Arizona Thoughts

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Took a new job promotion so I'm laying low but thought I'd add some opinions on recent happenings.

- Starting with the massacre last night, it was the kind of game you expect from a Sean Miller-led Xavier team. Balanced scoring, tight defense, and plenty of scoring runs in transition and in the halfcourt. This team's still nothing to write home about and only has a very slim shot to make the Tournament but the foundation has seemingly been laid. When you have a stud freshman like Derrick Williams (another future NBA Wildcat and an under the radar recruiting battle Miller won against Sendek) and a quickly developing sophomore in Kyle Fogg you're going to be good down the road. And that's without mentioning other guys who appear to be players in Solo and Parrom. Everyone in the rotation other than Nic and Jamelle are underclassmen so there is something to work with going forward not including whoever Miller gets on the trail where he has been unreal. Arizona really needs a can't-miss type prospect this spring.


- Please stop the Sean Miller/Herb Sendek "student and teacher" subplot nonsense. They're friends but not that close. Miller by his own admission credits Thad Matta and John Calipari more than Herb. ASU seems to be pushing this which for me looks like their way of minimizing Miller when he's clearly the more accomplished coach in the basketball world.

-Regarding ASU, some of you say that Arizona fans are overreacting to this win and for certain people you're correct. Well, maybe it's also time to look in the mirror. Here's reality - ASU has beaten exactly zero good teams this season, is currently tied for fifth place in the Pac-10 (the overall W/L means squat with ASU's scheduling practice), and has a marginally talented roster with no NBA-quality talent now and moving forward. Yes, having to play Jerren Shipp instead of Jamelle McMillan hurt but you weren't winning anyways. It's not like McMillan and his 8/3 is some sort of basketball juggernaut. You were going to jack up 3's in your boring offense regardless of his involvement, that's what Sendek has done forever. UofA ain't good, but neither are you. Oh yeah, Eric Boateng is abhorrent.

- Sonny Dykes. Big loss, but nothing that cannot be managed. Bedenbaugh is already in so other than a couple pieces the offensive staff will remain. Stoops will find a QB coach/co-OC and his track record in locating assistants has been solid. My favorite and his interest is debatable is Josh Heupel who would be Oklahoma's OC right now if Kevin Wilson had taken the La Tech gig. Everyone needs to remember that this was inevitable as Stoops and Dykes were never that friendly.

 

[AsUdUdE]

MAO.. you have been missed... I hope this promotion doesn't take this much away from your posts in the future!

I love how you call ASU tied for 5th in the PAC-10... It is true, but it is funny how UofA fans and ASU fans can look at a glass completely different...

I have been the first to call out all those who are crowning your own asses after the win over ASU.... I still think ASU has A LOT of work to do, but their RPI is rising, and take away last night's terrible performance (and accompanied with UofA playing GREAT) and ASU had been on a roll...But UofA at this moment is not going anywhere, and last night didn't all of a sudden make them tournament worthy...

It was a great game by UofA, but don't be surprised if it is a completely different game in Tucson next month....

 

[Mr. Boldin]

This definitely wasnt a season changing win, however when was the last time UA won at Pauley, Hec Ed, and McKale North in the same season? The only problem is that we are still 10-9.

The team is clearly playing much better and the addition of Parrom has been huge. Kyle Fogg has been amazing as well and if not for Williams, would be out MVP.

In the end, we still need to win at Staples, but I am very impressed with our level of play in conference, except on Thursday nights.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

This definitely wasnt a season changing win, however when was the last time UA won at Pauley, Hec Ed, and McKale North in the same season? The only problem is that we are still 10-9.

The team is clearly playing much better and the addition of Parrom has been huge. Kyle Fogg has been amazing as well and if not for Williams, would be out MVP.

In the end, we still need to win at Staples, but I am very impressed with our level of play in conference, except on Thursday nights.

I guess I am more of a homer then I thought. Sitting at 10-9 with Cal, Stanford, Oregon, ASU, USC, and UCLA coming to Tucson I think we can finish in the Top 2 of the conference. It seems like we are getting better as the season goes on so if we can get some consistency and beat the teams we should then we might not have to win LA. You guys don't think Top 2 in the conference gets in?

I guess the last two wins have me drinking the Sean Miller Kool aid. And in a bad Pac-10, I guess why not us? is my mantra. We certainly have the talent, coaching, and favorable schedule.

But I am not saying anything its not this past Saturday. I just LOVE beating ASU, especially with all I have had to hear the past two years with my boss being a Sun Devil Alum and rampant trash talker. Plus I love to poke all the Sun Devil boys on this site.

