, you probably see at least one game where you take bad reffing, shoot poorly or the opponent gets hot. Not giving possessions away is at a premium in those games.

Yeah. In that win-or-go-home situation, you really need to have a few core metrics on your side. Team FG%, team FT%, defensive efficiency, and I'd include turnovers in this list. In a game with bad reffing or a red hot opponent, these core areas can keep the game close.

Still a long way to go before March, so hopefully we can see that turnover average improve over the next few weeks.

If we even get to play some games!

[gronk4heisman]

Gonna be hard to advance in March with 17 turnovers.

It's not the end of the world to have an issue in early January, but turnovers and mental mistakes would be #1 on my list of things that need to be improved on.

Tenn is a great example. The reffing wasn't good and we weren't stellar in other areas, but it was a winnable game minus our turnovers and other mental mistakes. To go far in the tourney, you probably see at least one game where you take bad reffing, shoot poorly or the opponent gets hot. Not giving possessions away is at a premium in those games.

Along with the not giving possessions away, the offense rebounds were also an issue in both the Tenn and UW games which is not a good trend. UW got 12 offensive rebounds and Tennessee got 16. That definitely needs to be cleaned up.

[PHXCATS]

Why have there been no announcements of Arizona playing the so cal schools this week?

[Chicat]

Gonna be hard to advance in March with 17 turnovers.

It's not the end of the world to have an issue in early January, but turnovers and mental mistakes would be #1 on my list of things that need to be improved on.

Tenn is a great example. The reffing wasn't good and we weren't stellar in other areas, but it was a winnable game minus our turnovers and other mental mistakes. To go far in the tourney, you probably see at least one game where you take bad reffing, shoot poorly or the opponent gets hot. Not giving possessions away is at a premium in those games.

Along with the not giving possessions away, the offense rebounds were also an issue in both the Tenn and UW games which is not a good trend. UW got 12 offensive rebounds and Tennessee got 16. That definitely needs to be cleaned up.

There were at least three defensive possessions in the second half where we were in great rebounding position but the ball bounced out hard and went right to a Washington player. Not a ton you can do about that, and it shows that you still need a little luck when it comes to loose balls.

[EastCoastCat]

Gonna be hard to advance in March with 17 turnovers.

It's not the end of the world to have an issue in early January, but turnovers and mental mistakes would be #1 on my list of things that need to be improved on.

Tenn is a great example. The reffing wasn't good and we weren't stellar in other areas, but it was a winnable game minus our turnovers and other mental mistakes. To go far in the tourney, you probably see at least one game where you take bad reffing, shoot poorly or the opponent gets hot. Not giving possessions away is at a premium in those games.

Along with the not giving possessions away, the offense rebounds were also an issue in both the Tenn and UW games which is not a good trend. UW got 12 offensive rebounds and Tennessee got 16. That definitely needs to be cleaned up.

There were at least three defensive possessions in the second half where we were in great rebounding position but the ball bounced out hard and went right to a Washington player. Not a ton you can do about that, and it shows that you still need a little luck when it comes to loose balls.

But there were also about 5-6 possessions where we were got outhustled for the ball which irks me even more. I believe on one possession UW got 2 consecutive offensive boards and then nailed a 3 pointer.

I think this was the first game I saw where we played fast, but not too smart for big chunks of the game.

[SabinoDrifter]

You know you can score when you turn it over 21 times and still average 1.23 points per possession.

If we can cut the turnovers to no more than 10 per game, we’re winning by bigger margins, especially against also-rans like Washington and ASU.

Is it just that we’re playing at a faster pace and that the TOs are more likely with this style of play?

I think it's probably a combination of style and lack of secondary ballhandler behind Kerr (Larsson and Kier are 1st and 2nd in TO% on the team). For reference, Gonzaga is 6th in pace and top 60 in turnover%, so it's definitely something the Cats can clean up.

[Beachcat97]

I think this was the first game I saw where we played fast, but not too smart for big chunks of the game.

I get the impression from this team at times that they're so confident in their ability to get out and run and score points that they neglect basic responsibilities: boxing out, following missed shots, taking care of the basketball, etc.

Like, we have the ability to simply outscore most of the teams we'll face the rest of the way. We may not blow them out, like yesterday, but we will ultimately get more shots up and make a lot of them. Tennessee was the best defense we've faced this year, and while we were definitely in a position to win that game, we saw the difference between playing a tourney team like the Vols vs. playing Washington. Good teams will be able to slow us down and score enough points not to get behind by double digits.

