Bear Down Wildcats

Chicat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:11 pm

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:32 am You have beat this horse to death.

The only way to get those of us who think that ADO is not a BigXII caliber player to shut up about him is for him to prove that he is actually a BigXII caliber player.

Telling Winger to shut up and go away, and he does, doesn’t make ADO better. It just makes this board worse.

Exactly. Some fans just can't handle any criticism of Tommy at all. It's crazy. If TC and Winger are on the same page then it's usually the correct page to be on.

Winger, TC, and JMarks are three of the best posters here. Don't go anywhere.

ADO isn't a big 12 quality player, if he proves otherwise next season great. Why take that chance though to rely on him in any meaningful way, when we already saw the results last year?

If he was our 9th or 10th man, I think he's great for that.

Chicat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:11 pm

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:32 am You have beat this horse to death.

The only way to get those of us who think that ADO is not a BigXII caliber player to shut up about him is for him to prove that he is actually a BigXII caliber player.

Telling Winger to shut up and go away, and he does, doesn’t make ADO better. It just makes this board worse.

Well if he can out score and out assist and shoot better than Carter in less minutes to me he has value. Maybe you can step up and tell me what a great defender Carter was last year? Listen I don't want to talk down any of our players but did so just for comparison purposes. Carter is going to be great and I am hopeful that ADO improves his defense. I'm the opposite of Winger in that everyone has a value on the team. Big or small role. Hopefully everyone on the team will prove they are Big12 caliber players but the person that determines that should be the coaches.

Winger is saying that our transfer in has no value and has never seen him play or read anything other than his stat line. There is just a difference on how we look at players that will give more to this university than anyone on this board will.

I didn't tell Winger to shut up and go away I was just reminding him that he had covered this subject before in case he forgot. LOL.

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:51 pm Well if he can out score and out assist and shoot better than Carter in less minutes to me he has value. Maybe you can step up and tell me what a great defender Carter was last year?

In comparison to ADO? More blocks, more steals & way more rebounds. It’s also a comparison between a freshman and a junior. The junior SHOULD be a better defender based on experience alone. ADO looked like a high school freshman at times.

Chicat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:11 pm

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:32 am You have beat this horse to death.

The only way to get those of us who think that ADO is not a BigXII caliber player to shut up about him is for him to prove that he is actually a BigXII caliber player.

Thanks for the invite. Already posted!

ADO is an Arizona student-athlete; by all appearances and available information, he's a high character guy, a good teammate, and hustles every time he's on the floor. He also was a key member of an 8-man rotation for the third place team in the big-12, that made it to the Sweet 16. Therefore, he CAN indisputably play at the D1 & Big-12 level - that is not a debatable point.

Now, you do your part of your bargain...

That’s pretty funny that you called him a “key member” of the team.

In fact, that’s downright hilarious.

I don't think Caleb Love garnered this much attention on these boards.

It is truly weird.

Only when he was playing bad......

Chicat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:57 pm

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:51 pm Well if he can out score and out assist and shoot better than Carter in less minutes to me he has value. Maybe you can step up and tell me what a great defender Carter was last year?

In comparison to ADO? More blocks, more steals & way more rebounds. It’s also a comparison between a freshman and a junior. The junior SHOULD be a better defender based on experience alone. ADO looked like a high school freshman at times.

I guess we can play this game all day. Carter had more turnovers and shot 20% less from the free throw line. He was our highest rated player since forever and that is what you get .4 steals more per game in more minutes and the other guy doesn't belong as a big12 player? This is also ADO's freshman year playing in this system and I doubt ADO had to play defense before. There is always something you can point out and don't get me wrong he was a bad defender but Carter was no ball of fire on defense and if you watch the Duke game he was the worst on the floor. Worse than ADO. This is the last time I will talk negatively about Carter as I think he will really improve and being a freshman is hard for even great players. My hope is Carter is talked about as a all american and blossoms this year at Arizona.

This board if you recall said the same stuff about can't play, can't run, huge project about a few players the most recent being Ballo that I can remember.

The fact that you’re comparing ADO to a guy who is considering leaving to be a first round pick in the NBA draft is total lunacy. Only surpassed by the lunacy of me entertaining it. But not to worry. The convo ended when pc anointed Tony a KEY PLAYER. That was pure magic.

