Starting 5

[Naterade]

I don't understand how Del Orso has earned the right to start? He can hit threes sure, but his defense is obviously awful and he's weak. Why is Carter not getting more minutes? I know that who finishes a game is most important, but I also think that your best players have to start. Bryant and KJ are both better than Del Orso. I'm not trying to bash the kid, but it's a sad day in Tucson when someone of his caliber is starting.

[KansasCityCats]

I think Lloyd is just trying to do something different, in order to not fall in an early hole. Perhaps he thinks that a couple threes within the first four minutes could boost confidence.

Regardless, I agree that Delly's defense has been awful. Although today, he was arguably the best defender. Not sure if the staff lit a fire under him but he looked like a new player.

[Naterade]

I didn't watch the game today. Glad to hear Del orso played better. Still, when you see Carter dunk from just inside the foul line on a fast break, hard to see anyone on this roster starting over that kid.

[KansasCityCats]

Agreed. He badly missed another wide open three (with no defender in sight). Besides his outside struggles, Carter has the athleticism and defensive abilities to eventually be our leader. I'm glad he had an opportunity to gain confidence yesterday and play against a lesser team.

[arxpert]

Agreed. He badly missed another wide open three (with no defender in sight). Besides his outside struggles, Carter has the athleticism and defensive abilities to eventually be our leader. I'm glad he had an opportunity to gain confidence yesterday and play against a lesser team.

Oh my gawd the kid missed a 3pt shot... let's harp on the miss being wide open. Let's not discuss that he had a wide open look though as a positive.

Let's also just keep bashing the best player on the team Carter "freaking" Bryant because he is playing Out Of Position to appease Tommy enough to stay on the court when obviously Carter is a 20-25ppg player if given the keys to the kingdom. Tommy is destroying this kid.

I don't want to hear anyone crying if we miss on any blue chip prospects going forward. Tommy can't coach at a Power Conference level without NBA Players and now that he has only 1 on the team he is purposely sabotaging his game in hopes to keep him around longer. I think Carter is going pro and will show out in the Combine, but if he doesn't, then I will be shocked if he stays with us after all of this mistreatment.

Go ask Paulius how he is doing when he is allowed to play His Game.

Who would want to come here and have to sit around watching Mid Major players like Tony Del Taco eat up minutes when you know you can take his lunch money any time you want?

[KansasCityCats]

Do you read the entire post?  I praise the kid because he has potential but you strictly look at the negatives from this team (and my comments) as an excuse to bash any coach that isn't named Sean Miller.

Yes, Bryant's shot needs work. The rest of his game is elite and similar to Love, if he learns to attack the rim, he'll be unstoppable. Fortunately, unlike Love, Carter has plenty of time to develop his game and will unquestionably succeed.

Until he improves the worst shooting percentage on this already poor shooting team, I won't blame Lloyd for mixing up the lineup. We can't afford to lose games because we want to guess whether somebody "might" start hitting open jumpers.

[|ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ|]

[Naterade]

Agreed. He badly missed another wide open three (with no defender in sight). Besides his outside struggles, Carter has the athleticism and defensive abilities to eventually be our leader. I'm glad he had an opportunity to gain confidence yesterday and play against a lesser team.

I also don't understand the "confidence" issue Carter suppossedly has. The kid is throwing down two handed windmills and trying to dunk from the foul line with a defender under the basket. That looks to me like a kid who wants the damn ball!

[KansasCityCats]

Bryant doesn't physically show any signs of lacking confidence.  He doesn't hesitate before he shoots and he throws it down with authority when he dunks.

I couldn't imagine a situation where an 18 year old kid isn't phased by shooting 26.9% from deep, 41% from the floor and 57% from the FT line. 

Prior to the two easy opponents (CMU/Samford), Bryant hadn't made a 2 point shot since November 9...so I'm not sure where all these dunks occurred.  Practice?

[arxpert]

Agreed. He badly missed another wide open three (with no defender in sight). Besides his outside struggles, Carter has the athleticism and defensive abilities to eventually be our leader. I'm glad he had an opportunity to gain confidence yesterday and play against a lesser team.

I also don't understand the "confidence" issue Carter suppossedly has. The kid is throwing down two handed windmills and trying to dunk from the foul line with a defender under the basket. That looks to me like a kid who wants the damn ball!

This is because there is no confidence issue. It is a frustration issue. Everyone on the team is frustrated. Fans are frustrated. Tommy seems to be immune to frustration as he keeps his wholesome arms folded on the sidelines, but I suspect he will get frustrated soon.

There's no "try" anymore. There is only "do".

This team needs to get back to the Top 25. There are plenty of teams around the country with 3 to 5 losses that are supposed to be "elite". We are losing games from a lack of hitting shots and a lack of defense.

From MY perspective, those are 2 things we can control. Other teams may have other problems. We have fixable issues, hence frustration.