[gronk4heisman]

What are the hang ups preventing us from scheduling UCLA either Wednesday or Thursday?

[Spaceman Spiff]

You know you can score when you turn it over 21 times and still average 1.23 points per possession.

If we can cut the turnovers to no more than 10 per game, we’re winning by bigger margins, especially against also-rans like Washington and ASU.

Is it just that we’re playing at a faster pace and that the TOs are more likely with this style of play?

I think it's probably a combination of style and lack of secondary ballhandler behind Kerr (Larsson and Kier are 1st and 2nd in TO% on the team). For reference, Gonzaga is 6th in pace and top 60 in turnover%, so it's definitely something the Cats can clean up.

Cleaning up unforced errors is always a thing. The key I think for us is to make sure if we turn it over, it's in trying to make a play.

The one that I return to is Tubelis overdribbling about 40 feet from the rim, losing control of the ball and then picking up his 4th foul vs UT.

You want turnovers being when the D made a great play, you got a tough call on block/charge or never fully securing an offensive rebound and getting stripped. Not just losing focus or in the process of something where you aren't close to scoring. If you can just eliminate 3 or 4 of those per game, you're all of a sudden very good turnover wise.

The margins at this level aren't big.

[Longhorned]

Does anybody know what's going on? Is our program forced to either schedule some mediocre mid-majors or else not play games? Because teams that are supposed to play us won't schedule games with Arizona?

[gronk4heisman]

Does anybody know what's going on? Is our program forced to either schedule some mediocre mid-majors or else not play games? Because teams that are supposed to play us won't schedule games with Arizona?

Are we even eligible to schedule anymore OOC games? All these days off are making the basketball season drag on.

[Chicat]

Does anybody know what's going on? Is our program forced to either schedule some mediocre mid-majors or else not play games? Because teams that are supposed to play us won't schedule games with Arizona?

UCLA is hiding behind the idea that the PAC controls conference matchups and all they can do is schedule non-conference foes, so it’s out of their hands as far as scheduling Arizona.

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

[Beachcat97]

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

I understand your reasoning, Chi, but why the f would Cronin be afraid to play anyone? His team is coming off a FF, returned everyone, and has only dropped one game. Unless most of their key players are out (which is possible), I don't see why UCLA would be ducking teams. Cronin's a fiery little bastard. Doesn't strike me as a chicken.

[dmjcat]

Does anybody know what's going on? Is our program forced to either schedule some mediocre mid-majors or else not play games? Because teams that are supposed to play us won't schedule games with Arizona?

UCLA is hiding behind the idea that the PAC controls conference matchups and all they can do is schedule non-conference foes, so it’s out of their hands as far as scheduling Arizona.

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

I think you are spot on but don't think we wouldn't be doing the same thing if the shoe were on the other foot.

There are several good reasons for the Bruins to duck us:

1) It may be the biggest PAC12 game of the year and they don't want to play us just after coming back from a long Covid pause
2) They will get zero revenue from actual fans in the stands (the UA game is one of the few games they have each year where the stands are more than half full)
3) There probably are conference/TV revenue considerations. There may be a better time to reschedule the game so the conference gets more TV money

All of that being said if the conference wants to play a full slate of games I think they need to be more proactive and schedule games in whatever timeslots are available.

[TheCat]

Waiting for Riley to be at full speed and get some games under their belt. No problem with the delay but I think it could and would have been scheduled if both schools reached out.

[dovecanyoncat]

This is Mickey Boy's version of Steve Alford calling timeout in order to get his team organized.

[Beachcat97]

This is Mickey Boy's version of Steve Alford calling timeout in order to get his team organized.

Omg...Sean's payback TO in the Pac tourney is one of my favorite Miller era memories.

[BBQ wildcat]

This is Mickey Boy's version of Steve Alford calling timeout in order to get his team organized.

Omg...Sean's payback TO in the Pac tourney is one of my favorite Miller era memories.

I loved when Miller did that. He certainly is a badass.

[Spaceman Spiff]

This is Mickey Boy's version of Steve Alford calling timeout in order to get his team organized.

Omg...Sean's payback TO in the Pac tourney is one of my favorite Miller era memories.

I loved when Miller did that. He certainly is a badass.

That might have been the highlight of Miller's time here for me. Blowing Duke off the court in 2011 is the other big contender, but shoving it in UCLA's face was so great.