Chicat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 5:44 pm The fact that you’re comparing ADO to a guy who is considering leaving to be a first round pick in the NBA draft is total lunacy. Only surpassed by the lunacy of me entertaining it. But not to worry. The convo ended when pc anointed Tony a KEY PLAYER. That was pure magic.

I have said that they have different ceilings and that is a given unless you can find ANYWHERE that I didn't point that out. Carter can consider leaving as a first rounder (which in my view would be a huge mistake) but that would be on potential only because it doesn't change the FACT that ADO scored more in less minutes and both were subpar defenders. Those are FACTS not opinions.

Not sure who Tony is but I'm sure he didn't start at Arizona. LOL. The convo could have stopped 10 pages ago but some folks need to be heard over and over and over. It is what I call beating a dead horse. So let's talk about Krivas.......

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 6:15 pm Not sure who Tony is

Former Campbell Camel
Current Key Player
Tony The Bear

Since you’re holding onto that scoring average difference like it’s your childhood blankie, care to make a wager on who has the higher scoring average next year if Carter comes back? No money, just pride or signatures. Or I guess money if you swing like Machina does.

I don't have a signature.....too much vanity. Scoring average is important isn't it or is it just a blankie? I will not make that bet because to me that would be wishing Carter does not achieve his potential. My hope he does and then some. I'm sure your pride will be there to point out if it happens so that is something to look forward to. What I will say is that ADO will have a higher scoring average than one of our three 5 star freshman coming in that we are all happy to have. Do you think that happens? I will also BET that Arizona fans will quickly identify a villian on our team next year that is causing us to lose any or all games and should not be here. Too short, too slow, too dumb, not tough enough, bad evaluation by the coaching staff, will be the normal refrains. That I will bet anything. Wanna bet?

One last comment on ADO which I'm sure you will appreciate Chi since you have bitched (rightfully so) about our offense against a zone. You know what is coming don't you Chi? There is one team that played zone against us for an entire game. That was Colorado. In 29 minutes ADO scored 20 points, hit 6-9 from 3 had 1 TO and had almost double the points of the next player on Arizona (KJ had 12). Might even say he won us the game and believe it or not he was playing against B12 players. Everyone has a niche and can contribute.

C’mon, be a sport. We could even look at Points per 40, which is a better measure of efficiency. So even if Carter comes back and starts and Anthony The Bear is relegated to 7 minutes a game off the bench, we’ll be able to more accurately compare them than on a per game basis.

If Bryant comes back and ADO has a higher per 40 scoring average next year I will donate $100 to your favorite charity. Win-Win. Do it for the kids (or dogs, or dolphins, or refugees, etc).

Think you all can bank on Bryant not coming back.

Time to move on to: who plays the 3 for Lloyd next season?

Well that sucks. I had my hopes up.

That does suck because I don't think it optimizes his future. I thought Dalen should leave immediately when he was guaranteed a 1st rounder because he honestly he could not shoot a lick until the final month of the season. He would have put a ton of risk by staying another year. Carter the opposite. All you have to do is watch the Houston / Golden State series and see that he needs a little time to develop physically. If he is gone good luck to him.

Chicat wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 4:35 am Well that sucks. I had my hopes up.

Easier just to assume someone like him would be gone and be pleasantly surprised if he comes back.

Fishclamps wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 6:28 am

Chicat wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 4:35 am Well that sucks. I had my hopes up.

Easier just to assume someone like him would be gone and be pleasantly surprised if he comes back.

When it comes to UA sports I’m a masochist.

Fishclamps wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 6:28 am

Chicat wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 4:35 am Well that sucks. I had my hopes up.

Easier just to assume someone like him would be gone and be pleasantly surprised if he comes back.

That is where I was until last night. Assumption is gone plus some homer fan in me thinking that maybe NIL changes things and he comes back for a season. But unless someone extremely connected and knowledgeable ends up being wrong its essentially zero chance (was that an old 97Cats saying?).

With the portal closed as far as I know Lloyd has 3 options at this point to find a 3: grad transfer, Europe, someone currently the NBA draft pulling out.

As you all know Arizona has a backup plan but I dunno what that is. And you what Mike Tyson said about plans lol.

Winger wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:08 am

Fishclamps wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 6:28 am

Chicat wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 4:35 am Well that sucks. I had my hopes up.

Easier just to assume someone like him would be gone and be pleasantly surprised if he comes back.