That win might have been just a *tad* more gratifying to me then the typical UA fan.

 

[Russ Smith]

UA is also reportedly in the final 2 for Josh Selby and final 4 for Doron Lamb so the recruiting continues to be on track if not finalized yet.

It's another fascinating Pac 10 season. Everytime a team looks dead(UCLA after USC) they suddenly rally(2 straight wins both due to the zone defense). Everytime a team looks hot(UW), they suddenly get swept(UCLA and USC).

Oregon won their first 2, now has 5 losses in a rown. I still think USC is the best team in the Pac 10 right now but it doesn't matter since they can't play in the postseason(for good reason).

I'm still hoping the Pac can get 2 teams in, I don't think it's a given as bad as the OOC was for the conference.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Took a new job promotion so I'm laying low but thought I'd add some opinions on recent happenings.

Congrats!

- Please stop the Sean Miller/Herb Sendek "student and teacher" subplot nonsense. They're friends but not that close. Miller by his own admission credits Thad Matta and John Calipari more than Herb. ASU seems to be pushing this which for me looks like their way of minimizing Miller when he's clearly the more accomplished coach in the basketball world.

Who is bringing this up? I haven't heard it talked about in awhile, and don't remember ASU drilling people about it.

-Regarding ASU, some of you say that Arizona fans are overreacting to this win and for certain people you're correct. Well, maybe it's also time to look in the mirror. Here's reality - ASU has beaten exactly zero good teams this season, is currently tied for fifth place in the Pac-10 (the overall W/L means squat with ASU's scheduling practice), and has a marginally talented roster with no NBA-quality talent now and moving forward. Yes, having to play Jerren Shipp instead of Jamelle McMillan hurt but you weren't winning anyways. It's not like McMillan and his 8/3 is some sort of basketball juggernaut. You were going to jack up 3's in your boring offense regardless of his involvement, that's what Sendek has done forever. UofA ain't good, but neither are you. Oh yeah, Eric Boateng is abhorrent.

Difference is, most ASU fans are realistic and humble enough to realize that this is a rebuilding year for both teams, and really the entire conference. It is funny to see so many predictions of dominance after one win in the last 6, although not surprising considering some were questioning the Miller hire as recently as a couple weeks back.

McMillan certainly is no basketball juggernaut, but he's been one of the best players all season. You underrate his abilities and what he brings to the team. Boat does suck, he's had some shockingly impressive performances against scrubs, but has the worst footwork/touch of any big man in recent memory. ASU desperately needs some decent post prospects.

- Sonny Dykes. Big loss, but nothing that cannot be managed.

Heard they lost a QB prospect to TCU today, what's the story on that one? Was Dykes recruiting him?

[/QUOTE]

 

[overseascardfan]

UA is also reportedly in the final 2 for Josh Selby and final 4 for Doron Lamb so the recruiting continues to be on track if not finalized yet.

The Selby/Lamb dominos will fall once Brandon Knight picks his school. I think Knight is waiting to see what happens at Kentucky in regards to Wall & Bledsoe leaving. If he ends up at UK, either Selby or Lamb will go to KU and the last remaining PG will end up at UA. The only thing that could complicate things is if some how McCallum re-enters the picture and decides he wants to attend UA and commits before Lamb or Selby, big if.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Congrats!

Already having second thoughts actually, it's significantly more work. Better pay but I saved up a lot during the good years so that's not as much of a concern. We shall see.

Who is bringing this up? I haven't heard it talked about in awhile, and don't remember ASU drilling people about it.

Some fans and media. There was a feature on it prior to the FSN broadcast most notably. Saying they're even friends might even be an overstatement at this point. The Kyryl, Derrick Williams, and especially Bejerano recruitments probably didn't endear the two men to each other.

Difference is, most ASU fans are realistic and humble enough to realize that this is a rebuilding year for both teams, and really the entire conference. It is funny to see so many predictions of dominance after one win in the last 6, although not surprising considering some were questioning the Miller hire as recently as a couple weeks back.

If you're talking about realism and ASU Basketball you must not be reading AsuDude's posts. I'm not predicting dominance like the Lute Era but it's easy to Arizona has the brighter future simply because they have more superior youth. ASU certainly won't fall off a cliff or anything though.

Heard they lost a QB prospect to TCU today, what's the story on that one? Was Dykes recruiting him?

