Re: 2024-25 Arizona Basketball
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:08 pm
This board is always amazing on big time game days.
A co-op community for Arizona Fans
https://beardownwildcats.com/
Where did that leave Stephen? Transfer portal? Seems pretty obvious he isn't in the plan.Chicat wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:44 pm I’m curious to see how bad Tommy wants to play Henri and Krivas together. It might mean that Awaka is the odd man out (which with how much he sat at the end of critical games, the writing may already be on the wall). And with Peat coming in and Bryant maybe coming back and able to slide to the 4, I don’t know what Tobe’s role is.
Agree on Tobe. Think Lloyd’s pitch might be to turn Henri into a stretch 4 and play Carter at the 3. One reason you might move on from Krivas is not trusting his ankle to hold up but Lloyd isn’t a doctor. Its tough to play Awaka at this level. He has a difficult time staying out of foul trouble and frequently he isnt big/tall enough to be a force inside offensively nor to guard 7-footers with game. Youre going to lose some offensive boards by not playing him but you should pick up advantages almost everywhere else. Plus Lloyd has demonstrated that he likes height and he just lost twice to the tallest team in the nation.Merkin wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:10 amWhere did that leave Stephen? Transfer portal? Seems pretty obvious he isn't in the plan.Chicat wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:44 pm I’m curious to see how bad Tommy wants to play Henri and Krivas together. It might mean that Awaka is the odd man out (which with how much he sat at the end of critical games, the writing may already be on the wall). And with Peat coming in and Bryant maybe coming back and able to slide to the 4, I don’t know what Tobe’s role is.
Tobe too might find a spot elsewhere.
Where is Donovan Dent going?Chicat wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:44 pm I’m curious to see how bad Tommy wants to play Henri and Krivas together. It might mean that Awaka is the odd man out (which with how much he sat at the end of critical games, the writing may already be on the wall). And with Peat coming in and Bryant maybe coming back and able to slide to the 4, I don’t know what Tobe’s role is.
If Bradley decides he wants to explore greener pastures, we will go from having 1/2 a Point Guard to no Point Guards. Conrad isn’t going to make nearly the jump we need him to, and no one else fits the bill. So please let there be a guard in the portal that can handle the ball and shoot well enough that teams can’t pack the lane.
The last five minutes of the first half and second five minutes of the second half was the difference, IMO. Duke won that stretch 32-20 and asserted their dominance that I think really gassed Arizona to complete the comeback. I thought the defensive effort out of the locker-room in the second half was horrific.Winger wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 6:47 amAgree on Tobe. Think Lloyd’s pitch might be to turn Henri into a stretch 4 and play Carter at the 3. One reason you might move on from Krivas is not trusting his ankle to hold up but Lloyd isn’t a doctor. Its tough to play Awaka at this level. He has a difficult time staying out of foul trouble and frequently he isnt big/tall enough to be a force inside offensively nor to guard 7-footers with game. Youre going to lose some offensive boards by not playing him but you should pick up advantages almost everywhere else. Plus Lloyd has demonstrated that he likes height and he just lost twice to the tallest team in the nation.Merkin wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:10 amWhere did that leave Stephen? Transfer portal? Seems pretty obvious he isn't in the plan.Chicat wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:44 pm I’m curious to see how bad Tommy wants to play Henri and Krivas together. It might mean that Awaka is the odd man out (which with how much he sat at the end of critical games, the writing may already be on the wall). And with Peat coming in and Bryant maybe coming back and able to slide to the 4, I don’t know what Tobe’s role is.
Tobe too might find a spot elsewhere.
Tough one last night. Game was emblematic of the season in some ways.
1. You had the “let it rip” 3 from love with 10 sec left in the first half which we have seen too often from Arizona this season (Veesaar did this twice off the top of my head) leading to the Flagg transition 3 to put Duke up 6 entering the half and seemingly swiping all the momentum at the same time.
You had made 3s from ADO and TT to start the game but when ADO went out Arizona was -4 and the Cats immediately erased that deficit and took a 5 point lead a bit later. And to start the second half, when Arizona absolutely needed to come out and make a statement, the starting 5 went -6 in just over 2 minutes of action. That’s -10 from your starters to start the halves and a gift to Duke/Scheyer. But its the 2nd half start for these 2 that kills me. Doubt I will ever get over Lloyd doing this.
Also had the “we cant guard anyone defense” that poked its head out a bit too often this season. For a team who couldnt shoot and needed that D to win games. Defense was a huge key last night for Arizona and Duke was simply too good offensively.
Last take was that you can’t take anything from a single tournament but the combination of the chalky nature of the Sweet 16 plus yesterdays blowouts left me feeling like NIL might be ruining college basketball for everyone but the true blue bloods and the SEC (and maybe the B1G).
