Bear Down Wildcats

Posted: **Mon Oct 15, 2018 7:59 pm**

catgrad97 wrote:
ChooChooCat wrote:
az91 wrote:I saw some chatter on Twitter that Omar Thielemans is likely to leave the program, possibly due to homesickness. Have no idea if it is true or not.
Yeah it ain't homesickness, but he's already left the program.
I hate these wasted scholarships in October. At least it isn't grades, but ever since Dion Broom left Lute with a class of zero in '99, I agonize over these early fall departures. Luke Recker had the same cup of coffee with us in 2000.

It is definitely a disappointing development, but at least a scholarship won't be wasted for four years on a player that might never amount to more than a practice body.

Posted: **Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:48 pm**

I didn’t notice the Coleman/Williams thing, but when your team has the presumptive best player leader (Randolph) and the 5* freshman point guard and the presumptive front court leader (Jeter) and still loses it’s a bit disappointing. When I saw the way the team had been divided into red and blue, I expected a blue blowout and that I’d be doing 20 pushups at home that night. Instead I went home and had a beer.

Posted: **Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:21 pm**

Beachcat97 wrote:Does Doutrive have a nickname yet? "Devo"?

D'Naire.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:18 am**

Beachcat97 wrote:Does Doutrive have a nickname yet? "Devo"?

"Bill" Doutrive.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:23 am**

The Barber

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:28 am**

The AZ Desert Swarm writer was speculating it was probably due to Thielemans not likely to break the rotation this season and with a monster class coming in next season all Thielemans saw was pine time.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:49 am**

Merkin wrote:The AZ Desert Swarm writer was speculating it was probably due to Thielemans not likely to break the rotation this season and with a monster class coming in next season all Thielemans saw was pine time.

If that's the reason, it's fairly logical.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:01 am**

ChooChooCat wrote:I saw it on TV and at the end of the game saw the Coleman/Bwill talk. It didn't show the whole thing, but Coleman went up to BWill and it looked like a teaching moment. Coleman wasn't heated, Williams was receptive, and it didnt seem odd, but like I said it cut it off so I have no idea how long it went on for and if it went off the rails or not.

It didn't look heated. The part that got me was when Ira ducked in and then made the cringy face like "daaammmnn".

Then someone walking off with BW was talking with him and Brandon was looking like he was not thrilled and shaking his head.

I took pics off the TV to text to a friend, but hell if I can ever figure out how to downsize a photo enough to get them on here...

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:21 am**

EVCat wrote:
ChooChooCat wrote:I saw it on TV and at the end of the game saw the Coleman/Bwill talk. It didn't show the whole thing, but Coleman went up to BWill and it looked like a teaching moment. Coleman wasn't heated, Williams was receptive, and it didnt seem odd, but like I said it cut it off so I have no idea how long it went on for and if it went off the rails or not.
It didn't look heated. The part that got me was when Ira ducked in and then made the cringy face like "daaammmnn".

Then someone walking off with BW was talking with him and Brandon was looking like he was not thrilled and shaking his head.

I took pics off the TV to text to a friend, but hell if I can ever figure out how to downsize a photo enough to get them on here...

Upload to https://imgur.com/" target="_blank and then share the link from there. Not that you need to go through the hassle, just saying that's how its done.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:24 am**

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
Merkin wrote:The AZ Desert Swarm writer was speculating it was probably due to Thielemans not likely to break the rotation this season and with a monster class coming in next season all Thielemans saw was pine time.
If that's the reason, it's fairly logical.

Miller referred to OT as a project player whose best years are ahead of him. Maybe OT thinks far more highly of his current abilities.

Given that I expected nothing out of OT on the court this season, I'm glad to have the scholarship and roster clarity right now. 2019 dudes are reading the landscape and committing. Our landscape just got a little more open, a little clearer.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:10 pm**

EVCat wrote: So, to the question...in the post-game, when the players went waving to the crowd after the huddle in the center, Coleman tapped Brandon Williams on the shoulder to talk with him. What transpired was what appeared to be a relatively-heated and one sided conversation. I have heard Coleman is a no-nonsense leader type, but it seemed odd. At one point, while Williams listened with a less-than-enthused face, Ira Lee walked by, poked his head in, then made a rather animated cringe face as he walked away. A few seconds later, someone else came up to Williams and Williams just shook his head slowly, like "can you believe that shit?"

