2024-25 Arizona Basketball

[pc in NM]

Assists: 28; made shots: 33 - 84.8%

[Merkin]

I sure appreciate Clip's insights. What a great teacher of the game. I have been watching college basketball over 50 years and it will take me 30 minutes to digest what he posted.

[pc in NM]

So, just in case you haven't been paying attention, America will enter 2025 with Arizona in first place in the Big-12, and KU in last pace.

BTFD!!!!

[Chicat]

So, just in case you haven't been paying attention, America will enter 2025 with Arizona in first place in the Big-12, and KU in last pace.

BTFD!!!!

You raising a banner at the pc homestead?

[Chicat]

Prior to the season I had @Cincy pegged as an interesting game that whether we won or lost probably wouldn’t greatly affect our seed or rankings.

Now I see it as a must-win if we want to get in the tourney at all.

[azcat49]

Should be interesting to see if our offensive efficiency has improved as Cincy is top 15 in defensive efficiency last I checked

[MrKyle]

So why not get Stephen in the game? If you pull the RS, he needs to get some minutes. Especially when we were getting beat on the boards.

Wondering the same thing, I kept waiting for him to check in against TCU - especially with the foul trouble Henri got into.

[pc in NM]

So why not get Stephen in the game? If you pull the RS, he needs to get some minutes. Especially when we were getting beat on the boards.

Wondering the same thing, I kept waiting for him to check in against TCU - especially with the foul trouble Henri got into.

I think that the way their fronline dominated the boards would/could have been really difficult for an inexperienced frosh...

... I was expecting to see him get a try, but not surprised that he didn't. But, I agree, he needs to get minutes.

Also, I thought the 'Cats did a great job of holding onto that 7-point lead for the last 12 minutes of the game after Henri got his 4th foul; their collapse late vs. UCLA was largely due to inability to handle bigs one-on-one.

[MrKyle]

So why not get Stephen in the game? If you pull the RS, he needs to get some minutes. Especially when we were getting beat on the boards.

Wondering the same thing, I kept waiting for him to check in against TCU - especially with the foul trouble Henri got into.

I think that the way their fronline dominated the boards would/could have been really difficult for an inexperienced frosh...

... I was expecting to see him get a try, but not surprised that he didn't. But, I agree, he needs to get minutes.

Also, I thought the 'Cats did a great job of holding onto that 7-point lead for the last 12 minutes of the game after Henri got his 4th foul; their collapse late vs. UCLA was largely due to inability to handle bigs one-on-one.

Good points. I think it will be a tough call when to get him in, obviously sucks that we had to burn his RS due to Krivas - but we lost out on all the non-conf for Stephen to get practice / reps so he needs to get the experience in non-blow out situations.

Was definitely a better job in the end of game vs TCU, I was expecting the wheels to come off after that 4th on Henri.

[LuteIsGod]

So why not get Stephen in the game? If you pull the RS, he needs to get some minutes. Especially when we were getting beat on the boards.

Wondering the same thing, I kept waiting for him to check in against TCU - especially with the foul trouble Henri got into.

I thought that Townsend played poorly from the get go (and I like him) and thought that his shot selection was poor. He had a step back and another wrist flick shot that had no chance of going in. I was hopeful that Tommy would sub in Stephen for Townsend.

[MrKyle]

So why not get Stephen in the game? If you pull the RS, he needs to get some minutes. Especially when we were getting beat on the boards.

Wondering the same thing, I kept waiting for him to check in against TCU - especially with the foul trouble Henri got into.

I thought that Townsend played poorly from the get go (and I like him) and thought that his shot selection was poor. He had a step back and another wrist flick shot that had no chance of going in. I was hopeful that Tommy would sub in Stephen for Townsend.

Agree, Townsend was struggling in that game. I like what I see from him in spurts, but I think his limitations are becoming more glaring (mainly trying to play the 4 at his size in a major basketball conference/competition).

If Stephen is able to at least contribute meaningful minutes at the 5 this year I think it really opens up our potential lineups.

[Postmaster]

He needs to play.
If Krivas is done, we need the height.

[Alieberman]

He needs to play.
If Krivas is done, we need the height.

I understand why we would all want to see him to play... but with conference season starting- this is when CTL shortens the bench... not when he experiments with adding to it.

I just don't see it happening

[Chicat]

Then CTL shouldn’t have burned his redshirt.

[AZCatGirl]

[TheCat]

Always a class act. Hated to lose him as coach. Plus he fucking hates Cinn..

[EastCoastCat]

I heart Sean Miller…

[Chicat]

Still love that guy.

