2024-25 Arizona Basketball

[VegasCatFan]

50th best player in the country wants (expects?) to start as a freshman at Arizona?

And when he doesn’t get it (but would probably still get 15+ minutes if he’s as good as he thinks he is), he immediately bolts?

Ha, ok. Peace out bro.

I'm not sure he'd even get 15 minutes a game. Between Love, KJ, Bradley and Dell'Orso, how much playing time would actually be available. And that's not even taking into account if Sanon actually shows up on campus. He'd be the 5th or 6th guard possibly, although I guess KJ, Sanon and Dell'Orso could play SF. Still sounds like garbage time minutes to me though.

[Merkin]

Luke was right, no impact.

[IndianaZonaFan]

There was previously a lot of talk from those inside about being surprised to ever actually see Sanon in an Arizona uniform. Does that change at all now with Phillips gone?

[Merkin]

There was previously a lot of talk from those inside about being surprised to ever actually see Sanon in an Arizona uniform. Does that change at all now with Phillips gone?

This shit is happening too fast.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Jesus.

Never mind.

[UAEebs86]

What a joke

[dmjcat]

Love officially returning

https://africa.espn.com/mens-college-ba ... ng-arizona

[AZCatGirl]

Sanon is absolutely going to transfer after a year. Once he sees how crap the team is and the Netflix documentary finishes up, he's gone to greener pastures.

[Merkin]

Guess he wants to go on vacation next March.

Sure hope Love puts 40 on Sanon next season.

[azgreg]

Again, how can he get out of his NLI?

The school will let him out of it.

[AZCatGirl]

Okay now choosing ASU makes a bit more sense lol.

[dmjcat]

It appears that Love returning to the UA scared off not one, but two recruits (Philips/Sanon).

At the end of the day I will still take the Pac12 POY over either of those 2 freshman.

Sanon will probably jump to the NBA at the first chance he gets.

[Irish27]

Sanon is absolutely going to transfer after a year. Once he sees how crap the team is and the Netflix documentary finishes up, he's gone to greener pastures.

He is only going to be in college for one year. Great pickup for asu.

[Beachcat97]

So starting 5 for next season?

Love
Bradley
KJ
Townsend/Bryant
Krivas

Does that look about right?

[ProfessorFate]

Worst possible scenario.

[Merkin]

So starting 5 for next season?

Love
Bradley
KJ
Townsend/Bryant
Krivas

Does that look about right?

Hopefully Veesaar as a stretch 4 if he can defend.

[PHXCATS]

Worst possible scenario.

[TheCat]

I am most disappointed that Phillips wont be here. You can call him the 50th player in the country but I saw him shoot and he was as close to Salim as I have seen that committed to Arizona.

[dmjcat]

Worst possible scenario.

I can think of a host of worst scenarios:

KJ going pro
Krivas/Bradley hitting the portal
Love going pro

Any combination of the above

[Winger]

There was previously a lot of talk from those inside about being surprised to ever actually see Sanon in an Arizona uniform. Does that change at all now with Phillips gone?

When I heard about the booster $$$ for Love I was told Love and Sanon was an either/or.

[84Cat]

ASU has that Netflix money to spend on NIL. It's now or never for them. Can't wait to trash them like we always do

[84Cat]

I am most disappointed that Phillips wont be here. You can call him the 50th player in the country but I saw him shoot and he was as close to Salim as I have seen that committed to Arizona.

Yeah I wanted to see him in an Arizona uniform to. I think he'll end up being pretty good. I'm not sure what happened but if some podcaster/blogger ran him away, that's pretty fucked up

[Beachcat97]

It's truly crazy how the transfer portal and new draft entry rules (and NIL) have impacted roster stability. It's never been more challenging to be a head coach.

[Irish27]

I will take Love over Sanon every time. Love has the experience and we know what we are getting. Sanon should be a senior next year in high school. He has a lot of talent, but does not have any experience.

[Beachcat97]

I will take Love over Sanon every time. Love has the experience and we know what we are getting. Sanon should be a senior next year in high school. He has a lot of talent, but does not have any experience.

I agree 100%. I've been on the "Love returning would be a good thing" train since the get go.

For all of Love's shortcomings (a too-quick trigger from 3, dunk attempts when a layup was needed, streakiness), he still BRINGS much more than he lacks. He's an outstanding teammate, and he'll be a super senior. He's also trying to convince the NBA that he's an all-around player. I think this stacks up well for him to have a very strong final college season.

Love, Bradley and KJ should be one of the best backcourts in the Big 12. Still feels weird to write that.

