Bear Down Wildcats

I see that our rotation has actually gotten shorter than last year. despite the supposed depth. Down to 6 players, as predicted.

CBCat wrote:

Jefe wrote:

I sometimes catch myself doing that when I see something tasty across the room.

BigSkyCatinMT wrote:I see that our rotation has actually gotten shorter than last year. despite the supposed depth. Down to 6 players, as predicted.

Only when it's a close game. Hopefully by March the others will be more dependable in those situations.

BigSkyCatinMT wrote:I see that our rotation has actually gotten shorter than last year. despite the supposed depth. Down to 6 players, as predicted.

I count 9 players getting minutes, 7 players getting 10+ in the UTEP game.

Chicat wrote:

BigSkyCatinMT wrote:I see that our rotation has actually gotten shorter than last year. despite the supposed depth. Down to 6 players, as predicted.

I count 9 players getting minutes, 7 players getting 10+ in the UTEP game.

I'll give you that, but barely. When I first saw the box score, different numbers. 3 for Ristic, 5 for PJC, and a squeaky 10 for Pitts fur to foul trouble = same ole...

Today's press conference starting very soon, for those interested: http://pac-12.com/videos/university-arizona

TheBlackLodge wrote:Today's press conference starting very soon, for those interested: http://pac-12.com/videos/university-arizona

Anything good? Missed it

I think this is my new favorite Miller quote.

I think CSM is a great coach but his lineup to end the game was stupid! That said its just a game and I am beyond glad CSM is our coach

3goggles wrote:I think CSM is a great coach but his lineup to end the game was stupid! That said its just a game and I am beyond glad CSM is our coach

Timing of time outs has been questionable.

3goggles wrote:I think CSM is a great coach but his lineup to end the game was stupid! That said its just a game and I am beyond glad CSM is our coach

First, I agree that the small lineup was a rather bad decision, among other bad decisions.

Second, I'm tired of seeing things like "beyond glad CSM is our coach" or "wouldn't have any other coach". Coach has been here long enough that the fans should feel ok with leveling some criticism at him without having to couch their statements with platitudes. Not necessarily picking on you 3goggles, just your post reminded me of how often I hear/see it and it's getting annoying.

PieceOfMeat wrote:

3goggles wrote:I think CSM is a great coach but his lineup to end the game was stupid! That said its just a game and I am beyond glad CSM is our coach

First, I agree that the small lineup was a rather bad decision, among other bad decisions.

Second, I'm tired of seeing things like "beyond glad CSM is our coach" or "wouldn't have any other coach". Coach has been here long enough that the fans should feel ok with leveling some criticism at him without having to couch heir statements with platitudes. Not necessarily picking on you 3goggles, just your post reminded me of how often I hear/see it and it's getting annoying.

Couldn't agree more. I feel like we're at that point where this is all we're gonna get from Miller, good teams here and there....just "knocking on the door". I understand we 14-2 but it is what it is.

I didn't like it, but then again our bigs played like they were 6'4 tonight anyway, so I don't think it mattered

Has he explained the reasoning behind going small at the end? At the very least couldn't he have done defensive substitutions and put Zeus in just to get a big body in the lane to prevent the drive?

billk78 wrote:Has he explained the reasoning behind going small at the end? At the very least couldn't he have done defensive substitutions and put Zeus in just to get a big body in the lane to prevent the drive?

Can't sub as easily when you dont have time outs at the end

rgdeuce wrote:I didn't like it, but then again our bigs played like they were 6'4 tonight anyway, so I don't think it mattered

But on defense it does. Zeus just needs to stand there and he changes the way teams attack the basket. His mere presence alone (even on off nights) can stop penetration to the bucket....and that's how Oregon State scored their last few points.

PieceOfMeat wrote:

3goggles wrote:I think CSM is a great coach but his lineup to end the game was stupid! That said its just a game and I am beyond glad CSM is our coach

First, I agree that the small lineup was a rather bad decision, among other bad decisions.

