Bear Down Wildcats

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:#23 is fair. We took Oregon's spot and they jumped.

Both road games are winnable, but unfortunately we haven't been winning the winnable ones lately.

Sorta think OR could beat several of the teams ranked ahead of them.

Me too. Us staying in the top 25 is a tacit admission that Oregon was probably better than their ranking.

I really wouldn't want to see OR in my region come tourney time. They're under the radar and dangerous. This could be the year Altman finally breaks through. That team is deep, fast, and confident.

I have quite a bit of beef with Indiana and Wichita State being ahead of us. Indiana was behind us and lost to ho-hum Wisconsin. Yeah they were on the road, but they aren't Oregon. Theyve also lost to Duke, Wake Forest, and UNLV. And yes, 8-1 to start the Big 10 season, but they havent even had to play the other 5 top teams in that conference yet. As for Wichita State, I know their boy was hurt for a while, but theyve been beating up on the weak MVC since, so undeservedly they will be a top 10 team by the end of the year as everyone else loses.

AP # 17

We go 26-5 and win the PAC tourney, I think we could get to a 2 seed. Lose a game in the tourney and I think we would slot into the 3 spot.

Lots of teams will be getting beat and we have a manageable schedule to run the table potentially

azcat49 wrote:We go 26-5 and win the PAC tourney, I think we could get to a 2 seed. Lose a game in the tourney and I think we would slot into the 3 spot.

Lots of teams will be getting beat and we have a manageable schedule to run the table potentially

I can't care less about a seed or location. I just want a favorable draw.

Olsondogg wrote:

azcat49 wrote:We go 26-5 and win the PAC tourney, I think we could get to a 2 seed. Lose a game in the tourney and I think we would slot into the 3 spot.

Lots of teams will be getting beat and we have a manageable schedule to run the table potentially

I can't care less about a seed or location. I just want a favorable draw.

Yeah, I agree with this. There are certain teams I'd prefer to avoid and others I'm confident we can beat. Actually, there are probably only like 5 or 6 teams I really don't think we can beat.

Beachcat97 wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:

azcat49 wrote:We go 26-5 and win the PAC tourney, I think we could get to a 2 seed. Lose a game in the tourney and I think we would slot into the 3 spot.

Lots of teams will be getting beat and we have a manageable schedule to run the table potentially

I can't care less about a seed or location. I just want a favorable draw.

Yeah, I agree with this. There are certain teams I'd prefer to avoid and others I'm confident we can beat. Actually, there are probably only like 5 or 6 teams I really don't think we can beat.

There aren't any teams that Arizona can't beat. Not so much because Arizona is really good, but more so that there just aren't any really good teams. Everyone is beatable.

Beermancats wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:

azcat49 wrote:We go 26-5 and win the PAC tourney, I think we could get to a 2 seed. Lose a game in the tourney and I think we would slot into the 3 spot.

Lots of teams will be getting beat and we have a manageable schedule to run the table potentially

I can't care less about a seed or location. I just want a favorable draw.

Yeah, I agree with this. There are certain teams I'd prefer to avoid and others I'm confident we can beat. Actually, there are probably only like 5 or 6 teams I really don't think we can beat.

There aren't any teams that Arizona can't beat. Not so much because Arizona is really good, but more so that there just aren't any really good teams. Everyone is beatable.

Yeah. Lots of pretty darn good teams, no great ones. There's a good 15 different teams that can probably win the title this year and 25 to 30 that could be in the Final Four

ASUHATER! wrote:

Beermancats wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:

azcat49 wrote:We go 26-5 and win the PAC tourney, I think we could get to a 2 seed. Lose a game in the tourney and I think we would slot into the 3 spot.

Lots of teams will be getting beat and we have a manageable schedule to run the table potentially

I can't care less about a seed or location. I just want a favorable draw.

Yeah, I agree with this. There are certain teams I'd prefer to avoid and others I'm confident we can beat. Actually, there are probably only like 5 or 6 teams I really don't think we can beat.

There aren't any teams that Arizona can't beat. Not so much because Arizona is really good, but more so that there just aren't any really good teams. Everyone is beatable.

Yeah. Lots of pretty darn good teams, no great ones. There's a good 15 different teams that can probably win the title this year and 25 to 30 that could be in the Final Four

Could this be the year a 16 takes down a 1?

Only if Kansas gets a 1 seed

All about match-ups. We match up well with traditional lineups. Teams with slashers and scorers from three perimeter positions, not so much.

Including the two we play this week. Hopefully, home court helps us dictate the terms.

gumby wrote:All about match-ups. We match up well with traditional lineups. Teams with slashers and scorers from three perimeter positions, not so much.

Including the two we play this week. Hopefully, home court helps us dictate the terms.

See it the same way, Gumby.

UCLA traditional---Seems like we should handle them in a payback game at home, and not underestimate Welsh.

USC---Continues to make me nervous with their terrific backcourt and depth.