Seems to me like the most likely to leave would be Stephen (not enough PT to be had if a combo of HV/MK/TA stay). Then one of the others would likely go, or be encouraged to explore other opportunities.Winger wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 6:47 amAgree on Tobe. Think Lloyd’s pitch might be to turn Henri into a stretch 4 and play Carter at the 3. One reason you might move on from Krivas is not trusting his ankle to hold up but Lloyd isn’t a doctor. Its tough to play Awaka at this level. He has a difficult time staying out of foul trouble and frequently he isnt big/tall enough to be a force inside offensively nor to guard 7-footers with game. Youre going to lose some offensive boards by not playing him but you should pick up advantages almost everywhere else. Plus Lloyd has demonstrated that he likes height and he just lost twice to the tallest team in the nation.Merkin wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:10 amWhere did that leave Stephen? Transfer portal? Seems pretty obvious he isn't in the plan.Chicat wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:44 pm I’m curious to see how bad Tommy wants to play Henri and Krivas together. It might mean that Awaka is the odd man out (which with how much he sat at the end of critical games, the writing may already be on the wall). And with Peat coming in and Bryant maybe coming back and able to slide to the 4, I don’t know what Tobe’s role is.
Tobe too might find a spot elsewhere.
Tough one last night. Game was emblematic of the season in some ways.
1. You had the “let it rip” 3 from love with 10 sec left in the first half which we have seen too often from Arizona this season (Veesaar did this twice off the top of my head) leading to the Flagg transition 3 to put Duke up 6 entering the half and seemingly swiping all the momentum at the same time.
You had made 3s from ADO and TT to start the game but when ADO went out Arizona was -4 and the Cats immediately erased that deficit and took a 5 point lead a bit later. And to start the second half, when Arizona absolutely needed to come out and make a statement, the starting 5 went -6 in just over 2 minutes of action. That’s -10 from your starters to start the halves and a gift to Duke/Scheyer. But its the 2nd half start for these 2 that kills me. Doubt I will ever get over Lloyd doing this.
Also had the “we cant guard anyone defense” that poked its head out a bit too often this season. For a team who couldnt shoot and needed that D to win games. Defense was a huge key last night for Arizona and Duke was simply too good offensively.
Last take was that you can’t take anything from a single tournament but the combination of the chalky nature of the Sweet 16 plus yesterdays blowouts left me feeling like NIL might be ruining college basketball for everyone but the true blue bloods and the SEC (and maybe the B1G).
man, i hope CTL can make the lineup work with awaka. his height can be a liability but he boxes out well and is tough and isn't afraid to bang around, whereas henri is still prone to getting bullied down low and hesitates against tougher bigs. if tobe only has a season of eligibility left, he'll probably want a bigger role elsewhere, though.MrKyle wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:49 amSeems to me like the most likely to leave would be Stephen (not enough PT to be had if a combo of HV/MK/TA stay). Then one of the others would likely go, or be encouraged to explore other opportunities.Winger wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 6:47 amAgree on Tobe. Think Lloyd’s pitch might be to turn Henri into a stretch 4 and play Carter at the 3. One reason you might move on from Krivas is not trusting his ankle to hold up but Lloyd isn’t a doctor. Its tough to play Awaka at this level. He has a difficult time staying out of foul trouble and frequently he isnt big/tall enough to be a force inside offensively nor to guard 7-footers with game. Youre going to lose some offensive boards by not playing him but you should pick up advantages almost everywhere else. Plus Lloyd has demonstrated that he likes height and he just lost twice to the tallest team in the nation.Merkin wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:10 amWhere did that leave Stephen? Transfer portal? Seems pretty obvious he isn't in the plan.Chicat wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:44 pm I’m curious to see how bad Tommy wants to play Henri and Krivas together. It might mean that Awaka is the odd man out (which with how much he sat at the end of critical games, the writing may already be on the wall). And with Peat coming in and Bryant maybe coming back and able to slide to the 4, I don’t know what Tobe’s role is.
Tobe too might find a spot elsewhere.
I agree Awaka struggles to get it done against high level competition, if he was only about ~4 inches taller he would be a beast!
He should go if he is a 1st round pick. I give him a 5% chance of being on the roster next year.AzCatFan2 wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:23 pm CB should test the water to see if he can work his easy into the lottery. It's a relatively weak class, so not impossible. But most draft boards have CB no higher than 20. And if that's the case, he should come back. Could have a Benn Marhurin type sophomore season and be a guaranteed lottery pick.
