Oldercoach

Has anyone watched replays to verify or negate my thread observations that the referees were holding Caitlin and her defensive opponents to radically different standards? Ticky-tacky calls against Caitlin on D, and non-call muggings when she is on offense. I remake that observation again after rewatching the Tuesday game.

Agree with the whining and untimely turnovers; but, I do think the exasperation she vocalized came from the physical beating she was subjected to and the imbalance of how the game was called. Refs are obviously dishing her a little humble pie and she is going to have to just zip her lip and earn her stripes.

Wow, I am not one to complain about referees (tough job doesn’t come close). But, the treatment Clark got last night against Connecticut was blatantly brutal. The opening play was a defensive kicked ball (not called) resulting in a defensive run out that saw Clark get a phantom foul called on the layup. So in 1st 12 seconds the refs missed 2 calls and set the tone that the rookie was going to have to earn her bones. Caitlin is obviously physically weaker than the stronger level of mature WNBA competitors. But the consistent mugging she took and ticky-tacky fouls that seemed to be one-sidedly called against her was visually disturbing. League going to need to have discussions with refs to cut out the rookie bias before the glitter is gone off this real chance for the league’s profile to exponentially and permanently be raised. Refs, especially the male, just need to get themselves in position and call the game consistently.

With all the movement, is there any such thing as academic eligibility to compete anymore? Are we transitioning (with the unionization of players and potential employee status) to where academics has no place in big time basketball?

Golly, I am so old that I think fundamentals are still important. Things like make contact when runners are in scoring position, or catch the ball with two hands (did artificial turf take all the bad hops away ?, even on fly balls coaches would holler quit showing off and your out of position to grab the ball and throw), or hit behind the runner, or never get thrown out at 2nd to 3rd when ground ball is hit in front of you. Gee whiz, game sure has changed. Old ruddy-Duffy here!

My wife and I visited Independence Frisch’s one day last week at 12:30. One server, one cook and one food server/bus person. Probably 10 of us in there and nobody very happy. Someone previously mentioned the business concept of “dumb-sizing” which refers to continually cutting costs (staff, serving sizes, and/or food costs) to make present sales levels profitable. All of these efforts deteriorate the demand and further sink your losses, so you repeat the cycle and dumb-size so more. Sounds like the Frischs’ business plan right before the final gasp.

Latest roster announcements only have Arkansas at 7 players, with ex-Cats Wagner and Oneysco still in the portal/NBA evaluation process. It would be shocking if Wagner didn’t eventually follow Cal. I don’t know what to think makes sense for O. Guessing Arkansas, too, giving Cal his 9?

Just saw on ESPN that Cal is considering limiting his current and future teams to 8-9 players. Seems his reasoning that everybody entering the portal makes him question why he should develop players for other coaches. He wasn’t worried about depth and plans to fill the roster out with walk-ons. Don’t I recall about 2 Cats out every game because of some injury or another? What’s really going on her Cal?

Retired legend Roy Williams was quoted Tuesday saying what a sad state college sports now finds itself. Don’t recall his offering solutions, only opining that NIL and transfer portal were two much change to absorb at the same time.

Seems to me that I read there was only 1 freshman to start among all 4 of this year’s Final Four. Correct me if that is wrong, relying on dangerous memory.

Knowing that Cal left the closet 100% empty, I for one am pretty excited about the quality of team Coach Pope has been able to put together in such a brief period of time. This may be overly harsh, but I am excited to see a team hopefully looking forward to playing for something other than next year’s NBA draft.

Trent Noah is coming to UK. Great job Coach Pope, you will have a talented warrior that can shoot, pass, rebound and create for several years (I hope, as Reed Shepherd surprised us all).

Noah Fant is TE for Seattle Seahawks. Tough getting old and confusing great athletes.

Oh, my. Thanks nikeman49. Cocktail hour or fat fingers….not sure.

Pope was loving on his team in the Herald this morning, but said he needed one more piece. Specifically a big guard that could make a play when it was really needed. Sounded like Noah Fant could fit that need perfectly. Really exciting to watch him for the first time during Sweet Sixteen. Noah checks a lot of needs for either UK, Tennessee or Louisville. Hope you can get him Coach.