I do agree with the Harrison's playing much better today then they have all seasons. Randle was MIA. I have to disagree with you tho on them coming together. I've heard it year in and year out. Oh this team will be awesome' date=' they'll be hard to beat, 40-0, if they lose couple games don't worry they will gel together, I've heard that ever since Cal came here and each year it's the same result, win a game or two in the NCAA tournament then it's see ya later, we're going home. I guess we'll just have to see if this year turns out.[/quote']

 

What have you been watching? Elite 8, 2 Final Fours, and a National Championship in four seasons is definitely cool with me and cool with most fans. They may not win it this year but it's too soon to be throwing in the towel. If it makes you feel better at least Cal is building for the future in solid 2-4 year team guys like Booker, Ulis, Lyles, and perhaps Towns. Then you have a Marcus Lee, Hawkins, and Willis, that will eventually be good experience to build around. There's just been a gpa these last two seasons, they will be in better shape going forward with a good mix of vets and 1 and dones.

 

This teams going to lose a couple more games but I have faith they will have it figured out a lot better than this come March. May not be to the top of their potential but they do not have to max out to win, if they just play pretty good ball they have a chance. So far they haven't done so, much like the first Miami heat big three season. Takes time to find it with so many players used to doninating the ball, they will figure it out eventually. Same for defense, potential is there just have to figure out the concepts. They may not get it but it's to early to predict their demise IMO.

 

Also it is impossible to suggest it is time for Cal to leave, if fans cannot be satisfied with what he's done they will not be satisfied with any coach. Just relax, breathe, have patience. Take the good with the bad.

Just for my clarification. what is leadership, especially in sports?

Just for my clarification. what is leadership, especially in sports?

 

I'll borrow a quote: "I know it when I see it".

 

You can lead with words, you can lead by example, you can lead through inaction. For me, leadership on this team could be the guy who grabs Harrison by the jersey and tells him to play through calls and stop whining. He could be the guy who glares at Randle and yells "defend the pick and roll" after he's abused on it for the 3rd time.

 

Leadership is MKG starting a morning work-out group because he wants to emulate Jordan's Bulls.

 

Leadership is Chuck Hayes being a glue guy who does all the little things to help his team win.

 

Leadership is the guy who isn't late to class, shoot around, or film sessions, even if he's a senior and is still going to be one of the last guys in the game.

 

 

Just as an outside observer, I think I see a lot of leadership qualities in Dominique Hawkins that will make him successful in basketball and life, but he isn't the kind of guy whose talent lends him the kind of stature to make the rest of the team look up to him as THEIR leader, at least not right now.

Patterson and Miller were the leaders of those squads. Who will step up this year? It has to be a freshman. Not going to happen with WCS or Poythress or the senior mop-up timers.

 

I disagree. Miller was never a leader till his Senior year. In 2010 many thought Miller would never step up and make clutch shots or plays. Patterson was important but go back and see how many big plays he made to win games vs Wall.

I'm not sure what the uproar is about from some fans.

 

They're playing like a team that starts 4 freshman and a sophomore because they start 4 freshman and a sophomore....

It's mid December and people are starting to jump ship. This team has a ton of talent, they just haven't put it all together yet. We're 11 games into the season and UK has lost to 3 ranked teams, 2 at neutral sites and 1 away game by an average of 4.6 points per loss. Step away from the ledge...

 

The 2012 team was special. It wasn't special because it had a Senior on the roster. It was special because they played for each other and they played as a team. They refused to lose, they thrived on getting a big defensive stop or a loose ball. They were just as happy to grab 10 boards as they were to score 30 points. What was most impressive about that team was that they understood and bought into the team concept from day 1. That team had no individuals and when this team figures out that it takes more than individuals to win big games, things will get better.

