Assuming both teams are at full health who would you pick? They play a similar game, including a similar style of defense. Arizona probably has better athletes, but Virginia seems to be more efficient actually getting the ball through the hoop on offense.
Who would win Arizona vs. Virginia
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Without Anderson, I'd take Arizona for sure.
With Anderson, I still take Arizona but in a nail biter.
With Anderson, I still take Arizona but in a nail biter.
I'd take Arizona all day and everyday in a matchup win Virginia. Virginia just doesn't score enough even though Arizona has the same problem at times.
Sorry but why ? they have slow ,unathletic guards who are small and can't shoot very well. Johnson is an amazing althete and speciemen but he can't hit the broad side of a barn . They do have 2 great power forwards and a decent center who is tall. But i think we would smash Zona . UVA will be tough but we beat them 60-50 or the like.
not according to kenpom. Zona is much more efficient on offense, and ranks 3rd in defensive efficiency. UVA does play outstanding defense, but they struggle to score for long stretches. Arizona hadn't impressed me most of the year, but they seem to be peaking at the right time. I might take Zona...
Starting PG TJ McConnell "slow" as he might be is an all conference defensive player and shoots a higher eFG% than either Andrew Harrrison or Ulis.
Starting SG Johnson is shooting 74% from the line, 49% from 2-pt range and 35% from 3-pt range. His shooting numbers are just as good as Aaron Harrison.
Who is this 2nd power forward you speak of? Arizona only plays one true power forward.
Based on your above comments it doesn't appear you know Arizona very well. Unless Arizona got in massive foul trouble/had key injuries, Kentucky doesn't smash Arizona, but I do think they edge them out.
I'd probably give Zona a slight edge but could see them playing 10 times and Zona winning 6 games.
LMAO i know Zona like the back of my hand and have seen them play at least 12 times this year if not more .Zona's guards are York and Mcconnell . York can shoot it well but thats it . he is dud at anything beyond that. Mcconnel is a good leader and smart but come on, Our guards would eat him alive . Johnson is a SF and while his 3 pt numbers look decent if you have watched Zona alot ( i have seen them play 10 times ) he isn't a good shooter by any imagine . Amazing althete though although he has trouble finishing. Zona has Ashley and RHJ at PF and both are elite players. This is the strength of thier team . Both can do everything and are future pros . The center Kaleb T. is good and somewhat skilled but not in Towns or WCS' league.
I think that Arizona is the best team out there besides us...
They're big and athletic and McConnell is much better than I thought he'd be this year.
They're big and athletic and McConnell is much better than I thought he'd be this year.
First you say you have seen them play at least 12 times, but then you say you've seen them play 10 times?
York doesn't even start (and hasn't in a while) but yes he's not good for much else outside of deep shooting, but he's been better of late (scoring in other ways). Stanley Johnson starts at the 2 spot so whether you like it or not he's guarding Harrison and vice-versa a good bit....though Stanley will slide up to the 3 at times with York at the 2.
If Stanely can't hit the broad side of a barn but shoots just as well as Aaron Harrison, what does that say about Aaron? Is it that big of a knock if the guy he'll guard the most is no better? No question Stanley isn't a great shooter. Stanley also draws a good amount of fouls, steals the ball a decent amount, and is one of the best rebounding wings in the nation. He does impact the game in other ways which he should get credit for. Heck, Kenpom has him listed as the 3rd best player statistically in the nation. He does have trouble finishing no doubt.
McConnell's all defensive Pac-12 first team award last year (and the one he'll get this year) disagree with your comment on people eating him alive. Offensively he'll have no problem being his usual pass-first team engine, something he's better at than anyone Kentucky has. Curious how having a taller player in Harrison affects him with jump shots (which he doesn't take much of anyway).