Any idea what that was about?

Here's a link to a clip of this happening. Honestly don't know what to think

Thanks to Loomer for the link to the whole game.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:13 pm**

Looks like BDub nodded his head when they were done talking, so to the effect of "I understand".

I don't know if they players buy into Coleman, but it's good to have a vocal leader, something the Cats have been lacking.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:19 pm**

Merkin wrote:Looks like BDub nodded his head when they were done talking, so to the effect of "I understand".

I don't know if they players buy into Coleman, but it's good to have a vocal leader, something the Cats have been lacking.

I'm happy to see Coleman take a stand (whatever that might have been regarding). Happy to see three point guards walk off the court talking together in Miller, Coleman, and Williams. And if Williams bristles at being coached by Coleman? Well then beat him for lead PG duties, young man.

Interesting little moment though, good eye.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:24 pm**

YoDeFoe wrote:
Merkin wrote:Looks like BDub nodded his head when they were done talking, so to the effect of "I understand".

I don't know if they players buy into Coleman, but it's good to have a vocal leader, something the Cats have been lacking.
I'm happy to see Coleman take a stand (whatever that might have been regarding). Happy to see three point guards walk off the court talking together in Miller, Coleman, and Williams. And if Williams bristles at being coached by Coleman? Well then beat him for lead PG duties, young man.

Interesting little moment though, good eye.

Williams didn't look thrilled, but without knowing what it was about, it's hard to know more. Miller interjecting at the end seems good. It would worry me more if it was Coleman vs Williams with no coaching involvement.

It's on the coach to allow players a voice without it being out of control.

I was not blown away by Coleman in R/B, but that doesn't mean he hasn't earned a leadership role in practice.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:57 pm**

Ira's response was definitely what gives it intrigue. I could not help but laugh as he walked off (if an uneasy laugh). Not sure what to take of him just walking off not getting in the middle of it. Clear that CSM saw it and was moving in to quell any further discussion.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 3:17 pm**

We don't really know Coleman yet, but if he's taking it upon himself to encourage seriousness, focus, whatever in Williams, that could be good. Or, Williams might see it is, "bruh, you've been on this campus the exact same amount of time I have, and you don't have any authority yet."

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 3:27 pm**

Ira almost looks like he thinks it's funny-bad-cringe-y instead of just straight bad. Eyebrows up instead of eyebrows down. Something like that.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 4:40 pm**

What kind of response did Lee get when he was introduced?

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2018 4:47 pm**

Postmaster wrote:What kind of response did Lee get when he was introduced?

Very positive. Not mixed at all.

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:33 am**

it is official, Omar is transferring in December.

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:50 am**

SunnyAZ wrote:it is official, Omar is transferring in December.

Scary Terry, come on down.

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2018 2:51 pm**

So not AZ good and has a better offer? Who messed up recruiting him?

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2018 2:59 pm**

Jefe wrote:So not AZ good and has a better offer? Who messed up recruiting him?

I don’t view it as a screw up. Who could’ve predicted that recruiting would have returned to the expected so fast after what happened?

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2018 3:19 pm**

baycat93 wrote:Ira's response was definitely what gives it intrigue. I could not help but laugh as he walked off (if an uneasy laugh).

That was the part that got me...the "daaaamnnn" look

But this kind of stuff happens all the time. Don't know if doing it in front of cameras with this fan base is the best move, but Coleman isn't used to this level of spotlight.

Whatever...maybe BW needed it. I am not judging, just noticing it happened.

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2018 3:35 pm**

Any questionable choices by BWill near the end of the game? Nothing stood out to me but he had some flashy moments that didn't work out(behind the back layup). Lets really break this down!

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:02 am**

Im not sure if anyone is interested but single game tickets for UConn went on sale yesterday. The lower sections for the AZ game are sold out except for a few single seats but there are a ton of seats in the 200 level ranging from $28 to $43 fees included. I figured I would let the east coast fans know since AZ hasnt been to the east coast in a few years.

