Bennedict Mathurin

[84Cat]

ASU is going to make this game ugly. The know they can't win unless they keep the score low. Hopefully we come out with a chip on our shoulder and blow them out. Go Cats!

[Beachcat97]

I have zero confidence that ASU can hang with this AZ team.

[Alieberman]

ASU is going to make this game ugly.

It would be nice for the fan's if we at least made their players wear masks... and it has nothing to do with Covid.

[97cats]

37mins - 14pts - 5-16fg - 0-8(3pt) - 4-5ft - 3rb - 0a - 1st - 0blk - 0to

i want to say better?? but....... a far cry from what i was expecting at home after a week of practice.

**of note** Mathurin is 10-32 (31.2%) in his last six games from three point territory.

[Beachcat97]

37mins - 14pts - 5-16fg - 0-8(3pt) - 4-5ft - 3rb - 0a - 1st - 0blk - 0to

i want to say better?? but....... a far cry from what i was expecting at home after a week of practice.

**of note** Mathurin is 10-32 (31.2%) in his last six games from three point territory.

The reality, 97, sadly, is that he’s faded a little lately, and hasn’t performed at the level we were anticipating. I haven’t lost faith that his best this season is still coming, but his play the last few games is not inspiring confidence.

[97cats]

uninspiring? perhaps - i do believe his best days are right in front of him. the ups and downs are all part of it, no doubt in my mind he will respond.

and, not to be a cynic, but scoring in double figures while shooting 40% from the floor in the last six isnt exactly dog meat.

[KaibabKat]

I really hope that his best games are just ahead. At this rate he is going the last three weeks he is playing himself right out of the lottery.

Meanwhile, Koloko is playing himself into the first round.

[Alieberman]

What I most want to see from Benn is that in times of need he willing and able to put team on his back in crunch time

He is a great team player is rarely playing out of control or “hero” ball…. I just want to know he can be THE guy if the situation calls for it

[Beachcat97]

He is a great team player is rarely playing out of control or “hero” ball…. I just want to know he can be THE guy if the situation calls for it

In which game this season has he shown the ability you’re describing?

[Alieberman]

I’m saying we haven’t seen that yet.

But to be considered a PAC 12 player of the year type of player he will need to show that component of his game at some point

[Beachcat97]

I’m saying we haven’t seen that yet.

But to be considered a PAC 12 player of the year type of player he will need to show that component of his game at some point

Getting awfully late in the day…

As I said upthread, I think Benn’s best this season is still ahead of him. Not sure, though, whether he can put us on his back like he’s Salim or D-Will or Luke or any of the other Wildcats who’ve been this player for us. So far, Benn has shown that he can dominate brief stretches of games, not so much that he can elevate his play in a decisive moment.

[BBQ wildcat]

37mins - 14pts - 5-16fg - 0-8(3pt) - 4-5ft - 3rb - 0a - 1st - 0blk - 0to

i want to say better?? but....... a far cry from what i was expecting at home after a week of practice.

**of note** Mathurin is 10-32 (31.2%) in his last six games from three point territory.

"..a week of practice"? Really? Lloyd said they didn't get back to Tucson until 3 AM Wednesday morning. Which means that Wednesday was basically just try to catch up on sleep. Which left Thursday and Friday for any kind of practice at all. Not much to do with a road weary team in two days, other than strategy/walk throughs.

[ghostwhitehorse]

[97cats]

"..a week of practice"? Really?

im looking forward to him after a real full week of practice, as i stand corrected and bow on this one - my previous comment was not accurate or fair.

certainly Mathurin should be rested and ready to go on Thursday.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I’m saying we haven’t seen that yet.

But to be considered a PAC 12 player of the year type of player he will need to show that component of his game at some point

Getting awfully late in the day…

As I said upthread, I think Benn’s best this season is still ahead of him. Not sure, though, whether he can put us on his back like he’s Salim or D-Will or Luke or any of the other Wildcats who’ve been this player for us. So far, Benn has shown that he can dominate brief stretches of games, not so much that he can elevate his play in a decisive moment.

