Bear Down Wildcats

IndianaZonaFan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:03 am Anyone else concerned about Bradley’s production so far? After watching these first 3 games…the Southern game especially…he looks overwhelmed and out of sync. At this point I would play KJ over him…am I missing something? What does he do that KJ doesn’t?

U.P. Zona Fan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 2:12 pm My son's first basketball game is tonight!
He's 10 and he's 4'6 and 56 pounds, he's a banger!!! So excited!!!

This probably doesn't go here, but what the heck.

Arizona is a national championship contender

What's going on?

Arizona made arguably the biggest statement of the first 10 days of the season by going into Cameron Indoor Stadium and knocking off then-No. 2 Duke. The Wildcats looked like a dramatically different outfit than the last couple of years: Tougher, more physical, better defensively. That's noteworthy because in those last couple of years they won 61 games and received a 1-seed and 2-seed in the NCAA tournament. San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson has added a different dimension to the frontcourt, while Kylan Boswell and North Carolina transfer Caleb Love give Tommy Lloyd a pair of playmakers with size at the guard spots.

Will it last?

If Arizona continues to defend like it has through three games, it should be near the top of the rankings the entire season. Johnson was one of the best defensive players in the Mountain West before he transferred, while Boswell and Love have shown a different level of physicality on the defensive end compared to the departed Kerr Kriisa. Offensively, too, things are going to look different. Going from Azuolas Tubelis to Johnson is probably a net loss in a vacuum, but the latter provides more versatility. And, Boswell and Love are two guys who can go and get their own shot -- something Arizona has struggled with in postseason play.

What they're saying

"They're better this year than last year," said one coach who scouted them this season and last. "Specifically, they're better defensively. Caleb Love is a big upgrade to Kriisa at the point, in terms of his physicality and his defense. On the perimeter they defend a lot better. Guarding the ball, staying in front. [Oumar] Ballo can overwhelm you. It's a different look with Johnson at the 4, but they're more physical and more athletic than they were last season.

"With Kriisa and Tubelis, you could drive them a little bit. With Johnson, Love and Boswell, they do a better job of guarding the ball -- and with Johnson and Ballo, they're very, very hard to deal with at both ends on the glass. Love is a huge upgrade at point guard on Kriisa. Their transition offense is better with Johnson. And Ballo is finishing around the basket better than I remember. His ability when the shot goes up, you have to face-guard him to physically keep him off the backboard. [Pelle] Larsson has taken a step up as well."

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:31 am I think we could take a 7-game series from the Washington Wizards.

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 2:07 am It is almost impossible for me to see the games live. My first thought is Krivas is really good. Outstanding footwork. If he was stronger he would be our best center. When he relieves Ballo I don't believe we lose anything.

When Love goes off, I believe that is a mixed blessing. He can make bad plays then and play hero ball. I love his enthusiasm, but he needs to learn how to channel his emotions. Sometimes I takes unwarranted low percentage shots or plays. I believe he is at the right school where he can hone his talents and skills.

Kylan Boswell is nails. IMO, he is one of the two best players on the team along with Keshad Johnson. Boswell is so composed.

Bradley still makes boneheaded plays and takes bad shots, but I think he was a little better tonight. I believe it is just a matter of time. I want to see him get PT. He is quick and, perhaps, he just needs to become acclimated more to his role, and build from there. The talent is there.

Fili B needs to stop being so tentative. I want to see him shoot more. At least for this season he is a specialist, and that is on offense.

Pauli seems not to be able to handle the speed of the college game, at least right now. I still want him to receive PT when the game is not on the line.

U.P. Zona Fan wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:06 pm I haven't been this excited for a team this early in the year since the Aaron Gordon season. That was the year I found PGU, and teamrankings.com and kenpom.com. That was a big year.

KaibabKat wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:46 pm and to think we don't have Veesaar yet.

84Cat wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:48 pm

KaibabKat wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:46 pm and to think we don't have Veesaar yet.

I just don't see a role for Veesar. Who is going to sit for him to play? Krivas is better than advertised

Merkin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:30 pm Ballo was a 70.1% FT shooter as a sophomore.

But as a fan of small ball, do like Johnson out there.

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:31 pm Can't name the most important player on this team, but just look at Keshads stat line for this MSU game. He can take more shots, but if it detracts from his many other contributions we are dead in the water. He was such an important get for us. Immeasurable.

dmjcat wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 6:02 pm Arizona - Michigan State extended highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b55BKTLBQx0

Chicat wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:37 pm Toughest Arizona team I’ve seen since 2014.

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 7:19 am I know it’s next to impossible, that there will be nights when there’s foul trouble and the shots don’t fall and the other team gets ridiculously lucky, but I also think there’s the possibility of speaking things into existence…

It would be the ultimate fuck you send off from a conference that always treated us like shit to go out 20-0.

I’d settle for 19-1 just because a one-loss season hasn’t happened since Utah and Rado joined the league. In reality, I think we’ll go 17-3. Like I said, there are just those random nights when everything goes against you.

Chicat wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 7:19 am I know it’s next to impossible, that there will be nights when there’s foul trouble and the shots don’t fall and the other team gets ridiculously lucky, but I also think there’s the possibility of speaking things into existence…

It would be the ultimate fuck you send off from a conference that always treated us like shit to go out 20-0.

I’d settle for 19-1 just because a one-loss season hasn’t happened since Utah and Rado joined the league. In reality, I think we’ll go 17-3. Like I said, there are just those random nights when everything goes against you.