Bear Down Wildcats

ChooChooCat wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:39 am

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:36 am Not entirely sure Boswell reclasses though we know Tommy would love to get him here young and give him a season to develop before turning him fully loose the following season.

Secondly though: we won't take two scholarship reductions in the same season, and we've already taken one this season.

It does sound like he intends to reclassify now. We’ll know either way by Monday.

If he reclasses, I'd assume he's here for two seasons. He wouldn't turn 18 until the end of his freshman season.

If Boswell was a physical specimen like Gordon or Ayton then sure, but he's a winner based less on his good frame and more on his feel for the game and savvy.

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:53 am
If Boswell was a physical specimen like Gordon or Ayton then sure, but he's a winner based less on his good frame and more on his feel for the game and savvy.

Sounds like the perfect complement to Kriisa, who's more flashy and impulsive.

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:53 am

ChooChooCat wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:39 am

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:36 am Not entirely sure Boswell reclasses though we know Tommy would love to get him here young and give him a season to develop before turning him fully loose the following season.

Secondly though: we won't take two scholarship reductions in the same season, and we've already taken one this season.

It does sound like he intends to reclassify now. We’ll know either way by Monday.

If he reclasses, I'd assume he's here for two seasons. He wouldn't turn 18 until the end of his freshman season.

If Boswell was a physical specimen like Gordon or Ayton then sure, but he's a winner based less on his good frame and more on his feel for the game and savvy.

I think he’s a 3-4 year guy.

Marcus Paige type of 5*/high 4*

RondaeShimmy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:10 pm Marcus Paige type of 5*/high 4*

Paige was a HECK of a college player.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:11 pm

RondaeShimmy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:10 pm Marcus Paige type of 5*/high 4*

Paige was a HECK of a college player.

Not similar players and skills but have already physically matured.

Still think he'd leave after a couple of years

RondaeShimmy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:18 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:11 pm

RondaeShimmy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:10 pm Marcus Paige type of 5*/high 4*

Paige was a HECK of a college player.

Not similar players and skills but have already physically matured.

Still think he'd leave after a couple of years

I think Jalen Brunson is a great comp. 3-4 years.

ChooChooCat wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:48 pm I think Jalen Brunson is a great comp. 3-4 years.

Like Shimmy, I'm prepared for a two years stay. But my big hope is he's a 3-4 year player like Choo predicts and Lloyd gets to build success here with continuity at the point for his first five seasons. Behind a five star two way guard, no less. What a huge advantage that would be for Arizona and Lloyd.

Beetlejuice!
Beetlejuice!
Beetlejuice!

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ecruitment

Paging Tommy Lloyd!

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 06, 2022 2:17 pm https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ecruitment

Paging Tommy Lloyd!

I think he blew out his knee and I guess the writing is all the wall...

jajoyce wrote: ↑Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:19 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 06, 2022 2:17 pm https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ecruitment

Paging Tommy Lloyd!

I think he blew out his knee and I guess the writing is all the wall...

Oh wow. Hadn't heard that. Tough break for the kid.

That article is from August 2021

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:44 am https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Um, I wouldn't touch someone who used to be committed to Will Wade while the IARP is pending.

It's like asking if you'd want to be friends with someone who'd just told you they were super close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:57 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:44 am https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Um, I wouldn't touch someone who used to be committed to Will Wade while the IARP is pending.

It's like asking if you'd want to be friends with someone who'd just told you they were super close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Weren't there some issues with Quinerly, though? He's done great at Bama.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 12:08 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:57 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:44 am https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Um, I wouldn't touch someone who used to be committed to Will Wade while the IARP is pending.

It's like asking if you'd want to be friends with someone who'd just told you they were super close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Weren't there some issues with Quinerly, though? He's done great at Bama.

I'm not saying kid's not a talent...but Will Wade just got busted paying recruits from his wife's bank account.

Now is not the time I'd want in on an ex-LSU commit. We're almost contemporaneously making a case we should not be guilty of lack of institutional control.

