One streak’s ending might complete another
OSU wins at McKale for first time since ’83; damages Cats’ NCAA hopes
Jamelle Horne had one of his better games, posting 15 points and 14 rebounds, but fellow upperclassman Nic Wise was 1 of 11 from the field against the BeaversRELATED LINK: Longtime Arizona beat reporter Steve Rivera offers his analysis at TucsonCitizen.com
By Javier Morales
One streak definitely ended: Last-place Oregon State stopped 27 years of frustration at McKale Center on Saturday. Because of that, another streak is likely over: The Cats’ 25-year run in the NCAA tournament.
Cross the UA officially off the NCAA bubble talk because of the damaging 63-55 loss to the Beavers, who also swept the season series from the Wildcats for the first time since Ben Lindsey coached in 1982-83.
UA coach Sean Miller showed frustration in the postgame press conference, saying, “You know, I’m not for everybody. I’m not for everybody. … As a coach you have that identity where you have some guys playing your way good or bad. I don’t want a guy who plays (hard) when things are only going good. That’s what I’m here for. That’s why I’m here and we’ll address that. It’s an important week for us to get ready.’’
He also said this loss puts him at “rock bottom” in his 23-year career as a player and coach.
The loss to Oregon State, which was tied for last in the Pac-10 with Oregon entering the day, was more than just another ordinary defeat.
The Beavers (11-13 overall and 5-7 in the Pac-10) entered the game with an RPI of No. 197. In the last two weeks, the Cats have lost to No. 116 Washington State and the Beavers. In fact, the UA went 0-4 against WSU and OSU this season.
The Wildcats are now 13-12 and 7-6 with a showdown against ASU (18-8, 8-5) looming next week in Tucson.
Jamelle Horne had 15 points and 14 rebounds, but he was only 2 of 7 from three-point range. Nic Wise had one of his worst games with the Wildcats, making only one of 11 field goal attempts. The Wildcats were 4 of 23 from three-point range (17 percent). Wise was 1 of 8.
It also appeared midway through the second half that freshman guard Lamont “MoMo” Jones did not take too kindly going to the bench after he made a free throw to cut OSU’s lead to 39-38 with 9:20 remaining.
The Beavers went on an 11-2 to run to take a 50-40 lead with 5:17 remaining.
“Our team was not ready and connected,” Miller told Brian Jeffries in the IMG College/Wildcat Radio Network postgame show. “We got a couple of guys who were not on the same page. It’s unfortunate. This crowd tried to will this team to win and we didn’t come through. … We got what we deserved.”
Wise and starting backcourt mate Kyle Fogg were 2 for 16 from the field.
“Our defense has been consistent,” Oregon State coach Craig Robinson said in a postgame press conference at McKale. “We have not been a Jekyll and Hyde team because in the last two weeks, our defense has been there. It’s our offense that has struggled.”
The Beavers’ offense frustrated the UA as much as their defense. OSU continually burned the Cats with the Princeton-style backdoor cuts that either led to easy baskets or fouls on Arizona as it tried to defend. Robinson played at Princeton under Pete Carril, who perfected the deliberate style of offense in which a player from the wing cuts toward the basket after the ball-handler draws more than one defender.
“It’s almost impossible to give up a backdoor play if you don’t deny (the pass),” Miller told Jeffries. “We had an incredible lack of effort by a couple of our guys. It will be our job to address that.”
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Tags: Jamelle Horne, Sean Miller
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February 13th, 2010 at 8:03 PM
I’m going to say it, regardless. And that is that this loss is squarely on Miller too. First time to lose two to OSU in one season since Lindsey?! Ben Lindsey?!?!?!?!?! Lose two in a row to WSU too – in the same freakin’ season?! As bad as O’Neill and Pennell were, they didn’t even lose like this to these teams. To be preaching and holding to and supposedly having a reputation that says toe the line of toughness, that’s a pretty lame couple of teams to have this kind of record against for the pride of Beaver Falls, PA.
This UA team was not properly prepared tonight and it showed. Who the hell scouted the Beavers and broke down film for these guys? Where’s the mental toughness? Where’s the toughness, period? When are Wise, Horne and Fogg going to be seriously called out for being three of the absolutely worse “leaders” to don a Wildcat uniform ever? Ever.
When is Miller going to stick to his guns and shuffle the damn line-up to reflect a set of players that want it at least as bad as the competition? Wise, Horne and Fogg should be benched until they show that they get it. If Herbert can bench Glasser, Abbott and Kuksiks for similar reasons, why can’t the 2 million dollar man?