Benn is a guy who has a defined game for better and worse. He's never been a high level creator, he's a scorer first and foremost and a good one. He's not a guy who has one particular aspect of his scoring game that stands out when he's going well either.

Salim was a shooter. D-Will was insanely efficient around the rim. Benn, at his best, can shoot it, get to the rim and has a midrange game.

The limits by Benn being mostly a scorer get apparent when his shot isn't falling. He isn't a guy who can easily emphasize putting pressure on the D by creating for others because that isn't really his thing. His shot will fall, he just needs to stick with it.

[Merkin]

[Olsondogg]

Gordon had that block against Rado in the pac tourney and this reminded me of that. Awesome.

[EastCoastCat]

[97cats]

28mins - 11pts - 4-8fg - 1-3(3pt) - 2-4ft - 7rb - 0a - 2st - 1blk - 0to

staying focused and zeroing in on the fabulous block and the huge three at the end of the game - trying to ignore the sloppy, uninspired, and lethargic/stagnant play on both ends thats plagued Mathurin over last seven or so games.

not working...

[EastCoastCat]

Maybe if you stop posting his stats every game he would play better.

[Chicat]

Continuing the legacy…

[Alieberman]

I love Benn... I really do.... I just don't think he has that killer instinct... and I most teams needs that guy (maybe we don't?).

I think Kerr has that instinct... just not the ability.... it needs to be Benn

[Merkin]

I love Benn... I really do.... I just don't think he has that killer instinct... and I most teams needs that guy (maybe we don't?).

I think Kerr has that instinct... just not the ability.... it needs to be Benn

Maybe Benn needs someone to step on his face. Sure fired Budinger up for the rest of the season.

https://youtu.be/I86h7VLqqNY

[Olsondogg]

I love Benn... I really do.... I just don't think he has that killer instinct... and I most teams needs that guy (maybe we don't?).

I think Kerr has that instinct... just not the ability.... it needs to be Benn

Hmmm. I mean Bernard was going off and then tried to dunk on Benn…and then ended up with 12 points at half.

He ended the game with 15 points. That’s as close to murder as I’ve seen.

[TheCat]

Benn is now playing within himself. Not forcing anything. He had really been forcing when the game will come to him. Taking 22 shots a game is not going to benefit Az.. He will have huge games but it wont be forced.

[Beachcat97]

I love Benn, and he's an all-Pac player. Just not Pac POY, imo. Feel like the award is still wide open. If Benn heats up, he could get back in the mix, but feel like other guys have moved ahead of him at the moment.

[RondaeShimmy]

He's been the suck for a while now, just absolutely terrible. Terrible shots, turnovers, defense, etc

Need to get his mojo back

[Merkin]

At least he calmed down after he had those 2 TOs in a row.

The whole team needs a break.

[EastCoastCat]

We have anointed him Michael Jordan. He’s a great, talented player and he can be a highlight film against inferior teams but he’s still learning how to deal with street fight games.

I’m not concerned. He doesn’t have to score 25 a night to help us win.

[97cats]

32mins - 8 pts - 4-10fg - 0-2(3pt) - 0-2ft - 4rb - 2a - 0st - 0blk - 3to

ends his double figure scoring streak at nineteen games

[EastCoastCat]

One last thing. He should be an 80% FT shooter.

[dovecanyoncat]

It's Chicat's fault for pricing him too high. When in doubt blame Chicat.

[KaibabKat]

Benn has probably played himself out of the lottery. Sad to see.

[97cats]

One last thing. He should be an 80% FT shooter.

one last thing from me - credit Arizona and the coaches specifically for winning all but one of the last eight while their best player is having a mini insecurity crisis.

[CatFan1399]

Benn has probably played himself out of the lottery. Sad to see.

Is he playing himself into a possible return next year?

[RondaeShimmy]

Anyone think the teams looks better while he's sitting on the bench.

It feels like they almost always made a run when he was sitting. That has been the case the past couple of games including today.

[EastCoastCat]

Anyone think the teams looks better while he's sitting on the bench.

It feels like they almost always made a run when he was sitting

No, I don’t think that.

