WBB in Arizona

[azfan]

who said I was criticizing her?

While the nature of my post could have been construed as criticizing I was merely observing. Coach Barnes is a fine young coach, an accomplished recruiter, a wonderful addition to the coaching profession.

Last year she made the trip up to Flagstaff to play the NAU Lumberjacks. She didn't need to do this it was a wonderful gesture on her part and I know was deeply appreciated by coach Payne. As you know she also had the Jacks come down to Tucson this season.

She is clearly committed to WBB and her fellow coaches and in my experience has gone the extra mile to help and support coaches both here in Arizona and I would guess throughout the country.

I was merely observing her lack of success compared with other programs here in the west.

An interesting comparison and contrast are these weekend's tournaments. NAU women travel to Paradise Jam to play five power five teams undefeated Arkansas, undefeated Kansas State and one loss Clemson.

Coach Barnes takes her team over to San Diego to play Cal Baptist and University of San Diego a combined 5-4. I guess outside Arizona the top team at this tournament would be Cal Baptist?
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The Arizona State Sun Devils are attending a holiday tournament and will play Notre Dame. LSU was the top team in the other bracket.

Could certainly seems to me that this is a choice well within the control of the coach as they develop their program.

Clearly the kitties have a much deeper and well financed program than the humble Jacks up here in Flagstaff. These are the kind of choices I think that bear observation and yes even perhaps criticism. Perhaps rather than pleading a coach might take the option of actively and proactively going where the good teams are during these fall tournaments. Just a thought.

 

[GoChips20]

I find it kind of confusing that folks are criticizing Adia Barnes for scheduling a weak non-conference schedule when she's literally been publicly pleading that better non-conference opponents be willing to play her team:

Adia Barnes, other top coaches struggle to lock in games; costs, wins and fanbases a factor​

Thank you for putting this out there so more people can see the truth. South Carolina has had a similar issue this season and I’m sure they’re not alone. The fact of the matter is that there seems to be only a handful of coaches willing to play multiple top teams in the non-con.

 

[socal613ws]

While the nature of my post could have been construed as criticizing I was merely observing. Coach Barnes is a fine young coach, an accomplished recruiter, a wonderful addition to the coaching profession.

Last year she made the trip up to Flagstaff to play the NAU Lumberjacks. She didn't need to do this it was a wonderful gesture on her part and I know was deeply appreciated by coach Payne. As you know she also had the Jacks come down to Tucson this season.

She is clearly committed to WBB and her fellow coaches and in my experience has gone the extra mile to help and support coaches both here in Arizona and I would guess throughout the country.

I was merely observing her lack of success compared with other programs here in the west.

An interesting comparison and contrast are these weekend's tournaments. NAU women travel to Paradise Jam to play five power five teams undefeated Arkansas, undefeated Kansas State and one loss Clemson.

Coach Barnes takes her team over to San Diego to play Cal Baptist and University of San Diego a combined 5-4. I guess outside Arizona the top team at this tournament would be Cal Baptist?

The Arizona State Sun Devils are attending a holiday tournament and will play Notre Dame. LSU was the top team in the other bracket.

Could certainly seems to me that this is a choice well within the control of the coach as they develop their program.

Clearly the kitties have a much deeper and well financed program than the humble Jacks up here in Flagstaff. These are the kind of choices I think that bear observation and yes even perhaps criticism. Perhaps rather than pleading a coach might take the option of actively and proactively going where the good teams are during these fall tournaments. Just a thought.

yes she is, she proved it vs Uconn I don't think any Uconn fan is debating that. I know people are mad of the bird she gave, but that was not directed at Uconn, it was directed at Espn and the Ncaa for leaving them out of the promo package.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

While the nature of my post could have been construed as criticizing I was merely observing. Coach Barnes is a fine young coach, an accomplished recruiter, a wonderful addition to the coaching profession.

Last year she made the trip up to Flagstaff to play the NAU Lumberjacks. She didn't need to do this it was a wonderful gesture on her part and I know was deeply appreciated by coach Payne. As you know she also had the Jacks come down to Tucson this season.

She is clearly committed to WBB and her fellow coaches and in my experience has gone the extra mile to help and support coaches both here in Arizona and I would guess throughout the country.

I was merely observing her lack of success compared with other programs here in the west.

