Another good UA win

[Skkorpion]

I'm amazed at how much better Budinger plays when Jerryd (I can never spell his name right) is on the court.

That three point shooting spree was impressive. Budinger gets that catch and shoot shot off so fast it is tough to defend, even if you know it's coming.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Agreed. As Russ pointed out in another thread we have 2 of the top 3 guys in terms of Pro potential (and to be honest he listed Mayo at #1 and I don't even think Mayo is a good as Harden let alone B and B) so this is not entirely unexpected. But its nice to see and for the first time since Salim and Channing's senior year I feel good about this team and its direction.

Kudos to KO to the defense and unselfishness he has gotten this team to buy into. I think alot of that has to do with Bayless as well. When your best player is one of your top assist guys and the go to guy on the other teams best perimeter player - it rubs off on the other guys.

We will find out the mettle of this team come this road trip. If we can beat SC and play UCLA tough (who top to bottom has the best talent in the conference) I will feel very good about our chances to making a tournament run. The sad thing is that without Bayless we lost games we shouldn't have (UO and ASU) and I think we would have played Memphis much better had our best player been in. Had we played Memphis close we would be the talk of basketball. Anyone who goes into KU and Memphis and plays like we did should be a legit Final 4 contender.

Oh well it's not how you start......

 

[Russ Smith]

Agreed. As Russ pointed out in another thread we have 2 of the top 3 guys in terms of Pro potential (and to be honest he listed Mayo at #1 and I don't even think Mayo is a good as Harden let alone B and B) so this is not entirely unexpected. But its nice to see and for the first time since Salim and Channing's senior year I feel good about this team and its direction.

Kudos to KO to the defense and unselfishness he has gotten this team to buy into. I think alot of that has to do with Bayless as well. When your best player is one of your top assist guys and the go to guy on the other teams best perimeter player - it rubs off on the other guys.

We will find out the mettle of this team come this road trip. If we can beat SC and play UCLA tough (who top to bottom has the best talent in the conference) I will feel very good about our chances to making a tournament run. The sad thing is that without Bayless we lost games we shouldn't have (UO and ASU) and I think we would have played Memphis much better had our best player been in. Had we played Memphis close we would be the talk of basketball. Anyone who goes into KU and Memphis and plays like we did should be a legit Final 4 contender.

Oh well it's not how you start......

Right now I think USC is playing the best ball in the conference. They handled OSU easier than UCLA did and at times just dominatd Oregon although they wound up winning in OT.

Good news for UCLA was Mata-Real played and reportedly lookd good. Mbah a Moute was still out with the concusson they think he plays Thursday but aren't sure. With both those guys healthy I think UCLA is the best team in the Pac 10, without them USC is at the moment.

I'm hoping the Arizona schools sweep SC and I'd be quite happy with a split for UCLA this is tough trip this year.

O'neil has done a terrific job.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Right now I think USC is playing the best ball in the conference. They handled OSU easier than UCLA did and at times just dominatd Oregon although they wound up winning in OT.

Good news for UCLA was Mata-Real played and reportedly lookd good. Mbah a Moute was still out with the concusson they think he plays Thursday but aren't sure. With both those guys healthy I think UCLA is the best team in the Pac 10, without them USC is at the moment.

I'm hoping the Arizona schools sweep SC and I'd be quite happy with a split for UCLA this is tough trip this year.

O'neil has done a terrific job.

I don't buy it Russ. I think your UCLA "Blue and gold" glasses are fogging up your vision and your taking more away from last Saturday's win in Pauley.

Admittedly SC was very impressive in Pauley and followed up with a strong road week. But the Cats are playing the best ball right now. They have looked almost perfect against two of the better teams in the conference (UW has a lot of talent). And with Jerryd and Chase rolling I think the Cats are playing the best ball right now.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/wildcats/222395

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/wildcats/222408

This will be moot come Thursday as we will have a chance to find out.

But I am not buying the Trojan hype. I don't like their youth and inexperience and altough the play great D - I'm not sure they are consistent enough offensively to be a true threat. Plus I don't see them beating both Washington schools at home by 10+ at this point.

And you know what? Maybe I am chugging the Kool-aid but I expect us to beat BOTH LA teams this week and re-assert themselves. When healthy this team is top notch (see the only close game the Jayhawks have played all year AT HOME no less) and I think the national love would be a lot different had Bayless been healthy all year.