[dovecanyoncat]

Still love that guy.

He could come back and be University President.

[Merkin]

Miller even said himself it was a good thing he was fired since he actually had time then to learn new things about basketball.

Miller also walked away with $1.5M from the university.

[TheCat]

he learned a hell of a lot while away. His offense is much different but the tough D is always there.

[Lando05]

Our best line up is

Bradley
Love
Lewis
Bryant
Henri

I hope they get the majority of minutes going forward.

[84Cat]

Our best line up is

Bradley
Love
Lewis
Bryant
Henri

I hope they get the majority of minutes going forward.

I'm assuming you got that info from here: https://evanmiya.com/?team_breakdown_overview/Arizona

I was surprised to see KJ as our top rated player. Carter at 3 wasn't a surprise and he needs to continue to get starter minutes. I was not surprised to see Townsend & Delly as our lowest rated though. Hopefully CTL starts giving those 2 a lot less pt.

[Lando05]

Our best line up is

Bradley
Love
Lewis
Bryant
Henri

I hope they get the majority of minutes going forward.

I'm assuming you got that info from here: https://evanmiya.com/?team_breakdown_overview/Arizona

I was surprised to see KJ as our top rated player. Carter at 3 wasn't a surprise and he needs to continue to get starter minutes. I was not surprised to see Townsend & Delly as our lowest rated though. Hopefully CTL starts giving those 2 a lot less pt.

No, I don't even know what that is. I got the lineup from watching with my own two eyes. That lineup gives us the best chance at still making the tournament.

[Merkin]

Dell'Orso's and Townsend's defense is bad as thought if you quantify it, not just the eyeball test.

[Chicat]

Our best line up is

Bradley
Love
Lewis
Bryant
Henri

I hope they get the majority of minutes going forward.

I'm assuming you got that info from here: https://evanmiya.com/?team_breakdown_overview/Arizona

I was surprised to see KJ as our top rated player. Carter at 3 wasn't a surprise and he needs to continue to get starter minutes. I was not surprised to see Townsend & Delly as our lowest rated though. Hopefully CTL starts giving those 2 a lot less pt.

No, I don't even know what that is. I got the lineup from watching with my own two eyes. That lineup gives us the best chance at still making the tournament.

During the last game in the game thread I said “This is the lineup” when those guys were in together. Just the good old eye test. They played the best together.

[PHXCATS]

Great win on the road

[Merkin]

Regained composure the last couple of minutes. But the Cats really need to work on their half court stall offense when up big with 8 minutes left.

Just standing around and lazy passes.

Like Lou Holtz said regarding the prevent defense in football, the only thing the prevent defense prevents is winning.

[Chicat]

Have to give a lot of credit to Lloyd and the coaches because the team showed a lot of toughness they didn’t earlier in the season. Really great win even with the customary second half collapse. If Lloyd can figure out how to get them not to revert to bad habits with 8 minutes left we might be the top-15 team pundits thought we were.

[TucsonClip]

We severely struggle with it, especially when things tighten up in the 2H.

Cincy did a gre job of applying a ton of it throughout the game, and at varying degrees. Top locking, denying the DHOs, jumping passing lanes, piss poor reversals on our end, ect. The opportunity was there all day to hit them with a back cut, but it needed to be fed from Henri, because they were all over Bradley and Love. We really only got one, and it was late in the 2H by Carter, which was savvy for a freshman.

Furthermore, We couldnt hit Henri on any pocket pass, short roll PNR action today. it wasnt there a ton, but it was there and we just refused to make that read for fear of it being stripped. The problem is, Henri doesnt get stripped, Awaka and Townsend do. Almost like you can see the shellshock from pervious experience with the other dudes.

We really need to do a better job of protecting the ball, being confident again pressure, but also running some sets to help alleviate this as well. Per usualy, when things bog down, we stop moving the ball side to side, partially because Cincy was ready for this and had their run and jump applied. However, even some simple misdirection with Love into some cross screen or flex action can help. Anything to get an easy look and help with the ball movement via new actions.

However, when we were on defense, the ball pressure wasn't the standout, it was Henri's defense in general.

Henri has done an excellent job showing on those ball screens, and it slowed Cincy from getting into the paint. He does a great job of recovering, not to mention covering at the rim. Henri's ability to show on those middle PNRs, drop of the side PNR, recover to the rim, and then contest or put a body on someone to keep them off the glass, is why were dominating on defense most of the game. Finally, this all help limit our rotations, keeping everyone home, and in their base responsibilities with no need to overhelp or scramble through rotations.

