Arizona Vs Eastern New Mexico 🏀 Game Preview/Discussion Thread 10/21/24 7pm ESP

[WILD]

Arizona Vs Eastern New Mexico 🏀 Game Preview/Discussion Thread 10/21/24 7pm ESPN+ (Exh)

The Wildcats recently faced off against each other in the annual Red Blue scrimmage. The Red team came away victorious, outscoring the Blue team 47 to 44. The Blue team led at the half, 29 to 25, in the back-and-forth competition. Caleb Love led all scorers, totaling 19 points on the night for the Red team. Anthony Dell'Orso recorded 15 points and six rebounds for the Blue team, including four three-pointers. Tobe Awaka grabbed eight rebounds for the Blue team as well.

Up next for the Wildcats is an exhibition game against Eastern New Mexico on Oct. 21, at the McKale Center. A 2nd exhibition game will be played against Point Loma Nazarene. The first regular season game for the team will be on Nov. 4, against Canisius University.

Arizona is favored by A Lot and the Over/Under is Even More points

Let's talk about the Wildcats Vs Greyhounds!

BEARDOWN!!!

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[WILD]

https://x.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1848507425784995963?t=LnYGD9G_cnv-qeTw4WisVw&s=19

[WILD]

This team is going to be something special!

https://x.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1848576282210275346?t=LssdsH8pZe6_6G4RkPcrwg&s=19

[KansasCityCats]

ENMU wasn't very talented but they played hard, which is an ideal "warm up game" for Arizona.

The Cats were in great physical shape, which led to a lot of fast break points and easy lobs over exhausted opposing bigs.

Lloyd obviously plans to take a lot of threes this year, which is ok if more guys attack the offensive glass. That's the only aspect of the Arizona game that was lacking last night.

Great energy and consistent play against a lesser opponent. Let's get through the preseason without any injuries (while Krivas slowly heals).

[BTFD_ALVY]

First Timer here.

What stood out the most to me watching this exhibition was determination and complete dominance of a game. In previous years, these games were our first look at how new guys could gel together and who will likely be our playmakers for the season. Last night just felt DIFFERENT.
This was complete dominance (as it should be) in a game. We did not allow any runs from ENMU (which we have been guilty of in previous years) to give some life. We usually allow one opposing player to look like KD out there proving they should be playing FOR us not against us.
But again, I reiterate, last night was astonishingly different. Of course we will dominate these teams with just pure talent. But to dominate in a way that doesn't allow a single breath from the opposing side, DOMINANCE. 

A quick player breakdown from my perspective:
Jayden - Was quick and looked sharp. He has 2 open three looks that he will need to consistently knock down. But he was aggressive to the hoop and that will free up a lot of space on the floor.

1 Love - Showed how quickly he can put up points (as always). I don't think they will need to lean on him so much this year, as they did last, but will make those big buckets when needed.

KJ - Played with more confidence and hunger. KJ has to fill in for Pelle's departure and be the lockdown, swiss army knife. If he can attack the boards more than last year, watch out.

Trey - I thought the March Madness run may have just been a hot run. But watching this dude play, he's the real deal. No hesitation. Confidence. Will go anywhere on the floor. This man is the puzzle piece to take us all the way.

Tobe - WE NEED THIS PHYSICALITY ALL YEAR. He needs to push everyone in practice to his level of physicality. The BIG 12 is our perfect test when it comes to this. His board crashing and put back attitude needs to be the team mentality all season. We can win games on the boards alone this year.

Veesaar - A MAN ON A MISSION. Summarize his entire game night on the spin move slam. That guy looked like prime SHAQ trying to rip the entire hoop down. Rightfully so, he waited his turn and now its his time to shine. If we can get Tobe and Veesaar on the floor at once, now one is getting to that rim.

Delly - Born shooter. Admittingly, I am not too familiar with his game, I know he put up big numbers all last season. But there were some plays he looked to drive and get to the rim, and it felt forced. I can see him using his quickness and threat to shoot for some good cuts to the rim and finish that way. He is massively important to spread the floor this year.

Carter - Small sample of his NBA ready game. He knows his spots. He is a lot bigger than I anticipated. If he can relieve KJ/Trey and lock down 1-4, it will be tough to beat us. I loved his tenacity inside. He didn't appear to have the freshman jitters. He was born for this.

Conrad - You can just tell the guy can ball. Still seems a little rushed at times. But man does this guy have the ability to find plays for his guys.

E-Man - I'm sure wasn't pleased with his night but had 2 blocks. He is a work in progress, and if he can get the Tobe attitude in him, he can be a serious threat.

If you can't tell, I am so fired up for this season. Not only do I have to continuously stay up past 1am watching the games on the east coast, I am surrounded by Duke fans. In typical Arizona fandom fashion, every March has been the biggest disappointment in my life, and make me ponder why I put some much into this team. But here we are, 1 exhibition under our belt and I am back to thinking "this is our year".
BEAR THE F DOWN!!

