The 2019-2020 Season Thread

[Captain Obvious]

Preseason media poll is out...motivation.

TEAM (first-place votes) – POINTS
1. Oregon (9) – 291
2. Colorado (9) – 288
3. Washington (6) – 273
4. Arizona (2) – 263
5. USC (1) – 198
6. Arizona State – 187
7. Oregon State – 161
8. UCLA – 148
9. Utah – 131
10. Stanford – 84
11. Washington State – 47
12. California -35

I actually think this is pretty accurate. I think we will struggle in the first half of the Pac schedule and hit our stride in the second half. I'm fine with that. You can have the Pac 12 championship. I really don't care. With our talent and potential we need to aim higher. Nobody really remembers or celebrates conference titles these days (unless you're a Kansas fan). The standards are higher now. We need to make the most of what we have and get the most out of this season. Having a real PG that can score and loads of talent is a luxury we have to take full advantage of.

[Chicat]

Preseason media poll is out...motivation.

TEAM (first-place votes) – POINTS
1. Oregon (9) – 291
2. Colorado (9) – 288
3. Washington (6) – 273
4. Arizona (2) – 263
5. USC (1) – 198
6. Arizona State – 187
7. Oregon State – 161
8. UCLA – 148
9. Utah – 131
10. Stanford – 84
11. Washington State – 47
12. California -35

I actually think this is pretty accurate.

Of course

[PieceOfMeat]

There's going to be no food in McKale Center this coming season? So weird. I hope they let us bring food in, then. My wife and I don't have enough of a time window to go out to dinner before games.

I had a churro at the Red Blue game. All the vendors were serving just like normal. Beer line was 30 mins long

I did see that you cannot bring old cups in and get $3 refills on soda like always. Same charge as buying a new large cup which is $7. At least at football games. Corey Williams was pissed about it

Thank you! Too bad about the beer line, but that's a relief.

wtf they're not doing refill pricing any more?

[ByJoveByJingle]

There's going to be no food in McKale Center this coming season? So weird. I hope they let us bring food in, then. My wife and I don't have enough of a time window to go out to dinner before games.

I had a churro at the Red Blue game. All the vendors were serving just like normal. Beer line was 30 mins long

I did see that you cannot bring old cups in and get $3 refills on soda like always. Same charge as buying a new large cup which is $7. At least at football games. Corey Williams was pissed about it

Thank you! Too bad about the beer line, but that's a relief.

wtf they're not doing refill pricing any more?

The vendor at the UCLA football game who sold me the overpriced $7 coke said I could use the cup at either venue for $3 refills.

[Longhorned]

Who’s going to carry around an old cup their whole life hoping for a discounted refill?

[dmjcat]

PAC12 Media Day: Miller interview:

https://youtu.be/wGslddAL8XA" target="_blank

[ByJoveByJingle]

Who’s going to carry around an old cup their whole life hoping for a discounted refill?

That may or may not be a metaphor for my entire life. Don’t judge me!

[ChooChooCat]

It's early of course, but Doutrive is sporting the gold jersey.

[goslingswagg]

It's early of course, but Doutrive is sporting the gold jersey.

Wow that’s great news if our hope to cut Smith out of the rotation is going to come true. Doutrive being a legitimately good first guard/wing off the bench will make a big difference to this year’s team.

[billk78]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

I'm pretty convinced it isn't happening, so I don't think I'm being optimistic.

If Doutrive is really gold jersey worthy, I'm not sure we need Baker this year, though.

[goslingswagg]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

I'm pretty convinced it isn't happening, so I don't think I'm being optimistic.

If Doutrive is really gold jersey worthy, I'm not sure we need Baker this year, though.

yeah, I am not very optimistic about Baker. No inside info, just doesn't feel likely to me.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

I'm pretty convinced it isn't happening, so I don't think I'm being optimistic.

If Doutrive is really gold jersey worthy, I'm not sure we need Baker this year, though.

yeah, I am not very optimistic about Baker. No inside info, just doesn't feel likely to me.

Just timing alone...the good waiver cases usually happen fast.