[SunnyAZ]

prob gonna add a transfer guard. doubt they will go into the season having to rely on Conrad. Dell'Orso is basically the only backup perimeter player on the team (Carter I view more as a PF).

[Beachcat97]

I could be wrong, but I think this is the first time in AZ history we've ever had a Pac POY return the following season.

[Abrahamarvel]

Since Elliot

[TucsonClip]

Lloyd has some work to do this summer. Get Riley and we're good, but there's a big hole at guard off the bench, not to mention consistent shooting with at least medium volume.

Not sold on anything Dell'Orso until I see him play in Tucson.

[SCCats]

I could be wrong, but I think this is the first time in AZ history we've ever had a Pac POY return the following season.

And apparently it’s just terrible

[Fishclamps]

Yeah if the sticking point was playing time, then sorry to see you go but good luck wherever you land.

Like I said in another thread, easy come easy go.

Edit: It will be fun to beat down ASU and Sanon this year though, a little extra fuel for the fire.

[Fishclamps]

I am most disappointed that Phillips wont be here. You can call him the 50th player in the country but I saw him shoot and he was as close to Salim as I have seen that committed to Arizona.

Yeah I wanted to see him in an Arizona uniform to. I think he'll end up being pretty good. I'm not sure what happened but if some podcaster/blogger ran him away, that's pretty fucked up

Seems like it really just came down to he was gonna end up having to redshirt his freshman season here.

[Beachcat97]

Since Elliot

Of course. My bad.

Moving into the Big 12, I'd be pretty impressed if Love can even earn first-team all league.

[84Cat]

[Beachcat97]

At least one of our commits isn't afraid of a little competition. Jeez.

[Beachcat97]

Your first reaction to the news Luke is referring to here will be unnecessary panic. Don't. It'll be fine.

Seems to be alluding to Phillips possibly decommitting.

Considering what Choo said, we must be getting someone better like Sanon. Of course there may be a silent commit or someone else we don't know about

I don't know about anything else in the works in regards to recruits, although I know if we can land Will Riley in 2024 we will definitely be all for that. I'm not sure any other option is on the plate with what Tommy has going on this week. All I know is what is about to be announced isn't anything that will hurt Arizona short term or long term.

Is this still how you feel, Choo?

[Merkin]

Since Elliot

Of course. My bad.

Moving into the Big 12, I'd be pretty impressed if Love can even earn first-team all league.

True about Elliott, but a lot different environment then. Brian Williams/Bison Dele was the first UA starter under Lute to leave who still had eligibility left.

[Fishclamps]

Well I mean it sucks but it's nothing earth shattering. We already know Tommy can recruit so I'm sure he'll make up for the losses in short order.

Also Carter Bryant has been one of this classes biggest cheerleaders, nothing new about his unwavering support!

[IndianaZonaFan]

Assuming we will be looking for a 6’3”-6’6” guard/wing player for depth at the perimeter now

[Winger]

Lloyd has some work to do this summer. Get Riley and we're good, but there's a big hole at guard off the bench, not to mention consistent shooting with at least medium volume.

Not sold on anything Dell'Orso until I see him play in Tucson.

?s as of 5/29:

1. Perimeter shooting? Who can shoot it?
2. Can Bradley be a #1 PG?
3. Can Krivas be a legit high major 5?
4. Who is the 4? What does he bring?
5. Roles/position for the 2 tweener transfers?

I am not overly worried about defense and Lloyd always courts a good offense but I wonder where the points are going to come from.

[VegasCatFan]

I know Tommy loves Euros although going into the Big 12 maybe that changes, but is he looking at any Euros as a back-up guard? Someone that can stand at the 3 point line and hit it consistently.

[ChooChooCat]

Your first reaction to the news Luke is referring to here will be unnecessary panic. Don't. It'll be fine.

Seems to be alluding to Phillips possibly decommitting.

Considering what Choo said, we must be getting someone better like Sanon. Of course there may be a silent commit or someone else we don't know about

I don't know about anything else in the works in regards to recruits, although I know if we can land Will Riley in 2024 we will definitely be all for that. I'm not sure any other option is on the plate with what Tommy has going on this week. All I know is what is about to be announced isn't anything that will hurt Arizona short term or long term.

Is this still how you feel, Choo?

Yep.

[ChooChooCat]

Assuming we will be looking for a 6’3”-6’6” guard/wing player for depth at the perimeter now

6’8 is a nice height too.

[ChooChooCat]

I am most disappointed that Phillips wont be here. You can call him the 50th player in the country but I saw him shoot and he was as close to Salim as I have seen that committed to Arizona.

