Final Four suddenly a possibility Arizona?

[HiCat]

Just pondering a FF run (no jinx). Cats luck changing with AT's return.

Bruce Pascoe Arizona Daily Star Jan 25, 2017 Updated 7 hrs ago

So who’s to say Arizona, now fortified with Trier and three already well-seasoned freshman talents, can’t make that I-10 shuttle up to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale for the final weekend of the season?

The Wildcats may have as good a chance as anybody at this point.

http://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcat ... 267c5.html" target="_blank

[Chicat]

The tourney is such a crapshoot that I hate making any kind of prediction this far out. Feels like we are just setting ourselves up for disappointment.

[whatisee]

The tourney is such a crapshoot that I hate making any kind of prediction this far out. Feels like we are just setting ourselves up for disappointment.

Agree with you here, but it's scary to think this team hasn't played it's best game yet. They're a fun group to watch because they are so competitive

[Longhorned]

There are literally no predictably Final Four teams in America right now, so we might as well hope we'll be good enough and lucky enough to break through.

[Spaceman Spiff]

We have a FF ceiling. Whether that actually happens in the NCAA tourney is an open question. You have to be a juggernaut to assume it is likely, and we aren't that. We're in the mix.

[Daryl Zero]

The tourney is such a crapshoot that I hate making any kind of prediction this far out. Feels like we are just setting ourselves up for disappointment.

True but, in a way, its the opposite of the time where we knew we had a FF team and then BA got hurt. Almost like lady luck is offering free bjs now.

[Longhorned]

The tourney is such a crapshoot that I hate making any kind of prediction this far out. Feels like we are just setting ourselves up for disappointment.

True but, in a way, its the opposite of the time where we knew we had a FF team and then BA got hurt. Almost like lady luck is offering free bjs now.

Don't let her hear you say that. Lady Luck keeps her fingers on our zippers.

[CatFanOneMil]

There are so many unknowns and odd factors that make the Tournament so much fun and so emotionally devastating as well...here's a few reminders:

1. Refs change the way they call a game in the final 10 seconds...
2. Some player who has never been consistent gets hot and hits a thousand three point shots from beyond the ark of defense...
3. A team suddenly has a mind wipe and everything they've learned for the last year gets forgotten and turns into sweat on a cotton shirt...
4. An average player becomes a beast and dunks from the free throw line over guys standing around in opposing jerseys...
5. Etc...

I look at this team and think they are finding their rhythm...they will have seen just about everything possible by the time they hit the floor in the West, bigs who move like Mac Trucks, three point assassins, and drive and dish number #1 picks...

Granted they still "pause" and slow down a little when someone throws zone at them, but they have learned to figure it out and move past it...

After watching them demolish UCLA and exploit Alford system of "hero ball" I think they have a great chance to go really far this year...just to many weapons to go with that stiffling defense that will only get better...

For the first time in a long time Miller has some offensive tools to go with his "packline only" approach to basketball...

We go far...and frankly I think we dominate the West ...Few's team will be ready to play, but he has his one win a century already, he should have saved it for later.

[Olsondogg]

The final 4 always was a possibility...even without Trier. I love these shit articles and analysis that gets blown up about 4 hours into the tourney.

[SCCats]

We have a FF ceiling. Whether that actually happens in the NCAA tourney is an open question. You have to be a juggernaut to assume it is likely, and we aren't that. We're in the mix.

Agree on all points.

[walk-on-wildcat]

All of a sudden we are no longer under the radar. Hope all the love we are getting doesn't kick us in the nuts.

[PHXCATS]

All teams have final four potential. All that is important is how much. How much you have means how well you can advance without your A game. Arizona's greatly improved with the addition of Trier back in the rotation.

[Spaceman Spiff]

All of a sudden we are no longer under the radar. Hope all the love we are getting doesn't kick us in the nuts.

It doesn't matter. Under/over the radar, you have to win the games. The randomness of the tourney scares me way more than the publicity does.

Both years, I think we beat Wisconsin 6 or 7 times out of 10. They beat us in both single games.

[NYCat]

Mach madness is all about guard play. We have 3 dynamic guards and good upperclassmen guard. 2 of the 4 could carry this team the whole way to Phoenix or just for one game at a time. Of course if they all go cold the team can get bounced in the 1st weekend (depending on matchups, seeding, etc).

The Aaron Gordon/Stanley Johnson teams had high floors yet the same ceiling as this team - but this year obviously w/ a lower floor.