I was told earlier that this site isn’t affiliated with UA and that it brings all angles of a story to full view. Fine. I would hope that asking and getting answers to the tough questions is part of that commitment because it’s time that someone, somewhere did just that. Ridiculous!
February 13th, 2010 at 8:14 PM
I understand your frustration: I feel it too. But Miller’s done a great job getting the team to this point. It’s not his fault that some of our guys are not showing up every night.
We knew this would be a tough year. Things will get better. Go Cats!
February 13th, 2010 at 8:18 PM
What exactly are you looking for? It was a meltdown. Arizona had its worst game of the season, which is alarming because of who it played and this is supposed to be the time of year the Cats get on a roll. Of course, Miller must be questioned about how Arizona could lose to a last-place team especially in this situation. And Wise as a senior leader must be questioned about making only one of 11 field goals. Let’s not get carried away. Horne should not be criticized for his effort in this game. In other games, yes. In this one, no. And what would Arizona’s record be without the contributions of Fogg and Wise in their victories? Ride this season out. Take it for what it is. Next year will be a transition year also because the UA loses its primary ballhandler. Miller said he has a three-year plan. Let’s see how things take shape in 2011-12 before we fly off the handle.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:32 PM
AZGood you have gone off the deep end. I’m sick to my stomach over the loss but you are looney!!!
February 13th, 2010 at 8:48 PM
A lot of strong emotions here tonight from the coach to the posters. My take is that there isn’t enough talent or maybe experienced talent on this years team.
February 13th, 2010 at 9:20 PM
Posting after a loss like this is the equivalent of drunk dialing an ex-girlfriend after a night of drinking. I try not to post after these types of games when the frustration level is high. I think we all agree that this year was part of the “transition process”, but the frustration sets in because we have seen what this team can do when they play well (vs UW, Cal, @ ASU, etc). We know that they can compete on a high level and we know that we still had a shot at the NCAA tourney with a good finish to the season. Laying an egg in a game like this is shocking and it doesn’t sit well. My frustration (expressed earlier) lies with how Miller coached the game. I know he is a great coach and knows infinitely more about the game than I ever will, but I simply don’t agree with a coach trying to enforce his doctrine when it comes at the expense of your team having its best chance to win. At least, that is how I perceive it. I would love to know how many recent NCAA tourney winners played exclusive man-2-man. It just makes sense to employ defenses that give your team the best chance to win each individual game. A guy named Olson played a decent amount of zone defense. I believe he experienced some success. I think that team that just beat us on our home court played a zone for the entire game (save 1 play). Seemed to work ok for them as well.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:01 PM
Several notes since I was at the game and had to suffer through it:
1. Kyle Fogg got beat badly on three backdoor plays = 7 points (he fouled one guy at the end).
2. Horne got out rebounded twice in the last 45 seconds of the first half BADLY = 4 points.
3. Miller didn’t call a press till there was about three minutes left in the game = huge mistake.
4. Wise walking the ball up the court in the last 2 minutes…why?
5. Miller put Fogg back in the game after he took him out for getting killed his last backdoor beatdown followed by a wild 3 point shot that flew way over the basket. He took out Momo Jones who was the only player willing to go to the basket at that point of the game….why?
It was a meltdown by players and coaches. Yes, the refs didn’t help but it shouldn’t have mattered.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:06 PM
It was a botched effort all around, from the players to the coaching. Playing more zone was clearly called for – it was what helped the team come back in Corvallis. Also, the end of the game was completely screwed up. Fouling should have occurred much much sooner. So Miller has to share in the blame here. But the players clearly did not give the effort required. Yes Fogg has been a contributer earlier in the season. But his shooting has deterioated and he is not making good decisions with the ball. Something terribly wrong has happened to Nic’s shot. Williams didn’t play with anything close to his best effort. There is no way, absolutely zero chance, that this team can put together three winning efforts in three nights to win the Pac-10 tourney, so it is adios to the streak. Getting a couple more quality players in addition to Bejerano and Mayes is a must in order to get the program back on track. Horne, Fogg and Lavendar are just not going to cut it as leaders next year.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Was I the only one who saw the utter disgust on Jones’ face when he was taken out of the game with about 9 minutes left after he cut the lead to 1? It appeared to me that Jamall Walker, the UA’s director of basketball operations, had to calm him down on the bench. Right after that, Fogg missed a three-pointer and OSU converted on the other end. A couple of failed possessions later, Jones was re-inserted with OSU up by five points. That was a key point in the game in my opinion.
