Bear Down Wildcats

How did Pascoe get Alkins cell phone #?

Man, Rawle's going to be special to see at McKale. Love his attitude.

I think Ryan's bench press record is in jeopardy

Jefe wrote:How did Pascoe get Alkins cell phone #?

Is that supposed to be hard to do? Just ask him, or someone who knows.

gumby wrote:

Jefe wrote:How did Pascoe get Alkins cell phone #?

Is that supposed to be hard to do? Just ask him, or someone who knows.

Seems a lot of these recruits know each other due to the camps and such.



Alkins told ZagsBlog that when Simmons committed, he also reached out to the New York product in hopes he would want to play with him at Arizona.

"So before he committed, he texted me, he was like, 'Are you ready?' So I mean he's pretty cool. I played a lot with him over the summer, USA Basketball, adidas Nations, all of that stuff."

Main Event wrote:

Too late, BC already comitted suicide.

So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

Beast Nation.

I've going to love this guy.

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

Nope, that won't be decided until late summer I bet. Now just waiting for Ferguson LOI

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

I shy away from responding to you, mainly because the majority of your questions are either straight up dumb or could easily be researched with a few keystrokes on the interwebz.

This one falls into the first category.

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

Somehow he signed his LOI against all odds.

If he is declared eligible (highly unlikely).... What's the next thing to worry about?

Alieberman wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

Somehow he signed his LOI against all odds.

If he is declared eligible (highly unlikely).... What's the next thing to worry about?

Mono.

Alieberman wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

Somehow he signed his LOI against all odds.

If he is declared eligible (highly unlikely).... What's the next thing to worry about?

Personal issues

Macho Grande wrote:

Alieberman wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

Somehow he signed his LOI against all odds.

If he is declared eligible (highly unlikely).... What's the next thing to worry about?

Mono.

Projectiles. All kinds.

I think he's talking to you BC:

Airizona wrote:Thon Maker just got cleared to enter the NBA draft. I'm not sure what this means for situations like Rawle though.

Wait... Wut?

A$$U is an NBA franchise now?I thought the gap was closing!!!!

UAEebs86 wrote:I think he's talking to you BC:

That's awesome!

Chicat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

I shy away from responding to you, mainly because the majority of your questions are either straight up dumb or could easily be researched with a few keystrokes on the interwebz.

This one falls into the first category.

Nice. I'm glad eligibility is not an issue and that we're so far past it that bringing it up is dumb.

Can't wait to see RA with this team!

Beachcat97 wrote:

Chicat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

I shy away from responding to you, mainly because the majority of your questions are either straight up dumb or could easily be researched with a few keystrokes on the interwebz.

This one falls into the first category.

Nice. I'm glad eligibility is not an issue and that we're so far past it that bringing it up is dumb.

Can't wait to see RA with this team!

Like water off a duck's back...

Fishclamps wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:

Chicat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

I shy away from responding to you, mainly because the majority of your questions are either straight up dumb or could easily be researched with a few keystrokes on the interwebz.

This one falls into the first category.

Nice. I'm glad eligibility is not an issue and that we're so far past it that bringing it up is dumb.

Can't wait to see RA with this team!

Like water off a duck's back...

Spot on.

I don't think we have ever had a player like RA. I can't help but think about Khalid though, only much much less weed smoking. Obvious NYC connection. Reeves wasn't that great of a shooter in high school either, but instead was able to use his upper body strength really effectively and was a great finisher as well. On defense it's night and day between the two however, but without all that reefer I bet Khalid could have been a stopper too!

Chicat wrote:

Fishclamps wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:

Chicat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

I shy away from responding to you, mainly because the majority of your questions are either straight up dumb or could easily be researched with a few keystrokes on the interwebz.

This one falls into the first category.

Nice. I'm glad eligibility is not an issue and that we're so far past it that bringing it up is dumb.

Can't wait to see RA with this team!

Like water off a duck's back...

Spot on.

threenumberones wrote:I don't think we have ever had a player like RA. I can't help but think about Khalid though, only much much less weed smoking. Obvious NYC connection. Reeves wasn't that great of a shooter in high school either, but instead was able to use his upper body strength really effectively and was a great finisher as well. On defense it's night and day between the two however, but without all that reefer I bet Khalid could have been a stopper too!

I'm not sure there's a close comparison with prior Arizona players. If I had to choose from only UA players, I would say he's a sawed off Stanley with a better handle and less court vision.

