Kentucky fans

[JSiler27]

Was curious what your take on these articles from today is.

Billy G. article (http://collegehoopsnet.com/ugroup/gillispie-embarrassing-uk-165933)

Or this one.

Fox Sports (http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/9296102/Gillispie-just-not-cutting-it-at-Kentucky)

[wells21]

I'm at a loss.......I think there is SOMETHING goin on in Lexington. These players are certainly NOT producing for him. I am in NOWAY wanting a coaching change. One, I still feel he can turn things around (maybe i'm just stupid) but more importantly with our National perception right now, if they ax CBC I feel we may lose a VERY promising recruiting class (Orton, Hood, GJ) and it could potentially be an atomic bomb for our program. NO RESPECTABLE coach is willing to take over our program with our EXPECTATIONS knowing that they will get a matter of 25 months or so to produce. Bottom line is if he gets to 20 wins it will be VERY hard not to include a 20+ win UK team in the NCAA. I don't agree with this, but like it or not it's prolly the truth. So hopefully we get a 20+ win team into the NCAA in ONLY his 2nd season with another coachs players (85%). Not really too shabby for a "Down" year. Albeit a VERY disappointing one for fans.

[chillywilly777]

I'm not seeing 20 wins getting them in this year. In past years they always had 2 or 3 really good wins to balance the 10 losses plus the SEC wasn't as week as it is now. They need to beat Florida and make it to the SEC Tournament title game to make it in this year. I'm worried. No doubt UK fans are crazy but some of the losses this year and the way they went about losing those games really makes you scratch your head.

[wells21]

Off the subject a little. Has anyone seen the new Vitamin Water commercial with Pitino and Leatner (sp). I heard about it on a UK message board and they were all up in arms about Pitino disrespecting UK or some BS. At first I thought I would hate the idea (I cringe at the mention of THE SHOT) but I reserved my opinion till I saw it. Well, it's PRETTY DAMN FUNNY! In no way does this disrespect anyone. Pitino actually calls Leatner an A-hole. And I can see Leatner reliving this in real life daily, too.

[Chubbz#27]

Wells, FOCUS !!!!! Our team is on the verge of MISSING the TOURNAMENT. LoL. The commercial is Pretty Good. Billy Clyde is a BUM !!!!! Period. If he didn't have Acie Law VI, he would have Never gotten the Kentucky Job???

[JSiler27]

Here you go Wellsy

Vitamin Water commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFNSl4IFRfg)

[SW52]

Found this article..made alot of sense.



Kentucky Basketball: There are none so deaf as those who will not hear
by Truzenzuzex on Mar 10, 2009 10:22 AM EDT in Commentary 131 comments

Epiphanies strike when you least expect, which is perhaps why their are called, "epiphanies," and not, "comprehension." Either way, I had an epiphany today, one that we all should have recognized a long time ago. But it's really hard to blame fans for a failure to see the truth, even when it is laid out right in front of them. Almost all fans run around with a bunch of built-in preconceptions that cloud their judgment -- things like tradition, expectations, and conclusions built on the sandy foundation of hope.

It's funny how years of fandom can cloud one's judgment. We think we know so much, because we have all seen so much over the years. The evidence of our eyes, the emotions of past glory, failure and perception of failure all conspire to rob us of a gimlet-eyed view of the object of our adulation and affection. When that object comes on hard times, blame must be assessed for the sake of "tradition" and "the program." The scare-quotes there aren't meant as a backhanded pejorative, but rather just to illustrate the ephemeral nature of the concepts.

So what was this epiphany I had? In a nutshell, it is this: We have been asking questions of the darkness all year -- "Why are we not doing X?" "Why isn't this team better?" "We have more than enough talent, how can we be losing so many games?" The answer is simple -- this team is refusing to carry out the instructions of the coaching staff, and has been all year long.

That answer is very cryptic in its simplicity, and need a lot of exposition. Even though it makes sense in its most simplistic form, it's much more complex and nuanced than the simple sentence above can justify. That will be the objective of these next few paragraphs.

Billy Gillispie has been very direct and very explicit about what is wrong with this team. The problem is, Kentucky fans have been too deaf to hear what he is telling us. Sherman, set the Wayback Machine for November 14th, 2008. Gillispie said after that game:

They [VMI] played really hard and really well. I thought we would have played better and executed plays better than we did tonight. We knew those kind of things would be important in the game and we just didn't do them."

Now, what does that mean? It means exactly what it says -- the Wildcats did not execute the game plan. Why? Did they not know the plan? Did they not study film? What happened there? This was a warning for the future that nobody picked up on.

Gillispie has consistently complained about execution, but one of the best examples we have seen all year was the game Saturday at Florida. Florida zoned us for most of the game, and every UK fan knows the way you attack a zone defense -- you get the ball in the middle of the zone, forcing either outside players to collapse or inside players to help -- pick your poison. Most teams bring their outside players in. When that happens, your shooters go to the zone that the help defender just vacated for the open shot. If rotation comes, you drive the ball inside, forcing the zone to collapse and kick it out for a wide-open jumpshot. If help comes from inside, you dump it down for a post-up. Most teams chose option 1, and force you to make lower percentage shots. The zone is a percentage defense -- it wants for force you to take shots that you are more likely to miss.

Kentucky hardly ever got the ball into position to properly attack the zone. It is utterly inconceivable that any college coach did not explain in detail to his charges what to do when facing the zone, so we know that Gillispie had to tell them what to do. We have seen UK attack a zone successfully this way several times this season. And yet, for some reason, the 'Cats simply passed the ball around the perimeter. That is a failure to execute one of the simplest offenses in college basketball.

Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to the Las Vegas Invitational, December 1, 2008, the day after the tournament.

On if it was a hard decision to allow Liggins to play in the game against West Virginia…

"His teammates said they wanted him to play in the regular rotation to give us the best chance to win, so that's what we did. I think it shows a great deal of courage by him and about our team, and how much they care about each individual.”
This was a critical mistake by Gillispie, and I am confident that he knows it. Gillispie was put in a tough spot by Liggins here. Had he suspended or benched Liggins in front of his friends, family and former schoolmates in Las Vegas, he faced the possibility of another Alex Legion mid-season departure. The fans and the UK media would have gone nuts over that, and cast a pall over the whole season. So Gillispie made an executive decision -- treat Liggins like the Prodigal Son. That decision would come back to haunt him.

The Liggins decision was the beginning of the end of this team as far as being competitive was concerned. We couldn't see it then, and even months removed from the event. But like a slow growing tumor that gradually crowds out organs and makes them incapable of functioning, the decision not to punish DeAndre Liggins set the stage for what would ultimately become, for lack of a better word, a mutiny. Basketball teams must be run like a benevolent dictatorship, and insubordination must be dealt with firmly. Gillispie knows this, but he had competing interests here -- a cloud of negativism with a Liggins defection or the hope he could recover from what he had to know was a mistake later.

Turning now to the Louisville game, quoting Rick Pitino:

On starting Edgar Sosa ...
"We had a long talk. I said `Edgar, if I were you I would transfer now. I wouldn't wait because you need a year under another coach to learn his system. I really think you should. The fans aren't too happy with you. More importantly if you are not happy with yourself, you're not having fun.

I want you to compare this with Gillispie's comments allegedly "throwing his players under the bus." Pitino, remarkably, came out and savaged a player in front of the media, informing the press that he tried to get Sosa to transfer, but delivered it with such glib style that nobody noticed. Can you imagine what would happen if Gillispie said that about Liggins or Stewart right now? Can you say, "Double standard," boys and girls? When you are winning, nobody notices. When you are losing, even the most ordinary utterances become fodder for criticism.

Finally, the harbinger of the collapse that nobody seemed to notice:

On Devan Downey and trying to defend him …
“We had no answer and had nobody who wanted any part of him. He is a really good player and played great today. Their guys followed instructions the way they were suppose to and that is why they played tougher and smarter than us and that is why they won. [sic]

At this point, some of the players have stopped taking direction from Coach Gillispie. What Gillispie said was that the Gamecocks did what they were told to do, and UK didn't. That was clearly so then, and it's clearly so now. Many angry fans will tell you over and over again that Gillispie is a bad coach these days, but it's really simple to see that even the most clueless coach knows when his team is following instructions and when it is not.

Finally, we come to the Georgia game at Rupp Arena:

On Kentucky's mass substitutions…
“We weren't getting much production. It's entirely my fault. I'm having a hard time finding five guys that play hard, smart and together the whole time. We are trying a lot of different things but none of them seem to be working right now. Georgia played great. They made a lot of shots. We didn't do that. I guess we aren't mature enough to understand what we need to do.

In retrospect, this is a very telling quote. The team is not doing what they are instructed to do. Gillispie is giving them a lot of credit by speculating that it is a maturity problem, and that is most certainly part of it. But the "crux of the biscuit," as Frank Zappa would tell you, is that this team has ears, but does not hear. They simply will not do what they are asked, and at this point in the season, it's as much becaue of a fear of failure as it is willful disobedience.

Last night, Gillispie said he started the guys he did because he trusts them. He has said that before, but my mind never really grasped what that meant. He trusts them to do what he tells them, and he does not trust the other guys. What that means is that he is starting not the most talented team, but the only team that will obey his instructions. Our losses are coming from a combination of a lack of quality play from the bench (due to a failure to implement the coaching staff's game plan), and the necessity of starting guys who are talent-challenged or athletically inferior, because they will carry out his instructions. The reason the starters look so bad is the latter, not the former. When the bench players come in, the situation is reversed.

The A.J. Stewart debacle, which Gillispie decided to handle just like Liggins (another misjudgment, in my opinion), has now removed this team from reality. Wholesale changes will have to be made, and the unfortunate fact is that will once again place us behind the recruiting 8-ball. We may get lucky (Gillispie is certainly due for a little good luck) but the odds are against us.

It is also instructive to note that nobody has noticed the apparent mutiny going on down in Gainesville. Billy Donovan's team is clearly in a similar situation, although Donovan has handled it much better, partially enabled by the lower profile of Florida basketball (amazing to say about a team who won the national championship very recently in back-to-back years, and with less talent than he currently has on his team). But before you feel sorry for Gillsipe, remember that he made his bed on this one with his mishandling of media interviews combined with the somewhat unfair controversies he generated over the off-season last year. All that combined has made him much easier to dislike and paint as an ogre, which Kentucky fans are now in the business of enabling, it seems.

But even with all that said, Gillispie has accepted the blame 100% of the time, as he should. And before you get the impression that I am blaming the team and not him, I must tell you that Gillsipie created this problem back in December, and I have been very explicit about that. He is getting exactly the blame he deserves, but very often for the wrong reasons. His coaching hasn't failed this team, but his management of the personnel off the court clearly has. That has all led to a crisis of confidence, and even if this team suddenly decides to listen and do what the staff says, their confidence in themselves and each other may be too low for them to be successful this year.

In summary, the problems with this team have been right there in front of us for the entire season, and Gillispie has been telling us nothing but the truth. He cannot be explicit for any number of good reasons, not the least of which it would have sped up the ultimate failure of the team, and made him look even worse. Instead, he has cut his losses and decided to fight this battle in the interregnum between this year and next. Given the current state of affairs, that is probably wise.

[JLC40]

I pulled this out of Steve's post...

But before you feel sorry for Gillsipe, remember that he made his bed on this one with his mishandling of media interviews combined with the somewhat unfair controversies he generated over the off-season last year. All that combined has made him much easier to dislike and paint as an ogre, which Kentucky fans are now in the business of enabling, it seems.

TIME TO CHANGE THE BED!!!!!!!!!

He clearly has little or no respect from the majority of these guys and it doesnt look like its going to change anytime soon. The players he trusts have no talent and the talented players are going to leave. COACH THEM UP!!! Isnt a part of coaching not only showing your players the road to success but every single way how to travel down that road. You cant just fold up your arms and sit there on the sideline and pout..."These guys wont listen to me" or "They wont execute the gameplan". Be a better coach and take every step neccessary to make sure that your gameplan is followed not just by a few but by all.

I will give Billy G the benefit of the doubt because some of these players are "Tubby" players. But dont forget his 2 most talented players were recruited by Tubby and the 2 players he trusted the most (Porter, Harris) were also brought in by Tubby. When your guys get there are you going to be able to trust them?

[wells21]

[QUOTE=JLC40;83321]I pulled this out of Steve's post...

But before you feel sorry for Gillsipe, remember that he made his bed on this one with his mishandling of media interviews combined with the somewhat unfair controversies he generated over the off-season last year. All that combined has made him much easier to dislike and paint as an ogre, which Kentucky fans are now in the business of enabling, it seems.

TIME TO CHANGE THE BED!!!!!!!!!

He clearly has little or no respect from the majority of these guys and it doesnt look like its going to change anytime soon. The players he trusts have no talent and the talented players are going to leave. COACH THEM UP!!! Isnt a part of coaching not only showing your players the road to success but every single way how to travel down that road. You cant just fold up your arms and sit there on the sideline and pout..."These guys wont listen to me" or "They wont execute the gameplan". Be a better coach and take every step neccessary to make sure that your gameplan is followed not just by a few but by all.

I will give Billy G the benefit of the doubt because some of these players are "Tubby" players. But dont forget his 2 most talented players were recruited by Tubby and the 2 players he trusted the most (Porter, Harris) were also brought in by Tubby. When your guys get there are you going to be able to trust them?[/QUO

Chris, I agree with you to an extent. But 2Pat was recruited by OTS but he was NOT coming here till BCG was hired. He IS a Billy guy. As far as trusting Tubbys guys Porter and Harris. They are the ONLY thing he has that resembles an upperclassmen. Tubby SEVERLY crippled our program with two or three HORRIBLE classes. Only bringing in Carter and Rekalin Sims is NOT going to cut it at ANY major program let alone UK. The class of Allene, Perry, Sherray Thomas, and Whoo? GET REAL. As for coaching em up. It's a matter of opinion. If I stand out in the OF all day throwing to the wrong base and missing cut off after cut off, at what point do you look in the mirror and say "man, I should have coached up Wells better"? I believe he Coaches his AZZ off, but for some reason his words are falling on def ears. That is where I lay blame on him, for losing this teams interest and respect.

[JLC40]

But 2Pat was recruited by OTS but he was NOT coming here till BCG was hired. He IS a Billy guy.

Ok they can share the recruitment of PP



As far as trusting Tubbys guys Porter and Harris. They are the ONLY thing he has that resembles an upperclassmen. Tubby SEVERLY crippled our program with two or three HORRIBLE classes. Only bringing in Carter and Rekalin Sims is NOT going to cut it at ANY major program let alone UK. The class of Allene, Perry, Sherray Thomas, and Whoo? GET REAL.

Porter, Harris, Stewart and Carter are left out of all that. Carter is unplayable probably at any level. The other 3 are serviceable if used properly. Where are his boys Galloway, Harrleson, Miller and Liggins? Why cant he trust them? Shouldnt he have recruited guys that would both fit his style of play and that would be trusted in carrying out his game plan?



I believe he Coaches his AZZ off, but for some reason his words are falling on def ears. That is where I lay blame on him, for losing this teams interest and respect.

I dont believe he coaches his ANYTHING off...ok maybe he coaches his hangovers off but thats about it.



As for coaching em up. It's a matter of opinion. If I stand out in the OF all day throwing to the wrong base and missing cut off after cut off, at what point do you look in the mirror and say "man, I should have coached up Wells better"?

See here is where you get the whole coaching thing wrong....A good coach shouldnt have to say "man I should have coached so and so better" The reason why is because whilest recruiting, a good coach/recruiter would have noticed that this kid isnt either going to fit my system, cant carry out my game plan or just plain isnt very good.

Hence the reason you have never or will never play for me.....JK :)

Bottom line is Billy G is letting the players dictated the discipline in the locker room and he has players that arent talented enough or wont listen to his coaching to carry out the game plan. He has lost respect in the locker room and with the only talent he has possibly leaving for the next level can we really trust this guy to turn things around?

[SW52]

Bottom line is Billy G is letting the players dictated the discipline in the locker room and he has players that arent talented enough or wont listen to his coaching to carry out the game plan. He has lost respect in the locker room and with the only talent he has possibly leaving for the next level can we really trust this guy to turn things around?


I do agree with this statement....As the article stated, he made the wrong choice with Liggins, but I think despite his successful track record, he's learning on the job here a bit. I think coaching at Kentucky is a far different situation that anywhere else, and certainly anywhere he's already been. He's walking a fine line between satisfying himself and satisfying the fans.

I still say give him two more seasons (more if 2Pat and Meeks leave) and see what he does with his kids.

[JLC40]

It is all Eddie Suttons fault anyway. If he would have just had Dwayne Casey just use UPS or Fed Ex for his "shipment" to Chris Mills everything would have been different....

[wells21]

I think his ego got in the way while recruiting Liggens. He HAD to see these deficiances and lack of disipline, but prolly thought " I can change him, or make it work" I agree with Harrellson and Galloway. But I strongly feel that these two JUCO players are a result in him getting here, seeing what he had to work with and saying HOLLY CHIT! I need SOMeTHING. Mark my words, the guy has proven that his system works....IF 2Pat and Meeks return, add Orton, Hood GJ and some seasoning to Miller the CATS ARE FINAL FOUR BOUND! Unfortunantly it will be the dreaded "wait till next year" And THAT doesn't fly in Lexington! Oh.....and lucky for me there are OTHER recruiters out there on the local softball scene. Even Pitino misses out on an unrated STAR baby! lol

[JLC40]

Yea just your luck you landed in TWO-N-OUTville....

[RENEGADES#6]

Mark my words, the guy has proven that his system works
what did he have one sweet 16

[wells21]

what did he have one sweet 16

He has won coach of the year EVERY year he's been a head coach. I may be wrong, but that's 5 straight years and 3 different conferences. People in KY say assinine things like he can't teach potential All-American candidates how to break a zone defense, and boxout. Gimme a break, the guy KNOWS basketball.

[JLC40]

He has won coach of the year EVERY year he's been a head coach. I may be wrong, but that's 5 straight years and 3 different conferences. People in KY say assinine things like he can't teach potential All-American candidates how to break a zone defense, and boxout. Gimme a break, the guy KNOWS basketball.

ALOT of people KNOW basketball....does that qualify them for teaching/coaching at The greatest college basketball program on the planet! :)

[SW52]

what did he have one sweet 16

His turnarounds at UTEP and A&M were pretty impressive. This is just his 6th season as a head coach, so you can't really judge him yet based on the tournament...imo.

[wells21]

His turnarounds at UTEP and A&M were pretty impressive. This is just his 6th season as a head coach, so you can't really judge him yet based on the tournament...imo.

But how bout judging him on Coach of the year every year he has been a head coach, and in three different conferences? Seems to me A LOT of coaches (who collectively know more about basketball than EVERYONE not getting paid to coach it) hold him and his results in high regaurd. But, leave it up to my fellow felines in Ky to discredit 5 GREAT years of being a head coach. Oh and the haters like Mitchell..........lol

[JLC40]

Wells my boy it is amazing that you are defending this guy.

No matter how bad it was with Tubby (not my opinion) Tubby never failed to even make it to the Big Dance......NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!

Billy G-The G stands for GONE

[JSiler27]

But how bout judging him on Coach of the year every year he has been a head coach, and in three different conferences?

Maybe its my Simon Kenton math but I don't have him winning Coach of the Year in his conference EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

UTEP - 2 years - 0 conference coach of the year awards - TABC and newspapers don't count Wellsy LOL

Texas A&M - 3 years - 2 conference coach of the year awards

Kentucky - 2 years - 1 conference "co-coach" of the year award

Not too bad. But that's 3 out of 7 by my count.

[JSiler27]

Let's be honest here. Gillispie has never coached at a big time level. Both UTEP or Texas A&M are mid-level schools in basketball at best. Did he do a good job at those places. Yes, no doubt. But Kentucky and a handful of other schools around the country are pressure cooker schools who demand success immediately and are no doubt a whole different animal. There are no sub-standard exceptions.