[Hank of sb]

We severely struggle with it, especially when things tighten up in the 2H.

Cincy did a gre job of applying a ton of it throughout the game, and at varying degrees. Top locking, denying the DHOs, jumping passing lanes, piss poor reversals on our end, ect. The opportunity was there all day to hit them with a back cut, but it needed to be fed from Henri, because they were all over Bradley and Love. We really only got one, and it was late in the 2H by Carter, which was savvy for a freshman.

Furthermore, We couldnt hit Henri on any pocket pass, short roll PNR action today. it wasnt there a ton, but it was there and we just refused to make that read for fear of it being stripped. The problem is, Henri doesnt get stripped, Awaka and Townsend do. Almost like you can see the shellshock from pervious experience with the other dudes.

We really need to do a better job of protecting the ball, being confident again pressure, but also running some sets to help alleviate this as well. Per usualy, when things bog down, we stop moving the ball side to side, partially because Cincy was ready for this and had their run and jump applied. However, even some simple misdirection with Love into some cross screen or flex action can help. Anything to get an easy look and help with the ball movement via new actions.

However, when we were on defense, the ball pressure wasn't the standout, it was Henri's defense in general.

Henri has done an excellent job showing on those ball screens, and it slowed Cincy from getting into the paint. He does a great job of recovering, not to mention covering at the rim. Henri's ability to show on those middle PNRs, drop of the side PNR, recover to the rim, and then contest or put a body on someone to keep them off the glass, is why were dominating on defense most of the game. Finally, this all help limit our rotations, keeping everyone home, and in their base responsibilities with no need to overhelp or scramble through rotations.

Per usual, good post. Henri, IMO, always seemed better than Krivas. More fluid, coordinated with a better running gait. Also he can shoot. Glad he's blossoming. If he were stronger I think he'd would be even better.

Got to wonder what he's been doing the past two years. I think my arms are more buffed.

I don't understand his reticence in the past but he is the main link righht now. So it's all good.

[Winger]

We severely struggle with it, especially when things tighten up in the 2H.

Cincy did a gre job of applying a ton of it throughout the game, and at varying degrees. Top locking, denying the DHOs, jumping passing lanes, piss poor reversals on our end, ect. The opportunity was there all day to hit them with a back cut, but it needed to be fed from Henri, because they were all over Bradley and Love. We really only got one, and it was late in the 2H by Carter, which was savvy for a freshman.

Furthermore, We couldnt hit Henri on any pocket pass, short roll PNR action today. it wasnt there a ton, but it was there and we just refused to make that read for fear of it being stripped. The problem is, Henri doesnt get stripped, Awaka and Townsend do. Almost like you can see the shellshock from pervious experience with the other dudes.

We really need to do a better job of protecting the ball, being confident again pressure, but also running some sets to help alleviate this as well. Per usualy, when things bog down, we stop moving the ball side to side, partially because Cincy was ready for this and had their run and jump applied. However, even some simple misdirection with Love into some cross screen or flex action can help. Anything to get an easy look and help with the ball movement via new actions.

However, when we were on defense, the ball pressure wasn't the standout, it was Henri's defense in general.

Henri has done an excellent job showing on those ball screens, and it slowed Cincy from getting into the paint. He does a great job of recovering, not to mention covering at the rim. Henri's ability to show on those middle PNRs, drop of the side PNR, recover to the rim, and then contest or put a body on someone to keep them off the glass, is why were dominating on defense most of the game. Finally, this all help limit our rotations, keeping everyone home, and in their base responsibilities with no need to overhelp or scramble through rotations.

I watched after the fact knowing the result but aside from how well Veesaar and Carter played, and how uninvolved early and poorly Love shot the ball (his 2nd FGA came with something like 5 min left in the 1st half?) what struck me is how many poor decisions Arizona made on both ends of the floor.

The offensive miscues are easier to see real-time and I guess Cinci's defense had something to do with that but the Cats were difficult to watch for most of the game.

Arizona won imo on account of its defense, because Cinci isn't a very good shooting team (tho was good from 2 yesterday), and because as I always preach: good offense more frequently beats good defense than the opposite; but that game was hard on the eyeballs.

Lloyd did draw up a cool set for that last Bradley drive at the end of the game but he needs to get away from the lob to Veesaar set on the 1st possession once he comes into the game because everyone knows its coming (including Cinci yesterday).

Good win imv and important for any chance at a tourney bid but we need to double stamp it Tuesday.

Had the feeling as I was remotely "watching" the Cats 19 point mid-second half lead evaporate real-time that this is going to be a possession by possession and game by game box of chocolates season where you never know what you're going to get from Arizona.

