Monday, December 4, Hour 2

This is I on the Ball with Steve Rivera and Jay Gonzalez. Sound Fox Sports fourteen to fifteen. Subscribe now to the podcast on the iHeartRadio app Just Surgery, I on the Mall. Hey, welcome back to WIN on the Ball here on Fox Sports fourteen fifteen. I'm Steve, He's Jake, and now we have Sammy breaking news. I on the Ball breaking news. So yes, if you weren't listening. The first hour, Jay and I talked

about the college football playoff, and so these were the top fourteens. Michigan number one, Washington number two, Texas three Alabama coming in at number four, No Florida State, no Georgia into some surprising to some maybe saw it coming. But Michigan will play Alabama and Washington will play Texas to go to the national championship. Jay, going in last week on Thursday, you came here. You weren't here Friday, But we all knew that somebody or two

was going to be pissed off, right sheen. In basketball, they went from from thirty two to forty eight to sixty four. Now they're sixty eight, sixty nine to seventy are pissed. I mean, it's just what it is, right, And look, Alabama would have lost its mine if they weren't there, sure, right, they would have and people would have been flailing about Alabama. Oh yes, you see wins it every year. Why you're not with them? Yeah? Yeah right, yeah, no that yeah,

somebody was gonna be pissed. I'm just I still think that the most unfair thing happened. So someone tell you that there's no fairness in life. I've known that since I was about four. That's why you live, toyo. But I had a question. So normally the Rose Bowl will contain the Pac twelve. I mean, since it's gone to this playoff format, if it's not one of the two games, it's been a pack twelve team. What And I understand they've been packed pack twelve or Big ten? Right?

And so is it because Michigan is a higher seed than Washington that Washington's not in there? Yes? Okay, because I got a little frustrated, nor I yeah, I was pissed at Washington didn't go there either, because it's you know, they're on the way close and stuff. But plus they're they're favored in their game. I'm not favored. They're higher seeded in their game, yet their opponent is in closer proximity. I think that was really unfair

to the Washington Yeah, I and I don't know. I guess the you know, the Rose Bull has been a big ten you know, uh Pac twelve thing, you know, forever and ever, so they went, you know, the Rose Bull probably got to pick first is what they probably got. You know, sure they took Michigan because you know, they're it's Michigan text here, it's Michigan, right, you know, Michigan fans won over

the Rose Bowl. I guess, I guess so. In Tucson News, the Arizona Bowl presented by Barstool is a Wyoming versus Toledo, which both teams actually haven't been that bad this year. Wyoming was pretty good early on. In Toledo, they just lost their first game. They won a ten game win streak and lost to Miami of Ohio and the MAC Championship game. So that should be a fun game. And now we'll jump into some portal stuff.

And McCord, the quarterback for Ohiose State, has entered the transfer port that along with I want to say thirteen other of his teammates for a House state. So something is in the air over at like a bunch of starters and stuff. So two five stars, three four stars, and then the rest three stars. So maybe guys looking for opportunity, but you have two four stars, two to five stars, including the starting quarterback looking for a

new opportunity in Ohio State. I should away from Ohiose State now. And we mentioned u of A going to the Alimi Bowl against Oklahoma, and they're opened at one point favorites because three and a half point favorites because mainly because Dylan Gabriel, quarterback of the Sooners, has said that he will be entering the transfer portal and not playing in the album how how I don't get you, but how big of a bag? And I'm assuming they're doing it because

of money that you're you're they're doing well. I'm sure in Ohio State and Oklahoma that you're gonna get even more somewhere else. It has to be that because they're already playing the start. Dylan Gabriel was getting some Heisman run out of Oklahoma and now he says, I don't want to be here. I don't understand it very interesting unless unless it's life changing money. Yeah, but you'd think that at Ohio State or at Oklahoma they would take care of their

quarterback. They certainly took care of Spencer Raps and so, but maybe it's not just that, I mean talked about that. Look, they've changed offensive coordinators. They're you know, their their current offensive coordinator went down, you know, got the job in Mississippi. Maybe maybe in Mississippi State. Uh yeah, No, you're right, and get more opportunity to do what he

does with whatever. And maybe it's a decision, he says. I feel like I can be better prepared for the NFL by being with him sure with this and go with what I know rather than what I don't know. Yeah, but yeah, Dylan gave it a plus. I saw a defensive pay Key Lawrence. Yeah, also has jumped into the poor Well there's always had a couple of guys, but no no key guys yet Isaiah Taylor. Yeah, which was a surprise to me. Yeah, uh, because that happened

last week or last week. I think we had that, but uh, another chance. Well, it goes to show you even the top Richmond rich Man problems, they have rich Man problems everywhere. Yeah, you know. Yeah, so and I'm sure throughout the week we'll see maybe more notable namespace. Well gave it like the fourth or fifth starting quarterback at a place where he's been playing at a good program, like the Kansas quarterback, the Duke quarterback. Yeah, you know these guys are leaving. I don't know if

it's a Kansas, Kansas State, Kansas. Well. Also, we haven't talked about this, but the Colorado it's not always bolder because you'll they're bringing their bags and then taking their bags with them too. I wanted to mention that last Wednesday, but we're talking about something. But yeah, the bunch of Colorado guys have said I'm going somewhere else. Maybe it's money, maybe