EOCT wrote:

gumby wrote:All about match-ups. We match up well with traditional lineups. Teams with slashers and scorers from three perimeter positions, not so much.

Including the two we play this week. Hopefully, home court helps us dictate the terms.

See it the same way, Gumby.

UCLA traditional---Seems like we should handle them in a payback game at home, and not underestimate Welsh.

USC---Continues to make me nervous with their terrific backcourt and depth.

Completely agree. I wanted no part of Wisconsin last year. This year I don't want any part of Oklahoma.

gumby wrote:All about match-ups. We match up well with traditional lineups. Teams with slashers and scorers from three perimeter positions, not so much.

Including the two we play this week. Hopefully, home court helps us dictate the terms.

Yep. And I am having nightmares of us running into a 4 who can score from deep, put it on the floor, or score inside that is going to absolutely abuse Ryan Anderson on defense and wear him out.

I really think this is Oregon's year if they can tighten up that defense just a little before the tournament.

I'll be angry if Oregon goes to a final four before us.

12th in the coaches

http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/ba ... ches-poll/" target="_blank

12th in the ap as well.

Seems like whoever's #1 in the Pac is gonna end the reg season being ranked in the 10-15 range, unless AZ or OR wins out and teams in the top 10 start losing.

If we win out we could be in the #7-8 range

ASUHATER! wrote:If we win out we could be in the #7-8 range

You're probably right. I don't think we'll win out. Think we'll lose at least once more in the reg season. And who knows what'll happen in Vegas? Not including last season, the Pac tourney has not been kind to Miller.

U stress way too much beachcat, lol. Gotta save all that for the games, which are plenty as is, and let the cards fall where they may for everything else.

Really, to me this stretch is about beating the teams we should beat.

That starts with defending home court. If we can sweep those three games and split the Colo/Utah roadie, I think that just might be enough to win this conference this year and get a 3 seed.

LOL. Jeff Goodman doesn't even have Arizona in his top 25 rankings.

A lot of the national media thinks we're a paper tiger bolstered by an easy schedule.

rgdeuce wrote:LOL. Jeff Goodman doesn't even have Arizona in his top 25 rankings.

Gary "Poll Attacks" Parrish had us in front of Utah, and then dropped us after we swept Washington schools and Utah was swept. Then he has us behind them again, as we swept LA schools at home.

It's all good. Most of the national guys are no better than the local guys that Miller ices out in a presser.

Seeing as how the AP has us ranked 12th, and the worst ranking from the other six ESPN voters is 21st, who are these people besides Goodman and Parrish?

They must also not watch games. Wait, I know they don't. No way you watch Arizona and not see the talent. And it's not like it's underachieving talent - all five losses came to tournament teams (outside of UCLA); all except Oregon were close; three were road games and one was a neutral site. Plus not seeing all of the adversity with injuries and stuff? Sagarin, Kenpom and BPI say we are top 15.

There are more horrible national pundits than good ones. I'd have a hard time listing 5 good ones.

Back into the top 10 in the new coaches poll, chance for a top 25 win against Utah
http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/ba ... ches-poll/" target="_blank

Main Event wrote:Back into the top 10 in the new coaches poll, chance for a top 25 win against Utah
http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/ba ... ches-poll/" target="_blank

Top 10 rpi

Winning at Utah would arguably be our biggest win of the reg season.

Beachcat97 wrote:Winning at Utah would arguably be our biggest win of the reg season.

Arguably? Would no doubt be

PHXCATS wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:Winning at Utah would arguably be our biggest win of the reg season.

Arguably? Would no doubt be

It would also make up for the home loss vs. OR.

Longhorned wrote:

Main Event wrote:Back into the top 10 in the new coaches poll, chance for a top 25 win against Utah
http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/ba ... ches-poll/" target="_blank

Top 10 rpi

Biggest game of the season

9th in the AP
http://collegebasketball.ap.org/poll" target="_blank

What do you guys think about Nova this year? I've been burned in the past when I picked them to get to the E-8 or further.

Beachcat97 wrote:What do you guys think about Nova this year? I've been burned in the past when I picked them to get to the E-8 or further.

I have trouble believing in Nova. This seems like the same team they usually underachieve with. Guard oriented, not a ton inside.

They beat Xavier and Providence...(also lost to Providence).

Lost by double digits to Oklahoma and Virginia...

Nova? Meh, second round loss.

Olsondogg wrote:They beat Xavier and Providence...(also lost to Providence).

Lost by double digits to Oklahoma and Virginia...

Nova? Meh, second round loss.

Sorta what I've been thinking too. They've got a very hard road game this week @Xavier. If they win that one, I may warm up to them as a S-16 team.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-basket ... ent-021816" target="_blank

9 Teams that can win NCAA Tournament

UV, OK, Kansas, Duke, MSU, NC, UK, Miami, Wich St

Sorry we're not sorry: Villanova (an enigma -- a very, very good enigma); Maryland (team/Trimble too erratic); Arizona (Pac-12 has two titles since the wizard left Westwood); Iowa State (no defense); Notre Dame (ditto x 100); and West Virginia (too Huggins-y).