Maybe I am getting too caught up over the last three wins but nevertheless I thinks its hard to say anyone is playing better then UA at this point.

 

[Black Jesus]

Cats are playing the best basketball in the conference by far right now. Don't forget about Jordan Hill with 11 blocks in the last two games and he had 13 points at halftime against Wash.

U of A will beat USC, but the UCLA game might be one of the best games of the year in college basketball.

In my opinion, Bayless is playing better than any other freshman guard in the nation right now, over Mayo, over Rose, and over Gordon.

 

[Lefty]

The Cats are playing well in the past 3 games but USC is playing the best ball. These next two games are going to be very tough and I am hoping they can salvage a split.

 

[Russ Smith]

I don't buy it Russ. I think your UCLA "Blue and gold" glasses are fogging up your vision and your taking more away from last Saturday's win in Pauley.

Admittedly SC was very impressive in Pauley and followed up with a strong road week. But the Cats are playing the best ball right now. They have looked almost perfect against two of the better teams in the conference (UW has a lot of talent). And with Jerryd and Chase rolling I think the Cats are playing the best ball right now.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/wildcats/222395

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/wildcats/222408

This will be moot come Thursday as we will have a chance to find out.

But I am not buying the Trojan hype. I don't like their youth and inexperience and altough the play great D - I'm not sure they are consistent enough offensively to be a true threat. Plus I don't see them beating both Washington schools at home by 10+ at this point.

And you know what? Maybe I am chugging the Kool-aid but I expect us to beat BOTH LA teams this week and re-assert themselves. When healthy this team is top notch (see the only close game the Jayhawks have played all year AT HOME no less) and I think the national love would be a lot different had Bayless been healthy all year.

Maybe I am getting too caught up over the last three wins but nevertheless I thinks its hard to say anyone is playing better then UA at this point.

Can't really compare USC against the Washington schools to UA because Jefferson didn't play against WSU and didn't play much against UW.

UA is playing great ball right now but I think USC is playing the best because their defense is consistently spectacular and their offense is good enough.

note, if Luc doesn't miss the 2nd half with a concusion I think UCLA stops Jefferson and wins that game, but right now with his health up in the air I drop UCLA behind USC.

I was impressed with the wins over WSU and UW but UCLA had WSU down double digits until Low went bananas in the last 90 seconds, WSU hit 7 3's in the last 90 seconds that really made the game look a lot closer than it was, against UA those shots didn't go in.

UCLA handled UW easily admittedly at home but we went very deep into the bench that game was much more lopsided than the 14 point final margin showed.

I think UA is playing very good ball right now but all you have to do is go back 3 games and they barely escaped at Cal, with Bayless coming off a loss to Stanford.

Will be a fun game, Westbrook has been locking up guards all year will be interesting to see what he can do with Bayless. Until now I think Stephen Curry was the best guard we've faced, Bayless might be better than Curry hard to say.

With UCLA the key is Luc, if he's back he's able to guard Budinger, if he's still out UCLA has a terrible matchup on Chase.

Going to be a terrific game, as will UCLA and ASU on Thursday their zone concerns me.

 

[Russ Smith]

Cats are playing the best basketball in the conference by far right now. Don't forget about Jordan Hill with 11 blocks in the last two games and he had 13 points at halftime against Wash.

U of A will beat USC, but the UCLA game might be one of the best games of the year in college basketball.

In my opinion, Bayless is playing better than any other freshman guard in the nation right now, over Mayo, over Rose, and over Gordon.

I hope they beat USC but it's going to be tough. USC is a REALLY good defensive team. I hate TIm Floyd but he can coach, he's very good at preparing they leave your non shooters open, key on your shooters and lock you down. I'd almost guarantee UA is going to see a triangle and two on Bayless and Budinger.

 

[Black Jesus]

Jordan Hill is too good for Taj Gibson. As long as Jordan stays out of foul trouble, I think the Cats have an advantage. Mayo is going to have something to prove against Bayless, but Bayless is the better player of the two, and I would take Budinger in a heartbeat over Jefferson(who i think is nasty). Jamelle Horne is going to need to step it up in the upcoming weeks. He is too talented to be constantly fouling and throwing up bad shots.

