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?
Not at all
Luke fanboys are but no one should be
2018 Bear Down Wildcats Conference Championship Challenge Champion
5 games in including the 2 exhibitions, Bradley has been the lowest rated Arizona player in each and every one. Not what I was expecting from a player with a years D1 experience and a McDonald's All American, Something does not compute. May be a problem none of us know about. Hope it gets worked out for his sake and for the teams.
In 58 total minutes Bradley has only scored 17 RAP points (1 point for every rebound, assist, point, steal, block, and 1 negative point for every turnover).
By comparison, in 52 total minutes Lewis has scored 53 RAP points.
Obviously not scientific, and it’s just our own stupid stat, but for the amount he’s played you definitely want to see more overall production.
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
He wasn't super productive at bama was he? I guess I was expecting him to be about as good as he was there. At this point in the season.
He's not a liability on D so he can spell a few of our guys. Frankly at this point of the year there are other players I was expecting more of than I was expecting of Bradley. Been pretty happy with where everyone is at.
A little surprised at how well Boz, Krivas, and Keshad and also Lewis have started the season. Don't think anyone is less than I expected them. Maybe I thought that Boz and Bradley would be closer in production, but that is Boz's fault for being so freaking good.
Arizona State might have the most surprisingly anemic history in men's basketball of any program that you might think is better than it is.
-Norlander.
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 State might have the most surprisingly anemic history in men's basketball of any program that you might think is better than it is.
-Norlander.
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.
Put some caulks on his playing shoes so he can bang with authority down in the low post!
“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”
Arizona State might have the most surprisingly anemic history in men's basketball of any program that you might think is better than it is.
-Norlander.
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."
Step right up kids, it's not too early to get waay ahead of ourselves!!
“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”
Arizona State might have the most surprisingly anemic history in men's basketball of any program that you might think is better than it is.
-Norlander.
I think we could take a 7-game series from the Washington Wizards.
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
Way to early to really understand how good we are. Our win was impressive but many test remain on our schedule. Let's not overreact either way. Impossible I know.
Arizona won on the road last week against a Duke team that ranks among the highest nationally in minutes continuity after going undefeated at home last season. When college basketball's regular season winds to a close in early March, the Wildcats' win at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Friday may still stand as the best in the sport.
Duke bounced back with a neutral-site win over Michigan State in the Champions Classic, which helped validate the fact that the Blue Devils are indeed a good team. Last Friday, Arizona was simply better as the Wildcats looked thoroughly undaunted by the hostile atmosphere even as a couple of true freshmen played extended minutes off the bench in the first road action of their college careers.
Love the 've! Stop with the: Would of - Could of - Should of - Must of - Might of
Chicat wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:31 am
I think we could take a 7-game series from the Washington Wizards.
Arizona State might have the most surprisingly anemic history in men's basketball of any program that you might think is better than it is.
-Norlander.
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.
I really hope Bradley starts to figure it out. There is going to be a game when both Love and Boswell will have to sit early because if fouls (might be against MSU) and we need some stability and playmaking from him.
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.
Love was 8-12 FG's - I'll take that every game.
“If you have the choice between humble and cocky, go with cocky. There's always time to be humble later, once you've been proven horrendously, irrevocably wrong.”
I daresay, this may very well be the most talented team in Arizona history!
And, they’re all CTL’s guys!
AND, they’re still working out their chemistry…
BTFD!!!!
I actually never thought I’d be able to say that after Lute’s tenure
“If you have the choice between humble and cocky, go with cocky. There's always time to be humble later, once you've been proven horrendously, irrevocably wrong.”
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.
Arizona State might have the most surprisingly anemic history in men's basketball of any program that you might think is better than it is.
-Norlander.
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.
If Brandon Ashley hadn't been injured it could have been an undefeated season.
I can't recall a Cats team 1-8 as good as this year. It looks like Bradley is becoming more comfortable in the offense. We can play big. We fan play fast. We can ratchet up the defensive pressure. We can put 5 dawgs on the floor. And, the Cats are still building their chemistry. They haven't peaked yet. Krivas comes off the bench and could start for most teams in the country.
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.
“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”
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.
Definitely. Late game, if Ballo can’t be counted on to make his free throws, then adjustments have to be made. As CTL said, his job is to improve the margin of error.
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.
He is our most important player. I love Boswell and what Love brings late game, Johnson is the heartbeat of this team.
I knew MSU led before the end of the game. You'd think Fox would pay better attention.
“The reality is that the hardest games to win are over teams on their home court. Teams that don’t play those games can spin it however they want, but what they’re saying is, ‘We don’t want to lose in our non conference season.’" - Sean Miller
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
To me, this is every bit as impressive a win as winning at Cameron. MSU has been playing better, and they are the most physical team we've faced this season. We took their best shot in the second half, but our guys found a way to win. Wasn't always pretty, but they got it done. On to the next one.
What to me is telling is losing the lead in both games (Duke & MSU) and then keeping with it and finding a way to get the lead back. That is really hard when you have been leading both games for the majority of time. Easy to just stay it wasn't our day.
Chicat wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:37 pm
Toughest Arizona team I’ve seen since 2014.
You were right about the speed and spread floor of our practice, and it showed in spades until the refs decided they needed to stop our ball pressure and slow our defensive mobility.
“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”
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.
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
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.
I always wanted to be the first team to go 18-0. Fucking Adam Spanich's bullshit two bounce shot in 1998 prevented that. I am still mad about it to this day.
We are the people our parents warned us about.
-JB
2022 Survival Pool Co-Champion
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.
Without going full biblical, that's the genesis of a dream I can get behind.
“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”
The only thing I want to see over the next few months that we haven’t really been showing in these tougher games (and I understand why) is extending the bench to like 10 guys. Playing 8 all year last year seemed to take a toll by March. I would love to keep a 10 man rotation into February and then start to tighten up the rotation