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 12:41 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 12:08 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:57 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:44 am https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Um, I wouldn't touch someone who used to be committed to Will Wade while the IARP is pending.

It's like asking if you'd want to be friends with someone who'd just told you they were super close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Weren't there some issues with Quinerly, though? He's done great at Bama.

I'm not saying kid's not a talent...but Will Wade just got busted paying recruits from his wife's bank account.

Now is not the time I'd want in on an ex-LSU commit. We're almost contemporaneously making a case we should not be guilty of lack of institutional control.

I hear ya. Wonder if that makes this kid radioactive, then. Maybe only among top programs. Could see him just going pro.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 12:45 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 12:41 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 12:08 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:57 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:44 am https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Um, I wouldn't touch someone who used to be committed to Will Wade while the IARP is pending.

It's like asking if you'd want to be friends with someone who'd just told you they were super close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Weren't there some issues with Quinerly, though? He's done great at Bama.

I'm not saying kid's not a talent...but Will Wade just got busted paying recruits from his wife's bank account.

Now is not the time I'd want in on an ex-LSU commit. We're almost contemporaneously making a case we should not be guilty of lack of institutional control.

I hear ya. Wonder if that makes this kid radioactive, then. Maybe only among top programs. Could see him just going pro.

Moreso just programs with active investigations, IMO. The rest, they'll probably do due diligence, but it isn't necessarily automatic. It would just look bad as you're pending NCAA sanctions, IMO.

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:57 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:44 am https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Um, I wouldn't touch someone who used to be committed to Will Wade while the IARP is pending.

It's like asking if you'd want to be friends with someone who'd just told you they were super close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Wouldn’t than eliminate almost everyone on our current team, Spiff?

Possible insurance policy if Koloko goes pro?

If we don't get the Euro

dmjcat wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:13 pm

Possible insurance policy if Koloko goes pro?

What Koloko has shown this tourney...I think he's done a lot for his stock.

Postmaster wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:39 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:57 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:44 am https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... attend-lsu

Go get him, Tommy.

Um, I wouldn't touch someone who used to be committed to Will Wade while the IARP is pending.

It's like asking if you'd want to be friends with someone who'd just told you they were super close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Wouldn’t than eliminate almost everyone on our current team, Spiff?

The logic is pretty much that you can't eliminate Sean Miller guys, but you don't need to invite more issues.

dmjcat wrote: ↑Fri Mar 25, 2022 2:55 pm

Used to go to Hillcrest in Phx, I wouldn't expect anything to come out of this though, probably just reaching out due to that connection.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ing-season

Could actually see Sean Miller giving him a look. Not sure we need another guard for next year.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/lsu-basketba ... 21539.html

There’s a name I haven’t thought about in a while. Can’t believe he’s still ping ponging from school to school. He’s a college free agent.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:08 pm https://www.yahoo.com/news/lsu-basketba ... 21539.html

There’s a name I haven’t thought about in a while. Can’t believe he’s still ping ponging from school to school. He’s a college free agent.

Not sure anyone can bear Charlie Moore's 4 schools in 6 years.
I hope Shareef can find a spot where he gets playing time.

https://247sports.com/Article/Murray-St ... 185376098/

He's going to get a lot of offers.

https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2022 ... ional.html

Jarod Lucas, anyone?

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 3:44 pm https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2022 ... ional.html

Jarod Lucas, anyone?

I'd love to add shooting like that but he'd have to comfortable with a 20 minute per game supporting role. Doubt that's what he's after but maybe he just wants to win.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:08 pm https://www.yahoo.com/news/lsu-basketba ... 21539.html

There’s a name I haven’t thought about in a while. Can’t believe he’s still ping ponging from school to school. He’s a college free agent.

It’s not that crazy. FBI stuff made him leave AZ, now Wade gets fired.
Not sure why he left UCLA.

Postmaster wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:02 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:08 pm https://www.yahoo.com/news/lsu-basketba ... 21539.html

There’s a name I haven’t thought about in a while. Can’t believe he’s still ping ponging from school to school. He’s a college free agent.