That is where I was until last night. Assumption is gone plus some homer fan in me thinking that maybe NIL changes things and he comes back for a season. But unless someone extremely connected and knowledgeable ends up being wrong its essentially zero chance (was that an old 97Cats saying?).

With the portal closed as far as I know Lloyd has 3 options at this point to find a 3: grad transfer, Europe, someone currently the NBA draft pulling out.

As you all know Arizona has a backup plan but I dunno what that is. And you what Mike Tyson said about plans lol.

The portal is closed to new entries; but those in the portal may still transfer...

pc in NM wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:13 am

Winger wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:08 am

Fishclamps wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 6:28 am

Chicat wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 4:35 am Well that sucks. I had my hopes up.

Easier just to assume someone like him would be gone and be pleasantly surprised if he comes back.

That is where I was until last night. Assumption is gone plus some homer fan in me thinking that maybe NIL changes things and he comes back for a season. But unless someone extremely connected and knowledgeable ends up being wrong its essentially zero chance (was that an old 97Cats saying?).

With the portal closed as far as I know Lloyd has 3 options at this point to find a 3: grad transfer, Europe, someone currently the NBA draft pulling out.

As you all know Arizona has a backup plan but I dunno what that is. And you what Mike Tyson said about plans lol.

The portal is closed to new entries; but those in the portal may still transfer...

Right sorry my mistake, 4 options then.

Winger wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:35 pm Think you all can bank on Bryant not coming back.

Time to move on to: who plays the 3 for Lloyd next season?

I dunno but here are the scenarios:

* Land a legit guard with some size, who is a shot creator : worry about who backs up Koa.

* Land a swingman who likely doesn't have Carter's upside, but can replicate some areas, and maybe offers more creation skills, and also backs up the 4 : what type of downgrade are we looking at?

* Strike out and need to split the NIL on a guard and a 4 : suboptimal, as we need an impact starter for this to be a FF caliber squad.

Any others I am missing?

TucsonClip wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:53 am

Winger wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:35 pm Think you all can bank on Bryant not coming back.

Time to move on to: who plays the 3 for Lloyd next season?

I dunno but here are the scenarios:

* Land a legit guard with some size, who is a shot creator : worry about who backs up Koa.

* Land a swingman who likely doesn't have Carter's upside, but can replicate some areas, and maybe offers more creation skills, and also backs up the 4 : what type of downgrade are we looking at?

* Strike out and need to split the NIL on a guard and a 4 : suboptimal, as we need an impact starter for this to be a FF caliber squad.

Any others I am missing?

Thoughts:

1. Its difficult but not impossible to play both the 3 and the 4 in Lloyd’s system. We’re better off splitting personnel accordingly.

2. I think we have needed another guard who can be a ball handler in S&R actions (which we run a ton of, often multiple in a single possession) since the jump/regardless of Carter returning or not. Would prefer one who can either 1) legit shoot it from 3 (say > 38%) or 2) can get his own buckets when things break down (Alonzo Trier-esque).

3. Feels to me that running a platoon at the 4-5 with Krivas, Peat, and Awaka is doable. Assuming Awaka can adjust a bit. This would also help with Awaka being unable to matchup vs legit size 5s on both ends.

4. “Lose Carter replace with Carteresque” makes sense but I think we may be better off spending $$$ on taking the best available player and letting Lloyd figure out how to work it from there. Bryant’s play-style and physique lends to replacing with a 3/4 but see #1 above. Aristode may be the closest thing to a Carter Bryant we end up with and if his defense translates that would be ideal.

Winger wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 8:06 am

TucsonClip wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:53 am

Winger wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:35 pm Think you all can bank on Bryant not coming back.

Time to move on to: who plays the 3 for Lloyd next season?

I dunno but here are the scenarios:

* Land a legit guard with some size, who is a shot creator : worry about who backs up Koa.

* Land a swingman who likely doesn't have Carter's upside, but can replicate some areas, and maybe offers more creation skills, and also backs up the 4 : what type of downgrade are we looking at?

* Strike out and need to split the NIL on a guard and a 4 : suboptimal, as we need an impact starter for this to be a FF caliber squad.

Any others I am missing?

Thoughts:

1. Its difficult but not impossible to play both the 3 and the 4 in Lloyd’s system. We’re better off splitting personnel accordingly.

