2 cents on Zona

[pt1gard]

over the last 2 years now I have been shocked at Zona ... I used to be huge admirer of Lute as coach and his teams' play; no matter the pieces he needed to patch together, he always did, and his teams were demons out of chute ... LY they lost all three to Univ. of Wash, which shocked me b/c the UW tho they have playground talent, were not disciplined enuff to beat past Zona editions, but somehow did ... I admit i dont watch every Zona game, but i must have seen 6 last year and could hardly believe my eyes watching them stray so far away from Lute's past dictums ...

Today a pal asked me about the Zona game (even), and I said I would stay away from zona until they prove they can play to me again ... I was kinda surprised they got clocked; maybe it was an aberration, but until I watch them and see how rag tag, run and gun they are (or arent) like last year's team was, I would be very careful ...

one more caveat, not revelaing any sources etc, but thru my coaching contacts Ive been told that ever since Bobbie Olson died the players dont mesh like they used to, in fact, I hear they dont even get along ... Now I am only repeating from a good source, Id be very curious to hear what some of you closer to program think about Zona hoops as of present... as a purist Im saddened to see where it seems to be headed

take care
gregg

 

[Nickelback]

I wouldn't be too worried about Arizona or where the program may be headed. . . you make an interesting point with Bobbi Olson maybe helping to bring the players together. . . I have no information either way but it is very possible.

I think there's a couple problems the past couple years:

1. Fry hasn't had any help on the inside and in my opinion it showed again today due to the lack of defensive rebounds and inside opportunities.

2. Shakur still needs a little work on leading this team. He's only a soph and showing great promise but his leadership is missing. He needs to be able to take the ball to the hole and create on his own when the team is getting beat. Unfortunately Stoudamire won't do it either which explains all the three balls late in the game when the Cats desperately needed points.

Amazing to me that Lute had great hopes and promise with this team but I'm not seeing it just yet. Hopefully the game against Michigan and then Wake Forest (hopefully they can beat the Wolverines but who knows) will get them back on track.

 

[ststrl]

one more caveat, not revelaing any sources etc, but thru my coaching contacts Ive been told that ever since Bobbie Olson died the players dont mesh like they used to, in fact, I hear they dont even get along ... Now I am only repeating from a good source, Id be very curious to hear what some of you closer to program think about Zona hoops as of present... as a purist Im saddened to see where it seems to be headed

take care
gregg

I have never ever heard anything like that. Granted last year when Salim would have one of his cry baby moments, I'm sure people got down on him, however I think this is a tight group of players.

We certainly looked like $hit today, however we have a very very deep team, who should only get better as time goes on. First road game vs a good ACC team should certainly help this team build character. Right now by main concern is with their heart.

 

[pt1gard]

hopefully so guys, thanx for your comments -- I saw where UA went from even to win pac-10 to -250 in a couple days last week ...

did you guys think Zona was out of control last year? B/c like i said, LY when I watched, I was really shocked to see what was going on every time they came on TV--and trust me this isnt a bash, Zona is one of my 2 fave programs with NC

take care
gregg