The 2019-2020 Season Thread

[azcat49]

Agreed Choo and wasn’t speaking to last year. More do to the last few years prior. Seems some of the players tuned him out and other than his yelling at them they knew he wouldn’t put them on the pine.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Just me but It seems Miller has shied away from his biggest motivational tool... the bench. Been awhile since he pulled all 5 guys because they stopped playing defense or that he has said in a press conference that if they are slow back in transition they won’t play for A under him.

I hate to ask the question but has Pittsburgh bred Miller gone soft?

Hard to go to the bench when you don't have one.

Yup. Post losing Akot, especially during the injuries to Jeter and BWill, we were giving DesJardins minutes. Pulling all 5 guys would have left multiple walkons out there.

[NYCat]

[ChooChooCat]

Very interesting scoops from Scheer (premium content) on next year's roster. Will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out next year now.

[goslingswagg]

Very interesting scoops from Scheer (premium content) on next year's roster. Will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out next year now.

I just can't see any way DD, Smith, and Randolph all come back....I would guess 2 of those 3 seems most likely, and hopefully DD is one of those 2. And then we can use the last scholarship for another backup center since Miller has a big man fetish.

[ChooChooCat]

Very interesting scoops from Scheer (premium content) on next year's roster. Will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out next year now.

I just can't see any way DD, Smith, and Randolph all come back....I would guess 2 of those 3 seems most likely, and hopefully DD is one of those 2. And then we can use the last scholarship for another backup center since Miller has a big man fetish.

Agreed, I don't see how all 3 come back, one guy is beyond obvious to just GTFO, but Sean Miller loves playing him for some reason, so who knows?

At this rate I would go with this rotation pending another big being added:

Mannion/Williams/Barcello
Williams/Randolph/Doutrive
Green/Randolph/Doutrive
Nnaji/Gettings/Lee
Jeter/Nnaji/Gettings

Armstrong would be next year's Doutrive.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Very interesting scoops from Scheer (premium content) on next year's roster. Will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out next year now.

I just can't see any way DD, Smith, and Randolph all come back....I would guess 2 of those 3 seems most likely, and hopefully DD is one of those 2. And then we can use the last scholarship for another backup center since Miller has a big man fetish.

If Randolph and DD wanted to return, I don't know why Smith would. The wing would be super crowded then and Smith might as well try to get some time as a grad transfer. PT will be hard to come by here.

[azcat49]

We need a big body that can go up and get that big rebound without getting moved off his spot. Sure like to know who that will be next year

[PieceOfMeat]

Thinking of next year reminds me how much I wish the basketball system worked like baseball does.
You go pro out of high school, or you go to college for years before you can go pro.

Relying so heavily upon incoming freshmen each year isn't a recipe for success on our team when the system we use takes a long time to learn and implement well.

[StickItInTheyFace]

We need a big body that can go up and get that big rebound without getting moved off his spot. Sure like to know who that will be next year

I think the hope is that guy is Zeke, hes is definitely thin but hes got the combination of athleticism and great size that we didn't have on the most recent team. He may get pushed around a little bit at the start but as he puts more weight on I think hes gonna huge in rebounding on both ends.

[Spaceman Spiff]

We need a big body that can go up and get that big rebound without getting moved off his spot. Sure like to know who that will be next year

I think the hope is that guy is Zeke, hes is definitely thin but hes got the combination of athleticism and great size that we didn't have on the most recent team. He may get pushed around a little bit at the start but as he puts more weight on I think hes gonna huge in rebounding on both ends.

I would also hope that we get an assist in this area from a guy like Green. He's physical and a good rebounder. Having strong wing rebounders helps a lot.

Call me crazy, but Lee is also developing nicely in this area. Both his Oreb and Dreb %'s increased freshman to sophomore year, and are rounding into a good place. Jeter is usually good for double figures too.

I feel like we'll have bodies and depth for 19-20 in a way we simply didn't this year.

[catgrad97]

I agree with Spiff. I think we're all overlooking Lee again. He peaked at end of last season and is going to be our sparkplug first big off the bench who can also step into starter's minutes if something happens to Jeter.

Even in our failures this season, Lee was that bright spot we could look to for the program to build on. Miller deserves that kind of continuity. Annually.

[Alieberman]

Very interesting scoops from Scheer (premium content) on next year's roster. Will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out next year now.