This is a completely different time and era in sports. All the tradition in the world don't change the fact that they have 2 National Championships in YOUR entire lifetime (3 in mine but thats because I am old). This isn't the era of sports that your parents and grandparents grew accustomed to.

[JSiler27]

I have only seen 1 Michigan National Championship and that was 1997. You won't see me running around bragging about the one before that in 1948 or any of the other 10. LOL. Just face it and admit it Wellsy. You can't see things objectively because those Big Blue goggles just make things look too biased. LMAO.

[JSiler27]

But I will take the UNDER that Michigan's 11 National Championship's is still less than the total number of throwing errors that you will have in your first 2 tournaments of softball this year. LMFAO.

Kick him while he is down, kick him while he is down. LOL.

[SW52]

Patterson coming back for Junior Season.....

http://www.kentuckysportsnetwork.com/

[JLC40]

I heard that on the way in to work this morning. Great news! Now if he can persuade Meeks to stay and Porter and Harris to leave. Then he might have something.

If they lose today and lose the first round of the NIT....then what say you of Billy G's future in Lexington?

[SW52]

I heard that on the way in to work this morning. Great news! Now if he can persuade Meeks to stay and Porter and Harris to leave. Then he might have something.

If they lose today and lose the first round of the NIT....then what say you of Billy G's future in Lexington?

I don't see why Meeks would leave....all the projections have him as a mid/late 2nd rounder....no guaranteed money there.

As for this season....I no longer care what happens....I'm already moving on to next season given the Patterson news. Next seasons incoming class will really be Billy's first one that he had real time to recruit. Given the amount of talent coming in, and 2Pat (and most likely Meeks) returning.....if they win fewer than 25 games going into the SEC tournament, then the problem will indeed be the coaching.

For now, I think he's plenty safe...too many positives heading into next season....but next season may very well be "do or die".

[chillywilly777]

I don't see why Meeks would leave....all the projections have him as a mid/late 2nd rounder....no guaranteed money there.

As for this season....I no longer care what happens....I'm already moving on to next season given the Patterson news. Next seasons incoming class will really be Billy's first one that he had real time to recruit. Given the amount of talent coming in, and 2Pat (and most likely Meeks) returning.....if they win fewer than 25 games going into the SEC tournament, then the problem will indeed be the coaching.

For now, I think he's plenty safe...too many positives heading into next season....but next season may very well be "do or die".

I agree with this. I just don't see him getting canned at the end of this year. One because of the reasons above, and 2 because how are they going to get anybody to coach at UK even with the money if that person knows going in that unless they get immediate results they will be fired in 2 years or less. Good luck landing a top tier coach who is likely already at an established program with those facts.

[JLC40]

Ok 1 down only 3 more to go then UK is in the Big Dance.

Dont stop Believin....in the Cats!!! (not Billy G)

[JSiler27]

Wellsy I truly love giving you a hard time. LOL.

[wells21]

LOl Siler, I JUST now got my internet up and running. Not that I don't trust your research, but I will do some more homework on BCG's resume........ And Fogty, I ONLY stick up for Billy cuz he IS our coach. My point is THIS team IS STUPID! Case in point.. with 40 (lol but that REALLY was the time) seconds left in the half today, Coach calls a TO. We inbound Porter takes 3 dripples and lets loose a 22 ft shot??????? Swear to God, THIS HAPPENED. Now, tell me do you think that BCG gathered his team together and THAT is what he came up with? NO WAY... Bottom line is some of these guys are doing their own thing. THAT is were coach went wrong. He has lost THIS team. The fought hard for him today thou so, maybe they see the light. We will see.....

[JLC40]

And Fogty, I ONLY stick up for Billy cuz he IS our coach. My point is THIS team IS STUPID! Case in point.. with 40 (lol but that REALLY was the time) seconds left in the half today, Coach calls a TO. We inbound Porter takes 3 dripples and lets loose a 22 ft shot??????? Swear to God, THIS HAPPENED. Now, tell me do you think that BCG gathered his team together and THAT is what he came up with? NO WAY... Bottom line is some of these guys are doing their own thing. THAT is were coach went wrong. He has lost THIS team. The fought hard for him today thou so, maybe they see the light. We will see.....


This is a line from the article Steve posted.

"Gillispie said he started the guys he did because he trusts them. He has said that before, but my mind never really grasped what that meant. He trusts them to do what he tells them, and he does not trust the other guys. What that means is that he is starting not the most talented team, but the only team that will obey his instructions."

SO YES I DO THINK THAT BILLY G DREW UP THAT PLAY!!!

Why do I believe it? Well who has he started almost every game this year and has been put in a very pivotal position on this team.......MICHAEL PORTER!!! Why...because Billy G trusts him in obeying his instructions. He does not trust the other guys.

And they didnt play hard for him yesterday.

They played hard for themselves. Its called personal pride. Regardless of how bad he has screwed up their season they are going to try to salvage it.

[wells21]

He doesn't have ANY other option at lead guard. He could turn to his talented experienced senior guards to help carry the load ie. Bradley and Crawford, but oh wait........Tubby recruited Rekalin Sims and Jared Carter. I'll continue to give him the BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT until the roster is void of Tubby's MISTAKES. On a side note, I think we may have got a look at the future. When the game was on the line I saw A LOT of D. Miller handling the ball, and it woked out well. Oh and NO coach in their right mind draws a play up for Porter with 2Pat and Meeks on the floor. C-mon Chris, you may dis-like him AND his coaching but give him some credit. Porter F'd up there.

[JLC40]

No credit will be given to this guy until he earns it.

And by the way...just to remind you, Tubby(and his MISTAKES) never missed an NCAA tournament and YOUR boy is on the verge of doing so. Dont blame Billy G's coaching ineptitude on Orlando Smith.

[wells21]

No credit will be given to this guy until he earns it.

And by the way...just to remind you, Tubby(and his MISTAKES) never missed an NCAA tournament and YOUR boy is on the verge of doing so. Dont blame Billy G's coaching ineptitude on Orlando Smith.

LOL Maybe cuz he saw the writing on the wall. Perfect time to JUMP ship for Minnesotta? Pure coincidence......

[SW52]

LOL Maybe cuz he saw the writing on the wall. Perfect time to JUMP ship for Minnesotta? Pure coincidence......

I have to agree.....Tubby threw in the towel his last two years at Kentucky...had he stuck around, they'd be in the same spot, if not worse as Patterson may very well have gone to Florida.

[wells21]

OMG! Could you imagine the games he'd of had vs UK.......I love this kids heart and desire. Now if he would just grab someone (Liggens) up by the jersey and chew that azz.

[JSiler27]

OMG! chew that azz.

Why is this always on your mind?

[chillywilly777]

NIT......NIT...... NIT......NIT

[RB25]

He doesn't have ANY other option at lead guard. He could turn to his talented experienced senior guards to help carry the load ie. Bradley and Crawford, but oh wait........Tubby recruited Rekalin Sims and Jared Carter. I'll continue to give him the BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT until the roster is void of Tubby's MISTAKES. On a side note, I think we may have got a look at the future. When the game was on the line I saw A LOT of D. Miller handling the ball, and it woked out well. Oh and NO coach in their right mind draws a play up for Porter with 2Pat and Meeks on the floor. C-mon Chris, you may dis-like him AND his coaching but give him some credit. Porter F'd up there.

So it took him 30 games to figure out Darius should run the point. He gets no credit, Id take Tubby in a minute over this guy. All I hear about is wait for BCGs guys, well ones at Illinios(Legion) and one will probably end up there(Liggins). Hopefully Webers got a spot for BCG and his mistakes on the staff at Illinois.

[SW52]

So it took him 30 games to figure out Darius should run the point. He gets no credit, Id take Tubby in a minute over this guy. All I hear about is wait for BCGs guys, well ones at Illinios(Legion) and one will probably end up there(Liggins). Hopefully Webers got a spot for BCG and his mistakes on the staff at Illinois.

From what I'm hearing, there's about a 70/30 chance of him being back next season and then it will be do or die. Not because of wins/losses, but his attitude and lack of respect for the Kentucky tradition.

I'll admit, I was sold on him from day one, but the more I hear and read, the more I think I was taken in by a snake oil salesman.

Fogt....you may come out of this debate smelling like a rose...which is no easy feat for you, lol.

[wells21]

I got this off of BIGBLUERULES.COM. If you are a UK fan TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT!

Rebuid- 1. to repair, esp. to dismantle and reassemble with new parts: to rebuild an old car.
2. to replace, restrengthen, or reinforce: to rebuild an army.
3. to revise, reshape, or reorganize: to rebuild a shattered career

Now think about that definition for a minute---I'll wait. Do you see a word(s) in a particular that jumps off the screen at ya???

I do.... two of em
DISMANTLE
REASSEMBLE

The above is exactly what is going on with our Cats.
Long, Laborious, Painful process that many of us agreed was long overdue. We called for it from the highest rafter at RUPP to the check out line at Walmart. We called for it to anyCat that would listen!
We weren't wrong---- NO.
But we are:
Impatient- 1. not patient; not accepting delay, opposition, pain, etc., with calm or patience.
2. indicating lack of patience: an impatient answer.
3. restless in desire or expectation; eagerly desirous

For many of us this isn't just a game! It's part of lives, our PRIDE, our family and our friends. This is who we are and we have found a common bond that unites us allowing us to set aside our pettiness and faults. It is our Big Blue Nation.

WE ARE GUILTY.
Not only are we guilty we are UNREALISTIC. <--- this includes yours truly. And we have allowed our unrealistic demands to come in and destroy the very thing we love by exemplifying impatience through hostility both verbal and sometimes physical.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Stop & think about it for a minute. Is Gillispie really all that bad of a coach? Is he stupid? <----- apparently so if you read the internet. Does he have bad attitude? Does he play well with others? ie the media...
Now.....Throw those questions back at yourself of appyling them to your environment. Because you know what I see???WE THE GUILTY:SHOULD NOT BEING THROWING ROCKS AT GLASS HOUSES! I see bad attitudes running rampant. We're acting like the 5th grader that was thrown out on 2nd base who ran home crying of the injustice, screaming "I'm never playin w/ya'll again."
Gillispie w/a bad attitude. No, I don't think so. More like a determined one. How many times have we typed or read---if he would just say he's sorry or is just as worried as we are, I'd be okay! <--- are we that shallow? Is that what greatness has taught us? We are the one's that should not only be SORRY but ASHAMED of ourselves. Yeah, we're blue and we strut, people hate us cause they ain't us--- but we are not HOLIER THAN THOU. Power & prestige are not a birthrite or handed to us on a silver platter.
Stupidity: now this one is laughable.... <--- I think you know where I'm going w/this one. I've read some stuff lately that I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or be seriously concerned. And have come to the conclusion that STUPIDITY is not only rampant but is a Majority. WHEW ---skeery ain't it.
Does he play well w/other (this one's my favorite) ---- Well do YOU? I know I certainly have my moments and have been accused more than once of misbehaving in Catland. I think he's handled the media quite well and I don't see a problem w/what all has gone on. YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE!
Before you criticize--- I want you to think of one name.... DICK VITALE. <--- deserved or not what kind of once over have we given this man? And the majority of us would literally do it in public. Furthermore, I think it would be a lot worse than "That was a bad question."Which brings me to my 1st question.
Is he a bad coach?
The jury is out and we're not going to be no ROY BEAN here Cats! Yes, he's done some things that left us w/huh? But who hasn't? The Cats are SLOW this season, 2 shooters, and on and on and on.
How many times did we say ....I don't care is we have a losing season, or we lose recruits etc.... as long as Smith isn't here anymore.
How many times did we preach on his exit------ we're gonna rebuild and it's gonna take time.Talk about the Cats collapsing Mid Season------ POT MEET KETTLE. We went from support to abort in a matter of weeks.
&
you wanna know why?
EGO.
Really that's all it is. Our Big Blue Pride has consumed us leaving a sense of entitlement. Thank Rupp we're going back to our roots tonight.
This is desperately needed and I'm sure it will be the beginning of a new era resurrected by the old.SO GET OF CLYDE'S A** & SUPPORT HIM!!!
THIS IS KENTUCKY BASKETBALL!!!
PRIDE DOESN'T COME FROM TROPIES OR BANNERS--- REAL PRIDE COMES FROM WITHIN.

BELIEVE[/size]--- we're knocked down, but WE WILL GET UP!
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF MY CATS.

And we're going to witness it. The Meek shall inherit the earth. GO BIG BLUE!
Damn it's good to be home!
Ms.Cats~

[ttf23]

Bottom line Billy G is not the man to represent UK.
He's a borderline drunk and whoremonger, is not a media darling and has the sense
of humor Squidward.
Pelphrey and Travis are not ready.
I blame the committee(seems to be a problem of mine) or the AD
for where they are at.
Instead of hiring a coach that turned around a team and got them to the tourney
why not look for someone doing something special.
Once UNC dumped Daugherty they went and got a bonafide coach in Roy.
Kansas not willing to be throw under the bus went and got a coach that took
an Illinois team to the final 4 and a #1 ranking most of that year.
Bill Self has proved to be a good hire.
Once Memphis decided to get serious about their program they
went and got a coach that took a crappy program to the top, UMASS.
Calapari has prove to be a good hire.
Kinda like Pitino with Providence...proved to be a good hire at UK.
What did Tubby do with Tulsa and Georgia...made the tourney...big deal.
Once Rick's boys where gone all he did was make the tourney and go belly up.
That crap will work at Minnesota, Tulsa & Georgia but not Lexington.
To make matter worst the SEC blows this year and you can't get above 500
Not to mention the home loses to scrub teams.
Billy will get another year...but shouldn't.
He has no idea, nor has the respect of the program and it's history.
UNC & Kanas wouldn't deal with it, why should we.

[SW52]

Bottom line Billy G is not the man to represent UK.
He's a borderline drunk and whoremonger, is not a media darling and has the sense
of humor Squidward.
Pelphrey and Travis are not ready.
I blame the committee(seems to be a problem of mine) or the AD
for where they are at.
Instead of hiring a coach that turned around a team and got them to the tourney
why not look for someone doing something special.
Once UNC dumped Daugherty they went and got a bonafide coach in Roy.
Kansas not willing to be throw under the bus went and got a coach that took
an Illinois team to the final 4 and a #1 ranking most of that year.
Bill Self has proved to be a good hire.
Once Memphis decided to get serious about their program they
went and got a coach that took a crappy program to the top, UMASS.
Calapari has prove to be a good hire.
Kinda like Pitino with Providence...proved to be a good hire at UK.
What did Tubby do with Tulsa and Georgia...made the tourney...big deal.
Once Rick's boys where gone all he did was make the tourney and go belly up.
That crap will work at Minnesota, Tulsa & Georgia but not Lexington.
To make matter worst the SEC blows this year and you can't get above 500
Not to mention the home loses to scrub teams.
Billy will get another year...but shouldn't.
He has no idea, nor has the respect of the program and it's history.
UNC & Kanas wouldn't deal with it, why should we.

Go after Mark Few of Gonzaga. He's proved that he can coach and recruit and that his program was more that just one good class that gelled. We're not going to get a top tier guy at this point. Few is on the next tier though and would represent the program well.

[Baseballgenius]

Bottom line Billy G is not the man to represent UK.
He's a borderline drunk and whoremonger, is not a media darling and has the sense
of humor Squidward.
Pelphrey and Travis are not ready.
I blame the committee(seems to be a problem of mine) or the AD
for where they are at.
Instead of hiring a coach that turned around a team and got them to the tourney
why not look for someone doing something special.
Once UNC dumped Daugherty they went and got a bonafide coach in Roy.
Kansas not willing to be throw under the bus went and got a coach that took
an Illinois team to the final 4 and a #1 ranking most of that year.
Bill Self has proved to be a good hire.
Once Memphis decided to get serious about their program they
went and got a coach that took a crappy program to the top, UMASS.
Calapari has prove to be a good hire.
Kinda like Pitino with Providence...proved to be a good hire at UK.
What did Tubby do with Tulsa and Georgia...made the tourney...big deal.
Once Rick's boys where gone all he did was make the tourney and go belly up.
That crap will work at Minnesota, Tulsa & Georgia but not Lexington.
To make matter worst the SEC blows this year and you can't get above 500
Not to mention the home loses to scrub teams.
Billy will get another year...but shouldn't.
He has no idea, nor has the respect of the program and it's history.
UNC & Kanas wouldn't deal with it, why should we.

Sean Miller... top young coach... led X to Elite Eight, had them ranked in the top 10 (way overrated) this year... great recruiter...

[JLC40]

Replying to Wells's post
Since all of you geniuses thinking that the end of the world was coming because of Tubby, I will go with definition #3...to revise, reshape, or reorganize: to rebuild a shattered career. Since most of you think that Tubby destroyed UK we will call UK a shattered program (Dont have time to look up the stats but 1 national championship, many SEC regular season and tournament titles and in the tournament every year with a 1 in 64 chance to win it all, the ultimate goal) but shattered in the majority of UK fans.
Now fast forward to the end of 2009 to see if Billy G is REBUILDING. Is he revising, reshaping or reorganizing? Ok Legion transfers, Stewart and Liggins are both transfer candidates. Liggins is his prize recruit from last year. A guy that doesnt fit his system and he has basically put in the dog house. He continues to play Porter who couldnt start at NKU because he trusts him to run his game plan. I wouldnt think that a game plan would be 3 to 1 turnover to assists but it sure looks like it is.

Meeks and Patterson are All American candidates and you cant win more than 50% of your games in a very watered down SEC. Tubby never had that kind of talent but he still was in the top 2-3 every year in the SEC and made some decent runs in the NCAA tourney. Granted not the kind of success that we all want but AT LEAST HE HAD A SHOT OF WINNING IT...instead of playing for the 66th best team.

Billy G is a joke of a coach. If UK gives him one more year so be it. I will root UK on. I am a UK fan...doesnt mean I have to agree with their coach.

[wells21]

I found this on kentucky sports radio's website. Interesting to look back at all the cats. I have to pretty much agree with all assesments. I added the commentaries........

It all starts with recruiting in college basketball, and if Tubby Smith had ONE major flaw according to fans, it was his lack of good recruiting. I tended to say that Tubby was an all or nothing kind of recruiter. He either recruited studs or busts, without much in the middle. So, I did a little deeper dig into the recruiting history of Tubby Smith and the early recruiting of Billy G. It’s tough to compare the two considering Tubby has a decade’s worth of classes, Billy G has 2. But, just for argument sakes, I have ranked each recruit to come into UK since Tubby’s first full class (1998-99 season) as either STUD, PUSH, or FLOP. Walk-ons not included. Take a look:

TUBBY SMITH ERA
1998-99
Tayshaun Prince: STUD
Desmond Allison: FLOP (tough call here, but I say too much of a knucklehead)
Jules Camara: PUSH
Todd Tackett: FLOP
J.P. Belvins: FLOP

1999-2000
Keith Bogans: STUD
Marvin Stone: FLOP (like Allison, kicked off team)
Nate Knight: FLOP
Marquis Estill: STUD

2000-2001
Jason Parker: PUSH
Gerald Fitch: STUD
Erik Daniels: STUD
Cliff Hawkins: STUD

2001-2002
Chuck Hayes: STUD
Rashaad Carruth: FLOP
Josh Carrier: FLOP
Adam Chiles: FLOP

2002-2003
Kelenna Azubuike: STUD
Brandon Stockton: FLOP
Bernard Cote: FLOP
Antwain Barbour: FLOP

2003-2004 -THIS is a UK recruiting class? garbage......
Shagari Alleyne: FLOP
Bobby Perry: PUSH
Sheray Thomas: FLOP
Lukasz Orrzut: PUSH -flop in my opinion

2004-2005
Randolph Morris: PUSH
Joe Crawford: STUD
Rajon Rondo: STUD
Ramel Bradley: STUD
Adam Williams: FLOP (listed on 2004 and 2005 recruiting classes)
Patrick Sparks: PUSH

2005-2006 More Tubby garbage, possibly THE reason we are were we are RIGHT now.
Rekalin Sims: FLOP
Jared Carter: FLOP

2006-2007
Perry Stevenson: PUSH
Derrick Jasper: PUSH
Jodie Meeks: STUD
Michael Porter: FLOP
Ramon Harris: PUSH

2007-2008- Thanks for leaving such "talented" recruites........think he got bored with the recruiting process?
AJ Stewart: FLOP
Morakinyo Williams: FLOP

Overall Stats (40 recruits)
STUD: 12 (30%)
PUSH: 9 (22.5%)
FLOP: 19 (47.5%)

The question you gotta ask is: Was this good enough? I tend to think that if 30% of your recruits become significant contributors to your program, thats a good number. But, Tubby’s major flaw was his overwhelming amount of busts. And I am being generous with Derrick Jasper and Perry Stevenson calling them PUSH’s. I always thought Tubby got a bum rap for his recruiting, as I thought he did a decent enough job. I mean hell, without his recruits (Ramel, Joe, and Jodie), the last two years would have been pitiful. BUT, at Kentucky, just recruiting OK isn’t enough. Take a look at the start of the Billy Gillispie era, with projections for each player.

