Arizona Basketball 2016-2017 Season

[Phrazbit]

This is the most talented Arizona team since... 2003? They are fun as hell to watch.

 

[Lefty]

That was a fun game to watch. Trier makes this team a level better. Right now I am so glad TJ decommitted and we got Lauri. This was definitely a team win and should give them a lot of confidence. Hope we have another exciting game when UCLA comes to Tucson.

 

[carey]

This is the most talented Arizona team since... 2003? They are fun as hell to watch.

You think? I didn't think so on paper before the season started. With Trier back and Markkanen & Simmons looking like legit prospects you might be right.

 

[GatorAZ]

This is the most talented Arizona team since... 2003? They are fun as hell to watch.

Definitely the best offensive team. One of the top-5 wins of the Miller era today.

 

[GatorAZ]

Great game, I have no idea why Alford waited so long to go zone and then why he switched out of it.

That ALkins 3 was the killer we were at 2 he put it to 5 and then Holiday's 2 TO's killed us.

Really great defense by you guys

Lonzo was unreal today. The way he pushes the tempo with his eyes up while keeping control of the ball is Wall-esque. Plus he can shoot...

His teammates let him down but some credit goes to AZ for that.

 

[Mainstreet]

Congratulation to the Wildcats for the huge road win over UCLA.

I'd like to hear more about Lauri Markkanen when it comes to the NBA draft. It looks like he may go in the top ten.

 

[Russ Smith]

Lonzo was unreal today. The way he pushes the tempo with his eyes up while keeping control of the ball is Wall-esque. Plus he can shoot...

His teammates let him down but some credit goes to AZ for that.

He got completely gassed they had to take him out because he got his 3rd foul and was reaching way too much and CSA correctly figured he wsa tired. Then Holiday had those 2 critical turnovers and by the time Lonzo got back it was 7 and Markkanen hit a 3 on that possession to make it 10 and that was the game.

Love Holiday but he just has to learn when to drive and when not to teams bait him into it and then turn him over.

Really good scouting took away Bryce and I Ham in the first half and they baited GG and Ike into some shots they should not take. They also got a bit lucky in that Welsh probably missed 4 wide open midrange shots that he normally hits but that was the game plan make other guys beat you.

 

[Russ Smith]

Congratulation to the Wildcats for the huge road win over UCLA.

I'd like to hear more about Lauri Markkanen when it comes to the NBA draft. It looks like he may go in the top ten.

I think he's higher than that, maybe top 6? I've been saying all year he's better than Leaf and he outplayed him head to head today. I love Leaf but he's 3 inches smaller, not as strong and not as good a 3 point shooter, still a terrific prospect but I'm still foolishly holding out hope he stays for 2 years.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think he's higher than that, maybe top 6? I've been saying all year he's better than Leaf and he outplayed him head to head today. I love Leaf but he's 3 inches smaller, not as strong and not as good a 3 point shooter, still a terrific prospect but I'm still foolishly holding out hope he stays for 2 years.

He would be in the Suns range in the draft especially if they trade down from where they draft now. If the Suns can't get a top PG they might want to look his direction.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I gotta say I was actually cautiously optimistic. Primarily due to uofa's size and defense. But I had a feeling ucla might be in for a let-down. I read the OC Register and it was basically saying goodbye Miller and zona you're an afterthought now, ucla is the darling. And I was thinking, other than post-Olsen/pre-Miller when has the PAC EVER been able to dismiss zona like that? Nice to see them stick it to ucla (no offense Russ) and rub those writers arrogance in it.

 

[Russ Smith]

Scary stat for the Pac 12 the rest of the way, UA was +11 yesterday with Trier on the court. UCLA's starting lineup actually outscored UA head to head but were only on the court for 16 minutes as they subbed in.

So if it's safe to assume Trier will be playing more minutes and starting soon it's safe to assume UA's offense will be much better, the offensive efficiency was MUCH better with Trier on the court than off yesterday. Not surprisingly the defense was actually better when he was on the bench, that is points per possession UCLA was higher with Trier in than out, but UA scored much more per possession with Trier in so it was worth it.

If you're a UCLA fan the takeaway is don't play Ike and GG together that much and limit their minutes, and don't try to play 4 guards against UA, -10 doing that yesterday and it was even worse against ASU -14 with the 4 guards.

 

[GatorAZ]

Scary stat for the Pac 12 the rest of the way, UA was +11 yesterday with Trier on the court. UCLA's starting lineup actually outscored UA head to head but were only on the court for 16 minutes as they subbed in.