[97cats]

Anyone think the teams looks better while he's sitting on the bench.

It feels like they almost always made a run when he was sitting. That has been the case the past couple of games including today.

ahhhhhh, no

[Chicat]

Credit to Benn for not pouting or letting off games affect how hard he’s pulling for his teammates. And also for continuing to mix it up on loose balls and on defense.

[Merkin]

Anyone think the teams looks better while he's sitting on the bench.

It feels like they almost always made a run when he was sitting. That has been the case the past couple of games including today.

No RAP points since it was 33-39 and 16 minutes left in the game.

Prd-Time Play Score
1-17:49 REBOUND OFF 4-5
1-17:01 MISS JUMPER 4-5
1-16:30 FOUL OFF 4-5
1-16:30 TURNOVER OFFENSIVE 4-5
1-13:39 REBOUND DEF 10-9
1-13:39 ASSIST 10-12
1-13:39 MISS FT 10-12
1-13:39 MISS FT 10-12
1-11:31 SUB OUT 10-14
1-08:47 SUB IN 14-14
1-07:47 REBOUND DEF 14-15
1-05:58 GOOD JUMPER 19-19
1-04:17 TURNOVER LOSTBALL 21-23
1-03:59 REBOUND DEF 21-23
1-03:54 TURNOVER LOSTBALL 21-23
1-02:34 GOOD LAYUP 21-26
1-01:58 MISS 3PTR 21-26
2-17:22 ASSIST 31-35
2-16:34 MISS 3PTR 33-35
2-16:30 GOOD LAYUP 33-37
2-15:57 GOOD LAYUP 33-39
2-15:13 MISS LAYUP 36-39
2-14:15 MISS JUMPER 37-39
2-12:56 SUB OUT 42-42
2-08:11 SUB IN 53-54
2-07:24 MISS JUMPER 57-54
2-01:21 FOUL PERSONAL 62-66
2-01:06 SUB OUT 63-66
2-00:17 SUB IN 63-70

[RondaeShimmy]

Anyone think the teams looks better while he's sitting on the bench.

It feels like they almost always made a run when he was sitting. That has been the case the past couple of games including today.

No RAP points since it was 33-39 and 16 minutes left in the game.

Prd-Time Play Score
1-17:49 REBOUND OFF 4-5
1-17:01 MISS JUMPER 4-5
1-16:30 FOUL OFF 4-5
1-16:30 TURNOVER OFFENSIVE 4-5
1-13:39 REBOUND DEF 10-9
1-13:39 ASSIST 10-12
1-13:39 MISS FT 10-12
1-13:39 MISS FT 10-12
1-11:31 SUB OUT 10-14
1-08:47 SUB IN 14-14
1-07:47 REBOUND DEF 14-15
1-05:58 GOOD JUMPER 19-19
1-04:17 TURNOVER LOSTBALL 21-23
1-03:59 REBOUND DEF 21-23
1-03:54 TURNOVER LOSTBALL 21-23
1-02:34 GOOD LAYUP 21-26
1-01:58 MISS 3PTR 21-26
2-17:22 ASSIST 31-35
2-16:34 MISS 3PTR 33-35
2-16:30 GOOD LAYUP 33-37
2-15:57 GOOD LAYUP 33-39
2-15:13 MISS LAYUP 36-39
2-14:15 MISS JUMPER 37-39
2-12:56 SUB OUT 42-42
2-08:11 SUB IN 53-54
2-07:24 MISS JUMPER 57-54
2-01:21 FOUL PERSONAL 62-66
2-01:06 SUB OUT 63-66
2-00:17 SUB IN 63-70

Yeah I'm not saying Arizona isn't better without him the rest of the way, but these past several past games he's been a black hole.

Which is why Lloyd had him sitting the whole late part of the UCLA game and why Arizona made a run while he was sitting today.

Like Kerr, he's fallen too in love with taking early shot clock 3s and has been clanking them. He needs to drive at the basket more since Kerr has 9 TOTAL SHOTS in the paint the whole freaking year, because he's incapable of doing so.