Good luck trying to guard RA going to the hoop. Looks too strong and too tough to stop. If he's got a great step back mid range jump shot and can hit 3's it'll be crazy to see. Miller's going to have some fun with the different lineups!

Any chance RA starts?

Beachcat97 wrote:Any chance RA starts?

Sure.

RA starts by October. (yeah, I said it) Between him and Alonzo ..what a freak'n nightmare for opposing teams.
Of course, RHJ defender type (taller and quick) might give Rawle a hard time. Coach M is going to have a fun time flipping the rotations. Add Kobi and Fergie too? ... can't wait.

ChooChooCat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:Any chance RA starts?

Sure.

It wouldn't be odd, but he, Ferg and Smith are competing for a single spot. Trier has the other wing spot locked down.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

ChooChooCat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:Any chance RA starts?

Sure.

It wouldn't be odd, but he, Ferg and Smith are competing for a single spot. Trier has the other wing spot locked down.

I am 90% certain Smith will compete at the 4 as well, so not a single spot.

gronk4heisman wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

ChooChooCat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:Any chance RA starts?

Sure.

It wouldn't be odd, but he, Ferg and Smith are competing for a single spot. Trier has the other wing spot locked down.

I am 90% certain Smith will compete at the 4 as well, so not a single spot.

I won't be surprised at all if Smith starts at the 4 and Markannen comes off the bench. Ferguson has flexibility for some minutes at the 2 and 4. Alkins could start at the 3.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

ChooChooCat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:Any chance RA starts?

Sure.

It wouldn't be odd, but he, Ferg and Smith are competing for a single spot. Trier has the other wing spot locked down.

Good thing for Smith is he has the size to start at another position. Get your best players out on the floor together whoever they are.

I just need to put a bet out about Markannen and his starting. Not only would I classify Lauri as a better 4 than Ray, I'm pretty sure that next year he'll just be better. I am 100% that he will be better than the other 2-3's that we would sit him for.

I guess I'm in the minority. We'll see.

Can't believe how loaded this team is next season. Is it Nov yet?

Spaceman Spiff wrote:I just need to put a bet out about Markannen and his starting. Not only would I classify Lauri as a better 4 than Ray, I'm pretty sure that next year he'll just be better. I am 100% that he will be better than the other 2-3's that we would sit him for.

I guess I'm in the minority. We'll see.

I'm not convinced Lauri can defend most college 4s. The word college being the most important word in that sentence.

ChooChooCat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:I just need to put a bet out about Markannen and his starting. Not only would I classify Lauri as a better 4 than Ray, I'm pretty sure that next year he'll just be better. I am 100% that he will be better than the other 2-3's that we would sit him for.

I guess I'm in the minority. We'll see.

I'm not convinced Lauri can defend most college 4s. The word college being the most important word in that sentence.

I'd class him as similar or potentially better than Ashley on D. From tape and evals, perimeter D and pick and roll D is actually one of his stronger areas. Maybe he has issues vs a true small lineup with an effective penetrator at the 4, but as a base lineup, he's probably a better perimeter defender than post defender at this point.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Lau ... nen-73519/" target="_blank

Just sourcing the info on him being strong on the perimeter and p and r game.

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

Ha-Ha. Never run out of things to fret about.

Chicat wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:So does this mean the eligibility issue is cleared up?

I shy away from responding to you, mainly because the majority of your questions are either straight up dumb or could easily be researched with a few keystrokes on the interwebz.

This one falls into the first category.

Know your role! BC asks questions. We Google for him. Honor the Process!

Like Coach says to his top players, don't worry about who starts.

I suggest he'll continue to play the best players for the changing matchups and needs during games, and wouldn't be at all surprised to see Zo, Smith, Rawle, T-Ferg, Kobi, and Lauri pay around the same mins for the whole season.

We're so freaking deep. Forty minutes of Hell anyone? Not the Nolan Richardson five player platoon at a time approach, but CSM's nuanced substitutions in a run/grind strategy.

EOCT wrote:Like Coach says to his top players, don't worry about who starts.

I suggest he'll continue to play the best players for the changing matchups and needs during games, and wouldn't be at all surprised to see Zo, Smith, Rawle, T-Ferg, Kobi, and Lauri pay around the same mins for the whole season.

We're so freaking deep. Forty minutes of Hell anyone? Not the Nolan Richardson five player platoon at a time approach, but CSM's nuanced substitutions in a run/grind strategy.

Right now, with no additions, we have at least 9 players capable of 15+ MPG. PJC would be 10, although I tend to think if he wants to finish at AZ, next year would be a good RS year.

