2024-25 Arizona Basketball

[PHXCATS]

Texas Tech is favored by 2.5 over Arizona.

Scheer thinks we locked up a 4 seed tonight. We jumped back up to 12 in KenPom

Who cares what Scheer says about this?

[PHXCATS]

Tickets dirt cheap for Friday and Saturday

Big 12 stans have nothing now on why the tournament shouldn't move to Vegas

Yormark needs to get out of the contract

[AZCatGirl]

So tickets can be just as cheap because no one cares about pointless conference tournaments? Great plan.

[PHXCATS]

So tickets can be just as cheap because no one cares about pointless conference tournaments? Great plan.

Holy shit


The Big12 stans said it couldn't move because fans cared so much. They clearly don't if Kansas and Iowa State aren't involved.

They have nothing else

[RichardCranium]

This is the worst court in the history of all histories.

Gpn says hello and goodbye.

[Chicat]

This is hilarious. Yormark should break the contract (and tie the conference up in litigation) because tickets are cheap on the resale market?



People already paid for all those tickets at full price! That’s the money the conference cares about. Not whether Billy Bob and Sally Sue can get their money back so they can go home to Topeka early because the Jaychickens already made their exit.

The “post with your feelings, not your brains” crowd really needs to chill the fuck out about being in the Big XII. If the tourney wasn’t sold out initially, that’s when people would think about moving on from KC. Which isn’t happening. So you might as well ease up on the public displays of butthurt.

[IrishAzCat]

I felt like I was tripping watching that game:

[AZCatGirl]

So tickets can be just as cheap because no one cares about pointless conference tournaments? Great plan.

Holy shit


The Big12 stans said it couldn't move because fans cared so much. They clearly don't if Kansas and Iowa State aren't involved.

They have nothing else

So why would moving it to Vegas suddenly make Kansas and Iowa State fans not sell their tickets? Why would it being in Vegas make people want to buy them? Or why would the resale tickets suddenly be worth more? Your logic doesn't make sense. The location isn't going to suddenly make the tickets more valuable because anyone that cared already bought tickets.

[PHXCATS]

So tickets can be just as cheap because no one cares about pointless conference tournaments? Great plan.

Holy shit


The Big12 stans said it couldn't move because fans cared so much. They clearly don't if Kansas and Iowa State aren't involved.

They have nothing else

So why would moving it to Vegas suddenly make Kansas and Iowa State fans not sell their tickets? Why would it being in Vegas make people want to buy them? Or why would the resale tickets suddenly be worth more? Your logic doesn't make sense. The location isn't going to suddenly make the tickets more valuable because anyone that cared already bought tickets.

Holy shit.....you just don't get it

[dmjcat]

I don't like how this team is trending right now... but I do welcome a rematch with Kansas

I certainly don't welcome the rematch.

We have to play Kansas at what amounts to Allen Fieldhouse East. Its 42 miles from their campus and they will have 10,000+
fans in the crowd. They have also played numerous games at T-Mobile so they are very familiar with the rims/depth perception.

We have no answer for Hunter Dickinson. CTL can't coach Awaka to be 4 inches taller or Veesaar to be 30 pounds heavier by next thursday. Its just a bad matchup for us.

Like I said… felt pretty good with the rematch

I felt good AFTER it ended. The UA fans were outnumbered probably 10,000 to 300/400 and the UA played 8 on 5 for the 1st half as the Zebras tried to keep Kansas in it. I was surprised that the Refs stopped calling the ticky-tack stuff on us the 2nd half.

It was nice watching the Chickenhawk fans glumly filing out of the arena with a minute left in the game. I have been getting some dirty looks from folks wearing Kansas attire this morning. Now if you will excuse me I am off to Joes BBQ before the Tech game.

[dirtbags]

I don't like how this team is trending right now... but I do welcome a rematch with Kansas

I certainly don't welcome the rematch.

We have to play Kansas at what amounts to Allen Fieldhouse East. Its 42 miles from their campus and they will have 10,000+
fans in the crowd. They have also played numerous games at T-Mobile so they are very familiar with the rims/depth perception.

We have no answer for Hunter Dickinson. CTL can't coach Awaka to be 4 inches taller or Veesaar to be 30 pounds heavier by next thursday. Its just a bad matchup for us.

Like I said… felt pretty good with the rematch

I felt good AFTER it ended. The UA fans were outnumbered probably 10,000 to 300/400 and the UA played 8 on 5 for the 1st half as the Zebras tried to keep Kansas in it. I was surprised that the Refs stopped calling the ticky-tack stuff on us the 2nd half.