BILLY GILLISPIE ERA
2007-2008
Patrick Patterson: STUD
Alex Legion: FLOP

2008-2009 (Projections)
Darius Miller: STUD
Deandre Liggins: FLOP
Josh Harrelson: PUSH
Kevin Galloway: PUSH

ONE of Tubby's last nine recruites is worth a damn. That accounts for his last THREE classes. The players who are suppose to be leading THIS team right NOW. NOT Freshman, Sophmores and transfers who are in over their heads.

[SW52]

Replying to Wells's post
Since all of you geniuses thinking that the end of the world was coming because of Tubby, I will go with definition #3...to revise, reshape, or reorganize: to rebuild a shattered career. Since most of you think that Tubby destroyed UK we will call UK a shattered program (Dont have time to look up the stats but 1 national championship, many SEC regular season and tournament titles and in the tournament every year with a 1 in 64 chance to win it all, the ultimate goal) but shattered in the majority of UK fans.
Now fast forward to the end of 2009 to see if Billy G is REBUILDING. Is he revising, reshaping or reorganizing? Ok Legion transfers, Stewart and Liggins are both transfer candidates. Liggins is his prize recruit from last year. A guy that doesnt fit his system and he has basically put in the dog house. He continues to play Porter who couldnt start at NKU because he trusts him to run his game plan. I wouldnt think that a game plan would be 3 to 1 turnover to assists but it sure looks like it is.

Meeks and Patterson are All American candidates and you cant win more than 50% of your games in a very watered down SEC. Tubby never had that kind of talent but he still was in the top 2-3 every year in the SEC and made some decent runs in the NCAA tourney. Granted not the kind of success that we all want but AT LEAST HE HAD A SHOT OF WINNING IT...instead of playing for the 66th best team.

Billy G is a joke of a coach. If UK gives him one more year so be it. I will root UK on. I am a UK fan...doesnt mean I have to agree with their coach.

I'm glad you bring up Tubby....I was a supporter of his during his tenure. Yes, the final two years took a nose dive by UK standards and guys like Perry, Thomas, Carrier, Orzbut, Alleyne, etc were not UK type talent, not even major conference talent, but look at the mans overall record at Kentucky.

After his 1998 National title, he brought in his kids and was the overall #1 seed in the tournament in both 2003 and 2004....while neither season resulted in a Final Four, he still had the team in the best possible position for a run. 2005 saw a #2 seed and a run to the Elite Eight that resulted in a double overtime defeat to Michigan St. 2006 and 2007 were really the only two seasons that he "under performed", but there aren't many coaches that could have gotten those players on those two teams to the dance to begin with. Tubby supporters would caution to "be careful what you wish for" in terms of a coaching change....hindsight being 20/20, they may have been right.

[ttf23]

I don't think Few would leave, he'd be a good hire though.
Gonzaga has had more success the last 5 or 6 year than UK...he's doing
something right.

Sean Miller...love to see him UK Blue in 2010 or 11

Who knows somebody will surface and be on everyones wish list.
I just hope UK don't "feel" like they owe Pelpfrey or Ford a shot
just because the are ex-greats. They both have yet to prove themselves
and I hope they both do. I would love to see Pelphey here one day if he proves
he can take a program to the next level.

[SW52]

I found this on kentucky sports radio's website. Interesting to look back at all the cats. I have to pretty much agree with all assesments. I added the commentaries........

It all starts with recruiting in college basketball, and if Tubby Smith had ONE major flaw according to fans, it was his lack of good recruiting. I tended to say that Tubby was an all or nothing kind of recruiter. He either recruited studs or busts, without much in the middle. So, I did a little deeper dig into the recruiting history of Tubby Smith and the early recruiting of Billy G. It’s tough to compare the two considering Tubby has a decade’s worth of classes, Billy G has 2. But, just for argument sakes, I have ranked each recruit to come into UK since Tubby’s first full class (1998-99 season) as either STUD, PUSH, or FLOP. Walk-ons not included. Take a look:

TUBBY SMITH ERA
1998-99
Tayshaun Prince: STUD
Desmond Allison: FLOP (tough call here, but I say too much of a knucklehead)
Jules Camara: PUSH
Todd Tackett: FLOP
J.P. Belvins: FLOP

1999-2000
Keith Bogans: STUD
Marvin Stone: FLOP (like Allison, kicked off team)
Nate Knight: FLOP
Marquis Estill: STUD

2000-2001
Jason Parker: PUSH
Gerald Fitch: STUD
Erik Daniels: STUD
Cliff Hawkins: STUD

2001-2002
Chuck Hayes: STUD
Rashaad Carruth: FLOP
Josh Carrier: FLOP
Adam Chiles: FLOP

2002-2003
Kelenna Azubuike: STUD
Brandon Stockton: FLOP
Bernard Cote: FLOP
Antwain Barbour: FLOP

2003-2004 -THIS is a UK recruiting class? garbage......
Shagari Alleyne: FLOP
Bobby Perry: PUSH
Sheray Thomas: FLOP
Lukasz Orrzut: PUSH -flop in my opinion

2004-2005
Randolph Morris: PUSH
Joe Crawford: STUD
Rajon Rondo: STUD
Ramel Bradley: STUD
Adam Williams: FLOP (listed on 2004 and 2005 recruiting classes)
Patrick Sparks: PUSH

2005-2006 More Tubby garbage, possibly THE reason we are were we are RIGHT now.
Rekalin Sims: FLOP
Jared Carter: FLOP

2006-2007
Perry Stevenson: PUSH
Derrick Jasper: PUSH
Jodie Meeks: STUD
Michael Porter: FLOP
Ramon Harris: PUSH

2007-2008- Thanks for leaving such "talented" recruites........think he got bored with the recruiting process?
AJ Stewart: FLOP
Morakinyo Williams: FLOP

Overall Stats (40 recruits)
STUD: 12 (30%)
PUSH: 9 (22.5%)
FLOP: 19 (47.5%)

The question you gotta ask is: Was this good enough? I tend to think that if 30% of your recruits become significant contributors to your program, thats a good number. But, Tubby’s major flaw was his overwhelming amount of busts. And I am being generous with Derrick Jasper and Perry Stevenson calling them PUSH’s. I always thought Tubby got a bum rap for his recruiting, as I thought he did a decent enough job. I mean hell, without his recruits (Ramel, Joe, and Jodie), the last two years would have been pitiful. BUT, at Kentucky, just recruiting OK isn’t enough. Take a look at the start of the Billy Gillispie era, with projections for each player.

BILLY GILLISPIE ERA
2007-2008
Patrick Patterson: STUD
Alex Legion: FLOP

2008-2009 (Projections)
Darius Miller: STUD
Deandre Liggins: FLOP
Josh Harrelson: PUSH
Kevin Galloway: PUSH

ONE of Tubby's last nine recruites is worth a damn. That accounts for his last THREE classes. The players who are suppose to be leading THIS team right NOW. NOT Freshman, Sophmores and transfers who are in over their heads.


Many of the players listed prior to 2006 that are labled FLOP or PUSH, were highly rated coming out of highschool...Stone, Parker, Carruth, Barbour (juco), Morris... Sometimes recruiting is a gamble, even on top 100 talent. I'm sure there are many top programs that could compile a list like that.

[SW52]

I don't think Few would leave, he'd be a good hire though.
Gonzaga has had more success the last 5 or 6 year than UK...he's doing
something right.

Sean Miller...love to see him UK Blue in 2010 or 11

Who knows somebody will surface and be on everyones wish list.
I just hope UK don't "feel" like they owe Pelpfrey or Ford a shot
just because the are ex-greats. They both have yet to prove themselves
and I hope they both do. I would love to see Pelphey here one day if he proves
he can take a program to the next level.

Why wouldn't Few leave? Would that be any different than Miller leaving X? Neither school can compare with Kentucky. Gonzaga and X are pretty similar in the pecking order of college basketball. What might be a hinderance to a new hire is our current situation....even more pressure would be on the next coach given how the Gillispie era is turning out.

[ttf23]

Why wouldn't Few leave? Would that be any different than Miller leaving X? Neither school can compare with Kentucky. Gonzaga and X are pretty similar in the pecking order of college basketball. What might be a hinderance to a new hire is our current situation....even more pressure would be on the next coach given how the Gillispie era is turning out.

I would venture to say that Few has been offered a job at a higher profile school than
Gonzaga over the last 5 to 7 years.
No idea why he is still there, unless he's morman.
I think Miller is just now starting to turn heads, if X has another good tourney run
he'll be one of the hot commodities for sure, if he isn't already.

I like Darren Horn at South Carolina too, still unproven but he's starting the turnaround.

I don't UK put to much thought into it when they hired Billy Clyde, unless
they where looking at the possibility of Ford or Pelphrey within the next 5 years when they hired him. Maybe they just want him to keep the ship afloat...to bad it taking on water faster than they can bail it out.

[SW52]

I would venture to say that Few has been offered a job at a higher profile school than
Gonzaga over the last 5 to 7 years.
No idea why he is still there, unless he's morman.
I think Miller is just now starting to turn heads, if X has another good tourney run
he'll be one of the hot commodities for sure, if he isn't already.

I like Darren Horn at South Carolina too, still unproven but he's starting the turnaround.

I don't UK put to much thought into it when they hired Billy Clyde, unless
they where looking at the possibility of Ford or Pelphrey within the next 5 years when they hired him. Maybe they just want him to keep the ship afloat...to bad it taking on water faster than they can bail it out.

From what I've heard from a college coach that I personally know, Gillispie simply sold the UK brass on what he'd bring to the table....same as he did the fans. I think his enthusiam and his previous turnarounds at UTEP and A&M got him the gig w/o his needing to prove that he understood the Kentucky tradition and what it really means to be the face of Kentucky basketball....which I don't think he has the first clue about. I've been told that it came down to Gillispie and Tom Izzo with Izzo ready to make the move to Kentucky. I like Izzo....some felt he was too much like Smith (but a better recruiter), but what we really missed out on with Izzo is that his top assistants brother is the head coach at Oak Hill Academy....nice to have a pipeline to that basketball factory.

Next year (maybe) will prove if Gillispie is truely a snake oil salesman or just painfully slow at grasping what this job is all about.

[JLC40]

Hey did everyone see that Minnesota is a 10 seed in the NCAA tourney. Minnesota is a team that has only been to one NCAA tourney since their academic scandal in 1998-99. They must have a good COACH rebuilding their program. :)

[wells21]

You do realize he QUIT as coach of the Cats......right?

[JLC40]

Yea and he didnt have any pressure put on that resignation. (that was sarcasm if you didnt know) If he didnt quit Barnhart was going to fire him. His resignation helped UK save face. Something that they cant do now with Billy G. He wont quit because he doesnt fully understand the tradition of UK basketball.

[ttf23]

Hey did everyone see that Minnesota is a 10 seed in the NCAA tourney. Minnesota is a team that has only been to one NCAA tourney since their academic scandal in 1998-99. They must have a good COACH rebuilding their program. :)

Yeah and if was still here the cats would probably be a 10 seed too.
Minnesota will name streets after him for what he's about to achieve
year after year. #6 to #16 seeds and no whiffs of a sweet 16.
A Mediocore school with a mediocore coach works.

Just because Billy G is clueless don't mean Smith never should have left...it
means UK hired the wrong man...actually they did it twice.

TUBBY SMITH BLOWS!!! and he can't coach

[JSiler27]

Go after Mark Few of Gonzaga. He's proved that he can coach and recruit and that his program was more that just one good class that gelled. We're not going to get a top tier guy at this point. Few is on the next tier though and would represent the program well.


To make matter worst the SEC blows this year and you can't get above 500
Not to mention the home loses to scrub teams.
Billy will get another year...but shouldn't.
He has no idea, nor has the respect of the program and it's history.
UNC & Kanas wouldn't deal with it, why should we.


Meeks and Patterson are All American candidates and you cant win more than 50% of your games in a very watered down SEC. Tubby never had that kind of talent but he still was in the top 2-3 every year in the SEC and made some decent runs in the NCAA tourney. Granted not the kind of success that we all want but AT LEAST HE HAD A SHOT OF WINNING IT...instead of playing for the 66th best team.

Though NOT a UK fan I agree with all 3 of these statements.

[tallen6039]

I would venture to say that Few has been offered a job at a higher profile school than
Gonzaga over the last 5 to 7 years.
No idea why he is still there, unless he's morman.
I think Miller is just now starting to turn heads, if X has another good tourney run
he'll be one of the hot commodities for sure, if he isn't already.

I like Darren Horn at South Carolina too, still unproven but he's starting the turnaround.

I don't UK put to much thought into it when they hired Billy Clyde, unless
they where looking at the possibility of Ford or Pelphrey within the next 5 years when they hired him. Maybe they just want him to keep the ship afloat...to bad it taking on water faster than they can bail it out.

[tallen6039]

Don't say Tubby can' coach because that is not the case, he had questionable recruiting but don't say he can't coach, had he won just one of those 3 elite 8 games he lost he would still be at UK, but look at his record dumbass, he played a top 5 schedule every year and still won 78% of his games. Never liked your ass when it came to running your mouth about Tubby,just think when it comes to you his skin was his sin.

[JLC40]

testify my brother!!!!!!!!!

[Baseballgenius]

Don't say Tubby can' coach because that is not the case, he had questionable recruiting but don't say he can't coach, had he won just one of those 3 elite 8 games he lost he would still be at UK, but look at his record dumbass, he played a top 5 schedule every year and still won 78% of his games. Never liked your ass when it came to running your mouth about Tubby,just think when it comes to you his skin was his sin.

Way out of line T... nothing was ever mentioned about his skin... and yeah I know the incident that you are refering too with ttf23... anyone that knows him knows that he isn't that way... Tubby was/is a decent coach... he was not the answer at UK, he was the Minnesota...

Smith compiled an impressive resume during his UK career, he came under considerable pressure from many UK fans, who believed that his recruiting was subpar and his failure to achieve a Final Four appearance in his last nine seasons was inadequate by UK standards. Some UK fans went as far as to place "for sale" signs on his front lawn. He did come just a double overtime loss short of a Final Four appearance in 2005. This drought is the longest of any coach in UK history. That along with his double digit losing seasons (which led to Tubby's critics nicknaming him "Ten-Loss Tubby") led to the pressure.

Smith led the Wildcats to an overall record of 263–83 record for a winning percentage of .760.

[SW52]

Yeah and if was still here the cats would probably be a 10 seed too.
Minnesota will name streets after him for what he's about to achieve
year after year. #6 to #16 seeds and no whiffs of a sweet 16.
A Mediocore school with a mediocore coach works.

Just because Billy G is clueless don't mean Smith never should have left...it
means UK hired the wrong man...actually they did it twice.

TUBBY SMITH BLOWS!!! and he can't coach

Wow....I couldn't disagree more with this. When it comes to X's and O's, Smith is one of the top coaches in the country. Was he a top recruiter? No, but few coaches could have gotten more out of what he brought in than he did. Remember they were a #1 seed in 2003 and 2004, and a #2 seed in 2005....all with "his" kids.

2006 was a bust....his top recruiting class started to crumble...Rondo was playing for NBA scouts, Morris didn't know what the hell he wanted, Crawford showed he was little more than a slasher, and Bradley was failing to live up to the hype. I mentioned in a previous post, sometimes no matter how highly a kid is rated, he doesn't always live up to the billing....I think Smith more or less gave up after that....that was his last shot at fully winning over the "fan" base. He wasn't fired, but it was do or die with that 2007 team....he was on his way out. I like Smith and thank him for the banner that is hanging in the Rupp rafters.....are you thinking "that was with Pitino's kids"? Ok. I guess coaching had nothing to do with the 17pt comeback against Duke in the Elite 8, or the 10pt comeback against Stanford in the Final Four, or coming back from 10 down at the half to win the title by 9pts against Utah....all of that was because they were coached previously by Pitino right?

Also, I believe that a team from a Major conference can get no lower than a 13 seed.

[wells21]

I would go a step further and say a major conference team wouldn't be lower than a 12 seed. I believe that 13-16 seeds are reserved for Mid-Major conference tourney winners and Mid-Major at large bids.

[SW52]

I would go a step further and say a major conference team wouldn't be lower than a 12 seed. I believe that 13-16 seeds are reserved for Mid-Major conference tourney winners and Mid-Major at large bids.

You may be right about that...I knew the cutoff was either 12 or 13.

[ttf23]

Don't say Tubby can' coach because that is not the case, he had questionable recruiting but don't say he can't coach, had he won just one of those 3 elite 8 games he lost he would still be at UK, but look at his record dumbass, he played a top 5 schedule every year and still won 78% of his games. Never liked your ass when it came to running your mouth about Tubby,just think when it comes to you his skin was his sin.

Yawwwwwwwn, wah, wah wah.
T you only come out from under your rock when somebody badmouths Tubby.
What's your obsession with him?
I don't like his coaching style and am not sold on him as a coach...that's my opinion, that's my right.
I said it before 2 years ago when you accused me of being racist.
I think Tubby was the best quality human being that has ever coached at UK.
Just because he's black has nothing to do with it.
Get over it and grow up...seek some help kid your to young to stay this bitter the rest of your life.
Not everything is black and white.

[ttf23]

Wow....I couldn't disagree more with this. When it comes to X's and O's, Smith is one of the top coaches in the country. Was he a top recruiter? No, but few coaches could have gotten more out of what he brought in than he did. Remember they were a #1 seed in 2003 and 2004, and a #2 seed in 2005....all with "his" kids.

2006 was a bust....his top recruiting class started to crumble...Rondo was playing for NBA scouts, Morris didn't know what the hell he wanted, Crawford showed he was little more than a slasher, and Bradley was failing to live up to the hype. I mentioned in a previous post, sometimes no matter how highly a kid is rated, he doesn't always live up to the billing....I think Smith more or less gave up after that....that was his last shot at fully winning over the "fan" base. He wasn't fired, but it was do or die with that 2007 team....he was on his way out. I like Smith and thank him for the banner that is hanging in the Rupp rafters.....are you thinking "that was with Pitino's kids"? Ok. I guess coaching had nothing to do with the 17pt comeback against Duke in the Elite 8, or the 10pt comeback against Stanford in the Final Four, or coming back from 10 down at the half to win the title by 9pts against Utah....all of that was because they were coached previously by Pitino right?

Also, I believe that a team from a Major conference can get no lower than a 13 seed.