it's whatever. And so maybe they're quote great recruiting class or Dion's being able to get anybody he once may not be the case come next year, but everybody, or at least yeah exactly. I think his his son might go to the draft, which he's eligible for, and that would be that would be a loss for them because he's a really good quarterback. So but let's

we'll move to college basketball. It's pretty quick. The University of Arizona is number one in the AP and coaches pull, receiving fifty nine out of sixty three first plates first place votes. Yeah, I said, yeah, I said, okay, yeah, And is not the number one team in the country football, we're not in the College fotball playoff quite yet. But thoughts on what we've seen from them so far basketball, Yeah, I mean it's more of the same. Well, they're easily one of the top five best

teams in the country. The problem is there's other top five teams in the country. And we're in early December, right, And it's how you play that day. This next stretch where they're going to play some pretty quality teams away on the road, neutral sites as well, should be a lot of fun. We'll see how good they are. But what's not to like about this team? Right? And it's a progression, you know, you if you're number two and the number one team loses, you move up to the

Are you the best team in the country? We don't know. What does it matter right now? Right? She said, that should be one of the very top teams in the Sure that's on December third, fourth, whatever we are. They were one of the best teams in the country last year. And what it didn't mean and again, you know, first half of the game on Saturday, they're up five. At the half time, they didn't look great. I don't know if they you know, hang over what.

But then they blow them out in the second half and quickly in the second half, right, they come on the second half just to strike you. And that's all they needed to do. Again, Princeton that one day, one day. But you play on one day and you don't show up,

You're gone. I find it. I find it really funny. This is just I've thought there's a long time, especially since the college football football Playoff was a thing, to where in football, you're obviously there's less games, there's less sample size, but you're so under the microscope for every single game throughout the whole season. In two months, we may be looking at the Michigan State or Duke win for U of A and be like it,

oh, okay, they won that game. It doesn't matter. Or teams will go on runs and they'll win, they'll win their conference championship and get into the tournament and get a higher seed to where throughout the whole entire year that's not how they've played. And I just think that's funny. There's obviously more teams that get into that tournament. But you have a number one and they play Wisconsin this Saturday, which I think will be a pretty good game

at home. It's not bad. They just beat Marquette, yeah, on home and Marquette was third I think in the country and Duke last again gloss again, which diminishes what what you did. But that's just college basketball. It's not college football. If it was football, they'd be out of the running of the title. But you know, Jay once coach, and they have Duke has have been Duke in a long time. It really hasn't. It just lives off its reputation. Now they have the next Shire, John

Shire. He's not in coach k And it's not it's not the Duke team we've been accustomed to. No, it's not. It's not, you know, just just as the U A team in the last few years under Seawan at the end was not the shot the U A team that we were used to again. And it's fine because you know, some people have been surprised to hear that this is the first time Arizon has been ranked number one since twenty four fourteen. Right the Brandon you know, that's when they got beat

that when he got hurt. He got hurt when Brand got hurt in the game at Cal and there were number one. You don't about that, Dave, there was beat you know, you know he you know, because we were walking off the court. And said, you know, hey, Dave, you know guy's gonna be number one? Yeah, you know, and he said and then it was kind of like, you know, this happens all the time, right, I said, no, Dave, it's been a while. It's been a while. And well, you mean the next

year, because they were very good, even better the next year. He's very excited, but it's kind of like, dang. And I said, what, Dave, you know, they used to be ranked number one all the time. But then that stopped. And said, I told my I thought it was twenty fourteen. Twenty fifteen, yeah, and I thought fifteen, So twenty fourteen. How old were you? I was fourteen. See, that's how I put that in perspective. I was an f at that

time. I was like, so, but that's a long time, I think because your blue blood team thinks they've been there for a long time. No, not not necessarily, and being number one is cool and all that. Yeah, but but you know, timper your jets and you know what, and no matter what, whether it means anything or not, it's exciting, no question, you know. I mean you you were you know when when they the first time they ever ranked number one in that eighty eighty this

town lost. It's mine. Sure you're making T shirt bumper stick a couple of weeks later, but yeah, t shirt No, a week later they would to help me. Yeah, don't back there. And then they got it back. No, no, there's a different reason for that. But came later, but they came back. They came back and got it again, and they lose in the final four. I mean it's not guaranteed. Uh. I was gonna ask you and you have a lot more stuff.

Okay, So so Arizona's ranked number one, the football team is going to a big ball the fourteen in the in the country, and football good things are happening. Are you proud to be in Arizona alum with? And then you don't forget the stuff in the background, the money situation. I know, I'm worried that it's all gonna come down crashing, because that's what you are, that's what the fans are. I mean, maybe we'll get some

calls later about that. But do you fear a little chicken, a little chick a little that this guy is gonna fall because it always does, it always has. Well, you're not gonna be, You're not gonna be. It's tough to be champ. Yeah, So what do you what do you mean by fair? What do you think by crushing down? I'm talking about more about football than basketball. Okay, just said, you know again, Okay, let's okay, you did this this year. Let's see, let's

see if you can sustained have another great year next year. And again, you know, I know the transfer port just got started, but assume that, you know, the way Jed's thinking, we're in pretty good shape. We're going to keep all of our guys, or at least all the main guys. If they do that, expectations are going to be high. They're going to have high expectations of themselves. And what do they do with that?