An interesting comparison and contrast are these weekend's tournaments. NAU women travel to Paradise Jam to play five power five teams undefeated Arkansas, undefeated Kansas State and one loss Clemson.

Coach Barnes takes her team over to San Diego to play Cal Baptist and University of San Diego a combined 5-4. I guess outside Arizona the top team at this tournament would be Cal Baptist?

The Arizona State Sun Devils are attending a holiday tournament and will play Notre Dame. LSU was the top team in the other bracket.

Could certainly seems to me that this is a choice well within the control of the coach as they develop their program.

Clearly the kitties have a much deeper and well financed program than the humble Jacks up here in Flagstaff. These are the kind of choices I think that bear observation and yes even perhaps criticism. Perhaps rather than pleading a coach might take the option of actively and proactively going where the good teams are during these fall tournaments. Just a thought.

Although, once again . . .

Last year Arizona went to a destination tournament, where they played Vanderbilt, Rutgers and DePaul. Not the best competition (especially last year) but the choice is not 100% yours when you go to a destination tournament.

Next year, Arizona will again go to a destination tournament (it was in the article). They will hopefully get a decent slate of opponents.

I believe there is (or was) a rule about how frequently you could do the destination tourneys. But I don't think most schools do one every year. And in the end, they are dependent on invitations.

I always use (as an example of scheduling issues) a few years back Arizona was setting up a game at DePaul and to make the trip worthwhile they signed up a visit to Chicago State, which was awful, to make the trip "worthwhile" (2 games). In the end, DePaul withdrew their offer to play and Arizona made a trip only to play Chicago State at their home. Waste of money.

 

[azfan]

Although, once again . . .

Last year Arizona went to a destination tournament, where they played Vanderbilt, Rutgers and DePaul. Not the best competition (especially last year) but the choice is not 100% yours when you go to a destination tournament.

Next year, Arizona will again go to a destination tournament (it was in the article). They will hopefully get a decent slate of opponents.

I believe there is (or was) a rule about how frequently you could do the destination tourneys. But I don't think most schools do one every year. And in the end, they are dependent on invitations.

I always use (as an example of scheduling issues) a few years back Arizona was setting up a game at DePaul and to make the trip worthwhile they signed up a visit to Chicago State, which was awful, to make the trip "worthwhile" (2 games). In the end, DePaul withdrew their offer to play and Arizona made a trip only to play Chicago State at their home. Waste of money.

Interesting background and history.

This type of insight and inside information is useful in evaluating the effectiveness of a leader in achieving or in the case you cite not achieving a goal.

It appears that in the past UArizona has had challenges in affecting schedule improvement through travel or playing on neutral courts.

Granted this is a challenging environment and requires institutional support as well as administrative involvement. In the example you provided evidently Arizona had neither and was therefore unsuccessful or ineffective in attempting to improve their schedule. DePaul certainly would be an upgrade over Texas Southern.

Athletics has a number of attributes that are are admirable. Intentions and resolve are a factor in all life including athletics. But I think in the end it comes down to action talks and talk walks.

Until we see some sort of successful action from the kitties program and perhaps as you indicate it will begin next year I could just merely observe that the kitties have an extraordinarily weak schedule. We could observe further that other women's basketball programs in the West do have success in improving their schedule outside conference. Given her competitive nature I'm surprised it's taken Barnes this long to move from the pleading step. Like grief if there are five steps we may be seen an upgrade in the scheduling. And after they play Baylor their SOS will improve I'm sure from its current 207 level.

The process of maturing in a profession particularly coaching take time. I know looking back on it Barnes does probably have mixed emotions about her reaction after the UConn game. I would suspect in future years she'll look back with mixed emotions on her current considerable struggles with scheduling and her public comments regarding same.

That's said I'm looking forward to the NAU Lumberjacks playing 25 ranked Kansas State today. Arizona's game against Cal Baptist will likely be entertaining as well their game against USD.

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I'm sure if you put yourself in my shoes you can wonder why a Big Sky team with an excellent but lesser known coach in Loree Payne is successful in scheduling power 5 teams while we a high visibility acclaimed coach isn't.

Returning to the topic of this thread 25 ranked Kansas State pounded Clemson last night in the Paradise Jam. The challenge the Lumberjacks have against Kansas State is a daunting one. In their first game Loree Payne's team, while clearly overmatched, battled back and learned a great deal about themselves.

