U Of A!!!

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Yes, I did. I guess we're just looking at them differently. I'm seeing fans who are realistic about the current state of the program, while predicting progress for the future. You just saw your team beat an "insignificant program" by only three points, and are getting riled up by the mild comments suggesting it wasn't a fluke. Rivalries do that, I guess.

It was not a fluke, ASU more often than not keeps it somewhat close in Tempe and Herb's style of play will only help that. My point is finding humor in the fact that ASU despite their moral victories is still 1-15 in the Pac-10 and their fans are starting to claim future superiority over one of the top 15 programs in college basketball history. If that's not cocky I don't know what is. It's actually quite funny, very 2004 Arizona Football fan-esque.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

You thinking the assistant coaches are the cause of the problem down in the dump is dillusional.

Why don't you and Skkorp enlighten us then?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

That game illustrated a trend that will continue:

1. Under Sendek, kids play hard and overachieve. Just wait 'till ASU gets some better talent.
2. Under an ageing Lute, UA players are becomming undisciplined and don't play as hard as past Lute teams played.

For an ASU fan, that was a great game to watch. I was screaming at the tube the whole second half.

The worm is turning.

Excellent observation, I hope the trend continues. With expectations and talent extremely high I am pretty shocked at how bad U of A has been this year. In addition, being 4-13 the last 2 years against ranked teams just won't get it done in Tucson. The likelihood of a deep tourney run seems very low.

I am not going to predict that ASU will be anywhere near U of A in basketball soon, but things could change quickly. ASU seems poised to make major upgrades to the BBall program in terms of facilities, and the students are clearly more interested with Sendek in charge. If Sendek can get his stars to play as hard as the team this year, they will be competitive quickly. ASU fans are dying to have a good team, and will support basketball if there is a semblance of progress. I can't wait to see what Herb can do with Harden, Boateng and McMillian's kid. Within 5 years if Herb can get this team to the tourney, with upgrades to the facilities, ASU should be competitive in recruiting. Considering the weather, the girls and the academic standards, ASU should be a top-tier recruiting destination. That remains to be seen, but the potential is there.

 

[SO91]

Thinking that their new coach will turn things around is not arrogant. Thinking that going to Tucson will be a breeze in a couple of years with a program that hasn't won anything is

 

[Skkorpion]

Why don't you and Skkorp enlighten us then?

I can't. I just like yanking your chain. I watch ASU and Notre Dame games and rarely get to see UA unless they play ASU.

Lute built a great program but he's on the downside now because, like Ray Meyer at DePaul, Digger Phelps at Notre Dame, and a few others whose names escape me tonight, Lute doesn't know when to quit and has stayed too long.

Keady at Purdue, and Lou Henson at Illinois are two other examples.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I can't. I just like yanking your chain. I watch ASU and Notre Dame games and rarely get to see UA unless they play ASU.

Lute built a great program but he's on the downside now because, like Ray Meyer at DePaul, Digger Phelps at Notre Dame, and a few others whose names escape me tonight, Lute doesn't know when to quit and has stayed too long.

Keady at Purdue, and Lou Henson at Illinois are two other examples.

Ah, I see. You admittedly know nothing about the program and claim to rarely watch the games but you're qualified to judge Lute Olson, the staff, and players as well as make predictions about the future of the program. That makes a lot of sense.

Not to worry Skkorp, we laugh off your Arizona doomsday scenarios (UA won't be able to hire a good coach after Lute leaves, ASU will be better than UA in basketball rather quickly, etc.) as delusion or wishful thinking because the reality is there is no evidence for such claims. Just as there is no evidence in comparing Lute Olson and Arizona to historically inferior coaches and programs like the ones you mentioned.

 

[Skkorpion]

When Lute has to address questions about whether he has Parkinsons disease, he's got one foot out the door already.

72 years old and his hands and head shake. Yup, recruits will ignore those.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

72 years old and his hands and head shake. Yup, recruits will ignore those.