 

[Russ Smith]

Jordan Hill is too good for Taj Gibson. As long as Jordan stays out of foul trouble, I think the Cats have an advantage. Mayo is going to have something to prove against Bayless, but Bayless is the better player of the two, and I would take Budinger in a heartbeat over Jefferson(who i think is nasty). Jamelle Horne is going to need to step it up in the upcoming weeks. He is too talented to be constantly fouling and throwing up bad shots.

Hill and Gibson have the same issue, foul prone. Hill is more athletic, Gibson probably a more polished player(22 year old soph). Gibson doesn't score quite as much but then he doesn't have to, great on the glass and blocks and changes a lot of shots. I actually think he's a better defender than Hill, my perception of Hill is while he blocks a lot of shots, he lets his man get position too easily, Gibson is a better defender in that regard.

Jefferso won't guard Budinger, I would expect Hackett on him he's their best defender and I fully expect them to throw some triangle and 2 him on Budinger, Lewis or Mayo on Bayless. The good thing about USC's guards is they have 3 athletic kids about the same size, very long guards. The bad thing is none of them are super quick, the guy who is, Angelo JOhnson, is still inconsistent.

Jefferson is a very predictable player, always drives, always goes right, but he's so athletic a lot of people can't stop him even when they know which way he's going.

Will be an interesting matchup.

I'd be surprised if Bayless guards Mayo.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

As much as I don't like ASU this is the best weekend of basketball the Pac-10 can offer with both SOCAL and AZ schools. Will be interesting to see if any of the teams can come out on top with a sweep.

But enough conjecture.

Lets get to the games already

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Jordan Hill is too good for Taj Gibson. As long as Jordan stays out of foul trouble, I think the Cats have an advantage. Mayo is going to have something to prove against Bayless, but Bayless is the better player of the two, and I would take Budinger in a heartbeat over Jefferson(who i think is nasty). Jamelle Horne is going to need to step it up in the upcoming weeks. He is too talented to be constantly fouling and throwing up bad shots.

I love Jordan, but Taj Gibson is one of the best defensive players in the Pac-10. While he isnt having the same success as last year, lets not forget his dominance in the NCAA tournament last year, let alone Pac-10 play. Jordan is going to give him some trouble, but Taj is one of the better defenders he will face all season.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Jefferson is a very predictable player, always drives, always goes right, but he's so athletic a lot of people can't stop him even when they know which way he's going.

Will be an interesting matchup.

I'd be surprised if Bayless guards Mayo.

It will be interesting to see the defensive match ups. I am willing to guess UA goes small. Nic Wise would then be on Hackett, putting Bayless on Mayo and Jawann on Jefferson.

 

[Russ Smith]

It will be interesting to see the defensive match ups. I am willing to guess UA goes small. Nic Wise would then be on Hackett, putting Bayless on Mayo and Jawann on Jefferson.

That probably works as long as Chase isn't on Mayo or Jefferson because I don't think he can guard either of them.

how much zone is UA playing these days USC has had some issues against zone they're not the greatest 3 point team out there very streaky. If you saw the OT against Oregon you think they're great from deep 5-5 all on 3's in the OT. But for the conference games they are shooting only 32% from 3. They lead the Pac 10 in overall FG% both offense and defense, they get good shots on offense, and they don't give up good shots on defense.

They're dead last in rebounding margin but part of that is Floyd believes in not sending guys to the offensive glass so they can get back and prevent fast breaks.

Will be a very interesting set of games Thursday and Saturday.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

That probably works as long as Chase isn't on Mayo or Jefferson because I don't think he can guard either of them.

how much zone is UA playing these days USC has had some issues against zone they're not the greatest 3 point team out there very streaky. If you saw the OT against Oregon you think they're great from deep 5-5 all on 3's in the OT. But for the conference games they are shooting only 32% from 3. They lead the Pac 10 in overall FG% both offense and defense, they get good shots on offense, and they don't give up good shots on defense.

They're dead last in rebounding margin but part of that is Floyd believes in not sending guys to the offensive glass so they can get back and prevent fast breaks.

Will be a very interesting set of games Thursday and Saturday.