So if it's safe to assume Trier will be playing more minutes and starting soon it's safe to assume UA's offense will be much better, the offensive efficiency was MUCH better with Trier on the court than off yesterday. Not surprisingly the defense was actually better when he was on the bench, that is points per possession UCLA was higher with Trier in than out, but UA scored much more per possession with Trier in so it was worth it.

If you're a UCLA fan the takeaway is don't play Ike and GG together that much and limit their minutes, and don't try to play 4 guards against UA, -10 doing that yesterday and it was even worse against ASU -14 with the 4 guards.

He'll probably be starting this Thursday while bringing PJC off the bench. It's really a perfect time for him to get acclimated with some cupcake games coming up. I'm already looking at Wazzu/UW/OSU as easy wins heading into Eugene.

 

[Russ Smith]

He'll probably be starting this Thursday while bringing PJC off the bench. It's really a perfect time for him to get acclimated with some cupcake games coming up. I'm already looking at Wazzu/UW/OSU as easy wins heading into Eugene.

Whoops I read sports reference wrong, Trier's per 100 defense number was 88.7 which is the best on the team, obviously he only played 1 game but when you consider that's against UCLA's prolific offense, very impressive.

That's the difference in the 2 teams, UCLA has 3 players under 100, Welsh, Goloman and Ike in defense per 100 possessions. UA has 2 over 100, both walkons so the 9 core guys are all under 100 and several are under 95

 

[TJ]

Safe to say that the PAC is a two-team race between Oregon and Arizona. Ucla looks broken.

 

[Russ Smith]

Safe to say that the PAC is a two-team race between Oregon and Arizona. Ucla looks broken.

Too many turnovers in the first half 13 that was the game. UCLA outscored them in the 2nd half because they only made 4 turnovers but they couldn't figure out the USC zone, not sure why.

Leaf and Lonzo were really bad, Leaf got toasted on D, at least 6 of the 14 3's were his fault, and Lonzo had 7 turnovers. They need to fix that fast and get on a roll.

Definitely looks like a 2 team race, I actually won't be stunned if Utah beats Oregon even if it looks like Brooks will play. It's tough to play in Utah seems like the first game on that trip is the tougher one stamina wise, takes a few days to get used to the altitude.

 

[GatorAZ]

Safe to say that the PAC is a two-team race between Oregon and Arizona. Ucla looks broken.

I put them in Glendale after the Kentucky game. Now they look like a potential two & done team. They seem like a team that doesn't hang out off the court. Poor chemistry.

Lonzo's dad is a piece of work too.

 

[GatorAZ]

Too many turnovers in the first half 13 that was the game. UCLA outscored them in the 2nd half because they only made 4 turnovers but they couldn't figure out the USC zone, not sure why.

Leaf and Lonzo were really bad, Leaf got toasted on D, at least 6 of the 14 3's were his fault, and Lonzo had 7 turnovers. They need to fix that fast and get on a roll.

Definitely looks like a 2 team race, I actually won't be stunned if Utah beats Oregon even if it looks like Brooks will play. It's tough to play in Utah seems like the first game on that trip is the tougher one stamina wise, takes a few days to get used to the altitude.

Also Bryce is completely useless when the 3's don't fall. He'll probably hit 8 in Tucson though.

 

[Russ Smith]

I put them in Glendale after the Kentucky game. Now they look like a potential two & done team. They seem like a team that doesn't hang out off the court. Poor chemistry.

Lonzo's dad is a piece of work too.

i guess you never know but I've heard the team actually has great chemistry. the 3 freshmen are inseparable but I've heard that lonzo really likes Bryce and I Ham too. The Lavar thing on TMZ was a bit nutty but I doubt these guys are offended to hear they're not as good as D Wade, or Iggy or Anthony Davis. They need to play better defense and make a few adjustments on offense now that people are playing Lonzo to pass, Leaf to go right etc.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Definitely looks like a 2 team race, I actually won't be stunned if Utah beats Oregon even if it looks like Brooks will play. It's tough to play in Utah seems like the first game on that trip is the tougher one stamina wise, takes a few days to get used to the altitude.

With the right kind of refs, Utah can beat any team in the conference. They play very physically and they know and use all the cheap little tricks. I can't stand to watch them play but their style can be very effective.

 

[Russ Smith]

With the right kind of refs, Utah can beat any team in the conference. They play very physically and they know and use all the cheap little tricks. I can't stand to watch them play but their style can be very effective.

agreed although with Brooks and Bigby-Williams I won't feel sorry for oregon if they take some hard shots. Brooks is a pretty physical player in his own right and that Bigby guy is a complete thug. I've seen him in 3 games now, including UCLA, hit someone in the head, 2 of them were flagrants the other they didn't call one. Before last night the UCLA fan dream was Utah beats oregon, Oregon beats Arizona and then UCLA beats both in the rematch and 3 way tie. Seemed like a nice idea at the time, sort of moot now.