Second, I'm tired of seeing things like "beyond glad CSM is our coach" or "wouldn't have any other coach". Coach has been here long enough that the fans should feel ok with leveling some criticism at him without having to couch heir statements with platitudes. Not necessarily picking on you 3goggles, just your post reminded me of how often I hear/see it and it's getting annoying.

Agree wholeheartedly with this.

He can be criticized.

I don't understand or I'm at a lost as to why a team with this roster doesn't want as many possessions as possible. There's no pressure brought for sustained periods and it's puzzling. We actually have depth this year.

Machina wrote:

billk78 wrote:Has he explained the reasoning behind going small at the end? At the very least couldn't he have done defensive substitutions and put Zeus in just to get a big body in the lane to prevent the drive?

Can't sub as easily when you dont have time outs at the end

True. I just want to know the reasoning behind it. I think you need a big man in to stop the drive.

Bull fuckin shit.

Sean Milller is never going to make a final b4

For better or worse, Miller is a slave to KenPom.

CalStateTempe wrote:For better or worse, Miller is a slave to KenPom.

How so?

Coach better get the stomach meds ready. This season is gonna put the pressure on the stomach. I can only imagine what the pressure will be like next year if he doesn't get far in the tourney this year

This team was not ready to play tonight and that is on Coach Miller.

3goggles wrote:I think CSM is a great coach but his lineup to end the game was stupid! That said its just a game and I am beyond glad CSM is our coach

I think he's done all he can to preach toughness to Zeus and Bash... And I think he reached the end of his rope tonight. It seemed pretty clear to me he was sending a message to both of them that if you cannot play tougher than over-matched opponenets, you are going to sit your a$$ on the bench when the game is in the line. And if we lose, so be it.

In the grand scheme, this loss was hardly season-ending. But if some things don't change in a hurry, we're not going to realize our potential. Tonight we lost a battle but we can still win the war.

Machina wrote:

billk78 wrote:Has he explained the reasoning behind going small at the end? At the very least couldn't he have done defensive substitutions and put Zeus in just to get a big body in the lane to prevent the drive?

Can't sub as easily when you dont have time outs at the end

Hey Rain Man, we heard you the first time.

He was not subbing in even if he had a TO to use. Would having one available have been nice? Yup... I wish we had one at the end of the Fiesta Bowl, too. How about you?

Katzenfreund wrote:Miller should consider hiring better offensive assistants. Shooting, playing against various defensive schemes as well as utilizing our physical advantages leaves a lot to be desired. As long as he can't figure out how to consistently maximize our talent on both ends of the floor, the Elite Eight will be his ceiling.

This.

Sean Miller is an excellent recruiter and an excellent defensive coach. But he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag on the offensive end.

Passing the ball around the perimeter......and I'm not just talking about tonights game, is not an offense.

When we hired RRod in football we essentially adopted Oregons style of play offensively. I wish we could do the same in basketball without losing Sean. Altmans offense is heads and tails better than ours.

Seems like Damon would have some idea of good offense. Don't know about any of the other coaches. Is Miller the only one with any input?

edit: clarified the other coaches referenced were AZ assistants.

Harvey Specter wrote:

Machina wrote:

billk78 wrote:Has he explained the reasoning behind going small at the end? At the very least couldn't he have done defensive substitutions and put Zeus in just to get a big body in the lane to prevent the drive?

Can't sub as easily when you dont have time outs at the end

Hey Rain Man, we heard you the first time.

He was not subbing in even if he had a TO to use. Would having one available have been nice? Yup... I wish we had one at the end of the Fiesta Bowl, too. How about you?

You sure about that? You sure he would not have subbed if he had a time out? Remember the Florida game? Other than your obsession with me and some stupid idea in your head that you think you have any idea what you are talking about, not sure what the Fiesta Bowl has to do with Miller not having a time out. Hell yeah I wish there was one more TO at the end of the fiesta bowl, but since RR didn't have one to use at the end of that game it is okay Miller didn't tonight?

dmjcat wrote:

Katzenfreund wrote:Miller should consider hiring better offensive assistants. Shooting, playing against various defensive schemes as well as utilizing our physical advantages leaves a lot to be desired. As long as he can't figure out how to consistently maximize our talent on both ends of the floor, the Elite Eight will be his ceiling.

