The 2021-2022 Season Thread

[dovecanyoncat]

So much for the vaunted efficiency of markets.

[Postmaster]

So both teams are playing WSU?

[84Cat]

So both teams are playing WSU?

Yep

[Longhorned]

This OT win was exactly what this team needed. I believe Lloyd when he says this team works more on defense than on offense, but now they have tape on what they need to correct on offense. All the great opportunities that came up empty, man. Those would be bad enough without the horrific amount of turnovers.

[Chicat]

Well they got the dogfight I was looking for. Wish it had been because both teams played great and not because they both played like crap for long stretches.

With that being said, I liked that unlike in previous years the team showed the mental toughness to come out with the win. And I really liked how Tommy used substitutions and matchups, and that late switch to a zone to give the players as much of an advantage as possible.

[dmjcat]

We played our first real opponent tonight.........our warts showed:

1) Kriisa and Larsson cannot stay in front of their man on defense
2) Kriisa/Larson/Mathurin don't handle ball pressure well.......way too many turnovers
3) We don't have a guard who can handle the ball under pressure and penetrate.....we really missed Akinjo tonight
4) We better start practicing Free Throws
5) We do NOT look like a top 25 team
6) If I were an opposing coach and saw this game I would pressure AZ's guards the whole game

I watched both the UA football/basketball games simultaneously. For a minute I thought that we were going to not only get slaughtered in the Fog bowl but choke away the BBall game.

[dovecanyoncat]

I am grateful that newness beget victory and optimism in newness. If this was not what we were hoping for then what were we hoping for?

[Frybry02]

We played our first real opponent tonight.........our warts showed:

1) Kriisa and Larsson cannot stay in front of their man on defense
2) Kriisa/Larson/Mathurin don't handle ball pressure well.......way too many turnovers
3) We don't have a guard who can handle the ball under pressure and penetrate.....we really missed Akinjo tonight
4) We better start practicing Free Throws
5) We do NOT look like a top 25 team
6) If I were an opposing coach and saw this game I would pressure AZ's guards the whole game

I watched both the UA football/basketball games simultaneously. For a minute I thought that we were going to not only get slaughtered in the Fog bowl but choke away the BBall game.

We got bogged down in the half court. How we couldn’t take nor advantage late in the 2nd half of our size differential may have been more frustrating than the 20+ turnovers and missed free throws.

I think Arizona had one turnover in OT. Amazing what happens when we don’t turn over the ball.

[Dave]

5-27 3PT
22 Turnovers

How did we win that game? Major props for gutting that one out!

[AZCatGirl]

I'll take an ugly win considering most of this conference is shitting the bed so far.

[97cats]

fyi, Arizona does not miss James Akinjo

[EastCoastCat]

Agree 97. The way this team plays on offense right now which is predicated on movement and passing I think Akinjo’s game would not fit as well.

Except for his free throws.

[Chicat]

There were a few spots where his ballhandling and dog mentality could have been used last night but I agree overall that it seems like addition by subtraction.

[pc in NM]

5-27 3PT
22 Turnovers

How did we win that game? Major props for gutting that one out!

29/42 FT's (Tubelis 8/14!!!), and WSU's 20 offensive rebounds were the most frustrating items among those in my section!!!

[84Cat]

UA
28th KenPom
15th Sagrin

Michigan
3rd KenPom
5th Sagrin

[loomer]

UA
28th KenPom
15th Sagrin

Michigan
3rd KenPom
5th Sagrin

Barttorvik still has us 16th as well. We really didn't lose much ground last night and if anything our defensive efficiency improved a bit. Barttorvik ranks us #27 in AdjO and #11 in AdjD. Offensively we're ranked 139th in 3FG%, 154th in FT%, 110th in TO%. Those numbers are pretty concerning but there's still a long way to go. I think our defense has been solid so far, although we're still giving up way too many offensive rebounds and fouling too much. Without Koloko I'd be much less keen on our defense. He erases a ton of mistakes from our not so great backcourt defenders (Kriisa, Mathurin) when they get beat. My hope is that Larsson will settle in on both ends of the floor as the season goes on. He still looks uncomfortable and a step slow out there.

