Next 4 Games

[arxpert]

The Next 4 Games are pivotal to see where this team truly is. I think if we manage to win all 4, we should be afforded at least 1 or 2 losses in leeway and still be the Overall #1 Seed / AP #1. I don't care what records say. This is a Lute Olsonian stretch and it is exciting to see 4 strong games in a row.

We are basically playing 1 game a week right now. That is the biggest issue I see. It is weird scheduling. Not sure who thought it was a good idea. There should be no excuses though. Any word on Vessaar? I wonder how he fits in if he does return at some point.

This is where I believe it is a great idea to schedule in this manner. March Madness is what it is. A novelty. An ice cream sandwich. Of course everyone wants to win it. Final 4 means 1 more win than Elite 8 to me. It means a lot more to other people.

When you play a schedule like this in venues like these, you are essentially playing a tougher 4 games in a row than it would be in March Madness. There's no 16 seed "warm up" game here. I dare not say 15 seed after Tommy's great shameful performance last season.

Winning these 4 in a row is more difficult than winning 4 in the Big Dance. I cannot be convinced otherwise.

Now onto business:

Vs Wisconson (in McKale)
Vs Purdue (Pacers arena?, road game)
Vs Alabama (Suns arena, home game BUT I suspect Bama fans and Anti-Zona Zoo will travel/attend as PHX became a melting pot)
Vs FAU (in McKale North aka Vegas, but everyone loves to see [and bet on] the upset)

1 Home Game, 3 Faux-Neutral Site Games

I argue vs Wisconsin is the toughest game of this bunch. First game of a monster stretch. Can't come out flat and give Wisco any belief. A lot of pressure. Rust is real. Wisconsin is unafraid with nothing to lose, everything to gain. I hope the hammer of Thor is dropped on them.

Purdue will be a Road Game chalk full of Midwest scum buckets, but I argue that it is a decent matchup for us. Hard to say that we would be the favorite and that has nothing to do with venue and more to do with style of play. We may out-athlete them playing fast, but Purdue is better in chemistry. Coaching will matter. I suspect Purdue will slow things down whenever they want and attempt to play through Yao Edey at first, but lull us into thinking that is the plan when in reality it will be their Guards that are the issue. They are experienced and fluid. We are still looking for a steady hand. I have yet to see someone take over a game, get 12 assists, get to the Line often. Our guards will need to be better. They have a bad reputation for poor 3pt shooting, but are quietly changing that narrative. Guard Play will be tested heavily as well as Keshod having to deal with Gillis being pesky, can't sag off worrying about Edey. If he gets a 2 so be it. Don't foul him, he isn't Ballo, he can make a FT.

This will be "the game" if the media gets their way. We will only know how big Krivas really is once he is next to Edey. Ballo will be useless in this matchup other than trying to barrel into Edey. Hopefully Tommy is working on some plays that feature Ballo passing the ball. It would open up a ton of action if he can acquire that skill.

Alabama is suspect. I think Phoenix is a suspect place to play as well. We won't just be the Home Team automatically. It is up to Wildcat Nation to get up and give a damn. Not to assume the tickets will be bought and the Zoo will be rocking. Fanbases like Bama's have a reputation for buying tickets from Tuscaloosa just to make sure their opponent doesn't get fans in the house. Athletes vs Athletes. We will have to ball to beat them.

FAU in Vegas. I think they are an extremely deep team. Shut down Johnell Davis, shut down FAU. Another team with nothing to lose and would love to show the world they can mix it up with the best the country has to offer. I feel pretty good about this matchup. Goldin will have a handful to deal with. They aren't overrated, but they also aren't the big bad wolf either.

If we go 4-0, it will be special.

[|ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ|]

If we assume that all games are officiated fairly, I give Alabama the best odds to beat us. All it would take is a hot night from their guards. It would be pretty awesome if Bradley had a career night in that one to get the W.

[Deb]

Yeah PRYME, I too think Bama may give us our toughest game. Esp if those guards hit it from three.

But we owe Coach Oats a payback.

Go Cats!

[SnowDen]

I thought FAU would be a challenge,but after watching them, not so concerned.Purdue will be a tough game made tougher by location. The CATS have showed they can handle the road, but this game is my biggest threat for a loss.

BearDown

[KansasCityCats]

Every game has the potential for a loss.  If we don't get Edey into early foul trouble, FAU/Bama get hot from beyond the arc or Wisconsin decides to flop in the lane at the buzzer...any of these teams could beat us.

They're solid opponents and there's no shame in losing (as long as we show effort on the defensive end).

Hoping for 4 wins but I think 10-1 in OOC play would still be considered a HUGE moral victory for this young team.

[Wildcat Dad]

Not so sure we are all that  young. We have some young players, but Ballo, Pelle, Keshad and Caleb are all seniors

[KansasCityCats]

Very true.  Although the next oldest contributor is Sophomore Jaden Bradley.  Boswell, Krivas, Anderson, Veesaar, Lewis, Murauskas, Borovicanin and Martinez are all under the age of 20. 

Assuming we don't bring in a grad transfer...and with Phillips, Bryant and Stephen coming in next year...Arizona could have all 13 guys on the roster under the age of 21 when the school year begins.

[LeftCoastCats]

FAU is our worst matchup.

Purdue is our toughest game.

Bama will give up 100 points, might score 100 too - just not against this defense.

Wisconsin is owed a public beating due to their heinous acts upon this teams kin. This fanbase is coming for blood, and McKale fans are old enough and knowledgeable enough to remember.



4-0 likely. 3-1 at worst.

[FCat]

We'll see how good FAU is in a few days when they play Illinois

[arxpert]

Very true.  Although the next oldest contributor is Sophomore Jaden Bradley.  Boswell, Krivas, Anderson, Veesaar, Lewis, Murauskas, Borovicanin and Martinez are all under the age of 20. 

Assuming we don't bring in a grad transfer...and with Phillips, Bryant and Stephen coming in next year...Arizona could have all 13 guys on the roster under the age of 21 when the school year begins.

I was under the impression Boswell was going pro after 2 seasons - as it was always the plan. Now obviously his game needs to do the talking and get to that point, but that is just the impression.