It’s not that crazy. FBI stuff made him leave AZ, now Wade gets fired.
Not sure why he left UCLA.

Best I can recall, he couldn't even get on the court at ucla. That is, he may've been overrated.

He had the heart issue as well.

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:10 am

Postmaster wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:02 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:08 pm https://www.yahoo.com/news/lsu-basketba ... 21539.html

There’s a name I haven’t thought about in a while. Can’t believe he’s still ping ponging from school to school. He’s a college free agent.

It’s not that crazy. FBI stuff made him leave AZ, now Wade gets fired.
Not sure why he left UCLA.

Best I can recall, he couldn't even get on the court at ucla. That is, he may've been overrated.

Kid does not love the game. I've said it for years. I watched a ton of his tape and interviews back when we were recruiting him out of high school. He's basketball adjacent.

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:54 am

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:10 am

Postmaster wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:02 pm

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:08 pm https://www.yahoo.com/news/lsu-basketba ... 21539.html

There’s a name I haven’t thought about in a while. Can’t believe he’s still ping ponging from school to school. He’s a college free agent.

It’s not that crazy. FBI stuff made him leave AZ, now Wade gets fired.
Not sure why he left UCLA.

Best I can recall, he couldn't even get on the court at ucla. That is, he may've been overrated.

Kid does not love the game. I've said it for years. I watched a ton of his tape and interviews back when we were recruiting him out of high school. He's basketball adjacent.

I believe music is his first love. Not sure why he’d transfer. He’s got to have at least one degree by now. Might be time to transition to his post-college career (unless he’s going for a Masters of course).

You would think Cali would have been the place for music.

I always thought Shaq would have been good PR for team, more than Sharf’s on court contributions.

I believe his mom wanted him in So Cal, close to home.

I just liked the idea of AZ hoops being connected to Shaq, lol. Can you imagine him and B Walton together, at our games in McKale?

Beachcat97 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 12:02 pm I just liked the idea of AZ hoops being connected to Shaq, lol. Can you imagine him and B Walton together, at our games in McKale?

I liked that idea too. A lot like having Trey Griffey on the football team.

Pretty sure Pack is going to end up at Purdue, but he’s somebody you’ve got to try for if you’re Arizona.

Sam Vecenie of the Athletic, with an updated mock draft:

6. Sacramento Kings

Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Arizona

Mathurin slides up the board a bit after a strong close to the season, even though his final game was poor. He averaged 18 points and six rebounds while shooting 45 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3 over the full season, but over his final 14 games, he averaged 20 points and five rebounds, and he added three assists to boot. His ability to make reads after driving was a critical improvement and bodes well for the next level. Mathurin’s real concern comes on defense, where he can drift in and out in terms of focus. Even in the NCAA Tournament, Mathurin had a few moments — particularly against Houston — that will give teams pause when they dive back into the tape. He needs to be a bit better at staying engaged when he’s off the ball, because he did show some real switchable flashes at time, unsurprising given his size and strength level. Still, I bet teams look back through the TCU tape and think of the tournament overall as a success for him. His game against the Horned Frogs was arguably the best any single player has played so far in the event.

29. Memphis Grizzlies

Christian Koloko | 7-1 center | 21 years old | Arizona

Another big-time defensive center comes off the board here. The Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-12, Koloko was one of the best defenders throughout college basketball this season. Just ask the Big Ten how much they enjoyed dealing with Koloko’s length, as Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn was held to a season-worst 5-for-15 mark from the field against Koloko, and Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson went 4-for-10. The Wildcats play in a significant drop, where Koloko rarely leaves the paint out of ball screens. But when he does, he’s shown good enough recovery speed and mobility to make it work at the next level. The big issues here are twofold. First, offensively, Koloko has some possessions in terms of footwork and touch that are very concerning. He’s fine when asked to keep it simple but can’t do anything more than that. Second, Koloko’s lower half is very weak right now. He’s done a good job of putting on weight over the last two years, but he still will struggle against stronger NBA centers with skill levels to rebound and anchor the position. But as a low-usage, high-defense center, those players are still valuable as borderline starters/backups at this point in the draft.