2. I think we have needed another guard who can be a ball handler in S&R actions (which he run a ton of, often multiple in a single possession) since the jump/regardless of Carter returning or not. Would prefer one who can either 1) legit shoot it from 3 (say > 38%) or 2) can get his own buckets when things break down (Alonzo Trier-esque).

3. Feels to me that running a platoon at the 4-5 with Krivas, Peat, and Awaka is doable. Assuming Awaka can adjust a bit. This would also help with Awaka being unable to matchup vs legit size 5s on both ends.

4. “Lose Carter replace with Carteresque” makes sense but I think we may be better off spending $$$ on taking the best available player and letting Lloyd figure out how to work it from there. Bryant’s play-style and physique lends to replacing with a 3/4 but see #1 above. Aristode may be the closest thing to a Carter Bryant we end up with and if his defense translates that would be ideal.

5.

1. Agreed, but also why Carter is the best case scenario here, IMO.

2. I've thought this every year since Lloyd got here and this year is no different. I'd be cool if we take a legit shot creator, even as a guard, and start him at the 3. Lloyds offense can absolutely support, and feature 3 shot creators in the rotation, and in the floor together.

3. No sure we're going to have a choice, but I don't like it a 3 man rotation for 2 spots. This is where I feel maybe Aristode can slot in as a wing and big, it that's asking a lot. Otherwise, we need another big, and that's the issue with taking a guard to start at the 3. Do we have the NIL for both?

4. We need an impact replacement for Carter. If we don't get one.......

Agree best case scenario is Carter Bryant but that ship has sailed, or will be sailing shortly.

If I had to guess the “backup plan”, assuming that there is one, I’d surmise a DGT; but I wouldn’t put any $$ on that.

I know on average preps are cheaper than transfers. I do not know where DGTs slide in. Especially one that has been sitting around waiting for Arizona (*****warning****warning****warning**** he might not be very good).

How about this guy to replace CB?

Think Trilly Donovan recently posted that Duke is making a push for Sarr. Seems impossible that Arizona could/would outspend Duke.

Winger wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:32 am Think Trilly Donovan recently posted that Duke is making a push for Sarr. Seems impossible that Arizona could/would outspend Duke.

Feels like the AD needs to develop a situation where we have a Daddy Warbucks type who won’t be outspent when the basketball team sees a desperate need. Not sure if that’s Arte Moreno or someone else but if we really want to compete there has to be someone Lloyd can go to and say “do you really want to see this kid in Duke blue getting slobbered over by Bilas and Vitale? Or would you rather see him tearing up McKale and us eventually raising his jersey into the rafters?”

I mentioned that in the documentary Red Storm Rising they have a benefactor that publicly stated they would never lose a recruit because of NIL money. At the time I said they would be highly ranked. After the portal closed they are third behind Purdue and Houston. Different world boys.

Chicat wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:59 am

Winger wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:32 am Think Trilly Donovan recently posted that Duke is making a push for Sarr. Seems impossible that Arizona could/would outspend Duke.

Feels like the AD needs to develop a situation where we have a Daddy Warbucks type who won’t be outspent when the basketball team sees a desperate need. Not sure if that’s Arte Moreno or someone else but if we really want to compete there has to be someone Lloyd can go to and say “do you really want to see this kid in Duke blue getting slobbered over by Bilas and Vitale? Or would you rather see him tearing up McKale and us eventually raising his jersey into the rafters?”

Wishful thinking.

The UA, unfortunately, doesn't have a Phil Knight, nor are we likely to anytime soon.

The UA alumni base has a long, long, history of not contributing any significant funds to athletics. It took our alumni base almost 3 decades to finally cough up enough money to build a decent weight training facility.

Our best realistic hope is Congressional action which places limits (low ones) on salary caps/NIL to level the playing field.

dmjcat wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 10:45 am

Chicat wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:59 am

Winger wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:32 am Think Trilly Donovan recently posted that Duke is making a push for Sarr. Seems impossible that Arizona could/would outspend Duke.

Feels like the AD needs to develop a situation where we have a Daddy Warbucks type who won’t be outspent when the basketball team sees a desperate need. Not sure if that’s Arte Moreno or someone else but if we really want to compete there has to be someone Lloyd can go to and say “do you really want to see this kid in Duke blue getting slobbered over by Bilas and Vitale? Or would you rather see him tearing up McKale and us eventually raising his jersey into the rafters?”