This game will feature NCAA wbb players that happen to be twins as Olivia and Ryah Moran battle the Glenn sisters of KS also identical twins.

And in further tournament news the ASU Sun Devils will prep for their Saturday game against 7th ranked Notre Dame in the goomba splash. As I observed earlier while the Sun Devils may be undefeated going into the game against the Fighting Irish they'll certainly come out learning a great deal about themselves with the loss.

 

[azfan]

Pretty good day for AZ WBB

The Sun Devils edge American 70-61 to remain undefeated, for the next 20 hours until they hit the 7th ranked Fighting Irish in the goomba splash

The Antelopes also remain undefeated with a 73-60 win over North Dakota hitting 11 threes in the Grand Canyon Thanksgiving Classic. Grand Canyon faces winless Lindenwood tomorrow.

UArizona seems to have Cal Baptist under control, leading by 12 late in the third quarter in the San Diego Thanksgiving Tournament. They face the host tomorrow after USD edged Idaho State by 1.

NAU, the only loser falls to 25th ranked KState in the Paradise Jam. They face Clemson tomorrow.

 

[azfan]

It dawned on me that Fairfield sounded familiar and I was thinking of Barta. I can't name too many players from Montana. The Tinkle sisters come to mind as well.

NAU coach Loree Payne was a great player from Montana.

 

[nwhoopfan]

NAU coach Loree Payne was a great player from Montana.

That goes back almost a whole generation. I remember seeing her play at UW. There was Lalum too (although she drove me nuts; 6-5 and all she wanted to do was shoot 3's).

 

[azfan]

Well an expected end to the weekend.

The Devils did hang with the Irish for a half ,(actually leading) before the 7th ranked Irish took care of business in a 20-point victory. The Devil fall from the unbeaten ranks ( first time since the 2002 season that ASU won its first five games of the season) as the seventh ranked Fighting Irish live up to their billing and remain undefeated. I think a week from today they face the Huskies.

ASU announcer Jeff Munn couldn't say enough nice things about Miles. He said that those in attendance for watching a WNBA player in action. Ebo was unstoppable as ASU had no one to match up and the Irish were able to get the ball on the paint at will.

The Antelopes took care of business at their tournament destroying Lindenwood 97 to 46. Grand Canyon shot 60% from the field, had 20 steals,. Earned her opponents over 27 times. On Wednesday I drive down to watch ASU visit Grand Canyon in what should be a fun game. And a real bargain at $3.50 for a general admission ticket.

NAU finishes their trip at Paradise Jam with a cat fight against Clemson and a loss.

And the Wildcats from the dirty t (I heard this phrase during the pregame of the football game for the territorial cup from the ASU announcer) finished up a successful weekend in SoCal beating USD to remain undefeated. USD drops to 4-3. In the consolation game the Idaho State Bengals (3-4) pulled a minor upset beating Cal Baptist dropping the Lancers to 2-4. The Bengals held Lancers to 3 points in the second quarter.

 

[Talon]

Thank you for putting this out there so more people can see the truth. South Carolina has had a similar issue this season and I’m sure they’re not alone. The fact of the matter is that there seems to be only a handful of coaches willing to play multiple top teams in the non-con.

Wonder why South Carolina and Arizona don't do a home and home. Dawn is looking for challenges for her team. She had to find a second team to play on the road trip to CA. Arizona is probably too far from Californaia to be an option. There's also the question of timing.

 

[HuskyNan]

Well an expected end to the weekend.

The Devils did hang with the Irish for a half ,(actually leading) before the 7th ranked Irish took care of business in a 20-point victory. The Devil fall from the unbeaten ranks ( first time since the 2002 season that ASU won its first five games of the season) as the seventh ranked Fighting Irish live up to their billing and remain undefeated. I think a week from today they face the Huskies.

ASU announcer Jeff Munn couldn't say enough nice things about Miles. He said that those in attendance for watching a WNBA player in action. Ebo was unstoppable as ASU had no one to match up and the Irish were able to get the ball on the paint at will.

The Antelopes took care of business at their tournament destroying Lindenwood 97 to 46. Grand Canyon shot 60% from the field, had 20 steals,. Earned her opponents over 27 times. On Wednesday I drive down to watch ASU visit Grand Canyon in what should be a fun game. And a real bargain at $3.50 for a general admission ticket.

NAU finishes their trip at Paradise Jam with a cat fight against Clemson and a loss.

And the Wildcats from the dirty t (I heard this phrase during the pregame of the football game for the territorial cup from the ASU announcer) finished up a successful weekend in SoCal beating USD to remain undefeated. USD drops to 4-3. In the consolation game the Idaho State Bengals (3-4) pulled a minor upset beating Cal Baptist dropping the Lancers to 2-4. The Bengals held Lancers to 3 points in the second quarter.

Olivia Miles is a terrific player. She’s easy to root for, too, even as a fan of the Huskies

 

[azfan]

Olivia Miles is a terrific player. She’s easy to root for, too, even as a fan of the Huskies

Jeff Munn, Sun Devils announcer spent a considerable part of the second half mentioning Miles. After a fairly lethargic 25 minutes the Irish really kicked it up a notch with Miles leading the way quietly.

For my money Jeff Munn is one of the best announcers working in radio. Professional, well prepared, always considerate and he calls a great game.

This weekend Tim Healey ASU football and men's basketball announcer called his 300 football game for the Sun Devils and 700th basketball game. I futilely looked to see what Jeff Munn's history because I think he's been there as long or longer than Healey

My two youngest kids were in choir in high school and their choir director was Tim Healey's oldest daughter, Katie. Back in 2014 I got to meet Tim Healey In person. I'm such a groupie that I think I enjoyed that more than the choir concert.

 

[Cats-F10]

I am impressed with the expertise and insight that is clearly behind the scheduling for the Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team for this year.

Context is critical towards evaluating and understanding Arizona’s scheduling. There are 7 new players on a 12-person team, and one of those players, Lauren Ware, is out for the entire season due to an earlier injury. Thus, in effect, there are 7 new players on an 11-person team, and their best returning player, Cate Reese, was coming off of shoulder surgery. For their new players, 3 are starters (the transfers) and 4 are freshmen - all 7 are highly regarded. But, the adjustments will take time. The general trend for this year’s schedule was that the games would become increasingly difficult, which should help the team prepare for conference play while optimizing opportunities for the adjustments. I see their nonconference schedule as being nicely aligned with the composition of the team.

Regarding the Strength of Schedule, Massey ratings project that the Cats will have the 7th most difficult SOS (SSF column) by the end of the year, although this is early in the season for computer rankings. The nonconference games that are predicted to be the most difficult are with Baylor and Kansas. Even though the #7 ranking in the country is not as high as that of Stanford, which comes in at #5 in today’s projected SOS rankings, context is once again a factor. Arizona tried to schedule Texas for this year, but this did not happen because scheduling depends on the availability and circumstances for both (emphasis added) teams. If the Texas game had also been added, as seems to have been expected by Arizona, Arizona’s projected SOS ranking could have been higher than that of Stanford.

Regarding last year’s nonconferencce schedule, the actually scheduled games included Louisville, Texas and DePaul, with the Texas game being cancelled soon before the game due to Covid. Looking forward, I understand that scheduling for Texas and UConn are in a planning stage.

What has happened with the Arizona Wildcats team is one of the most interesting stories in women’s college basketball over the last few years. The story includes a team, which had a bad conference record (2-16) as recently as 2018, subsequently winning the NIT, and then going to the 2021 NCAA Tournament Championship game, and losing to Stanford by one point when their last shot of the game missed and time expired. Their predicted overall recruiting class for this year (high school and transfers) would clearly be one of the very best in the country. And their 2-year high school recruiting class for the 2022 and the 2023, as measured by cumulative HoopGurlz rankings, is evidently 2nd only to UConn, and higher than that of Stanford and South Carolina, which placed 3rd and 4th by this measure.

 

[azfan]

The dirty t certainly loves their basketball. Beginning with fast Freddy Snowden the fan base has embraced the men and women and filled McKale center.

Pre pandemic I traveled to The dirty t to watch the Sun Devils take on the kitties. It was an amazing experience I think that about 7,500 fans filled McKale (typically the Sun Devils draw five or six hundred although they tend to report twice that in Desert Financial) and they vocally and enthusiastically supported the kitties who as I recall opened the can of kitty litter on the Devils.