These are excellent points about what Koloko did vs. Cockburn and Dickinson.

CK is gonzo. Ballo had better get his conditioning on point this summer.

YoDeFoe wrote: ↑Fri Apr 01, 2022 9:46 am Sam Vecenie of the Athletic, with an updated mock draft:

6. Sacramento Kings

Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Arizona

Mathurin slides up the board a bit after a strong close to the season, even though his final game was poor. He averaged 18 points and six rebounds while shooting 45 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3 over the full season, but over his final 14 games, he averaged 20 points and five rebounds, and he added three assists to boot. His ability to make reads after driving was a critical improvement and bodes well for the next level. Mathurin’s real concern comes on defense, where he can drift in and out in terms of focus. Even in the NCAA Tournament, Mathurin had a few moments — particularly against Houston — that will give teams pause when they dive back into the tape. He needs to be a bit better at staying engaged when he’s off the ball, because he did show some real switchable flashes at time, unsurprising given his size and strength level. Still, I bet teams look back through the TCU tape and think of the tournament overall as a success for him. His game against the Horned Frogs was arguably the best any single player has played so far in the event.

29. Memphis Grizzlies

Christian Koloko | 7-1 center | 21 years old | Arizona

Another big-time defensive center comes off the board here. The Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-12, Koloko was one of the best defenders throughout college basketball this season. Just ask the Big Ten how much they enjoyed dealing with Koloko’s length, as Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn was held to a season-worst 5-for-15 mark from the field against Koloko, and Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson went 4-for-10. The Wildcats play in a significant drop, where Koloko rarely leaves the paint out of ball screens. But when he does, he’s shown good enough recovery speed and mobility to make it work at the next level. The big issues here are twofold. First, offensively, Koloko has some possessions in terms of footwork and touch that are very concerning. He’s fine when asked to keep it simple but can’t do anything more than that. Second, Koloko’s lower half is very weak right now. He’s done a good job of putting on weight over the last two years, but he still will struggle against stronger NBA centers with skill levels to rebound and anchor the position. But as a low-usage, high-defense center, those players are still valuable as borderline starters/backups at this point in the draft.

I bolded the part of Koloko's profile you and I have been hammering as the reason he should leave. He has a valuable role with a clear skill set that a team will invest in to see if he can clean up his footwork and continute to build his body up.

We definitely have some work to do in the portal. How does everyone feel about this starting lineup?
Kerr
Terry
Larsson
Tubelis
Ballo

Dave wrote: ↑Fri Apr 01, 2022 12:11 pm We definitely have some work to do in the portal. How does everyone feel about this starting lineup?
Kerr
Terry*
Larsson
Tubelis
Ballo

I added an asterisk to Dalen Terry. That would probably be our best case on returners. If DT leaves, obviously a hole for a transfer.

Frankly, you need to think we're mining the portal because we're probably returning only 5-6 guaranteed contributors plus Bal/Nowell/Anderson.

Dave wrote: ↑Fri Apr 01, 2022 12:11 pm We definitely have some work to do in the portal. How does everyone feel about this starting lineup?
Kerr
Terry
Larsson
Tubelis
Ballo

Add in Bal, Nowell, any '23 players who re-classify and any transfers.

It's a very good starting 5, imo. Just not as athletic or deep as this past season's team.

Dave wrote: ↑Fri Apr 01, 2022 12:11 pm We definitely have some work to do in the portal. How does everyone feel about this starting lineup?
Kerr
Terry
Larsson
Tubelis
Ballo

Everyone would need to take a big step forward for this group to not be pretty clearly worse than last year.

And lets be real: I'm not expecting to win the conference by three games and take a 1 seed into March. We should be prepared for a step back from last season.

One bonus here is that while we lose the defense of Clo in the starting line-up, we remove Benn as a sieve on the wing and replace him with Larsson who is a darn good defender (and again, can show more next season with some growth). Additionally, I think another year in the offense and no lotto-pick-scorer will produce better offensive flow.