Pac 12 Conference Outlook

[Figurehead]

@Figurehead and @LoTrader should both Kelly and Scott be solely focused on retaining their players after the year ends? I mean the shear number of transfers that both programs have had over the past 2 years is astounding and frankly worrisome…

I can't speak on behalf of Lotrader and OSU so I won't there. As far as Oregon I think on some of the fans considered that we had alot of entitled princesses on the roster that did not know the definition of gym rat time. Team chemistry was horrid and I think we actually upgraded. I am not sure how many transferred out of Arizona last year but I heard Adia likes to intentionally flush the roster. I can't imagine UCLA having no changes in their mega roster after this year but we will see.

 

[Bigboote]

@Figurehead and @LoTrader should both Kelly and Scott be solely focused on retaining their players after the year ends? I mean the shear number of transfers that both programs have had over the past 2 years is astounding and frankly worrisome…

From the games I saw today, you could certainly make a starting five out of Oregon-OSU transfers, possibly a full 8- or 10-player roster.

 

[Figurehead]

Oregon's 6'7" freshman Kennedy Basham finally saw the floor for 9 minutes after being out since the first game of the season. Looks and plays like a freshman but important as reinforcement for the short bench. 2 points, one board, one steal, one block, 3 fouls

Do you think she will be better than Lydia Giomi, anyone?

 

[Figurehead]

From the games I saw today, you could certainly make a starting five out of Oregon-OSU transfers, possibly a full 8- or 10-player roster.

As some coaches are saying about the NIL deals and portal transfers. Better adapt or die!

 

[CompSci87]

I haven't been able to catch much Pac 12 action so far this year. Probably seen Stanford more than anybody else from the conference. I'm really impressed with Brink (when she's not sitting on the bench due to foul trouble).

Brink had only one foul against ASU. She's making progress.

 

[LoTrader]

Have to say I'm really impressed with Gina Conti of UCLA. Her game was overshadowed by the loss in Corvallis. Conti nearly brought the Bruins back on her own. She is a complete player.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Have to say I'm really impressed with Gina Conti of UCLA. Her game was overshadowed by the loss in Corvallis. Conti nearly brought the Bruins back on her own. She is a complete player.

Makes sense - she's a 6th year senior, so plenty of time to develop a well grounded game. Much like Abby Meyers at Maryland and Lou Lopez Senechal at UConn - all are grad transfers who lead their former teams in lesser leagues and are now really shining bright with top programs where they are surrounded by a lot more talent.

 

[azfan]

I like the look of Arizona and think they may edge to the top of Tier 2. I know, the stats seem to say otherwise, but they have a veteran core with Reese Martinez Loville and Pellington, and a promising young big in Maya Nnaji. And Pellington seems to be doing her best to channel Aari MacDonald. If she can just keep her temper under control, she can be a game changer.

They looked really good torching Baylor.

And not so good against Stanford. I did wonder about the two flagrant fouls in the game, couldn't get any details.

 

[DefenseBB]

I watched that game with high interest yesterday and the refs were certainly on notice about the physical play that Arizona deploys as they were blowing the whistle early and often. Heck, Haley Jones picked up 2 fouls at just 1 min 45 second into the game. All told, AZ was whistled 26 times to Stanford's 15. There were no flagrant fouls but Jada Loville did pick up a technical late in the 3rd quarter for standing over Belibi after a drive to the basket when Fran went down on the ground. It could have been called a foul on Lovelle as she sort of pushed Belibi down. Lovelle was very physical yesterday and she was called for 4 fouls but could have been charged with more. Despite Adia's comments about an unfair FT advantage for Stanford 34-9, those calls were all justified and not a bias by the refs.

 

[Bone Dog]

Actually, it looked like Lovable struck Belibi across the face with her forearm, knocking her goggles off before she went down. That could have passed for an unintentional foul had she not then stood over her taunting.

 

[azfan]

I watched that game with high interest yesterday and the refs were certainly on notice about the physical play that Arizona deploys as they were blowing the whistle early and often. Heck, Haley Jones picked up 2 fouls at just 1 min 45 second into the game. All told, AZ was whistled 26 times to Stanford's 15. There were no flagrant fouls but Jada Loville did pick up a technical late in the 3rd quarter for standing over Belibi after a drive to the basket when Fran went down on the ground. It could have been called a foul on Lovelle as she sort of pushed Belibi down. Lovelle was very physical yesterday and she was called for 4 fouls but could have been charged with more. Despite Adia's comments about an unfair FT advantage for Stanford 34-9, those calls were all justified and not a bias by the refs.

Thx! The ESPN box score indicated (incorrectly) 2 flagrants on the kitties

 

[CompSci87]

Thx! The ESPN box score indicated (incorrectly) 2 flagrants on the kitties

The Loville foul was ruled intentional (current terminology in NCAA WBB for what used to be flagrant 1). It was as Bone Dog described: a blow to the head knocking Belibi to the floor, as Loville was coming back down from a layup.

That was the only intentional foul called in the game.