I just can't see any way DD, Smith, and Randolph all come back....I would guess 2 of those 3 seems most likely, and hopefully DD is one of those 2. And then we can use the last scholarship for another backup center since Miller has a big man fetish.

Agreed, I don't see how all 3 come back, one guy is beyond obvious to just GTFO, but Sean Miller loves playing him for some reason, so who knows?

At this rate I would go with this rotation pending another big being added:

Mannion/Williams/Barcello
Williams/Randolph/Doutrive
Green/Randolph/Doutrive
Nnaji/Gettings/Lee
Jeter/Nnaji/Gettings

Armstrong would be next year's Doutrive.

I see Lee playing much more than you.

[Merkin]

Very interesting scoops from Scheer (premium content) on next year's roster. Will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out next year now.

I just can't see any way DD, Smith, and Randolph all come back....I would guess 2 of those 3 seems most likely, and hopefully DD is one of those 2. And then we can use the last scholarship for another backup center since Miller has a big man fetish.

Agreed, I don't see how all 3 come back, one guy is beyond obvious to just GTFO, but Sean Miller loves playing him for some reason, so who knows?

At this rate I would go with this rotation pending another big being added:

Mannion/Williams/Barcello
Williams/Randolph/Doutrive
Green/Randolph/Doutrive
Nnaji/Gettings/Lee
Jeter/Nnaji/Gettings

Armstrong would be next year's Doutrive.

I see Lee playing much more than you.

Same with DD. At least for the returning players, Lee and DD were the only ones to ever give a spark off the bench. Especially if Randolph goes through his cold spells or makes poor decisions.

[ChooChooCat]

Very interesting scoops from Scheer (premium content) on next year's roster. Will be interesting to see how the rotation shakes out next year now.

I just can't see any way DD, Smith, and Randolph all come back....I would guess 2 of those 3 seems most likely, and hopefully DD is one of those 2. And then we can use the last scholarship for another backup center since Miller has a big man fetish.

Agreed, I don't see how all 3 come back, one guy is beyond obvious to just GTFO, but Sean Miller loves playing him for some reason, so who knows?

At this rate I would go with this rotation pending another big being added:

Mannion/Williams/Barcello
Williams/Randolph/Doutrive
Green/Randolph/Doutrive
Nnaji/Gettings/Lee
Jeter/Nnaji/Gettings

Armstrong would be next year's Doutrive.

I see Lee playing much more used than you.

In what way? I mean it'll either be him or Gettings getting primary back up 4 minutes. Maybe you could list Lee ahead of Gettings? It's all semantics either way.

[catgrad97]

Lee/Gettings <> Donnell Harris/Edgerson

(Just like '97. Yeah, I know.)

[Alieberman]

I just think Lee may get the start at the 4... but if not I just see Lee and Randolph being our key bench players

[97cats]

Sean Miller works in the world of the top seven (apologies to Udug) or eight - in no order below

Mannion
Williams
Randolph
Green
Lee
Nnaji
Jeter

Doutrive
Gettings
Barcello

[CalStateTempe]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

[Beachcat97]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Is that non-con schedule completed, or might there be another game added?

I agree: Gonzaga is the only one that'll get us any points on Selection Sunday.

[CalStateTempe]

I read somewhere high major (around 100 rpi) neutral site game is also in the works

[Merkin]

I read somewhere high major (around 100 rpi) neutral site game is also in the works

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... cd86a.html" target="_blank

[NYCat]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Long Beach St & UCF are part of the shitastic wooden legacy tournament. Not guaranteed we get UCF.

Illinois & Gonzaga at home + @Baylor are basically the only good matchups traditionally scheduled games.

I don't think Arizona can lose more then 5 games next year with the schedule they have and even sniff a top 4 seed. #4 seed is probably the best we can hope for unless the conference is dramatically better and they win it or have 3-5 losses.

[zonagrad]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Is that non-con schedule completed, or might there be another game added?

I agree: Gonzaga is the only one that'll get us any points on Selection Sunday.

Don't we play at Baylor? That's a legit OOC opponent and a true road game.

I do think playing NAU is a waste of time. That program continues to struggle. Jack Murphy hasn't gained any traction in Flagstaff. Maybe it's because Grand Canyon has emerged as a viable in-state program right in Phoenix with great local support. Crowds at NAU games are just bad. They play some early season games in the Rolle Activity Center, which is a glorified HS gym. Then they move (at least they used to) to the Skydome, which isn't great for basketball.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Long Beach St & UCF are part of the shitastic wooden legacy tournament. Not guaranteed we get UCF.