[Chicat]

My hope is that Larsson will settle in on both ends of the floor as the season goes on. He still looks uncomfortable and a step slow out there.

Multiple concussions will do that to you.

[YoDeFoe]

Just getting off the plane from Vegas but uh, I felt a lot better before that game than after haha - Get it done Tommy!

[TheCat]

Michigan's center does not run the floor as well as Koloko. That may be an advantage in tiring him out. He sets a hell of a screen though.

[Beachcat97]

Was looking at the Michigan/Seton Hall box score (SH won 67-65). Michigan did not shoot the 3 well in that game (3-15). They were a little better against UNLV (6-19).

They turned the ball over 12 times vs. UNLV, 11 vs. SH.

Dickinson gets a lot of touches, and he's a primary option on offense. He's shooting 66% on the season. Brooks is their most efficient guard and their second leading scorer.

On paper, we can match their size and rebounding. If we come close to the turnover total we had yesterday, Michigan should win by double digits. They'll make you pay for mistakes more than WSU did.

The line still isn't up for this game, but I'm thinking it's around Michigan -5

Should be an interesting game. Great challenge for this young team and new coach. If we can stay within 7 to 8 points of them heading into the final 10 minutes, no reason we can't surprise people tomorrow.

BTFD!

[Merkin]

The line still isn't up for this game, but I'm thinking it's around Michigan -5

Dude.

[Beachcat97]

Line has been trending in AZ’s direction since first posted.

[Catintheheat]

Some of the things I'd like to see.

I'd like to see Mathurin stronger with the ball. He made a lot of lazy passes into the post that were picked off. He seems to lack confidence.

I'd like to see Zu hit his FT at the end of games.

I'd like to see Koloko make the easy high percentage dunk when the game is on the line. No need to try a posterizing dunk at that time that results in a technical for hanging on the rim. There are times to get on sportscenter when the game isn't at an important point.

Justin Kier needs practice on how to make layups when driving to the hoop.

I do not want to see Pelle Larsson on the court at the end of a game, right now, unless he feels more comfortable with the system, or is making his 3s. He seems to be turnover prone. Something we don't need with the game on the line.

In crunch time this is who I'd like to see on the court.

Guards: Kriisa and Kier
Big Men: Koloko and Tubelis

SF: Not sure yet. Maybe Mathurin, Terry, Aiken? Terry fouled out so not sure how he plays in crunch time. Aiken didn't play much in the second half. Not sure why. Maybe Larsson will get it together. He has been out for awhile.

[Alieberman]

I know Benn hasn't played up to expectations yet this year, but I think you are waaaay undervaluing him if you aren't sure he should be playing during crunch time.

[Catintheheat]

I know Benn hasn't played up to expectations yet this year, but I think you are waaaay undervaluing him if you aren't sure he should be playing during crunch time.

In my defense I didn't watch much basketball last season. I am basing my opinion on the WSU game almost exclusively.

[Alieberman]

Well... we aren't going very far unless Benn proves he's NBA ready

[Beachcat97]

Well... we aren't going very far unless Benn proves he's NBA ready

I mean, that would be great, but I wouldn't put it all on his shoulders. Kriisa, Koloko, Tubelis, Larsson, Terry...all of these guys can be difference-makers this season.

Having slept on it, I'm gonna say we grind out a nail-biter today and get the W.

AZ 84, UM 80

[84Cat]

What expectations do you guys have for Benn? His to's were high but he had 25 pts & 10 rebounds against WSU. He was also money from the free throw line. I'll take that every game

[azgreg]

I think he's going to be just fine and will continue to improve. I expect him to be all conference by the end of the year.

[Longhorned]

I think he'll be great.

[TheCat]

I think he's going to be just fine and will continue to improve. I expect him to be all conference by the end of the year.

I think improvement from 25 and 10 is asking way too much. Cut down TO's and he is golden.

[Olsondogg]

Wait. People think Benn needs to improve? Lmao.

[Beachcat97]

Wait. People think Benn needs to improve? Lmao.

I don't think that's been a common opinion here, maybe just one or two people.

Benn is off to a great start this season, and it's perfectly reasonable to expect he'll keep improving.

[Alieberman]

Wait. People think Benn needs to improve? Lmao.

I think everyone needs to improve. I'm guessing Tommy would say the same thing.