Rondae is 100% small forward not a power forward, though he'll slide up to play the 4 against smaller lineups or if foul trouble happens. He's athletic enough to guard the point guard up to the power forward.
llisten dude i am not going argue with you and of coarse i know York no longer starts but if you really think Johnson is a sg that tells me all i need to know about your bball knowledge .York is the other guard any way you slice it Hollis Jefferson is pf , just like Poythress is pf . Now he might play SF some but come on again - basketball knowledge . Have you ever watched any Zona games with the sound on? The one thing people harp on over and over about Johnson is this - he can't shoot well and he has trouble finishing . He reminds me a ton of one Roderick Rhodes . Again since your bball knowledge is lacking i doubt you have any idea who that is but they are a ton alike . Also if McConnell is a great defender heis great one like Wojo was the defender of the year in college or the red faced idiot Aaron Craft was . Mcconnell holds and hacks and tries hard but against any althetic guard he gets abused. But Mcconnell is a good player don't get me wrong . He is a true leader and makes big players when it matters but to say he is lock down defender is a joke. York , well he wouldn't even play ahead of Hawkins . But again if you post again more your drivel i will not respond as i have never seen you on this board before and i have been here since 1999 (in all of this boards variations ) and it obvious you are either a Zona fan or just someone with a hard on for them . Listen Zona is a top 8 team , a very good team in fact but they match up with UK horribly . They can't score much and they are slow . Bad formula for beating UK . But keep thinking that it doesn't matter to me . UVA is much better , when healthy then ya''ll and they have proved that. Ugh i can't believe i wasted some much time typing things that should be obvious . LOL
"I'm not going to argue with you but let me follow that up with a paragraph where I do just that."
I only listed Johnson as an SG for discussion purposes because he's going to be playing opposite Kentucky's SG and guarding Aaron Harrison out the gate and to say that I would put that combination of McConnell and Johnson up against anyone Kentucky puts opposite them at the 1 and 2 spots. He's a SF through and through no question.
Hollis-Jefferson is NOT a power forward, and there is nothing that disproves that. He's a 6'7" 220 lb super athletic small forward who can guard 1-4 and does at times slide over to play the 4 spot when Arizona decides to go small. But that does not make him a PF. Most of his minutes statistically come at the SF spot as well. Websites like Kenpom keep track of that. He was a SF in HS, he's a SF now, and he's projected as a SF in the pros.
I'll agree that Johnson struggles to finish sometimes. Johnson can shoot decently when he takes shots within rhythm and doesn't force shots which he's been known to do from time to time. When he does force/shoot out of rhythm he doesn't shoot great percentage wise (like at Utah last week). That said, he's shooting 35.3% from 3-point range. That's 1% above the national average of 34.3%. He's shooting 2-pointers at 48.5% also about 1% above the national average, and he's doing so while taking a much higher volume of shots than average, so to say he can't hit the broad side of a barn is a complete exaggeration. He had one horrible shooting game where yes he couldn't hit the side of a barn at Utah last week where he shot 2-15 from 2 point range. Outside of that horrible performance he's shot 53.4% from 2-point range in his other 30 games this year.
On McConnell's defense, I never once said he was a lock down defender; I'm not sure what you're arguing there. Hollis-Jefferson is a lockdown defender, not McConnell, who is still a very good defender. I think Craft was a slightly better defender than McConnell but McConnell is a better offensive player.
Arizona is better than just a top 8 team, and is one of the worst matchups for Kentucky. Size, enough athleticism, one of the best lock-down defenders in RHJ who can handle someone 1-3 who his hot (Kentucky's fours are a bit too big for him to guard), and Arizona is the best defensive rebounding team in the nation, which will help negate one of Kentucky's biggest strengths, offensive rebounding. They also have a enough seasoned players who aren't afraid of the big stage, great leadership, and one of the best floor generals in the nation. That said I still think Kentucky beats them.
I think Arizona is a very good team, and legit title contender. So is Virginia who plays a style that can keep them in a game with anyone. It's not fun to watch, but like Wisconsin's it's one that produces a lot of wins. I think Arizona/Virginia would be a worthy Final 4 type game. Almost a pick 'em one, but I'd give the nod to the western Wildcats.
i agree with this. And fry. I didn't bother to read your drivel so please go back to whatever board you come from ( Zona board i assume) . Teams like Gonzaga , Zona , KU ect are just teams i don't think about much as they are the type of teams we have been thrashing all year when we play ranked opponents and teams like UGA and LSU who might not be ranked but are top 30ish teams. There are 2 teams who have a shot to beat UK and even they would need UK to help them - Wisconsin and UVA ( if 100% Healthy ) . Duke and Nova maybe but they better play the best D of thier lives and make the 3's . The others i don't much even think about .