Yeah I wanted to see him in an Arizona uniform to. I think he'll end up being pretty good. I'm not sure what happened but if some podcaster/blogger ran him away, that's pretty fucked up

Seems like it really just came down to he was gonna end up having to redshirt his freshman season here.

Yeah, Mike Luke didn’t have a damn thing to do with Phillips decommitting. This was about playing time, although I sure as hell gotta question the USC decision. Good luck getting PT there.

[UAEebs86]

Okay now choosing ASU makes a bit more sense lol.

Already causing ASU to lose a commit.

[dovecanyoncat]

This is becoming as flakey as a pre-tribal council scramble on Survivor.

[Fishclamps]

Assuming we will be looking for a 6’3”-6’6” guard/wing player for depth at the perimeter now

6’8 is a nice height too.

I'm picking up what you're putting down Choo.

[TheCat]

I am most disappointed that Phillips wont be here. You can call him the 50th player in the country but I saw him shoot and he was as close to Salim as I have seen that committed to Arizona.

Yeah I wanted to see him in an Arizona uniform to. I think he'll end up being pretty good. I'm not sure what happened but if some podcaster/blogger ran him away, that's pretty fucked up

Seems like it really just came down to he was gonna end up having to redshirt his freshman season here.

We will never know but I think you are way off base. This guy is the scorer we always have needed and plays defense. He would be pushing to start by year-end. There is no way he would redshirt anywhere.

[Winger]

I am most disappointed that Phillips wont be here. You can call him the 50th player in the country but I saw him shoot and he was as close to Salim as I have seen that committed to Arizona.

Yeah I wanted to see him in an Arizona uniform to. I think he'll end up being pretty good. I'm not sure what happened but if some podcaster/blogger ran him away, that's pretty fucked up

Seems like it really just came down to he was gonna end up having to redshirt his freshman season here.

We will never know but I think you are way off base. This guy is the scorer we always have needed and plays defense. He would be pushing to start by year-end. There is no way he would redshirt anywhere.

In taking Love over Phillips Lloyd has indirectly expressed concern over where the points are going to come from next season imo.

He prioritized a player with max 1 season left over a “top 50” recruit and that player, while better at Arizona than UNC, was not terribly efficient and was frankly horrible the last 6 or so games of the season. Historical data shows that players’ improvement in outside shooting decreases from year to year, every year, and Love has never been a very good shooter. Lloyd’s offense has never been one to rein in players and Love is high volume in addition to not being highly efficient. I can’t predict the future but the most likely outcome is you’re going to see basically the same Caleb Love you saw last season. Maybe he gets a little more action at the point and maybe Lloyd is able to continue the push to have him drive more and settle less but it is highly unlikely he is going to morph into a Steve Kerr.

Lloyd is a supremely confident college basketball coach but he appears to me to be concerned about where the points were going to come from without Love.

In a way I am not surprised he took him back (needed the points, not a hard ass, loves and believes he can develop everyone) but in another way I am.

TBD

[pc in NM]

I am most disappointed that Phillips wont be here. You can call him the 50th player in the country but I saw him shoot and he was as close to Salim as I have seen that committed to Arizona.

Yeah I wanted to see him in an Arizona uniform to. I think he'll end up being pretty good. I'm not sure what happened but if some podcaster/blogger ran him away, that's pretty fucked up

Seems like it really just came down to he was gonna end up having to redshirt his freshman season here.

We will never know but I think you are way off base. This guy is the scorer we always have needed and plays defense. He would be pushing to start by year-end. There is no way he would redshirt anywhere.

In taking Love over Phillips Lloyd has indirectly expressed concern over where the points are going to come from next season imo.

He prioritized a player with max 1 season left over a “top 50” recruit and that player, while better at Arizona than UNC, was not terribly efficient and was frankly horrible the last 6 or so games of the season. Historical data shows that players’ improvement in outside shooting decreases from year to year, every year, and Love has never been a very good shooter. Lloyd’s offense has never been one to rein in players and Love is high volume in addition to not being highly efficient. I can’t predict the future but the most likely outcome is you’re going to see basically the same Caleb Love you saw last season. Maybe he gets a little more action at the point and maybe Lloyd is able to continue the push to have him drive more and settle less but it is highly unlikely he is going to morph into a Steve Kerr.

Lloyd is a supremely confident college basketball coach but he appears to me to be concerned about where the points were going to come from without Love.

In a way I am not surprised he took him back (needed the points, not a hard ass, loves and believes he can develop everyone) but in another way I am.

TBD

IMNSHO, the strongest appearance is that Phillips does not believe he could effectively compete for PT with Love back on the team.

If so, he's probably correct, and, made the right choice to look elsewhere. And, if so, that's the best choice for Arizona, also.