Poll
Question:
What will Arizona's record be in the B12?
Option 1: 9-11
Option 2: 10-10
Option 3: 11-9
Option 4: 12-8
Option 5: 13-7
Option 6: 14-6
Option 7: 15-5
I'd say our ceiling is 12-8. At worst 9-11.
13-7
Plenty of tough road games...and it's inevitable that somebody will steal a win or two in McKale.
I am not very optimistic I could see this team having a losing conference record. They do not look very good and really have not beat anybody yet.
20-0 in Big XII. #1 Seed West Region.
You heard it here first. Mark it down.
We are not used to seeing Tommy's team appear to improve through the year....however, I think we will see that this year. I have no data to support this opinion...yet.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on December 11, 2024, 08:18:26 AM20-0 in Big XII. #1 Seed West Region.
You heard it here first. Mark it down.
NOTED.
Quote from: Doubledown4.0 on December 11, 2024, 10:35:31 AMWe are not used to seeing Tommy's team appear to improve through the year....however, I think we will see that this year. I have no data to support this opinion...yet.
This was a reasonable comment until the second half. I can appreciate optimism as long as it is not unfounded. Maybe this comment supports my theory of how Tommy loses his locker room. Maybe this year he lost it early enough to potentially find a way to get it back.
I view this sentiment more like we are pretty close to Rock Bottom for this program's standard so there is not much left for us to go except...
ONWARD AND UP!
But for the record, it can get worse and it could be a brutal season if we don't get it together Now. UCLA could be a mini-catalyst. They are unorthodox though. I don't expect to learn much about our team by playing them, however a Win would help with momentum and we need all that we can get right now.
Not sure why 9 wins is the lower limit, but there is a universe where we can win less than 9 games. I think 14 Wins total this season is possible if Tommy doesn't figure out how to get his team back under control. Sort of like Football this year. Big expectations, but finding ways to not live up to the standard nor hype that are on us (our coaching). The Big12 is very strong, but it is a different type of strength. A token "Cal" matchup simply doesn't exist and with Tommy and his affinity to play down to competition, we stand to be in some trouble on a weekly basis.
Not sure if anyone would know the answer without deep research, but I wonder what the most losses in 1 season at McKale have been since Lute Olson took over.
Tommy may challenge that record. I hope he just takes everything I say personally though and decimates everyone to prove me wrong because that is what Tommy Lloyd should live for. To prove me wrong.
Quote from: arxpert on December 11, 2024, 03:35:01 PMQuote from: Doubledown4.0 on December 11, 2024, 10:35:31 AMWe are not used to seeing Tommy's team appear to improve through the year....however, I think we will see that this year. I have no data to support this opinion...yet.
This was a reasonable comment until the second half. I can appreciate optimism as long as it is not unfounded. Maybe this comment supports my theory of how Tommy loses his locker room. Maybe this year he lost it early enough to potentially find a way to get it back.
I view this sentiment more like we are pretty close to Rock Bottom for this program's standard so there is not much left for us to go except...
ONWARD AND UP!
But for the record, it can get worse and it could be a brutal season if we don't get it together Now. UCLA could be a mini-catalyst. They are unorthodox though. I don't expect to learn much about our team by playing them, however a Win would help with momentum and we need all that we can get right now.
I'll be at that game hoping we can turn it around. And am I being optimistic in my comment? Of course, I am..best way to live life, my man. Is my comment unreasonable? I mean I just said I have no data to back it up. Just hope we can see something I feel like we havent seen yet, with Tommy. A team that starts slow but pulls it together.
Quote from: arxpert on December 11, 2024, 03:39:33 PMNot sure if anyone would know the answer without deep research, but I wonder what the most losses in 1 season at McKale have been since Lute Olson took over.
Five losses in his last season (2006-07), which tied the 1985-87 season when the Cats played an NCAA tourney game at home. Followed up by a surprising four at home in 2001-02.
I obviously didn't count Lute's first season, which included seven home losses. That team underwent a serious rebuild.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on December 11, 2024, 08:17:17 PMQuote from: arxpert on December 11, 2024, 03:39:33 PMNot sure if anyone would know the answer without deep research, but I wonder what the most losses in 1 season at McKale have been since Lute Olson took over.
Five losses in his last season (2006-07), which tied the 1985-87 season when the Cats played an NCAA tourney game at home. Followed up by a surprising four at home in 2001-02.
