2025-26 Arizona Basketball

[BBQ wildcat]

Great news!

[IndianaZonaFan]

PG- Bradley/Burries/Nelson
SG- Burries/ADO
SF- Bryant/Aristode
PF- Peat/Aristode/Awaka
C- Krivas/Awaka

I think we need to get a better combo guard out of the portal and relegate Nelson and ADO to lower minutes. I also think we need a “Henri Lite” type of player to have bench depth at the 4/5. And obviously we either need Carter to stay or grab the transfer from Alabama. 1000 times preferably Carter.

[84Cat]

[pc in NM]

PG- Bradley/Burries/Nelson
SG- Burries/ADO
SF- Bryant/Aristode
PF- Peat/Aristode/Awaka
C- Krivas/Awaka

I think we need to get a better combo guard out of the portal and relegate Nelson and ADO to lower minutes. I also think we need a “Henri Lite” type of player to have bench depth at the 4/5. And obviously we either need Carter to stay or grab the transfer from Alabama. 1000 times preferably Carter.

I don't think this line-up will cut it...

Bradley - 30 minutes
Burries - 28 minutes
Peat - 28 minutes
Krivas - 20 minutes
Awaka - 15 minutes
Aristode 17 minutes
ADO - 10-15 minutes (same as this year)
Nelson - <5 minutes (won't play much during conf season)

That's ~155 of our 200 minutes we have to put on the floor

THE BIG IF: Bryant - 30 minutes (overly generous based upon hoped for improvement)

If CB returns, that's an eight man rotation similar to 24/25 - and that won't win the conference, or get us much beyond Sweet 16...

We (by "we", I, of course mean "CTL") should strive for 2-3 more transfers (depending on CB's decision.) - guys that can provide 10-15 minutes

[SunnyAZ]

Bradley 30, Nelson 10
Burries 26, ADO 14
Carter 28, Aristode 6, ADO 6
Peat 26, Aristode 14
Krivas 20, Awaka 20

That's all the minutes. They started Townsend, ADO and Awaka last year and made the S16 and 13th in kenpom. Caleb and KJ were literally the two least efficient scorers in the rotation last year. I would be surprised if they aren't a top 5 offense next year. The defense will be a concern tho.

[84Cat]

According to Scheer, JB & Burries are our pgs. Nelson will get spot minutes much like Conrad. According to the staff, Aristode Will get minutes at the 2

[Beachcat97]

According to Scheer, JB & Burries are our pgs. Nelson will get spot minutes much like Conrad. According to the staff, Aristode Will get minutes at the 2

Has Scheer said anything about what he expects Bryant to do?

[84Cat]

According to Scheer, JB & Burries are our pgs. Nelson will get spot minutes much like Conrad. According to the staff, Aristode Will get minutes at the 2

Has Scheer said anything about what he expects Bryant to do?

No, said the Carter family was figuring out what to do and he hadn't heard anything. He expects Carter to either declare or return. No testing the waters. Hopefully we hear this week so that we can get a good replacement if needed before they are all gone.

[SunnyAZ]

Scheer said that they already know who his replacement is if he leaves. Since it a big NIL deal in place for Carter, that would just go to his replacement (meaning it's a good player). They also said that player wasn't even in the portal yet (this was a couple of days ago).

The roster is basically set, with exception of the end of the bench players (like Conrad and Stephen last year).

[Chicat]

While I’m loving getting all this great insight let’s make sure we aren’t sharing info here you can only get by paying for WA. Don’t need anyone yelling at us for “stealing” info (which has happened).

[84Cat]

While I’m loving getting all this great insight let’s make sure we aren’t sharing info here you can only get by paying for WA. Don’t need anyone yelling at us for “stealing” info (which has happened).

I've never been a member of WA

[azcat49]

Scheer said that they already know who his replacement is if he leaves. Since it a big NIL deal in place for Carter, that would just go to his replacement (meaning it's a good player). They also said that player wasn't even in the portal yet (this was a couple of days ago).

The roster is basically set, with exception of the end of the bench players (like Conrad and Stephen last year).