But I like the makeup of this team for a tournament. This is probably the best shooting team that Miller has had. You can't crowd the paint because Lauri will kill you outside. That frees up lanes for the guards, if they have to take outside shots they're capable of hitting them. The depth on the backcourt is killer, it's hard to to defend when you can have 2 of those guards in at all times and rotate between them. The team is good defensively. Lauri is probably the best player Miller has had. Hypothetically, Lauri, Trier and say Kobi can carry the team to Phoenix easily.

[PennZona20]

I think we may have a higher ceiling than the Stanley team. I loved Stanley but I think he is a little overvalued. He was a great player w great size but he didn't do anything at an elite level. Just a bunch of things well.

I do think the Arizona team, pre-Ashley injury , was as good a college team as there has been since A Davis UK team. That team had it all, except elite shooting which this team has.

[Olsondogg]

I like to wait to see matchups before I make a judgement on where teams will go.

[CalStateTempe]

I like that this team has the traditional Miller defense with some "pop" on offense. Potent combo for March, especially how miller can get them from full court transition to half court sets to drain clock seemlessly, like automatic transmission.

[Jefe]

40/1 odds last week and I was so close to doing it. Now 12/1 to win it all

[Olsondogg]

Well I have tickets so make it happen mofo's

[HiCat]

40/1 odds last week and I was so close to doing it. Now 12/1 to win it all

12/1 Woah

[EastCoastCat]

My son is enjoying his Freshman year at the UofA so if we make the FF in his first year I'm going to have mixed emotions about that considering all of the pain and suffering I have endured throughout the years...

[ASUHATER!]

My son is enjoying his Freshman year at the UofA so if we make the FF in his first year I'm going to have mixed emotions about that considering all of the pain and suffering I have endured throughout the years...

yeah not fair. I at least got to experience the 2005 elite 8 heartbreak and the O'Neill year!

[wyo-cat]

This is the type of team that will make a breakthrough IMHO. Less star power and more team effort.

[btfd16]

40/1 odds last week and I was so close to doing it. Now 12/1 to win it all

12/1 Woah

I got it at +5000 after the Gonzaga loss. Granted I graduated in may and started paying student loans so I didn't throw too much on it haha

[Jefe]

Well done! ^ Friend of mine put $200 on it when it was 33/1

[Harvey Specter]

40/1 odds last week and I was so close to doing it. Now 12/1 to win it all

12/1 Woah

I got it at +5000 after the Gonzaga loss. Granted I graduated in may and started paying student loans so I didn't throw too much on it haha

Is there an aftermarket for existing bets?

i.e., could you sell your 50:1 ticket for 4 times what you paid for it? You quadruple your money and the buyer gets slightly better than market odds (12.5:1).

May as well let it ride... but I never thought of that before. I am quite sure plenty others have,

[PHXCATS]

40/1 odds last week and I was so close to doing it. Now 12/1 to win it all

12/1 Woah

I got it at +5000 after the Gonzaga loss. Granted I graduated in may and started paying student loans so I didn't throw too much on it haha

Is there an aftermarket for existing bets?

i.e., could you sell your 50:1 ticket for 4 times what you paid for it? You quadruple your money and the buyer gets slightly better than market odds (12.5:1).

May as well let it ride... but I never thought of that before. I am quite sure plenty others have,

Yes there is

[PennZona20]

I bet $200 for it at 35:1 sometime during the win steak , I think it was right before Utah and Colorado came calling cuz there were rumors he'd be back.

So $7k would be a nice cherry on top of a dream season.

[Jefe]

I bet $200 for it at 35:1 sometime during the win steak , I think it was right before Utah and Colorado came calling cuz there were rumors he'd be back.

So $7k would be a nice cherry on top of a dream season.

If we make it to the Final 4, Ill give you $50 for $500 of that Think about it...

[PHXCATS]

I bet $200 for it at 35:1 sometime during the win steak , I think it was right before Utah and Colorado came calling cuz there were rumors he'd be back.

So $7k would be a nice cherry on top of a dream season.

If we make it to the Final 4, Ill give you $50 for $500 of that Think about it...

If the Cats are winning the title game by 100 with a minute left I will give you 6995 for the ticket. Think about it

[CalStateTempe]

Man, I got so screwed at 25:1, at the nugget in Reno before the Butler game.

[PHXCATS]

Man, I got so screwed at 25:1, at the nugget in Reno before the Butler game.

I got one at 20 and one at 35

[EVCat]

I got 22/1 when I was there on Memorial Day weekend.

