Arizona 1/4 2:30 ESPN2

[Rufus]

Yeah, good call. I was thinking the same thing. With these three losses, the box scores indicate that UC led in many of the scoring and rebounding categories. For instance, with today's game, UC took 11 more shots than UA and made two more than UA. Likewise, UC had 17 offensive rebounds and UA had 6. UC had more fast break points (10-3), more points in the paint (36-32), and more second chance points and points off of turnovers. Where UC may have lost the game was at the free throw line (UA went 21-27 and UC went 12-23).

All of UC's losses so far this year have been on national TV. Miller's teams have MAJOR PROBLEMS competing against power and high-major teams. One of the things that I find most disturbing is UC has NO real conference home court advantage under Miller. From what I saw today, I would say that UC's guards were out-played today. UA's guard group hit for 56 points, 4 assists, and 9 TOs. UC's guards hit for 43 points, 11 assists, and 10 TOs. What is the matter with Simas? He only took 6 shots today (exact amount he took in the K-State loss). UC CANNOT win if Simas does NOT shoot the ball. Even Betsey took more shots today than Simas.

Should Miller insert Thomas into the starting lineup and let James come off the bench? Thomas is a much better defender and he is the team's best 3 point shooter (based on average). Also, Thomas is better at getting the ball into the paint and gets to the foul line more than James.

Is it time for Miller to start playing other people more minutes (Reed for instance. So far, Hickman has NOT been much of a factor on the season to be honest).

UC is at a very dangerous point in the season already. They have now lost two very very winnable games back-to-back. UC MAY have one of the worst conference home records in the country stretching back to last season. Guess what; UC is on the road at # 25 Baylor on Tuesday. My guess is UC will NOT be ranked in the Top 25 once next week's rankings come out.

One of the strange things about college basketball is that teams sometimes change, for better or worse, over the Christmas Break. This is NOT the same UC team that went home for Christmas. If Miller does NOT get this team back on track, it is going to get killed in the BIG XII.

I think Miller is in JJ's head too much trying to coax him into a pg.

[Lobot]

It's not so much that this is a good or bad loss. I don't see this team winning many, if any, on the road. They have too many flaws. They practically have to win all the home games and they aren't good enough for that either. Miller has improved the talent every year but not the quality of basketball especially on offense.

Any road wins in this league are gravy no matter what team you are. If you get one, great. Don't expect them.

[bearcat1518]

I'm confused as how it's Wes' fault that Simas can't get open and teams are taking him away. It's not really Simas' fault either to be honest. It's not like he's not trying. The defense is going to dictate whether he's able to get shots up and Arizona played very good defense for most of the game which is why we shot so poorly in the 1st Half. The memo is out. If you take away Lukosius , we're not a good offensive team from outside.

The question is why Wes and the team didn't adjust to that sooner. The offense was a mess in the 1st half. Lots of poor shot selection. I think for every mid range Jizzle took that was a good look, he also took a bad one that wasn't.

The coach can run sets for a player like Simas to get him open looks. If you’re watching the game, hardly any sets that screen and set for him. Also spacing on the offense is terrible - which TV announcers commonly point out. Those two simple things are adjustments that a coach can make to get their best shooter more looks. I’m sure there are many other ways as well.

[leeraymond]

4-4
7-3
7-5

Not only are Villanova, Kansas State and Arizona all Wildcats but above were the records before defeating UC. Each had underachieved coming in (and looked very beatable) and got marquee wins versus UC.

Yeah, good call. I was thinking the same thing. With these three losses, the box scores indicate that UC led in many of the scoring and rebounding categories. For instance, with today's game, UC took 11 more shots than UA and made two more than UA. Likewise, UC had 17 offensive rebounds and UA had 6. UC had more fast break points (10-3), more points in the paint (36-32), and more second chance points and points off of turnovers. Where UC may have lost the game was at the free throw line (UA went 21-27 and UC went 12-23).

All of UC's losses so far this year have been on national TV. Miller's teams have MAJOR PROBLEMS competing against power and high-major teams. One of the things that I find most disturbing is UC has NO real conference home court advantage under Miller. From what I saw today, I would say that UC's guards were out-played today. UA's guard group hit for 56 points, 4 assists, and 9 TOs. UC's guards hit for 43 points, 11 assists, and 10 TOs. What is the matter with Simas? He only took 6 shots today (exact amount he took in the K-State loss). UC CANNOT win if Simas does NOT shoot the ball. Even Betsey took more shots today than Simas.