But well, I think one of the problems that there was has had a difficult time doing and sustaining it all is they sure in the past probably patted themselves in the back a lot, and and and and Dick told me, said that to you. Yeah, they didn't work. They didn't they didn't. Yeah, they didn't put in the time. And because they were patting themselves on the back, right, you know what I mean? You know, I think about you know, going into the eighty nine, ninety

nineties, after that great ninety eight. Yeah, ninety Okay, we're there. Let's go play Penn State and the Kickoff Classic at Penn State. And it was a great time at nine o'clock in the morning, Tucson time, great time, boom. We had a slumber party the night before so that everybody could get up and watch the game on a on a big screen at my brother's house. They were gone, everybody left, was over. Before everybody left, we stopped. The game was stayed on, but everybody stop

paying ptest you. It was the worst thing he did, you hear. They couldn't tackle. They what they didn't do was they didn't tackle doing practice because they didn't want to get hurt, right, so they didn't they didn't know how to do it during the game against the biggest team in the country. I remember just he was just so mean. He was so mean that day. And then that was the end. Of that year. That was That was and and and they they took him a while. Did you never

recovered rank back up for Dick? They didn't. It was gone two years later. Yeah, yeah, what else do you have? Quick to things? You have to uh new odds on favorites to win the Super Bowl and the m VP both the forty nine ers and Rock Purty is plus three hundred to win the game, which is honestly, it's crazy. He's an Arizona guy, went to win to Perry Heights. So you putting the same mage, We're the same where the same age I went to high school with.

What happened to you? Man? I didn't have an arm man he was at exactly Come on, I was a five ft eight point guard. It doesn't give me very far. And lastly, the end season tournament for the NBA, the quarterfinals. First two games tonight Celtics Pacers Kings Pelicans, and the Suns play the Lakers tomorrow to go to Vegas. But that's all I got, all right, Okay, Michael left, coming up. We'll talk

some basketball with them, probably talks of football as well. He was at the Jedfish press conference, So Michael's the commons, so be sure to come back to that. For more than twenty years, the Window Depot has provided the best price and the biggest inventory on in stock vital windows, and now the Window Depot is more than a window store, offering homeowners and contractors a one stop warehouse offering interior and exterior doors, granted in courts, countertops,

in stock, cabinatry and skylights to finish your project. Their team of professionals will help with everything from free kitchen design to custom orders from leading manufacturers like mill Guard in Jelwyn. Order online or find a location near you at the Window Depot dot com. Steve Rivera here to talk about Dorotle Rock and Materials. I needed a lot of gravel for my driveway, so I called Eric at Dorotle Rock. He found out the amount and color I needed and boom,

it was taken care of and at a great price. How do I know radio commercials work? I heard one of his on the radio. Doronto Rock and Materials provides a wide range of landscaping materials, including decorative rock, boulders, gravel, soil, and sand for residential and commercial use in the Tucson area. They are locally owned and have been around for more than fifteen years. Give them a call at five two zero four zero zero four two

three three. Where do you buy exercise equipment Arizona Health Arizona Health Arizona Health. Of course, to feel better and look better, it makes sense to buy your fitness equipment from the people who know it better than anyone else. At Arizona Health, our goal is to help you choose the equipment you need to reach your goals. Your health and fitness deserve the best you deserve. Arizona Health the leading edge and exercise equipment on twenty second just west of Wilmot.

At Nova Homelans, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy the independence that comes with home ownership. Paul Volpi is ready to help you find an option that best fits your needs. Whether you're a first time or veteran home buyer or want to get cash out with the refinance. Nova has a variety of home loan programs to meet your unique situation. Visit volteteam dot com.

That's volpe team dot com or called five two oh six eight five six two six Today in MLS three oh eight seven Arizona b K nine two nine four two equal housing opportunity, How to commitment to lyndrixon credit rates and available loan programs or subject to change the unumbice. Did you know sports cards at Memorabilia are setting record sales last month of the nineteen fifty two tops Mickey Mantle SO for twelve point six million, Lebron James Rookie SO for five point six Also,

collecting cards is a family fun hobby that can be very profitable. If you want to start a collection or expand your collection, check out Showtime Cards. They are one of the leading card shops in the country and have served for our local community for twenty five years. They are located on e Speedway. That's Showtime Cards. It's summertime and the summer leagues are wrapping up. Volleyball, softball, baseball, swimming, and pickleball are coming to their season

end. Come down and visit the cool, relaxing Creative Awards idea center to pick out your awards for the champs and MVPs. It's also time to replenish your corporate apparel with new Polos caps and safety t shirts with your corporate logo to make your team look sharp. Creative Awards also has a large selection of brand names like Nike, Eddie Bauer, New Era, and car Hard just

to name a few. Believe it or not, it's corporate holiday gift season time for your clients too, with over one hundred thousand items to choose from. Come visit Creative Awards, Inc. Two twenty eight West Drackman Street or online at Creative awardsaz dot com. It's that time of year, Summer in Tucson. Time to take control with temperature control for all your air conditioning needs.

We'll keep you cool during all the hot streaks. All you have to do is stay in control with Temperature Control where we handle everything you need with prompt response, affordable pricing and sound solutions. We also excel in plumbing and electrical work. We handle everything you need. Give us a call at five two oho eight one five five six sixty five or visit our website at tempdash

con dot com and remember, stay in control with temperature control. Need concrete hard works, Concrete has it. We have more than twenty five years of experience with all things concrete. Installing sidewalks and patio floors are our specialty and handle masonry work and retaining loss. We're locally and family owned. Just let us know what you need, how you want it, and we'll take care of it. Leave the hard work up to us. We're Hardworks Concrete.