College basketball sucks. That is tampering and I know it goes both ways (see North Carolina)

[Chicat]

While I’m loving getting all this great insight let’s make sure we aren’t sharing info here you can only get by paying for WA. Don’t need anyone yelling at us for “stealing” info (which has happened).

I've never been a member of WA

Good to know, and not accusing anyone of anything. Just want to make sure that what is shared here is public info or something we personally get from non-premium sources.

College basketball sucks. That is tampering and I know it goes both ways (see North Carolina)

Are there rules against tampering*?


*anything

[UAEebs86]

I'm guessing 84 and Sunny are listening to the podcast. That does sound like stuff that used to be premium back in the day, (it's not on his public Xitter) but things have probably changed. (I didn't renew my last subscription)

[SunnyAZ]

While I’m loving getting all this great insight let’s make sure we aren’t sharing info here you can only get by paying for WA. Don’t need anyone yelling at us for “stealing” info (which has happened).

What I said he said on his podcast.

[Alieberman]

Krivas has also declared that he is back… so Carter is only remaining question mark from last years team

[84Cat]

Krivas has also declared that he is back… so Carter is only remaining question mark from last years team

[Postmaster]

It's sad that it is "resigned". Free agents all on one year deals.

[Chicat]

While I’m loving getting all this great insight let’s make sure we aren’t sharing info here you can only get by paying for WA. Don’t need anyone yelling at us for “stealing” info (which has happened).

What I said he said on his podcast.

Awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[Chicat]

He expects Carter to either declare or return. No testing the waters.

Seems like a shortsighted way to go about this. A team could say they are drafting him high and then when the draft actually plays out they have a better option in front of them and then he falls. Seen it happen a ton of times. A “promise” isn’t worth shit, but if he goes through the draft evaluation process he and his people could see where he actually would go if promises fall through.

[LuteIsGod]

It's sad that it is "resigned". Free agents all on one year deals.

Agree! Do the players sign a physical 1 year contract? Men’s bball is 2 years away from imploding (my opinion.)

[Fishclamps]

Don't wanna burst your bubbles, but scholarships for athletes were always 1 year contracts that were renewed if they stayed.

[Chicat]

Don't wanna burst your bubbles, but scholarships for athletes were always 1 year contracts that were renewed if they stayed.

Yep. The only difference now is that players can transfer with no penalty and as many times as they want … which really just gives players the same rights as the rest of working Americans.

[Winger]

Now I just need Carter to announce he’s returning.

Well Toppin is reportedly getting $4 mil to return to TTU. We need to make it worth it for CB to return. The top 15 players drafted to the NBA will make over $4 mil. Seems to me we need to find some guys to donate some money to UA BB to keep these guys around

If CB is truly #20 right now that is roughly $3.3 mil guaranteed for 2 years with team options for seasons 3 and 4 and a total value of $16.2 mil. Move in to the lotto, say the 5th pick, and you’re looking at roughly $8.5 guaranteed for 2 years with the options for seasons 3 and 4 taking it to $38 mil. I think most often the options are picked up by the teams but I also think someone told me that the higher you are picked in round 1 the more the team will be committed to your success.

Biggest thing for me if I was advising him (which I am not qualified to do) would be to think hard about going if you are not lotto and lack the skills to get on the court right away. But I am a biased Arizona fan who selfishly would love to see Bryant excel in an Arizona uniform next season lol. And, if his agent gets a promise 1st round pick by a team that the Bryant circle thinks he would have a good chance to succeed playing for you probably have to go.

I would hate for him to end up like Dalen Terry, where you don't get to develop but also don't get to play because you aren't ready.

Yeah DT is a good example of what I was getting at. It used to be nary impossible to say no to the $$$ given the vast difference in a 1st round NBA contract and what college “paid”. The market has flipped (and now interestingly is the opposite of what it was 5 years ago and before) for many players who are being paid more to play a season in college than both their worth and what they’d make if they were drafted. I have doubts that Arizona is paying CB more than the 20th pick but I don’t know anything about his deal for 25-26 and the rumor is that Arizona’s cash pool is double what it was 1 season ago (another sign that the market is bubble - fake).