P.S. I see the play by play available online at Women's Basketball vs Arizona on 1/2/2023 - Box Score - Stanford University Athletics calls it a tech, but the PA announcer at the game and the TV announcers both said it was an intentional. (The penalty is the same between the two, as far as I can see by skimming the rule book, so it doesn't really make much difference.)

Someone put a clip up on YouTube. It was scary to see at the time, but fortunately Fran was okay, no concussion, and was even able to come back in and play some more later on.

 

[Floridaduck]

Ducks, Cats, and Buffs win. Utah suffers first defeat by 10 in Boulder. Arizona with wild comeback to win by 3. Ducks big third puts away AZ State.

 

[dabears17]

Colorado beats Utah 77 67.

Arizona beats Oregon State 72 69.

Crazy game. It was tied 53 53, Oregon State went on a 10-0 run, then Arizona went on a two minute 15-0 run. Good to see Cate Reese score 16 after only scoring 4 against Stanford.

 

[newfrontier]

Colorado beats Utah 77 67.

Arizona beats Oregon State 72 69.

Crazy game. It was tied 53 53, Oregon State went on a 10-0 run, then Arizona went on a two minute 15-0 run. Good to see Cate Reese score 16 after only scoring 4 against Stanford.

Oregon State gave the game away. Led AZ for 36 of the 40 minutes, including a 12 point lead with less than 3.5 minutes to play. Then, as happens so often with Rueck's teams against quick and/or skilled defenders, they get bitten by the turnover bug. And, OSU didn't cover the 3 point shooters well, amid all the pressure and steals by AZ in the last 3 minutes. One OSU player other teams should really fear is
Reagan Beers...she is a bully beast inside on the block..Great hands, good foot work, finishes through hard contact, and super strong. AZ couldn't contain her very well, just like most teams that have played against her so far. If Timea Gardiner starts playing soon and lives up to
her very high billing, OSU will be among the elite down low.

 

[jake0414]

Oregon State gave the game away. Led AZ for 36 of the 40 minutes, including a 12 point lead with less than 3.5 minutes to play. Then, as happens so often with Rueck's teams against quick and/or skilled defenders, they get bitten by the turnover bug. And, OSU didn't cover the 3 point shooters well, amid all the pressure and steals by AZ in the last 3 minutes. One OSU player other teams should really fear is
Reagan Beers...she is a bully beast inside on the block..Great hands, good foot work, finishes through hard contact, and super strong. AZ couldn't contain her very well, just like most teams that have played against her so far. If Timea Gardiner starts playing soon and lives up to
her very high billing, OSU will be among the elite down low.

I think OSU is already elite down low and having Gardiner back will make them even tougher. Its problem, as evidenced by going from 12 up to three down over the final three and a half minutes, is its weakness at the guard and wing positions. Neither Yeaney nor TVO are point guards. Lack of a skilled ball handler cost them. Yeaney is strong but not a skilled ball handler nor a very good outside shooter. TVO has great shooting skills but lacks the quickness and athleticism to defend and to create an open shot for herself.

The Beavers played extremely well for 37 minutes on the road on the backs of Beers, Mitrovic and Marotte but couldn’t close the deal. Arizona knew that OSU would try to get a shot for TVO at the end. I think Rueck might have gone with someone else (Aaron or Marotte) an open 3-point attempt.

 

[Figurehead]

Oregon State gave the game away. Led AZ for 36 of the 40 minutes, including a 12 point lead with less than 3.5 minutes to play. Then, as happens so often with Rueck's teams against quick and/or skilled defenders, they get bitten by the turnover bug. And, OSU didn't cover the 3 point shooters well, amid all the pressure and steals by AZ in the last 3 minutes. One OSU player other teams should really fear is
Reagan Beers...she is a bully beast inside on the block..Great hands, good foot work, finishes through hard contact, and super strong. AZ couldn't contain her very well, just like most teams that have played against her so far. If Timea Gardiner starts playing soon and lives up to
her very high billing, OSU will be among the elite down low.

One should ask Rueck what are time outs are for? I keep hearing how Timea will take the college basketball world by storm in a few weeks. I am looking forward to it.

 

[newfrontier]

One should ask Rueck what are time outs are for? I keep hearing how Timea will take the college basketball world by storm in a few weeks. I am looking forward to it.

Yes, questioning Rueck's use of timeouts in this game is common by a number of beaver and non-beaver fans. I have no special knowledge or incite on when or how college basketball coaches should use their timeouts....but it did seem strange.

As for Timea, her final average ranking across the recruiting ranking services/gurus was #5 for the class of 2022.

espnW -- #6 (oddly, she held steady at #4 by espn for 2 years, only to be dropped by them to #6 in their very final ranking of 2022 players.)
ASGR -- #3
PGH -- #8
BlueStar -- #3
ProspectsNation -- #5 (1 of only 5 five-stars)

So, as a top 5 recruit, that puts her in some pretty exclusive company. One would naturally have pretty high expectations, although she has yet to even play a second of a college basketball game. If she plays anywhere near the level of several other recent top 5, top 10 or even top 15 recruits who are already playing very well, it could be something very special for Oregon State and its fans. Finally, I heard yesterday that her injury is/was not basketball related, whatever that means, and she may see her first official action against Washington State in less than 2 weeks.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I think OSU is already elite down low and having Gardiner back will make them even tougher. Its problem, as evidenced by going from 12 up to three down over the final three and a half minutes, is its weakness at the guard and wing positions. Neither Yeaney nor TVO are point guards. Lack of a skilled ball handler cost them. Yeaney is strong but not a skilled ball handler nor a very good outside shooter. TVO has great shooting skills but lacks the quickness and athleticism to defend and to create an open shot for herself.

