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We can roll out another poll during the non-conference portion the schedule.

I miss the Elite 8.

Quote from: CactusCat on June 04, 2025, 01:26:25 PMI miss the Elite 8.

Funny how people weren't saying that when the man who used to get us there was around.

Oh well.

Silver Spoons.

Go Team.

25 seasons have passed since a Final Four.  The disappointment of "almost" making one doesn't get me excited.  The second weekend is always an accomplishment that keeps the program relevant but it has been way too long since Arizona has been in the real spotlight of the NCAA tournament.

Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 05, 2025, 08:04:48 AM25 seasons have passed since a Final Four.  The disappointment of "almost" making one doesn't get me excited.  The second weekend is always an accomplishment that keeps the program relevant but it has been way too long since Arizona has been in the real spotlight of the NCAA tournament.

Way to finally pick a time to say that making the Elite 8 is only 1 game less than the Final Four and holds only that much value. 4 or 5 extra Media Days. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Basketball fans in Kansas regularly mention their recollections of Arizona basketball. They reference 1991, 1996 and occasionally 2001. That's it. They have never brought up the disappointing elite 8 losses.

I believe Bryant leaving lowered the ceiling of this team on paper.
I believe this roster WITH Bryant would have been a top 10 program and I would have expected an Elite Eight run with four former 5* prospects (Bradley/Burries/Bryant/Peat) in your starting lineup.
WITHOUT Bryant on this roster, there are a lot of things he did well that I do not believe there is one person on this roster could do.
Unless Burries/Peat come out like gang-busters, I do not see this roster making it past the Sweet 16.
#BearDown

Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 06, 2025, 09:39:21 PMBasketball fans in Kansas regularly mention their recollections of Arizona basketball. They reference 1991, 1996 and occasionally 2001. That's it. They have never brought up the disappointing elite 8 losses.

Why would they? They have been rooting on well-paid Kansas teams for many decades that performed to a reasonably consistent standard. Paid prior to NIL that is since we are in the internet court room every post.

Quote from: mvpreed2 on June 07, 2025, 07:44:07 PMbelieve Bryant leaving lowered the ceiling of this team on paper.
I believe this roster WITH Bryant would have been a top 10 program and I would have expected an Elite Eight run with four former 5* prospects

I like this comment a lot. It is reality-based. The on-paper thing is important to note because there has been some years on paper that we should have gone undefeated, but obviously didn't. Then many years where we don't expect it on paper, but we over achieve. The last major instance of that was the Derrick Williams, Solomon, and Momo group and before that the addition by subtraction of Iguodala leaving.

This team will go as far as Koa Peat takes them. He is a true elite Gem. He can easily be the national player of the year or a hang nail can keep him out of competition and then things fall apart, but we will have depth in other areas. Krivas is the only one we don't have anyone to back up, but Small Ball is the better way to play basketball anyway.

Quote from: arxpert on June 08, 2025, 07:33:05 PMI like this comment a lot. It is reality-based. The on-paper thing is important to note because there has been some years on paper that we should have gone undefeated, but obviously didn't. Then many years where we don't expect it on paper, but we over achieve. The last major instance of that was the Derrick Williams, Solomon, and Momo group and before that the addition by subtraction of Iguodala leaving.

This team will go as far as Koa Peat takes them. He is a true elite Gem. He can easily be the national player of the year or a hang nail can keep him out of competition and then things fall apart, but we will have depth in other areas. Krivas is the only one we don't have anyone to back up, but Small Ball is the better way to play basketball anyway.

Thank you.
I try my best to use simple logic and reason when I post, while also adding in my own opinion.
All of your points are why I added the "on paper" narrative because we cannot predict what will happen in a season.

You believe Peat will be the guy next season?
I do not believe this team will have a bonafide leader next season.
I believe it will be a combination of prospects, but I do believe Peat is in that group.
For me, it is Burries/Krivas/Peat that will dictate how good/far this team will go next season all for different reasons.
If those three hit their peaks?
I believe the program will be a dark-horse Final Four program.
#BearDown

Quote from: arxpert on June 08, 2025, 07:29:37 PM

Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 06, 2025, 09:39:21 PMBasketball fans in Kansas regularly mention their recollections of Arizona basketball. They reference 1991, 1996 and occasionally 2001. That's it. They have never brought up the disappointing elite 8 losses.

Why would they? They have been rooting on well-paid Kansas teams for many decades that performed to a reasonably consistent standard. Paid prior to NIL that is since we are in the internet court room every post.

The fact that they're Kansas fans is irrelevant. The point is that Arizona is recognized and remembered on a national level when they make a Final Four. Unless we play a specific program (like UConn or Wisconsin), nobody will give credit to the Cats for an Elite Eight.

Similarly, I just received a massive amount of congratulations from non-Arizona fans for the program making the CWS. If we lost in the Supers, nobody would care that we were "close".

LOL You must know a lot of people or a lot of people must know you if you feel this way. You should run for Office.

I promise to build a big beautiful wall along the Colorado border.