[YoDeFoe]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

I'm pretty convinced it isn't happening, so I don't think I'm being optimistic.

If Doutrive is really gold jersey worthy, I'm not sure we need Baker this year, though.

As a full blown Doutrive doubter to start the season... this is a wild turn of events for me.

[azcat49]

I just don’t think in any world Miller doesn’t play Smith. He will get 12-20 a night worst case

[TucsonClip]

Guys, Smith isnt getting cut from the rotation.

[Longhorned]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

I'm pretty convinced it isn't happening, so I don't think I'm being optimistic.

If Doutrive is really gold jersey worthy, I'm not sure we need Baker this year, though.

As a full blown Doutrive doubter to start the season... this is a wild turn of events for me.

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think every single Doutrive doubter on the site can admit to suspecting that, on the inside, Doutrive may be a basketball phenomenon born in a bench rider's warmup suit. And that all it would ever take to shed that suit is turning on his buying-in switch.

[YoDeFoe]

Guys, Smith isnt getting cut from the rotation.

I mean nor should he be. Miller said it just like we keep saying it: Smith provides a ton of value if he sticks to what he does well, playing hard defense and shooting open threes.

We've got a truly excellent 3&D wing standing 6'5" with a plus wingspan, that's an asset - he just needs to only do those two things.

[UAEebs86]

Guys, Smith isnt getting cut from the rotation.

I mean nor should he be. Miller said it just like we keep saying it: Smith provides a ton of value if he sticks to what he does well, playing hard defense and shooting open threes.

We've got a truly excellent 3&D wing standing 6'5" with a plus wingspan, that's an asset - he just needs to only do those two things.

CSM should have him do 20 push ups every time he puts the ball on the floor.

[goslingswagg]

Guys, Smith isnt getting cut from the rotation.

I mean nor should he be. Miller said it just like we keep saying it: Smith provides a ton of value if he sticks to what he does well, playing hard defense and shooting open threes.

We've got a truly excellent 3&D wing standing 6'5" with a plus wingspan, that's an asset - he just needs to only do those two things.

It's not happening...he is what he is at this point imo. The team is much better off playing Mannion, Hazzard, Doutrive, and Green all the minutes they can handle at the 1-3. I would bet Miller disagrees, but doesn't necessarily mean he's right.

That being said, Doutrive having the gold jersey is a positive sign that hopefully Miller is coming to terms with the fact that Doutrive is a legitimate talent and Smith is just not someone that should be playing 10+ mins on a really good team.

[97cats]

Who’s going to carry around an old cup their whole life hoping for a discounted refill?

[YoDeFoe]

Guys, Smith isnt getting cut from the rotation.

I mean nor should he be. Miller said it just like we keep saying it: Smith provides a ton of value if he sticks to what he does well, playing hard defense and shooting open threes.

We've got a truly excellent 3&D wing standing 6'5" with a plus wingspan, that's an asset - he just needs to only do those two things.

I truly regret calling Smith "truly excellent" at anything goddamn I should calm down sometimes.

Anyways, maybe he can play his role and do like his first year here and take >70% of his shots from three and do like last year and play good D and maybe this season do both at the same time.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Doutrive can do things Smith can't. If Doutrive passed Smith up, that would be a very positive overall sign for our season.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Guys, Smith isnt getting cut from the rotation.

I mean nor should he be. Miller said it just like we keep saying it: Smith provides a ton of value if he sticks to what he does well, playing hard defense and shooting open threes.

We've got a truly excellent 3&D wing standing 6'5" with a plus wingspan, that's an asset - he just needs to only do those two things.

I truly regret calling Smith "truly excellent" at anything goddamn I should calm down sometimes.

Anyways, maybe he can play his role and do like his first year here and take >70% of his shots from three and do like last year and play good D and maybe this season do both at the same time.

That's one of the confounding things about Smith. He's shown he can be just a catch and shoot guy in 2 full seasons. Trying to be more than that is not going well. You would think he would/could just revert to form relatively easily.

[84Cat]

CSM needs to pull Smith as soon as he plays outside his role. I feel this is the time in the last 3 years that Sean will have the personnel to sit guys who aren't playing within their roles

[YoDeFoe]

Dylan Smith conf stats

I want his 2017-18 Pac-12 conference offense and 2018-19 defense.