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:02 am**

Finally caught the red/blue game. Should be a fun team to watch, and I agree with those who think this team is gonna surprise people.

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:08 am**

This will sound corny, but seeing posters back after the dead period always gets me hyped for a new season.

Clip was the one with the in depth game breakdowns, right? I feel like we need a little bit of that about Red/Blue and it's really a season again.

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2018 4:28 pm**

jsbowl16 wrote:Im not sure if anyone is interested but single game tickets for UConn went on sale yesterday. The lower sections for the AZ game are sold out except for a few single seats but there are a ton of seats in the 200 level ranging from $28 to $43 fees included. I figured I would let the east coast fans know since AZ hasnt been to the east coast in a few years.

Not bad at all. UConn is the Donor Trip so we should have a good presence there

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:37 pm**

Does anyone know why Omar Thielemans was forced to leave the team?

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:41 pm**

Irish27 wrote:Does anyone know why Omar Thielemans was forced to leave the team?

I don't think he was forced. Sounds like he realized he wasn't good enough to play significant minutes here.

Posted: **Fri Oct 19, 2018 9:48 am**

UAEebs86 wrote:
Irish27 wrote:Does anyone know why Omar Thielemans was forced to leave the team?
I don't think he was forced. Sounds like he realized he wasn't good enough to play significant minutes here.

One would think that would have been clear when he signed. The idea was that he would have time to develop, perhaps become a contributor during his final two years. Perhaps he had delusions of grandeur.

Posted: **Fri Oct 19, 2018 3:22 pm**

So Spence, Jones, and Weyand are not on scholarship? Who gets Omar's?

Posted: **Fri Oct 19, 2018 3:47 pm**

Irish27 wrote:Does anyone know why Omar Thielemans was forced to leave the team?

Miller asked him to redshirt. He said no, so in turn forced himself out. Dude was far off from being Arizona ready.

Posted: **Sun Oct 21, 2018 8:35 pm**

76 in KenPom's preseason ratings, which is 7th best in the league.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 8:33 am**

SabinoDrifter wrote:76 in KenPom's preseason ratings, which is 7th best in the league.

Hard to forecast from bad/limited data.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:29 am**

SabinoDrifter wrote:76 in KenPom's preseason ratings, which is 7th best in the league.

Not a shock. Projecting our season is essentially a roll of the dice. There is very little actual data to draw from. Everyone we have is new or in a new role.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:31 am**

Others receiving votes:Loyola of Chicago 162, Marquette 124, Indiana 98, Florida 71, Nebraska 35, Maryland 28, Wisconsin 24, Notre Dame 22, Cincinnati 21, UCF 15, Alabama 15, Arizona 14, Buffalo 14, Louisville 11, Miami 10, San Diego St. 9, Texas Tech 6, Southern Cal 6, Butler 6, Texas 5, St. John's 3, Arizona St 3, Providence 2, Xavier 2, Davidson 1, Missouri 1, Marshall 1, NC State 1.

SabinoDrifter wrote:76 in KenPom's preseason ratings, which is 7th best in the league.

Our returning top scorer is Dylan Smith with 4 ppg and Ryan Luther played only 10 games last year. Makes sense, don't return any production, and that is what this is based on. I think 7th or 6th is what I thought the PAC 12 media would pick Arizona to finish at.

Here's the Kenpom rankings of the Maui field, which is going to be tough.

Duke: 2
Gonzaga: 9
Auburn: 17
Iowa State: 25
Xavier: 55
SDSU: 65
Arizona: 76
Illinois: 85

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:42 am**

ChooChooCat wrote:
Irish27 wrote:Does anyone know why Omar Thielemans was forced to leave the team?
Miller asked him to redshirt. He said no, so in turn forced himself out. Dude was far off from being Arizona ready.

If you can't make the rotation on this season's pretty weak team, that's a good sign right there you aren't UA good.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:53 am**

NYCat wrote: Here's the Kenpom rankings of the Maui field, which is going to be tough.

