Game Thread: AZ @ UCLA

[Vitamike]

Um isnt Duke the #1 Rated Offense in KenPom?

For adjusted offense however I'm talking straight up offensive numbers.

No formulas, no 'adjustments' just stats.

Duke
84.6 PPG
16 APG
.496 FG%

UCLA
85.5 PPG
18.4 APG
.522 FG%

 

[The Derski]

The crowd is going to be 65% UCLA 35% Arizona fans

 

[CatsTopPac]

For adjusted offense however I'm talking straight up offensive numbers.

No formulas, no 'adjustments' just stats.

Duke
84.6 PPG
16 APG
.496 FG%

UCLA
85.5 PPG
18.4 APG
.522 FG%

They're pretty close. Duke's SOS is at like 74, and UCLA's is at like 165. But it's probably closer to a wash. And I think that the crowd at MSG was about the ratio of Duke:AZ fans as what will be found at Pauley. So that's probably a wash as well.

I think it will be such a good game. We need to take care of the ball, rebound, make some free throws, and the easy putbacks. If we can do those things (mostly within ourselves), then we will win by single digits. If some of those categories aren't clean, we are going to leave Pauley with a loss. I like our defense in the matchup (especially in the post). The guards definitely have size to go with their shot, so that will be a challenge. Looks like Anderson mostly runs the offense from the quasi-point, and it's a good thing that AG and RHJ can guard that. Looks like TJ will be shutting down the roving Powell, and NJ will try and stop Adams from getting hot.

 

[GumbySquad]

Oregon is looking strong so far... up by 9 early at Boulder.

SDSU is also looking good, they are up by 8 in the first against Kansas.

 

[Vitamike]

They're pretty close. Duke's SOS is at like 74, and UCLA's is at like 165. But it's probably closer to a wash. And I think that the crowd at MSG was about the ratio of Duke:AZ fans as what will be found at Pauley. So that's probably a wash as well.

I think it will be such a good game. We need to take care of the ball, rebound, make some free throws, and the easy putbacks. If we can do those things (mostly within ourselves), then we will win by single digits. If some of those categories aren't clean, we are going to leave Pauley with a loss. I like our defense in the matchup (especially in the post). The guards definitely have size to go with their shot, so that will be a challenge. Looks like Anderson mostly runs the offense from the quasi-point, and it's a good thing that AG and RHJ can guard that. Looks like TJ will be shutting down the roving Powell, and NJ will try and stop Adams from getting hot.

Yeah they play in the ACC with Syracuse, Pitt, North Caro, WF so I'm not sure their SOS really makes a difference at this point although it's getting there. To me it's just another opinion poll.

Look we lost to (12-1) Mizzou & (11-3) Duke and were not ranked, yet there are plenty of teams who have 3 losses who are ranked in the top 25. Oh and Mizzou has lost just one game by one point to, almost always ranked, (13-2) Illinois. So why is Mizzou ranked at No. 25?

That's why I think SOS is an overrated stat. Missouri could be ranked as high as No. 4 right now and Duke is getting credit for playing then No. 5 (9-3) KU, your boyz then No. 4 (15-0) Arizona however in a loss and then No.22 (10-4) Michigan and all those ACC teams they have yet to play.

IMO, true SOS can only be evaluated at the end of the season just like the 'adjusted' offense rankings. So it's very subjective to me.

Yes Duke and UCLA are pretty close as you say but that shouldn't be comforting for y'all as that was anybody's ball game before all the intentional fouling started. It was just a 5 point difference with less than 2 minutes to go.

Anyway I don't expect the Bruins to come away with a win in this one. Your front court is VERY very long. What 6-8, 6-9 & 7-0? Tony Parker will need to have a coming out party in order for any chance of a win IMO as the Wear twins don't crash the boards.

The tough part about all this?

There wont be a chance for redemption for the loser in Tuscon this season.

 

[GumbySquad]

...CU's turned it around. They took an 8 point lead before the Ducks made another run. CU by 2 at the half. Both teams looking strong. Everyone should be watching this game. Two very good teams, I like the way they both play, good chemistry.

 

[GumbySquad]

Yes Vitamike... SOS isn't overrated, it is simply less of a statistical measurement to compare two teams until much later in the season.

UCLA is definitely a "top-25" team, which is to say they have the talent and the depth to beat any team in America. Whether or not they are ranked 12th, 21st, or 32nd, where they currently are makes no difference. Fact is that ever since the KG rule went into effect college teams simply do not stockpile talent as they once did. Because of the lack of talent-laden veteran teams there are no truly dominant squads anymore. Arizona is a very good team this year, but they are beatable. UCLA has a good chance to win the Pac12 title this year, just as good as the UofA, Oregon and Colorado.

Me, I just hope that all of the top Pac12 teams don't beat each other up too much before the tournament. Would love to see 3, or 4 teams from the conference in the Sweet 16 and a couple in the Elite Eight. Bout time we shut up those "East Coast is superior" types with some March results.

 

[CatsTopPac]

I'm watching both the Oregon/CU and the SDSU/KU games. I'm looking for CU and SDSU!!!

 

[CatsTopPac]

CU/Oregon is a game of runs. KU is chipping away on SDSU who is trying to hold on. Hold on!!!!!!

 

[GumbySquad]

SDSU looking good for the W, up 6 with a few minutes to go and have been in control most of the game (of course anything could happen)


As far as Oregon/CU? It's anybodies game at this point. Both evenly matched teams.

 

[CatsTopPac]

KU with the ball, down 2, :20 left!!!!!!!! C'mon D!!!!!!

 

[CatsTopPac]

This is it!!!!

 

[GumbySquad]

Do you foul CTP? If you are coach Fischer, do you tell the team to foul up 3 with 7 seconds to go?

 

[CatsTopPac]

KU with the ball OB, 8.3 left, 56-59 SDSU!!!!!

 

[CatsTopPac]

Yep, like Miller.

 

[CatsTopPac]

You?

 

[GumbySquad]

It depends... like Gotlib was saying, just depends on the personnel. If they don't have any good 3 point shooters and are a good offensive rebounding team? Probably not.

 

[CatsTopPac]

Good call to foul, missed the front end. That's game if SDSU gets up four.

 

[CatsTopPac]

It depends... like Gotlib was saying, just depends on the personnel. If they don't have any good 3 point shooters and are a good offensive rebounding team? Probably not.

I agree with that.

 

[GumbySquad]

Wow. Thames hit every part of the rim on that FT. Looked like it was coming off at first