This.

Sean Miller is an excellent recruiter and an excellent defensive coach. But he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag on the offensive end.

Passing the ball around the perimeter......and I'm not just talking about tonights game, is not an offense.

When we hired RRod in football we essentially adopted Oregons style of play offensively. I wish we could do the same in basketball without losing Sean. Altmans offense is heads and tails better than ours.

Agreed. got to get some ideas/ offensive schemes going. I mean even talking to Kerr a little bit, something.

Katzenfreund wrote:Miller should consider hiring better offensive assistants.

I agree. Hiring recruiters without XO guys can only go so far.

These posts would not exist if McConnell shot and hit that 3 in the last seconds.

This was a tough road game, sunday night, after many days in Oregon. We just didn't have the "it" from the beginning, and OSU was playing like it was their NC game.

It happens, when they come to McKale, the outcome will be completely different. It's just one game.

Last year was our year to win it all, but this year can be too if we learn from these close losses. Note, we haven't been blown out, ala Duke yesterday at NC State. Chillax all.

0-2 when Ristic and PJC are benched for the entire 2H

I think Sean Miller is doing an excellent job and most posters here simply have too high of expectations.

dmjcat wrote:

Katzenfreund wrote:Miller should consider hiring better offensive assistants. Shooting, playing against various defensive schemes as well as utilizing our physical advantages leaves a lot to be desired. As long as he can't figure out how to consistently maximize our talent on both ends of the floor, the Elite Eight will be his ceiling.

This.

Sean Miller is an excellent recruiter and an excellent defensive coach. But he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag on the offensive end.

Passing the ball around the perimeter......and I'm not just talking about tonights game, is not an offense.

When we hired RRod in football we essentially adopted Oregons style of play offensively. I wish we could do the same in basketball without losing Sean. Altmans offense is heads and tails better than ours.

You are definitely entitled to an opinion...and since you don't like the offense that Miller runs, what exactly do you think he should run? How would the offense improve if it was a different system than the motion? What are your solutions?

Machina wrote:Other than your obsession with me and some stupid idea in your head that you think you have any idea what you are talking about

The mirror that is your posting history begs to differ with the implication that you have more of an idea of what you are talking about ...

Is there any precedent of being very disciplined on defense, but loosey goosey on offense?

dmjcat wrote:

Katzenfreund wrote:Miller should consider hiring better offensive assistants. Shooting, playing against various defensive schemes as well as utilizing our physical advantages leaves a lot to be desired. As long as he can't figure out how to consistently maximize our talent on both ends of the floor, the Elite Eight will be his ceiling.

Sean Miller is an excellent recruiter and an excellent defensive coach. But he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag on the offensive end.

To be fair, if Elliot Pitts hit even one of his many wide open missed three's, this game probably ends differently.

Paul Westhead is available for consulting - now that would be interesting, a Miller Defense with a Westhead Offense.

KaibabKat wrote:Paul Westhead is available for consulting - now that would be interesting, a Miller Defense with a Westhead Offense.

Lute Olson must be cringing watching the games. Didn't one of his teams lead the nation in scoring one year?

Merkin wrote:

KaibabKat wrote:Paul Westhead is available for consulting - now that would be interesting, a Miller Defense with a Westhead Offense.

Lute Olson must be cringing watching the games. Didn't one of his teams lead the nation in scoring one year?

Not sure, but I know the Cats have lead the nation in FT% in the past

Olsondogg wrote:

dmjcat wrote:

Katzenfreund wrote:Miller should consider hiring better offensive assistants. Shooting, playing against various defensive schemes as well as utilizing our physical advantages leaves a lot to be desired. As long as he can't figure out how to consistently maximize our talent on both ends of the floor, the Elite Eight will be his ceiling.

This.

Sean Miller is an excellent recruiter and an excellent defensive coach. But he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag on the offensive end.

Passing the ball around the perimeter......and I'm not just talking about tonights game, is not an offense.