I like Zona and don't want you to think i'm talking ish about the cats, but just wondering outloud, why do you think Zona is one of the worst matchups for Kentucky? I think you guys are a legit title contender and i have them in the final four in any bracket i'll fill out,but a bad matchup for us, i just don't see that while looking at Zona's roster. Where on the floor is the mismatch for Kentucky? If you mean Zona has some size to challenge Kentucky's frontcourt, i might could buy that. I know Johnson is a big dude and if you guys have him at sg, for most teams that might be a nightmare to deal with, but again, with Kentucky, we have a big sf in Lyles that is 6'10 and can guard out on the floor just fine.It's not like the twins are small guys. Both go about 6'5-6'6. I have a lot of respect for Zona's team this year, but i don't see them being our worst matchup. We match up just fine with any team you wanna throw at us. I know that sounds cocky, but it's true.Originally posted by fryrice:
"I'm not going to argue with you but let me follow that up with a paragraph where I do just that."
I only listed Johnson as an SG for discussion purposes because he's going to be playing opposite Kentucky's SG and guarding Aaron Harrison out the gate and to say that I would put that combination of McConnell and Johnson up against anyone Kentucky puts opposite them at the 1 and 2 spots. He's a SF through and through no question.
Hollis-Jefferson is NOT a power forward, and there is nothing that disproves that. He's a 6'7" 220 lb super athletic small forward who can guard 1-4 and does at times slide over to play the 4 spot when Arizona decides to go small. But that does not make him a PF. Most of his minutes statistically come at the SF spot as well. Websites like Kenpom keep track of that. He was a SF in HS, he's a SF now, and he's projected as a SF in the pros.
I'll agree that Johnson struggles to finish sometimes. Johnson can shoot decently when he takes shots within rhythm and doesn't force shots which he's been known to do from time to time. When he does force/shoot out of rhythm he doesn't shoot great percentage wise (like at Utah last week). That said, he's shooting 35.3% from 3-point range. That's 1% above the national average of 34.3%. He's shooting 2-pointers at 48.5% also about 1% above the national average, and he's doing so while taking a much higher volume of shots than average, so to say he can't hit the broad side of a barn is a complete exaggeration. He had one horrible shooting game where yes he couldn't hit the side of a barn at Utah last week where he shot 2-15 from 2 point range. Outside of that horrible performance he's shot 53.4% from 2-point range in his other 30 games this year.
On McConnell's defense, I never once said he was a lock down defender; I'm not sure what you're arguing there. Hollis-Jefferson is a lockdown defender, not McConnell, who is still a very good defender. I think Craft was a slightly better defender than McConnell but McConnell is a better offensive player.
Arizona is better than just a top 8 team, and is one of the worst matchups for Kentucky. Size, enough athleticism, one of the best lock-down defenders in RHJ who can handle someone 1-3 who his hot (Kentucky's fours are a bit too big for him to guard), and Arizona is the best defensive rebounding team in the nation, which will help negate one of Kentucky's biggest strengths, offensive rebounding. They also have a enough seasoned players who aren't afraid of the big stage, great leadership, and one of the best floor generals in the nation. That said I still think Kentucky beats them.
Arizona's starting 5 is the only team that could beat Kentucky. They should be a number 1 seed.
All the analysts talk about their 3 bad losses. They were terrible losses. But the way I see it, they were losses where Arizona didn't play well, or took their opponent for granted. Not once were they over matched this year and not once did they lose a game by being outmatched.
However, Kentucky is on another level this year than every college team. It's not a normal year for Kentucky dominance, this is the best team we've possibly ever had.
Too bad Ashley was hurt last year, because they could have easily beat Conn for the chip.
This year, it's Kentucky though. Hoping for an Az / Ky rematch of 1997 though. Would be an epic, perhaps even historic game.
All the analysts talk about their 3 bad losses. They were terrible losses. But the way I see it, they were losses where Arizona didn't play well, or took their opponent for granted. Not once were they over matched this year and not once did they lose a game by being outmatched.
However, Kentucky is on another level this year than every college team. It's not a normal year for Kentucky dominance, this is the best team we've possibly ever had.
Too bad Ashley was hurt last year, because they could have easily beat Conn for the chip.
This year, it's Kentucky though. Hoping for an Az / Ky rematch of 1997 though. Would be an epic, perhaps even historic game.
Still love UVa's defense - in such a game, it would be the single most impressive aspect, IMO. But lately, Virginia seems like a rich man's Louisville, great defense which allows them to withstand frequent offensive droughts. That will inevitably bite you in March....
Worst matchups as in Arizona will give Kentucky a harder time than just about anyone else it could play.....of all the choices out there, how many teams would give Kentucky a harder time than Arizona?Originally posted by kentucky_wildcat_#1:
I like Zona and don't want you to think i'm talking ish about the cats, but just wondering outloud, why do you think Zona is one of the worst matchups for Kentucky? I think you guys are a legit title contender and i have them in the final four in any bracket i'll fill out,but a bad matchup for us, i just don't see that while looking at Zona's roster. Where on the floor is the mismatch for Kentucky? If you mean Zona has some size to challenge Kentucky's frontcourt, i might could buy that. I know Johnson is a big dude and if you guys have him at sg, for most teams that might be a nightmare to deal with, but again, with Kentucky, we have a big sf in Lyles that is 6'10 and can guard out on the floor just fine.It's not like the twins are small guys. Both go about 6'5-6'6. I have a lot of respect for Zona's team this year, but i don't see them being our worst matchup. We match up just fine with any team you wanna throw at us. I know that sounds cocky, but it's true.Originally posted by fryrice:
"I'm not going to argue with you but let me follow that up with a paragraph where I do just that."
I only listed Johnson as an SG for discussion purposes because he's going to be playing opposite Kentucky's SG and guarding Aaron Harrison out the gate and to say that I would put that combination of McConnell and Johnson up against anyone Kentucky puts opposite them at the 1 and 2 spots. He's a SF through and through no question.
Hollis-Jefferson is NOT a power forward, and there is nothing that disproves that. He's a 6'7" 220 lb super athletic small forward who can guard 1-4 and does at times slide over to play the 4 spot when Arizona decides to go small. But that does not make him a PF. Most of his minutes statistically come at the SF spot as well. Websites like Kenpom keep track of that. He was a SF in HS, he's a SF now, and he's projected as a SF in the pros.
I'll agree that Johnson struggles to finish sometimes. Johnson can shoot decently when he takes shots within rhythm and doesn't force shots which he's been known to do from time to time. When he does force/shoot out of rhythm he doesn't shoot great percentage wise (like at Utah last week). That said, he's shooting 35.3% from 3-point range. That's 1% above the national average of 34.3%. He's shooting 2-pointers at 48.5% also about 1% above the national average, and he's doing so while taking a much higher volume of shots than average, so to say he can't hit the broad side of a barn is a complete exaggeration. He had one horrible shooting game where yes he couldn't hit the side of a barn at Utah last week where he shot 2-15 from 2 point range. Outside of that horrible performance he's shot 53.4% from 2-point range in his other 30 games this year.
On McConnell's defense, I never once said he was a lock down defender; I'm not sure what you're arguing there. Hollis-Jefferson is a lockdown defender, not McConnell, who is still a very good defender. I think Craft was a slightly better defender than McConnell but McConnell is a better offensive player.
Arizona is better than just a top 8 team, and is one of the worst matchups for Kentucky. Size, enough athleticism, one of the best lock-down defenders in RHJ who can handle someone 1-3 who his hot (Kentucky's fours are a bit too big for him to guard), and Arizona is the best defensive rebounding team in the nation, which will help negate one of Kentucky's biggest strengths, offensive rebounding. They also have a enough seasoned players who aren't afraid of the big stage, great leadership, and one of the best floor generals in the nation. That said I still think Kentucky beats them.
Some of that is related to it never being ideal to play a team who is peaking late in the season/at the right time. Arizona has been doing just that if you've watched them over the last 8 games. Their starting center, power forward, point guard and their 6th man, all upperclassmen, who had been very inconsistent early/middle of the year and have all come alive lately playing the best ball of their careers by a wide margin, and all at once.
A lot of Arizona's strengths will help negate some of Kentucky's strengths or take advantage of weaknesses. Much is related to AZ's size. Kentucky will also face the one of if not best perimeter lock down defenders its seen all year in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Gives Arizona a lot of flexibility to have him guard whoever is hot at the 1-3 position.