[WILD]

Great 1st post BTFD_ALVY

[KansasCityCats]

I hope you're right about Love.  He returned to school for two reasons: 1) to Win, and 2) to show NBA scouts that he can be a point guard at the next level.  If he can become more of a distributor, his shooting percentage will increase and our efficient scorers will maximize our potential with an offense that is always effective under Lloyd.  Love and Boswell had the worst shooting percentages on the team last year but I feel like he can easily put up 15 PPG and 7 APG if opponents focus more on our deep frontcourt.

Veesaar looks 100% and will be an animal alongside/behind Krivas.  Same with Carter, who reminds me a lot of Iguodala because he's strong...but versatile enough to play any position.

Stephen has an NBA body but definitely has a lot of work to do on both ends of the floor.  Assuming Krivas goes pro after the season, I think E will be ready to take on a larger role as a Sophomore.

As long as Conrad doesn't outrun himself, he could work his way into the PG rotation.  He's unbelievably fast but needs to play under control.  If he starts to steal the ball, Lloyd will likely keep him on the court.

I'm also overly optimistic after last night.  This team is almost completely new so there will be losses throughout the season but I think we have enough veteran leadership to finally make a nice postseason run, especially after playing the brutal Big-12 schedule.

[BTFD_ALVY]

I hope you're right about Love.  He returned to school for two reasons: 1) to Win, and 2) to show NBA scouts that he can be a point guard at the next level.  If he can become more of a distributor, his shooting percentage will increase and our efficient scorers will maximize our potential with an offense that is always effective under Lloyd.  Love and Boswell had the worst shooting percentages on the team last year but I feel like he can easily put up 15 PPG and 7 APG if opponents focus more on our deep frontcourt.

Veesaar looks 100% and will be an animal alongside/behind Krivas.  Same with Carter, who reminds me a lot of Iguodala because he's strong...but versatile enough to play any position.

Stephen has an NBA body but definitely has a lot of work to do on both ends of the floor.  Assuming Krivas goes pro after the season, I think E will be ready to take on a larger role as a Sophomore.

As long as Conrad doesn't outrun himself, he could work his way into the PG rotation.  He's unbelievably fast but needs to play under control.  If he starts to steal the ball, Lloyd will likely keep him on the court.

I'm also overly optimistic after last night.  This team is almost completely new so there will be losses throughout the season but I think we have enough veteran leadership to finally make a nice postseason run, especially after playing the brutal Big-12 schedule.

I think we leaned so heavily on Love last season that we looked for him to take most of the shots and all the big shots. I mean here we are, little ol Tucson (saracasm), getting a final four ACC All Freshman, STAR. He has been our biggest transfer hands down. And for the most part, he came through in the clutch.

This season will be different with the depth of threats we have. Boswell had an incredible start, but man did he fall off quick. They were what... 8 deep last season?

Our biggest hurdle this year will be making the tough decisions of which 9/10 guys will be in the rotation. E Man might have to take a red shirt. Decisions like that either make or break a program. You have one un-happy guy in the locker room....boy does that anger spread like cancer.

But if you can show E Man, "hey look at Veesaar (which Tommy eluded to in the post game presser) take a year and look at the growth potential," and if he can understand that and trust the process (shoutout Miller), thats the chemistry and locker room that wins championships. Unselfishness, willing to feed the hot hand, playing together, winning together. If Tommy can spread that mentality, idolize team attitude after Veesaar, bring the aggressive dominating demeanor like Tobe, WATCH OUT!

[KansasCityCats]

I completely agree.  Fortunately, the team has respected Lloyd, despite the fact that we're living in a world where transferring and selfishness is the "norm". 

I'd love to see patience on Stephen's behalf because he's one of those guys that reminds me of Koloko, except his body is already light years ahead of KC as a true freshman.

Awaka is an enforcer.  He seems to take smart shots and doesn't overextend his range, while playing the role of "tough guy".  Even if he commits silly fouls, his intensity and effort will spread throughout the locker room and I can't wait to see him go up against Wisconsin, Dook, UCLA, KU, Iowa St, Houston, etc.  It's going to be an exciting season!

[BTFD_ALVY]

I completely agree.  Fortunately, the team has respected Lloyd, despite the fact that we're living in a world where transferring and selfishness is the "norm". 

I'd love to see patience on Stephen's behalf because he's one of those guys that reminds me of Koloko, except his body is already light years ahead of KC as a true freshman.

Awaka is an enforcer.  He seems to take smart shots and doesn't overextend his range, while playing the role of "tough guy".  Even if he commits silly fouls, his intensity and effort will spread throughout the locker room and I can't wait to see him go up against Wisconsin, Dook, UCLA, KU, Iowa St, Houston, etc.  It's going to be an exciting season!

I agree. Just listening to the CIG12 Meida day broadcast and them saying they don't believe this is the most talented roster Tommy has had so far. I think I completely disagree with that. NBA draft pick talent, maybe not. However, college ball experience and IQ talent...this may be his best/deepest roster yet.

I can't wait for the season as well. And I'm sure I will have a couple of irrational rants on here throughout hahaha but thats just the lifestyle of a Wildcat fan. I'll take this fandom over all Blue Bloods every day.