I believe Arizona has the eight-best recruiting class in the country coming in next year with two Top 25 players a whopping one year removed from getting the fourth-best player in the 2006 class. Arizona also has a huge lead with another Top 25 player in 2008 and is in on other elite talents. Again Skkorp, keep using opinion and conjecture to support your theories while the rest of us will use facts and we'll see who turns out being right in the end.

 

[AZBALLER]

When Lute has to address questions about whether he has Parkinsons disease, he's got one foot out the door already.

Why is that so hard to understand mao? Maybe ua will hire a better coach than Lute, and maybe they won't?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Why is that so hard to understand mao? Maybe ua will hire a better coach than Lute, and maybe they won't?

It's not that I don't understand, it's that you and Skkorp have no clue what you're talking about. Lute's not retiring this year barring an exteremly unlikely NC run and it's also very unlikely he retires after next season. If I had to bet he will ride the 2007 recruiting class into the sunset whenever that is.

 

[AZBALLER]

It's not that I don't understand, it's that you and Skkorp have no clue what you're talking about. Lute's not retiring this year barring an exteremly unlikely NC run and it's also very unlikely he retires after next season. If I had to bet he will ride the 2007 recruiting class into the sunset whenever that is.

I don't think you do understand. You still haven't adressed the point that was made...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't think you do understand. You still haven't adressed the point that was made...

The points that were made (one of which was somewhat offensive mind you) was that Lute will not be able to recruit or do his job anymore because he shakes and that he is planning in retiring soon. I addressed the first by arguing that Lute's recruiting classes are just as good as they have ever been and anyone with any knowledge of the program (ie, not you or Skkorp) knows Lute will not retire until he at least gets one last good run in the Tourney or gets forced out by the Administration. Neither of which will happen this offseason making his second point invalid as well.

So yes, I did address the Skkorp's point and proved it incorrect. That you can't comprehend that is not my problem.

 

[AZBALLER]

You have yet to adress any point.

 

[AZBALLER]

Korp pointed out that snow white isn't capable of being the coach that he once was...can you finally adress this issue, or will you continue to ignore it?

 

[AZBALLER]

Furthermore, I mean NO offense to LUTE. I think he's a great coach.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Furthermore, I mean NO offense to LUTE. I think he's a great coach.

Okay - lets say for a second that it is the worst case scenario and Lute is done after next year once Budinger and Bayless leave for the NBA...

You don't think a program like Arizona is going to have its pick of replacement coaches? This isn't the ASU job where everyone gets in a tizzy over hiring a mediocre coach from a superior conference (although i do like Sendek)

This is the UA. When Lute leaves someone like Mark Few, Lorenzo Romar, Bruce Pearl, Billy Gillepsie and maybe even guys like Billy Donovon or Tom Izzo. UA is one of the ten best jobs in the country.....

And i don't think Lute is out the door just yet. The guy from the San Jose news has it right. We need to quit going after every all star and start recruiting some glue guys that will stay four years and give their arm for the program. Surround that with one blue chipper per class and we will be fine. But right now we have to many guys who want to score and thats it.

You guys like Harding and thats all. But Bayless is the second comong of Dwayne Wade. And Budinger is light years ahead of anyone you guys have had in a decade including Diogu.

Better days are ahead for UA but right now thats like comparing KSU and KU. Huggins is doing a good job but they are a LOOONG way from KU.

We just have higher expectations than you guys

 

[Mr. Boldin]

When Lute has to address questions about whether he has Parkinsons disease, he's got one foot out the door already.

72 years old and his hands and head shake. Yup, recruits will ignore those.

Most recruits will listen to Lute, the only problem is the ones who listen to guys like Bill Self. The reason Lute has to address rumors about his shaking is because of coaches *cough* Bill Self *cough* who try to negatively recruit against Lute and the media *cough* Dean Greenberg *cough*, claiming he might have Parkinsons.