[Merkin]

Like Kerr, he's fallen too in love with taking early shot clock 3s and has been clanking them. He needs to drive at the basket more since Kerr has 9 TOTAL SHOTS in the paint the whole freaking year, because he's incapable of doing so.

I appreciate Kriisa and look forward to him being our PG of the future, but do miss how Akinjo could drive and dish. The only fouls Kerr gets is on charges by the other team.

[azcat49]

Right now my biggest concern is his defense. He should dominate his guy but to often he gets bear off the dribble. If I am an NBA GM (which I am far from), that worries me for a wing who will need to guard multiple positions

[Beachcat97]

Benn has probably played himself out of the lottery. Sad to see.

I wouldn’t be so sure. All he needs is a few good highlights down the stretch, get that hype going again, have some good pre-draft workouts, and he’s late lotto at worst, imo. Try to name college guards you’d absolutely take ahead of him. It’s a short list.

[Beachcat97]

Benn has probably played himself out of the lottery. Sad to see.

Is he playing himself into a possible return next year?

Not a chance.

[dmjcat]

Benn has probably played himself out of the lottery. Sad to see.

Is he playing himself into a possible return next year?

Not a chance.

"Not a Chance" is a pretty tall statement considering how Mathurin has looked over the past 4 games. Ever since Cronin exposed him at Pauley by forcing Benn off the 3 point line he has looked like dog crap. Driving to the hole (and his mid range game) have not looked good. By shutting off Mathurins 3 point attempts and forcing him to drive to the lane he has essentially been neutralized.

In the past 4 games Mathurin has displayed shaky handles, very little mid range game, and the inability to absorb contact while going to the hole. Since his natural position in the NBA is shooting guard he will need to demonstrate those skills to get a 1st round pick. At the moment he's not showing that he's got those skills in his game.

He has time to turn it around, but at the moment its difficult to see him improving his ball handling skills/ability to absorb contact overnight.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Higher level Conference foes have really slowed our transition game and stifled our early shot clock attempts, at least it seems to me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but mathurin thrived in that environment with open Lanes, 2 on 1s, he is really able to show off in that environment, him being out a bunch is limiting those opportunities for run outs as well.

Not saying anyone should be doing anything different, it just is what we are up against these days.

[Harvey Specter]

Benn has probably played himself out of the lottery. Sad to see.

Is he playing himself into a possible return next year?

Not a chance.

"Not a Chance" is a pretty tall statement considering how Mathurin has looked over the past 4 games. Ever since Cronin exposed him at Pauley by forcing Benn off the 3 point line he has looked like dog crap. Driving to the hole (and his mid range game) have not looked good. By shutting off Mathurins 3 point attempts and forcing him to drive to the lane he has essentially been neutralized.

In the past 4 games Mathurin has displayed shaky handles, very little mid range game, and the inability to absorb contact while going to the hole. Since his natural position in the NBA is shooting guard he will need to demonstrate those skills to get a 1st round pick. At the moment he's not showing that he's got those skills in his game.

He has time to turn it around, but at the moment its difficult to see him improving his ball handling skills/ability to absorb contact overnight.

97’s post was specifically in response to the question as to whether Benn would return next season, and I think he is right.

That said, I DO think he is trending toward playing himself out of the lottery. I don’t see him falling out of the first round, though.

After 3 of probably our most scouted games of the season, he has been ineffective. If I am a scout, that concerns me - as does the fact that he was on the bench more often than not in the waning moments of the last 2 games.

As a UA fan and human being, I LOVE the way he has reacted and dealt with this difficult stretch.

He has a good enough tourney and all will be forgotten. A lot of time still left.

[Olsondogg]

Lol at some of these comments on February 5th. Anyone who scouts bball can see what we all see what he is, which is a pro.


Smh at majority of these takes in this thread.

Hot garbage.

[97cats]

33mins - 18pts - 6-12fg - 1-4(3pt) - 5-6ft - 5rb - 3a -0blk - 1st - 2to

*of note: Mathurin missed his first free throw for the third straight game - this time making one of two, not missing both.