The Beavers played extremely well for 37 minutes on the road on the backs of Beers, Mitrovic and Marotte but couldn’t close the deal. Arizona knew that OSU would try to get a shot for TVO at the end. I think Rueck might have gone with someone else (Aaron or Marotte) an open 3-point attempt.

I can't speak to their greater issues because this was the only game I've seen. But Beers, Mitrovic and Marotte - wow. Very tough to defend.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Another big double double for Beers today. Is the national media talking about her at all? Definitely one of the most productive freshmen in the country. Beavs get a win at Tempe, something that's been hard for them to come by for years. Of course ASU is probably the worst team in the conference. CTT bailed out just in time.

 

[nwhoopfan]

The worst shooting team in the world was at it again. Washington St. beat Washington 66-52. Cougs outshot the Dawgs 53% to 33%. UW 3-17 behind the arc. Par for the course for them this season. They couldn't hit water falling out of a boat.

The race for the cellar is on. UW in their now familiar position being one of them. ASU, WSU and Cal all probably in contention as well.

 

[DefenseBB]

Another big double double for Beers today. Is the national media talking about her at all? Definitely one of the most productive freshmen in the country. Beavs get a win at Tempe, something that's been hard for them to come by for years. Of course ASU is probably the worst team in the conference. CTT bailed out just in time.

What kind of recognition do you want? She's on a mediocre team and while her stats are good, the are not eye popping like Ta'Niya Latson at FSU and frankly, let's see how she fares against Lauren Betts in the garbage time against Stanford.

I like her but she's limited in minutes and I need to see her against top quality teams, plus my snark side wonders will she transfer after this year?

I also don't think ASU is in contention as they will beat UW and Cal. I do think the cellar is probably all yours....Rooting for the Husky's but just don't see any thing there....

 

[dabears17]

Rivalry games are tough. Stanford almost loses to Cal, but holds on to win 60 56. Utah loses to Colorado. USC almost beats UCLA.

 

[Bigboote]

I’d never heard of Madison Connor, but she pretty much single-handedly led Arizona to victory over Oregon. They were totally flat till she came in in the third quarter.

I sure wish I could see more Pac games.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I’d never heard of Madison Connor, but she pretty much single-handedly led Arizona to victory over Oregon. They were totally flat till she came in in the third quarter.

I sure wish I could see more Pac games.

The PAC 12 is a tough conference this year. This game was a tough battle of wills. Barnes' players clearly take on her toughness...even the bench. They come in the game READY. The place was rocking.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I also don't think ASU is in contention

I don't think you realize how bad ASU is this year.

Saw a replay of the game today. Both teams looked awful, but OSU less so. Official attendance listed as 1486, that is laughable. There weren't 500 people there. Upper bowl completely deserted, lower bowl about 90% empty. Truly pathetic attendance. The curtain of distraction is still going, and as dumb as ever.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I like her but she's limited in minutes and I need to see her against top quality teams

22/15 against UCLA and 19/10 against Arizona. Does that count? Leading all freshmen w/ 10 double-doubles, including 5 in a row.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I’d never heard of Madison Connor, but she pretty much single-handedly led Arizona to victory over Oregon. They were totally flat till she came in in the third quarter.

I sure wish I could see more Pac games.

Conner is a sophomore. She enrolled for the spring 2021 semester but didn't play until 2021-2022. She is largely a 3 point specialist.

Arizona has the big bunch of seniors, most of them playing their 5th (Covid) year. Against weaker competition, Barnes got everyone on the team some minutes. First off the bench is the captain, Helena Pueyo who is outstanding and plays 4 positions as needed. Nnaji is a very talented freshman who is out injured, but her and Gilbert often come off the bench before Conner.

Currently, Arizona is down 3 players, Nnaji, Lauren Ware (out for the season with knee surgery), and Lemyah Hylton, a 4 star recruit, who has played sparingly.

 

[rvwsleep]

Rivalry games are tough. Stanford almost loses to Cal, but holds on to win 60 56. Utah loses to Colorado. USC almost beats UCLA.

Cal had a very good chance this game. They scored with 4:08 left in the 4th quarter to make it 56-53 Cal. Unfortunately, that was Cal's last score. They had an open 16 footer with 10 seconds left to tie but it didn't go. Stanford's offense was all Brink. She had 25 points. Stanford's next three games are on the road vs UCLA and USC, then at home vs Utah.

 

[cancontent]

The turnovers Arizona caused yesterday were a huge key to their victory from my viewpoint. This is the defence Coach Barnes has wanted from the start of the season. They created 20 turnovers and generated 16 points off of them. Made the most of those opportunities.