15min/g of play, 4 attempts, 3 from three, 40 / 40 / 85 shooting splits, 1:1 A:TO

Get 5 points, a couple rebounds, and an assist in his fifteen minutes of play, and go all out blanketing his man on the other side. That's not a sexy role but that's the box he can work within.

Completely agree that Miller needs to pull Smith if he steps outside that role. It's for the good of the team but it's also for Smith - if he's going to get a contract anywhere (overseas, obv) he needs to play to his strengths. 3&D isn't a bad strength to bank on.

[azcat49]

CSM needs to pull Smith as soon as he plays outside his role. I feel this is the time in the last 3 years that Sean will have the personnel to sit guys who aren't playing within their roles

He needs to get back to this. Liked the time he pulled all 5 starters at Cal. They got the message and stormed back to win. Lute was great as using the pine to get what he wanted

[YoDeFoe]

CSM needs to pull Smith as soon as he plays outside his role. I feel this is the time in the last 3 years that Sean will have the personnel to sit guys who aren't playing within their roles

He needs to get back to this. Liked the time he pulled all 5 starts at Cal. They got the message and stormed back to win. Lute was great as using the pine to get what he wanted

Thankfully this season we have the depth at the two/three/four where if someone isn't getting it, Miller can pull them.

[ChooChooCat]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

Kentucky is supporting his appeal. Heard the staff is actually pretty optimistic it gets approved, but who knows?

[Jefe]

wtf they're not doing refill pricing any more?

My mistake, I believe they still are but haven't tried it yet. Corey Williams was pissed he had to pay $7 and they gave him a cup from last season

Who’s going to carry around an old cup their whole life hoping for a discounted refill?

I have a cabinet full haha, I even have cups from the 90s. Always bring 2-3 to bball games for friends. We go to 7-11 and pick up mini bottl, ehhh maybe I should stop there

[Spaceman Spiff]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

Kentucky is supporting his appeal. Heard the staff is actually pretty optimistic it gets approved, but who knows?

That's cool of Cal. I respect that about Cal, he's never been an A-hole to transfers.

[ChooChooCat]

Any update on Baker's status? Do we know around when they should have an answer? And are we being optimistic?

Kentucky is supporting his appeal. Heard the staff is actually pretty optimistic it gets approved, but who knows?

That's cool of Cal. I respect that about Cal, he's never been an A-hole to transfers.

He would've liked Jemarl to stay, but obviously his program was far from hurt by his departure, so no reason to be bitter on his end.

[IndianaZonaFan]

If Baker gets the nod, who gets pushed out of minutes? Smith? Doutrive? Max? Or some combination of all 3?

[CatFanOneMil]

CSM needs to pull Smith as soon as he plays outside his role. I feel this is the time in the last 3 years that Sean will have the personnel to sit guys who aren't playing within their roles

Lute used to do it on turn-overs...if Miller did this Ira Lee might grow up a little bit...last year his first touch the first half of the season seemed to be a turnover...

"Use the pine, turnovers decline"

[ChooChooCat]

If Baker gets the nod, who gets pushed out of minutes? Smith? Doutrive? Max? Or some combination of all 3?

Likely a combo of all 3.

[goslingswagg]

If Baker gets the nod, who gets pushed out of minutes? Smith? Doutrive? Max? Or some combination of all 3?

Likely a combo of all 3.

Ideally it fully cuts out Smith from the rotation and leaves 5 guys playing all of the mins at the 1-3...that would be a dream come true. Full steam ahead on FF hopes if Baker is cleared.

[zonagrad]

Baker getting eligibility is a win/win. We get a shooter who knows how to play and we eliminate Smith from the rotation.

[azcat49]

Baker for BWill. Is that an upgrade? I think it might be not only because he is healthy but we trade proven defense for maybe a little less offense

[ChooChooCat]

[YoDeFoe]

Nice to see the team offer some transparency. Also, WOW Zeke - getting his game going early.

