UA & Pac-12 Basketball Thread

[TJ]

I was only able to watch the first half, but goodness that defense! I know WSU sucks, but they shot 20% tonight.

They also played without their top two players, but either way, a DI college team shouldn't go 11 minutes and only score one point. Once again, we didn't allow any easy shots. Defense is just ridiculous.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Even winning by 35 that was hard to watch. If UofA was on point offensively they would have won by 60.

 

[Dback Jon]

Even winning by 35 that was hard to watch. If UofA was on point offensively they would have won by 60.

At least NAU scored 44

 

[Russ Smith]

They also played without their top two players, but either way, a DI college team shouldn't go 11 minutes and only score one point. Once again, we didn't allow any easy shots. Defense is just ridiculous.

I had to laugh I switched over from the Cal game and MacLean was saying as bad as WSU has played this is "only" 16, if the make a 3 here, it's a new game. Then I noticed the score, 21-5 Arizona. He was saying that at a time where WSU had one FG and that took 13 1/2 minutes to get.

But I guess you don't want the viewing audience to think the game is over and turn it off so he's got to say something like that.

Felt bad for Iroegbu first Pac 12 game 2 starters missing, completely overmatched going up against a really good defensive PG he looked really lost in the part I was watching.

The Oregon win over Utah was really entertaining, and I can't for the life of me believe Dawkins is going to be the Stanford coach again next year. He lost to Cal at Stanford, they have 2 key guys out hurt, and at one point in the 2nd half they had 4 starters with 4 fouls, and Stanford still lost.

 

[ProdigalSun]

15-0

 

[gmabel830]

I have tix on the 23rd vs. Colorado (currently #20)..

We have the SoCal schools and ASU... and they have the Wash schools/SoCal schools before we play. If both teams keep winning, that could be a very big game!

Oops - missed that Colorado also has home vs. #10 Oregon tomorrow -- if they win that, and both teams keep winning, then we have something.

 

[TJ]

I have tix on the 23rd vs. Colorado (currently #20)..

We have the SoCal schools and ASU... and they have the Wash schools/SoCal schools before we play. If both teams keep winning, that could be a very big game!

Oops - missed that Colorado also has home vs. #10 Oregon tomorrow -- if they win that, and both teams keep winning, then we have something.

Should be a good game. CU is good. Glad their basketball team came into the conference. The UCLA rivalry kind of lost its luster before last season (three losses against them may rekindle the fire), so it's nice to have another formidable opponent in the conference to look forward to playing.

 

[Russ Smith]

Interesting UCLA recruiting, Alford gets a verbal in 2016 before he gets any in 2015, guard Lonzo Ball commits to UCLA. 6'5" combo guard currently rated #21 nationally by Scout. Plays PG in HS, great range on his shot, great court vision.

His HS plays some crazy pace run and gun and there's been some talk his dad is a bit hyper involved but great talent and reportedly an excellent student. Still a ways off obviously anything can happen but he was one of the kids who attended the USC blowout and the rumor is a couple more are fairly close to committing.

 

[ProdigalSun]

16-0! Thought we would lose this one when we let UCLA tie it up late and even take the lead. But the team buckled down on defense and free throws

 

[Lefty]

H*ll yeah!!! Loved all of the UofA chants, sounded like a home game.

 

[TJ]

I wanted this game more than any other PAC game on our schedule as it was the only time we'd see UCLA this year unless we play them in the conference tournament. Going 0-3 last season the way we did was awful.

Not the prettiest game I've seen (giving up a 13 point lead late usually never is), but I'll take it

 

[SO91]

Yep, this is the game I really wanted to watch and win. I'm happy with the result, but a bit disappointed at the play down the stretch. I noticed the Bruins get their hands on a lot of balls throughout the game. As I watched the game I blamed carelessness on our part, but perhaps I wasn't giving UCLA more credit for that.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yep, this is the game I really wanted to watch and win. I'm happy with the result, but a bit disappointed at the play down the stretch. I noticed the Bruins get their hands on a lot of balls throughout the game. As I watched the game I blamed carelessness on our part, but perhaps I wasn't giving UCLA more credit for that.

It's good and bad. UCLA gets lots of steals, the problem is they don't play good defense so when they don't get the steal, it's a killer. Case in point Alford puts us up 1 with 2 Ft's, 90 seconds left the place is rocking.

And then out of sheer lazy defense Bryce gambles over Nick's shoulder for a steal on an entry pass, doesn't get it and Nick has an easy jumper for the lead. Bust your ass to come back from 13 down and then play such lazy defense?