It was a meltdown by all, as I’ve pointed out. How do the coaches and players respond? It’s one thing to be disgusted but another to be distraught. The coaching staff and players should be thoroughly disgusted. Anybody who is not disgusted after this should be examined. But should they be distraught? If I’m Miller I call a practice tomorrow (I’m sure they did not have one scheduled) and find out who is disgusted and who is distraught following a tough workout and go from there. The NCAA tournament is a pipe dream as it stands right now. Miller must start coaching for what happens beyond March until school starts up again in August.
Tom Crean at Indiana is 9-13 in his second season there. It could be a lot worse for Arizona. Kelvin Sampson left that storied program a mess. To a degree, the Lute Olson prolonged retirement affected Arizona in the same manner because it affected recruiting. Miller is trying to work his way out of the ashes left from the last two years under interim coaching staffs. Everyone likes to say Wise has played for four coaches in four years. In reality, he’s played for 12 (including the assistant coaches). That’s 12 different voices. Any way you slice it that’s not good for a player or a program.
Miller showed disgust as he should, and he said that it is his job to correct this. I’m sure that he knows that means his performance as well. Next week’s game against ASU should be the most interesting game involving the program since Olson’s early years, perhaps since Olson started.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Yes this was a bad loss. Yes it was late in the season, but I’m shocked at how surprised everyone is. 1. This is a young team and this is exactly what young teams do. They play up and down. 2. It does not help that our two veterns (Horne and Wise), are not great leaders (we’ve said this all season) and are not the most consistent players (also said all season). and 3. We never play well agains zone teams and/or teams who slow it down (ASU, WSU, USC-slow down) teams. It is just a match up thing that happens in all sports. Don’t fret, the sky is not falling and I say right now we will win the pac 10 next year.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Yeah Jav, Miller should have left Momo in the game as I pointed out above.
Fogg was not himself today and Miller gave him one too many chances.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:36 PM
This one hurt, no question. OSU is a bad team. I mean, OSU plays system offense and defense…Princeton and zone. But the U of A looked confused all game. Generally, it seems like they have played terribly against zones – witness WSU as well. They just look confused, throw the ball around the perimeter, and jack up a bad shot. Do they not prepare for them? I’m not sure what to say at this point.
I mean I’m not brokenhearted, because honestly I thought we had to win the Pac-10 tourney in order to get the 26th berth all along, and either that’s gonna happen or it’s not. Can’t pin this one on Horne for once, he played out of his mind. I’ll be honest, I didn’t watch much of it. I could see the writing on the wall late in the first half.
Javi, enlighten me, who is Miller talking about. Fogg and…?
February 13th, 2010 at 10:51 PM
We’re assuming he meant Fogg. In his “couple of players lacking effort” statement, if one of the players is Fogg, you can take your pick with the second. I can’t recall anyone really denying the entry pass to the cutter. How many times did Derrick Williams get beat inside by the cutter and Schaftenaar? Miller in hindsight should have went to a zone in order to spread the defense and have an anchor defender against those backcuts. But you also have to put into consideration how many times Arizona practices the zone on a daily basis.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Waka,
You were fortunate not to see Fogg lose focus and give up 3 back door cuts for layups early in the 2nd half. As for another member of Miller’s doghouse, I wonder if Solo might be that guy? Anyone else have that feeling? Seemed like his minutes were down tonight, but I could be completely wrong about that (I didn’t check it out). Just felt like we didn’t see much of him and when he was in, he didn’t do much.
As for playing against zones, the perplexing thing is that they did prepare for it. They shredded UO’s zone in the 2nd half and afterward the players were talking about how they had worked on beating zones all week in practice. Totally agree about the apparent confusion and bad shot selection. Even with all that said, UA also had a horrible shooting night. If they made 2-3 more of the wide-open 3s, this could have been a different game.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:58 PM
Probably Fogg and Wise. Wise has pretty much stunk up the joint since his pac 10 player of the week award, although Williams and Wise were rather impotent tonight as well. At some point, as well as he has played, Williams needs to figure out how to finish.
I don’t buy “it’s a young team, this is to be expected” line, not at all. All the young guys have logged a large number of minutes, and even the more veteran guys are wildly inconsistent. The sad truth is that Wise, Horne and Fogg are barely what we might call Arizona Good, and the jury is still out on the freshmen, at least other than Williams. None of the players on this team, playing at the level they are playing, would be starters on any U of A team 2005 or before. Wise and Williams would be great backups, Parrom, Jones and Hill would be promising freshmen who saw maybe 10 minutes a games, and Horne, Fogg and particularly Lavendar would be buried on the bench for garbage time. Kyril would be a red-shirt. Jacobsen would never ever ever have been considered for a scholarship and would barely have been walk on material.
Lute gets a cut a lot of slack, and deservedly so, but the truth is, without Tim Floyd’s implosion, and Arizona’s benefiting from Williams and Jones, we would be staring at an Indiana type debacle with the blame falling squarely at Lute’s feet.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Well, this is pretty sad. I still have to hold the belief Miller can turn things around. We cant expect the freshman to develop any faster than what the have with Jamelle Horne as a leader. If there is anything I’d suggest is that its time for Horne to go. His demeanor is awful and with the youth of this team, attitudes like his spread quickly.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:08 PM
Javier,
Good point about Williams- he got lit up by Schaftenaar. DWill constantly struggled on the high pick and roll and I was shocked that nearly every time Schaftenaar got the ball in the post, Miller was screaming for people to come in and help with a double team.
I know that I am a broken record about the occasional use of zone, but this year more than ever, with the youth of the players and makeup of the Pac10 opponents, I think using zone just makes sense. The only Pac10 teams that I really would hesitate to use zone against are UCLA (Roll and Dragovic), Cal (Randle, Christopher, Robertson) and ASU (Kuksiks, Glasser, Abbott) and possibly Oregon if they are shooting well. Zone could be effective against all other Pac10 teams. So, if that is the case, then it behooves you to occasionally use it and practice it so that you are ready to use it. And realistically, if your game plan is to bring help for a double team on Schaftenaar every time he gets the ball in the post, then you really aren’t too far removed from a zone strategy anyway. It also shows how little faith you have in your players to execute the m-2-m defense. I mean, this wasn’t Shaq in the post, it was Schaftenaar.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:42 PM
I definitely caught the Momo frustration. We were down one when he was taken out, then we never had a chance after that.
Momo may not be the most skilled guy in the world…but I’ll damn sure take someone who is going to give it everything he’s got to win. We need more guys like that and I hope they are coming. Soon.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:22 AM
UA did use a zone and they got beat by the 3. It didn’t last very long
February 14th, 2010 at 12:25 AM
I know a lot of you are praising Horne based off of his box score but the kid has poor fundamentals and horrific awareness. He simply gets away with it sometimes because of his athleticism. Fact is he is an easy to guard mistake prone player who…in the long run…doesn’t provide much advantage.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:55 AM
we can all point fingers at horne but his performance tonight was just about as good as you’re going to get out of him right now.
if you asked me, it looked like williams, fogg, and wise were particularly apathetic. when wise turned it over with 1:45 left (aka “game over”), he smiled in disbelief, in what i thought was a move to shrug it off and show how ‘cool’ he was in front of chase and jordan… yeah, real cool. this from “thenicwise” on twitter… yeah “the” non-nba bound senior who’ll have eventually led us to our first year missing the tournament since jesus walked the earth.
well guess what, the effort was nasty with olson and our two most recent nba-landed alum in the house (and the final two to be coached by olson), against oregon f–king state, last place in the 2009-2010 pac-10 aka the dog house of the dog house… at home.
sure, it’s a young team, but at this point i think wise isn’t the answer to our questions this season and i’m looking forward to next year with very little to no optimism they will win the pac-10 tourney this year.
and horne is what he is: enigmatic and destined for nothing but a mulligan in a kick-ass last real recruiting class for olson.
take a good look at our freshmen. they are our team. fogg is icing on the cake, and we don’t use anyone else outside of dead man walking wise.
February 14th, 2010 at 7:24 AM
I for one am not going to criticize Miller, but his faith in Wise should have him turn that gun on himself. When he stinks, which has been quite often this year, he should be benched, at least Jones has heart.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:28 AM
I have refrained from criticizing this year because of the turmoil the last 3 years, a new coach, new players and a new system. But the loss to Oregon State at home I feel is the worst loss in this program since Ben Lindsay left. I am humiliated as a long time fan and alumnus to see the kind of effort that was displayed last night. Shame on everyone in the program for allowing this to happen and shame mostly on Nic Wise. He is supposed to be a senior leader, one of the best point guards in the country? A great player does not allow his team to lose, yet it did, which means he is not a great player. He is at best on a good day mediocre. 4 or 5 good games a year does not mean you are a great player. Greatness comes from elevating your team mates and not allowing them to lose. I look forward to seeing him leave at the end of the year and seeing MoMo Jones running this team next year, since we know Wise won’t be benched this year. He has heart, mental toughness and a burning desire to win.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:13 AM
I will take one MoMo over 100 “thenicwise”es. Clearly the core of this team is: DWill, MoMo, and Parrom. Dump everyone else for all I care.