Monthly Archives: March 2015

WANE: Super Sweet times for Utes, Cats, Bruins and…Badgers?

March 26, 2015Podcast of Champions: PacHoops PodcastBo Ryan, Duke Blue Devils, Frank Kaminsky, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Nigel Hayes, Sam Dekker, Stanley Johnson, Wisconsin Badgers, Xavierawbutler

With respect to Stanford and their impending visit to Madison Square Garden for some kNITting and ASU firing arguably their most successful coach ever, there are really only three relevant Pac-12 teams remaining. While the matchups are intriguing, the thing I’m most excited to perhaps see is a rematch of Arizona and Wisconsin for a spot at the Final Four. Spencer and I will be there for the second straight year to witness it with dear friend and Wisconsin native, Jamie aka JT aka Tails aka Badgeface (we don’t really call him the last one but whatever). JT and I were charging down I-5 for this recording. Thanks for your patience.

WANE (and on SoundCloud):

Utah vs. Duke: Wright Comparable, Okafor, Offense, Okafor

March 25, 2015UtahDelon Wright, Jahlil Okafor, Jakob Poeltl, Jerian Grant, Justise Winslow, Larry Krystkowiak, Mike Kryzezewski, Notre Dame, Tyreke Evansawbutler

We must begin by saying the Jahlil Okafor is really good. I’m not messing around and neither is he. Okafor scored in single figures only once this season and his team won that game by 43 and he was 2-2 from the field. He played 19 minutes. Here’s what it can look like: Continue reading →

UCLA vs. Gonzaga: A Preview with Zero Adam Morrison Mentions

March 24, 2015UCLAAdam Morrison, Arizona Basketball, Bryce Alford, Byron Wesley, Damanas Sabonis, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Kevin Pangos, Kevon Looney, Kyle Wiltjer, Przemek Karnowskiawbutler

The theme at Pac-12 tournament press conferences was “improvement.” Every coach noted pride for his team’s marked improvement. I heard “November” at nearly every single season ending podium squat. In particular, Steve Alford effused about his team’s improvement. He was politicking for a tournament invite and his angle was improvement. Even Sean Miller got in on the action noting:

I think their quality of play and who they are today would be much different than, for example, who they would have been in December, November. Unfortunately, a lot of the judgment comes in November and December.

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NCAA Tournament: Greatest Conference or Best Conference?

March 23, 2015UncategorizedBryce Alford, D'Angelo Russell, Jakob Poeltl, Joseph Young, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Steve Alford, TJ McConnellawbutler

With three Pac-12 teams into the Sweet-16 and another taking Wisco to the brink, I think it’s clear that Pac-12 is indeed the #ConferenceOfChampions. Indubitably the best in the country, right? BACK THE PAC. BACK THE PAC. BACK THE PAC.

OK, let’s be serious, that’s a ridiculous assertion. The reality is that three Pac-12 teams have won two games and three Sweet-16 teams lost to Washington (Oklahoma, remember?). Doesn’t make this any less fun, however.

The important thing is that LG has moved on to more important advertising campaigns like no heartlessly showing Derron Williams FTW. The worst. Continue reading →

Unfinished Business

March 18, 2015ArizonaGabe York, Gone Girl, Kaleb Tarczewski, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Sean Miller, Something About Mary, Stanley Johnson, TJ McConnellawbutler

“Unfinished business.”

Four times Kaleb Tarczewski sad these words as he declared his return to Arizona. He doesn’t’ say much so the repeated phrase presumably meant a lot. I know it resonated with me. After all, we were just weeks removed from a devastating outcome in cursed Anaheim. Kaleb, Brandon Ashley and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would join TJ McConnell in finishing the 2014 deed. And that’s how this season began: with the expectations of 2014. Continue reading →

WANE: Getcha Dancin’ Shoes On & Vegas

March 17, 2015Podcast of Champions: PacHoops PodcastBrandon Ashley, Brandon Taylor, Ken Pomeroy, Las Vegas, MGM Grand, NCAA Tournament, Pac-12 Tournament, The PacHoops Podcast, WANEawbutler

It will be four dancing Pac-12 teams so it seems Vegas didn’t break us – it only made us stronger. Does that add up? Didn’t feel like it but Spencer and I review the tournament, certain details stay in Vegas because, and we dive pretty deep into the NCAA tournament field.

