Superbook. . .

[Nickelback]

Luke Walton is NOT the only player on Arizona's basketball team! Yeah, Arizona struggled without Walton on the floor against Valpo, but that is a completely different team than Oregon.

If it was Gardner that was questionable for Arizona, then I could understand your ranting and raving that AZ's hopes come down to whether or not he plays, but not Walton. He is a player that would be missed (largely for his leadership on the court and finding the open player down low), but Arizona should certainly be the favorite at home against a team that has struggled on the road so far this year.

Saying to hello there that "you can kiss your money goodbye if Walton doesn't play" (or something to that extent) is way off target.

 

[superbook]

My apologies to hello and anyone else I may have offended my flip comment.

At the time I was very frustrated because I was up half the night trying to cap these PAC 10 games (teams which I don't really know) and I couldn't find an edge anywhere. Wasted a lot of hours and didn't get enough sleep.

Sorry again.

 

[Nickelback]

Superbook,

I guess for me, I wasn't looking for an apology, but instead a reason for the comment. Do you really think Walton is the catalyst of this team? Or is it his leadership on the court that you feel would be greatly missed against a team they lost to by 30 just a couple weeks ago? I was just wondering why you regard Walton so highly when determining Arizona's success at home.

Thanks and keep up the solid plays!

 

[superbook]

This game frustrates me:

Why I like AZ:

- Last year AZ was 8-1 in the return games vs PAC 10 competition
- Revenge for the drubbing in Oregon
- Lute Olson is 14-3 in PAC 10 home openers

Why a play on AZ scares me without Walton:

- Wildcats will have to start a 3 guard line-up with three freshmen (Frye, Stoudamire and Bynum)

- Arizona loses a great playmaker and on the court leader

- Arizona loses their leading rebounder and opens the door for Oregon's 7-2 C Chris Christofferson and 6-8 F Robert Johnson to own the paint. Offensive rebounds are critical for the Ducks as they have shot only 30% from long range on the road vs 50% at home. Arizona is 7-0 when they outrebound their opposition, 1-3 when they don't. That was one of the problems in the first match-up, with Walton Arizona was outrebounded by Oregon 36-31.


FWIW the only play I'm making tonight is Stanford -8. I think California won't play the entire 40 knowing that they have Stanford at home coming up.

[This message has been edited by superbook (edited 01-04-2002).]

 

[superbook]

Arizona is 7-0 when they outrebound their opposition, 1-3 when they don't. That was one of the problems in the first match-up, with Walton Arizona was outrebounded by Oregon 36-31.

Oregon outrebounded Arizona last night 36-33.

It seems as if when Arizona doesn't get the rebounding edge they lose.



[This message has been edited by superbook (edited 01-05-2002).]