Wishful thinking.

The UA, unfortunately, doesn't have a Phil Knight, nor are we likely to anytime soon.

The UA alumni base has a long, long, history of not contributing any significant funds to athletics. It took our alumni base almost 3 decades to finally cough up enough money to build a decent weight training facility.

Our best realistic hope is Congressional action which places limits (low ones) on salary caps/NIL to level the playing field.

Those limits would have to be placed upon revenue also to be plausible - and that would NEVER happen

Chicat wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:59 am

Winger wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:32 am Think Trilly Donovan recently posted that Duke is making a push for Sarr. Seems impossible that Arizona could/would outspend Duke.

Feels like the AD needs to develop a situation where we have a Daddy Warbucks type who won’t be outspent when the basketball team sees a desperate need. Not sure if that’s Arte Moreno or someone else but if we really want to compete there has to be someone Lloyd can go to and say “do you really want to see this kid in Duke blue getting slobbered over by Bilas and Vitale? Or would you rather see him tearing up McKale and us eventually raising his jersey into the rafters?”

I am sure there is more going on than I know about but the AD continues to try and raise low-level $$$ from what I call miniboosters.

12-18 months ago it was “commit to $25,000 per year for 5 years”. Not sure on the definitions here but things like golf tournaments trying to sign folks up for $3,000/year. Etc.

As opposed to the legally incorporated behind the scenes (i.e. no influence on the direction of the program) for Duke where the minimum contribution is $1 mil.

As soon as this court case is settled the landscape is going to change but it may change again with more litigation.

Did we offer Stojakovic? He could be a great fit.

I thought he was supposed to be a pretty heavy Illinois lean

Stojakovic just committed to Illinois according to Matt Norlander.

Bradley declaring just for feedback, so no one freak out upon seeing his name.

Didn't he do that last year as well?

Yup

Are they going to tell him to work on shooting and handles?

Looks like we are getting some help.

https://www.espn.com/recruiting/basketb ... ns-arizona

Been saying this for years, but every Lloyd roster needs a guy like this. Long, athletic, can defend, weak side rim protector, vertical spacer. To go along with that, he also has some skill to his game. Ball skills, some potential with the jumper, and like any big in our system, you need to be able to handle the ball in DHOs.

Love the pick up, and he definitely can make an impact day 1 in limited minutes.

Eman was a guy who literally needed development and actual floor time to progress. He needed to learn the basics on how to move on the floor, where to be, and most importantly, where not to be.

This is night and day.

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:27 am Looks like we are getting some help.

https://www.espn.com/recruiting/basketb ... ns-arizona

7'4" wingspan. Jeebus!

Winger wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:35 pm Think you all can bank on Bryant not coming back.

Time to move on to: who plays the 3 for Lloyd next season?

If I had to guess, it'll be somebody not living on this continent at the moment.

TheCat wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:27 am Looks like we are getting some help.

https://www.espn.com/recruiting/basketb ... ns-arizona

Some highlights of CTL's new commit. The kid needs to add a lot of weight but at least he is athletic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Omuro_hT0

ChooChooCat wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 8:09 am

Winger wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:35 pm Think you all can bank on Bryant not coming back.

Time to move on to: who plays the 3 for Lloyd next season?

If I had to guess, it'll be somebody not living on this continent at the moment.

You thinking Sarr? Or just speaking in generalities?

I thought Sarr was a lock for Duke?

azgreg wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 10:16 am I thought Sarr was a lock for Duke?

dmjcat wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 8:33 am Dame Sarr is a possible option to fill out the 2025-26 roster:

Obviously I prefer Carter to come back, but if not- the best option I’ve seen so far is sarr. We now have a little more versatility in the front court, and having sarr allows us to go 3 guards without one of them being ADO.

I don’t hate ADO, just not a fan of him starting halves against the opponent’s best players.

IndianaZonaFan wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 10:39 am Obviously I prefer Carter to come back, but if not- the best option I’ve seen so far is sarr. We now have a little more versatility in the front court, and having sarr allows us to go 3 guards without one of them being ADO.

I don’t hate ADO, just not a fan of him starting halves against the opponent’s best players.

I like Sarr, but we are already going to be starting 2 guys with no D1 experience. Are we really going to roll with 3?