The Arizona Basketball team lost a Battle but can win the war

The Battle for Atlantis is over! The Arizona Basketball team may have lost the battle, but they can still win the NCAA War.

The Arizona Basketball team went to the Bahamas to dominate in the Battle for Atlantis tournament. It didn’t turn out as planned, but this is when a team needs their fans now more than anything else.

Relax. Put your panic buttons away. Sure the same media who pumped up this team is now using this situation to get more views, just expect that. Their expectations and your expectations weren’t met this weekend. I get it, I am right there with you, but neither was the team’s expectations. It’s easy to draw massive conclusions but take a deep breath and try to continue your belief in this team that you had three days ago.

Can you imagine what an experience like this can do to a Freshman Student-Athlete? They want to win for you, the fans! They adore you, and you adore them. They stay after games to sign autographs with big smiles. They sacrifice a lot to be in the gym, keep healthy, keep up their grades and do everything it takes to win games. They didn’t try to lose, they didn’t want to lose, and I’m sure it doesn’t feel good for all involved.

We saw folks thought the team gave up, and the rumor mill is alive and well. But the players were playing hard. How can you think otherwise? Do you really think that they wanted to lose, make mistakes or don’t care because something has happened in the program we don’t know about? Even if something has changed, I still can’t fathom why you would want to play badly and lose. These Wildcats are competitors and hate to lose!

Of course, it’s hard to excuses when you lose three straight, but here are some things to consider.

It was their first away games.

They played teams that had way more college experience.

They probably played teams they didn’t think they were going to be playing (gotta think there was a bit of a scramble there to prepare).

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

They played three back-to-back games, trying to learn new things as a team in a hotel overnight.

There are five freshmen in the line up who played significant minutes, and all wanted to play well and not make mistakes. They played teams with much more experience and fewer one-and-done’s if any. These teams have been together longer and live for the opportunity to play a big named school to get their program on the map. Mistakes are supposed to happen in tournaments like this if at all during the season, let’s hope the team can sweep these under the rug and learn from them.

The team was cold shooting their threes in all three games. Never could get it going as a team. One of their stars Allonzo Trier was unusually cold. But do you think he wanted to be? No, he wanted to bring the team back to win. He was on such a roll, national attention, this would be the last thing he wanted to have transpired.

There were a lot of lessons for all involved very early in the season. Remember these were games number four through six out of like 35ish.

There was humidity in the Bahamas (I am kidding here).

The players usually leaned on Coach Book Richardson to pump them up on the bench in situations like this one. And whatever your thoughts are about him, his presence IS missed by the players. He is a very warm and gentle soul who was dealing with personal issues. Without Book on the bench, you have to think Miller has had to adjust as well. It’s a huge loss to the team. Don’t underestimate how much this could affect players especially during a game.

Folks should be selective in using your words on social media. Being extremely negative instead of bummed out or putting out false rumors and mean social media posts will not help the cause. The players and their families see what’s being said and it won’t feel good, keep that in mind. There is a fine line between not feeling good and not feeling appreciated.

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There were some bright lights in the series. Deandre Ayton proved he could dominate a game if the referee’s don’t call him for silly fouls they let the other team get away with. Brandon Randolph proved that if you leave him in for a while, he can get a hot hand. Keanu Pinder is a beast on defense.

The team was without one of their leaders Rawle Alkins. A clear and glaring hole in the Wildcats line-up, Alkins provides a solid backbone for the team. His grittiness and toughness, his ability to turn games around, his added experience are sorely missed right now.

Crap happens! We all need to get over it and move on. I am of the belief that this generation is motivated differently than past generations. Trust, respect, and loyalty are essential. They are under more of a microscope than any generation of players before them who only would read in the morning papers what reporters thought. Now the entire world can publically tell you what they think. Let that sink in a bit.

One tournament does not make a season. Other PAC-12 teams and favored teams in the Atlantis tournament fell or tripped as well.

There are a few silver linings. First, The team will learn from this. I’m sure they’ll never ever want to feel this way again. Second, Rawle should be coming back shortly, and his presence will have a positive effect on the team. Zo will get his wingman back, and it will give coach Miller some wonderful options.

Can we act like it never happened? I can. As one of the ESPN announcers said, and I’m paraphrasing here, ‘mark my words, come January this team will be a different team.’

Listen to this pre-tournament presser with Miller, Allonzo Trier and Deandre Ayton, what Miller said is telling. He mentions that the tournament is for growing and learning and that teams that have lost this tournament have gone on to the Final Four:

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The battle was lost, but there are plenty of battles left to fight. Now the team will gather themselves together and get ready to win the NCAA war. Bear Down Arizona Basketball now and always!