Granted, I only put $50 down, but that is enough to make it worth travelling back to get my money. So I get an excuse for a Vegas trip if it wins.

[PennZona20]

I bet $200 for it at 35:1 sometime during the win steak , I think it was right before Utah and Colorado came calling cuz there were rumors he'd be back.

So $7k would be a nice cherry on top of a dream season.

If we make it to the Final 4, Ill give you $50 for $500 of that Think about it...

If the Cats are winning the title game by 100 with a minute left I will give you 6995 for the ticket. Think about it

lol I'm gonna go ahead and take this one to the house for better or worse. I pretty much live in casinos as my profession is poker (I'm not a degen like Ace) so I usually have a few pending ones out there.

I'm a PSU fan in football (save the Sandusky jokes , I'm glad we've moved on from JoePa and everybody who had anything to do w that heinous act) and bet them 40:1 ($100) that they'd win big 10 and hammered their over 7 wins total for the year so maybe this is the year my homer bets come thru lol.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

My son is enjoying his Freshman year at the UofA so if we make the FF in his first year I'm going to have mixed emotions about that considering all of the pain and suffering I have endured throughout the years...

Nah....you think that now BUT if we make the FF all those old feelings are put on hold and you'll become rabid with excitement, nervousness, and immense pride.....been there, done that in 2001....my lone 4 year stint back in the US (was DallasCat on the scout boards then) in my post-UA years.

Was in Dallas and my KU cousin and I got tickets to the Sweet 16 / Elite 8 in San Antonio.....Got to watch us beat Mississippi then KU gets bitch-slapped by hated Illinois.....my butt hurt KU cousin (we took his car) decides to selfishly bail on me and the weekend plans so I went back to Dallas with him.

Had to watch us beat Illinois for the FF on my TV while crying on my ticket .....this was the last straw and time I ever rooted for KU (my parents, cousins are Jayhawks)......love my family but hate KU with a passion now and they give us many reasons too....

Anyways, I digress.....all of my 1998, 1988, etc hurts went out the window and I thoroughly enjoyed our run till that devastating loss to Duke...is JWill still riding Garner's back? Is Dunkeavy still insane from 3? And the worst / deciding factor...Does Agent Zero super stud Arenas still have a dislocated shoulder from that nasty run in the previous game? (Zach Randolph? That MSU beast....forgot his name....)

I still believe a healthy Arenas and some better reffing would have gotten us that 2001 Championship.

Bear Down and enjoy the ride this year

[EVCat]

I had to endure a 2nd round flame out, a Sweet 16 loss with Ed Fucking Stokes taking a baseline jumper in a tight game, two straight 1st round losses as a 3 and 2 seed, respectively, and finally a Final Four to send me off (yes, it took me 5 years. I had 2 Sophomore years due to inability to get upper division classes as a Sophomore and that fucking phone party line class sign up where if everything went wrong, you didn't get the computer but instead got a party line of like 7 students all saying "what the fuck" in the background).

It is amazing how long a year seems when you are that age. I got to campus in 89-90 and was all fired up for basketball because we were a national superpower that I had been watching since...1987. It seemed to me like Arizona hoops had been amazing forever and it was just a foregone conclusion that we would be great forever...but we were only two years removed from the Final Four. Lute had a missed tourney (understandable coming from 4-24), first round loss, first round loss, first round loss, Final Four, and Sweet Sixteen under his Arizona belt. Yet we all just knew we were forever.

It's like I noted the other day to a friend ...I broke up with my girlfriend in college, she transferred, and we had complete college lives...everything i identify as college happened after that. We reunited afterwards, and she is now my wife and we celebrate 20 years of marriage. That gap from break up to dating again was less than 3 years. Meanwhile, a friend recently asked me if I had seen a former mutual co-worker and I said "yeah..I ran into him at a concert just the other day." I looked at the calendar and concert schedule and it was 3 1/2 years ago.

Under 3 years was a lifetime in my early 20s. 3.5 years was "just the other day" in my 40s.

So in that respect, we were just in the Final Four "a little while ago".

[rgdeuce]

My time at Arizona- 04 first round loss to Seton Hall as a 9 seed; the unnamed elite eight collapse in 05; second round loss in 06 as an 8 seed. Doesnt get much worse than that.

[gumby]

My time: No dancing. Might as well have gone to Pepperdine.

(Did you know dancing used to be banned there? Alcohol still is).

Doesn't get worse than that.

[Olsondogg]

I got to party on 4th ave and watch a "riot" take place, only to have classes cancelled the next day, and a huge parade ending at Arizona Stadium. The 1997 tournament was a wild ride.

[84Cat]

I lived through the final 2 years of Snowden, Lindsey and the 1st year of Lute. No dancing for me but I remember the excitement with the arrival of Lute.

[Chicat]

I got to party on 4th ave and watch a "riot" take place, only to have classes cancelled the next day, and a huge parade ending at Arizona Stadium. The 1997 tournament was a wild ride.

Your classes were cancelled? Mine were most certainly not. Had to take a test in my Japanese 101 class that I bombed. I barely even remember being there.

I was there '95-'99, so saw the Sweet 16 loss to Kansas, the National Championship, that ugly fucking loss to Utah, and then the ugly upset as the 4 seed to Oklahoma. I was heartbroken for JT who carried us that entire year.

[Olsondogg]

I got to party on 4th ave and watch a "riot" take place, only to have classes cancelled the next day, and a huge parade ending at Arizona Stadium. The 1997 tournament was a wild ride.

Your classes were cancelled? Mine were most certainly not. Had to take a test in my Japanese 101 class that I bombed. I barely even remember being there.

I was there '95-'99, so saw the Sweet 16 loss to Kansas, the National Championship, that ugly fucking loss to Utah, and then the ugly upset as the 4 seed to Oklahoma. I was heartbroken for JT who carried us that entire year.

That's what I remember...although I was lit for about 48 hours...so memory is fuzzy.

[Daryl Zero]

and then the ugly upset as the 4 seed to Oklahoma. I was heartbroken for JT who carried us that entire year.

On the "bright side," the Cats would have had to forfeit any games they won that year anyhow . . .

[EastCoastCat]

I lived through the final 2 years of Snowden, Lindsey and the 1st year of Lute. No dancing for me but I remember the excitement with the arrival of Lute.

I didn't even get the first year of Lute so nobody gets to bitch.

I attended games where McKale was only half full and you could walk down to better seats behind the bench. Try and imagine that.

[gumby]

We sat courtside in the student bleachers. Ah, the benefits of sucking.

[84Cat]

I lived through the final 2 years of Snowden, Lindsey and the 1st year of Lute. No dancing for me but I remember the excitement with the arrival of Lute.

I didn't even get the first year of Lute so nobody gets to bitch.

I attended games where McKale was only half full and you could walk down to better seats behind the bench. Try and imagine that.

I hear ya. I remember going to a few games when Ben Lindsey was coaching and there was maybe 500-1000 people in attendance. We bought the cheapest tickets and sat in like row 5.

[BibbysTowelDude]

As awful as all the first round flame outs are, I still think that Oklahoma game is the worst. Absolutely no energy, Oklahoma wasn't even good that day either. They were paint drying, we were grass growing. I seem to remember that they couldn't stop slobbing Najera for more than 2 minutes. (I actually liked Najera, great college player). I could be wrong but it felt like it was on a Thursday Morning and that team that I had some real high hopes for was done in the blink of an eye. It really felt like that Tournament experience last 5 minutes, then it all got taken away anyways by the NCAA Ghostbusters.

[catgrad97]

It was like the whole team got told pregame about the JT rules violation.

[EVCat]

As awful as all the first round flame outs are, I still think that Oklahoma game is the worst. Absolutely no energy, Oklahoma wasn't even good that day either. They were paint drying, we were grass growing. I seem to remember that they couldn't stop slobbing Najera for more than 2 minutes. (I actually liked Najera, great college player). I could be wrong but it felt like it was on a Thursday Morning and that team that I had some real high hopes for was done in the blink of an eye. It really felt like that Tournament experience last 5 minutes, then it all got taken away anyways by the NCAA Ghostbusters.

Agree. While I think Oklahoma was a bit better than their seeding, we had opportunity after opportunity to win that game. And while every other first round flameout up to that point had a path you could take to realistically figure it out (even Santa Clara...it was the 2nd slap across the face to change how we approached the game in regard to backcourt), Oklahoma made no sense. It was an early game, first of the day at that location, but Oklahoma is one time zone over, so no excuse. We were far too dependent on one player that year, but we were still better than OU at 4 of 5 spots. Worst off, I had a medical procedure scheduled for that morning (minor) that was less than fun, and then came home to that. It was like getting punched in the face twice that day.

[gumby]

I've never found the path to a Santa Clara explanation. It was because it was a second slap that it was so bad. That team was better than the 1999 team, and Oklahoma 99 was better than Clara 93.