I'm not saying he can't coach, yeah I know I said that but I'm talking about at the level
and expectations of UK.
He did a fantastic job in 99, but my theroy on that is he took Ricks players, Ricks system
and played the brand of ball that those kids knew...and they won.
Once Orlando started his system the wheels slowly started coming off.
He had 3 or 4 teams with way more talent than the 99 team, but failed to reach
the elite 8.
He may be a great X's & O's guy...I just don't like him as a coach.
Bobby Knight is prolly one of the best of all time, but his system will no longer
compete with the UNC's, the Dukes, The Uconns and Kansas'.
Billy Clyde is starting down that same road in the respect he is to stubborn to adapt or change his style...hell he won't even consider playing a zone even if they are getting pounded inside.

[SW52]

I'm not saying he can't coach, yeah I know I said that but I'm talking about at the level
and expectations of UK.
He did a fantastic job in 99, but my theroy on that is he took Ricks players, Ricks system
and played the brand of ball that those kids knew...and they won.
Once Orlando started his system the wheels slowly started coming off.
He had 3 or 4 teams with way more talent than the 99 team, but failed to reach
the elite 8.
He may be a great X's & O's guy...I just don't like him as a coach.
Bobby Knight is prolly one of the best of all time, but his system will no longer
compete with the UNC's, the Dukes, The Uconns and Kansas'.
Billy Clyde is starting down that same road in the respect he is to stubborn to adapt or change his style...hell he won't even consider playing a zone even if they are getting pounded inside.

You'd have to agree that the Bogans injury in 2003 most likely cost Smith a Final Four....not as devastating as what happened with Kenyon Martin and UC, but Bogans was playing on one leg in that Elite 8 game. The 2004 team, while the overall #1 seed, was #1 kind of by default...they went 16-0 in the SEC while all the other top 10 teams were losing. Also the double overtime defeat to MSU in 2005. Just a couple of bad breaks away from 3 Final Fours in 8 seasons (at that time) and who knows? Maybe 3 National Championships...would have forever changed his legacy at Kentucky.

[ttf23]

You'd have to agree that the Bogans injury in 2003 most likely cost Smith a Final Four....not as devastating as what happened with Kenyon Martin and UC, but Bogans was playing on one leg in that Elite 8 game. The 2004 team, while the overall #1 seed, was #1 kind of by default...they went 16-0 in the SEC while all the other top 10 teams were losing. Also the double overtime defeat to MSU in 2005. Just a couple of bad breaks away from 3 Final Fours in 8 seasons (at that time) and who knows? Maybe 3 National Championships...would have forever changed his legacy at Kentucky.

Yeah maybe...Bogans going down was huge.
Call it whatever, bad luck, the Rupp curse or some of that voodoo black magic
they practice in hills of Eastern Ky.
They ran him off for a reason and I will not say it was because he was
black...like some people.
Your points are valid, and you don't get rid of someone doing those things
unless your convinced his shortcomings are something other than bad luck.
Somebody high up thought he was under acheiving evidently.
When I would set and watch him coach, especially at Georgia he was a machine.
He was basketballs version of Bill Cower and his players respected him.
After 3 or so years at UK he lost his passion, he coached but was only drawing a check, there was no fire. I'm sure the media and us knuclehead fans had allot to do with that.

We could have done allot worst than Tubby that's for sure, but now he's gone
and we are royally screwed with this idiot they have now.

I'll be the first to admit Pitino spolied me; played a fun style to watch, recruited good kids,
never really had any issues to deal with, great interveiw, embraced the media, went to the derby, had a resturant...he did everything right, and won.
Tubby came in and was a complete 180...call me narrow minded or not willing to accept
change but UK Basketball has never been the same for me.

[SW52]

Yeah maybe...Bogans going down was huge.
Call it whatever, bad luck, the Rupp curse or some of that voodoo black magic
they practice in hills of Eastern Ky.
They ran him off for a reason and I will not say it was because he was
black...like some people.
Your points are valid, and you don't get rid of someone doing those things
unless your convinced his shortcomings are something other than bad luck.
Somebody high up thought he was under acheiving evidently.
When I would set and watch him coach, especially at Georgia he was a machine.
He was basketballs version of Bill Cower and his players respected him.
After 3 or so years at UK he lost his passion, he coached but was only drawing a check, there was no fire. I'm sure the media and us knuclehead fans had allot to do with that.

We could have done allot worst than Tubby that's for sure, but now he's gone
and we are royally screwed with this idiot they have now.

I'll be the first to admit Pitino spolied me; played a fun style to watch, recruited good kids,
never really had any issues to deal with, great interveiw, embraced the media, went to the derby, had a resturant...he did everything right, and won.
Tubby came in and was a complete 180...call me narrow minded or not willing to accept
change but UK Basketball has never been the same for me.


Then it pains me to say you may never again be satisfied with the state of Kentucky basketball. I know other fans like that...that just can't or won't move past the Pitino era. It's gone and it's not coming back. They certainly can win under someone else, and I feel I'll see them win another title at some point...sometimes you can't have the highs without going through the lows. It took scandel and probation to bring about the Pitino era and more Final Fours. That's how I choose to look at what's going on now....a means to and end with brighter days ahead. Do I like dealing with the down times now? No, but what choice to I have?

[ttf23]

I know I can get past Pitino, but not with the likes of Billy Clyde.

It's the University of Kentucky it just kills me to see them traveling
down the road of mediocrity the last several years.


On a side note: did you notice how loud Memorial was last night.
Rupp never gets that loud anymore...to many bluehairs with deep pockets sitting on
their hands.

[SW52]

I know I can get past Pitino, but not with the likes of Billy Clyde.

It's the University of Kentucky it just kills me to see them traveling
down the road of mediocrity the last several years.


On a side note: did you notice how loud Memorial was last night.
Rupp never gets that loud anymore...to many bluehairs with deep pockets sitting on
their hands.

Rupp is also, dare I say it, too big. Memorial has a cozy feel to it and with it's small size, can get pretty loud.

I liked the effort last night...tons of hustle. They still can't defend the perimeter worth a sh!t and were very lucky UNLV couldn't hit a shot for the first 30 minutes, but they played hard. Clyde even wore a brown suit like Rupp did....not sure if that was an "empty" gesture to get fans off his back or if he's finally starting to embrace the meaning of the tradition....either way it may be too little, too late.

[ttf23]

Did you take Youngie under your wing his off season...
Seen him last night for the first time since last fall...he's freaking huge, not fat either.

[SW52]

I mapped out a plan for him, but he did all the work on his own. He has a chest and shoulders now! :D

[USSSAFairborn]

I really find it hard to judge Gillespie, as a life long Cats fan.

First, he has never had a true PG to work with. Porter sure as hell isn't one. Honestly, Galloway is probably the best option right now, as we will see more of him throughout the NIT.

Seems we need a combination of BCG and Tubby. Gillespie is a master recruiter, but just doesn't seem to be a Tier 1 Coach. Tubby was a terrible recruiter, but one hell of a coach!

Another thing with Gillespie, which really hurts his chances of staying: If MB is watching the same games as me, BG has lost 2 games, in particular, single handedly (should that be 1 word?). The technical against Louisville over absolutely nothing when you just tied the game up from a 10 point deficit, then your ignorance puts you back down by 5 on the road? Then the horrendous coaching vs. South Carolina? Not to mention, 7 of 13 losses were at Rupp Arena. Those things, from a Tier 1 Coach at a Tier 1 School, are unacceptable!

I am not in favor of a new coach, right now. I think a different style and philosophy is not needed when your returning all your starters along with a deep bench.

PG - Galloway/Konner Tucker(Juco Transfer) or Eric Bledsoe (looks like he will commit)
SG - Meeks/Liggens
3G - Miller/Hood/Harris
PF - Stevenson/Orton
C - Patterson/Stevenson/Orton

If everyone gets on the same page and stops turning the ball over, the above could easily be a top 10 team!

[wells21]

Nice evaluation, but you missed one MAJOR part of next years team. They got a transfer named Pilgrim who is supposedly a BEAST of a C/PF with shooting range out past the three point line. He WILL be getting major minutes inside along with 2Pat and Orton.

[USSSAFairborn]

Forgot about Pilgrim. Here is a nice scouting report on him. Compared to Jamal Mashburn... Not bad if that becomes reality! But, looks as though the difference is Mash could hit from the outside consistently. Reading this reminds me more of a Chuck Hayes style player, which would be great. Seems too many of these "new age" players have lost the art of boxing out. Out jumping someone is now "cooler" than bodying up on someone and driving them away from the ball/basket.

God.... I miss the Pitino style player more than Ricky P himself!

MATTHEW PILGRIM

“Very quick and great moves down low. His athleticism and leaping ability were off the charts as he ripped down any rebound near him. He also stepped outside and knocked down jumpers. It appeared his jump shot wasn’t very consistent, however. Anyway, after sitting out a year under Gillispie he will be something very exciting to look forward to next year.” – BrassowBrouhaha

“An absolute stud. He was a man down low even when he was doubled and tripled.” – PRPCATS

“If he were eligible this year, we would be a Final Four lock. This manchild is the player we’ve been looking for. No one could guard him, and he was a total beast on the boards. Great explosiveness and touch around the basket. Mashburn like skills, folks…no kidding. Has Mash type guns and can muscle anyone around the basket. Has great speed to beat you off the dribble.” – ErupptionZone

“He looks more like a tight end/linebacker than a bball player. His game looks even stronger than he does. As soon as he gets the ball in the post he operates immediately with an arsenal of post moves. With his back to the basket he is most impressive. He can hit you with a head fake/ up and under, he can hit the turn-around J, or he can just back a man down and power it up over him. Plus, he’s an absolute warrior at following his own shot usually resulting in him putting back his misses.” – VernHatton52

[wells21]

Another interesting post I found, with facts that I had overlooked, thanks again Tubby...lol (just to stir the pot of Tubby-holics)

"...while on my run today, it occurred to me that UK will not make a NCAA Final Four this decade and it is a milestone.

They won NC's in the '40's, 50's, made the finals in '66, finals in '75 & '78, FF in '84, FF in '93 and the finals in '96, '97 & '98.

No FF's in this decade, and this being '09, UK has been shut-out for the first time since before the 1940's.

Despite scandal ('50's & early '90's), the program never failed to rise back to prominence in fairly short order; this seems somehow different."

But rest assured my fellow felines........we won 20 games and MADE the tourney every year. Hip Hip Horray! lol

[JSiler27]

Remember there are always two sides to every story. One is right and the other is wrong.
Guess it just depends which side your on. LMAO.

[wells21]

Jay, from my experience there are usually three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the TRUTH. lol

[JLC40]

Another interesting post I found, with facts that I had overlooked, thanks again Tubby...lol (just to stir the pot of Tubby-holics)

"...while on my run today, it occurred to me that UK will not make a NCAA Final Four this decade and it is a milestone.

They won NC's in the '40's, 50's, made the finals in '66, finals in '75 & '78, FF in '84, FF in '93 and the finals in '96, '97 & '98.

No FF's in this decade, and this being '09, UK has been shut-out for the first time since before the 1940's.

Despite scandal ('50's & early '90's), the program never failed to rise back to prominence in fairly short order; this seems somehow different."

But rest assured my fellow felines........we won 20 games and MADE the tourney every year. Hip Hip Horray! lol

Last I checked making the tourney every year GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO WIN IT!!!!!!!!!
Unless in your Billy G-induced bizarro world somehow it doesnt work.

Are you happy with not making the tournament sometimes and then making a one Final Four one year then back to not making the tournament? I hope not. If you are I would like to revoke your CATS FAN card.

[JSiler27]

Jay, from my experience there are usually three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the TRUTH. lol

Finally I agree with you on something. LOL

Here is some more reading material on "possible" coaching moves across the country if you haven't read it already.

Coaching moves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/seth_davis/03/17/hoop.thoughts/2.html)

[wells21]

Tubby's numbers were VERY impressive. I supported him AND defended him MANY times while he was coaching our cats. It WAS time for change. I knew it, I think you knew it and MORE IMPORTANTLY I believe Tubby knew it. Billy may not be the right guy, I don't know. What I do know is that two years with a severly disadvantaged roster is not enough time to judge him. I have said from the get go, if after the 3rd season your not happy with him, I will be first (maybe second, if they have a buffett and Fogty camps out) in line to show him a BIG BLUE BACKHAND!

[wells21]

Five of the eight teams to win a title during the 2000's went to the NIT within two years either way of them winning the title.

Just a little perspective for you all.

Unfortunately most went to the NIT after they lost all of their talent.

UNC went two years before their title though and Syracuse was in the NIT the year before they won it all. Maybe Orton can be our version of Carmelo...

[JLC40]

Having 2 first team All SEC players with one of them being 2nd team All American is SEVERELY DISADVANTAGED?

There are 300 other Div I coaches that wouldnt think they are at a disadvantage.

Im done arguing about your boy. He simply cant coach.

[SW52]

Having 2 first team All SEC players with one of them being 2nd team All American is SEVERELY DISADVANTAGED?

There are 300 other Div I coaches that wouldnt think they are at a disadvantage.

Im done arguing about your boy. He simply cant coach.

Breif Subject Change: Happy Birthday Fogt!

[wells21]

Ahhhhh. Happy b-day Fogty! We gonna go out to the crossbow tonight????!!!!!!!!!

[JLC40]

thanks guys

[JLC40]

Ahhhhh. Happy b-day Fogty! We gonna go out to the crossbow tonight????!!!!!!!!!

Not tonight. Im taking my kids to a movie for my birthday...Race to Witch Mountain with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Im pumped!!!

Crossbow maybe tomorrow night?

[wells21]

If you smeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllll what Chris Fogty.....................iiiiiiiissssssssss COOKN'

[JSiler27]

Uhhh ohhh fogty what are you now? 23, 24?

[Baseballgenius]

here you go for your Cats fans...

Michigan State's 74-69 win over Southern California means Tom Izzo will participate in his eighth Sweet 16 in the past 12 seasons, and that's a good place to start if you're trying to figure out why Arizona would like to hire Izzo if it had the money (or why Kentucky also might if it needed a new coach anytime soon). The guy has been remarkably consistent despite early entries to the NBA Draft and departures from his staff, and now he's just two wins away from his fifth Final Four in the past 11 seasons.

[ttf23]

here you go for your Cats fans...

Michigan State's 74-69 win over Southern California means Tom Izzo will participate in his eighth Sweet 16 in the past 12 seasons, and that's a good place to start if you're trying to figure out why Arizona would like to hire Izzo if it had the money (or why Kentucky also might if it needed a new coach anytime soon). The guy has been remarkably consistent despite early entries to the NBA Draft and departures from his staff, and now he's just two wins away from his fifth Final Four in the past 11 seasons.

Izzo is a Spartan for life...it's not like they are just not starting to figure out this
guy can recruit and coach.
I'm sure he's had offers at higher profile schools than MSU the last several
years. IMO he's staying put.

[SW52]

From what I've heard from a college coach that I personally know, Gillispie simply sold the UK brass on what he'd bring to the table....same as he did the fans. I think his enthusiam and his previous turnarounds at UTEP and A&M got him the gig w/o his needing to prove that he understood the Kentucky tradition and what it really means to be the face of Kentucky basketball....which I don't think he has the first clue about. I've been told that it came down to Gillispie and Tom Izzo with Izzo ready to make the move to Kentucky. I like Izzo....some felt he was too much like Smith (but a better recruiter), but what we really missed out on with Izzo is that his top assistants brother is the head coach at Oak Hill Academy....nice to have a pipeline to that basketball factory.

Next year (maybe) will prove if Gillispie is truely a snake oil salesman or just painfully slow at grasping what this job is all about.

Read above....Kentucky had him....won't get that chance again.

[Studtastic Powershank]

Izzo is a Spartan for life...it's not like they are just not starting to figure out this
guy can recruit and coach.
I'm sure he's had offers at higher profile schools than MSU the last several
years. IMO he's staying put.

He's (Izzo) got some rediculous contract up there too...no way he's leaving.

[USSSAFairborn]

Only 3 names would interest me in the following order:
1) Travis Ford - Has the UK roots, good recruiter, and good overall coach. Has plenty of experience and is now showing he is top notch at OK State
2) Tom Creen - If you can't beat them HIRE THEM. Creen is a solid recruiter and a nightmare to play against. A very good x/o's coach and would be a very nice addition!
3) John Pelphery - Again, has the UK roots and is a good coach. I would only be worried about the amount of coaching experience he has and how good of a recruiter he is. Coming out of the Pitino blend, I wouldn't think he was bad at either.

Other than those three, I wouldn't want anyone else out there.

[SW52]

Only 3 names would interest me in the following order:
1) Travis Ford - Has the UK roots, good recruiter, and good overall coach. Has plenty of experience and is now showing he is top notch at OK State
2) Tom Creen - If you can't beat them HIRE THEM. Creen is a solid recruiter and a nightmare to play against. A very good x/o's coach and would be a very nice addition!
3) John Pelphery - Again, has the UK roots and is a good coach. I would only be worried about the amount of coaching experience he has and how good of a recruiter he is. Coming out of the Pitino blend, I wouldn't think he was bad at either.

Other than those three, I wouldn't want anyone else out there.

Wow. Out of those three, Ford is the only one that would even get a sniff from me. Creen was on the list when Smith resigned and the overwhelming opinion of the fan base was to take a pass....I think he was far down the list. Not sold on that guy at all. Pelphrey just guided Arkansas to the worst record in the SEC....no thanks.

If Clyde is gone, and I don't think he is, expect Kentucky to go after Donovan again first...they won't get him, but there are others like Mark Few or Anthony Grant that might jump at the chance.

Alot depends on the roster for next season. Great class coming in. If Meeks and 2Pat are back, then only bad coaching could ruin their season..he's got something to prove next year or it will be time to move on.

[JLC40]

Just a short list of names to start with...
Matt Painter-Purdue
Thad Matta-Ohio State
Jamie Dixon-Pittsburgh
Mike Anderson-Missouri
Brad Stevens-Butler

[ttf23]

Just a short list of names to start with...
Matt Painter-Purdue
Thad Matta-Ohio State
Jamie Dixon-Pittsburgh
Mike Anderson-Missouri
Brad Stevens-Butler

Other than Dixon and Motta your looking at guys that have done NOTHING special...like Smith and Billy G.
UK will not make the same mistake 3 times.
The next coach at Kentucky will be Calapari!!!

[JLC40]

Other than Dixon and Motta your looking at guys that have done NOTHING special...like Smith and Billy G.
UK will not make the same mistake 3 times.
The next coach at Kentucky will be Calapari!!!


You really dont care about winning at all costs do you...

Calipari = Eddie Sutton

[SW52]

You really dont care about winning at all costs do you...

Calipari = Eddie Sutton

Agreed.

[Studtastic Powershank]

Alabama is looking at Anthony Grant....

UK has had its Coaching tenure's questioned quite a bit over the past, and a lot's been said that UK fans are too quick with the steam over their failures......Billy G is certainly not above this approach...still,...hasn't every coach other than Sutton been at UK for ten (or more) years?
Wasn't Chubby there for about ten even?, Pitino? for ten, Hall for ten and Rupp for obviously much more? That hardly equates to "Running off Coaches" or showing no regard for a "learning curve"!...in cases like Billy G's...., for most of the BBall World, they've been more a MODEL for coaching consistency, not Cap'n Hook!.

The obvious example: John Wooden retired at UCLA;...the school then switched head coaches five times over the next 14 years, with 3 of those making it "just" two years!....Sure, that was following up an immortal and UNcomparable run!, but still!
Even today, some 34 years since Wooden won the last of his titles, UCLA has never had a coach last a full "10" as its head guy. Its only in the past three years under Ben Howland that UCLA has fully returned as a consistent national power (that Florida beat down in consecutive years!).
UCLA, then, would MORE be the definition of a program that runs off coaches than would UK,..right?,....but because some people report/say that UKy does this, it makes the WILDcat fans look unreasonable (which of course, SOME are!....but we ALL have that to some degree).....and I'm one that believes once you achieve a level, you become a product of your own creation. It is NOT a fans fault to expect achievement, from a Coach making the kind of money they are making now....seriously!
I'm not on a bender for UK, but Florida fans have been impatient with the OTHER Billy too, this year,..and some people seem to be supportive of the Coach, and too unsympathetic to the expecting fan(s).....For 3 million a year, its not wrong to expect certain levels.
Those that fail should donate a chuck of coin to a worthy cause....or buy me a Ferarri, - something!