Couple things I found interesting this past week, fwtaw:

1. Within minutes of the Burries commitment the Arizona AD, now handling its own PR, tweeted/texted out something like “Bam!! Better Get Your Tickets Now!!”. And my initial thoughts were 1) how many Arizona fans prior to Burries commitment even knew who he was and 2) how many know he just now committed and 3) are going to know who he is before they read about it in the Star tomorrow morning and 4) even after they know is he enough to drive ticket sales in any meaningful way? I have my doubts.

2. One thing to see Arizona using phrasing like “signed” or “resigned” to market current players committing to play next season, though it is going to take some getting used to. But the Star was referring to players “contracts” this morning. Heretofore I had thought the NCAA didn’t want the players playing under employee contracts (fear of unionization) but maybe the AD’s can do their own “contracts” outside of the University? Or, maybe its the collectives? Or maybe Pascoe used an incorrect term and the Star’s lame editing desk missed it or doesn’t care.

3. As a gut feel, I think Lloyd is going to add another player or two even if Bryant announces his return prior to April 26th. Was thinking yesterday that if Arizona organized the announcements of Krivas, ADO, and Bradley all on the same day while Bryant stayed silent that a hopeful fan would say that Arizona wants to use Bryant’s announcement to try and sell tickets/hype like it did for Burries, so he gets his own day. But there are obviously several other factors that could have played into that as well.

3.

[Chicat]

Interestingly, (at least to me) is that Dalen finally turned himself into a reliable contributor and was getting late game playing time before a calf injury (got kicked against the Thunder) and now the Bulls are hoping he will be available for the Play-In.

There are now a lot of questions about whether to extend him before he becomes a restricted free agent after next season on the off chance he blows up next year. He shot 35%+ from three this year and played some lock down defense against SG/SF/PFs.

So he might actually not be the cautionary tale everyone thought he’d be after his rookie season.

[azcat49]

Now I just need Carter to announce he’s returning.

Well Toppin is reportedly getting $4 mil to return to TTU. We need to make it worth it for CB to return. The top 15 players drafted to the NBA will make over $4 mil. Seems to me we need to find some guys to donate some money to UA BB to keep these guys around

If CB is truly #20 right now that is roughly $3.3 mil guaranteed for 2 years with team options for seasons 3 and 4 and a total value of $16.2 mil. Move in to the lotto, say the 5th pick, and you’re looking at roughly $8.5 guaranteed for 2 years with the options for seasons 3 and 4 taking it to $38 mil. I think most often the options are picked up by the teams but I also think someone told me that the higher you are picked in round 1 the more the team will be committed to your success.

Biggest thing for me if I was advising him (which I am not qualified to do) would be to think hard about going if you are not lotto and lack the skills to get on the court right away. But I am a biased Arizona fan who selfishly would love to see Bryant excel in an Arizona uniform next season lol. And, if his agent gets a promise 1st round pick by a team that the Bryant circle thinks he would have a good chance to succeed playing for you probably have to go.

I would hate for him to end up like Dalen Terry, where you don't get to develop but also don't get to play because you aren't ready.

Yeah DT is a good example of what I was getting at. It used to be nary impossible to say no to the $$$ given the vast difference in a 1st round NBA contract and what college “paid”. The market has flipped (and now interestingly is the opposite of what it was 5 years ago and before) for many players who are being paid more to play a season in college than both their worth and what they’d make if they were drafted. I have doubts that Arizona is paying CB more than the 20th pick but I don’t know anything about his deal for 25-26 and the rumor is that Arizona’s cash pool is double what it was 1 season ago (another sign that the market is bubble - fake).

Couple things I found interesting this past week, fwtaw:

1. Within minutes of the Burries commitment the Arizona AD, now handling its own PR, tweeted/texted out something like “Bam!! Better Get Your Tickets Now!!”. And my initial thoughts were 1) how many Arizona fans prior to Burries commitment even knew who he was and 2) how many know he just now committed and 3) are going to know who he is before they read about it in the Star tomorrow morning and 4) even after they know is he enough to drive ticket sales in any meaningful way? I have my doubts.

