2024-25 Arizona Basketball

[Postmaster]

Our billionaires are a-holes who don't give to their alma mater.

Like who?
I know I've heard someone alienated Arte Moreno. Not sure who else has mad cash besides Click.

Woody Johnson

Robert Sarver is close to being a billionaire.


Jerry Bruckheimer is worth about a billion too.

You forgot the Geraldo, the Kardashian girl and Baghdad Bob.

[Merkin]

College basketball early takes: Marquette, Oklahoma surprise and Arizona, UConn disappoint

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/596735 ... ointments/

Disappointments
Arizona: This is unthinkable but true: Arizona has lost as many games before December (four) as it did Tommy Lloyd’s entire first season in Tucson. The Wildcats didn’t lose their fourth game last season until mid-January, and February the season beforehand. So, yeah, a 3-4 start is cause for concern. But it isn’t just the losses that should have Arizona fans worried; it’s the team’s offensive ineptitude and how un-Lloyd-like this team looks. The Wildcats can’t shoot — they’re basically 250th nationally from 3, making a measly 31 percent from deep — are prone to getting the ball stolen and are easily posting the worst assist rate of Lloyd’s tenure. Before this season, Arizona finished second, fifth and 25th in assist rate under Lloyd. This year, they’re 242nd. Yikes.

It’s not like Lloyd doesn’t have talent, but the pieces just have not fit together. Star guard Caleb Love has regressed from 3 — he’s shooting 28.6 percent from deep, which somehow isn’t a career-worst — despite taking a career-high percentage of his team’s shots. KJ Lewis and Jaden Bradley have also taken steps back as shooters, and Oakland transfer Trey Townsend started the year 0-for-5 from deep before going 3-for-7 in the Bahamas. Lloyd is still figuring out the rotation of his bigs, too, now that Motiejus Krivas is back from a preseason ankle injury. The season isn’t over, but Arizona has only UCLA left in the nonconference, before it gets into its first season of Big 12 play. Based on what we’ve seen, it could be a rough debut.

[Winger]

College basketball early takes: Marquette, Oklahoma surprise and Arizona, UConn disappoint

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/596735 ... ointments/

Disappointments
Arizona: But it isn’t just the losses that should have Arizona fans worried ... it’s the team’s offensive ineptitude and how un-Lloyd-like this team looks ... The Wildcats can’t shoot ... and are easily posting the worst assist rate of Lloyd’s tenure ... Before this season, Arizona finished second, fifth and 25th in assist rate under Lloyd. This year, they’re 242nd ... It’s not like Lloyd doesn’t have talent, but the pieces just have not fit together.

One might think I did, but I did not write that for the NYTimes. Either someone there thinks very similar to me or folks are stealing my stuff from this site too lol.

[Beachcat97]

Again, we lost some truly dynamic offensive players in Keshad, Pelle and Oumar. These three carried the team at times last season, particularly when Love's shot wasn't falling. Now that we're even more reliant on Love, along with decent (not great) shooters Bradley and Lewis, we are just vulnerable af. Compounding this problem is our abysmal defense.

I'm not ready to surrender hope so early in the season, but this team has a LONG way to go.

[BBQ wildcat]

Lloyd has seen this team every day in practice. How could he NOT see all the deficiencies and state that this team is better than a #10 ranking?

[Beachcat97]

Lloyd has seen this team every day in practice. How could he NOT see all the deficiencies and state that this team is better than a #10 ranking?

This is Lloyd's 4th season. In the previous three, he won the league title twice and got to two S16s. It's not exactly HOF-level stuff, but it was definitely an auspicious start to his HC career.

By year four, a coach has built his own roster. The last vestiges of the Miller era are gone. He's had an opportunity to put his own stamp on the program, to instill his own culture. Whatever is happening right now is Tommy Lloyd basketball, for better or worse.

I'm going to give Tommy the benefit of the doubt for now, but the reality is that Arizona basketball expects to contend every season. Contend = be in the mix for a league title and get to the NCAA tourney. Anything short of that, happening just one time, can be considered anomalous. If it carries on longer, it's red flag city.