Illinois & Gonzaga at home + @Baylor are basically the only good matchups traditionally scheduled games.

I don't think Arizona can lose more then 5 games next year with the schedule they have and even sniff a top 4 seed. #4 seed is probably the best we can hope for unless the conference is dramatically better and they win it or have 3-5 losses.

I'd like it if the Pac wasn't a steaming turd like this year...but it probably will be.

[ChooChooCat]

I just think Lee may get the start at the 4... but if not I just see Lee and Randolph being our key bench players

Nnaji will start at the 4, I am very confident of that.

[Alieberman]

Sean Miller works in the world of the top seven (apologies to Udug) or eight - in no order below

Mannion
Williams
Randolph
Green
Lee
Nnaji
Jeter

Doutrive
Gettings
Barcello

This roster allows for:

A freshman who doesn't perform to his star rating
An injury
Foul Trouble

I like

[NYCat]

If Smith comes back he's playing lol. Miller likes players who honored the process. York > RHJ?

[Beachcat97]

I'd like it if the Pac wasn't a steaming turd like this year...but it probably will be.

I wouldn't panic just yet, Spiff. USC and Oregon are also bringing in very good classes, and UW should be good again. If we somehow got 3 teams in this year, I'd expect at least that many next season, but probably more.

[ChooChooCat]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Is that non-con schedule completed, or might there be another game added?

I agree: Gonzaga is the only one that'll get us any points on Selection Sunday.

Still finalizing St. John's at the Warriors arena.

[ChooChooCat]

If Smith comes back he's playing lol. Miller likes players who honored the process. York > RHJ?

I would be mortified if he ever saw the court.

[CalStateTempe]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Is that non-con schedule completed, or might there be another game added?

I agree: Gonzaga is the only one that'll get us any points on Selection Sunday.

Still finalizing St. John's at the Warriors arena.

Yes! that’s the one I heard!

[Beachcat97]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Is that non-con schedule completed, or might there be another game added?

I agree: Gonzaga is the only one that'll get us any points on Selection Sunday.

Still finalizing St. John's at the Warriors arena.

Do we have a date for this game yet? I'm so going to this.

[ChooChooCat]

Our non con next season is pretty bad ass

Gonzaga, Illinois, new mex st, lB state, UCF

Is that non-con schedule completed, or might there be another game added?

I agree: Gonzaga is the only one that'll get us any points on Selection Sunday.

Still finalizing St. John's at the Warriors arena.

Do we have a date for this game yet? I'm so going to this.

Don't know it off the top of my head, but I believe it's in December.

[baycat93]

december 21st. absolutely will be there if this gets done

[zonagrad]

I'd like it if the Pac wasn't a steaming turd like this year...but it probably will be.

I wouldn't panic just yet, Spiff. USC and Oregon are also bringing in very good classes, and UW should be good again. If we somehow got 3 teams in this year, I'd expect at least that many next season, but probably more.

Washington is losing 3 senior starters and I think Nowell (Pac 12 POY) is gone as well. That's a lot to lose, especially Thybuille who really made their zone defense a problem.

Stanford might surprise if they ever get their act together. And ASU's future rests on Dort returning. Without him, they take a step back.

[84Cat]

[PieceOfMeat]

They're gonna sell mcdonalds inside McKale?!

Yuck

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Hey, UCLA might be good if they get pitino!

[Merkin]

Hi Betty!

[azgreg]

I'd like it if the Pac wasn't a steaming turd like this year...but it probably will be.

I wouldn't panic just yet, Spiff. USC and Oregon are also bringing in very good classes, and UW should be good again. If we somehow got 3 teams in this year, I'd expect at least that many next season, but probably more.

Washington is losing 3 senior starters and I think Nowell (Pac 12 POY) is gone as well. That's a lot to lose, especially Thybuille who really made their zone defense a problem.

Stanford might surprise if they ever get their act together. And ASU's future rests on Dort returning. Without him, they take a step back.

[pokinmik]

I understand we are pretty loaded on the wing but I guess nobody is expecting much from Armstrong? Or is it just a be pleasantly surprised if he excels quicker than expected type thing? Granted most videos recruits look good but he seems to have some real size and athleticism and attacks the basket hard. Hopefully he puts in the work, he will be a true monster in a year or two.