I agree it would be great if there was some way to make him fit in - I love his toughness and ability to come up with boards, and he even dialed in his offensive game a bit this year. I just don't see where the minutes come from, he is ideally a 4 based on size - but most of the minutes at the 4 are going to be Koa I'd think.dirtbags wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:08 amman, i hope CTL can make the lineup work with awaka. his height can be a liability but he boxes out well and is tough and isn't afraid to bang around, whereas henri is still prone to getting bullied down low and hesitates against tougher bigs. if tobe only has a season of eligibility left, he'll probably want a bigger role elsewhere, though.MrKyle wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:49 amSeems to me like the most likely to leave would be Stephen (not enough PT to be had if a combo of HV/MK/TA stay). Then one of the others would likely go, or be encouraged to explore other opportunities.Winger wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 6:47 amAgree on Tobe. Think Lloyd’s pitch might be to turn Henri into a stretch 4 and play Carter at the 3. One reason you might move on from Krivas is not trusting his ankle to hold up but Lloyd isn’t a doctor. Its tough to play Awaka at this level. He has a difficult time staying out of foul trouble and frequently he isnt big/tall enough to be a force inside offensively nor to guard 7-footers with game. Youre going to lose some offensive boards by not playing him but you should pick up advantages almost everywhere else. Plus Lloyd has demonstrated that he likes height and he just lost twice to the tallest team in the nation.Merkin wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:10 amWhere did that leave Stephen? Transfer portal? Seems pretty obvious he isn't in the plan.Chicat wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:44 pm I’m curious to see how bad Tommy wants to play Henri and Krivas together. It might mean that Awaka is the odd man out (which with how much he sat at the end of critical games, the writing may already be on the wall). And with Peat coming in and Bryant maybe coming back and able to slide to the 4, I don’t know what Tobe’s role is.
Tobe too might find a spot elsewhere.
I agree Awaka struggles to get it done against high level competition, if he was only about ~4 inches taller he would be a beast!
the other side of this is unanticipated transfer-outs. there's been chatter about cb, for example, going to the nba but is there also a chance that he gets poached by another school? it sucks that coaches have to re-recruit their teams at the end of every season.
i also wonder if some of the lineup questions will resolve themselves once the house settlement is finalized and we know what the roster caps will look like.
I'm with you on that it doesn't feel like loss that makes us feel like season was a lost cause - Duke is a great team with talent up and down the roster.Alieberman wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:17 am I understand trying to pinpoint a stretch or 2 of plays that was the difference... and I can't argue it... but sometimes the simple answer is just that we lost to a better team. Duke is really really good up and down their roster... much more complete that Arizona. I thought we competed as hard as we could but no matter what we did... we just couldn't put stops together. Duke had an answer for everything.
This team went exactly as far as last years team... and while last year I was so pissed off at our loss to Clemson... knowing we lost to an inferior opponent and we played just a complete disaster of a game... the exact opposite is true today. We lost to a better team and we played a hell of a game... would have beat a majority of the teams in this years sweet 16 with that performance.... but it just wasn't meant to be.
This is honestly the best I've felt the day after a season ending loss that I can remember.
Nice comparisonPostmaster wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:04 pm KJ reminds me of Solomon Hill.
I felt his first 2 years Hill knew what to do and had the physical skills to do things but his brain was not in sync with his body. Example: he seemed to always try a spin move in the lane. Most of the time he would travel or lose the ball as he started his dribble. By his jr year he could do the move and score. He also learned to pass when needed instead of forcing shots.
I hope KJ makes the next step. so far I see him as a guy who isn't quite in sync with his mind and body. He also tries to make big plays instead of making the big pass.
I have faith he will get there.
Wilkes was skinnier and had a very unorthodox shooting motion. But agree both games could be described as smooth as “silk.”
I’m thinking a slimmer Hassan AdamsPostmaster wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:04 pm KJ reminds me of Solomon Hill.
I felt his first 2 years Hill knew what to do and had the physical skills to do things but his brain was not in sync with his body. Example: he seemed to always try a spin move in the lane. Most of the time he would travel or lose the ball as he started his dribble. By his jr year he could do the move and score. He also learned to pass when needed instead of forcing shots.
I hope KJ makes the next step. so far I see him as a guy who isn't quite in sync with his mind and body. He also tries to make big plays instead of making the big pass.
I have faith he will get there.
Eric Bossi thinks that we lead, but nothing is certain
Personally I'm more worried about the next shoe (or shoes) to drop. Would not be surprised to see Veesaar and Bradley go find a big
yikes - this sounds like there's zero chance of KJ coming back no matter what the uofa says or offers him. was he like or what?Dave wrote: Sun Mar 30, 2025 7:47 am It is being reported he closed the door on any chance of a return.