It was nice watching the Chickenhawk fans glumly filing out of the arena with a minute left in the game. I have been getting some dirty looks from folks wearing Kansas attire this morning. Now if you will excuse me I am off to Joes BBQ before the Tech game.

nice! some friends highly recommended LC's and jack stack for bbq, and said garozzo's was some of the best italian food he's ever had (from a guy who grew up in jersey!). there's also a free tram that'll take you down to another area near the river with more food and nightlife options.

also, i think we expected to see ku fans outnumber the arizona fans, but what was your feel for the other folks in the crowd? either jeffries or espn (or maybe it heard it on socials, idk) said something about a good chunk of fans of other teams were sticking around to watch the game and root against kansas.

[dirtbags]

Texas Tech is favored by 2.5 over Arizona.

Scheer thinks we locked up a 4 seed tonight. We jumped back up to 12 in KenPom

infographic on espn last night, can't remember where it was from (maybe just lunardi's head), indicated that arizona's currently a 97% lock for a 4-seed. does getting a 4 vs. a 5 mean playing way out of region, as opposed to say seattle or denver? i didn't think there was too much of a diff between a 4 & 5 seed. i guess you've got the 5-12 trap, but 4-13 is also underrrated landmine territory.

[84Cat]

Texas Tech is favored by 2.5 over Arizona.

Scheer thinks we locked up a 4 seed tonight. We jumped back up to 12 in KenPom

infographic on espn last night, can't remember where it was from (maybe just lunardi's head), indicated that arizona's currently a 97% lock for a 4-seed. does getting a 4 vs. a 5 mean playing way out of region, as opposed to say seattle or denver? i didn't think there was too much of a diff between a 4 & 5 seed. i guess you've got the 5-12 trap, but 4-13 is also underrrated landmine territory.

Yes, from what I understand, 4 we play in Seattle but a 5 can be anywhere

[dirtbags]

got it - thanks!

[Postmaster]

There was a KST fan right behind Fran last night. He kept doing the wildcat hand gesture. I wasn't sure if KST does that also or if he was showing support for us (or at least against KU).

[Postmaster]

Question about refs.

Does the same guy cover the same baseline the whole game? Or do they switch at half?
I was wondering if that is why the calls were much more even in 2nd half.

[Chicat]

There was a KST fan right behind Fran last night. He kept doing the wildcat hand gesture. I wasn't sure if KST does that also or if he was showing support for us (or at least against KU).

They do the same gesture and claim they invented it. I think though the earliest known reference to it is from our fanbase.

[TheCat]

They do the same Wildcat gesture.

[azgreg]

So does Washington St.

[84Cat]

Houston is favored by 6.5 over Arizona

[TheCat]

So that will make the fourth game in a row we are underdogs? Don't think I can ever remember that.

[Alieberman]

I hope Tommy extends bench tonight. Winning would be phenomenal but goal number 1 has to be leaving this game with everyone healthy and ready for next week

[EastCoastCat]

I hope Tommy extends bench tonight. Winning would be phenomenal but goal number 1 has to be leaving this game with everyone healthy and ready for next week

He was sort of asked that question (concern around players getting tired/worn out before the Tourney) from Pascoe last night and he said his teams always will play to win the game no matter what. Something like “as long as there is Arizona across our chest we will play to win any game we are in.”

[U.P. Zona Fan]

So that will make the fourth game in a row we are underdogs? Don't think I can ever remember that.

I thought we were favored by 3 in the Kansas game in the big 12 tourney.

[UAEebs86]

So that will make the fourth game in a row we are underdogs? Don't think I can ever remember that.

I thought we were favored by 3 in the Kansas game in the big 12 tourney.

You are correct sir!

https://www.cbssports.com/college-baske ... ANSAS@ARIZ

ARIZ -3, O/U 152.5

[Beachcat97]

This game today feels more like a bragging rights game than anything else. Houston is a lock for a 1 seed, and even if we win, I think a 4 seed is our ceiling. We really owe these guys some payback.

BTFD

[pc in NM]

This game today feels more like a bragging rights game than anything else. Houston is a lock for a 1 seed, and even if we win, I think a 4 seed is our ceiling. We really owe these guys some payback.

BTFD

"just win, baby!!!"

[Postmaster]

I'd be happy if we just beat them in April.

[EastCoastCat]

Raising a Tourney trophy our first year in the conference would be very cool.

[AZCatGirl]

Yeah unlike the PAC, winning any Big 12 title is a rare feat that I don’t automatically expect. Nice way to put an exclamation mark that we belong.