I obviously didn't count Lute's first season, which included seven home losses. That team underwent a serious rebuild.
So no one has lost more than 5 games in McKale during a season since Lute did it in 2006-2007? Tommy is definitely going to eclipse that.
No Arizona team has lost "more than five" since Lute's first season.
Lloyd has only fallen once at McKale so far this year. The Cats aren't likely losingto Central Michigan or Samford. You think the ceiling for this team is 6-4 at home during the Big-12 season?
It's possible but I wouldn't consider it a "definite", especially considering the fact that Lloyd has only lost three TOTAL games at McKale throughout his first three seasons, which is pretty impressive.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on December 12, 2024, 08:27:26 AMNo Arizona team has lost "more than five" since Lute's first season.
Lloyd has only fallen once at McKale so far this year. The Cats aren't likely losingto Central Michigan or Samford. You think the ceiling for this team is 6-4 at home during the Big-12 season?
It's possible but I wouldn't consider it a "definite", especially considering the fact that Lloyd has only lost three TOTAL games at McKale throughout his first three seasons, which is pretty impressive.
I can't operate in historical basis points outside of just knowing what the record is.
This season is the first season Tommy is showing his weaknesses. Until he changes that narrative and corrects the chinks in the armor, we are looking at a situation where it is highly possible we have an outright losing season and that may include a losing record at home in conference play.
Who the heck thought they'd get 14 wins. 2serious homers out there. Zona and ?
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on December 14, 2024, 03:57:10 PMWho the heck thought they'd get 14 wins. 2 serious homers out there. Zona and ?
I was one of them. This is why I don't gamble.
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on December 14, 2024, 03:57:10 PMWho the heck thought they'd get 14 wins. 2serious homers out there. Zona and ?
A losing season is very possible. It will take a lot of fortitude to keep this team together now. Tommy lost the locker room far earlier than ever expected, but it does check out with his trend as a coach. Last year he lost it toward New Years. We are midway through December, but it has been gone since Wisconsin.
Quote from: arxpert on December 14, 2024, 08:30:17 PMQuote from: TucsonTruckStop on December 14, 2024, 03:57:10 PMWho the heck thought they'd get 14 wins. 2serious homers out there. Zona and ?
A losing season is very possible. It will take a lot of fortitude to keep this team together now. Tommy lost the locker room far earlier than ever expected, but it does check out with his trend as a coach. Last year he lost it toward New Years. We are midway through December, but it has been gone since Wisconsin.
He has not lost the Locke room, but missing the tournament is likely. Players who should be reserves are starting and players who should be 8th or 9th in a rotation are getting significant minutes.
After the portal closed I said we did not do enough. Especially in the front court. Just emulate what the sec teams do. Get a bunch of length, athleticism and toughness and let the cream rise to the top. There were guys he could have brought in that very well would have pushed Lewis, Tre, Krivas and Awaka to the bench.
Also need a dynamic recruiter who these players can relate to.
Quote from: arxpert on December 14, 2024, 08:30:17 PMTommy lost the locker room far earlier than ever expected
Tom: (https://media1.tenor.com/m/ANsI1AUH9fIAAAAC/uncle-buck-thats-one-of-my-specialties.gif)
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on December 14, 2024, 08:51:13 PMQuote from: arxpert on December 14, 2024, 08:30:17 PMQuote from: TucsonTruckStop on December 14, 2024, 03:57:10 PMWho the heck thought they'd get 14 wins. 2serious homers out there. Zona and ?
A losing season is very possible. It will take a lot of fortitude to keep this team together now. Tommy lost the locker room far earlier than ever expected, but it does check out with his trend as a coach. Last year he lost it toward New Years. We are midway through December, but it has been gone since Wisconsin.
He has not lost the Locke room, but missing the tournament is likely. Players who should be reserves are starting and players who should be 8th or 9th in a rotation are getting significant minutes.
After the portal closed I said we did not do enough. Especially in the front court. Just emulate what the sec teams do. Get a bunch of length, athleticism and toughness and let the cream rise to the top. There were guys he could have brought in that very well would have pushed Lewis, Tre, Krivas and Awaka to the bench.
Also need a dynamic recruiter who these players can relate to.
Tommy over-recruited the Front Court and he picked the wrong guys. He Over Recruited the Back Court then lost half of it, patched it up with Del Orso.