 

Personally I haven't jumped ship because the Cats lost to UNC. I jumped ship a while back because Calipari makes me cringe. Sure his coaching record speaks for itself, but I don't care for that swindler look he has written all over his face, or his detestable swagger. When he retires from coaching I've no doubt he'd also make a good funeral home director. I just don't dig him being the face of Kentucky or what the program has become because of him.

 

The Cats traditionally are hated nationally because A). They've always been great (which is a good reason to be hated), B). The fans won't ever quit wining about Christian Laettner (My heart sunk too when he made that shot, but I can't help but feel happy for the guy), and now C). Because to add more reason to being hated we now have a shyster looking dude running the show.

 

I just can't in good conscience be a fan of them anymore until he leaves and changes are made that warm me back up to them.

 

If that makes me sound like a fair weather fan then so be it.

 

As for now, I'm rooting for Cinderella, whoever she is from year to year, and have my College Basketball Jones satisfied by her.

 

This is no attempt to recruit ship-jumpers. This is just my own personal thoughts on what works for me in College ball, and what doesn't.

 

Cheer and believe on Cats fans if that's what works for you. It's just not working for me.

The Fab Five lost 7-8 games as freshmen. It's not that easy to come in and just dominate. It is what it is. If they are playing like this in late January and February' date=' them start worrying. Not now.[/quote']

 

Exactly my thoughts as well.

Was it a fluke? The 2010 team was a bad shooting night from being in the Final Four. The 2011 squad overcame a very slow start and caught fire in February and March. 2012 wins it all. I think three out of four years is hardly a fluke. And I think the real leader who wanted the ball in crunch time in 2010 was John Wall (Frosh)' date=' 2011: Brandon Knight (Frosh) and MKG & Davis were phenoms as freshmen. I think it's just a question of buying in and getting better each month. We are only in mid December. I say, let's wait and see how it plays out further before questioning what has given us a better four years stretch than anytime since the 90's. :thumb:[/quote']

 

I agree especially with what you say towards the end of your post about getting better each month. Too many fans are up and arms because they're not seeing immediate improvements from game to game. Just have to be patient, no sense in stressing in December.

some people on here are complaining about one and dones. If some of the freshman don't start playing better they will be back next year for sure.

Is the semester over? Maybe they were worrying about final exams.

Is the semester over? Maybe they were worrying about final exams.

 

Probably drained from them but I'm pretty sure they should've been over by Thursday, same as UNC.

Personally I haven't jumped ship because the Cats lost to UNC. I jumped ship a while back because Calipari makes me cringe. Sure his coaching record speaks for itself, but I don't care for that swindler look he has written all over his face, or his detestable swagger. When he retires from coaching I've no doubt he'd also make a good funeral home director. I just don't dig him being the face of Kentucky or what the program has become because of him.

 

The Cats traditionally are hated nationally because A). They've always been great (which is a good reason to be hated), B). The fans won't ever quit wining about Christian Laettner (My heart sunk too when he made that shot, but I can't help but feel happy for the guy), and now C). Because to add more reason to being hated we now have a shyster looking dude running the show.

 

I just can't in good conscience be a fan of them anymore until he leaves and changes are made that warm me back up to them.

 

If that makes me sound like a fair weather fan then so be it.

 

As for now, I'm rooting for Cinderella, whoever she is from year to year, and have my College Basketball Jones satisfied by her.

 

This is no attempt to recruit ship-jumpers. This is just my own personal thoughts on what works for me in College ball, and what doesn't.

 

Cheer and believe on Cats fans if that's what works for you. It's just not working for me.

 

That's good that you're no longer a fan. You don't sound like someone we want to represent us as "true" UK fans.

NIT bound. Mark it down.

If that is true Cal better get packed up.

If that is true Cal better get packed up.

 

Oh dear... You guys are something else. :ohbrother:

And threads like this is why UK fans get their reputation.

Is the semester over? Maybe they were worrying about final exams.

 

Probably drained from them but I'm pretty sure they should've been over by Thursday, same as UNC.

 

 

Exams are this week at UK. Not that I think that has anything to do with this game.