This is on Stoops. He never had a Dykes departure contingency plan despite Sonny actively trying to leave the week leading up the Holiday Bowl nor the foresight to see it coming down even after his own brother's OC turned down the La Tech job. It was manageable situation for a good HC, unfortunately Mike Stoops is still not one. I personally don't see him lasting more than a few more years in Tucson without Livengood holding his hand through things like this unless the new AD is another zealous supporter.

 

[AsUdUdE]

If you're talking about realism and ASU Basketball you must not be reading AsuDude's posts. I'm not predicting dominance like the Lute Era but it's easy to Arizona has the brighter future simply because they have more superior youth. ASU certainly won't fall off a cliff or anything though.

.

Hey now... I have been the first to praise and rip ASU hoops... I have NEVER entertained the thought that all of a sudden ASU is the team to beat in AZ... They are not.. What I have said is ASU has a better chance at making the tournament this year then UofA...

Just like I said Oklahoma was a mediocure team that is not making the Tournament and Baylor probably would... (BTW, you have not said a word about this since OKlahoma lost to UTEP in Oklahoma by double digits, then lost at Baylor by 31)

That said, ultimately, I think the PAC-10 gets 2 MAYBE 3 teams in this year including the Tournement winner... Do I think ASU will definently get in, ABSOLUTELY NOT... Do I think they have a great chance? NO.. Do I think they have just as good of chance as CAL, Washinton, UofA.. YES

So please don't accuse me of saying that ASU is going to dominate UofA from here on out... I think it will be more competetive, and maybe in 5-7 years it could change, but right now, ASU is heading in the right direction, while rebuilding, and so is UofA..

And one more thing, maybe you can answer this MAO... The RPI is something that a lot of people put a lot of stock in, but it seems to sway sooo much, I don't understand it. For example, heading into last Saturdays game, ASU had an RPI of 58, UofA was #72.. After that game ASU fell to #81, while UofA went to #61... How is it that one game can make you rise or drop 15-20 spots on any one pole and have everyone put so much stock in it... Thanks...

 

[ASUCHRIS]

This is on Stoops. He never had a Dykes departure contingency plan despite Sonny actively trying to leave the week leading up the Holiday Bowl nor the foresight to see it coming down even after his own brother's OC turned down the La Tech job. It was manageable situation for a good HC, unfortunately Mike Stoops is still not one. I personally don't see him lasting more than a few more years in Tucson without Livengood holding his hand through things like this unless the new AD is another zealous supporter.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/ua/articles/2010/01/25/20100125arizona-wildcats-matt-brown.html

Sounds like Stoops indeed handled this with his typical ham handed approach.

 

[Gaddabout]

Matt Brown said all Stoops needed to do was tell him what was going on, reaffirm UA's commitment to that offense, and everything would have been OK. Instead, Stoops waited two days to call Brown to find out what was going on. It was already too late.

It was exacerbated by the fact Dykes took the job the morning after he had an in-home with Stoops and Brown, so it looked like they were hiding Dykes' departure. When Brown didn't hear from Stoops it escalated his panic.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

The RPI doesnt just change based on 1 game, it changes based on the games ASU's opponents played as well.

Not trying to turn this into a rip ASU post, but they havent exactly played a difficult schedule. That would be my guess as to why ASU dropped.

 

[DWKB]

The RPI doesnt just change based on 1 game, it changes based on the games ASU's opponents played as well.

Not trying to turn this into a rip ASU post, but they havent exactly played a difficult schedule. That would be my guess as to why ASU dropped.

Exactly, as teams like Western Ill., Texas St. , San Francisco, LSU, AR Pine Bluff, Delaware St., and South Carolina-Upstate all drop in their RPIs (all seven are below 200 currently with two below 300) it will weight down ASU's RPI. UofA has 2 teams below 200: Rice and Lipscomb.

This is probably the difference between the 20 spots, which to be fair, is only .0155 points. The SOS between the two is .0688 points a 92 spot difference.

 

[AsUdUdE]

gotcha... that makes sense...

 

[AsUdUdE]

great game by UofA today.. gotta take my hat off to them, you guys are BALLIN as of late...

 

[PhxGametime]

Jordin Mayes committed (according to goazcats!). Going to see if I can watch video...

 

[overseascardfan]

Jordin Mayes committed (according to goazcats!). Going to see if I can watch video...

Definitely not choice #1 - #3 but Miller looks to be going back to Lute's philosophy, "offer scholarships and first come first serve". Achieves the purpose of getting those who want to be Wildcats. Not to say the if Selby wants to commit to UA in April Miller won't take him.