[Studtastic Powershank]

Calamari has the #1 recruiting class coming in this year ( he may end up with the #1, #2, AND #3 rated kids in THIS class!)...he's already GIT #2 and #3,...#1 is considering still)....
He may be available, attractive and willing...but aside from all that,...why would he leave Mempiss?....and that disGUSTing campus that surrounds that school!?!?!?...oh, yeah,..that's why!...

[SW52]

Alabama is looking at Anthony Grant....

UK has had its Coaching tenure's questioned quite a bit over the past, and a lot's been said that UK fans are too quick with the steam over their failures......Billy G is certainly not above this approach...still,...hasn't every coach other than Sutton been at UK for ten (or more) years?
Wasn't Chubby there for about ten even?, Pitino? for ten, Hall for ten and Rupp for obviously much more? That hardly equates to "Running off Coaches" or showing no regard for a "learning curve"!...in cases like Billy G's...., for most of the BBall World, they've been more a MODEL for coaching consistency, not Cap'n Hook!.

The obvious example: John Wooden retired at UCLA;...the school then switched head coaches five times over the next 14 years, with 3 of those making it "just" two years!....Sure, that was following up an immortal and UNcomparable run!, but still!
Even today, some 34 years since Wooden won the last of his titles, UCLA has never had a coach last a full "10" as its head guy. Its only in the past three years under Ben Howland that UCLA has fully returned as a consistent national power (that Florida beat down in consecutive years!).
UCLA, then, would MORE be the definition of a program that runs off coaches than would UK,..right?,....but because some people report/say that UKy does this, it makes the WILDcat fans look unreasonable (which of course, SOME are!....but we ALL have that to some degree).....and I'm one that believes once you achieve a level, you become a product of your own creation. It is NOT a fans fault to expect achievement, from a Coach making the kind of money they are making now....seriously!
I'm not on a bender for UK, but Florida fans have been impatient with the OTHER Billy too, this year,..and some people seem to be supportive of the Coach, and too unsympathetic to the expecting fan(s).....For 3 million a year, its not wrong to expect certain levels.
Those that fail should donate a chuck of coin to a worthy cause....or buy me a Ferarri, - something!

Rupp was there for 42 years ('30-'72)
Hall was there for 14 (1972-1985)
Sutton (1985-1989)
Pitino (1990-1997) His first season was 1990...making his run 8 years. He's now been at Louisville for 8 years as well.
Smith (1998-2007)...10 seasons.
Clyde (2008-Present)

[Studtastic Powershank]

Rupp was there for 42 years ('30-'72)
Hall was there for 14 (1972-1985)
Sutton (1985-1989)
Pitino (1990-1997) His first season was 1990...making his run 8 years. He's now been at Louisville for 8 years as well.
Smith (1998-2007)...10 seasons.
Clyde (2008-Present)

Not bad for a Gator fan!...and didn't "Pits" leave for a Pro job?..not "run" off?

[ttf23]

You really dont care about winning at all costs do you...

Calipari = Eddie Sutton

Beats the hell out of losing, it not like all D2 schools are squeaky clean anyway...well maybe it was with your & T's hero there, but again, the losing ran him off.
I think Billy Clyde will get UK into more trouble.
than Calipari if he stays long enough...dude is shadey.
Calipari is not even in the same hemisphere as Sutton as far as scumbagability.

[SW52]

http://michaeleaves.blogspot.com/2009/03/big-money-boosters-want-pitino-back-at.html

[SW52]

http://michaeleaves.blogspot.com/2009/03/big-money-boosters-want-pitino-back-at.html

By the way, I'd be shocked.

[Studtastic Powershank]

I'd have to agree,...there is only ONE name that could restore UK to the level they were use to.....Its Pits!

[SW52]

I just don't see why he'd change jobs again. He's got it pretty good where he is. I have no clue who Michael Eaves is, but I ran across the story on another board and thought I'd post it here.

[Studtastic Powershank]

I just don't see why he'd change jobs again. He's got it pretty good where he is. I have no clue who Michael Eaves is, but I ran across the story on another board and thought I'd post it here.

Well, that is true, and sometimes these bloggers are just 14 year old kids with a 'puter.....still, he is the only credible name on the planet that would be the impact guy UK would jump for.
Arizona is a big name program too, but Pits has it made now,...-Might be using the situation as a raise generator???....

'Gill knew the stakes were high before he got there, failure is only accepted on the balance sheet if it has an equalizer, he's not got one...Pits is one who knows, and can deliver.

From a conference standpoint, I'd like to see him go back to UK!

[JLC40]

Beats the hell out of losing, it not like all D2 schools are squeaky clean anyway...well maybe it was with your & T's hero there, but again, the losing ran him off.
I think Billy Clyde will get UK into more trouble.
than Calipari if he stays long enough...dude is shadey.
Calipari is not even in the same hemisphere as Sutton as far as scumbagability.

No Im pretty sure it was "fans" like you that ran him off!!! :)

[ttf23]

No Im pretty sure it was "fans" like you that ran him off!!! :)

DAMN RIGHT...and if Minnesota wasn't so far away I'd go stick another for sale sign in his yard tonight...DID THAT JUST HAPPEN T?
I'm kidding!!!! Don't get your panties in a bunch.

[cwillhoff32]

uk is after billy d again, why leave the sunshine state?

[cwillhoff32]

gillespie's subbing sucks. galloway should never touch the court. i mean uc beat notre dame for crying out loud

[SW52]

Well, that disaster of a season is mercifully over. Should be a VERY interesting few days/weeks coming up in the Bluegrass. Never thought I'd be saying that two years ago.

[USSSAFairborn]

gillespie's subbing sucks. galloway should never touch the court. i mean uc beat notre dame for crying out loud

Really? I am wondering why Galloway lacked the playing time? I think he is the best PG option that they have. Runs the floor well, has the ability to slash and score, penetrate and dish, and is a pretty smart guy. Much better defender than Porter as well!

[SW52]

The End of an Era?: The Emotion of Billy Clyde
by Matt Jones @ 12:03 am. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions


As the clock wound down its final few ticks on Wednesday night, the cameras panned to Coach Billy Gillispie for what could be his final few moments as Kentucky basketball coach. Gillispie stood there with a look on his face that showed a man full of emotion. With tears seeming to well up in his face, Gillispie looked genuniely sad and disappointed as his look suggested a man who knew his fate was likely already determined. It was at that moment that an emotion that I have not had for Gillispie yet showcased itself. For a short period of time, I genuinely felt sorry for the man. Here is a basketball junkie, someone who lives and breathes the game 24-7 and was given the keys to his own personal Camelot, the UK basketball program, now having to accept that he may lose that which seemed so perfect for him. Its one thing for a person to never reach his or her goals….most get used to that. But to have your mountaintop ascended and then see it all taken away….well that has to be difficult. In those last few moments, I saw what looked to be that pain on Gillispie’s face and I realized that no matter what led us to this point, I genuinely feel sympathy for the guy.

We all like to play pop psychologist and try to analyze people’s emotions, but over the past week or so, I have gotten the feeling that a there is a genuine sense of regret in Coach Gillispie’s demeanor. I first noticed it at the NIT game in Memorial when for the first time in months, the team looked free and loose and seemed to be having a great deal of fun on the court. While Gillispie was still barking orders on the sideline, the players talked afterwards about how he had expressed to them how much they needed to enjoy this moment and had written “FUN” on the top of the pre-game message board. Patrick Patterson spoke about how players were much looser and “not afraid to make mistakes”, a knowing nod to all the times that mistakes have led to tight play and hurt feelings. Then came the change in Gillispie’s demeanor, with multiple comments about his love for the program, his more positive interaction with players and the media and his willingness to mix things up on the court (even playing zone for a couple of plays at Creighton). While on the court the team’s play was up and down, the atmosphere was much different….gone were the dreary faces and what replaced them were smiles and happiness. Gillispie was more relaxed and looked like a man who was intent on making up for lost time and trying to give the best impression he could to a critiquing public.

A December Press Conference

The whole scene reminded me of a pattern with Gillispie. When Clyde was first hired, I spoke to a person who knew him well who said, “he can be both the gruffest and the nicest guy ever…sometimes in the same day.” I thought of this back in December when I got to experience the two sides of Gillispie after a UK game. During one of UK’s contests, I spoke with an individual who works for UK who was in charge of charting the players’ +/- ratio (that determines whether the team scores more or less when a player is in the game) at the direction of Gillispie. Because I am a statistics geek, I was excited to find out Gillispie was into the statistic, especially when the individual told me that it was that statistic that explained why Porter and Harris were so effective….the team’s plus/minus was better when they were in the game.

Armed with this information, I asked Gillispie in the post-game press conference about the statistic. I said, “Over the last couple of games, Michael Porter’s plus/minus has been the highest on the team, why do you think that is the case?” The point of the question was just to see Gillispie’s thoughts on the issue, but what I got instead was a classic biting Gillispie answer that was somewhat demeaning. He said, “Plus/minus….I dont know why you are asking about that. That statistic….what does it come from hockey?” He acted as if he knew nothing about the statistic, while at the same time quoting AJ Stewart and other player’s plus/minus from previous games….showing that he did actually use the statistic. I had seen this action before….in nearly every press conference, Gillispie picked out one media member and when their question was asked, belittled it….and this happened to everyone ranging from Brett Dawson and Alan Cutler to a 20 year old girl from the college newspaper. Everyone has their “Jeanine Edwards” moment with Gillispie and this was mine.

I was a bit ticked off about the whole situation, but media members all said “dont worry, it is just Billy being Billy” and I dropped it out of my mind. But then I ran into Billy that night at a Lexington Catholic game where he was watching Vee Sanford. At that moment, I saw a completely different Billy Gillispie. Away from the press conference platform, where he sits above everyone and is the arbitror of what is and is not a good question, he was sitting at a table by himself watching a basketball game. As I walked by, he shouted “hey lawdog” and when I came over, I saw the other Billy. He apologized for his tone with me and said, “I didnt mean anything by what I said”. He told me how he does use plus/minus and the two of us actually had a mini-debate about its uses. He asked me about my law practice, the blog, etc and as I left said, “keep asking questions, you are doing well.” No one heard that but me and I still felt the embarassment of the public reprimand, but I knew this was “Billy being Billy”’s way of remedying the situation.

The Regretful Coach

I thought about that interaction as I watched Billy tonight. For weeks leading up to the NIT, we saw a defiant Billy, that culminated in his now-famous and damaging line at the SEC Tournament that he had not “signed on” to be an “ambassador” for the program. Since that line, the administration has not taken up for Billy and all quotes have been ominous. But after that line, Billy has seemed to become the more thoughtful, regretful Billy I saw before. He looks and acts like the guy who wants a second chance and an ability to explain himself, both to the fans and the administration. Gone are the smirks and putdowns that were so tiresome to watch for so long. Instead you have a guy who simply says he has done “the best that I could” and wishes a chance to come back and try again. In the same way that he showcased a sense of regret to me in December, I think the more flexible Billy has tried to showcase that same regret in the last week. Unfortunately for him, it may be too little to late. Billy’s bed may have been made after the Ole Miss game when he said he would not be an “ambassador” and his attempts now to become just that may have fallen on deaf ears. When people have told you for two years that you need to change some of your actions and your response has been to either ignore the requests or simply defiance, it is hard to believe that a genuine turnaround can, or will, occur.

But even if that is the case and even if he deserves the fate that he may end up getting, I cant help but feel a bit sorry for Clyde from Texas. This marriage could have been wonderful. Had he bent just a little bit and done just a few things differently, everyone…from administrators to the players to the media to the fans would have all seen him differently. As I wrote on here a few weeks back, we WANT to love our coach….and Gillispie could have been that guy. Unfortunately stubborness and unnecessary bouts of arrogance may have prevented that from happening and even if that is totally his fault, it is a shame. Tonight Billy looked sad about the realization of what might have been, and actually to be honest, I am too.

[JLC40]

My "source" tells me that Billy will be relieved of his coaching duties at UK as early as tomorrow.

[SW52]

My "source" tells me that Billy will be relieved of his coaching duties at UK as early as tomorrow.

Is he saying anything about a replacement?

[JLC40]

Something about another guy named Billy....but cant confirm.

[SW52]

Something about another guy named Billy....but cant confirm.

I'm hearing the same thing....maybe the timing is right this time.

[Studtastic Powershank]

I'd think, even as a non-Gator, that this isn't anything serious.
If the last few years have been any guide, and I'm not convinced they are, but,...IF,...then Billy's going to pass on the speculation of moving again. His credibility took a hit with the UK/Orlando thing a few years back......if he were gonna jump, THEN would seem more likely than now....right?

With Anthony Grant going to 'Bama (a second visit already,..and he's a good coach), that kinda makes me think Billy "D" is staying put.....if he were leaving, Grant would already know and be coming to G'ville,...not going to Tusck!

2 cents worth, anyway.....UK needs a name, and they need the transistion to be "quality" not "possibility/potential" this time.
Pits would be that guy,...and anything is possible....but I don't know,...he's got the UK thing going on in L'ville now. I'd bet against that happening too.

where's "PJ Carl" these days?.....

[JLC23]

I think the timing is perfect this time for Billy D to come here. Last time he was offered the job he was coming off of two NCAA championships. I think he felt it would be wrong to leave and have Fla start completely from scratch. Now that he has put a couple more years in and has somewhat rebuilt the program back up and got some stud players in there, i feel that it would be easier for him to leave now knowing that he didnt just dip out on the Gators. Thats why i feel like he is a done deal to come to the Cats.

[wells21]

I personally think that he thought he could turn UF bb into a dynasty like UK is. My thoughts are that IF BCG is gone (I don't like it but I think he is). Then Donavan will be here next. On a side note, I have heard MANY times that Pitino has had input in A LOT of the decisions that have and will be made at Kentucky. Does it bother anyone else that a FORMER coach is still being asked for his recomendation. I could see if they asked his opinon for his sucessor, but they are working on the third coach since Pitino. Either come back and breath life into our program again, or shut up and continue coaching the TARDS.

[Studtastic Powershank]

yeah, maybe, but, I just cant see it like that....

If there is ANYthing,...it might be Anthony Grant's deal with 'Bammer....Bammer apparently out-bid "Jawja" for the contract rights to Mr Grant (a former UF assist to Billy D, who just HAPPENS to use the SAME AGENT!).....hhhhmmm?...perhaps. Anthony's deal, apparently, calls for a 10-day waiting period......its a 10-mil(ish) deal, worth about 2.1 mil a year,...as goes the rumor.
He added the 10-day waiting period, potentially(rumor?), to see if Billy would have any interest in the Kentucky job,...however, there's been no report (or rumor) that a "reach" has been extended, or and offer will be made!....So,...first they'd fire ONE Billy,...then they will beat the clock on a deal,....I would assume.
I'd be thrilled (as a Gator and a fan) to have Billy D stay, of course....However, if he leaves?..I'm not gonna "Pull a UC fan" like they did when Bubby-Blow-hard left (or was forced out, whatever!)....and Blowhard's accomplishments don't compare to Billy's!....still,.. if he's leaving, I would love to get Anthony Grant in there....so, if there is anything to anything here; Just get it done now!
Grant will be a Nick Saban table guest soon,...then,....he's no longer a Gator!

[Studtastic Powershank]

I personally think that he thought he could turn UF bb into a dynasty like UK is. My thoughts are that IF BCG is gone (I don't like it but I think he is). Then Donavan will be here next. On a side note, I have heard MANY times that Pitino has had input in A LOT of the decisions that have and will be made at Kentucky. Does it bother anyone else that a FORMER coach is still being asked for his recomendation. I could see if they asked his opinon for his sucessor, but they are working on the third coach since Pitino. Either come back and breath life into our program again, or shut up and continue coaching the TARDS.


W/O sounding like I'm bashing my brother SEC team, UK,....and I'm not....Certainly even a die-hard has noticed that SOME of the assumed allure of the Big Blue has softened, a little...over the past few years.
As an elite program throughout HISTORY?...there are few who could argue UK's position up on top. That said,..this is a new generation...and some of the recruits out there might not hold the same sacred opinion- of the current affairs of that great university in Lexington...at least not like they use to!...
The recruits are, ultimately, who ends up deciding who the good coaches are! Billy "GLIDE" didn't fail, or "hasn't" failed, because he didn't do the work!.....He failed because, among maybe a few other things, he doesn't have the stable like some UK teams have had in that glory-past. Part of that could be his fault, but also it could reflect the "modern" impression of the game.....This means,...if that perception can change, maybe that youthful impression Billy D had back ALL those (now) manny years ago, has indeed faded...???....and that the love he had, was replaced. It has been a LONG time now.

There was certainly a LOT more chatter about this topic, from both Florida AND UK, back two years ago.....seems like if this were topical, we'd be hearing about it more.
Then again,....maybe that's the way it goese when its serious! Grant's deal with Bammer certainly wasn't kept under wraps,....and his ties to UFlorida should have created more "buzz",...again, "if"!

the 10-day window started today,...so,...UK brass,...make the offer already!

[SW52]

W/O sounding like I'm bashing my brother SEC team, UK,....and I'm not....Certainly even a die-hard has noticed that SOME of the assumed allure of the Big Blue has softened, a little...over the past few years.
As an elite program throughout HISTORY?...there are few who could argue UK's position up on top. That said,..this is a new generation...and some of the recruits out there might not hold the same sacred opinion- of the current affairs of that great university in Lexington...at least not like they use to!...
The recruits are, ultimately, who ends up deciding who the good coaches are! Billy "GLIDE" didn't fail, or "hasn't" failed, because he didn't do the work!.....He failed because, among maybe a few other things, he doesn't have the stable like some UK teams have had in that glory-past. Part of that could be his fault, but also it could reflect the "modern" impression of the game.....This means,...if that perception can change, maybe that youthful impression Billy D had back ALL those (now) manny years ago, has indeed faded...???....and that the love he had, was replaced. It has been a LONG time now.

There was certainly a LOT more chatter about this topic, from both Florida AND UK, back two years ago.....seems like if this were topical, we'd be hearing about it more.
Then again,....maybe that's the way it goese when its serious! Grant's deal with Bammer certainly wasn't kept under wraps,....and his ties to UFlorida should have created more "buzz",...again, "if"!

the 10-day window started today,...so,...UK brass,...make the offer already!


I can't disagree with any of that.

[JSiler27]

As an elite program throughout HISTORY?...there are few who could argue UK's position up on top. That said,..this is a new generation...and some of the recruits out there might not hold the same sacred opinion- of the current affairs of that great university in Lexington...at least not like they use to!...


This is my exact point. I don't hate or really even dislike the University of Kentucky. My whole thing, as well as half of America, is that the MAJORITY of their fans are still walking around like it the 1950's and it just isn't that way anymore. The college game has had such an infusion of parody just in the last 20 years. I think you can still have your top tier schools year in year out i.e. your Duke's and North Carolina's but its nearly impossible to build a "dynasty" in today's college basketball climate. Let's all face it, kids are not choosing their schools based on the the name on the jersey like they did years ago. Does it still factor in? Of course it does. But there is so much more that goes into their decision making process now. Ufreak might remember this better than me but I recall a couple of years ago Kentucky and Florida were both recruiting Dan Werner. I remember reading an interview with Werner's father and he point blank said if your 18 years old where would you rather be, in Lexington, Kentucky where it is cold for 5 months out of the year or in 85 degree weather wearing flip flops all year long? Can you blame the kid? Like it or dislike it that is just one example of the things kids are taking into consideration when choosing their schools. Some it may be weather, some may be distance from home and family and some it maybe a 100% whats best for their basketball careers. Whatever it is it sure isn't the same factors that the majority of kids were using decades earlier. I guess we could call it the evolution of recruiting also.