 

[AzStevenCal]

agreed although with Brooks and Bigby-Williams I won't feel sorry for oregon if they take some hard shots. Brooks is a pretty physical player in his own right and that Bigby guy is a complete thug. I've seen him in 3 games now, including UCLA, hit someone in the head, 2 of them were flagrants the other they didn't call one. Before last night the UCLA fan dream was Utah beats oregon, Oregon beats Arizona and then UCLA beats both in the rematch and 3 way tie. Seemed like a nice idea at the time, sort of moot now.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of Kavell either. But there's no denying that Oregon is on a roll with their JUCO transfers, I guess the same can be said about Krystkowiak. I have to say, I didn't like Larry as a player and I don't think much of him as a coach either. I have some respect for Altman though, sure wish they'd have kept Ernie Kent instead.

 

[GatorAZ]

i guess you never know but I've heard the team actually has great chemistry. the 3 freshmen are inseparable but I've heard that lonzo really likes Bryce and I Ham too. The Lavar thing on TMZ was a bit nutty but I doubt these guys are offended to hear they're not as good as D Wade, or Iggy or Anthony Davis. They need to play better defense and make a few adjustments on offense now that people are playing Lonzo to pass, Leaf to go right etc.

I just think it's odd the way nobody shows any emotion besides either Hamilton or Holiday (one of them was waving to crowd getting them pumped up in the AZ game). I think it starts with Steve and Bryce. They both seem like robots.

Maybe it's just a bad stretch of games for them right now. I would still have Oregon as the favorite.

 

[Russ Smith]

I just think it's odd the way nobody shows any emotion besides either Hamilton or Holiday (one of them was waving to crowd getting them pumped up in the AZ game). I think it starts with Steve and Bryce. They both seem like robots.

Maybe it's just a bad stretch of games for them right now. I would still have Oregon as the favorite.

I actually sent you a PM didn't want to put too much UCLA stuff on here I suspect there MIGHT be a bit of an issue but this team in general is just not a very emotional group. Welsh, Leaf, Lonzo for the most part they're not very demonstrative, pretty even keel.

holiday is the one guy and he's too demonstrative if anything I'm still waiting for him to get a T for yelling "and 1" everytime he drives to the rim. He got warned in the UK game for yelling "give me that" when he blocked a shot.

 

[Russ Smith]

Doing a little projecting does anybody think UA has a chance to get the 1 seed in the West? I suspect not because of Gonzaga but you can sure make an interesting argument. UA has 2 losses, both without Trier, one to Gonzaga. Against Gonzaga you also didn't have PJC. Gonzaga clearly has a weaker schedule especially in conference.

IF UA were to win out, and I know it's unlikely teams just don't seem to go 18-0 in the conference, but if they did, you finish up with 2 losses. I would think winning the conf tournament too wouldn't be enough unless the Zags lose a game.

You can actually make that argument for 3 Pac 12 teams, Oregon can't get a 1 seed either with 2 losses but could get the 2 seed in the West. And UCLA with 3 losses can't get a 1 seed but could get a 2 seed, but they have the hardest road they'd have to finish 9-0 and then win the conf tournament. My guess is if either Arizona or Oregon win the Conf tourney, they get the 2 seed in the West and the other is a 2 or 3 in another region.

 

[GatorAZ]

Doing a little projecting does anybody think UA has a chance to get the 1 seed in the West? I suspect not because of Gonzaga but you can sure make an interesting argument. UA has 2 losses, both without Trier, one to Gonzaga. Against Gonzaga you also didn't have PJC. Gonzaga clearly has a weaker schedule especially in conference.

IF UA were to win out, and I know it's unlikely teams just don't seem to go 18-0 in the conference, but if they did, you finish up with 2 losses. I would think winning the conf tournament too wouldn't be enough unless the Zags lose a game.

You can actually make that argument for 3 Pac 12 teams, Oregon can't get a 1 seed either with 2 losses but could get the 2 seed in the West. And UCLA with 3 losses can't get a 1 seed but could get a 2 seed, but they have the hardest road they'd have to finish 9-0 and then win the conf tournament. My guess is if either Arizona or Oregon win the Conf tourney, they get the 2 seed in the West and the other is a 2 or 3 in another region.

The selection committee is releasing their top-4 seeds in each bracket starting Feb 11. I think it's a good idea to promote conversation about the sport. I'm guessing if it came out right now AZ would be #2 in the west. ESPN's latest west bracket is ridiculous stacked.

http://m.espn.com/ncb/bracketology?iteration=210&region=2&year=2017