2. One thing to see Arizona using phrasing like “signed” or “resigned” to market current players committing to play next season, though it is going to take some getting used to. But the Star was referring to players “contracts” this morning. Heretofore I had thought the NCAA didn’t want the players playing under employee contracts (fear of unionization) but maybe the AD’s can do their own “contracts” outside of the University? Or, maybe its the collectives? Or maybe Pascoe used an incorrect term and the Star’s lame editing desk missed it or doesn’t care.

3. As a gut feel, I think Lloyd is going to add another player or two even if Bryant announces his return prior to April 26th. Was thinking yesterday that if Arizona organized the announcements of Krivas, ADO, and Bradley all on the same day while Bryant stayed silent that a hopeful fan would say that Arizona wants to use Bryant’s announcement to try and sell tickets/hype like it did for Burries, so he gets his own day. But there are obviously several other factors that could have played into that as well.

3.

Signing some snot nosed HS kid would not motivate me to buy a ticket much less more season tickets. Heck, right now I am so disgusted with college athletics I don’t know if I will renew my football and basketball season tickets.

And who would have thought that Arizona would struggle to sell basketball tickets. It remains to be seen if DRF move in house of our marketing pays off. I am doubting that result

[Fishclamps]

Are we struggling to sell basketball tickets? Cause I kinda doubt we are.

[AZCatGirl]

Yeah we're not going to struggle to sell tickets with all these home and homes the next few years.

Let's kick the other Hurley's ass!

[azcat49]

As some of us remember, McKale was sold out on a season ticket basis and now we are below 10k in the number of season tickets sold. That is a big drop off. Sad it takes a marquee match up to get folks out anymore

[UAdevil]

It's not going to improve as folks income dries up in this current economic environment. Basketball season Tix are a luxury item.

[Winger]

Are we struggling to sell basketball tickets? Cause I kinda doubt we are.

You can never get a straight answer on this out of the AD. I have long wondered if moving to the B12 is/will be a net positive or negative when it comes to basketball season ticket sales. We did just (1 year ago) bump up both the capital campaign contribution required to purchase seats and seat prices (not insignificantly, in some cases > 30%).

Only thing in re Burries I was wondering above is: does he move the needle when it comes to sales as the AD tweet implies.

[Frybry02]

Are we struggling to sell basketball tickets? Cause I kinda doubt we are.

I am not renewing my 4 for next season. But I doubt they will have a hard time finding new ticket holders

[Postmaster]

Interestingly, (at least to me) is that Dalen finally turned himself into a reliable contributor and was getting late game playing time before a calf injury (got kicked against the Thunder) and now the Bulls are hoping he will be available for the Play-In.

There are now a lot of questions about whether to extend him before he becomes a restricted free agent after next season on the off chance he blows up next year. He shot 35%+ from three this year and played some lock down defense against SG/SF/PFs.

So he might actually not be the cautionary tale everyone thought he’d be after his rookie season.

Ok
How about Nico Manion?

[Siempre Verde]

Are we struggling to sell basketball tickets? Cause I kinda doubt we are.

I am not renewing my 4 for next season. But I doubt they will have a hard time finding new ticket holders

A few years ago, I did not renew my season ticket. I didn’t mind the face value of the ticket, but did not like the amount I had to donate just to have the opportunity to sit in row 5. We all have priorities. Mine changed. I wish the program all the success in the world, but I just don’t have that sort of money to give away anymore. Call me a bad fan, but I prefer the term fiscally responsible.

PS, I often see that seat empty when I watch TV. I know it was a potential scout’s seat, but you’d think they’d take half the $$$ to have my soprano singer’s voice echo in the opposing coach’s ear.

[Winger]

Are we struggling to sell basketball tickets? Cause I kinda doubt we are.