Should Miller insert Thomas into the starting lineup and let James come off the bench? Thomas is a much better defender and he is the team's best 3 point shooter (based on average). Also, Thomas is better at getting the ball into the paint and gets to the foul line more than James.

Is it time for Miller to start playing other people more minutes (Reed for instance. So far, Hickman has NOT been much of a factor on the season to be honest)?

UC is at a very dangerous point in the season already. They have now lost two very very winnable games back-to-back. UC MAY have one of the worst conference home records in the country stretching back to last season. Guess what; UC is on the road at # 25 Baylor on Tuesday. My guess is UC will NOT be ranked in the Top 25 once next week's rankings come out.

One of the strange things about college basketball is that teams sometimes change, for better or worse, over the Christmas Break. This is NOT the same UC team that went home for Christmas. If Miller does NOT get this team back on track, it is going to get killed in the BIG XII.

[Gmann]

It's not so much that this is a good or bad loss. I don't see this team winning many, if any, on the road. They have too many flaws. They practically have to win all the home games and they aren't good enough for that either. Miller has improved the talent every year but not the quality of basketball especially on offense.

[London 'Cat]

I hate that we couldn't hold serve at home but I don't think this was as bad a loss as we think. The Wildcats have played some people and were battle tested despite the losses.

Box score:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401725638

See my post above re: statistical ratings. Not a bad loss by any means. They have played some legitimate opponents.

[Lobot]

I hate that we couldn't hold serve at home but I don't think this was as bad a loss as we think. The Wildcats have played some people and were battle tested despite the losses.

Box score:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401725638

[Lobot]

ON the post game once again Terry asked CWM what he can do to get SL open. CWM hm hummed and said 5 man game and nobody was playing and then he got mad and said he didn't go for that crap (how to get a guy open). Well he is the HC and that is planning to win the game. Somebody has to plan. Terry confronted him and laid it on CWM for SL poor shooting.

I'm confused as how it's Wes' fault that Simas can't get open and teams are taking him away. It's not really Simas' fault either to be honest. It's not like he's not trying. The defense is going to dictate whether he's able to get shots up and Arizona played very good defense for most of the game which is why we shot so poorly in the 1st Half. The memo is out. If you take away Lukosius , we're not a good offensive team from outside.

The question is why Wes and the team didn't adjust to that sooner. The offense was a mess in the 1st half. Lots of poor shot selection. I think for every mid range Jizzle took that was a good look, he also took a bad one that wasn't.

[London 'Cat]

I'll disagree on this one. If the Cats were a legit Top 25 team, they have no business losing to 7-5 Arizona on home court. IMO

In both the KenPom ratings (20 v 23) and the NET rankings (21 v 25) AZ was above UC. That would have made it a quality win, IMO. I am starting to question whether this a legitimate top 25 team. Their play in the last two games does not support their ranking. I think they fall out of the top 25 and won’t return again barring significant improved play.

[fmirzamd]

Why we recruit players who can’t hit free throws? If we had hit our free throws we would have won.

[leo from jersey]

I know many are tired of me complaining, but here goes. I once heard the wise BB sage Charles Barkley make a comment. It applies to our team. -- Any knucklehead can shoot the ball. but it takes a basketball playerto rebound. Oscar said they just stand around and watch as they waith for their shot and celebration if they hit it.

[leo from jersey]

ON the post game once again Terry asked CWM what he can do to get SL open. CWM hm hummed and said 5 man game and nobody was playing and then he got mad and said he didn't go for that crap (how to get a guy open). Well he is the HC and that is planning to win the game. Somebody has to plan. Terry confronted him and laid it on CWM for SL poor shooting.

[BearKatz]

Not really a bad loss. But certainly missed opportunity for a solid win. Skillings gets out dueled for a rebound. Game over.

I'll disagree on this one. If the Cats were a legit Top 25 team, they have no business losing to 7-5 Arizona on home court. IMO

[leeraymond]

The national average number of possessions per game is 68.5. Cincinnati is 66.2. Arizona is 71.4. We're not playing at the snail's pace of Virginia's 60.9, but we are slower than average.

What I am talking about is number of shots taken NOT number of possessions.

[Carthage World]

Very typical loss for the Wes Miller era. I'm starting to think this job may be too big for him.