[Chicat]

Overall I think we justified the excitement many BigXII fans had for us joining the league. Definitely showed we can play with any of them and that we will be a force to be reckoned with going forward.

[TheCat]

So that will make the fourth game in a row we are underdogs? Don't think I can ever remember that.

I thought we were favored by 3 in the Kansas game in the big 12 tourney.

You are correct sir!

https://www.cbssports.com/college-baske ... ANSAS@ARIZ

ARIZ -3, O/U 152.5

My mistake......not sure what I was looking at.

[84Cat]

[AZCatGirl]

This is why I think we'll be at least a Sweet 16 team.

[AZCatGirl]

No matter what happens in the second half, the Cats need this kind of toughness next week if they want to get to the second weekend. Hope they remember what it takes.

[KaibabKat]

Up 5 at the half on the #2 team in the country on a neutral court. Not too shabby. Another 20 minutes of Tommy ball please.

[AZCatGirl]

Hell yeah we're not.

[Postmaster]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

[AZCatGirl]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

[Postmaster]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

True, but I feel this has been an issue for more than this season. He has to manage the roster he has.
Our guards lost it at end of game. Either they need to be in better shape or CTL needs to buy them some rest with timely substitutions.

[MrKyle]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

True, but I feel this has been an issue for more than this season. He has to manage the roster he has.
Our guards lost it at end of game. Either they need to be in better shape or CTL needs to buy them some rest with timely substitutions.

I think that is a problem moreso with how CTL plays the bench - he keeps a pretty tight rotation and it can be a detriment when season drags on and legs get worn down.

It’s amplified this season with TT/ADO unable to play against top tier teams due to defensive liability and lack of offense

Need to play a deeper bench throughout season

[Hank of sb]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

ADO was a *ridiculous* mistake. The fact that CTL got a 22-12 season out of this squad with ADO as a "component" is remarkable. I don't know how he did it.

Given what things looked like at season's start, the prospects for next year look better for Arizona's future. Recruiting will be crucial. Tommy surely knows his mistake now.

I so assume. I now hope. Hence, I'm still on board for Arizona's BB future. (Something I was prepared to give up.)

[Winger]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

Amen.

[MrKyle]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

ADO was a *ridiculous* mistake. The fact that CTL got a 22-12 season out of this squad with ADO as a "component" is remarkable. I don't know how he did it.

Given what things looked like at season's start, the prospects for next year look better for Arizona's future. Recruiting will be crucial. Tommy surely knows his mistake now.

I so assume. I now hope. Hence, I'm still on board for Arizona's BB future. (Something I was prepared to give up.)

I think it was pretty telling that Fran Frischilla was calling out what many posters have been saying about ADO being next to useless unless he hits 3s; and poking at TT being targeted on offense by Houston due to poor defense

[Djcat]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

Why are they starting??? So we can get in a hole first few mins and have to expend energy to catch up? Or give up leads in second half’s?

Seriously start the best and use them as strategic subs along the way. This KJ won’t want to start is getting old. He gets in with too much nervous energy from sitting and does stupid things.

I said it during the in game thread, starting TT and Dilly will cause the lead to disappear and even though only ADO started, Houston went at him and literally the lead went away. Even ESPN commenter was calling him out

[Winger]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

Why are they starting??? So we can get in a hole first few mins and have to expend energy to catch up? Or give up leads in second half’s?

Seriously start the best and use them as strategic subs along the way. This KJ won’t want to start is getting old. He gets in with too much nervous energy from sitting and does stupid things.

I said it during the in game thread, starting TT and Dilly will cause the lead to disappear and even though only ADO started, Houston went at him and literally the lead went away. Even ESPN commenter was calling him out

Agree. It honestly makes no sense for Lloyd to do this. Never has.

Think the story last night was 2-fold.

1. Arizona can’t shoot the ball from the perimeter. The Cats finished the season ranked about 250th for 3FG%. Terrible. Part of the reason why this team was so relatively poor at assisting the ball c/t Lloyd’s first 3. Hurt Arizona again yesterday.

2. Barkley has a rule that the team with the best player always wins. I dont think that holds as well for college ball. But, when 2 college teams are evenly matched elsewhere, if there is a big gap at the PG position, I’d bet that the team with the better PG usually wins. Uzan just killed Arizona in both games.

The missed FTs and defensive lapses leading to a couple open looks from 3 at the end decided game 1, and yesterday the forced TOs by Love and Bradley were big.

But if Arizona could shoot it might have been a different story. Especially if we had an elite PG.

[pc in NM]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

Why are they starting??? So we can get in a hole first few mins and have to expend energy to catch up? Or give up leads in second half’s?