And you're right the Wildcats after the salad days with Bonvicini did fall on hard times. And former Wildcat WBB Barnes did bring them out of the desert and like the Phoenix or some other bird they rose again she is to be applauded for some of that.

There's no doubt kitties SOS benefit from playing in the Pac and Stanford, UCLA, Oregon, even the Washington schools certainly will assist their end of year SOS. Kitties will have a year end strong strength of schedule, just no thanks to their non-conference choice.

On the topic of non-conference SOS it's a different story. Regardless of the reason coach Barnes regularly encounters a non-conference schedule that the just completed Thanksgiving tournament in San Diego represents. One fans' tomatoes another fans' tomato.

Aside from the undefeated kitties that tournament had Idaho State, a down Cal Baptist this year and of course the host USD. I think it speaks to the power of the Pac-12 that Massey projects such a strong year end schedule as it offsets the cupcakes Barnes has beaten up on this year. Perhaps she's reading from the same non-conference scheduling book as Kim.

Good to know Barnes is tenderly bringing the newcomers on her team along. Coaching philosophies I think do differ and there's a place in the women's game for these philosophies.

SOS of the "teams" Barnes has played so far and uses to thoughtfully bringing along her team.

NAU 3-5 Massey rank 150

Cal Baptist 2-4 Massey rank 183

USD 4-3 Massey rank 117

LMU 1-5 Massey rank 238

Cal Northridge 0-5 Massey rank 302

Long Beach 2-3 Massey rank 146

Combined record 13-25

Once conference play begins she'll encounter the strength of schedule one would expect in a power five conference. And perhaps once again Barnes will have an excellent year, high seeding and a run in the ncaa. And maybe just maybe she'll have another opportunity to show off those hand gestures.

On the issue of recruiting based on the analysis provided, the quality of those recruiting classes combined with her coaching one would expect a run of final four appearances . . . Perhaps the existing record (consecutive appearances) will be in danger given Barnes coaching, professionalism, and the expectation she will continue to recruit so well.


Harry Sheehy, former Dartmouth athletic director, offered his thoughts on sportsmanship: “It is your response to winning and losing that makes you a winner or loser.”

 

[azfan]

I'm loving the preseason build-up and excitement for women's basketball this college season. Like my fellow BYers I'm basking in Hope springs eternal. I CAN'T wait for November 3 when all three teams open play!

Arizona State University

I'll be in the stands for the opener at home on November 3rd against Coppin State. Last year the Devils traveled back east and lost in overtime. This is an entirely new team and under new coach Molly Miller the enthusiasm in Tempe is infectious. I'm looking for a minimum of 50% increase in attendance, an effective and smothering defense and I'm hoping for the trademark Molly Miller connectedness of her players on the court. This latter issue is of great interest as this will be the first time since her first season at Grand Canyon that Miller's had to formulate an entirely new squad. This is why the Devil hired her and I'm counting down the days till that 6:30 p.m. tip.

Grand Canyon

Also on November 3rd on the road under new coach Winston Gandy at......South Carolina! I love this opportunity. And I also appreciate Dawn Staley scheduling her former assistant. Classy This is how you take the next step and after a 31 win season under Molly Miller Winston Gandy is not stepping back but he's embracing the challenge. He's brought in an entirely new roster as I believe there were seven seniors on last year's squad.

NAU

And another November 3rd road game takes The Lumberjacks to The Pit. Under new coach and former lumberjack star Laura Dinkins the roster has been entirely turned over and this is going to be a fabulous insight and gauge of The Lumberjacks under the new regime. Dinkins has huge shoes to fill as Loree Payne demonstrated excellence in all facets of coaching over her 9 years in Flagstaff before heading off to Santa Clara.

Last year the Jacks also opened with the Lobos in Albuquerque. Trailing by 10 entering the fourth quarter on the road and trailing by a similar score with 4 minutes left the Jack's rallied for an amazing 2 point win 80 to 78 foreshadowing the tremendous year and character of last season's squad.

I also believe the kitties will be playing at some point.

 

[Stagnant]

I may go to that Arizona state/Coppin state game. I canceled my season tickets. But I just wasn’t using them enough. I still intend on seeing some games this season.

 

[azfan]

I may go to that Arizona state/Coppin state game. I canceled my season tickets. But I just wasn’t using them enough. I still intend on seeing some games this season.

UNLV on Nov 22

The kitties on Jan 28

 

[YKCornelius]

Dang, almost a three year gap between post #44 and post #45. The Rip Van Winkle effect - you wake up and there's new coaches, new teams and new programs on the rise!

Cheers to the Arizona contingent of the Boneyard - resurrecting an old thread rather than starting a new one! Huzzah!

 

[TheGOAT23]

Dang, almost a three year gap between post #44 and post #45. The Rip Van Winkle effect - you wake up and there's new coaches, new teams and new programs on the rise!

Cheers to the Arizona contingent of the Boneyard - resurrecting an old thread rather than starting a new one! Huzzah!

It’s good for the environment. 🤭 I likey!

 

[azfan]

The remainder of week one for Arizona schools.

Sun Devils - this Saturday as part of a double header ASU is going to take on Eastern Washington who in their warm-up game scored 99 points on 50% shooting with 12 made threes.

I'm going to take a guess Molly Miller will drastically change those numbers.

Grand Canyon -following the 2:00 p.m. tip in Tempe the Lopes tip at 6:00 p.m. and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this team looks. The trip to South Carolina I'm sure taught the girls a ton and now Winston Gandy will lead the troops against Idaho State who in an odd coincidence in their opener duplicated the 99 points their fellow Big Sky member (EWU) scored. After shooting 60% from the floor and hitting 10 threes ISU will be favored in Glendale.

NAU - the Jacks were held to 59 points in Albuquerque their lowest opening game production since 2017 when the kitties held them to 55. Judging by the performance of Big Sky teams above this may be a tough year and Laura Dinkins will have many opportunities to build culture and set the foundation for a return to glory. Never known for defense it appears the Lumberjacks are going to have a ways to go to match offensive production from the top end of the conference. The Jacks traveled to Utah Tech as a decided underdog for their game Saturday.

Kitties - they open a 12 game homestand this evening against UC Riverside. I'm still wondering if Burke is ready for prime time. Certainly playing the first 12 games of the season at home against the likes of UC Riverside, Bakersfield, Southern, Eastern Kentucky and even mighty Chicago State should help ease work into the power 4 environment. For the sake of the rabid fans down in the dirty t I'm hoping Burke is not another Adair. Okay you caught me I wouldn't be heartbroken

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

The remainder of week one for Arizona schools.

Sun Devils - this Saturday as part of a double header ASU is going to take on Eastern Washington who in their warm-up game scored 99 points on 50% shooting with 12 made threes.

I'm going to take a guess Molly Miller will drastically change those numbers.

Grand Canyon -following the 2:00 p.m. tip in Tempe the Lopes tip at 6:00 p.m. and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this team looks. The trip to South Carolina I'm sure taught the girls a ton and now Winston Gandy will lead the troops against Idaho State who in an odd coincidence in their opener duplicated the 99 points their fellow Big Sky member (EWU) scored. After shooting 60% from the floor and hitting 10 threes ISU will be favored in Glendale.

NAU - the Jacks were held to 59 points in Albuquerque their lowest opening game production since 2017 when the kitties held them to 55. Judging by the performance of Big Sky teams above this may be a tough year and Laura Dinkins will have many opportunities to build culture and set the foundation for a return to glory. Never known for defense it appears the Lumberjacks are going to have a ways to go to match offensive production from the top end of the conference. The Jacks traveled to Utah Tech as a decided underdog for their game Saturday.

Kitties - they open a 12 game homestand this evening against UC Riverside. I'm still wondering if Burke is ready for prime time. Certainly playing the first 12 games of the season at home against the likes of UC Riverside, Bakersfield, Southern, Eastern Kentucky and even mighty Chicago State should help ease work into the power 4 environment. For the sake of the rabid fans down in the dirty t I'm hoping Burke is not another Adair. Okay you caught me I wouldn't be heartbroken

I'm as nervous as anyone else, though I'm still on vacay in Hawai'i and won't be watching.

I don't think Burke will be another Adair; but that's a neutral prediction. I don't think they will be very good this year, but I'll give her more than a year. She could be a success - or not. Only time will tell.

 

[azfan]

I'm as nervous as anyone else, though I'm still on vacay in Hawai'i and won't be watching.