He never planned this team properly, but I know that there are coaches out there that would beg to have this type of roster to work with. It just doesn't fit Tommy's Tunnel Vision of Run and Gun. This is a Half Court Set type of roster and Tommy can't coach that style sadly
Bump. I think Pryme was on to something.
About what? I think we have seen our final form for better or worse.
I was joking. Nobody is going 20-0.
But this thread is hilarious because Arizona is not in the same form as early December. Our defense has improved and a few of our shooters are finding their rhythm.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 17, 2025, 05:22:26 AMI was joking. Nobody is going 20-0.
But this thread is hilarious because Arizona is not in the same form as early December. Our defense has improved and a few of our shooters are finding their rhythm.
We need to be honest here. The reason we are 5-1 is because the B12 is not nearly as good as we thought. We'll take it though, especially this year.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 17, 2025, 05:22:26 AMI was joking. Nobody is going 20-0.
But this thread is hilarious because Arizona is not in the same form as early December. Our defense has improved and a few of our shooters are finding their rhythm.
I don't agree. I think we have seen the best Arizona can play. If an opponent we play loses, it can be a product of an off-night or a shallow roster/no depth. I am not seeing anything we are doing that can be improved. If Tommy wants to make an adjustment, which he is allergic to doing, and make us more into a Half Court team then the entire paradigm shifts. Almost all of our success today came from the half court. Tommy doesn't like success. He put those kids that carried us right back on the bench as soon as we tied it or got within 4pts or so.
Winning a winnable game on the road? Not on Tommy's watch.
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on January 18, 2025, 08:26:34 PMQuote from: KansasCityCats on January 17, 2025, 05:22:26 AMI was joking. Nobody is going 20-0.
But this thread is hilarious because Arizona is not in the same form as early December. Our defense has improved and a few of our shooters are finding their rhythm.
We need to be honest here. The reason we are 5-1 is because the B12 is not nearly as good as we thought. We'll take it though, especially this year.
The Big12 is good. We just played mostly teams at their competitive worst's from their best players out to having some home court advantages. Realistically we are a mid level team, but I am hoping Tommy will learn to adjust Year to Year and utilize the roster the correct way. Half Court sets with Press will be fine. Run + Gun with 1 long pass that turns into an instant chuck shot isn't going to do it. I don't care if it works for a game or 2. 20-25 assists per game would be a great formula from HALF COURT basketball. Not just throwing the deep ball and instant chucking with lucky makes. That's not basketball and anyone here can coach the Outlet pass into the Catch and shoot. Tommy is paid a lot of money to think at a higher level than that. Especially when over 50% of the time, successful or not with our shot, the opponent outpaces us and gets an easy bucket in transition.
Tommy doesn't have NBA players to hide behind like he used to. We are seeing a Mid Major level coaching job.
Not enough Moonball
The SEC is unusually strong from top to bottom this season. Otherwise, the Big10 and Big-12 are neck and neck as the 2nd best conferences, with everybody else trailing by a substantial margin (especially the ACC).
https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/rpi-ranking/rpi-rating-by-conf
We have a few weak links (Utah, CU, Ok St, etc) but anybody in our league could win on any given day.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 19, 2025, 09:59:15 AMThe SEC is unusually strong from top to bottom this season. Otherwise, the Big10 and Big-12 are neck and neck as the 2nd best conferences, with everybody else trailing by a substantial margin (especially the ACC).
https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/rpi-ranking/rpi-rating-by-conf
We have a few weak links (Utah, CU, Ok St, etc) but anybody in our league could win on any given day.
Not saying the conference sucks, just that it's not the juggernaut we thought before the year. We went from the best conference to 3rd. Preseason we had 5 top 10, Cincy was 20 and 3 teams receiving votes. Today we have 3 ranked and only Iowa St and WV have improved their position. Plus, KU, Iowa St and Baylor (x2) lost this week.
Our record in The B12 will be better because of it. I do think we are better than we were in November, but this team has the same flaws as before.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 19, 2025, 12:39:44 AMNot enough Moonball
We don't have anyone to moonball it to because Tommy built the roster wrong and watched those guys transfer out
Quote from: arxpert on January 19, 2025, 09:14:15 PMQuote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 19, 2025, 12:39:44 AMNot enough Moonball
We don't have anyone to moonball it to because Tommy built the roster wrong and watched those guys transfer out
Tom went full dgaf in the portal.
Krivas has a broken foot. We have three guys that are over 7' on scholarship, including a capable Veesaar (and the future in Stephen). There's nothing wrong with the frontcourt roster.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 20, 2025, 05:39:23 AMKrivas has a broken foot. We have three guys that are over 7' on scholarship, including a capable Veesaar (and the future in Stephen). There's nothing wrong with the frontcourt roster.
Then you are admitting Tommy can't coach. Can't have it both ways. Either he can do the things that got him those 1 and 2 seeds or he isn't that "Coach".
I find it hard to believe that Tom has just forgotten how to coach, but it sure as hell appears that way far too often.
Quote from: arxpert on January 20, 2025, 03:04:18 PMQuote from: KansasCityCats on January 20, 2025, 05:39:23 AMKrivas has a broken foot. We have three guys that are over 7' on scholarship, including a capable Veesaar (and the future in Stephen). There's nothing wrong with the frontcourt roster.
Then you are admitting Tommy can't coach. Can't have it both ways. Either he can do the things that got him those 1 and 2 seeds or he isn't that "Coach".
I'm arguing that we have the right plays to throw a moon lob. That's all.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 20, 2025, 05:39:23 AMKrivas has a broken foot. We have three guys that are over 7' on scholarship, including a capable Veesaar (and the future in Stephen). There's nothing wrong with the frontcourt roster.
We could have 10 7 footers on the team, but if they don't play or can't play, it does not matter. Arizona is 92nd in rebounding %. We have to go way way back to find an AZ team that gives up so many offensive rebounds.
Everything about this front court is wrong. Every single front court player we have this year should be coming off the bench, and probably would be coming off the bench on past Lloyd/Miller teams.
It actually makes perfect sense to suck so much ass at moonballing now that I think about it. Setting aside the fact that we are entirely inept at throwing simple post entry passes, the moonball also requires a post seal by the receiver. A post seal is basically the same exact concept as boxing out, a skill that Tom has seemingly tossed in the garbage can at Arizona. RIP to rebounding and, indirectly, the beloved Moonball.
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on January 20, 2025, 10:49:56 PMQuote from: KansasCityCats on January 20, 2025, 05:39:23 AMKrivas has a broken foot. We have three guys that are over 7' on scholarship, including a capable Veesaar (and the future in Stephen). There's nothing wrong with the frontcourt roster.
We could have 10 7 footers on the team, but if they don't play or can't play, it does not matter. Arizona is 92nd in rebounding %. We have to go way way back to find an AZ team that gives up so many offensive rebounds.
Everything about this front court is wrong. Every single front court player we have this year should be coming off the bench, and probably would be coming off the bench on past Lloyd/Miller teams.
I agree. This is actually one of if not the biggest flaw in Tommy's coaching this season. He thinks that his guys are capable of it for some bizarre reason. They just aren't.
They haven't "earned" the benefit of any doubt by their play. They didn't learn anything in training camp nor practice. The very fundamental things that are mentioned here in Posting Up is impossible with the way Tommy has these guys playing and the selection of the players on the court.
This is why I keep saying that he needs to be adaptable and stop trying to force us into a track meet that we can't win.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 20, 2025, 11:50:17 PMIt actually makes perfect sense to suck so much ass at moonballing now that I think about it. Setting aside the fact that we are entirely inept at throwing simple post entry passes, the moonball also requires a post seal by the receiver. A post seal is basically the same exact concept as boxing out, a skill that Tom has seemingly tossed in the garbage can at Arizona. RIP to rebounding and, indirectly, the beloved Moonball.
Yes, RIP to my coined Moonball Lob for this year. Tommy will go down with his ship instead of adapting to coaching to the strengths of the players he has to work with this season.
Mick Gollum's offense would be an excellent blueprint for how to play with what we have and mixing in our Presses defensively is definitely an effective way to put pressure on opponents that think they can just out-athlete us.
Carter is long and disruptive. KJ is a try-hard. Love could be forced to buy in on the press or see the bench.
I am not against Conrad and Bradley. I think Bradley and Love has run it's course. We are going to be punished into watching it the rest of the way though.
I think if Tommy uses the word "loyalty" or Caleb has "earned the right to see this through"... anything like that, then it is just a cop out. He doesn't want to take the blame for not adjusting and not adapting. So he is going to just let Caleb take all the blame.
I see through you Tommy Lloyd. You are not nearly as wholesome as you want people to think.