Yeah I think the plan will be to keep Budinger off Mayo for sure but he will have to match up with Jefferson at some point.

UA has not played 1 second of zone and will not play zone as long as Kevin O'Neill is in Tucson. He loves to play man because it puts accountability on his players on the defensive end of the floor. It will be a good match up to watch, because Bayless completely locked down Derrick Low last week, Nic Wise has done a great job pressuring the ball, and Jawann is a gritty defender that could get under the skin of Jefferson. They key for Arizona is Jordan Hill staying out of foul trouble, as it is every game. Their defense is much much better with him guarding the rim (11 blocks last week), especially going up against an athletic team that will break down our defense.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Russ - whose playing the best basketball in the Pac-10 again?

Great win tonight because the other players showed they can step up if Bayless or Hill fail to play their A+ game.

No time to get a big head though. Big national TV game on Saturday at 9 EST.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Cats are playing some good ball. This Saturday will decide who wins the Pac-10, should be a tough game in Pauley. I'd love to send Urkel and his powder blue buddies home crying.

 

[Russ Smith]

Russ - whose playing the best basketball in the Pac-10 again?

Great win tonight because the other players showed they can step up if Bayless or Hill fail to play their A+ game.

No time to get a big head though. Big national TV game on Saturday at 9 EST.

To be fair, USC played the whole game essentially with 5 guys because Hackett got hurt. He played 2 minutes. If you look the games USC has lost they either didn't have Jefferson, didn't have Hackett or both. The only 2 games they have lost at full strength with no benching issues this year are Memphis and Kansas.

Hackett looked to be in real pain too they're speculating he may have a chipped bone not just a hip pointer.

I saw the last 5 minutes this morning the difference in the game was USC was exhausted. UA's kids played a ton of minutes too they were just in better shape down the stretch.

But given how close this game was if Hackett can play it might be a different outcome.

Was impressed with McClellan, he looks healthy finally Marques was oohing and ahing at how high he was getting up off the floor.

Should be a great matchup on Saturday.

 

[Russ Smith]

Cats are playing some good ball. This Saturday will decide who wins the Pac-10, should be a tough game in Pauley. I'd love to send Urkel and his powder blue buddies home crying.

Don't forget Stanford they're 6-2 right now. Brook Lopez went off on UW last night.

It does look now like it's UCLA, Stanford and UA and WSU. I can't see USC hanging in there if Hackett is out for any length of time and it appears he may be.

Big game Saturday between Stanford and WSU too 6-2 against 5-3.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Don't forget Stanford they're 6-2 right now. Brook Lopez went off on UW last night.

It does look now like it's UCLA, Stanford and UA and WSU. I can't see USC hanging in there if Hackett is out for any length of time and it appears he may be.

Big game Saturday between Stanford and WSU too 6-2 against 5-3.

And how could we forget about the sleeping giant in Tempe?

 

[Skkorpion]

Another very good UA win.

But the Cats don't stand a chance against Howland thugball.

 

[Russ Smith]

UA is doing the same thing with Horne that UCLA does with Aboya starting him and yet playing him very few minutes. It's an interesting thing near as I can tell howland does it because Westbrook tends to get too pumped up and he's afraid he'll pick up fouls early in the game before he calms down. By bringing him in 2-3 minutes after the game starts he calms down a bit.

 

[ozzfloyd]

Another very good UA win.

But the Cats don't stand a chance against Howland thugball.

Quite possibly, but I doubt they lose by 30+ like the devils.

 

[Skkorpion]

Quite possibly, but I doubt they lose by 30+ like the devils.

Hmm. At halftime, UA looks like worse dog meat than did ASU and Bayless looks scared and lost. The 33 point ASU loss margin is within UA's reach.

Although, just like happened to ASU, a lot of the damage is being done by UCLA thuggery.

Duke usually fouls every player every possession. Now UCLA plays that way. Get used to it.

 

[ozzfloyd]

Hmm. At halftime, UA looks like worse dog meat than did ASU and Bayless looks scared and lost. The 33 point ASU loss margin is within UA's reach.

Although, just like happened to ASU, a lot of the damage is being done by UCLA thuggery.

Duke usually fouls every player every possession. Now UCLA plays that way. Get used to it.

LOL. I stand corrected. UCLA is damn good.