[TheCat]

Nice of you to give the coach that has the 4th most wins in college basketball since his time here the benefit of doubt for now. This team is and will be a struggle. Need a dead eye but doesn't appear we have one on the roster. Our rebounding is good especially offensive but need to score easier than we have been. Some struggle coming but that is part of the fun of college basketball. Embrace struggle and uncertainty.

[Postmaster]

I must have missed it but I heard that Fois (sp) is no longer with the team.
Anyone know why? Who his replacement is?

[Merkin]

Fois went to the Sac'to Kings. https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... 509c6.html

[Winger]

Not to panic but aside from Tate has anyone in an Arizona uniform regressed more in 1 off season than Caleb Love?

[UAEebs86]

Not to panic but aside from Tate has anyone in an Arizona uniform regressed more in 1 off season than Caleb Love?

Fifita?

[Winger]

Not to panic but aside from Tate has anyone in an Arizona uniform regressed more in 1 off season than Caleb Love?

Fifita?

Left him off intentionally:
1. His offensive line this season sucked balls.
2. His OC was a joke.
3. His head coach is inept.

Point taken however.

[Merkin]

Appears Love's NIL deal is $630K, and he has a net worth of $2M. No wonder he came back. Would not make that in Europe or the G league.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-bas ... e-nil-deal

[enfuego]

Except I can’t imagine a big time cat booster sitting in a dive bar drinking with a loser like Fuegs

Former sales executive for a major computer company and I live in North Scottsdale check the income demographics.

[Winger]

Appears Love's NIL deal is $630K, and he has a net worth of $2M. No wonder he came back. Would not make that in Europe or the G league.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-bas ... e-nil-deal

Fwiw Love's number is significantly shy of what I heard as is their number for the program as a whole.

Not sure anyone besides Lloyd and maybe a couple other guys on staff really know Arizona's NIL number.

Maybe Scheer is saying something different, but if you calibrate for "they are always looking for more money", what I have heard is that Arizona's NIL is not a major negative issue.

I don't feel confident in much of that (Love's number aside, have heard that from too many people) so take it w a grain of salt.

[pc in NM]

OK, this is a bit crazy, but I'd like to see this starting five a couple of times:

Love
Lewis
ADO
Townsend
Awaka

Restore passing and assists we associate with CTL ball....

Bradley (was better as a sub PG last year)
Bryant (should get significant time, of course)
Krivas & Veesaar, similar to current usage

[Postmaster]

In the game yesterday they stated that Lewis told CTL that he felt the team was better and if he came off the bench.


Boswell played better as a back up to Kriisa, then Bradley played well as Boswells back up. Now Delliroll is paying well as Bradley's back up.

I asked a few weeks ago if anyone thought Love would be our primary ball handler by March.

[Beachcat97]

I asked a few weeks ago if anyone thought Love would be our primary ball handler by March.

If he is, this team has a very low ceiling.

[Beachcat97]

I asked a few weeks ago if anyone thought Love would be our primary ball handler by March.

If he is, this team has a very low ceiling.

True, but this kid has a higher ceiling than those two.

[CalStateTempe]

When’s next game?

[84Cat]

When’s next game?

Saturday vs UClA

[CalStateTempe]

Ugh….we gonna drop this one too?

[Merkin]

Someone posted on FB that ESPN has UA with a better than even chance of winning.

I don't see it. UA is one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the nation. All any team has to do is pack the paint, especially when either of the 2 Euro softies are in.

Love's best 3 point shooting game this season was against Davidson when he went 3 for 7. Last time Love had a 50+% 3 point game was 2/28/24 v. ASU.

[Beachcat97]

Ugh….we gonna drop this one too?

yes

[PHXCATS]

Bunch of whinny babies

[BBQ wildcat]

Bunch of whinny babies

Bunch of realists.

[azcat49]

Lost the last 6 vs +.500 P4/5 teams. We can beat the plus 100 teams but we have to get back to beating tournament teams.

[PHXCATS]

Arizona wins and wins comfortably

People have bad games or bad matchups

Arizona will be fine

[Beachcat97]

Arizona wins and wins comfortably

People have bad games or bad matchups

Arizona will be fine

This person is either (a) not an AZ fan, (b) impressively stupid or (c) both. My money’s on (c).

[PHXCATS]

Arizona wins and wins comfortably

People have bad games or bad matchups

Arizona will be fine

This person is either (a) not an AZ fan, (b) impressively stupid or (c) both. My money’s on (c).