 

[DWKB]

On a bit of a tangent of Arizona basketball, another UofA: Arkansas is buzzing with rumors that they are in search of a coaching replacement for Stan Heath.

The fan base thinks they can have the pick of the litter in coaching candidates: Billy G. at aTm and Self at Kansas is who they think they can grab. They're all talking up their top tier program, lots of $$$ to spend, big arena, etc., etc.

Anyways, Historically, both UofA's are close to even in rankings. Both one a mid 90's championship, similar number of FFs, appearances, total wins and such. When Arkansas went to replace Nolan, they made the wrong decision and it's hurt them a lot. If Lute leaves, I do think the decision on whom to grab will need to be a carefully thought-out one.

Players come to Arizona because they win, but if they continue to slide even farther and Lute leaves, then there could be a lot of trouble. Arizona needs to prove it's bigger than Lute and the coach following him will go a long way in the nation perception of if Arizona is or isn't just Lute.

 

[DWKB]

Most recruits will listen to Lute, the only problem is the ones who listen to guys like Bill Self. The reason Lute has to address rumors about his shaking is because of coaches *cough* Bill Self *cough* who try to negatively recruit against Lute and the media *cough* Dean Greenberg *cough*, claiming he might have Parkinsons.

What has Self said against Lute, ever???

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Korp pointed out that snow white isn't capable of being the coach that he once was...can you finally adress this issue, or will you continue to ignore it?

In the past 5 years Arizona was seconds away from two more final four births (2004, 2002), not to mention 2001 (National runner up).

The reason Arizona isnt the Arizona everyone is used to is because of poor point guard play. You can blame it on defense, Lute not being able to coach, the recruits not buying into the system, the system being outdated, the Pac-10 catch up, and anything else you want. However, there is one constant in the past four years, Mustafa Shakur.

I love Shakur and really was hoping he could turn it around, he did to an extent this season, but UA needs their PG to be productive. The last time Arizona had a productive PG (Jason Gardner) Arizona was the national runner up and a blocked shot away from defeating kansas for back to back final fours.

Will Arizona turn it around next season? I have no idea, Shakur is gone and Bayless takes over at PG. Arizona is going to be young next season, but Arizona now has a point guard who can give Lute what he needs in his system. Bayless has the killer instinct, offensive game, and confidence that Shakur has been lacking the past 4 years.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

What has Self said against Lute, ever???

Nothing in public, but its well known that Bill Self negatively recruits against Arizona and especailly Lute. There isnt a public statement, and there wont be. However some people, especially those close to the program know what goes on.

 

[DWKB]

Nothing in public, but its well known that Bill Self negatively recruits against Arizona and especailly Lute. There isnt a public statement, and there wont be. However some people, especially those close to the program know what goes on.

HA! Whatever Dude, whatever. Just like Arkansas people "close to the program" are convinced Self is going there because it's his dream job. Keep spreading the unsubstantiated rumors and talking out of your [ignorance]

 

[Mr. Boldin]

For those of us who ARE close to the program, implying that you arent. We know what happens and what other coaches tell players while they are recruiting them.

You can believe what you want, but I and others know what has happened. Bill Self HAS told recruits things about Lute that he wouldnt dare say to Lute's face, and I am not talking about minor insults.

 

[DWKB]

For those of us who ARE close to the program, implying that you arent. We know what happens and what other coaches tell players while they are recruiting them.

You can believe what you want, but I and others know what has happened. Bill Self HAS told recruits things about Lute that he wouldnt dare say to Lute's face, and I am not talking about minor insults.

You're a fourth level of hearsay. In order to actually consider your point I would have to believe you, the annoymous person who told you, that Lute told them, and that the recruit told them and that Self actually said it. Basically you're a message board gossipmonger.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Like I said, believe what you will about me, what I have heard, and what I know for a fact. I could care less what you think, but do some research and you will find some pretty negative things about Bill Self.

But what do I know im only a "messenger" and a "fourth level of hearsay", according to you.