I am not renewing my 4 for next season. But I doubt they will have a hard time finding new ticket holders

A few years ago, I did not renew my season ticket. I didn’t mind the face value of the ticket, but did not like the amount I had to donate just to have the opportunity to sit in row 5. We all have priorities. Mine changed. I wish the program all the success in the world, but I just don’t have that sort of money to give away anymore. Call me a bad fan, but I prefer the term fiscally responsible.

PS, I often see that seat empty when I watch TV. I know it was a potential scout’s seat, but you’d think they’d take half the $$$ to have my soprano singer’s voice echo in the opposing coach’s ear.

SV - were they continuing to ask you for $$$ after you finished the capital campaign contribution? Threatening to move you if not?

I have been surprised at time the past few seasons how many of the really good seats arent occupied. Maybe they fill up after the game starts and I dont notice but I would have thought most every A section seat would be full most every game.

I know we did a study on travel time differences a move to the B12 would entail but I dont remember anyone doing the same for basketball fan support.

[cpt]

It's cheaper to just get a ticket on a per game basis on the secondary market. Also, it really doesn't help that we are seeing more and more 8:30pm or later tip offs - makes it really hard to drive down from Phoenix and back on a work night.

[Winger]

Lloyd, for anyone that hasn’t seen this, “fully expects” Carter Bryant to do the NBA testing deal.

And, in potentially tangentially related news, former Lloyd Team USA SF Shelton Henderson has just decommitted from Duke.

Edit: oh and I forgot …. and though I do not know who the player was, I heard Arizona had a “recruit” in this past weekend (at least I think it was this past weekend, might be misremembering or misheard). If it has been reported who it was I haven’t seen it.

[dmjcat]

Lloyd, for anyone that hasn’t seen this, “fully expects” Carter Bryant to do the NBA testing deal.

And, in potentially tangentially related news, former Lloyd Team USA SF Shelton Henderson has just decommitted from Duke.

Edit: oh and I forgot …. and though I do not know who the player was, I heard Arizona had a “recruit” in this past weekend (at least I think it was this past weekend, might be misremembering or misheard). If it has been reported who it was I haven’t seen it.

Hendersons lead recruiter at Duke is the new Miami head coach.

[Winger]

Lloyd, for anyone that hasn’t seen this, “fully expects” Carter Bryant to do the NBA testing deal.

And, in potentially tangentially related news, former Lloyd Team USA SF Shelton Henderson has just decommitted from Duke.

Edit: oh and I forgot …. and though I do not know who the player was, I heard Arizona had a “recruit” in this past weekend (at least I think it was this past weekend, might be misremembering or misheard). If it has been reported who it was I haven’t seen it.

Hendersons lead recruiter at Duke is the new Miami head coach.

Damn. I didnt know that and didnt see that CB. Like that dude's game.

[ChooChooCat]

Lloyd, for anyone that hasn’t seen this, “fully expects” Carter Bryant to do the NBA testing deal.

And, in potentially tangentially related news, former Lloyd Team USA SF Shelton Henderson has just decommitted from Duke.

Edit: oh and I forgot …. and though I do not know who the player was, I heard Arizona had a “recruit” in this past weekend (at least I think it was this past weekend, might be misremembering or misheard). If it has been reported who it was I haven’t seen it.

There is a pretty decent transfer player that was in Tucson, but he was merely visiting his brother who is a manager on our team. It was not a formal recruiting visit.

[Winger]

Lloyd, for anyone that hasn’t seen this, “fully expects” Carter Bryant to do the NBA testing deal.

And, in potentially tangentially related news, former Lloyd Team USA SF Shelton Henderson has just decommitted from Duke.

Edit: oh and I forgot …. and though I do not know who the player was, I heard Arizona had a “recruit” in this past weekend (at least I think it was this past weekend, might be misremembering or misheard). If it has been reported who it was I haven’t seen it.

There is a pretty decent transfer player that was in Tucson, but he was merely visiting his brother who is a manager on our team. It was not a formal recruiting visit.

I dont know how to define a formal recruiting visit but if that is the guy he formally had breakfast with Lloyd and crew.

[AzCatFan2]

Formal visits are paid for by the school. And must be reported. Informal are paid by the player, who just may be visiting.