[Longhorned]

In the old country, we called that jersey color "oatmeal"

[PieceOfMeat]

Who’s going to carry around an old cup their whole life hoping for a discounted refill?

If by "carry around" you mean stick in a cupboard and pull out for gamedays (at home or going to a game) then a lot of people. Families in particular can bring their cups to a handful (or a lot more if you count sports other than just fb and mbb) games a year and save enough cash to make a difference. Also, wtf is wrong with reusing a plastic cup?

I guess not all of us have Longhorned money.

[Longhorned]

Who’s going to carry around an old cup their whole life hoping for a discounted refill?

If by "carry around" you mean stick in a cupboard and pull out for gamedays (at home or going to a game) then a lot of people. Families in particular can bring their cups to a handful (or a lot more if you count sports other than just fb and mbb) games a year and save enough cash to make a difference. Also, wtf is wrong with reusing a plastic cup?

I guess not all of us have Longhorned money.

Larry, what did I tell you? Get your goddam dirty fingernails out of my plastic cup. I gotta spend three bucks to drink out of that thing again.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Nice to see the team offer some transparency. Also, WOW Zeke - getting his game going early.

It's nice seeing DD and Zeke winning the gold jersey early. I sort of expect Nico, Green and Jeter will be great. Guys outside of those 3 being ready to go goes a long way in how good we wind up being.

[PieceOfMeat]

Who’s going to carry around an old cup their whole life hoping for a discounted refill?

If by "carry around" you mean stick in a cupboard and pull out for gamedays (at home or going to a game) then a lot of people. Families in particular can bring their cups to a handful (or a lot more if you count sports other than just fb and mbb) games a year and save enough cash to make a difference. Also, wtf is wrong with reusing a plastic cup?

I guess not all of us have Longhorned money.

Larry, what did I tell you? Get your goddam dirty fingernails out of my plastic cup. I gotta spend three bucks to drink out of that thing again.

If your friend Larry is sticking his dirty fingernails in your cup, maybe you shouldn't invite larry along. Also, dish soap.

[CalStateTempe]

I’m seriously considering purchasing and carrying around an Argentina bombilla mate straw.

Anything that cuts down on plastic waste is a win in my book.

I personally love my collection of plastic cups going back to the early 2000s. Good mementoes good time me and easy to continue to use. I taken em whenever we have moved.

[YoDeFoe]

So Oregon takes a hit with N'Faly Dante lacking first semester eligibility... can't even practice with the team until Dec at the earliest. Will be tough to work him in as a less experienced player who should be a rising HS senior, has played organized ball in the US for only three years, and speaks English as a second language.

I personally hadn't put a lot of stock in projections that Dante would be an impact freshman for the Ducks - despite his 7'5" wingspan and good defensive timing, he's limited offensively and lacks physical maturity. To me he was just a slight upgrade on Francis Okoro (who owns a 7'3" wingspan and has a year in the system under his belt). I'm curious if Dante even plays this season or if he opts for the pro route (just a gut feeling).

Anyways - small shake-up in the Pac-12 as we head into the season. The Ducks were likely always better suited featuring their collection of incoming wings more than their two monster bigs, so I don't think this knocks them off the preseason throne.

[Beachcat97]

so I don't think this knocks them off the preseason throne.

But would you take Oregon's roster over ours?

[goslingswagg]

so I don't think this knocks them off the preseason throne.

But would you take Oregon's roster over ours?

Without N'Faly, I definitely would not take Oregon's roster over ours.

Also - I am getting excited to hear about our secret scrimmage with St. Mary's tomorrow...they're a legit top 25 caliber team, will be interesting to hear how we do.

[Beachcat97]

so I don't think this knocks them off the preseason throne.

But would you take Oregon's roster over ours?

Without N'Faly, I definitely would not take Oregon's roster over ours.

Me neither. And I may be in the minority, but even *with* N'Faly, I'd still take our roster. Give me the experience of upperclassmen like Jeter and Lee over a raw freshman. N'Faly isn't Ayton. He's a very tall, very athletic player, but in the footage I've seen, he doesn't look like he's simply a game-changer. Don't even think he'd be Oregon's best player.