Report from 'Zona

[im4cuse]

In Tucson on business so took in the game last night vs. the mighty Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Not so mighty. UA is talented and deep, deserving of top 10 for sure and maybe more. Their freshman are outstanding, especially Brandon Ashley, a 6' 8" Findlay Prep kid who is very smooth, and the big kid Tarzcewski from New Hampshire. Legit 7 footer with strength and skills. McKale center is an older building right next to FB stadium (now home of Rich Rod -- people near me mocked him when he came on the message board BTW). Holds about 14,500, though quite a few empties. No amenities, long lines to pee and of course no beer. Peeps complaining about new message boards in rafters which are obscured by their many banners, lots of FF, elite 8 etc. Proud of their tradition, they integrate former star players in intro vid -- Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Igudoulo, Khalid Reeves, Rich Jefferson, etc. Their "standing" tradition is to stand till the OTHER team scores each half. Poor No AZ took a while both halfs. In first half thought we were going to stand all game! UA has point guard Mark Lyons from Schenectady and he had a big game shooting from all over. He's a senior so clear why they would want Ennis. They have the Duquesne transfer sitting out. Other guard Nick Johnson is also good, athletic and can shoot. Not big on Solomon Hill, he's a senior who's probably looking for his own too much with all these talented young guys, and can see him being a ball stopper against stronger competition. Though in their league, who is it? UCLA clearly sucks. Bottom line this is a legit FF contender (hard to believe only NIT last year) on talent and they will get better as the frosh get more experience.

 

[Toga]

In Tucson on business so took in the game last night vs. the mighty Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Not so mighty. UA is talented and deep, deserving of top 10 for sure and maybe more. Their freshman are outstanding, especially Brandon Ashley, a 6' 8" Findlay Prep kid who is very smooth, and the big kid Tarzcewski from New Hampshire. Legit 7 footer with strength and skills. McKale center is an older building right next to FB stadium (now home of Rich Rod -- people near me mocked him when he came on the message board BTW). Holds about 14,500, though quite a few empties. No amenities, long lines to pee and of course no beer. Peeps complaining about new message boards in rafters which are obscured by their many banners, lots of FF, elite 8 etc. Proud of their tradition, they integrate former star players in intro vid -- Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Igudoulo, Khalid Reeves, Rich Jefferson, etc. Their "standing" tradition is to stand till the OTHER team scores each half. Poor No AZ took a while both halfs. In first half thought we were going to stand all game! UA has point guard Mark Lyons from Schenectady and he had a big game shooting from all over. He's a senior so clear why they would want Ennis. They have the Duquesne transfer sitting out. Other guard Nick Johnson is also good, athletic and can shoot. Not big on Solomon Hill, he's a senior who's probably looking for his own too much with all these talented young guys, and can see him being a ball stopper against stronger competition. Though in their league, who is it? UCLA clearly sucks. Bottom line this is a legit FF contender (hard to believe only NIT last year) on talent and they will get better as the frosh get more experience.

Bear Down

 

[bballbeadle]

Arizona has been a lost team since their NC so many eons ago. They have continually been over-ranked. I hope they do well this year because it's about time. Thanks for the report!