When we hired RRod in football we essentially adopted Oregons style of play offensively. I wish we could do the same in basketball without losing Sean. Altmans offense is heads and tails better than ours.

You are definitely entitled to an opinion...and since you don't like the offense that Miller runs, what exactly do you think he should run? How would the offense improve if it was a different system than the motion? What are your solutions?

Odogg:

I would run a high post motion offense. That may sound like an odd-offense as its primarily intended for small teams without a dominant post player.....but in my opinion we don't have a dominant post player (Sorry Tarc). If you have seen what Oregon runs (high post motion) then you know what I mean.

There are drawbacks to running this offense:

1) It requires significantly more energy on the offensive end (Miller would have to use more bench)
2) RHJ doesn't have the ball handling skills one would like in a small forward
3) This type of offense can be more turnover prone

I believe that the positives (more scoring, wearing down the opponent) would out-weigh the negatives

Merkin wrote:

KaibabKat wrote:Paul Westhead is available for consulting - now that would be interesting, a Miller Defense with a Westhead Offense.

Lute Olson must be cringing watching the games. Didn't one of his teams lead the nation in scoring one year?

Yep - two of them in fact.
2002-03 = 85.2 ppg
2003-04 = 87.6 ppg

1997-98 = 90.8 ppg = highest scoring Arizona team but only 3rd in the nation that year.

Bosy Billups wrote:These posts would not exist if McConnell shot and hit that 3 in the last seconds.

This was a tough road game, sunday night, after many days in Oregon. We just didn't have the "it" from the beginning, and OSU was playing like it was their NC game.

It happens, when they come to McKale, the outcome will be completely different. It's just one game.

Last year was our year to win it all, but this year can be too if we learn from these close losses. Note, we haven't been blown out, ala Duke yesterday at NC State. Chillax all.

lol

comparing NC State and Oregon State.

Machina wrote:

Merkin wrote:

KaibabKat wrote:Paul Westhead is available for consulting - now that would be interesting, a Miller Defense with a Westhead Offense.

Lute Olson must be cringing watching the games. Didn't one of his teams lead the nation in scoring one year?

Not sure, but I know the Cats have lead the nation in FT% in the past

I wonder how we ranked nationally in '96-'97 when we won it all... Must have been terrific, we had great coaching then, obviously.

KaibabKat wrote:

Merkin wrote:

KaibabKat wrote:Paul Westhead is available for consulting - now that would be interesting, a Miller Defense with a Westhead Offense.

Lute Olson must be cringing watching the games. Didn't one of his teams lead the nation in scoring one year?

Yep - two of them in fact.
2002-03 = 85.2 ppg
2003-04 = 87.6 ppg

1997-98 = 90.8 ppg = highest scoring Arizona team but only 3rd in the nation that year.

Makes sense... 3 of our 4 Final 4 appearances.

Oops....

The 03-04 team was one of Lute's worst. First round exit. NC team shot it worse from the line than this team. Westhead offense predicated on matador defense. Wouldn't work.

Game's changed. Won't be averagiing 85+ again. Few teams will.

Top scoring teams

BYU, Davidson, Central Michigan, Iona, Incarnate Word, VMI, Arkansas, Duke.

Top scoring Top 10 teams: Duke, Gonzaga, Utah, Arizona (75.1). Yes, six teams ahead of us scoring less. Wonder if they're searching for offensive coordinators.

FG percentage among Top 10 teams (with national ranking).

Gonzaga, 2
Duke, 5
Utah, 7
Arizona (14)
Wisconsin (20). You know, the San Antonio Spurs of college ball.

Where is Kentucky? How can they possibly get to a FF while trailing that offensive Neanderthal Sean Miller? Are there other areas of basketball, perhaps. Like rebounding and shutdown defense?

Thiis is like the football board where 90 percent of posts are about the offense when we lose. The worst offensive team in the conference shot 64 percent in the second half and got to the line 17 times. It's a problem. Hold them to a still bad 50 percent and we win pretty comfortably.

Gumby's been on fire the last two nights.

Which is odd, since I don't see him or Pokey melting.