I personally think Billy Gillispie, as much as I think he is over hyped, SHOULD get a 3rd year. I think it is unreasonable to not give a coach adequate amount of time to right the ship. Its not like he is in year 6 or 7 in Lexington. But if they do cut ties with him you best believe its more than just what's going on on the court. Personality clashes or whatever you want to call it.

If Kentucky DOES cut ties with Gillispie and I was a betting man Travis Ford would be my horse as of now. Now saying that I also realize that as soon as the tournament wraps up that the coaching climate could change dramatically and very fast so this might change quickly. But sitting here today I think Ford makes the most logical sense for both parties involved.

See Wells I can have a Kentucky discussion and not blast them. LOL.

[b-pick]

Being a biased Louisville fan, why wouldnt they ask "The Coach" Pitino for advice? They (UK Nation) haven't been able to get over him since he's been gone. But if they had truly taken his advice the last time, it would have been Pelphrey or Ford and not Billy G. He had made that known on the Rome show about two weeks after Billy G was hired. He came out and basically said that he told them the same thing that he told Florida when they were looking to hire Donovan, that if they would allow for three years, not paying any focus on records, that Pelphrey and/or Ford would be his choice. The problem was after all the gripes from Tubbys program, they were not willing to be patient and wait for a program to develop. As it turns out, looks like they are having forcefully wait after all. I just wonder is it was one their own like Pelphrey or Ford instead of Gillespie at this point, if all the stir would be going on. Its going to have to be someone that from Blue tradition at this point, or no one is going to be happy. If Blue Nation is so gung ho on getting Pitino back to Lexington, Pitino's son is an assistant coach on his staff this year.?.?.? Just a joke

[SW52]

Published: March 26, 2009
Blame goes to Gillispie and KentuckyComment Email Print Share By Pat Forde
ESPN.com
Archive
The speculation won't quit, which means Billy Gillispie will. Either of his own volition, or with a brusque shove from his bosses at the University of Kentucky.


[+] EnlargeMark Zerof/US Presswire
Billy Gillispie and Kentucky haven't been a good fit from the start.
Barring a 180-degree change of tenor, Gillispie's short, ugly tenure as coach of the Wildcats seems as good as over. A decision will be made by Friday, sources say, and after weeks of simmering angst it does not figure to be a happy one.

If this is the end, it's a spectacular failure for Gillispie personally. And for Kentucky as a basketball program.

This is a rushed marriage that rarely felt right or happy. In figuring out how we've arrived so quickly at the brink of this ignominious divorce, one thing is clear: There is ample blame for both sides.

Start with the Kentucky brass, athletic director Mitch Barnhart and president Lee Todd. After being turned down publicly by Billy Donovan of Florida in 2007 and rebuffed privately by Jay Wright of Villanova and Rick Barnes of Texas, they panicked. Reacting hastily after the Barnes talks broke off, they lunged at the guy they knew would say yes: Texas A&M's Gillispie.

The decision seemed to be fueled by a fear that mighty Kentucky could not suffer the prestige hit of repeated rejections. Especially not after Barnhart went through an entire Rolodex of football coaching candidates in 2002 before getting Rich Brooks -- which ended up working out splendidly after a rocky start.

But that was Kentucky football, and this is Kentucky basketball. And the Wildcats are not supposed to grovel for a coach.

Never mind that former athletic director C.M. Newton took more than two months and at least a couple of rejections (Lute Olson and P.J. Carlesimo) in 1989 before getting around to hiring a guy named Rick Pitino. This time around, UK hurried a critical decision.

Vanity and rabbit ears for criticism helped push Barnhart into the basketball version of a Las Vegas wedding. And you know how those tend to work out.

Had Kentucky taken the time to carefully conduct its search, it might have learned that Gillispie's prickly personality and uneven moods made him poorly suited for the fishbowl existence of coaching the Wildcats. Even being a bachelor turned out to be a complicating factor, since everyone wanted to know Gillispie's personal business. And because the coach was hardly a stay-at-home shrinking violet, the gossip mill churned at a hysterical pace.


This is a rushed marriage that rarely felt right or happy. In figuring out how we've arrived so quickly at the brink of this ignominious divorce, one thing is clear: There is ample blame for both sides.

Nobody much cares what you do at UTEP and Texas A&M. At Kentucky, they care about every breath you take.

They also care about winning. And while Gillispie had done tremendous work reviving UTEP and A&M, he brought a grand total of three NCAA tournament victories with him to Lexington. That's the fewest of any new hire at UK since Joe B. Hall, a former Adolph Rupp assistant who had never been a Division I head coach.

So Barnhart brought in an odd duck with a decent but not dazzling résumé and foisted him off as the savior of a listing program. His failure to gauge the fit between school and coach is impossible to ignore. Now, after just two years, he's in the humiliating position of having to admit he blew it.

Quite frankly, the apparent fact that Barnhart will be in place to make a second basketball hire is either shocking or foolish. Or both.

But that's only half the failed marriage. The other half is Gillispie, who insiders say has absolutely flunked Interpersonal Relationships 101.

The trouble began almost immediately, when Gillispie obstinately refused to sign his contract. He still hasn't, which had to fray his relationship with Barnhart. Every time the subject came up, Gillispie had a flippant response that indicated this was no big deal -- but multimillion-dollar contract impasses always are a big deal.

So are losses to Gardner-Webb. Gillispie did that in the second game of his tenure, showing a strategic stubbornness that would become an unwelcome hallmark of his tenure. There would be no adjustments; it would simply be up to the players to come around to Billy's way.

The 2007-08 Wildcats did eventually come around, going 12-4 in Southeastern Conference play and earning Gillispie co-coach of the year honors. But as early as New Year's Day, insiders were saying the coach seemed miserable and many wondered whether he'd look to leave after only one season.


[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Rob Carr
A rushed decision has burned Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart.
Kentucky barely got into the NCAA tournament and lost in the first round for the first time since 1987. Two players transferred.

This season, more was expected by a less-than-realistic fan base and less was delivered. Once again, the angst began immediately with a season-opening loss to VMI. Once again, playing time for some players rose and fell seemingly on a whim. Once again, a slow start had the commonwealth wondering.

But then Kentucky rallied, starting with a valiant, last-second loss to Louisville in Freedom Hall. In late January the Wildcats were 16-4 overall, 5-0 in the SEC, and the fan base was speculating about an undefeated league record.

Instead the Wildcats wound up 8-8, collapsing in a weak league and losing their last four regular-season games for the first time since 1907. Along the way Gillispie grew more publicly critical of his players, often foisting the blame onto their shoulders.

After losing in the second round of the SEC tournament, the Cats were out of the NCAAs. And at Kentucky, the three dirtiest letters in the alphabet are N-I-T.

I was in Lexington on Selection Sunday and it was the saddest town in America. A populace that treats NCAA bids as a birthright stayed indoors on a morose, rainy day. The sports bars had few people in them wearing blue. Meanwhile, hated rival Louisville was the overall No. 1 seed.

The season was an official catastrophe.

Before then, though, it started to become clear how many people were put off by Gillispie's personality. The list is longer than 6-foot-8 Patrick Patterson. Some former players took public potshots at him for treating people poorly, and Barnhart's frustrations came through clearly in a revealing all-access story by ESPN.com's Dana O'Neil.

Still, Kentucky and many other schools would tolerate a jerk who wins big. A jerk who goes to the NIT is another matter.

So that's how we got here, in just two years, to the brink of Black Friday in the commonwealth.

If they decide to bring Gillispie back, he'd be returning to an almost untenable position. More likely, it's over.

If that's the case, Kentucky will have blown a hire at its most public position at a critical time in the program's history. Billy Gillispie will have blown the chance of a lifetime.

There are no winners here.

[Studtastic Powershank]

There's been a lot reported via "CatPause"....and some, oddly enUFf, is freakin' hilarious!....One thread I saw, which was promoting that Billy D is "a-comin'"....the thread "Doesn't Billy D's girls love horses? .....as the reasoning behind him taking up and moving. (they've removed it since)
Now, he might, or he might now....to me,..this is getting old. I understand respect, but if he's contemplating a move,...freakin do it already. If this is gonna pop up every 2-3 years, and he's gonna let it fester, he's gonna pizz off a lot of people, including incoming recruits.

If this is an ego thing, get off it already.....ego gets stroked by the numbers of zero's after your 2.5 or whatever. If Foley has nutts, he'd boot his ass out now, grab the guy Grant who apparently WANTS to be (t)here,..and move on.
Florida fans are good with that.....beats having some primpin' bitch who wants to tease, ala Brett Favre and his retirement,...bullshtyie.

THAT said!...I don't think he's leaving....but he SHOULD say something to the players, AD and maybe even the fans.....Hey, I BOXED a really fine babe back 18 years aog,...it was great fun, but I'm not YEARNING to go back there!....*$%^!...and I dont hold my wife hostage threatening to go BACK there every few seasons either...

[Studtastic Powershank]

This is my exact point. I don't hate or really even dislike the University of Kentucky. My whole thing, as well as half of America, is that the MAJORITY of their fans are still walking around like it the 1950's and it just isn't that way anymore. The college game has had such an infusion of parody just in the last 20 years. I think you can still have your top tier schools year in year out i.e. your Duke's and North Carolina's but its nearly impossible to build a "dynasty" in today's college basketball climate. Let's all face it, kids are not choosing their schools based on the the name on the jersey like they did years ago. Does it still factor in? Of course it does. But there is so much more that goes into their decision making process now. Ufreak might remember this better than me but I recall a couple of years ago Kentucky and Florida were both recruiting Dan Werner. I remember reading an interview with Werner's father and he point blank said if your 18 years old where would you rather be, in Lexington, Kentucky where it is cold for 5 months out of the year or in 85 degree weather wearing flip flops all year long? Can you blame the kid? Like it or dislike it that is just one example of the things kids are taking into consideration when choosing their schools. Some it may be weather, some may be distance from home and family and some it maybe a 100% whats best for their basketball careers. Whatever it is it sure isn't the same factors that the majority of kids were using decades earlier. I guess we could call it the evolution of recruiting also. .

Yeah, a Schools got to use what they can....UK uses/used its reputation, with great success....Now,...if thats seemingly not as effective....????

If the warm weather and hot chicks worked universally, there'd be little to stop Miami, USCw, and several others.
Gainesville is a College town....great campus, but its a drive to the beach (and its brutal in August!) Florida Atlantic, is right ON the water, and its awesome there....but they advance in very little, athletically anyway.

Lexington is a great campus,....and if the girls that go to the Football games are any indication,..they are STOCKED with the females sweeties too...at least on par with most other places.




...


btw: this is good: "Nobody much cares what you do at UTEP and Texas A&M. At Kentucky, they care about every breath you take.
....

[Studtastic Powershank]

For the last week, a barrage of impassioned Kentucky fans, and even some Bluegrass-state reporters, without officially reporting it; have pegged Florida Coach Billy Donovan as the next Kentucky coach to replace Billy Gillispie after two seasons.

The UK faithful expects Gillispie to be fired as soon as today. Reports already have begun. WHAS-TV in Louisville has Gillispie fired, and UK released this statement: “UK men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie has not been fired. There have been no meetings between Gillispie and UK officials today and there is no scheduled press conference for tomorrow”

Donovan, Kentucky's dream date the last two years, will be the target of rampant speculation in the next 24 hours and beyond, until someone confirms that there's activity with UK or squashes the matter.

A couple of sources close to Donovan said they aren't worried about him leaving Florida, the school that gave him a $3.5-million contract after he returned from the Orlando Magic two years ago.

Speaking of contracts, Donovan can walk away from his contract with a written notice before April 1, no strings attached except losing out on his $400,000 loyalty clause. After April 1, he would have to pay a $500,000 buyout -- chump change to Blueblood money factory in Lexington.

But some clues are undeniable. There's Anthony Grant taking his time on the Alabama job offer, presumably to wait on Florida. Grant would undoubtedly be Donovan's replacement in Gainesville. The Gainesville Sun reported that a private plane was tracked going from Gainesville to Montgomery Airport in Mount Sterling, Ky. (outside of Lexington) to South Bend, Ind., for Kentucky's NIT matchup with Notre Dame on Wednesday. And then there's the feeling from many that Kentucky already has contacted Donovan through back channels, which I don't doubt. National pundits already have thrown dirt on the Gillispie situation and are moving forward with potential dream candidates such as Donovan, Memphis' John Calipari and Michigan State's Tom Izzo, writes CBS Sports' Gary Parrish.

Donovan has been Kentucky's favorite ever since it pitched him an offer in 2007that he rejected after back-to-back national titles. Gillispie's personality hasn't meshed, but Donovan, a former UK assistant, would be the closest thing to a sure thing for UK.

-For what it's worth, Donovan has spent almost a third of his life in Gainesville, and his four kids have grown up here (including his oldest son, Billy Jr., a junior at St. Francis High). Part of the allure to the Orlando Magic job he took then spurned was that he could drive back and forth from Gainesville to Orlando without uprooting his family. And despite the back-to-back NITs, Donovan will have this place rolling again. If he had two NIT seasons in Lexington, it might be over fast. Then again, if Donovan could revive UK and lead them to a national title, he might be among the three greatest college coaches of all time. Talk about a legacy ceiling.

Stay tuned on this...I don't think Billy will jump. But when schools make their fancy pitches to coaches, things can change that quickly.



You all don't think UK has an interest in Booby Huggin'nutts?....nah,...then I would have to wish losses on UK!

[SW52]

Gillispie is out at Kentucky.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4021232

[JLC40]

I feel sorry for the guy but at least now we can move on. :)

[SW52]

I'm just concerned about where we're moving to.

[wells21]

If the replacement insn't Donovan, Pitino, Pat Riley or MAYBE Izzo then this is a MAJOR mistake. Just my opinion.......

[wells21]

I'm just concerned about where we're moving to.

Yea, maybe not ONWARD and UPWARD.....they better have someone ready to smooth this over with the incoming recruites.

[SW52]

This has the potential to get alot worse before it gets any better. 2Pat was pretty vocal in his support of Gillispie....where is his head now? What about the recruiting class...what are they thinking? Kentucky needs an established big name now...they've put themselves in that position. If they hire Ford or any other "up and comer" I think we lose at least half the incoming class and maybe Patterson as well.

I guess the off the court stuff (his dealings with media, former players, and fans) had to be a real serious issue for UK to bail on him after two seasons and alot of potential next season.

[USSSAFairborn]

Reading a lot today on Scout where the Hood and Orton family are very upset with the decision and Barnhart's lack of contact with them.

[JLC40]

I just watched the presser with Mitch and El Presidente....They both looked like the have been wiping egg off of their face all day.

Before the press conference on WKYT (Lexington station) they had Hood, Orton and Villarino's parents on via phone. Hood and Orton's parental units both said that they are disapointed but they are jumping off the UK ship just yet. They are both in a wait and see mode to see who the coaching search will come up with. Vilarino's dad said that GJ has been a Wildcat for 3 years now (hypothetically) and that he has all intentions of coming to Lexington.

[JLC40]

To add my last $.02 on todays subject.....Mitch had better get this one right this time or he will be looking for another position in 2-3 years.

[JLC40]

Watch the Cut Man try to run down Billy G

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/41921377.html

[JSiler27]

Here is an article with the video built in.

Link (http://jay-mariotti.fanhouse.com/2009/03/27/worst-job-in-college-hoops-kentucky-fried-chaos/)

[chillywilly777]

Watch the Cut Man try to run down Billy G

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/41921377.html

Alan Cutler is a complete tool.

[JLC40]

On Catspause.com they are asking for his head on a plate. He did go over the top on that display of investigative journalism.

[JSiler27]

On Catspause.com they are asking for his head on a plate. He did go over the top on that display of investigative journalism.


I think your putting it too nicely. Cutler is an frigging idiot. There should be NO coach that has to be humiliated like that. It just adds insult to injury. I don't know the legalities of it but if I were the University of Kentucky I would do every thing in my power to have him barred from doing any work on my campus again.

[JLC40]

Technically Billy G wasnt the COACH at that time. He was on his way back to the office to clean out us desk.

[JLC40]

Ok my new top 5 choices for the next coach are.....
1.Mark Few
2.Jamie Dixon
3.John Calipari
4.Travis Ford
And you heard it here first.....5. Pat Summit

[jamie14vw]

My top 5...

With pretty much feeling like Rick P or Donovan wont come...

1. Jon Calipari
2. Tom Izzo
3. JAy Wright
4. Sean Miller
5. Travis Ford

[massappeal16]

Give Travis Ford a chance

[USSSAFairborn]

Calipari has a press conference scheduled for Tues. to make an announcement. According to what I have heard, he will accept the head coaching position at UK and his daughter has been hired for some sort of admin position there as well.

Could be a bad rumor or the truth. Probably find out on Tuesday.

[SW52]

Give Travis Ford a chance

No Thanks...not ready and not elite enough for the shape Kentucky is in right now. They need a big name/recruiter. I'll take Calipari if they can get him.

[ttf23]

Everyone is so worried about him getting UK into trouble, I just don't see it happening.
He knows he'll be under the microscope there, plus his trouble at UMass probably has
him on the watch list anyway.

[b-pick]

Doesnt matter to TTF23, about two seasons in, and he'll be running off the next coach anyways. Could have very well been him running down Billy G, rather than the Cut Man. Anything short of an Adolph Rupp clup or Joe B Hall, he's not going to be happy! And with the Calipari and the microscope thing, I think he's a good coach, a great recruiter, but their still a lot of questions on him and his recruiting even this morning. His recruiting class that he is bringing into Memphis next year is coming under a lot scrutiny. Basically three of the top five players in most eyes are due into Memphis and Conference USA next season. This has brought a lot of questioning in a lot of minds. On the other hand, he has been doing that for quite a few years now, so he's definitely selling them on something. Maybe its the BBQ! The good news is that one of those three players hasnt signed a letter yet, so he could still make his way to Lex if Calipari comes, but then again, UK was never on his list. Who knows? Im sure that with the recruits that he would bring into Lex, that there would still be complaints, because a lot of them would be leaving in two years or less to turn pro. Just the nature of Ky fans. Oh yeah, that microscope thing............the same thing Indiana thought bringing in Kelvin Sampson, except they put it in a text message. In all seriousness, Calipari and Kentucky really need each other. Ky needs to have a big name, and Calipari needs to have a bigger platform than Conference USA. The funny thing is, if he leaves Memphis, you could see Billy G there, of if its Ford, you will most likely see Billy G in OK State. Safety mode either way. Because if Calipari turns them down in the end, it will be Ford, and he is already built into the Big Blue Family, so he will have a lot more leeway. In the end I'm all for Calipari, makes a nicer rivalry of UK versus the Ville, Pitino versus Calipari......the Italian restaurants will be packed for those games. Get your reservations early for Pompilios that night, and for Gods sakes make sure you get in before Fogty.

[JLC40]

http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/whas11-topstory-090330-calipari-uk-coach.87f62981.html

OR

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11569528

[JSiler27]

If it all falls into place this is about as good of a hire as you could possibly make.

[cwillhoff32]

for all you doubters! can you say contender?

[chillywilly777]

UK fans will love this.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11573816

[wells21]

Here's an interesteing read. DISCLAIMER: DON'T READ IF YOUR NAME IS MIKE HARRIS! YOU WON"T LIKE IT......LOL


This is from cbssportline national columist Gregg Doyle

At UMass, a nothing school on the college basketball landscape, John Calipari won like he was at Kentucky. At Memphis, a bigger basketball school than UMass but still nothing much to look at when he got there in 2000, Calipari won again like he was at Kentucky.

So what happens now that John Calipari is coaching Kentucky?

I'll tell you what happens. Kentucky will win like it's the Boston Celtics.


