I have two questions.

 

1. Why did it ever get to the point that it was at last year? I mean where was the man in charge? Patrick Sparks went from a gym rat to a doughnut.

 

2. Why isn't Marquette great if all you need is a great conditioning coach?

 

I think your in trouble when all of your optimism rest on a strength and conditioning coach.

 

Marquette over the past 5 or 6 years has improved a good bit I think.

 

UK dropped off a good bit in that time span.

 

Strength is part of the game, but conditioning. In a team that is supposed to apply pressure D, and run the fast break well, conditioning can be everything in a game like what UK is known for.

 

Not saying he'll be our saving grace, but if he's half as good as advertised I'm stoked to have him here.

Marquette over the past 5 or 6 years has improved a good bit I think.

 

UK dropped off a good bit in that time span.

 

Strength is part of the game, but conditioning. In a team that is supposed to apply pressure D, and run the fast break well, conditioning can be everything in a game like what UK is known for.

 

Not saying he'll be our saving grace, but if he's half as good as advertised I'm stoked to have him here.

 

 

I agree 100% but why was UK not in shape in the past? I just don't get it. What college coach doesn't get his team in shape?

 

I just saying that it is inexcusable for a college team to be in what was apparently terrible physical condition. Makes you wonder who was minding the store?

 

Conditioning and strength training isn't new. Someone has been asleep at the wheel.

I agree 100% but why was UK not in shape in the past? I just don't get it. What college coach doesn't get his team in shape?

 

I just saying that it is inexcusable for a college team to be in what was apparently terrible physical condition. Makes you wonder who was minding the store?

 

Conditioning and strength training isn't new. Someone has been asleep at the wheel.

 

I agree it's not new, well to most it's not, but apparantly for UK it is lol, I'm just glad it finally found it's way back to the cats.

I agree it's not new, well to most it's not, but apparantly for UK it is lol, I'm just glad it finally found it's way back to the cats.

 

Back to the cats, exactly. I don't remember UK having conditioning issues prior to Smith.

I agree 100% but why was UK not in shape in the past? I just don't get it. What college coach doesn't get his team in shape?

 

I just saying that it is inexcusable for a college team to be in what was apparently terrible physical condition. Makes you wonder who was minding the store?

 

Conditioning and strength training isn't new. Someone has been asleep at the wheel.

 

Just some strength and conditioning trainers are better than others. Just look at the Bengals a PROFESSIONAL football team, and they even said once they got these new strength and conditioning coaches in a few years ago it was a lot different and better. Just sometimes you dont realize that what you were doing wasn't as good, until you get something that is better.

 

Well it definitely seems like we are starting to get into UK basketball season again, because we have people who try to find anyting to blame Tubby on, and always go back to how great Pitino was and how things were with him....

Just some strength and conditioning trainers are better than others. Just look at the Bengals a PROFESSIONAL football team, and they even said once they got these new strength and conditioning coaches in a few years ago it was a lot different and better. Just sometimes you dont realize that what you were doing wasn't as good, until you get something that is better.

 

Well it definitely seems like we are starting to get into UK basketball season again, because we have people who try to find anyting to blame Tubby on, and always go back to how great Pitino was and how things were with him....

 

I'd think anyone would have to admit that when you consistently have conditioning problems for a decade, any criticism thrown your way is valid. That would apply to any head coach, it just happens to be Tubby Smith in this case.

http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061026/SPT0104/610260354/-1/SPT

 

Kentucky guard Ramel Bradley is literally sick of eating.

 

Food is making him gag, Bradley informed reporters last week at the Wildcats' annual media day at Memorial Coliseum. But since May he's been on a mission to bulk up, even if it means drinking milkshake after milkshake and loading up on McDonald's.

 

"Oh my goodness ... I've never hated food so much," Bradley said. "I (feel) like I ate everything."

 

 

 

 

Did he mention the diet is self-inflicted?

 

Bradley researched players he idolizes - NBA guards Stephon Marbury and Chauncey Billups - and found they each weigh 200-plus pounds. Bradley made it his personal goal to pack on pounds before returning for his junior season.

 

The 6-foot-2 guard was listed at 179 pounds during his first two seasons at Kentucky. He said he's at 193 pounds now. His goal is 205.

 

Bradley, who jokingly said people have noticed his "big guns," or arms, is one of many players benefiting from new strength and conditioning coach Scott Holsopple.

 

Sophomore Jared Carter said Holsopple has provided a huge boost to players, even if some of his guidelines are strict. Players have to do 10 push-ups for breaking his rules against such infractions as yawning, wearing hats, crossing arms or leaning on equipment during training sessions.

 

Bradley is happy with the progress in his physique and has noticed a change in his game. Crawford added that Bradley is stronger when driving to the basket.

Also, little tidbit from the article....

 

After seeing friction last season between Rondo and coach Tubby Smith, who had different ideas on how to best run the offense, Bradley said Smith has made no bones about what his duties are this season. He must be a leader, push the ball, find the open man and involve teammates.

Also, little tidbit from the article....

 

After seeing friction last season between Rondo and coach Tubby Smith, who had different ideas on how to best run the offense, Bradley said Smith has made no bones about what his duties are this season. He must be a leader, push the ball, find the open man and involve teammates.