Arizona is 30th in D-1 in PPG, while playing the 8th toughest schedule. "Something" is working on offense, despite having an awful 3PT%.
We're 21st in RPG (13th in O-RPG), so I don't understand how our frontcourt, who is missing our supposed best player, is that bad.
Yes, we give up waaaaaay too many offensive boards to our opponents, but that's partially attributed to the fact that opponents are forced to shoot bad 3's against us because we PREVENT them from getting easy buckets.
Despite having a quick tempo on offense, we give up 68.7 PPG. Our opponents score 8.2 3PT/game against us, which is 277th in D-1, and equivalent to ~24.6 PPG from deep. Less 12.4 FT PPG, we are only giving up 12.2 PPG in the paint. Compare that to Cincy's Top-10 defense, who gives up 34.8 PPG in the paint, despite having a paintfully slow tempo.
Our frontcourt is fine, although I think the defensive rebounding can vastly improve if Henri can stay out of foul trouble.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 21, 2025, 07:32:20 AMArizona is 30th in D-1 in PPG, while playing the 8th toughest schedule. "Something" is working on offense, despite having an awful 3PT%.
We're 21st in RPG (13th in O-RPG), so I don't understand how our frontcourt, who is missing our supposed best player, is that bad.
Yes, we give up waaaaaay too many offensive boards to our opponents, but that's partially attributed to the fact that opponents are forced to shoot bad 3's against us because we PREVENT them from getting easy buckets.
Despite having a quick tempo on offense, we give up 68.7 PPG. Our opponents score 8.2 3PT/game against us, which is 277th in D-1, and equivalent to ~24.6 PPG from deep. Less 12.4 FT PPG, we are only giving up 12.2 PPG in the paint. Compare that to Cincy's Top-10 defense, who gives up 34.8 PPG in the paint, despite having a paintfully slow tempo.
Our frontcourt is fine, although I think the defensive rebounding can vastly improve if Henri can stay out of foul trouble.
Again, there is no foul trouble on this team. Refs adjust. They will not foul a player out with 4 fouls and 15 minutes to go in the 2nd unless the dude goes unhinged. You think it is a NBA concept, but it is just a basketball concept.
We got 2 cheapies on NORCHAD of Baylor and were able to play an undermanned team as a result. Every player that mattered on that team finished with 4 fouls. Everyone knows the refs could have hit any of the top 5 guys on that team with a 5th foul for any reason. They didn't. They read the room. They know how to call games. There is a foul every play. They don't call them.
So playing scared of 2 or 3 fouls is just the wrong way to coach. Especially when you do have "E-MAN" on the bench. He isn't even given a shot to go out there and impose any will. Anyone can set a pick. E-Man is not so far underdeveloped he can't set a pick.
Tommy's system dares opponent's to take 3's. These days, players hit them more often. That's all. It's not deeper than that. Our front court is moot when shots fall when it comes to rebounding. If they won't defend the perimeter and force players to attack our "front court" offensively, then we get what we deserve.
Omier went to the bench and Arizona took advantage. When Drew attempted to put him back in, he had to play scared on defense and we earned a majority of our points in the paint.
Realistically, Arizona has the depth to keep foul-prone players on the floor but most D-1 programs can't take that risk.
Quote from: arxpert on January 21, 2025, 03:25:13 PMEspecially when you do have "E-MAN" on the bench. He isn't even given a shot to go out there and impose any will. Anyone can set a pick. E-Man is not so far underdeveloped he can't set a pick.
Emmanuel should be logging minutes. I don't care how "raw" anyone says he is. Offensively, all he needs to do is screen n roll, be a lob threat, and be a dog on the glass for 2nd chances and putbacks. Defensively, he moves better than just about anybody on the team, especially bigs. He brings what Sean used to call "tremendous effort". If the knock is that he's foul prone, all Tom has to say to him is that staying in front, staying straight up, and staying on the ground, is more than enough to make life difficult for any matchup he faces. He doesn't need to bite on every shot, pass, or dribble hunting blocks and steals at this early stage. Plus, always find your man and take the inside leverage the second the shots go up. They'll be the ones tagged for over the back fouls instead of him. All of these things I believe he is capable of doing right now. Burning a redshirt just to hang out on the bench is pretty messed up.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 21, 2025, 07:00:04 PMQuote from: arxpert on January 21, 2025, 03:25:13 PMEspecially when you do have "E-MAN" on the bench. He isn't even given a shot to go out there and impose any will. Anyone can set a pick. E-Man is not so far underdeveloped he can't set a pick.