I don't think Burke will be another Adair; but that's a neutral prediction. I don't think they will be very good this year, but I'll give her more than a year. She could be a success - or not. Only time will tell.

An interesting and mixed performance last night at McKale. The point guard Burke brought from Buffalo - Cornfield - has potential. There was also some decent shooting from three land in the third quarter. Burke also has a freshman big who has lots of potential.

Still barely winning at home against UCR is of a bit of concern.

I'm driving down on the 21st to watch the kitties take NAU apart. I was fortunate to get a ticket as that's the night the kitties are honoring McDonald.

After watching the openers I'm still surprised the "experts" picked the kitties above the Sun Devils.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

An interesting and mixed performance last night at McKale. The point guard Burke brought from Buffalo - Cornfield - has potential. There was also some decent shooting from three land in the third quarter. Burke also has a freshman big who has lots of potential.

Still barely winning at home against UCR is of a bit of concern.

I'm driving down on the 21st to watch the kitties take NAU apart. I was fortunate to get a ticket as that's the night the kitties are honoring McDonald.

After watching the openers I'm still surprised the "experts" picked the kitties above the Sun Devils.

Will be there on the 21st. Missing the first 2 games, skipping the camp game (it isn't included in season tix although they are giving out free general admission tickets - previously, while you did not have your regular seats, they did reserve a section for season ticket holders) and also probably the game over Thanksgiving weekend when we are already busy decorating for Christmas.

Only time will tell, but friends who were able to attend open practice and games seemed optimistic.

 

[azfan]

Week one ends in Arizona I think reflects the turmoil in college basketball.

Last year's two successful teams the Lopes and Jacks are winless. With new coaches and roster turnover I don't think a step back is surprising but the prospects for the remainder of the season are bleak.

Starting with Grand Canyon the experience is consistently amazing 3500 fans for the home opener last night with a wonderful buffet dinner before. That was the high point it may very well be that Winston Gandy is in over his head. What was very troubling was the body language of Chloe Mann throughout the game but most particularly at games end. I know coach Miller would never tolerated this but man barely went through the motions in the post game and clap not making eye contact and started to head for the locker room is the rest of the team gathered at the center of the court. It was very clear she was ignoring her coach.

The Jacks. Oh this is going to be a long season. After finishing second in the regular season over the last 2 years if it weren't for Portland I would say that NAU will be dead last. Having now seen the top end of the conference the Idaho schools the Montana schools Sac State and even Eastern Washington this team as configured and coached will be lucky to stay within 20 points of those teams.

But the bright side is shining bright. The undefeated Sun Devils under Molly Miller show what's possible with a coach confident in her abilities, careful in roster construction and most importantly a true leader. I have no illusions about the Big 12 and if Miller can get the Sun Devils to 50% in conference I would guess she would be a strong candidate for BG 12 Coach of the Year. Her post game presser was so on point and the focus on defense really shows. The Brazilian center is going to have to become much better around the rim - finishing and merely hanging on to the ball but I fear she may have fists of stone. That said there's a really strong nucleus here and with Miller's relentless focus on defense I'm looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Down in the dirty t it's unclear..... Game two in the 12 game opening season homestand tips at 2 today against UC Irvine. Really going to be hard to judge the kitties until Big 12 play starts.

So one year makes a huge difference. Last year I was so much looking forward to the Lopes and Jack's under their amazing coaches and dreading the third year in Tempe.

12 months later and it's a complete reversal.

 

[azfan]

20 minutes to tip as GCU and the ponies are in shoot around

Winston Gandy still looking for his first W as a Lope. The fashionista's squad got crushed on the 13th by the Red Raiders in a game they never led....

The fashionista's squad has exploded for 44 and 60 in their last 2 games.

In contrast to the SMU road thumping (31 point loss) the Lopes had a shot at their first win at Santa Barbara, but fell 2 points short.

And there she is rocking leather pants .....wait...as the national anthem is preparing she takes the ponies off the court back to the locker room. Interesting.......

Anyway 0-4 Lopes v 1-3 ponies as the crowd files in. GCU has a top 10 pep band, Barnes and her ponies missed a wonderful rendering of the Star Spangled Banner

 

[azfan]

OMG..... Starting at point guard for the ponies former ASU Sun Devil Ty Skinner!!!! I didn't think she was even on the team. I wonder if the fashionista was so desperate for ...