Call us at five one two nine six' two five six six zero or visit our website Hardworksconcrete dot com. We'll put the work in for you. Got bugs, termites, bees, or rodents, Arizona Pest Control will hunt them down. Arizona Pest Control is your complete desert pest management specialist. Tests can't run or hide from Arizona Pest Control. They use only the latest and most technologically advanced methods of pest elimination available, which minimizes the effects on the

environment. Let Arizona Pest Control get rid of your bad bugs, termites, bees, or rodents. Serving two Sean and Southern Arizona since nineteen forty seven. Go to azypast dot com to schedule your free evaluation today. And Jacob Salaz they have their eye on the ball on Tucson's Sports stage. Chef Fox Sports fourteen fifty. They welcome back to the ball here on Fox Sports fourteen fifty. I'm Steve Erberta. He's Jagonsaws Now on the phone we have Michael

lev of The Daily Star, the Arizona Daily Star columnist. How are you, Michael? I'm pretty well. How are you? Guys? Good? Good? Let me ask you real quick. You used to be the football meat guy for a long time, five six years. How do you like your role given now you can kind of do a lot more different things. And I think I'm gonna blame you for the lack of success under Jed.

See Justin comes in and they do so really well. Hey, they started their turnaround last year when I was still on the feat, right so, and I was also I attended almost every game this year. Come on, let's not let's not send it on me. Not you want to pin like the six game losing streak against Utah on me? Then maybe because once I was no longer the b reporter that changed, but anyway, it is it

has been an adjustment to be sure. You know that there's less structure to what I'm doing, so you kind of have to come up with ideas on your own. And I'm trying to, you know, learn I wouldn't say learn new sports, but kind of become an expert in areas where I didn't have to be an expert before like we're going to talk about basketball here, I'm sure pretty soon, and before I get to sort of be a casual observer of U of a basketball whereas now I feel like I have to watch

it with more of an analytical eye. Well, I will say, Michael, you know you're back. You know, we were saying just a second ago. You did the typical Arizona thing. You got the ball, rolling, got movement, I'm got the team in a good place, and then you left for a bigger job. Wow. Wow, how about that? I have so But let let's first, you know, since since we were at the JED Press conferences, just talk a little bit about you know, the the Alima Bowl, but all the things that you know, for Commune

was all the things that are coming with that. You're in a bowl game, yes, you're excited about that, Yes, but you're dealing with the transfer port, you're dealing with nil, you're dealing with or you know, the recruiting early early signing day coming up. I mean, these coaches just have so much stuff that they got to do. It's really pretty ridiculous. And he was kind of going through the list, you know, like his

to do list. Yeah, and it's a crazy long list, you know, Like, so you're preparing for a bowl game, right that bowl game taking place on December twenty eighth, trying to kind of keep everybody focused. They have those players also have finals to deal with. It's the only sport though, where like you're already working on next year's team before the season's even over. I don't think there are any other sports that I like that.

I mean, I guess, you know, in professional sports, you do make trades that sometimes you're looking towards the future, but usually there's kind of a separation of church and state, you know, and they don't have that in college ball. Now. It seems like it would be easy to just shift everything back to kind of the way it was, like, why don't we have the portal open on you know, January tenth or whatever the day is after the championship game is over, and why don't we just go back

to the early February signing day? Like it seems like it would solve a lot of the problems, right Well, the issue with that is that most schools spring semester start in early January, and most players who are transferring and playing next year want to participate in spring practice. It has a huge advantage to be able to do that. So that is a deterrent that stands in the way of kind of of clearing up this traffic jan that is happening every

December. Now, you know, let me ask you this, because do you think all of that takes away from maybe some of the shine of some of these bowl games. Like, look, Arizona fan is excited to be in a bowl game. I don't know how excited Oklahoma fan is about going to the Alima Bowl. But they're probably not talking about the Alima Bowl. They're probably talking about the fact that their quarterback, who was probably gonna be

a heidsmotrophic candidate next year, is leaving the program. I mean, does it kind of wreck the whole thing for all of this, Yes, it totally does. I mean the bowl games just aren't what they used to be. And I think Jedfish said it well today. It like really depends on who who wants to win, you know, who wants to play hard, who cares about their bowl experience. I think Arizona having not been in a bowl in six years, like this is a big deal for this program and

these players. Oklahoma, for the most part. I mean, has achieved greater things than going to the Alimobile, and that is reflected in the fact that several of their players already entered the transfer portal. I think, you know, losing their offensive coordinator was the factor in that as well. You know, usually a lot of times when you see kids jumping in the portal, it is a cause and effect between a coach leaving and then that happening.

So, I mean, there's a lot more factors in it than just you know, the quote unquote disappointment of Oklahoma going to the Ali Mobile. But you know, he wouldn't be leaving if they were in the college football playoffs. And that's definitely one of the advantages of expanding the playoffs is that more teams will have something tangible and important to play for at the end of the season, and you'll see less of this movement, you know, right

after the regular seas than is over. Okay, I'm going to ask you, oh, just the job that Jet has done. You have to be very impressed. In fact, I think the the national scene has come on, you know, come on the scene and give him high praise, possibly Coach of the Year. Is that some somewhere along the line by people.