John Calipari will prove himself worthy of Kentucky fans' applause. (Getty Images)
College basketball as you know it? It's over. That sport doesn't exist anymore, because that sport had a semblance of parity. One year North Carolina is the dominant program. One year it's UConn. One year it's Duke or UCLA or Florida. Maybe those teams don't win the national title the year they're dominant, or maybe they do. Either way, every year there is a team that, on paper, is the dominant program in college basketball. And every year it's a different team.

Until now. Until John Calipari merges with Kentucky.

• Calipari accepts Kentucky's offer

Once Calipari gets Kentucky rolling -- and it won't take him long -- Kentucky will be that team. That dominant team. Every year?

Yes. Every year.

Things can go wrong, of course. Players can get hurt or ineligible. A scandal can come along out of nowhere, like the one rocking UConn at the moment. Kentucky itself has been laid low by NCAA violations, back when Eddie Sutton was running amok in Lexington. So things can happen.

But if none of those things happen ... it's over. College basketball will belong to Kentucky. Turn back the clock 50 or 60 years, because it'll be like that all over again. Kentucky won three national championships in the four seasons between 1948-51. The Wildcats added another in 1958. What happened between 1951 and '58? Three trips to the Elite Eight happened. Not even a point-shaving scandal could slow Kentucky down. The Wildcats didn't field a team in 1953 because of that scandal, then went 25-0 in 1954, but were held out of the NCAA tournament.

The coach then was Adolph Rupp. When he retired in 1972, he had won 876 games, more than anyone in college basketball history. His record stood for 25 years. Rupp was that good at Kentucky.

John Calipari would be that good at Kentucky, too. How could he not? He has been Kentucky-good at places that couldn't hold Kentucky's jock.

In 1988, Calipari went to Massachusetts, which hadn't been to the NCAA tournament in more than 25 years, and soon he was making it look easy. UMass averaged 29 wins per season from 1992-96, and reached the 1996 Final Four. There was the Marcus Camby scandal, with Camby's relationship to an agent costing him his eligibility and UMass its spot in the Final Four, and heads will roll if that happens at Kentucky.

But if that doesn't happen, Calipari will win huge. He'll win like he won at Memphis, where he won at least 33 games in each of the past four seasons and reached the 2008 NCAA title game.

Calipari will win like that at Kentucky, and maybe as soon as Year 1. Kentucky has two future pros, forward Patrick Patterson and guard Jodie Meeks, but neither is quite ready for the NBA. If they come back, and if Calipari brings just two of the incoming freshman studs he has lined up at Memphis -- say, Xavier Henry and DeMarcus Cousins -- Kentucky would enter next season among the preseason favorites to win the national title. One year after going to the NIT.

Calipari is that good, because he attracts that kind of talent. You can question how he attracts that talent, and you can question the character of some of the talent he attracts, and those are legitimate issues for someone to tackle. But those are issues for another day.

Today, the issue is the merger of John Calipari and Kentucky basketball. He's going to get that school rolling again, because that's what he does. UMass had been stalled for 25 years, but he got that program up and rolling. Memphis had been stuck in neutral until he got that place rolling.

He'll get Kentucky rolling, too. Heaven help anyone who gets in the way.

[ttf23]

Soooo your off Billy Clydes jock now or what

[SW52]

Anyone catch the brief interview with Clyde on SportsCenter the other night? He looked and sounded like a guy that was relieved to be out. He'll find his nitch somewhere and probably be very successful...he had that at A&M.

[wells21]

Billy who.........no in all seriousness. You are SORELY mistaken if you thought I was "on Billy's jock" I have however, NEVER left the University of Kentucky's JOCK.

[cardstorm]

"Heaven help anyone that gets in their way." HAHAHA The VMI's of the world should be pissing their pants, but the big boy teams won't worry. Calipari hasn't proven he can beat anyone outside the CUSA in several years.

[SW52]

"Heaven help anyone that gets in their way." HAHAHA The VMI's of the world should be pissing their pants, but the big boy teams won't worry. Calipari hasn't proven he can beat anyone outside the CUSA in several years.

Really? Was it all CUSA teams he beat in all those Elite 8 runs and the run to the title game last year?

[b-pick]

"Heaven help anyone that gets in their way." HAHAHA The VMI's of the world should be pissing their pants, but the big boy teams won't worry. Calipari hasn't proven he can beat anyone outside the CUSA in several years.

This is statement right here is what worrys me about some college basketball fans. A bunch of misconceptions or just no thinking things through. Yes, he was in a lacking conference that he cleaned house in, and no he wasnt competing against the Lvilles or Marquettes any longer, but last time I checked it was about building your season resume, getting to the tournament, and going as far as you could go in that, hopefully getting all the way. That he has done with his teams. What exactly does beating the big boys get you in the end? My Lville Cards, won the Big East season and tourney, beating the big boys. And that gets them what? A seat at home for the Final Four! If it was all about beating the bigs boys, and winning conferences, I'd be happy right now, and Tubby would still be in Lexington.
Memphis wasnt playing VMIs, Gardner Webbs or High Points in getting to all those Sweet Sixteens, Elite Eights, and Final Fours. I'm pretty sure there was some big boys in there somewhere. In actuality, one bad coaching call away from a National Championship last year. Dont get me wrong, I'm still going with the Ville first, and the Blue second, but doing my job in bringing the Commonwealth factions together.

[cardstorm]

Wow a person living in KY that can actually be a fan of both, what a novel concept. Not bashing anyone here because I am the same person. Louisville fan first, Blue fan second. I'm not knocking Calipari for the runs he has made in the tournaments over the part several years, but don't make him out to be the savior of mighty blue nation yet. His overall record is inflated largely because of the string of 30 win seasons he has been able to accumulate in CUSA. I hope he can bring the CATS back honestly, Uk fans have been in sh!tty moods for the past two years ha. Something had to be done and it was, just don't make him out to be NC contenders next year just because of what he has done recently in CUSA. He hasn't coached a game at UK yet and I've heard from atleast 5 of my UK fans via text that they will wipe the floor with LVille next year in coRUPPt Arena. Why is that? Just voicing my opinion.

[wells21]

Maybe cuz we had a terrible season compared to one of the Ville's best EVER and it took a buzzer beater to win on your own court! Bottom line, it's a HUGE rivalry (whether National media wants to exept it or not) so neither team should expect to "wipe the floor" with the other. I do like the attitude of my fellow felines though.......

[cardstorm]

I can't tell you hom many times I have said the exact same thing this season to numerous UK fans that try to knock the Ville's win against UK this season. The game is a HUGE rivalry all over the state and emotions run high throughout the game. Either team has a chance to win in a rivalry. The bottom line for me is I believe the Cats had a good team this year but played well below their potential due mainly to lack of a substitution pattern and no offensive scheme. You can only win so many games with 2 options and a few less when one of those options goes down with an injury.

Good luck to Kentucky next year, hopefully we will have 2 great teams to watch next year and put 4 teams into the tournament from the state.

[JLC40]

I have the exclusive video of Billy G getting canned by UK President Lee Todd.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090402222434652

[wells21]

Too funny...........but let it go 40. He DID NOT produce, but I still say he wasn't given the best situation to work in. His mistake was probably not cleaning house of the Tubby recruites who can't play, not being flexible in his approach and not "being an embassador" for the BBN. I could NEVER see our cowardly administration having a conversation like this. I even read where they basicly fired him by letter......I'm glad it's over and I think they got the right coach in now. As they say....Kentucky is BACK (even though I didn't see any 8-20 season announcing we were gone) Let the UK bashing continue, but now it's back to bashing UK cuz of jealousy, not because of "irrelavence" (sp)

[JSiler27]

See Wells this is what you still don't get. Majority of people don't dislike UK. Majority of people dislike a lot of the loony-tune fans. Its actually better for college basketball for UK to be on an upswing. Majority of Kentucky fans, definitely not all, sometimes live in a box. I love the passion. But unfortunately you got a lot of fans who are just ignorant and annoying. But like anywhere you also got your realistic ones too that can actually hold a college basketball conversation that doesn't involve anything about Lexington. But that is why. Its NOT the school itself. Its NOT jealousy, though you love to convince yourself of that. Its the fans in the "blue" straight jackets.

I think Calipari is a great hire. They should compete right from the get go for the Conference title. Its actually something that is good for the game. I can see in a couple of years Kentucky, Louisville and Indiana all having that good old rivalry back. Those kinds of things are great for the game. And I don't like any of those schools but if you are a true fan of the game those are games that you find yourself in front of the television with beer and pizza. Not really rooting for anyone in particular but just love watching 2 heavyweights trade blows. Tournament atmosphere in the regular season. Thats what real fans want.

[wells21]

Anyone remember when Tubby LEFT (not fired)? All I heard about was NOONE will want to coach at Kentucky, NOONE will want to play for Kentucky. It's not what it used to be. It's not the name on the front anymore. Well, all I hear about NOW, when these 4 and 5 STAR, HIGHLY RECOGNIZED recruites KEEP signing, is what better coach would I like to play for? And, What better place to play at than KENTUCKY!

[cardstorm]

Guess we all missed those quotes!!!! Good luck to Cousin's, I hope he sticks it out for more than one season at UK. He has already stated that if he could go straight to the NBA from college he never would've thought about college, I hope Cal can change his perspective this year.

[GOESNGETSIT]

BREAKING NEWS: Daniel Orton Asks for Release
by Matt Jones @ 12:35 pm. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions

orton

One man comes, another man leaves. Evan Daniels of Scout.com (who is killing it these last few days) is reporting that Daniel Orton has asked for his release from UK. That is the fall out from the Cousins commitment. He will still consider UK, but now is open to any and all comers….expect there to be lots.

[wells21]

I know this is he said, she said. And, I respect scouts.com, but kentuckyink.com had the same info and retracted it after a phone call to Orton's father. So, he may still go who knows but there is at least one retraction already.

[JSiler27]

It's not what it used to be. It's not the name on the front anymore. Well, all I hear about NOW, when these 4 and 5 STAR, HIGHLY RECOGNIZED recruites KEEP signing

Are you honestly going to embarrass yourself and sit here and say that all of a sudden Cousins is signing because of the name on the jersey and not cause of the the ONLY reason, which is Calipari? Cause that is obviously who you are referring to since he is the only new signee. If it were the name on the jersey wouldn't all of these guys have been signing for the last few years? Besides Patterson. If Calipari would have went to UAB most likely Cousins was following. Being Kentucky definitely doesn't hurt but there is ONE reason and ONE reason only that Cousins in coming. If he can get all those All Americans to come to Memphis, which is obviously no where near Kentucky in stature, then he will have a field day bringing them into Lexington. Players will be coming back to Kentucky more because of Calipari being a great recruiter than because of it "being Kentucky". But those 2 are a recipe for a National Championship.

By the way Wells don't get all worked up. Just giving you crap as usual.

[GOESNGETSIT]

First Daniel Orton tells Evan Daniels (with quotes from the kid) that he has asked for his release from his LOI for UK. Then Daniel Orton’s dad tells Larry Vaught that no release has been asked for and that if and when that happens, it will be the father that asks for it. So we are left with the Daniel Orton situation still in flux. As of now he is still signed with UK. He will be at the Derby Festival this weekend and it is likely we will know much more at that point. I do think he will consider looking elsewhere, but as of today it looks like UK is still the place he is calling home.

— UK had practice today and I was told by someone there that it was virtually all layups. According to Alan Cutler, Calipari stressed to the players that they should take layups high off the glass saying, “I dont care if you miss it, but dont get blocked.” Cutler said Calipari was universally positive, praising all the players and running layup drill after layup drill. He said it was quite impressive and that Calipari was effusive in his praise of Darius Miller.

[GOESNGETSIT]

There are no kids out there that go to any university due to the name anymore. Unless your home grown.

[jamie14vw]

There was never any talk of Calipari going to UAB. Cousins actually gave an oral commitment to UAB then rescended to commit to Memphis. The only reason he had not signed a LOI to Memphis was in case coach Cal did leave. He was going to Memphis for the same reason he is going to Kentucky! COACH CAL. Question though you think kids go to Duke for Duke or for Coach K? It is a different time and day and players play for coaches not universities. Most of the major recruits don't plan on graduating anyhow! 1 and done or 2 and done.

According to a former UK player close to the program Orton is still coming as of 8pm. He is still close with PPAT who is planning on staying. He did say though Coach Cal expressed to Orton that he should not let the Cousins commitment affect his decision. They play two different positions Orton a block guy and Cousins a big swing man. Also again Cousins is a 1 and done guy in my opinion. UK fans had better get used to that though!

[cardstorm]

One and Done will be a reocurring theme for the CATS in the Calipari regime. UK fans will have no choice but to get use to it. The bright side of this is that Cal has routinely brought the players in year after year to replace those kids that leave after one season. If he continues to do this UK will have a lot of success during the regular season and will be in tough battles in the tournaments where experience is usually necessary, justl like Cal's teams have struggled in later rounds. If anyone has noticed the best year he had when he went to the Championship game he had a young stud in Derrick Rose but he was surrounded with older, experienced players and thats why that team was so successful. The Cousins kid is a great pick-up and if Orton stays that is another step in the right direction. If this occurs Patterson will seriously be considering his draft options. The three of them would be fighting for playing time and touches in the paint. Their can't be too many cheifs in one tribe, all it makes is a recipe for controversy, especially with Cousins who is 1 and done and will be looking to improve his draft status everytime he takes the court. They are definitely moving in the right direction but Cal will need some recruits who plan to stay past one season to make a run at the Championship in the next couple years. This is just my opinion, take it for whats its worth. No smack here just honest discussion.

[JSiler27]

There was never any talk of Calipari going to UAB.

I know that. I was just using that as a hypothetical. LOL..

[wells21]

I know that. I was just using that as a hypothetical. LOL.

You know NOTHING...............lol Some good points, but no matter how you cut it Kentucky will ALWAYS be a desired destination for top of the line coaches AND STAR players. It was Tubby who failed to bring the elite players in year after year. Those days are OVER!

[GOESNGETSIT]

Daniel Orton cleared some things up tonight in an interview with TCP in which he called today’s conflicting information a “misunderstanding.” According to Orton, he did ask for his release from UK a couple of weeks ago (before Calipari was hired) but that he hadnt gotten it yet and may not even want it now after meeting with the Coach. He is still going to take time to evaluate things and hopes to have a better idea what he wants to do over the next couple of weeks. HE too will be in Louisville for the Derby Classic and a show of support from the UK fanbase likely would not hurt his decision. As for now, he is still in the UK corner

[GOESNGETSIT]

Here is what ESPN is saying about Jodie:

Jodie Meeks, SG, Jr., Kentucky*
Meeks was a scoring machine at Kentucky this season. His speed and
shooting ability really stood out. So did that 54-point performance
against Tennessee. However, his lack of great size or explosive
athleticism hurts his stock a bit. He's a second-rounder if he stays in
the draft. More likely, he returns to Kentucky for his senior season and
lets John Calipari work his magic.

[wells21]

As far as why recruites are coming......I'm not nieve enough to think that todays players would say " I'm going to UK no matter what the situation or who's coaching" I know this, but my point was, what is the difference between now and say the Pitino era? Did Mashburn come to Lexington for the 5 or 6 titles they had in the 50's, or to play for one of the best coaches in the nation? Do kids go to PUKE or the other team who wears blue because of their "great tradition". I was trying (unsuccessfully) to stat that Kentucky has a coach again with the reputation to make kids want to come to Kentucky because it's Kentucky,and that is were coach Cal coachs. They now can go hand in hand. Playing at UK now will translate to the NBA, once again.

[JSiler27]

Playing at UK now will translate to the NBA

I think this is Calipari's #1 asset in recruiting. He actually encourages his kids to explore the next level a lot. But will the finicky fans in Lexington be able to grow accustomed to one and done's as well as a roster that is constantly turning over? As long as he is winning I would think so. Future definitely looks bright again in Lexington.

P.S. Donnie Hoehn you can suck it. I still think your a secret Michigan Wolverine football fan.

[wells21]

You make a great point...... UK fans would much rather have a vey solid 4 yr guy who they can fall in love with. Like Hayes, Tayshan, Turner. But that does NOT translate well to bringing in todays top 5 kind of recruites. As much as I HATE that other team who wears blue, Mr. Hansborough is few and far between.

[frog]

Dont hate the HEELS we are champs baby

[JLC40]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBqclYJYMj4

[frog]

hope he is as great as roy cause roy saved us and got us two titles in five years

[JSiler27]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBqclYJYMj4

Since I like to always play devil's advocate and just for sh*ts and giggles I am going to have to counter with this MUCH better production of a video. LMFAO.

Click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-kPjkzfTgY)

[JLC40]

Lets see how long we can keep this same thread going....we are on page 13 and there are only about 5-6 guys posting on this subject.

[cardstorm]

Right after the Gillespie Era, how the hell can you follow in those footsteps? Atleast the expectations won't be so high this year for Cal.

[cardstorm]

Any thoughts after the Derby City Classic tonight? Here's my take on the event. Both Uk and UofL had future players in the lineups. The Cards with the likes of Siva, Buckles, Van Treese, and Marra. Uk had both John Hood and Daniel Orton playing as well. Uk's recruits had very different impacts on me. Orton looked like a well-rounded post player with decent moves down low, and a nose for balls off the rim. He made some very athletic plays and ran the floor well tonight. On the other hand, Hood looked like he was standing still sometimes tonight. Players were blowing by him and dishing off for dunks. If UK fans are planning on Hood running the point this year based on his HS stats, they are in for a rude awakening. The kid is a bench-warmer or victory cigar at the least his freshman year. Orton on the other hand could have some productive minutes as long as he stays aroudn if both Patterson and Cousins are there.
UofL's recruits looked as expected. Siva is very athletic and always looking to create off the dribble for both himself and his teammaters. Exactly the PG they have been looking for. Buckles looked the most impressive of the Louisville recruits. Comparisons have already been made between him and Earl Clark. Put some weight on the kid and in a few years I could see that happening. Van Treese looked as advertised. A big, solid player in the post who will find trouble getting time playing behind Samuel, Jennings, Goode, and Buckles. Marra was a hard player to judge. He is predominantly a 3 point specialist and it's hard to read those kids in a game full of fast breaks and dunks.
Overall I would have to say UofL's recruits performed better but then again there were four of them compared to two for UK. I'll have to say I was impressed with the overall performance except for Hood. I hope he isn't the answer for UK at PG this year.

[wells21]

This is the first i've ever heard anyone mention John Hood as a point guard. He is known for being one of the best spot up shooters in the nation (high school level). I think Hoods main goal next year will be to become the second outside threat that frees up Meeks and 2Pat alittle more. I think Hood should get the same eval that you gave Marra. But coming from an obviously biased UL fan, how could I expect that.

[cardstorm]

biased UL fan?? First time Hood referred to as a PG??? Are you paying attention in class mr. wells??? Hood was PG for his High School team. Didn't say once that the kid won't pan out in the long run, but the talent last night made him look slow. All I stated was I hope he isn't the answer at PG for the cats next year, and that's an unbiased assessment. I said before I like to see the cats do well, especially better than what they have put on the court the past couple seasons. If you believe all UL fans are biased against Uk than you are naive, that isn't always the case.

[wells21]

I made that statement based on the fact that you seemed to give Marra a pass, yet you say that Hood is a benchwarmer and victory cigar at best. He may be running the point in HS, but from what I gather his team is garbage and he's probably the only one who can get it up court. I stand by my statement (unlike you with your bench warmer statement) Hood will be a GREAT spot up shooter, whos job will be nothing more than hitting open shots and freeing up Meeks and 2Pat a little more.

