RealGM

I know this thread probably belongs in the NCAA forum, though that forum is dead. There were three posts about the entire season, one by me, but I feel since many fans here are UA or ASU fans it would be nice to see discussion, and perhaps just general discussion on games by other teams in the tourneys, so hopefully the mods are fine with it being here. It's not like we have a ton of active threads here anyway.

As an AZ fan, I always worry about every game. They should easily take care of Texas Southern tomorrow, but their road after that could be tough, facing either Ohio St (who knocked us out two years ago) or VCU (always a tough team) in game two. At our best, we can take care of anyone, but if we get into foul trouble, we could be in trouble. Most of the teams we will face after the first round are better than any PAC 12 teams. Mark Titus on Grantland had an interesting write up about how AZ got screwed, because Miller would possibly have to again face his old boss (Thad Matta) at Xavier in a potential matchup with Ohio St. Thad also beat Miller in 2007 when Miller had become the coach of Xavier and they blew a 9 pt lead in the last 3 or 4 minutes. After that he could potentially face his old team, Xavier. Then of course you have Wisconsin who knocked them out last year and then Kentucky.

As for ASU, impressive win in the NIT tonight against last years NCAA champs, UConn, who made it to their conf championship against SMU. For the record I never pull against any PAC 12 team outside of conference play, and always like to see ASU do well (unlike many PAC 12 teams) unless they play UA.

This thread can also be used to talk about other tourney games. If we have to move it to the NCAA forum, I hope fans follow, but it likely won't be as active, so I hope we can discuss it here.

Damn, the lane is so clogged with Ohio St defenders. AZ REALLY need to hit some outside shots. Without McConnell right now, they'd be getting killed right now.

The PAC 12 has been impressive. The four teams in the big dance are 7-1, with the sole loss being Oregon losing to Wisconsin in a very close game, and then in the NIT, Stanford is 2-0, and ASU took Richmond (the 1 seed in their region), a team who many felt should be in the big dance, to OT. So 10-2 in these games is nice.

Of course now Utah has to play Duke, and UCLA has to play Gonzaga, so they likely both go down, but it's no shame to lose to two top 7 teams in the country. Stanford should beat Vanderbilt to advance though.

When UCLA got an invite I couldn't believe it but now the comity looking like geniuses. This year I thought only 3 teams would get in unlike other years were we had 4-5 teams easily. Like you stated BW Utah and UCLA are pretty much goners in the sweet 16 so that will only leave Arizona as the only pac 12 team left. It would be failure IMO, if we don't make the final 4 this year no excuses if we lose next game or in the elite 8 with the way our team is constructed and Ashley healthier this season we better do some damage in the next few games.

SunsReadyToRoll wrote:When UCLA got an invite I couldn't believe it but now the comity looking like geniuses. This year I thought only 3 teams would get in unlike other years were we had 4-5 teams easily. Like you stated BW Utah and UCLA are pretty much goners in the sweet 16 so that will only leave Arizona as the only pac 12 team left. It would be failure IMO, if we don't make the final 4 this year no excuses if we lose next game or in the elite 8 with the way our team is constructed and Ashley healthier this season we better do some damage in the next few games.

Well the next "few" games would likely include Kentucky so I don't know how much damage we will do there, but I'll definitely be pulling for it if we get there.

Well next two games are against Xavier and Wisconsin if we beat both we face Kentucky and there's no shame losing to them in final 4.

1-3-1 was wrecking havoc tonight. Luckily TJ willed us to a W. Arizona opens up -1.5 vs Wisconsin.

Great win. Now lets get those pesky Badgers this time around.

DirtyDez wrote:1-3-1 was wrecking havoc tonight. Luckily TJ willed us to a W. Arizona opens up -1.5 vs Wisconsin.

Wow I'm pretty surprised we are favored. North Carolina seems like a much tougher team than Xavier. We REALLY need our shot to fall from the outside in this game and need to contain Kaminsky. Last year Zeus couldn't keep up with him on the perimeter but I think Ashley will guard him some out there and Zeus can stay in the middle. Maybe even RHJ can guard him a little bit...not sure he has the size but he does have a huge wingspan and would be all over him.

Revenge game today. I'm hoping we take down Wisconsin and make the final 4. It's been a while since we made it that far and we deserve it. Go CATS!!!

SunsReadyToRoll wrote:Revenge game today. I'm hoping we take down Wisconsin and make the final 4. It's been a while since we made it that far and we deserve it. Go CATS!!!

It would be nice to get back to that final four. Think about the brutal losses that came down to last second shots in the elite eight. The big blown lead to Illinois (15 pts with less than 4 minutes left) in 2005, to UConn, missing a last second shot in 2011, vs Wisconsin missing last shot in OT last year. 3 points to Kansas in 2003.

Man, remembering all these brutal losses reminds me of the Suns.

Hopefully later today we are

As I was reading the brutal losses I did remember the Suns before even reading about them from your post. I hate brutal losses it happens enough here with our basketball teams and something needs to change quickly before I get old and never see a Suns championship and that my friend will be a sad way to go out.

Not the best start but a great finish to the half as we lead 33-30. One more strong half baby and we can sniff the final 4.

Unbelievable that they keep nailing 3s. You're just not gonna beat a team who shoots over 60% from 3.

A bunch of Ray Allen's on their team. UNREEal

They wouldn't miss a 3 in the 2nd half. Fk this b.s

Kaminsky was gifted a lot of his free throws. I'd stay away from him in the draft. No way he gets any of those calls next level.

EDIT: Kaminsky averaged 5 free throw attempts per game this season. Had 12 in this game.

This loss sucked but it doesn't piss me off as bad as many because this team always played tough. When a team goes on a crazy streak of hitting 10 of 12 3s in the second half, you are not going to win often. Some of the charges called in the first half against az and the stanley johnson injury were unfortunate (though he fouled out anyway, so I guess the injury wasn't a major factor).

I'm just going to pull for all the underdogs the rest of the way. Go Notre Dame! If they lose, go Wisconsin! Go Gonzaga! Louisville/Mich St I don't really care....they have tons of success with historic coaches but it should be a great game.

I'd love to see Gonzaga win it all though. I normally hate Notre Dame more for football, but they are the team I'd next most like to see take it all at this point other than Gonzaga.

I think we can expect both wings to go and probably Ashley. Tarc was finally starting to put it together. Really hoping his AZ career isn't over.

DirtyDez wrote:I think we can expect both wings to go and probably Ashley. Tarc was finally starting to put it together. Really hoping his AZ career isn't over.

Yeah, the worst part as an AZ fan is that this team will be decimated and really young next year. It would be nice if Ashley and Tarc came back, but they could both be gone.