Well, I'm going to vote here pretty soon for you know, AP National Coach of the Year, and I think we get to put down three three names, and it's going to be really hard to figure out whether Jetfish should be number one on that list, because you know, I mean, look at the job Mike Norvell did at Florida State, right, going thirteen to zero and winning those last two games without his starting quarterback. And Jet did point out today that Arizona had a quarterback injury as well, but they were

in a good spot. You know, they had a really good replacement for Jade Delora and a guy in Noah for theater who's arguably upgraded the play at that position. You know, you'll have to factor in Kaylin de boor also going thirteen to zero, right, I don't know if anyone is kind of I wouldn't. I don't. I don't think staying done more with less is a fair way to describe the situation with Jetfish. It's more about how he's built up the program, right, But they have definitely exceeded expectations, and

I do not envy. Uh, you know, the coaches who had to make the call for PAC twelve Coach of the Year because it is really difficult to separate Jetfish and Kaylin de Boor and the jobs that they've done in the in the situations that they were in different situations and different sets of expectations. I'd probably give Jed a slight nod, but also have to give credit to any coach that can guide his team through a perfect season, because it is

really hard to do that and only a second year there it was. That's right, it was only his second year. No Jed. Jed pointed out today he did have the advantage of your familiarity with a quarterback that he was able to bring in from Indiana where the two had worked together before, so there wasn't that learning curve that you often will face when you know a quarterback

and the coach are coming together. That was advantageous, but still hard to argue with anything Klen the boys done, whether it's here or Fred Noo or in any of his previous stops. He's got an unbelievably good record as a head coach. I'm curious, I know yesterday they had the banquet, Uh, did they publish any kind of Players of the year. They have a words, right or do they they do? And I able to agree with you, guys, I haven't seen that, Okay, so I haven't seen

that yet. That's why I asked, So where would you go with it? Offensive player of the Year, Defensive player year and stuff like that. Yeah, we we are. Our Our Daily Star staff had a discussion about this a few days ago, and I think the consensus on offense was Teto McMillan uh Bas because of his consistency and production over the long haul of the

season. I could also make a case for Jordan Morgan, who was an elite pass blocking left tackle, one of the best in the country, and that offensive line wouldn't have been the same if if he if he weren't available, or if he was still injured like he was at the end of black

season. On defense, I don't think you can kick anyone other than Jacob Manu, who kind of emerged as like the player they could at least afford to lose over the course of the season, most leading tackler, the captain, splash quarterback of the defense, really good pass rusher, just one of those one of those guys who just has a knack for being around the ball.

And I don't know where that defense would be without Jacob Monum. It's it's funny because you go through all that and no mention of nor Flafida, who you can argue with the reason they're here. But I you know, team acculate as he said, you know, he was there the whole season, fantastic day one and which has just been unbelievable. It's probably going to get as much attention from a you know, preseason awards standpoint next year is

is anybody on the team? So you know, Okay, this is a really stupid question, but I'm gonna ask it anyways, and you don't have to answer it if you don't want to. How how much of this would have happened if say, Jadane DeLaura doesn't get hurt? Where are they? Do you think? Yeah, no, this question has come up. People have asked me this question, just been in passing or on Twitter or whatnot.

And I mean it's hard to say, Like maybe they would have won the USC game if they had Jaden Dolora in his playmaking ability, but maybe they would have lost the Stanford game, which they were losing at the time that he got injured. You know, I think it's I think it's hard to say. I will I'll say this though, I think that the way that Noah Fafita plays was a better fit for the state of the roster and

the state of the program. Like they didn't need anyone to put the team on their shoulders because of the way they had built up everything around the quarterback. Better playmakers, better offensive line, way, way way better defense. So you know, maybe Noah Fafida doesn't have the ceiling that Jaden DeLaura does in terms of I don't know, kind of making something out of nothing,

but he also is very steady and he doesn't turn the ball over. And when you do those things and you have a good team around you, that's a good formula for success. Yeah, yeah, no questions. This got to basketball real quick. Obviously you're kind of watching this for the with the fresh eyes. What do you see these guys? You've seen college basketball as you for a number of years. But what's not to like about this team?

Right? I would agree, great depth. I think that's the first thing that jump out to me. And that's the biggest difference between this year's team and last year's team. I mean, look, they ran out of they ran out of guys last year, right, I mean, they very simply ran out of healthy bodies. They didn't play enough. They weren't able to play enough players. That tell me what trusted over the course of the seams, and that had kind of a cumulative effect This year in the big

games, they have had an eight man rotation. It seems like they can go maybe as deep as eleven. I feel like Paulius Moroscus is one of those guys where if you're not familiar with Arizona and you see him come in the game and making plays and knocking down shots, You're just like, where did they get this guy from? You know, they have a handful of guys who are like that. Hopefully Henry Vassar will be able to come back

and be a contributor as well. But I like the balance that this team has, like regularly having a lot of guys in double figures, but no one's averaging more than thirteen points a game. If you look at their starting lineup, the range is from eleven points to thirteen point three. I love that balance. I love the depths, and I don't know, I think they're in a really good place right now. Long way to go you don't

know what injuries are going to happen. But I had heard before the season that they really like this team, and I haven't seen anything so far to indicate otherwise. It's funny to me because one of the things I've been thinking of is like Umar Balow, who was one of the most I don't know, he's kind of one of the high visibility guys. You know, guy coming back had had a really nice year last year out of expectations for him,

feel like he's under the radar. But then you look. You look at his stat line towards the end of the game, but he's got a double double again, and he's kind of still doing all those same things, but not it doesn't seem as visible or as I don't know, flashy's the right word, but he doesn't seem to be sticking out like he did with the big leap that he took last year. Do you do you feel the same way about that, because that's that's kind of what I see with him.