[cardstorm]

Yes I said he should be a benchwarmer and yes his HS team is terrible and they play other terrible competition(may be the reason his numbers are so bloated) but thats a topic for a different discussion. I didn't once say the kid wasn't a good shooter, and I didn't give Marra a pass. I simply said it was hard to read the kid considering the pace of the game. Hood is heading to UK as a PG, it's plain and simple. If meeks is there how is Hood not playing PG? He's not gonna play over Meeks at the 2, so is he going to play the 3. Guess that means Miller would be riding the pine, I don't think so. SO AS FOR MY BENCHWARMER STATEMENT... this was made directly towards him playing the PG position and if thats what he is slotted to play, my statement remains. So if he is that good of a shooter maybe he will come off the bench behind Meeks or Miller but then again he'll be fighting against Dennis for time there too. All in all the kid is suppose to have good talent and it was a shame he had that injury or it might've been much easier to assess his game going into college. Good luck to him, just hope he isn't the one bringing the ball up for the Cats next season.

[wells21]

I STRONGLY disagree with your statement "Hood is heading to UK as a PG, it's plain and simple." That is simply not true. He will be coming off the bench, but a bench warmer and victory cigar? I don't think so. I haven't seen a lot of either Hood or Marra. I will go by the reports from ESPN that have Hood ranked as the 8th best SF in the country and Marra ranked as the 51st SG. I think it's more likely that Marra may be an afterthought, or in your words, a victory cigar. Last I checked good teams will tend to go 7-9 players deep in a rotation. As far as Dennis is concerned you can't evaluate a players PT (Hood) based on another player who has not even given a verbal yet (Dennis). Coach Cal will have to cross that bridge when it comes along. If he severly overhauls the roster and brings in the likes of Henry, Dennis and Wall, then you may see someone like Hood rethink his commit to UK. Seems like the UL vs UK rivalry has already picked up a bit. lol

[JSiler27]

no matter how you cut it Kentucky will ALWAYS be a desired destination for top of the line STAR players.

Funny. It seems I got a lot of Kentucky fans that think I have a very good point. Now lets get this thread up and moving again. I have seriously been bored debating with all the fans over at Little Brother U. (Michigan State).

Click me (http://www.kentucky.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=1383&tid=127470148&mid=127470148&sid=888&style=2)

[jamie14vw]

I have a bad feeling that Hood will end up like another former MR. Kentucky!!.....

Josh Carrier! They have a lot of the same makeup!

I dont feel success at Kentucky is in his future! Underachieving is!

[JSiler27]

Have you watched any of his "highlight" tapes. Not very impressive and from what most of the recruiting and local media sites have wrote about is how bad the competition was that he played most of the year. Should be interesting how this kid turns out.

[SW52]

I think Hood represents one thing...keeping the in state fans happy by having another Mr. K basketball player on the roster....with Cal there, how much PT do you think this kid will get, especially if either Wall or the Henry's (or both) end up at Kentucky...even for one or two years.

[JSiler27]

I think Hood represents one thing...keeping the in state fans happy by having another Mr. K basketball player on the roster....with Cal there, how much PT do you think this kid will get, especially if either Wall or the Henry's (or both) end up at Kentucky...even for one or two years.

Now I am not UK fan but I would be willing to bet one of my paychecks that they are NOT going to give a rats you know what about Hood ever seeing the court if they can reel in those two guys. Heck who would? Those guys are the elite of the elite.

[SW52]

Now I am not UK fan but I would be willing to bet one of my paychecks that they are NOT going to give a rats you know what about Hood ever seeing the court if they can reel in those two guys. Heck who would? Those guys are the elite of the elite.

Exactly...no one would care if he never left the bench with those guys in the lineup..but they do care about in state recruiting. Too many fans won't let go of Chris Lofton and how Tubby let him get away. For every Lofton, there are 10 Josh Carrier's though.

[JSiler27]

For every Lofton, there are 10 Josh Carrier's though.

Yep agree 100%

[JSiler27]

Well looks like the Henry boys are off to Kansas.

Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4089690)

[SW52]

Well looks like the Henry boys are off to Kansas.

Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4089690)

No surprise there. Momma calls the shots.

[JSiler27]

I found one of the better highlight films of John Wall that I have seen. His agility to make quick cuts and explosiveness is very hard to ignore. The more video stuff I see of him the more John Hood looks average.

John Wall (http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhj2zN8A463VgjD3s8)

[wells21]

Dude, you can't honestly compare a top three player overall (who probably would be the number 1 draft pick THIS year if possible), to a player rated #8 at his POSITION. C-mon Jay, what's your MAJOR problem with Hood? Wall makes 98 percent of high schoolers look "average". Hoods ONLY job as a freshman will be as a spot up shooter and to ease SOME of the attention off Meeks and 2Pat (and whoever else Cal brings in).

[JSiler27]

You CAN compare any player to any player regardless of position. Have you ever wondered how Hood got his position ranking or how they all get their best overall player rankings? I must be the only person that does. Oh wait, Scout.com and Rivals.com do also. So that makes 3 of us. LMAO.

Last time I checked 4 star players were still supposed to be pretty darn good. I think you missed my whole point. But never mind. LOL.

And I have no problems with Hood. I do think he is however a little over rated but you could say that for a few of them not just him. I hope the kid comes in and rips it up. I just don't see it. But thats why they play the games. I just don't see where with Cousins, Dodson, and Orton coming in with him on top of what they already have where he is ever going to fit in. I don't ever see him being a permanent starter maybe when they have an occasional injury but thats about the extent of it.

But then again Michael Porter was a starter for Kentucky so hell anythings possible. LMAO.

[wells21]

Your right, the more highlights I see of Magic Johnson the more I realize that John Stockton was average. And watching Porter play point for UK made me want to hit up the next open gym in hopes that Tubby would "discover" ME. lol I'm SO glad those days seem to be behind us. From my understanding of the ranking system used by places like scouts.com, they rate the individual player on a 100 pt scale. They do not compare all the SG's and say "I think Hood is the 8th best" they give him a 89 grade and then he falls in wherever. But I think I get what your sayn'. Wall seems SO talented that he can make you forget about how good other really highly rated players are. In that case I agree with you, if CAL is gonna be able to bring in 3-4 "Walls" a year, UK may not have room for in state 4star Mr. Kentuckys. Unfortunante, but that MAY be the future of UK basketball........BRIGHT! lol

[JSiler27]

Wall seems SO talented that he can make you forget about how good other really highly rated players are. In that case I agree with you

Why do you disagree with me only to find out that we are actually in agreement? You and my wife have a lot in common. LOL.

[wells21]

Here's something else we can agree on...lol Right?


What is Kentucky Basketball?
It's not a coach.
It's not a player.
It's pride...tradition.
It's a 5 year old with a cat paw on his cheek saying, "Beat Louisville!"

It's not a game.
It's not a season.
It's pride....tradition.
It's expecting to be dancing every year where most pray to be.

It has no beginning.
It has no end.
It's pride....tradition.
It's waiting for midnight madness when the March buzzer rings.

Players that come are in awe of it.
Players that leave treasure it.
Players that oppose despise it.
It's pride....tradition.

It's getting the best from every opponent in hopes to top it.
Rupp built it.
Hall polished it.
Sutton shamed it.
Pitino restored it.
Smith nourished it.
Gillispie lost it.
Calipari revived it.
It's pride....tradition.

Keightly had served it.
Happy sang to it.
Cawood called it.
It's pride....tradition.

Digger hates it.
Vitale and Packer are jealous of it.
McGuire realized it.
It's pride....tradition.

What is Kentucky Basketball?
It's "Blue and White" and "Go Big Blue"
It's "C!-A!-T!-S! Cats!, Cats!, Cats!"
It's pride....tradition.

It's more than a pastime
It’s more than a hobby.
To some it's a religion.
It's pride....tradition.

It's K-E-N-T-U-C-K-Y on the jerseys.
Win or Lose, that's all that matters to me.

[cardstorm]

Calipari revived it.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????

Already???? Did I miss the basketball season overnight???

[wells21]

Calipari revived it.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????

Already???? Did I miss the basketball season overnight???

No, but apparently you've missed the OFF season. No denying that coach Cal has made UK THE talk among recruites and the "experts".

[cardstorm]

Nope I haven't missed a thing yet. Like the fact that they better throw everything including the kitchen sink at Wall because without him they will be the same PGless team. Adding big men and running a dribble drive motion offense is great and all but the ball has to get into the frontcourt first. If they land Wall, UK will be back into the national media instead of being the joke of it. For one year atleast.

[wells21]

Nope I haven't missed a thing yet. Like the fact that they better throw everything including the kitchen sink at Wall because without him they will be the same PGless team. Adding big men and running a dribble drive motion offense is great and all but the ball has to get into the frontcourt first. If they land Wall, UK will be back into the national media instead of being the joke of it. For one year atleast.

That's FUNNY...Like they don't have 5 star PG Bledsoe beating down the door at RUPP. And you want to speak about being the JOKE of the media? Have you followed your team in the last ahhhh, I don't know, month or so? Louisville AND their coach are currently a LAUGHINGSTOCK! C-mon dude, get real. Your a "fan" of both schools remember? Right....

[cardstorm]

Thats right. I must be missing all the media laughingstock... I'll keep my eyes open for it though. At this point UK has a better chance at having the better team next year. Both teams will rely on freshman coming in and making an impact. I don't care how many stars a HIGH SCHOOL kid has, playing in front of 20K + in a conference rivalry game is a completely different stage. Like I said previously the Cats need a solid PG, one that will look to dish before scoring. They have the pieces in place but need someone to dish the rock. Looking forward to a great rivalry game next year.

[SW52]

Thats right. I must be missing all the media laughingstock... I'll keep my eyes open for it though. At this point UK has a better chance at having the better team next year. Both teams will rely on freshman coming in and making an impact. I don't care how many stars a HIGH SCHOOL kid has, playing in front of 20K + in a conference rivalry game is a completely different stage. Like I said previously the Cats need a solid PG, one that will look to dish before scoring. They have the pieces in place but need someone to dish the rock. Looking forward to a great rivalry game next year.

Google "Pitino extortion" and you'll get caught up fast.

[wells21]

Your completly right on with UKs pg evaluation. I am confident both Meeks and 2Pat return giving them VERY solid leadership to rely while everyone tries to learn Cal's system. I am BIGTIME worried about the December schedule. Uconn at MSG and those sry azz eeeerrrrr I mean National Champion (oh my god I just puked in my mouth) Heels. They will need to either "figure" out the dribble drive mothion offense quick or rely heavily on the individual talent of Meeks, 2Pat, Cousins, Orton, and Miller ect. Oh and Wall......(fingers crossed) lol

[SW52]

I'm less than 50/50 on 2Pat coming back....I hope I'm wrong...he's a solid first rounder and June 15th is a long way off. It will depend on how high in the first round he's projected. Meeks needs to return and I think he will. John Wall is a mystery that is really loving all the attention.

[JLC40]

Patterson takes the cash.
Meeks comes back for his senior year.
Wall goes to Duke or Miami.
Bledsoe signs with UK.
Liggins and Bledsoe share time at the point next season.
Sweet 16 at the least in 2010 for UK.

[SW52]

Patterson takes the cash.
Meeks comes back for his senior year.
Wall goes to Duke or Miami.
Bledsoe signs with UK.
Liggins and Bledsoe share time at the point next season.
Sweet 16 at the least in 2010 for UK.

I'd say that's a likely scenario. Don't forget D.Miller....he's capable of playing the point in this offense, but if we land Wall or Bledsoe, he'll be perfect to dish to for an open 3.

[JSiler27]

Patterson takes the cash.
Meeks comes back for his senior year.
Wall goes to Duke or Miami.
Bledsoe signs with UK.
Liggins and Bledsoe share time at the point next season.
Sweet 16 at the least in 2010 for UK.


I think you are either dead on or pretty darn close on this one.

[JLC40]

I think you are either dead on or pretty darn close on this one.

Arent I always?!!?!?!?!

[cardstorm]

yeah you're close but dishing to miller for an open 3? That may happen but he has to make it, hope his stroke is different then last year when he acted scared to shoot, but i think he will be a much better player than his freshman year. Good player I will never deny that, wish UofL had gotten him.

[JSiler27]

John Wall focused solely on his future (http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/boys/news/story?id=4135650)

[SW52]

It's official. 5 star point guard Eric Bledsoe commits to Kentucky.

[wells21]

That gives Uk four 5 star players on its roster, with Wall possibly being the 5th. The others are Cousins, 2Pat, Orton and Bledsoe. That along with Meeks and some players who will be VERY good role players (Stevenson, Harris, Miller) I think it's safe to say that expectations for next season will be sky high. Even though Cal cautions that it may take up to 4 yrs to get it going. This roster has the makings to be very special.

[JSiler27]

Fogty is 1 for 1 with his predictions

[wells21]

It didn’t take long for John Calipari to follow through on his promise to recruit the “best of the best.”

Still, recruiting the best players is one thing. Getting commitments is another. And Calipari’s already exceeded any reasonable expectations in his first few weeks as Kentucky's coach.

He convinced Billy Gillispie holdovers Daniel Orton and Jon Hood to stay in Lexington. He got DeMarcus Cousins to switch from Memphis to Kentucky. JUCO small forward Darnell Dodson did the same soon after.




Eric Gay/AP
John Calipari

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Wednesday, Calipari did it again.

(Has there ever been a smoother talker? Coach Cal could've gotten the stimulus passed with ease.)

Five-star prospect Eric Bledsoe announced he’s headed to Kentucky, giving the Wildcats a much-needed point guard for next year. He’s a sub-shooter, but most onlookers think he’ll excel in Calipari’s dribble-drive offense (especially if Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson return).

That gives Kentucky 3 five-star recruits (Cousins, Orton and Bledsoe, though scout.com rates Bledsoe as a four-star recruit, mostly because of that poor shot), and a couple of four-star guys (Hood and Dodson), three of which Calipari recruited.

Some Kentucky fans will say this is what every spring should bring in terms of recruits. But this may be better than any class Rick Pitino ever brought in (at least according to prep ratings; time will tell just how good all these guys actually are).

What’s next? Await the return of Meeks and Patterson.

Bledsoe hinted that Patterson, the Wildcats’ heart and soul the last two seasons, will be back for his junior year. If that happens, Kentucky’s frontline goes from talented but young to downright scary. As for Meeks, I agree with A Sea of Blue that Meeks seems likely to return. He’s not getting a lot of NBA draft buzz and the lure of playing on such a loaded team may be too great to pass up.

And if both players are in Lexington next year, the Wildcats are going to be on the short list of national title contenders.

Wow. What else does Calipari have up his sleeve?

[JSiler27]

Wells I can see you now beating off every time you sit down in front of the computer screen looking at catspause.com. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing005.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)I am glad your team is recruiting well and hopefully playing well but how are you going to explain to Heather that you waste more juice on your monitor than her?http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Big blue nation fans, gotta love their passion. Always drinking the kool-aid. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[wells21]

Wells I can see you now beating off every time you sit down in front of the computer screen looking at catspause.com. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing005.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)I am glad your team is recruiting well and hopefully playing well but how are you going to explain to Heather that you waste more juice on your monitor than her?http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Big blue nation fans, gotta love their passion. Always drinking the kool-aid. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

LOL You know as well as I do that I would (probably, lol) sacrifice her to the Big Blue Gods of basketball for title number 8! No, of course i'm just play'n (she reads the site sometimes). I am SO confident in Cals recruiting ability that I would bet the house that he could convince Mike "Mr. Tar Heel/ Buckeye" Harris to not only attend the METRO, but play in it! AND LOVE it! I read somewhere that the NCAA needed UK to be strong again BECAUSE of the BIG BLUE NATION. The article said that people LOVE to HATE the cats so much that it just isn't the same when they (the cats) are not DOMINATING. Well, business, as they say is PICKING UP!

[JSiler27]

Well when football gets here in September we are going to have to get a case of beer, or 2 cases if Cawood's coming, and get back to that Utah/Kentucky football recruiting argument. Just for kicks of course. This time just make sure you call a 30 second time out when you have to go to the next room to lower your blood pressure. LMAO.

[wells21]

Lol 30 sec timeout??? Hell, I left the bar altogether last time! lol

[JSiler27]

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing025.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[JLC40]

Patrick Patterson has withdrawn his name from consideration for the National Basketball Association Draft, the Cats' Pause has confirmed. Official word from Kentucky is expected to come later Friday.

So I missed one....but it was a good one to miss!!!

[wells21]

Okay, lets assume that Meeks comes back AND Wall comits (both look probable, nothing is a sure thing but for conversation sakes). Who gets the 13 scholarships? Who starts, and how do the minutes get distributed? I'm gonna GUESS something like this.

13

4's and 5's- 2Pat, Cousins, Orton, Skinny, Pilgrim

1's- Bledsoe, Wall

2's and 3's- Meeks, Miller, Harris, Dodson, Hood, Galloway

Starters- 2Pat, Meeks, Wall, Cousins, Miller

Starters Minutes- 2pat(30) Meeks(33) Wall(25) Cousins(29) Miller(30)

Bench Minutes- Pilgrim(7) Hood(7) Bledsoe(15) Orton(11) Skinny(6) Harris(3) Galloway(3) Dodson(1)

Walk-ons- Crebs, Harrelson or Liggins

Transfers- Harrelson, Stewart, Williams, Liggins

[SW52]

Word now is that Wall is down to Kentucky and Miami(FL).

Meeks will be back...but will be smart to attend the predraft camps to get evaluated as this is the only time he'll be able to do that and still return to school.

[wells21]

Steve, what do you think about my guess on the roster and playing time?

[SW52]

First, two sources close to Kentucky said that Wall has NOT narrowed his choices to Kentucky and Miami....others are still, as of now, in the mix.


Looks good.....I think Orton will get more time though...he and Cousins will be closer together.

I think Wall and Bledsoe could co-exist with Wall being a one year player.

Though Miller is reportedly flourishing in the DD system, 30 minutes is probably high for him.

I think Galloway may be on his way out if Wall commits.

[wells21]

Yeah, your completely right about Miller. I prolly have his minutes too high, especialy with the talent that will be on this team. There may not be a single player in the 30 + minute range. I was just basing it on how well he finished last year, and how well he seemingly fits into Cals system. It will be interesting to see whether Cal eases in the freshmen by using guys like Stevenson and Harris early, or if he gives the most talented players the minutes and lets them learn on the court.

[SW52]

Yeah, your completely right about Miller. I prolly have his minutes too high, especialy with the talent that will be on this team. There may not be a single player in the 30 + minute range. I was just basing it on how well he finished last year, and how well he seemingly fits into Cals system. It will be interesting to see whether Cal eases in the freshmen by using guys like Stevenson and Harris early, or if he gives the most talented players the minutes and lets them learn on the court.

Remember, no one on the 1996 Kentucky team averaged more than 24 minutes a game. I'm not comparing this team to that one, but in terms of quality depth, lots of guys to take some minutes.

[Jet23]

First, two sources close to Kentucky said that Wall has NOT narrowed his choices to Kentucky and Miami....others are still, as of now, in the mix.


Looks good.....I think Orton will get more time though...he and Cousins will be closer together.

I think Wall and Bledsoe could co-exist with Wall being a one year player.

Though Miller is reportedly flourishing in the DD system, 30 minutes is probably high for him.

I think Galloway may be on his way out if Wall commits.

I think they should sign Wall and MAKE Bledsoe go to UC. Come on, throw us a freaking bone here!

[SW52]

I think they should sign Wall and MAKE Bledsoe go to UC. Come on, throw us a freaking bone here!

LOL. Sorry Jethead....we're headed back to the good ole days.

[wells21]

I think they should sign Wall and MAKE Bledsoe go to UC. Come on, throw us a freaking bone here!

He was considering UC as well. I think I remember a story where he was spose to make a visit to UK after the Derby Festival game. When Cronin caught wind of this he had Bledsoe's "handler" change the visit to a UC campus visit. He's being treated like a Jon Wall backup plan, but he deserves much more credit than that. A lot of quality programs would love to have him and THIS UK fan is happy he's a Cat!

[JSiler27]

I agree. Everyone is all on Wall's nuts and much deserved but Bledsoe is a also a big time stud.