Duke: 2
Gonzaga: 9
Auburn: 17
Iowa State: 25
Xavier: 55
SDSU: 65
Arizona: 76
Illinois: 85

I'm ever the optimist about this program, but I can't ignore the possible reality that we get fucking cooked in Maui and never get a shot at the tournament because of it.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:58 am**

YoDeFoe wrote:
NYCat wrote: Here's the Kenpom rankings of the Maui field, which is going to be tough.

Duke: 2
Gonzaga: 9
Auburn: 17
Iowa State: 25
Xavier: 55
SDSU: 65
Arizona: 76
Illinois: 85
I'm ever the optimist about this program, but I can't ignore the possible reality that we get fucking cooked in Maui and never get a shot at the tournament because of it.

Recent memory not helping either

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:05 am**

YoDeFoe wrote:
NYCat wrote: Here's the Kenpom rankings of the Maui field, which is going to be tough.

Duke: 2
Gonzaga: 9
Auburn: 17
Iowa State: 25
Xavier: 55
SDSU: 65
Arizona: 76
Illinois: 85
I'm ever the optimist about this program, but I can't ignore the possible reality that we get fucking cooked in Maui and never get a shot at the tournament because of it.

Yup. Been saying that for a while. This team might turnout to be pretty good and finish well as a top 4 team in conference. But if this team starts slow and doesn't do well at Maui, @Alabama, @UConn, there might not be enough quadrant 1 or 2 wins out there to get in the NCAA tournament. (Cats could beat both LA school games, one Oregon game, one Washington game, which is 4-5 Q1 wins, not enough imo)

Have to beat Iowa State, a Gonzaga loss the next round won't be THAT bad, but have to win that 3rd game vs the Auburn/Duke loser. As a side note, Gonzaga v. Duke could will be fun.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:10 am**

YoDeFoe wrote:
SabinoDrifter wrote:76 in KenPom's preseason ratings, which is 7th best in the league.
Hard to forecast from bad/limited data.

My immediate thought, as well.

Maui will be interesting and good early test for this team.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:33 am**

Iowa State looks like it might be a favorable matchup. They seem to be pretty thin in the front court and would not have a big advantage from a rebounding edge. Guarding Wigginton will be the first challenge.

Getting the first win would be huge toward making the ultimate tournament.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:41 am**

While I think we will be a really good defensive team I still wonder if we will shoot it well enough. Playing these tough games early might be a blessing as maybe Luther can go for 30 as he sure seems like our only capable shooter in game time

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:34 am**

YoDeFoe wrote:
NYCat wrote: Here's the Kenpom rankings of the Maui field, which is going to be tough.

Duke: 2
Gonzaga: 9
Auburn: 17
Iowa State: 25
Xavier: 55
SDSU: 65
Arizona: 76
Illinois: 85
I'm ever the optimist about this program, but I can't ignore the possible reality that we get fucking cooked in Maui and never get a shot at the tournament because of it.

I would agree Maui makes a massive difference for us. The Pac is slated to be weak, so we aren't likely to make up a ton of ground when hitting conference play.

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 1:13 pm**

SabinoDrifter wrote:76 in KenPom's preseason ratings, which is 7th best in the league.

Does anyone know if there's somewhere I can bet over/under style on what our KenPom rating is at the end of the season, based on this 76 number?

Posted: **Mon Oct 22, 2018 5:25 pm**

Nice article on Randolph learning confidence and toughness from Trier.

Posted: **Tue Oct 23, 2018 11:30 am**

azcat49 wrote:While I think we will be a really good defensive team I still wonder if we will shoot it well enough.

My biggest concern as well. If we get some people hitting from deep consistently, we will be a factor this year. But I don't see where that kind of consistency is going to come from, and while it was just the first scrimmage, open look after open look was missed in Red/Blue.

Posted: **Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:25 pm**

EVCat wrote:
azcat49 wrote:While I think we will be a really good defensive team I still wonder if we will shoot it well enough.
My biggest concern as well. If we get some people hitting from deep consistently, we will be a factor this year. But I don't see where that kind of consistency is going to come from, and while it was just the first scrimmage, open look after open look was missed in Red/Blue.

On paper we have Williams, Barcello, Randolph, Akot, Luther, Doutrive, and Smith who can all shoot the three. I'd bet five of the seven finish above 35% and two or three finish 38% or above.

Bear Down Wildcats

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