[baycat93]

I understand we are pretty loaded on the wing but I guess nobody is expecting much from Armstrong? Or is it just a be pleasantly surprised if he excels quicker than expected type thing? Granted most videos recruits look good but he seems to have some real size and athleticism and attacks the basket hard. Hopefully he puts in the work, he will be a true monster in a year or two.

Let's hope so.. because he is likely starting at the 3 as a sophomore.

[ChooChooCat]

I understand we are pretty loaded on the wing but I guess nobody is expecting much from Armstrong? Or is it just a be pleasantly surprised if he excels quicker than expected type thing? Granted most videos recruits look good but he seems to have some real size and athleticism and attacks the basket hard. Hopefully he puts in the work, he will be a true monster in a year or two.

I just think that if Doutrive and Randolph or if even one of them returns then Armstrong will be next year's Doutrive. The guy is more than certainly capable (so was Doutrive this year), but I just think he'll struggle on the defensive end and you know what happens in those situations with Sean Miller as the head coach, especially when he actually has depth.

[catgrad97]

Agreed with Choo. I'm not as high on Randolph as most posters here not named 97Cats.

But if Randolph comes back, he definitely inherits the starting role at the 3 until Armstrong can push past him. Such competition is the greatest virtue of the bench depth normally accumulated by top-shelf recruiting classes.

[ChooChooCat]

Agreed with Choo. I'm not as high on Randolph as most posters here not named 97Cats.

But if Randolph comes back, he definitely inherits the starting role at the 3 until Armstrong can push past him. Such competition is the greatest virtue of the bench depth normally accumulated by top-shelf recruiting classes.

Randolph will have the fight of his life to maintain the starting role at the 3 with Josh Green.

[NYCat]

Randolph coming off the bench and scoring vs the opposition's 2nd team/rotation is pretty good for him. Bench scoring has been pretty bad for a while now. I think him & Green would likely get starter mins.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Agreed with Choo. I'm not as high on Randolph as most posters here not named 97Cats.

But if Randolph comes back, he definitely inherits the starting role at the 3 until Armstrong can push past him. Such competition is the greatest virtue of the bench depth normally accumulated by top-shelf recruiting classes.

Randolph will have the fight of his life to maintain the starting role at the 3 with Josh Green.

The best case scenario for Randolph would be him and Green starting together. I don't know how he beats Green out for a single spot.

But if they play together, what about Nnaji, Lee and Gettings? We have a lot of players who can play.

[ChooChooCat]

Agreed with Choo. I'm not as high on Randolph as most posters here not named 97Cats.

But if Randolph comes back, he definitely inherits the starting role at the 3 until Armstrong can push past him. Such competition is the greatest virtue of the bench depth normally accumulated by top-shelf recruiting classes.

Randolph will have the fight of his life to maintain the starting role at the 3 with Josh Green.

The best case scenario for Randolph would be him and Green starting together. I don't know how he beats Green out for a single spot.

But if they play together, what about Nnaji, Lee and Gettings? We have a lot of players who can play.

That would mean Randolph would have beat out Williams for the starting 2 spot and I sure as hell wouldn't count on that barring another knee issue flare up for BWill.

Randolph as a 6th man makes the most sense to me.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Agreed with Choo. I'm not as high on Randolph as most posters here not named 97Cats.

But if Randolph comes back, he definitely inherits the starting role at the 3 until Armstrong can push past him. Such competition is the greatest virtue of the bench depth normally accumulated by top-shelf recruiting classes.

Randolph will have the fight of his life to maintain the starting role at the 3 with Josh Green.

The best case scenario for Randolph would be him and Green starting together. I don't know how he beats Green out for a single spot.

But if they play together, what about Nnaji, Lee and Gettings? We have a lot of players who can play.

That would mean Randolph would have beat out Williams for the starting 2 spot and I sure as hell wouldn't count on that barring another knee issue flare up for BWill.

Randolph as a 6th man makes the most sense to me.

Without a knee issue, I'd be stunned if it wasn't Nico and BWill in the backcourt. Green at the 4 would be more likely than that, but I don't think either is happening. I think one of Nnaji, Lee or Gettings will emerge at the 4.

I agree Randolph off the bench is most likely. If Nnaji starts, Randolph, Armstrong, Lee and Gettings is a loaded core off the bench. If Doutrive is back, we could go 10 deep, maybe 11 with Barcello. All those guys are legit options.