At the first media time out Lopes 7- ponies 2.

So.......the ponies score 7 in the first quarter

2 minutes into the second Skinner picks up her 3rd foul, 2 minutes left in the half Barnes gets
Ted up.

Gandy gets his first win as a Lope. Not sure about Winston though.....

76-60

Gonna be a long year, a real long year, a very long extremely....character building year for Barnes. At least she has that 5 year 5.85 million dollar contract.

Her agent is in the agent Hall of fame.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Barnes is looking more and more like her old boss Neighbors. Both looked like worse coaches with each passing season after their high point, and both look like their success was mostly (almost entirely?) built on having one exceptional player.

 

[azfan]

So the undefeated Sun Devils take on the UNLV this Saturday with a 2pm at Desert Financial Arena. The Rebs lost on the road to Montana State last night in what is increasingly looking like a very strong Big Sky conference.

I know McKenna Brackens will be looking forward to playing her former team and coach. The undefeated Sun Devils have started the year with a bang and I'm looking forward to a raucous crowd on Saturday.

Tonight at 6:00 The Lumberjacks take on Pepperdine in the Rolle Activity Center. After starting the season winless the Jacks put a hundred on Emory riddle on the 11th. This will be an interesting game to see if the Laura Dinkins LED rebuilding Lumberjacks can find some footing. The Big Sky is going to be brutal this year as both Montana and Idaho schools look fantastic as does Sac State

It looks like Lumberjacks are going to depend upon former Grand Canyon guard Naomi White to provide scoring. This girl's a baller and really is a gifted offensive player. I'm not certain how far the Jacks are going to be able to go however as the depth of the top five teams in the Big Sky is impressive.

Like NAU Pepperdine loves the three so this may well be a high scoring affair which would work to the Lumberjack's favor. NAU gave up 90 to UC Irvine on the road so hopefully at home the combination of altitude and home cooking will give the 1-3 Jacks a chance against the 2-1 Pepperdine team.

The Jacks travel down the 17 to the dirty t for a 6:00 p.m. tip off against the kitties. Well I have a ticket I'm not sure if I'm going to make the drive unless I see some progress with the Jacks tonight. Hard to justify the trip when the Huskies have a 6:00 p.m. game on Fox.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

So the undefeated Sun Devils take on the UNLV this Saturday with a 2pm at Desert Financial Arena. The Rebs lost on the road to Montana State last night in what is increasingly looking like a very strong Big Sky conference.

I know McKenna Brackens will be looking forward to playing her former team and coach. The undefeated Sun Devils have started the year with a bang and I'm looking forward to a raucous crowd on Saturday.

Tonight at 6:00 The Lumberjacks take on Pepperdine in the Rolle Activity Center. After starting the season winless the Jacks put a hundred on Emory riddle on the 11th. This will be an interesting game to see if the Laura Dinkins LED rebuilding Lumberjacks can find some footing. The Big Sky is going to be brutal this year as both Montana and Idaho schools look fantastic as does Sac State

It looks like Lumberjacks are going to depend upon former Grand Canyon guard Naomi White to provide scoring. This girl's a baller and really is a gifted offensive player. I'm not certain how far the Jacks are going to be able to go however as the depth of the top five teams in the Big Sky is impressive.

Like NAU Pepperdine loves the three so this may well be a high scoring affair which would work to the Lumberjack's favor. NAU gave up 90 to UC Irvine on the road so hopefully at home the combination of altitude and home cooking will give the 1-3 Jacks a chance against the 2-1 Pepperdine team.

The Jacks travel down the 17 to the dirty tea for a 6:00 p.m. tip off against the kitties. Well I have a ticket I'm not sure if I'm going to make the drive unless I see some progress with the Jacks tonight. Hard to justify the trip when the Huskies have a 6:00 p.m. game on Fox.

While it is early, the take on the Arizona Wildcats is that they look like a high level mid-major. The talent level and style of play just isn't there. Now, you can't really blame that on the new coach - and the team did play motivated in the first game I've seen, everyone does agree they are getting better as a team each game, which isn't surprising since they are from all over.

But the opinion of my wife, myself and someone else who has coached basketball in the past is the "high mid-major" valuation. Which means season results still to be determined.

 

[azfan]

Burke may be an upgrade over Barnes