Then down 1 Kyle passes off to Bryce for an open 3, he drives instead gets stripped clean game over. He'd actually played quite well, with some luck(banked in 3, 2 phantom foul calls that gave him Ft's) but made 2 huge freshman mistakes at the end.

At least we fought back we didnt' against Duke or Missouri. UA's defense is really good, there's a reason UCLA didn't shoot well, but at the end it was all about UA making plays and UCLA making big mistakes in the last 90 seconds.

I'm betting Miller won't milk the clock that much the next time he has a lead like that against a good team, nearly cost UA the ballgame.

 

[ProdigalSun]

17-0! How would this team stack up against the great 97 championship team?

 

[Russ Smith]

17-0! How would this team stack up against the great 97 championship team?

And now incredibly unlikely anything will keep UA from a 1 seed. Oregon has 3 losses already, Cal has 2 major injuries and Colorado apparently just lost Dinwiddie to a knee although it's not clear yet for how long.

Totally different team than 97 that was guard oriented this one is big upfront with 2 guards most of the time.

At this point I'd be surprised if UA lost more than 2 games in conference if that. Should be a 1 seed for sure.

 

[jw7]

18-0

So unselfish - they pass the ball around like crazy.

 

[TJ]

a21 assists vs. ASU's 7. 7 players in double figures (most this season).

Game was over two minutes in. ASU got the benefit of a handful of bullsh!t and-1's to keep it closer than it really was.

18-0, son.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Arizona Good

 

[Lefty]

The Cats didn't even play that well tonight and won by 20+. They still have a lot of improving before the NCAA tournament.

 

[Russ Smith]

The Cats didn't even play that well tonight and won by 20+. They still have a lot of improving before the NCAA tournament.

56% overall 53 from 3 11 turnovers. the only stat that looks bad is FT's and that's because it was mostly Gordon and Rondae neither of whom are good FT shooters.

Looks to me like they played really well.

I think the key for UA of late is York got out of his funk, from Drexel to Southern he played really poorly, especially against good teams. But since the conf started he's only had 1 bad game, USC, and was huge against UCLA(12 in 18 minutes). he's the x factor if he comes in and makes 3's you're a whole different team.

 

[Lefty]

56% overall 53 from 3 11 turnovers. the only stat that looks bad is FT's and that's because it was mostly Gordon and Rondae neither of whom are good FT shooters.

Looks to me like they played really well.

I think the key for UA of late is York got out of his funk, from Drexel to Southern he played really poorly, especially against good teams. But since the conf started he's only had 1 bad game, USC, and was huge against UCLA(12 in 18 minutes). he's the x factor if he comes in and makes 3's you're a whole different team.

In my opinion they could of played better. The defense played very well but there was lapses on offense. The free throws as usual was not good. If York continues to hit from the outside, he will get minutes. I would like to see TJ shoot a little more but he is a pass first guy, which I can't complain. Big difference from the last few years.

 

[jw7]

Am I the only one just not impressed by Aaron Gordon? He's decent but not the superstar that warranted his recruiting.

 

[TJ]

Am I the only one just not impressed by Aaron Gordon? He's decent but not the superstar that warranted his recruiting.

Depends on your expectations. If you were anticipating bigger numbers, then you'd naturally be disappointed; however, he plays on a team with insane chemistry and playmakers at all five positions. If he averaged 20 ppg like Jabari Parker, it'd take away from another guy like Ashley.

I'm not at all disappointed in Gordon. Honestly, there really isn't anything to be disappointed about. He's an athletic freak, plays with tremendous energy, and can defend almost every position with the exception of point guards. My only gripe about Gordon is his free throw shooting. Other than that, he's a very large piece in the puzzle that comprises this team.

 

[Chaz]

I am very impressed with Gordon. He is only asked to be a role player at this point. I think he is the X factor that makes this team so dynamic. Saw him in person against UW. He had a double double in the second half.
I don't know how to relate this to the hype and recruiting because I didn't pay attention to it.

 

[Russ Smith]

I am very impressed with Gordon. He is only asked to be a role player at this point. I think he is the X factor that makes this team so dynamic. Saw him in person against UW. He had a double double in the second half.
I don't know how to relate this to the hype and recruiting because I didn't pay attention to it.

The impressive thing to me is his maturity. If you saw him in HS you know this is not the same kid. the kid in HS would be furious that he's playing quite a bit of PF and isn't getting enough shots, but Miller has got him to buy into the team concept because they're winning. The kid in HS, especially as a junior, got suspended several times because of his attitude, now he's a much more mature kid, he clearly learned from Drews experience in college and hasn't been an issue,