I just really believe Lauri is getting seriously underrated and there's a little overthinking it going on. Smith is a natural 3 and a top 15 recruit. Lauri is a natural 4 and a top 15 recruit. No need to get too fancy about it. If need Ray to back up in a smaller lineup, fine, but I don't lack faith in Lauri being ready to start from day 1, and I prefer to keep their primary position the natural one unless we have to do otherwise.

Board reaction will be interesting if one of two players -- Allen or PJC -- ends up starting.

gumby wrote:Board reaction will be interesting if one of two players -- Allen or PJC -- ends up starting.

Allen, I'm ok with that. PJC, my head might explode.

Put Rawle at the point.

Neither one can defend that well, and no more Zeus to protect the rim, so it will be curious to see if true freshmen can pick up the defense enough to start over Allen.

Trier really picked up his defense the second half of the season, so even if Allen starts the non-conf schedule he probably won't during the conference schedule.

Draft Express on KS:

Strengths:
-Great size for his position
-Smooth, fluid athlete
-Quick in transition
-Very good first step driving left
-Puts pressure on the defense with his probing, aggressive style of ball-handling
-Can make an outside shot
-Shot 81% from the free throw line at the adidas Gauntlet (87 attempts)
-Quick hands for steals
-Anticipates in passing lanes
-Very good potential defensively thanks to his size

Weaknesses:
-Still learning the nuances of how to run a team efficiently
-Somewhat wild in his approach to the game
-More of a scorer than a facilitator at this stage (-1.7 PPR in Gauntlet)
-Shows average vision in the half-court
-Lack of strength makes it difficult to finish around the rim effectively in half-court settings
-Not a consistent 3-point shooter
-Very low release point on his jumper
-Has an average wingspan relative to his height

I don't think Lauri would be able to guard the Derrick Williams type 4s of the world, which are rampant in college. I think even Brandon Ashley types would give him trouble.

Ray Smith would probably be the best player last year, and could be the best on this year's team. He definitely starts with Trier. Give the 1 to Kobi & the 5 to Dusan. Smith and Ferguson are good defenders, more athletic and versatile so I would like them to start. Ferguson also adds spacing to open up the driving lanes for Trier, Smith, Kobi.

That starting 5 would have the best players on the floor, the better offensive team and better defensive team -- more athletic + versatile. And you solve the depth problem at the 4 with Smith as stretch 4. Hell Rawle could probably be the backup pg because he can handle the ball better, and Allen is better off the ball. The second squad of Rawle/Allen/Smith(or 3rd G)/Markk/Chance would be really good.

The true position is an outdated thing now (especially in college). You want guys to be able to play multiple positions/who are versatile. Both college+pros are dominated by guys 6'4-6'8 who do multiple things, and why true PGs and Cs are rare now. Also why combo guards, point forwards, guards/forwards, 3 & D are the big thing now. An arbitrary height or size doesn't determine the position.

Anyway, traditional positions do fit if you want that.

1: distributor (Kobi)
2: scorer/mid-range (Trier)
3: slasher/long-range (Ferg)
4: highpost/lowpost (Smith)
5: under the basket (Dusan)

Ugh the position argument is so tired already. Play the best 5, end of story. Justise Winslow wasn't a true 4, Derrick Williams wasn't a true 5, who cares?! Play the damn talent and the rest magically tends to work out.

ChooChooCat wrote:Ugh the position argument is so tired already. Play the best 5, end of story. Justise Winslow wasn't a true 4, Derrick Williams wasn't a true 5, who cares?! Play the damn talent and the rest magically tends to work out.

last night the Warriors (i know they are unique) ran a lineup of Igoudala, draymond, klay, ezeli and barnes for a fairly extended time. Draymond and Igoudala as primary play makers/ball handlers. They were hell on houston defensively.

I think CSM will have some opportunity this year to really expand his lineup diversity.

If a group of :simmons/trier/ferguson/alkins/smith could play with consistent defensive intensity they could wreak havoc with their length and athleticism. might be a fairly potent offensive group too. Probably not big enough to rebound for an extended period together but if the other team can't get a shot up then it would not matter.

I just hope we see a better (at least more active and intense) defensive group next year.

Remember the Nate Robinson/Brandon Roy/Ryan Applebee Husky team? Biggest guy on the roster was 6'9". They played small ball, and played small ball well. I know there was a lot of hate for Nate Rob, but that team was really fun to watch.

I can see the Cats doing that.