Yeah, he said after the game the other day. And I've heard some other guys say this to this, like I don't It's like I don't have to I don't have to be a star. I don't have to put up a twenty and ten for us to win. I think that's kind of the the approach that a lot of guys are taking, and that alleviates pressure, you know. I think that that stems a lot from the team oriented offensive system that Tommy Lloyd has implemented. And look, of course you want

to have star players. I mean, they would love to have someone like a Benedict Matheren on this team who you call like a go to scorer, but there's really something to be said for it could be anyone on any given night who leads the team in scoring or even rebounding. They have a lot

of different options that they can go to. I think, you know, there are times when I think Caleb Love is going to kind of step up into that role where they need someone to, Hey, we need someone to create a shot, you know, like the defense isn't giving us much. Our stuff isn't working, and so it's good to have someone like that aboard.

But they don't need to rely on it, you know, they don't need someone to bail them out at the end of the shot lock on a regular basis because they have a good system and they have a lot of good players who can put the ball in the basket. You have no question before you're saying Benedict Mathrin, Uh, Caleb Love I think was the most West, the biggest guy resembling him because he wants to be, There's no question he wants to be with his shot rate and all that stuff. But he's

not that guy, and he kind of blends in. I think eventually, eventually, this is my thought that this team will live or die with Caleb Love. You might be right, but I wrote about this a little bit after the game the other day, which impressed me about Caleb is more than just a shooter. Yeah, you know, he leads the team in a sense right now, which is a surprise. Tied. Yeah, he's tied for the team lead and field. He rebounded really well the other day,

Like he seems like he's really invested in praying defense. So I think if he does all of those things, you can live with him being around a forty percent shooter from the field. If that's all he was doing and he wasn't giving you good effort on defense, that's a different story. Yeah, totally agree, Totally agree. Okay, Michael, thank you very much for your time. That was a quick, quick moment. Yeah, they went fast. Okay, we'll see you soon, I guess Saturday at the basketball

game. Thanks guys, Okay, pleasure as always, Thank you, Michael lev Let's take a break because I do want to make a point of what he was just talking about there at the end. But we better take our break and come back. We'll take your calls five to two zero four and six seventy four forty. We'll talk football, we'll talk basketball. You know, if you heard our interview with Kay Kayt and Luke from cdo would love to hear your thoughts on two local teams. When he stayed football championships this

year, it was a call back every one, duree step take. If you're an Arizona men's basketball fan, you know it's been successful for nearly forty years. Now take a look back at the Ludolsen era. In my new book, Lessons from Loot, it was a labor of love through the eyes of twenty five former players, coaches and friends to give insight to the coach and the man who led them, competed against them, and inspired them.

Twenty five chapters for his twenty five years as Arizona's beloved coach. Lessons from Lout is an insight to how he built the program into a national powerhouse. Want one, Email me at Steve dot Rivera ninety five at gmail dot com.

Hey Walcat Nation, Jake Fisher here, I got to tell you about my winning team over at Arizona Health Insider, I was able to get a custom private health insurance plan with no deductibles, no co pays, nationwide coverage, and I get to pick my own doctor for less than two hundred dollars

a month. If you want to avoid getting gouged on the exchange and you want real health insurance, call Arizona Health Insiders five to two zero eight five zero six eight six y six five two zero eight five zero six eight sixty six Bare down. What's your goal? A new career or career advancement? How about transferring to a four year college. PEMA Community College can help you

make Someday today and reach your goals affordably on your schedule. With over one hundred programs to choose from in financial laid available, It's time to earn the degree or certificate you need to prepare for the career you want. PEMA offers free career exploration classes so you can choose the field that's right for you. Learn how at PEMA dot edu slash someday ran. The Christmas season is upon

us. In picture Rocks, Cooling, Heating and Plumbing is in the giving spirit now to the end of the year that the purchase and installation of a new air conditioning and heating system will give you a one thousand dollars piece of gift card to help with your holiday expensive all a Sadden Live to zero four four zero or zero six line for all the details. Live to zero four four zero for zero six nine. Make sure spating and plumbing. The holidays

are fast approaching. After a difficult year, We're sure everyone could use a little financial help. Pyramid Federal Credit Union is bringing back the Holiday Helper Loan, a low interest, short term loan that can help get you through the holidays. In support of our community, Pyramid is making a donation to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona from each a loan. For more information or apply online, visit Pyramid SEU dot com slash Holiday Helper. All those are

on approved credit. Other restrictions may apply. Pyramid Federal Credit Union insured NCUA. Fall season is upon us and fans are bearing down for our new and improved Arizona football team. I know Edmund Marcus is He's a huge Arizona football fan and of course a University of Arizona graduate. If you don't see him at the football game or you a sporting event, go see him at All State Insurance on Campbell and get a quote for your car and home insurance and

more. Visit Edmund Markets or State Agency at twenty seven nineteen North Campbell or give them a call at five to zero three two three nine three, three to three. You are in good hands with Edmund Marcus All State Agencies. Do you want to be part of a winning team? A Team Security is looking for friendly, outgoing event security guards and event staff to be a part of our team. We've been providing our outstanding services to some of Arizona's biggest

sporting events and concerts for over twenty years. We want you to join the action. A Team offers a fun and exciting opportunity to work in the sports and entertainment industry, with flexible schedules that are perfect for those looking for a part time job or a second income. Come be a part of a winning team. The A team apply online today at a team security dot Net. Steve Bravera and jaygn Salez they have their eye on the ball on Tucson Sports

Big Jet, Fox Sports fourteen fifty streaming live. I mean iHeartRadio. Hey, welcome back to Why I'm About here on Fox Sports fourteen fifty. I'm Stevie's Jake Sammy working the keyboard playing all kinds of music for us. All any any and all. Hey, anybody want to call in, please do talk about what we've already talked about. Basketball football. You're going to San Antonio. I know a few people that are. Yeah, I know where of my brothers is going. He made his reservation thing before the thing was

announced. It's going. I know a few people. Yeah, so a lot lots going on. It is a tough I mean, it is a tough time because it's Christmas, New Year's. You know, people get the week off or whatever they want around their families and stuff like that. But you know, I'm pretty sure that you know, if I didn't have this plan trip, but it would be thinking about going, I don't know for

sure that we would go. Well, the guys, the guy I'm not going, but to some of the guys on the media list are taking that drive fourteen hours too, so get down there. Well I did it with Peterson. I should go to Sacramento for thirteen I remember that. It was not fun. Yeah, well, I'm sure it wasn't that fun for him either. It wasn't even fun for me to hear about out And it was part of that was you were there for one day. One day. You

know that was terrible. Thanks Princeton. Terrible way to go, Mike. You know, Michael Leve was making an interesting point talking about Arizona and the balance, right, and and so I immediate called up the stats. All five starters are averaging double figure plus Moe Crevis is averaging nine point nine. They got six guys essentially averaging ten points a game. Yeah, that's a crazy thing. Yeah, and that that I remember ever seeing that in Arizona.

Even in the loot days. You know, they would have three or four maybe, but not five and close to six. Let's take this call. Hi are on the air and I on the ball. Hey, guys, how you doing. What's upward? Yeah? All basketball actually went to the game and it was great. Let me turn this song. Okay, Uh, they started so slow because I said something because I didn't even hear per everyone until almost right before the game, so you knew if we were going to blow him out, we'd be number one. Yes, what are

your impressions seeing him in person? Okay? They they started really slow and it was lethargic. Maybe they saw we're going to remember one. And I was complaining to the people around me that they played like, you know, not good, and it's like whatever I was saying to them, you knew Tommy lit them up at halftime because they came out ready to play defense,

and you know, they really took control of the game. I don't think that because we asked him moved out lighting them up, and I said, no, you know, you start zero zero right, it takes a while to pull away, And not that that's an excuse because it happens a lot. No. I agree. I heard everything he said. I heard the whole thing, but he because. But I don't buy that they had Thanksgiving because I just say the Thanksgiving uh meleaise And I totally think they did have

that. But I think what I think what you're seeing though, too, is that their depth is just too much to handle, you know, they hand Yeah, and they just grind you down. And not only yeah, the depths the experience too, because some of the people are you know, a little older. But we're going to be playing in a more experienced team with Wisconsin next week and I'm geek. I hope I can go to that

one too. Yeah. No, And and realize that there's other good teams to Houston's I think number one, number one in the overall rankings of Ken Palm and all that in the bigger things. So there's other GET teams that are pretty good. Yeah, the ranking doesn't mean anything because I just you know, it doesn't mean anything. It's fun though, okay, Yeah, gives us time to talk about ye okay, thank you. How all right, we'll see guys. Yeah, it's just a lot so like they're they're

deep at positions, they're big, small, can go small. That a cards all right. I want to play one more clip from the Jets press conference, and this is for the benefit of all the gamblers out there who are going to be betting on on the Bowl games, because he talked about, well, he talked about you know, who who wins Bowl games and

who doesn't right. It was where when you use the I think it was talking about the it's number six, uh Sam, Right, We're talking about, you know, getting ready for a bowl game and all that kind of stuff. But he just had an interesting thing that I've always believed when it comes to bowl games. The biggest thing with bowl prep is you could take it one of two ways. A team that wins the bowl game where the team that takes it more serious. You know, the teams that there's two

ways to prepare for a bull game. You know, you could choose it as a celebration of the season, or you could choose it as a championship game. You know, those are one of the those are the two options. And you know we're gonna choose it as a championship game. Now, if it's a celebration of the season, then it's easy to you know, slack off a little bit or not think that curfew matters or not, you know, or just enjoy the bowl experience. I think the goal is to

win. So that's the message that that I've given. We don't need the alumni to give that, but they certainly can too. So go ahead, I'm gonna ask you. I'm gonna ask you a scenario, but go ahead, what are your thoughts on that. I've always believed that so that there are teams that you know, USC is not happy to be playing in. Let me take you back thirty years and Miami comes to Phoenix, right, and Arizona plays up, and it means a lot. I mean, it

meant everything to Arizona and it meant nothing. And that's always been a little kind of on what the right word is, but just it. It took a little bit away from what Arizona did. But sure, but on the other hand, the way Arizona dominated them, if you believe it right, if you believe that right, the way Arizona dominated him, it was more

to it than the fact that Miami probably didn't want to be there. Arizona was really good, you know, at the end of that season, and so and they wanted it bad because they just missed going to the Rose Bowl by hair, and they said, well, then damn it, let's go win the festival. And I think the same thing happened with Arizona in ninety

eight. Right, Nebraska won the national championship the year before then, not suddenly they're in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona, What the hell you Arizona went out and beat them, and so yeah, I mean I think that those things. Let's flip it the other way, right, When Arizona went to the Festival in twenty fourteen, they were probably not happy that they lost the

Pactoff championship. Could have you know, it wouldn't have been in the Rose Bowl, but certainly because the Rose bubl was a playoff game, but certainly missed out on the And Boise State was happy as hell to be in the Festival again. The Oklahoma Boise State game where Boise State, you don't know, I was at that great game is one of the best games I've ever been on. Those two plays, right, who wanted to be there and

who didn't. So I've always believed that, and I actually, you know, when I'm going through and doing bowl games, and so again, I that's that's always in play for sure, as it should be. Irison. It was another time in eighty nine or ninety well last year covering when they went to Hawaii played Syracuse. They couldn't score pot it was the first time

in forever they didn't school and Syracuse beat the hell out of them. Yeah, yeah, you know how excited were they about, you know, going flying all the way to Hawaii. They wanted their season to be over pretty much, right, Yeah, And there are teams like that, you know. And you look, you look at the bull pairings this year. There's a lot of games like that. You know. How excited is Ohio State to be in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri? I think didn't kick their asses?

Probably, Well, look at all these guys. Effect guys are leaving, right, you know, guys are leaving. You know the Georgia Georgia Florida State game. Florida State is going to want to go out there and do everything they can to win that game, all right, And how excited is Georgia to not be in flour States getting fourteen and a half points? We got to call, so I I think all that comes into play. Let's take this call. H Are on the air and eye on the ball.

What's up? Hey, man, I'm pissed. What are you pissed about? Cardinals? Want hey? As a seminolesn What did you become a seminals all this time? Yeah? Yes, yes, So what did you what did you get yesterday? Where were you when you saw it or heard it. Well, I turned it out early, and I was like, what the hell am I waiting for? And then I sell it. I'm like, Nick Saban got his way, as he always does. Undefeated record means nothing, right apparently apparently, so ha man I got the taking string

quarterback back in time. And that's another thing, right, because they were they were assuming the third string quarterback is going to play and that they're not good enough. Don't gonna be started again on this. Nico I already ranted in the first thing, Well, it's everybody's saying that, you know, it's it's it's more of a beauty pageant than it is. It's political, obviously, all the things that you can hear they've said, so you know, and I don't know if there was a right answer. I don't even

know what the right answer would be. But that was not one of them. Now, it was hey, I'm happy, crazy and I got It's hard to say what's the right answer. And Florida stated getting screwed, Well, somebody was gonna get screwed. Yeah, but you know against that, you know some other games that against USC and Louisville and the holiday, Right, how excited are they about going to win that game. Yeah, yeah,

exactly exactly for those reasons, you know. And then and and like I said, I think I think Arizona, you know, against Oklahoma. You know, that's one of those games I'm trying to I'm trying to see some other ones. You know, Oregon organ Liberty. You know, Oregon State's quarterback is in the transfer portal too, So who knows what's gonna happen.

There was Notre Dame in the sun Bow, and you know, you know I I I feel like Notre Dame will go out and just play its ass off, you know, to win that game, because you know, because they're gonna play for the coach, and you know they seem to like the coaching to so it's you know that all I think it comes into play big time for me when I'm looking at the games a little white. Does it matter because I sucks up both seasons? You did? Was four on

this college game? Over four? What the hell? I mean? Good God, Ken, I cannot help you. What the hell I mean? My Michigan, my Michigan Iowa premise was correct. I thought all I has to do is score one touchdown and they will cover and then they didn't. Did you see a bar out there? There's a bar out It was like a golf bar. They were offering free beers until Iowa was scored a touchdown

to the whole game. They didn't score from beginning to end, from the beginning to the end, until until Iowa scored sorry it was any points, actually until they scored anythingthing they were offering free beer? Well, well didn't didn't we see a thing that The first half point spread was minded and a half a half and the second half points and a half and they didn't cover either one of those unbelievable. And there are ten and three. I can't

believe you took Iowa. That's unbelieved. Twenty two and a half points. It doesn't make man, I didn't think Michigan was gonna score enough points to cover the spread. Because say what you want about Iowa and their offense, their defense. How many weeks have you been following? I know, man, but like, how are we on Iowa? Jay? How are we on Iowa? All the other games? I can, I can sure Georgia whatever, but how how are you on Iowa? Man? That that is

just bad just comes to get him because Thursday Friday night. He's saying, Steve with Oregon, did he Yes, he's exit. It went to poop prom man. All right, man, my husband vote is in, so we'll see that on Saturday. How that comes out? All right? Thanks everybody for being here, well, thank you, Kayton Luke, good luck going forward, and thanks a lot Michael lev Is always for being with us.

So we'll be back tomorrow. More Christmas music, Faerise, move that fatlease, move that fanlease, move cross verroh Joey