No. 1 Arizona Survives BYU Rally, Secures 86-83 Win in Big 12 Showdown

[mvpreed2]

Without looking, it seemed like BYU racked up their Fouls on our Bigs early, but after that we racked up fouls on them. The last 2min was probably in their favor, but a shit show overall.

I think the plan to let AJ do whatever he wanted and throw 5 different defenders on him worked as long as it basically made Richie Saunders have a tough game.

Only reason they were in the game was that Dennard Wilson guy I think that was his name at least. He made basically every 3 down the stretch.

Yes, it was more Dybantsa racking up the fouls on Arizona opposed to the BYU team.
Dybantsa got five fouls called on us in the 1st half (Krivas/Awaka - 2; Peat).
Arizona got Saunders in foul trouble to even it out a bit.
The bigs did a much better job of walling up on Dybantsa in the 2nd half.

The kid you are talking about was Kennard Davis (#30).
The analysts definitely gave him the reverse-jinx.
They mentioned how he wasn't able to throw the ball in the ocean during Big-12 play.
Only for him and Saunders to get hot in the 2nd half to erase that lead that Arizona had.
#BearDown

[Grape]

Nebraska falls. only Arizona and Miami (OH) remain undefeated.

[KansasCityCats]

Keita is kind of like Adem Bona of UCLA in years past. A hard playing PF. Krivas always has trouble with that archetype. Basically like an Awaka.

BYU has a slew of bigs and packed the paint. We really proved that we can play all styles in that game.

Yes, he does, but if I am being honest?
There has not been a matchup with a big his size that I believe he won outright.
That bully that Krivas is when you play teams like TCU/Kansas State and the like?
He does not and can not do that against the teams with a big his size like UConn/Florida and those teams.
I really want Krivas to dominate a matchup against a quality big, but he can't.
#BearDown

Chinyelu was held to 4 points and 1 rebound.

Reibe fouled out with 15 points and 4 boards.

We'll see how he handles Budinga in Lawrence, who plays a similar game as Kieta (but hasn't completely bulked up yet).

[Naterade]

I have a feeling Tommy would almost rather have lost the BYU game, just to get it over with. Very strange that we started to walk the ball up with plenty of time left and didn't adjust as they slowly crept back in. Koa may not have been his usual self but he hit big shots and somehow his mid range jumper looks great when his three and free throw look awkward as hell. And he probably told coach he wanted to guard AJ, and he refused to back down from that assignment. But the sweetest part was beating Saunders, he reminds me of the bad guy from karate kid, the bratty blonde.

[mvpreed2]

Chinyelu was held to 4 points and 1 rebound.

Reibe fouled out with 15 points and 4 boards.

We'll see how he handles Budinga in Lawrence, who plays a similar game as Kieta (but hasn't completely bulked up yet).

I understand the point you are making here.
For me, Krivas does not dominate the matchups when the opponent is the same size and/or has a physical presence in the paint.

Florida: 6pts/8rebs on 2/5FG (40%)
UConn: 9pts/14rebs on 4/6FG (67%)

Now look at the matchups where Krivas had the size/skill advantage over the opponent

Norfolk State: 20pts/9rebs on 7/8FG (88%)
Kansas State: 25pts/12rebs on 7/10FG (70%) 
UCF: 17pts/12rebs on 6/9FG (66%)
Cincinnati: 17pts/9rebs on 7/9FG (78%)

As much as I want to give you the UConn matchup, Krivas did not dominate that matchup to me.
That is a net zero because he lost the points battle (15/4), but won the rebounding battle (4/14).
When Krivas wants to be a bully?
He would usually shoot north of 70% from the field and flirt with a double-double.
He has not had a game where he was able to limit his opponent AND get his numbers.
Maybe I just have too high of expectations for Krivas, but he could realistically be a walking double-double.
He has had too many games where he has only got <6rebs and that is not acceptable.
#BearDown

[arxpert]

There has not been a matchup with a big his size that I believe he won outright.

Realistically none.

He got destroyed by Edey I think a couple years ago. He didn't really "dominate" anyone his size per-se.

He has been "ok" at deterring shots mostly against smaller guys and doing well at the line. I don't see him racking up "29pts 14reb 5blk" type game lines.

He is a good player to have when he is playing at a high level, but it really seems like Awaka has been a major help in tandem.

In fact, I just had to explain this to someone who only really talks NBA with me that Krivas is a good NBA prospect, but they made the good point that he doesn't really seem to win his 1 on 1 battles with fellow Ogres.

We will see overall. This is College Ball and hopefully he just keeps doing enough for THIS particular team.

[arxpert]

Nebraska falls. only Arizona and Miami (OH) remain undefeated.

Barely too. They lead that game for like 39 out of 40 minutes, losing by 2pts. Nebraska may actually be legitimate or the Big10 is overrated. Either way... respect and credit to them. I don't really see all the rage for Michigan that others do. I like Michigan State a lot more.

[arxpert]

Reibe fouled out with 15 points and 4 boards.

We still can't just UConn properly without Reed playing, but we can only play who is on the court. Reibe hit 3's on us. Krivas is starting to step out and take 1 or 2 a game which I am a big fan of. That is a majorly impactful thing if he can hit those in tight games when defenses are sagging off.

[arxpert]

I have a feeling Tommy would almost rather have lost the BYU game,

I really don't think Tommy nor anyone wants to lose to get it over with. If we lose, we lose, but not 1 person would have been happy Player, Coach nor Fan had we lost "THAT" particular game in THAT particular way.

I think that Tommy is susceptible to being blown out overall. No one wants to see that happen.

I do think we will try to win every game. The goal should be to win, not get it over with. We don't need to taste defeat to be better. We just need to play our game on our terms and if we get beat at some point, good on whoever.

[KansasCityCats]

K-State tried to match up 7'2" Buca with Krivas and he fouled out in 17 minutes with only 2 rebounds.

UCF played 7'2" Bol, who couldn't contribute. 6'11" Foumena attempted to help in the paint but only went 1/3 from the field.

Cincy threw out Thiam and his 7'2" frame went 1/7 from the field, fell into early foul trouble and didn't pull down any boards.

Nobody has an answer for Mo's size, unless they send out a tall outside shooter...who still won't be able to handle the inside game on the defensive end.