I know that when I read this, I jumped up and exclaimed, 'Why, that's Ramel Bradley! To a 'T'!'

I know that when I read this, I jumped up and exclaimed, 'Why, that's Ramel Bradley! To a 'T!''

Next paragraph in the article......

 

Easier said than done for a player who never met a shot he didn't like. Bradley took a Blue team-high 21 shots at Saturday's Blue and White scrimmage, although he put up 28 points with five steals and three rebounds. Last season he averaged 7.9 points, 1.7 boards and 17.7 minutes.

Next paragraph in the article......

 

Easier said than done for a player who never met a shot he didn't like. Bradley took a Blue team-high 21 shots at Saturday's Blue and White scrimmage, although he put up 28 points with five steals and three rebounds. Last season he averaged 7.9 points, 1.7 boards and 17.7 minutes.

 

There is a happy medium to be found there. Bradley has the ability to create and score, and be very effective at it, so it would be stupid to take that away from him. I doubt Tubby wants to. At the same time, you can't give him the green light for 40 minutes without hurting the team as a whole. Bradley has the potential to be a great creator for his teammates. His ability to score himself and force opponents to fear him will only make that more effective. If he can find that balance, I can easily see him beeing one of the better PG's in the nation, and it would make UK a far better team. I'm confident he can do that. I really like his game, and I have since he came to UK. In the past, I think part of the reason he looked for his shot more was because he wasn't getting the minutes he wanted due to Rondo being in front of him. He probably felt a little pressure and urgency (self-induced) to show what he could do. Now, with the job being his, I think he might be more patient with his offense because he knows he's going to get a lot more opportunities with increased playing time. I think a lot of people will be surprised by how good he is this year.

There is a happy medium to be found there. Bradley has the ability to create and score, and be very effective at it, so it would be stupid to take that away from him. I doubt Tubby wants to. At the same time, you can't give him the green light for 40 minutes without hurting the team as a whole. Bradley has the potential to be a great creator for his teammates. His ability to score himself and force opponents to fear him will only make that more effective. If he can find that balance, I can easily see him beeing one of the better PG's in the nation, and it would make UK a far better team. I'm confident he can do that. I really like his game, and I have since he came to UK. In the past, I think part of the reason he looked for his shot more was because he wasn't getting the minutes he wanted due to Rondo being in front of him. He probably felt a little pressure and urgency (self-induced) to show what he could do. Now, with the job being his, I think he might be more patient with his offense because he knows he's going to get a lot more opportunities with increased playing time. I think a lot of people will be surprised by how good he is this year.

In another article on this, he made the comment that last year he felt he had to come in and provide a spark. And that spark was to look for a shot and score. This year, his role was the starting PG is different.

In another article on this, he made the comment that last year he felt he had to come in and provide a spark. And that spark was to look for a shot and score. This year, his role was the starting PG is different.

 

I think we'll see a more complete and much better player this year. Like I said, I've really liked Bradley and his game since he showed up at UK. I really liked Rondo, too, but in all honesty, the past two years, I felt that more often than not, the team was better when Bradley was on point and Rondo was playing the 2 or 3 or on the bench. So, for that fact alone, I think UK will be better than last year.

 

Maybe I'm not a good judge of basketball talent and I'm overestimating Ramel, but I think his upside is huge for the college level. At the least, he has all-SEC potential. We need him to live up to it.

I think we'll see a more complete and much better player this year. Like I said, I've really liked Bradley and his game since he showed up at UK. I really liked Rondo, too, but in all honesty, the past two years, I felt that more often than not, the team was better when Bradley was on point and Rondo was playing the 2 or 3 or on the bench. So, for that fact alone, I think UK will be better than last year.

 

Maybe I'm not a good judge of basketball talent and I'm overestimating Ramel, but I think his upside is huge for the college level. At the least, he has all-SEC potential. We need him to live up to it.

I agree. I felt the first years that Bradley was a talented player without a role. It was Rondo's and to a lesser extent Sparks' team. No doubt that it is his team now.

 

I agree that he has shown sparks of a tremendous talent.

I agree. I felt the first years that Bradley was a talented player without a role. It was Rondo's and to a lesser extent Sparks' team. No doubt that it is his team now.

 

I agree that he has shown sparks of a tremendous talent.

 

Maybe I'm hopelessly optimistic, but I really expect UK to bounce back strong this season. Especially if they've improved that much with their strength and conditioning. A possible starting five of Bradley, Crawford, Perry, Stevenson, and Morris could be very good, IMO. They aren't exactly proven commodities, but the potential is definitely there.

 

I can see Bradley and Crawford being a dynamic backcourt. I can see Bobby Perry being the glue guy. The guy that gives us that steady production and senior leadership. I can see Morris being a headache down low for opponents (especially if he's stronger and in shape). And I can see Stevenson being a nice complement to him in the front court...helping out on the boards, defending the basket whether that be blocking shots or just altering shots, and chipping in with some offense from time to time.

 

I just hope I see it in reality, instead of my dreams. :lol:

 

The bench is really a question mark...

 

How good will the freshmen be, because they are going to be heavily relied on for depth. Has Carter and Obrzut improved?

 

There are plenty of ifs, but there's more there to work with than most think, I believe.