Still feel the same was I did a month ago: Arizona's celling is going to be set by Bryant and Veesaar (substituted for the now injured Krivas), though I am not sure I'd change the starting lineup in the midst of our first real run.

[RaisingArizona]

We severely struggle with it, especially when things tighten up in the 2H.

Cincy did a gre job of applying a ton of it throughout the game, and at varying degrees. Top locking, denying the DHOs, jumping passing lanes, piss poor reversals on our end, ect. The opportunity was there all day to hit them with a back cut, but it needed to be fed from Henri, because they were all over Bradley and Love. We really only got one, and it was late in the 2H by Carter, which was savvy for a freshman.

Furthermore, We couldnt hit Henri on any pocket pass, short roll PNR action today. it wasnt there a ton, but it was there and we just refused to make that read for fear of it being stripped. The problem is, Henri doesnt get stripped, Awaka and Townsend do. Almost like you can see the shellshock from pervious experience with the other dudes.

We really need to do a better job of protecting the ball, being confident again pressure, but also running some sets to help alleviate this as well. Per usualy, when things bog down, we stop moving the ball side to side, partially because Cincy was ready for this and had their run and jump applied. However, even some simple misdirection with Love into some cross screen or flex action can help. Anything to get an easy look and help with the ball movement via new actions.

However, when we were on defense, the ball pressure wasn't the standout, it was Henri's defense in general.

Henri has done an excellent job showing on those ball screens, and it slowed Cincy from getting into the paint. He does a great job of recovering, not to mention covering at the rim. Henri's ability to show on those middle PNRs, drop of the side PNR, recover to the rim, and then contest or put a body on someone to keep them off the glass, is why were dominating on defense most of the game. Finally, this all help limit our rotations, keeping everyone home, and in their base responsibilities with no need to overhelp or scramble through rotations.

Still feel the same was I did a month ago: Arizona's celling is going to be set by Bryant and Veesaar (substituted for the now injured Krivas), though I am not sure I'd change the starting lineup in the midst of our first real run.

Totally agree. IMO two additional helpful potential developments, albeit of less importance to Henri and Carter's emergence, would be Awaka better understanding his below the rim deficiencies against length and applying it to his in the paint decision making and Townsend gaining confidence in a narrow breadth of his short and intermediate arsenal to be a high leverage bucket getter. We seem to lack that outside of the Guards though perhaps that becomes Carter and/or Henri.

I'm cautiously optimistic that the team may be at the beginning of a nice little run.

[Chicat]

It doesn’t get easier with this game in Morgantown on Tuesday. My hope is that since they beat us earlier during what seemed to be the height of our lineup confusion (Krivas and Veesaar combined for 15 minutes and 3 shots) and yet needed overtime to do so, that we actually match up well with them and can play just a tick more cohesively and come away with a win.

[Postmaster]

We severely struggle with it, especially when things tighten up in the 2H.

Cincy did a gre job of applying a ton of it throughout the game, and at varying degrees. Top locking, denying the DHOs, jumping passing lanes, piss poor reversals on our end, ect. The opportunity was there all day to hit them with a back cut, but it needed to be fed from Henri, because they were all over Bradley and Love. We really only got one, and it was late in the 2H by Carter, which was savvy for a freshman.

Furthermore, We couldnt hit Henri on any pocket pass, short roll PNR action today. it wasnt there a ton, but it was there and we just refused to make that read for fear of it being stripped. The problem is, Henri doesnt get stripped, Awaka and Townsend do. Almost like you can see the shellshock from pervious experience with the other dudes.

We really need to do a better job of protecting the ball, being confident again pressure, but also running some sets to help alleviate this as well. Per usualy, when things bog down, we stop moving the ball side to side, partially because Cincy was ready for this and had their run and jump applied. However, even some simple misdirection with Love into some cross screen or flex action can help. Anything to get an easy look and help with the ball movement via new actions.

However, when we were on defense, the ball pressure wasn't the standout, it was Henri's defense in general.

Henri has done an excellent job showing on those ball screens, and it slowed Cincy from getting into the paint. He does a great job of recovering, not to mention covering at the rim. Henri's ability to show on those middle PNRs, drop of the side PNR, recover to the rim, and then contest or put a body on someone to keep them off the glass, is why were dominating on defense most of the game. Finally, this all help limit our rotations, keeping everyone home, and in their base responsibilities with no need to overhelp or scramble through rotations.

Per usual, good post. Henri, IMO, always seemed better than Krivas. More fluid, coordinated with a better running gait. Also he can shoot. Glad he's blossoming. If he were stronger I think he'd would be even better.