You certainly are a c

[Beachcat97]

Arizona wins and wins comfortably

People have bad games or bad matchups

Arizona will be fine

This person is either (a) not an AZ fan, (b) impressively stupid or (c) both. My money’s on (c).

You certainly are a c

This is how you know we’re in trouble this season. We play a good team in a few days and the only one posting here is the guy who’s never in as a good a mood, or as active on here, as when our basketball team is struggling.

[PHXCATS]

Arizona wins and wins comfortably

People have bad games or bad matchups

Arizona will be fine

This person is either (a) not an AZ fan, (b) impressively stupid or (c) both. My money’s on (c).

You certainly are a c

This is how you know we’re in trouble this season. We play a good team in a few days and the only one posting here is the guy who’s never in as a good a mood, or as active on here, as when our basketball team is struggling.

Yeah don't worry about people who have work stuff or family stuff or actually care about football C

[dmjcat]

Bunch of whinny babies

Bunch of realists.

For what its worth Pomeroy has the UA winning by 1.

Stating that we will win (comfortably) given the records and recent play of the two teams is not particularly realistic.

I will be there Saturday to cheer on the Cats. Bear Down.

[LuteIsGod]

Bunch of whinny babies

Bunch of realists.

For what its worth Pomeroy has the UA winning by 1.

Stating that we will win (comfortably) given the records and recent play of the two teams is not particularly realistic.

I will be there Saturday to cheer on the Cats. Bear Down.

I will be there with some friends. Looking forward to the game and trash talking Cronin.

[Postmaster]

Ballo is developing the Barkley posture

[Alieberman]

I kind of feel like this UCLA game is a must win to get this team back on track

[pc in NM]

Krivas is out with a "lower left leg injury"...

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketbal ... PIDBueYhFQ

... that vague terminology smells of "chronic left foot injury that will plague his entire career"!

No one is adequately replacing Oumar this year.

No one adequately replaced Kerr last year.

Things looking bleak!

[PHXCATS]

Bear Down

Know what it means

Live what it means

[Postmaster]

Bear Down

Know what it means

Live what it means

Signed : The Black Knight from Monty Python.

[84Cat]

Do we burn Stephen's red shirt or do we move Carter to the 4 more? We might need his 5 fouls/game

[Winger]

Krivas is out with a "lower left leg injury"...

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketbal ... PIDBueYhFQ

... that vague terminology smells of "chronic left foot injury that will plague his entire career"!

No one is adequately replacing Oumar this year.

No one adequately replaced Kerr last year.

Things looking bleak!

Hearing Krivas is “probably” done for the season.

[Alieberman]

In a boot on the bench… not a good sign

[AzCatFan2]

We are not a tournament team this year. Feast on cupcakes, but 0-fer against real teams. And the BIG12 has a lot of real teams that will eat us up and spit us out. Not sure what's wrong, but we look bad against decent competition. Real bad.

[PHXCATS]

We are not a tournament team this year. Feast on cupcakes, but 0-fer against real teams. And the BIG12 has a lot of real teams that will eat us up and spit us out. Not sure what's wrong, but we look bad against decent competition. Real bad.

Yes we are

For fuck sake

[Fishclamps]

Not sure what you've seen that would say we are

[g32knights]

Definitely not a tournament team right now

[AzCatFan2]

We are not a tournament team this year. Feast on cupcakes, but 0-fer against real teams. And the BIG12 has a lot of real teams that will eat us up and spit us out. Not sure what's wrong, but we look bad against decent competition. Real bad.

Yes we are


For fuck sake

If the tournament started today, we wouldn't even be close to the bubble. How are we going to compete with Kansas, Iowa State, Houston, and other conference foes? We need Q1 and Q2 wins. Because today, we have Zero!

[Merkin]

Cats are 0-5 in Quad 1 games? Pretty hard to get into the tourney will no OOC Quad 1 wins.

[UAEebs86]

Definitely not a tournament team right now

NIT or CBI maybe

[RawleArenas]

It's on Lloyd. He knew for quite a while the level of talent and athleticism needed to compete in the big 12. You don't double down on Euros and black holes who don't want to be leaders.