Raindog
I didn't come here to be liked!
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Now watch either Illinois or UConn win it all.
Arizona Basketball 2025-2026 - Tommy's Best Team?
- Thread starter TJ
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I would be in heaven if my Illini finally won oneNow watch either Illinois or UConn win it all.
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
Could certainly happen. Both those teams are good.Now watch either Illinois or UConn win it all.
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I agree but I remember hearing and thinking the same thing almost 4 decades ago before the Arizona/Oklahoma matchup - hopefully there isn't a Danny Manning in the other bracket.
Phrazbit
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4 really good teams left. I have a bizarre confidence in this Arizona team... I think they're going to be really hard to counter. They're so big and the way they use their size... and that despite using all these big players they're great at defending smaller lineups.
Michigan is a monster, but just keep banging away inside, rebound... these Wildcats grind teams down. I've never had the privilege of being a fan of the team that was the "bully" before.
Michigan is a monster, but just keep banging away inside, rebound... these Wildcats grind teams down. I've never had the privilege of being a fan of the team that was the "bully" before.
What’s up Arizona fans? Michigan fan here and wanted to chop it up before the game this weekend.
First off, let me start by saying I can not wait for this game. I do wish it was the National Championship game. Both teams have pretty much been the top two teams all year long and what do ya know, here we are, where both teams and their fans belong.
This game is so unique to me with just how similar these teams are. Obviously there are differences too but both teams with massive size and not only that but both teams want to do the same things. I plan to get more into the game a bit but for now wanted to show some respect to the Wildcats and share where and I feel strongly and where I am concerned and see what you guys think from your POV.
First off, let me start by saying I can not wait for this game. I do wish it was the National Championship game. Both teams have pretty much been the top two teams all year long and what do ya know, here we are, where both teams and their fans belong.
This game is so unique to me with just how similar these teams are. Obviously there are differences too but both teams with massive size and not only that but both teams want to do the same things. I plan to get more into the game a bit but for now wanted to show some respect to the Wildcats and share where and I feel strongly and where I am concerned and see what you guys think from your POV.
Chaplin
Better off silent
This game feels like it was the most inevitable matchup for most of this year. Michigan played really well in the middle of the season, but the Cats are peaking at the very best time. This is going to be a good one.
To add to this point of peaking. Speaking of Michigan, they took a few games to get going but obviously got hot late November and kept that going through the non-con. Michigan is one of the absolute best teams in transition I have ever seen (from what I have heard, the same can actually be said about AZ) and most Big Ten teams completely sell out to prevent transition and fast break points, and they do it very well. This slowed Michigan a bit in the middle portion of the year, however, 19-1 in the Big Ten is still pretty dang good.
Towards the end of the conference slate, we unfortunately lost Cason. Feel bad for the kid because it was right as he was in his best stretch of basketball as a collegiate athlete. He is a backup, so the impact really wasn’t crazy, but for the next couple of weeks, it did seem to have an impact. When Cadeau went off the court, the offense really stagnated. It does seem now that we are playing non Big Ten teams and can run in transition again, we’ve recaptured that early season form. Again, Arizona is good in transition too so it is another example of strength on strength here.
Towards the end of the conference slate, we unfortunately lost Cason. Feel bad for the kid because it was right as he was in his best stretch of basketball as a collegiate athlete. He is a backup, so the impact really wasn’t crazy, but for the next couple of weeks, it did seem to have an impact. When Cadeau went off the court, the offense really stagnated. It does seem now that we are playing non Big Ten teams and can run in transition again, we’ve recaptured that early season form. Again, Arizona is good in transition too so it is another example of strength on strength here.
Welcome!
This will be the most anticipated college basketball game in over a decade. I think these two teams deserve to play each other with how close in talent they both are. I wish I didn’t have a rooting interest so I wouldn’t be so stressed about the outcome.
One of the things I will be keeping an eye on are the fouls that Arizona is able to force opponents into. They create advantages consistently and getting to the line as often as they do seems like one of their superpowers. A key for Michigan has to be trying to defend without fouling to keep Arizona off the free throw line and our guys out of foul trouble. Easier said than done apparently. And then Michigan needs to finish the possession with a rebound.
On offense, the hope has to be that Michigan can stay hot from 3. I don’t have the source, but I saw a stat that UM is shooting 40% from deep since March 1st. Idk that they need to hit that mark to win, but it’d obviously help. There’s this thing going around Michigan circles of March Roddy. Each of the last 2 conference seasons he has struggled immensely from deep. Last year he essentially won our round of 32 game with his shooting and he’s now hit more threes in this year’s NCAA tournament than he did the entire 23 games we played against Big Ten competition (including the Big Ten Tournament). He was asked (since it is no longer March) what April Roddy will be like, lol he said even better but we have never seen April Roddy before. I know this isn’t really analysis but the fact remains that when he is shooting well, it just adds so much to the team.
On offense, the hope has to be that Michigan can stay hot from 3. I don’t have the source, but I saw a stat that UM is shooting 40% from deep since March 1st. Idk that they need to hit that mark to win, but it’d obviously help. There’s this thing going around Michigan circles of March Roddy. Each of the last 2 conference seasons he has struggled immensely from deep. Last year he essentially won our round of 32 game with his shooting and he’s now hit more threes in this year’s NCAA tournament than he did the entire 23 games we played against Big Ten competition (including the Big Ten Tournament). He was asked (since it is no longer March) what April Roddy will be like, lol he said even better but we have never seen April Roddy before. I know this isn’t really analysis but the fact remains that when he is shooting well, it just adds so much to the team.
azgreg
Hall of Famer
Looks like Alkeme is paying for all the student's tickets.
GatorAZ
feed hopkins
Lovely:
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xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
UNC best player this year happen to be coached and recruited by Tommy. I'm calling BS untill ,,,
Don’t believe Doug Gottlieb, and especially don’t trust him around credit cards
Lute Olson was offered the Kentucky job TWICE and turned them down. In 1989, Kentucky offered $1.3 Million in today's dollars more than what Arizona was paying him, and he said no.
Let's hope Tommy has the same loyalty
Let's hope Tommy has the same loyalty
UK and UNC are better jobs than Arizona, but not THAT much better that you absolutely have to make that jump unless you're completely dissatisfied with the current job. I can say confidently that the issues that Tommy has with the AD are being resolved along with a bump in his salary.
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IMO Cason is better than Cadeau. Cadeau has had a good tournament but my god the next contested 3 he makes will be the first, nobody guards him they dare him to shoot. I think UA will actually guard him because they have enough size and rim protection they won't need to collapse like most teams do. He apparently had some medical issue, allergy to food but will be good to go on game day.
I still don't get why May plays Nimari Burnett so much he's like their 4th best 2G IMO.
I think the big challenge for Michigan will be the non Mara minutes. AS a UCLA fan I'm acutely aware of how good Aday is at rim protection and changing shots and also how quickly he gets tired. Krivas is just as big and he can play more minutes it will be interesting to see how Michigan handles Krivas when Aday is either out tired or with fouls.
Game has fascinating matchups, Kharchenkov a great defender will guard Yaxel, Peat against Morez Johnson etc.
If I were a Michigan fan I'd say I hope it doesn't come down to coaching I think Lloyd is a better coach than May
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Doug Gottlieb is a putz
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These really are two absolute juggernauts facing off.
I just hope whoever wins doesn't have a let down in the championship game.
Raindog
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It's a definite possibility. As soon as whoever wins starts believing "oh, this was the REAL championship game" (as it's getting hyped), they will find themselves in trouble on Monday.
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