Rumor has it there's a player in the portal waiting for Bryant's decision. If Bryant declares, the player is ours. If Bryant stays, the spot is his. Either way, we should have a loaded roster.

[azcat34]

Formal visits are paid for by the school. And must be reported. Informal are paid by the player, who just may be visiting.

Rumor has it there's a player in the portal waiting for Bryant's decision. If Bryant declares, the player is ours. If Bryant stays, the spot is his. Either way, we should have a loaded roster.

Potentially Darrion Williams on Texas Tech?

His portal activity has been very quiet since he entered the portal and he's also one of the only players left in the portal that seems like a strong Carter replacement and he's also from Las Vegas.

That said there will likely be some more entries before Tuesday's deadline.

Any guesses on who this player is?

[Hank of sb]

Formal visits are paid for by the school. And must be reported. Informal are paid by the player, who just may be visiting.

Rumor has it there's a player in the portal waiting for Bryant's decision. If Bryant declares, the player is ours. If Bryant stays, the spot is his. Either way, we should have a loaded roster.

Potentially Darrion Williams on Texas Tech?

His portal activity has been very quiet since he entered the portal and he's also one of the only players left in the portal that seems like a strong Carter replacement and he's also from Las Vegas.

That said there will likely be some more entries before Tuesday's deadline.

Any guesses on who this player is?

Derrion Reid? ^

Regardless, it sounds to me there's a buck fifty waiting for either player as that's the going price, given what Veesaar got. And it may be more!

Pretty amazing.

[Winger]

Formal visits are paid for by the school. And must be reported. Informal are paid by the player, who just may be visiting.

Rumor has it there's a player in the portal waiting for Bryant's decision. If Bryant declares, the player is ours. If Bryant stays, the spot is his. Either way, we should have a loaded roster.

Formal shormal. Call it whatever you want. But if Lloyd is skipping pickleball to have breakfast with a recruit that is a legit visit and why I used the word formal above in response to CCC’s post above.

Some speculation from a NBA guy in today’s Star that Lloyd can’t wait for the portal to close when it comes to Bryant’s spot/$$$. I don’t know anything but this dynamic is what I have been hoping for. That the $$$ involved will make it not possible for a player to hold a program hostage while he looks at the NBA/tries to negotiate more money in exchange for coming back.

Arizona has a chance to be really good next season but that is partly predicated on having Bryant back in uniform or a legit replacement via the portal (and not Europe).

Also predicated on ADO not playing outside of junk time.

[azcat49]

Holding schools in limbo really blows. Had to be a better way to coordinate the timelines of college bball and the NBA draft

[pc in NM]

Holding schools in limbo really blows. Had to be a better way to coordinate the timelines of college bball and the NBA draft

It's my understanding that the "transfer window" is not a deadline for athletes to actually commit to a new school. They can still transfer and commit to other schools at any time after entering the portal, as long as they meet the necessary admissions and academic requirements.

If that's correct, then waiting for NBA decision does NOT hold a school in "limbo".

AND, BTW, I still think CTL needs a couple of transfers in any case. That's especially true if ADO's usage will/would be significantly different next season. (I see no need for that myself).

I'm hoping for a 9-10 man rotation.

[PHXCATS]

Holding schools in limbo really blows. Had to be a better way to coordinate the timelines of college bball and the NBA draft

It's my understanding that the "transfer window" is not a deadline for athletes to actually commit to a new school. They can still transfer and commit to other schools at any time after entering the portal, as long as they meet the necessary admissions and academic requirements.

If that's correct, then waiting for NBA decision does NOT hold a school in "limbo".

AND, BTW, I still think CTL needs a couple of transfers in any case. That's especially true if ADO's usage will/would be significantly different next season. (I see no need for that myself).

I'm hoping for a 9-10 man rotation.

True

You can leave the portal anytime. You must enter the portal by certain deadlines

[Postmaster]

I'd love a 9-10 rotation but I don't see CTL going that deep.

[Postmaster]

Anyone know anything about the UCONN kid that just decommited?