WANE (and on SoundCloud):

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NCAA Tournament Preview: #11 UCLA Bruins

March 17, 2015UCLABryce Alford, Doug Gottlieb, Kevon Looney, Larry Brown, Norman Powell, Reggie Miller, Southern Methodist, Steve Alfordawbutler

So this happened and no one really foresaw it. Quickly after losing to Arizona Steve Alford got to campaigning and evidently it worked. An eleven seed suggests they were pretty squarely in the dance according to the committee who said the Bruins passed the “eye test.” I get it. I also get that they’ve played absolutely no one over their final five games suggesting that the committee believes their losing effort to Arizona was eye pleasing enough. This selection has no one happy but you know what? #BackThePac. Because, quite frankly, the Bruins have talented enough players to be tournament disruptive.

FIRST OPPONENT:

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NCAA Tournament Preview: #8 Oregon Ducks

March 17, 2015OregonDana Altman, Joseph Young, LeBryan Nash, Omaha, Travis Fordawbutler

If the Ducks are going to rattle off late season wins for the second consecutive year, why not just carry on the seasonal parallels? That, of course, would mean they’d carry on into the second round and give Wisconsin one helluva run for their money? The Ducks held as large as a 14-point lead in that one. But let’s not be revisionist. Now is the time for Joseph Young to bid us adieu with his continued performances. To wow us and impress us and gain some slow motion time during One Shining Moment. I’m not saying Oregon is going to win the tournament, but rather that Young is the kind of player that makes plays you dogpile for.

FIRST OPPONENT:

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NCAA Tournament Preview: #2 Arizona Wildcats

March 17, 2015UncategorizedBo Ryan, Chris Mack, D'Angelo Russell, Jay Williams, Sean Miller, Texas Southern, Thad Mattaawbutler

The Wildcats are appropriately seeded as a #2. You can’t lose to the 100^th, 117^th, and 70^th KenPom rated teams (104, 131, and 102 by RPI) while the rest of the elites are dropping games like “Duke,” “Georgetown,” or “no-losses-whatsoever.” It’s just how it goes. Besides, the West is what was most important to this group. But let’s also not ignor the fact that since getting that crap out of their system, the Wildcats have destroyed teams. Obliterated. They enter this tournament hotter than any summer-in-Tucson analogy I could come up with. Gander this chart summarizing each of the top eight seeds in their last eleven games:

FIRST OPPONENT:

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NCAA Tournament Preview: #5 Utah Utes

March 17, 2015UtahDelon Wright, Jim Boylen, Larry Krystkowiak, NCAA Tournament, South Region, Stephen F. Austinawbutler

So they’re not the hottest team in the country and have slumped to the point that my March 2014 prediction of the Utes being a four-seed was narrowly missed. I’ve been further off on other predictions – I see you 2015 Buffs – so I won’t soon lose any sleep over this. What I might lose some sleep over is how tough these Utes really are. There’s a je ne sias quoi that I’m going to try to sais quoi: They don’t have it. Whatever that gene is that allows you to flush goldfish down the toilet or take the last piece of cake at not your birthday party or win a close basketball game, that seems to be missing for the Utes. They’re just 4-11 the last two years in games decided by 6 points or fewer. Sometimes in a tournament you’ve got to be able to do that. Can the Utes? My hope is that the imminent finality of these fantastic two years instills some of that DGAF in Delon Wright. He’s too good to play just one more time for us.

FIRST OPPONENT:

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LET THEM EAT CAKE:

LET THEM EAT CAKE:

LET THEM EAT CAKE:

LET THEM EAT CAKE:

LET THEM EAT CAKE:

LET THEM EAT CAKE:

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LET THEM EAT CAKE:

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LET THEM EAT CAKE:

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LET THEM EAT CAKE:

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LET THEM EAT CAKE: