π GOOD MORNING
Happy Friday! We’ll get to the Diamondbacks’ Spring Training below, but first, as promised, I wanted to share a few of my favorite suggestions for the temporarily-named PHX Arena (formerly Footprint Center).
And now, with no context whatsoever, enjoy a few of my favorites!
Steve Greenfield: No more casinos, small airlines or never heard of businesses … I’ve heard a rumor of the name being Western Alliance, Robert Sarver’s bank. I sure hope the NBA does not allow any connection to Sarver, or Alex Meruelo (editor’s note, SAME) … I’d love it to be a non-corporate name. Al McCoy Arena would be the best name. Jerry Colangelo Coliseum sounds good, too.
Kyle McDonald: Because of their past history there, I propose it gets called Coyotes Memorial Arena. I’ll settle for a different name once the team comes back!
Good stuff, and thanks to everyone who reached out. Let’s run it back next week. On to the show!
Baseball is Back! What to Watch For as D-Backs Kick off Spring Training
Welcome back, baseball.
The D-Backs kick off their Spring Training slate today against the Rockies (1:10 pm, MLB Audio), reigniting optimism after an offseason that included big-name additions such as Josh Naylor and Corbin Burnes. One other thing to note: Arizona has six Spring Training games that will stream for free on dbacks.tv, beginning with Saturday’s matchup against Colorado.
Opportunities Abound for New and Old D-Backs
There are plenty of early-season storylines to keep track of, especially when you look at how much the pitching needs to improve. Last year’s rotation fell far below expectations, and to be blunt, was a big part of why the D-Backs did not make a second consecutive playoff appearance despite posting the league’s top offense. I caught up with PHNX Diamondbacks host (and all-around great guy) Derek Montilla, and here are some of the most interesting things to keep an eye on as Spring Training kicks off.
- Starting rotation competition: Arizona has essentially seven rostered starting pitchers competing for just five spots (Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelley, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, Ryne Nelson, Jordan Montgomery and Corbin Burnes).
- The closer role: The D-Backs did not go out and actively pursue a closer, so which currently rostered pitcher will earn the spot?
My Take: I have one more item to add, something I’m really excited to see: Jordan Lawlar’s development. The young shortstop battled more than his fair share of injuries last season, but given Arizona’s recent re-signing of Geraldo Perdomo, it will be interesting to see if Lawlar can carve out his niche, and where that would be. Baseball America has ranked him as the D-Backs’ top prospect, and the 13th overall in all of the MLB, but now it’s up to him to see if he can produce enough in Spring Training to force the team to keep him around, as well.
Take a Deeper Dive: Hear more from Montilla on βwhat we have already learnedβ about the team since workouts started last week.
Wildcats Face Huge Test Against Cougars on Saturday
Though the ASU men’s basketball team has seen its NCAA Tournament at-large hopes evaporate, the Wildcats are not only very much in the mix, they trail No. 5 Houston by two games for the top spot in the Big 12. Arizona has another huge test at McKale Center on Saturday, hosting red-hot BYU (8 pm, ESPN), who just destroyed Kansas 91-57.
- The Cougars have won three straight, seven of nine, and are fifth in the conference at 18-8 overall and 9-6 in the Big 12.
- Arizona won the first meeting between the two, 85-74, on Feb. 4 in Provo.
- BYU stays in Arizona to face the Sun Devils in Tempe on Wednesday (7:30 pm)
Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley
More of the Same: The Suns fell 120-109 to the Spurs in Austin last night, marking their fourth consecutive loss. Phoenix has fallen to 26-29 overall, and the playoffs continue slip away.
Seniority Rules: The ASU men’s hockey team is approaching arguably its biggest weekend of the season, hosting first-place and No. 3 Western Michigan on Friday (7 pm) and Saturday (5 pm). Saturday’s game takes on even more significance, as it’s senior night, and a win over the NCHC leaders would go a long way for a group that has been pivotal to ushering in this new era of desert hockey.
Not Those Wildcats: The ASU men’s basketball team hopes to snap a six-game losing streak in Manhattan, Kans. on Sunday (2 pm, ESPN+) against Kansas State. The 13-13 Wildcats topped the Sun Devils 71-70 in Tempe on Feb. 4, so a little revenge would go a long way before games against BYU, Utah, No. 19 Arizona and No. 9 Texas Tech.
π§’ Tip of the Hat
Let the debate begin!
