Game Thread: Utah @ AZ

[GumbySquad]

A good team win. No doubt they were struggling offensively and a lot of that has to do with Utah's defense... coach Krystkowiak is a defensive specialist and it shows.

The more games that Nick puts the team on his back, the more impressed I am with his improvement. He didn't really have any type of mid-range floater game last season and now it is his go-to when the team really needs a basket.

I remember how happy I was when he committed to coach Miller, because Lute had been recruiting him since his Freshman year in HS, but I have never been happier to root for Bunnies in a Wildcat uniform than I am tonight. He has become a legit go-to scorer... to go along with his always stifling defense.

 

[JahiiCarson_SqodGeneral]

The 88' team no doubt. And I'm only 19 years old.

GET OFF THE BOARD KID!

 

[520GGATO]

GET OFF THE BOARD KID!

Wait......you're older then 19? I never would have guessed. With the nonsense you spew all over the SportsHoopla I would have thought you were 12. That's sadddd.

 

[The Derski]

BTFD

 

[The Derski]

Wow I don' think Sports Center is going to show any highlights?

 

[The Derski]

Finally it's on the side list. It's almost like we are an afterthought.

 

[FORKWDEVIL]

yea because you simply beat UTAH, that's why

 

[520GGATO]

I think AZ being number 1 is good for asu right now. Because each week, teams might be more focused on beating UA. Which makes asu the team other teams are overlooking.. Which means they can possibly finish with a record that puts them somewhere in the upper level between 5th and 4th.

 

[FORKWDEVIL]

so you give UOFA credit when ASU wins? fuck that comment 520

 

[520GGATO]

so you give UOFA credit when ASU wins? fuck that comment 520

No. If anything my comment gives them more credit than most by saying asu can finish near the top of the pac. But you can't say teams are not more focused on UA when they visit or play at home against the Arizona schools.

 

[CatsTopPac]

I returned last night from a weekend in Vegas, so I missed the game. Looks like we came out uninspired, and had to turn it up to finally pull away. Can't believe that we both shot 40%, but I think everyone who has kept an eye on Utah this season has known that it wasn't going to be east.

Anyone have any insight on the game, beyond the box scores?

 

[gordontrue]

I returned last night from a weekend in Vegas, so I missed the game. Looks like we came out uninspired, and had to turn it up to finally pull away. Can't believe that we both shot 40%, but I think everyone who has kept an eye on Utah this season has known that it wasn't going to be east.

Anyone have any insight on the game, beyond the box scores?

I thought it was among the worst offensive games (especially 1st half) that Zona has played. Miller credited that to Utah, who changed defenses every few possessions it seemed like... but I think a lot of it was Zona playing bad.

Zona made up for their ugly offense with pure passion, energy, hustle, and toughness. Which was great to see. Would've lost the game if not for the second chance points this generated.

The game was won in the last several minutes by Nick Johnson taking over and getting critical buckets (and a finally stifling defense).

Gordon had way too many "I've got the ball I'm just gonna barrel towards the basket and toss the ball up towards the rim" moments. It might've actually been reasonably effective if he could make a free throw. I'd never seen Gordon as assertive on the offensive floor, and it didn't seem to be a great thing.

The bottom line for me was it was great to see them scrap out a game with toughness. There was never a question of effort from any of the Zona players.

 

[CatsTopPac]

Thanks for the rundown man, I appreciate it. We have to figure out how to deal with teams throwing everything they can at us, and that doesn't mean people just taking it to the hoop by themselves. Good news is that we've seen it, and we won. Just have to learn from it, and keep moving.