WBB in Arizona

[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.