Emmanuel should be logging minutes. I don't care how "raw" anyone says he is. Offensively, all he needs to do is screen n roll, be a lob threat, and be a dog on the glass for 2nd chances and putbacks. Defensively, he moves better than just about anybody on the team, especially bigs. He brings what Sean used to call "tremendous effort". If the knock is that he's foul prone, all Tom has to say to him is that staying in front, staying straight up, and staying on the ground, is more than enough to make life difficult for any matchup he faces. He doesn't need to bite on every shot, pass, or dribble hunting blocks and steals at this early stage. Plus, always find your man and take the inside leverage the second the shots go up. They'll be the ones tagged for over the back fouls instead of him. All of these things I believe he is capable of doing right now. Burning a redshirt just to hang out on the bench is pretty messed up.
He needs to be our moon lob period
Quote from: lynxaz on January 22, 2025, 01:16:23 AMQuote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 21, 2025, 07:00:04 PMQuote from: arxpert on January 21, 2025, 03:25:13 PMEspecially when you do have "E-MAN" on the bench. He isn't even given a shot to go out there and impose any will. Anyone can set a pick. E-Man is not so far underdeveloped he can't set a pick.
Emmanuel should be logging minutes. I don't care how "raw" anyone says he is. Offensively, all he needs to do is screen n roll, be a lob threat, and be a dog on the glass for 2nd chances and putbacks. Defensively, he moves better than just about anybody on the team, especially bigs. He brings what Sean used to call "tremendous effort". If the knock is that he's foul prone, all Tom has to say to him is that staying in front, staying straight up, and staying on the ground, is more than enough to make life difficult for any matchup he faces. He doesn't need to bite on every shot, pass, or dribble hunting blocks and steals at this early stage. Plus, always find your man and take the inside leverage the second the shots go up. They'll be the ones tagged for over the back fouls instead of him. All of these things I believe he is capable of doing right now. Burning a redshirt just to hang out on the bench is pretty messed up.
He needs to be our moon lob period
I think he is underrated. He seems to have good size and PLUS Athleticism. I am wondering if he could be an X-Factor overall.
I think we have our "bigs" rotation set, but I see him as a really good defender already. It isn't about the fouls/playing with discipline for me. It is more about being bouncy and smothering. His length makes it very difficult to shoot over/secure an O-Reb.
I also don't think it is too late to get him 5 to 8 minutes per game. Sort of like a Carter/Townsend Platoon.
If Townsend is having a bad game overall, I think Carter should be getting the Offensive looks.
E-MAN is as viable as Awaka in many ways. Sounds like it isn't the case, but realistically Awaka is good for some Layups and absorbing contact. I wouldn't mind a little Awaka/E-MAN platoon.
Bradley
KJ Lewis
Carter
Henri
E-MAN
That is a pretty solid lineup for small stretches. Plenty of firepower offensively, plenty of defense.
It definitely allows Henri to step out and knock down a jumper. Carter can hit anything. Bradley is fearless too. Also can easily sub KJ/Love -- even maybe Del Orso depending on what type of scenario
Tommy has a very diverse tool kit to utilize.
Stephen was unquestionably the most intense player during warmups. He's hard on himself when he makes mistakes and is out of control at times but it's obvious that he's going to the the future focal point for Arizona's frontcourt.
He served a good purpose when others are in foul trouble but I think Henri should be starting and Awaka plays more PF. Tobe has good defensive positioning but he isn't tall enough to stop quality bigs. Same goes for Trey, who was burned on the interior last night.
I didn't think we'd miss Krivas this much...
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 22, 2025, 06:20:01 PMStephen was unquestionably the most intense player during warmups. He's hard on himself when he makes mistakes and is out of control at times but it's obvious that he's going to the the future focal point for Arizona's frontcourt.
He served a good purpose when others are in foul trouble but I think Henri should be starting and Awaka plays more PF. Tobe has good defensive positioning but he isn't tall enough to stop quality bigs. Same goes for Trey, who was burned on the interior last night.
I didn't think we'd miss Krivas this much...
I think Stephen is the only one who can athletically handle a token "6'10-7'1" type opponent. No one else on the roster is really equipped for it. Carter can jump and make some disruption. Henri can't really jump.This is probably where not having a token Dylan Anderson hurts our depth.