Got to wonder what he's been doing the past two years. I think my arms are more buffed.

I don't understand his reticence in the past but he is the main link righht now. So it's all good.

I think Krivas is a better low post player. Vessar seems more aggressive as a rebounder and a better offensive player from the high post.
Both need to block out better. Worried that Vessar only has the stamina for 15-20 minutes per game.

[Chicat]

We got 3 votes in the latest AP poll.

[LuteIsGod]

We severely struggle with it, especially when things tighten up in the 2H.

Cincy did a gre job of applying a ton of it throughout the game, and at varying degrees. Top locking, denying the DHOs, jumping passing lanes, piss poor reversals on our end, ect. The opportunity was there all day to hit them with a back cut, but it needed to be fed from Henri, because they were all over Bradley and Love. We really only got one, and it was late in the 2H by Carter, which was savvy for a freshman.

Furthermore, We couldnt hit Henri on any pocket pass, short roll PNR action today. it wasnt there a ton, but it was there and we just refused to make that read for fear of it being stripped. The problem is, Henri doesnt get stripped, Awaka and Townsend do. Almost like you can see the shellshock from pervious experience with the other dudes.

We really need to do a better job of protecting the ball, being confident again pressure, but also running some sets to help alleviate this as well. Per usualy, when things bog down, we stop moving the ball side to side, partially because Cincy was ready for this and had their run and jump applied. However, even some simple misdirection with Love into some cross screen or flex action can help. Anything to get an easy look and help with the ball movement via new actions.

However, when we were on defense, the ball pressure wasn't the standout, it was Henri's defense in general.

Henri has done an excellent job showing on those ball screens, and it slowed Cincy from getting into the paint. He does a great job of recovering, not to mention covering at the rim. Henri's ability to show on those middle PNRs, drop of the side PNR, recover to the rim, and then contest or put a body on someone to keep them off the glass, is why were dominating on defense most of the game. Finally, this all help limit our rotations, keeping everyone home, and in their base responsibilities with no need to overhelp or scramble through rotations.

Per usual, good post. Henri, IMO, always seemed better than Krivas. More fluid, coordinated with a better running gait. Also he can shoot. Glad he's blossoming. If he were stronger I think he'd would be even better.

Got to wonder what he's been doing the past two years. I think my arms are more buffed.

I don't understand his reticence in the past but he is the main link righht now. So it's all good.

I think Krivas is a better low post player. Vessar seems more aggressive as a rebounder and a better offensive player from the high post.
Both need to block out better. Worried that Vessar only has the stamina for 15-20 minutes per game.

Interesting……

He needs to use one of the hyperbaric chambers Novak Djokovic travels with. Hopefully, some booster can hook him up with one and for the rest of the team’s use too

[RichardCranium]

[offtopic]
Djokavic says he's scared every time he comes to Australia now, because he lied to immigration and got arrested and deported in the past.

My heart bleeds for him, it really does (NOT)

[/offtopic]

[U.P. Zona Fan]

So we are a road favorite against a ranked team as an unranked team, when we already lost to them once on a neutral?

[azcat49]

I think mainly because the coaches son, who lit us up from three and had 26 against us, is out tonight. He was out against Kansas as well and they still won

[PHXCATS]

So we are a road favorite against a ranked team as an unranked team, when we already lost to them once on a neutral?

Not unusual at all

Betting sites care about getting as many bets on possible on both sides

Plus UA is really good metrics wise and is the better team, overall

[Postmaster]

At first I thought you meant Liam Lloyd was out.

[Postmaster]

What happened to Tennessee?

[dovecanyoncat]

What happened to Tennessee?

Hopefully it will happen to Kentucky as well.

[azgreg]

What happened to Tennessee?

They forgot how to score the basketball.

[Chicat]

I don’t know what button Tommy pressed after the UCLA game but I feel properly chastised for any doubts I may have had about his coaching ability.

[Djcat]

Henri played good defense without fouling today. Hope this is the lights on moment for rest of season.

[Postmaster]

I don’t know what button Tommy pressed after the UCLA game but I feel properly chastised for any doubts I may have had about his coaching ability.

He pressed the button that broke Krivas's foot.
Seriously though, Henri seems to have opened up the court a little. Teams just seems to flow better.
Deliroll started hitting some shots, Bryant is playing better.

Plus all of the things Clip says.

[azgreg]

Top 20 in O and D on Kenpom.

[dmjcat]

Top 20 in O and D on Kenpom.

Cats at #12 in Kenpom

https://kenpom.com/