Super high level statistics:
1. Arizona outscored its in-conference opponents by .29 points per possession, a bigger disparity than anyone else in the nation, illustrating how well they've been playing lately. Over the last 8 games I alluded to, that disparity was .34 points per possession.
2. Arizona has had a better overall combined offensive and defensive efficiency in conference play than Kentucky.Arizona's in-conference offensive effienciency = 114.9. and in-conference defensive effienciency = 86.9Kentucky's in-conference offensive effienciency = 115.4. and in-conference defensive effienciency = 88.93. Arizona is the only other team in the nation (along with UK) that's in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Farily balanced teams like AZ tend to have more deep tourney success on average.
Kenpom mid level stats:
Kentucky #6 offensive rebounding team in the nation (% of available O-rebounds grabbed). Arizona #1 defensive rebounding team in the nation (% of available D- rebounds grabbed). Much of Kentucky's offensive effiency/scoring/getting fouled comes from its offensive rebounding.Kentucky #211 defnesive rebounding team in the nation. Since AZ changed their starting lineup at the beginning of conference play, Arizona has been offensive rebounding on par with a top 25 offensive rebounding team. This could pose defensive/foul challenges for UK.Kentucky #2 in shot block percentage in the nation. Arizona #7 in nation for fewest offensive shots blocked in the nation.Arizona's defensive 2 pt. FG % is #15 in the nation. Kentucky is decent (#42) at offensive 2 pt. FG %, but if that is hindered, Kentucky doesn't exactly have 3 point shooting to turn to where it's been poor and not frequently used.Kentucky has gotten some help this year by playing poor FT shooting teams who have averaged just 64% from the line. Arizona shoots a better, but not great 70% from the line overall and 73% in conference (very mild factor).
More detailed stats showing Arizona strongly defends Kentucky's best offensive sets:
Kentucky's best offense is transition which accounts for 19% of its plays (it's 2nd most used offensive set). Kentucky is in the top 3% in points per possession (1.19) in the nation in transition, shooting 59.2%. Arizona prevents teams from running transition (only 11% of opponents' plays), and holds them to only 44.2% shooting and 0.92 PPP.Kentucky's 2nd best offensive set is a cut play which accounts for 11% of its offensive sets (4th most used). Kentucky is in the top 11% in points per possession on cut plays scoring 1.22 PPP on 68.4% shooting. Arizona prevents teams from running cut plays (only 5% of opponents' plays) and holds them to 47% shooting and 0.95 PPP.
English please?
If you're posts are a book to argue, you already lost.
Add value please. I think Zona could make the Kentucky game an actual game. But eye test, there's no way zona wins. We play in different conferences too, fyi, life isn't a stat.
If you're posts are a book to argue, you already lost.
Add value please. I think Zona could make the Kentucky game an actual game. But eye test, there's no way zona wins. We play in different conferences too, fyi, life isn't a stat.
We sucked last year until the tourney, lol. Arizona with Ashley beats us and conn. Not this year tho
IDK why anyone is actually scared of AZ. I am fully aware of their strengths. I am also aware of how they looked against UCLA when Looney and Parker were in the game. AZ struggled against their length. If the refs didn't take out UCLA's bigs I thought the bruins had a good shot to beat AZ. UK is too long and too deep for AZ.
LOL right? What fry was selling was paper thin after his first post . No one with any basketball knowledge can actually argue some of the things he was trying to with a straight face .
Arizona is the team that I fear the least (Wisconsin I fear the most).We are a horrible match up for them. They lack big man depth and skill. Their guards are weak. RHJ and Johnson are excellent players but they will have matchup problems versus Towns and Lyles.I think they will have big problems scoring against our size and depth.
Wisconsin plays a slow down style . They can pull our bigs away from the hoop and open up the floor. Their guards can drive and shoot the three. Dekker is one of the few big men who can match up with Towns. Plus they want revenge, This Wisconsin team is better than the one who almost beat us last year They are more experienced and (if they get Jackson back) deeper.
Wisconsin plays a slow down style . They can pull our bigs away from the hoop and open up the floor. Their guards can drive and shoot the three. Dekker is one of the few big men who can match up with Towns. Plus they want revenge, This Wisconsin team is better than the one who almost beat us last year They are more experienced and (if they get Jackson back) deeper.