I also expect everyone will improve.

[dmjcat]

fyi, Arizona does not miss James Akinjo

We certainly did Friday night. Franky, both Kriisa and Larsson were turnover machines that couldn't stay in front of their man defensively. Watching the game I thought we should have seen more Keir/less Kriisa in the second half. Hopefully, what we saw from our Euro guards was simply a case of first road game jitters and not a trend. If it wasn't we may see Eli Brooks tear Kriisa a new one tonight.

Just because the Miller version of Akinjo (black hole that pounds the ball into the court) was a ball hog doesn't mean that a Lloyd version of Akinjio would do the same thing.

[Merkin]

Wait. People think Benn needs to improve? Lmao.

Well, his defense was pretty poor last season and earlier this season.

[pokinmik]

The cats are lookin legit this year! The length and athleticism and tenacity will overwhelm the vast majority of opponents. This team looks like it should have all the pieces for whatever is thrown their way.

[MrBug708]

Great win for you guys today.

[waysouthcat]

The Cats looked great, but as a long suffering Cats fan, I temper my optimism with the thought that Michigan really isn't that good this year, having lost three players to the NBA draft and restocking this year.

[RawleArenas]

fyi, Arizona does not miss James Akinjo

We certainly did Friday night. Franky, both Kriisa and Larsson were turnover machines that couldn't stay in front of their man defensively. Watching the game I thought we should have seen more Keir/less Kriisa in the second half. Hopefully, what we saw from our Euro guards was simply a case of first road game jitters and not a trend. If it wasn't we may see Eli Brooks tear Kriisa a new one tonight.

Just because the Miller version of Akinjo (black hole that pounds the ball into the court) was a ball hog doesn't mean that a Lloyd version of Akinjio would do the same thing.

I disagree with this totally. I loved Akinjo, he's the type of guard we always needed for deep tourney runs. The tournament is a street fight, and say what you will about Akinjo, he doesn't back down from anyone. Also, he was first team last year and had his best year in A/T ratio and shooting percentage as well. Scott Drew was so high on him, that he felt that Baylor could repeat as champions based on his leadership. That being said, Lloyd needs to shore up the PG position soon, it's the only position I don't feel totally comfortable with yet.

[wyo-cat]

I’m cool with Kriisa at PG.

I don’t think Pelle is 100%, when he is, we’ll be styling.

[84Cat]

On KenPom Michigan is at 6 and UA moved up to 19

[RawleArenas]

I’m cool with Kriisa at PG.

I don’t think Pelle is 100%, when he is, we’ll be styling.

For the record, I like Kriisa (Euro-TJ), but think he needs better backup. Kier is ok as a stop gap, but for the future we need another strong point guard to support him. When that happens, watch out. I like Larsson too, he wasn't himself tonight.

[84Cat]

Kier is only here 1 year so we need to recruit a pg next year. Maybe another transfer

[Olsondogg]

Wait. People think Benn needs to improve? Lmao.

I think everyone needs to improve. I'm guessing Tommy would say the same thing.

I also expect everyone will improve.

Ok. But if you look at the team and think first off “Gee, Benn is the one who needs improvement” then you’re an idiot.

[Beachcat97]

Well shit. I actually did predict the W tonight, but not in such decisive fashion.

This team has a ton of potential, guys. This is the most excited I’ve been about AZ hoops for a while.

Not many teams will be able to match our size and defense. If we get more consistent from 3, watch out.

[AZCatGirl]

[Olsondogg]

Anybody watching last year knew that Miller had some pieces to build upon which is why when the sanctions were put in to ensure that he wouldn’t make a run, so many were upset. I am still pissed that the chance at redemption was taken away 2 years in a row.

But I am happy to see the fun being had this year. I hope it continues and leads to more. Tommy has handled the transition with class and enthusiasm and that makes me happy as well.

Bear Down.

[Abrahamarvel]

I’m cool with Kriisa at PG.

I don’t think Pelle is 100%, when he is, we’ll be styling.

Kerr reminds me of TJM, scrappy and smart defender, great teammate. Team captain material.

[RichardCranium]

So I'm thinking the guys will show up around the number 17 mark. The women should lift to number 6 or 7.