[Chicat]

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

I understand your reasoning, Chi, but why the f would Cronin be afraid to play anyone? His team is coming off a FF, returned everyone, and has only dropped one game. Unless most of their key players are out (which is possible), I don't see why UCLA would be ducking teams. Cronin's a fiery little bastard. Doesn't strike me as a chicken.

I mean, if it clucks…

[Chicat]

Does anybody know what's going on? Is our program forced to either schedule some mediocre mid-majors or else not play games? Because teams that are supposed to play us won't schedule games with Arizona?

UCLA is hiding behind the idea that the PAC controls conference matchups and all they can do is schedule non-conference foes, so it’s out of their hands as far as scheduling Arizona.

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

I think you are spot on but don't think we wouldn't be doing the same thing if the shoe were on the other foot.

There are several good reasons for the Bruins to duck us:

1) It may be the biggest PAC12 game of the year and they don't want to play us just after coming back from a long Covid pause
2) They will get zero revenue from actual fans in the stands (the UA game is one of the few games they have each year where the stands are more than half full)
3) There probably are conference/TV revenue considerations. There may be a better time to reschedule the game so the conference gets more TV money

All of that being said if the conference wants to play a full slate of games I think they need to be more proactive and schedule games in whatever timeslots are available.

I 100% agree with all of this, but it won’t stop me from accusing Cronin of ducking us on purpose. If he wanted to make it happen like Lloyd indicated Arizona did, it would have happened. Now we’ll play them as part of some three game week when we 100% didn’t have to. Which is weird when you consider his concern for his players conditioning.

[gronk4heisman]

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

I understand your reasoning, Chi, but why the f would Cronin be afraid to play anyone? His team is coming off a FF, returned everyone, and has only dropped one game. Unless most of their key players are out (which is possible), I don't see why UCLA would be ducking teams. Cronin's a fiery little bastard. Doesn't strike me as a chicken.

I mean, if it clucks…

I have never met a basketball play who is symptom free who goes two weeks without doing anything basketball related. This isn't like football where you need a whole team. Hell I was just a normal student and I rarely went two weeks without playing some basketball, and you are telling me these guys who want to make a career out of basketball didn't touch a basketball in two weeks?

[Alieberman]

So.... what / when is our next scheduled game?

What freaks me out is that as soon as all of these other teams get off of Covid protocols..... it will probably be our turn to have Covid run through our program....

[EastCoastCat]

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

I understand your reasoning, Chi, but why the f would Cronin be afraid to play anyone? His team is coming off a FF, returned everyone, and has only dropped one game. Unless most of their key players are out (which is possible), I don't see why UCLA would be ducking teams. Cronin's a fiery little bastard. Doesn't strike me as a chicken.

I mean, if it clucks…

Lol!!!!!

[dmjcat]

So.... what / when is our next scheduled game?

What freaks me out is that as soon as all of these other teams get off of Covid protocols..... it will probably be our turn to have Covid run through our program....

This.

The University of Washington is projecting that 60% of the US population will contract Omicron by March. The statistical odds of everyone in the UA basketball program staying Clean is about the same as winning the Powerball.

[Chicat]

We all know that’s bullshit. If UCLA wanted to play Arizona this week they would have gotten the conference on a call and told them to make it happen. Instead they fill that Thursday slot with LBSU and now can say sorry, there’s no room for a conference game.

Mick Cronin is a coward. He’s ducking us so they don’t get run off the court after not playing for a month.

I understand your reasoning, Chi, but why the f would Cronin be afraid to play anyone? His team is coming off a FF, returned everyone, and has only dropped one game. Unless most of their key players are out (which is possible), I don't see why UCLA would be ducking teams. Cronin's a fiery little bastard. Doesn't strike me as a chicken.

I mean, if it clucks…

I have never met a basketball play who is symptom free who goes two weeks without doing anything basketball related. This isn't like football where you need a whole team. Hell I was just a normal student and I rarely went two weeks without playing some basketball, and you are telling me these guys who want to make a career out of basketball didn't touch a basketball in two weeks?

Yep. The idea that the #5 team in the country were all just sitting in their dorm rooms for two weeks playing Xbox and eating Papa Johns is downright hilarious. They may not have been officially practicing but that doesn’t mean they weren’t working out and playing.

[gronk4heisman]

The USC game against Stanford on Saturday got cancelled, maybe Andy Enfield has a little more back bone than Cronin. Would love to play them Sunday or Saturday.