So according to Fox, Arizona can't win cause of past season PAC results post John Wooden.

Quality analysis.

Arizona Ranked (2/22/16)

#8 -- BPI
#9 -- AP Poll
#9 -- Sagarin Ratings
#10 -- Massey Ratings
#10 -- Coaches Poll
#12 -- Kenpom

#22 -- CBS Sports Top 25(and one)

Olsondogg wrote:So according to Fox, Arizona can't win cause of past season PAC results post John Wooden.

Quality analysis.

Just another reason to blame Ben Howland.

Well, to be honest, it is pretty bad that the Pac hasn't won a title since '97, and that only one Pac team has been to the FF in the past 10 years (granted, three times, but still).

97cats wrote:Arizona Ranked (2/22/16)

#8 -- BPI
#9 -- AP Poll
#9 -- Sagarin Ratings
#10 -- Massey Ratings
#10 -- Coaches Poll
#12 -- Kenpom

#22 -- CBS Sports Top 25(and one)

Exactly.

That is hilarious.

Well, if you want another extreme, Gasaway ranked us 5th(!) and Farnham has us 6th in the ESPN power rankings. Goodman has us up to 15th and Lunardi still hates us at 16th.

Cbs (Parrish)is defending themselves using rpi only.

Beachcat97 wrote:Well, to be honest, it is pretty bad that the Pac hasn't won a title since '97, and that only one Pac team has been to the FF in the past 10 years (granted, three times, but still).

I posted something about this here a while ago, think it was last offseason. Despite the national title drought, from 2004 through 2014 tournaments, the conference is middle of the pack among the Big 10, Big 12, ACC, SEC, American, Big East, and Pac 12 in overall tournament success. The Big East, Big 10, and Big 12 have lower winning percentages than the Pac 12. Pac 12 doesnt do as well in terms of winning percentage in the Sweet 16 in that time frame, only ACC has a lower percentage. Winning percentage in the elite 8, obviously we took a one game hit with last year's loss, but before that we trailed only the ACC and Big 10. We rank 4th in final fours in that span, behind ACC, SEC and Big 10. And guess what, Big 10 doesnt have a national title in that span too, and Big 12 has one.

And there really is no control for all that due to the dynamic nature of the tournament. Pac 12 has to deal with negative bias. If we only get 3 teams in, but the Big East gets nine, who has the better odds to have a team get to a final four? You have teams out west that get shipped out to different time zones and far away from home, how is Oregon going to get fans to a tournament game against UNC in North Carolina? And that west coast to east coast time shift is tougher than vice versa, plus most of the states east of Texas are all bunched together. And the Pac 12 probably gets under seeded more than most, if not all of the conferences. That hurts the odds as well. There are exceptions who overcome these odds in other conferences, but lets not pretend the playing field is 100 percent even, or that the Pac 12 isnt crap in the tournament because the numbers tell a different story.

Olsondogg wrote:Cbs (Parrish)is defending themselves using rpi only.

Then Utah and Oregon should be in the top 10 right? AKA I dont watch college basketball games, so let me take this here RPI list and make a few adjustments and shuffle things a bit so it doesnt appear like I just reposted the RPI rankings

Jefe wrote:http://www.foxsports.com/college-basket ... ent-021816

9 Teams that can win NCAA Tournament

UV, OK, Kansas, Duke, MSU, NC, UK, Miami, Wich St

Sorry we're not sorry: Villanova (an enigma -- a very, very good enigma); Maryland (team/Trimble too erratic); Arizona (Pac-12 has two titles since the wizard left Westwood); Iowa State (no defense); Notre Dame (ditto x 100); and West Virginia (too Huggins-y).

at Wichita State

rgdeuce wrote:

Olsondogg wrote:Cbs (Parrish)is defending themselves using rpi only.

Then Utah and Oregon should be in the top 10 right? AKA I dont watch college basketball games, so let me take this here RPI list and make a few adjustments and shuffle things a bit so it doesnt appear like I just reposted the RPI rankings

The RPI is what it is. So are the other rankings. Honestly, I don't really give a shit what some dude's opinion is. But this guy Parrish, makes a career calling people out for bullshit and his defense is "I like Miller, trust me, but this one inaccurate metric says they aren't great".

The good news is that in a little over 2 weeks, we will know for sure how good Arizona is or isn't.

PHXCATS wrote:

Beachcat97 wrote:Winning at Utah would arguably be our biggest win of the reg season.

Arguably? Would no doubt be

You not happy with this season, Machina? I am.. I love it when we have a chance to win a conference championship. Especially in a 'down' year.

No worries... BB season will be over before too long regardless. And then you can croon about Arizona FB for 8+ months with no worries about hoops discussion. Unless you like paying attention to kick-ass recruiting classes - which you clearly do not.