Seriously start the best and use them as strategic subs along the way. This KJ won’t want to start is getting old. He gets in with too much nervous energy from sitting and does stupid things.

I said it during the in game thread, starting TT and Dilly will cause the lead to disappear and even though only ADO started, Houston went at him and literally the lead went away. Even ESPN commenter was calling him out

Agree. It honestly makes no sense for Lloyd to do this. Never has.

Think the story last night was 2-fold.

1. Arizona can’t shoot the ball from the perimeter. The Cats finished the season ranked about 250th for 3FG%. Terrible. Part of the reason why this team was so relatively poor at assisting the ball c/t Lloyd’s first 3. Hurt Arizona again yesterday.

2. Barkley has a rule that the team with the best player always wins. I dont think that holds as well for college ball. But, when 2 college teams are evenly matched elsewhere, if there is a big gap at the PG position, I’d bet that the team with the better PG usually wins. Uzan just killed Arizona in both games.

The missed FTs and defensive lapses leading to a couple open looks from 3 at the end decided game 1, and yesterday the forced TOs by Love and Bradley were big.

But if Arizona could shoot it might have been a different story. Especially if we had an elite PG.

1. The only so-called "hole" Arizona was put in was in the first half when KJ made two bad TO's, and then we made a stupid foul - 8 damn points that our great rally in the last 9 minutes (10-14 shots) dug us out of.

2. We have a really good PG, and anyone who says otherwise reveals a lack of basketball knowledge and/or observation skills.

3. The "targeting" was aimed at THREE of our players - ADO (5 damn minutes - not a significant factor), TT (more stopping his penetration, not just "D") and Carter (who's been a defensive liability one-on-one all year!) - quit picking on only TT and ADO!!

4. Arizona played an excellent game, required special halftime adjustments from Houston (one of the very best teams in the country). There's absolutely no shame in that. Arizona, the players, the staff and CTL deserve positive recognition for all three games this week.

[Merkin]

Seems to me Bradley is more often referred to as a combo guard, not a true PG.

3.7 APG/1.9 TO

TJ, a true PG, had 6.4 APG/2.1 TO.

Bradley is 14th in assists in B12 games. https://big12sports.com/stats.aspx?path ... &year=2024

But he is the best we have for now. Even though Love has better court vision.

[dirtbags]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

ADO was a *ridiculous* mistake. The fact that CTL got a 22-12 season out of this squad with ADO as a "component" is remarkable. I don't know how he did it.

Given what things looked like at season's start, the prospects for next year look better for Arizona's future. Recruiting will be crucial. Tommy surely knows his mistake now.

I so assume. I now hope. Hence, I'm still on board for Arizona's BB future. (Something I was prepared to give up.)

hasn't anyone explained to tommy the concept of "arizona good" players?

i missed the backstories on our prior outbound transfers like kriisa, boz, ballo. i assume it was some combination of behavioral issues & NIL. not much a hc can directly do about the latter, but isn't the former kind of the coaching staff's job? i imagine it would have to be josiah turner-bad to show them the door.

[Chicat]

If CTL isn't going to use more players for real minutes, then the S/C program needs a major overhaul. You can't just tell the players to suck it up in March.

The problem is ADO and Trey were useless, not S/C. Tommy needs to get more selective with recruits.

ADO was a *ridiculous* mistake. The fact that CTL got a 22-12 season out of this squad with ADO as a "component" is remarkable. I don't know how he did it.

Given what things looked like at season's start, the prospects for next year look better for Arizona's future. Recruiting will be crucial. Tommy surely knows his mistake now.

I so assume. I now hope. Hence, I'm still on board for Arizona's BB future. (Something I was prepared to give up.)

hasn't anyone explained to tommy the concept of "arizona good" players?

i missed the backstories on our prior outbound transfers like kriisa, boz, ballo. i assume it was some combination of behavioral issues & NIL. not much a hc can directly do about the latter, but isn't the former kind of the coaching staff's job? i imagine it would have to be josiah turner-bad to show them the door.

Kriisa, Boswell, and Ballo were all mutual decisions. Boswell essentially quit on the team and needed a change in atmosphere. Kriisa was never going to be the PG Tommy needed and was about to lose playing time. Ballo could make a boatload of money elsewhere and he was blocking Krivas from getting the time he needed to develop.

TT and ADO would have been fine additions if they were the 9th & 10th guys in the rotation. But whiffing on getting any other good shooting guards, and KJ wanting to come off the bench, all of a sudden they are our starters for most of the season. Definitely not “Arizona Good” but not really their fault. They were forced into situations that are above their skill level.