I don't want to argue with anyone on here, but I am curious, I would like to know what the expectations that each have for the UK program. I would like to know what the are for Strike3 and C'Ville and compare that with those of Hard Rock Fan and Eagle01. I'm curious as to how they are different.

Although I cannot speak for everyone else, I will explain how I believe people think...

 

Whether they admit it or not, many were spoiled by what happend in the mid-90s and believe that should be the norm at UK. What was going on then was amazing, and I will be the first to tell you I wish UK were at that level.

 

Has the program dropped since then (or since Tubby took over)? Probably so, to a degree. But not quite as dramatic as many make it out to be.

 

For me, W/L's mean very little unless the team is not in a decent position to compete for a national title. Last season and in 2000, those teams did not have a shot. The other seasons Tubby has been at the helm, people may want to cite having 10 losses or being ousted short of the Final Four as a reason to fire Tubby, but those teams were more than capable of reaching the Final Four, and a lot less talented teams have made it, I can list about 20 other teams the past few years that have made a good run in the tourny but were not as good as UK.

 

Seasons such as 2000 and last season, however, will not be tolerated.

 

As for my expectations, I would like to see UK win the title every season. However, I realize College Basketball is designed in a way the best do not, actually, the best very seldom win it all or even make the all mighty, "Final Four." It is definetley a mark against Coach Smith for not making the Final Four, but I judge a program on more than just that. Recruiting has been spotty. But, since Tubby, the average seed has been about a 3 going into the big dance (this includes last season's 8 seed).... I would guess that is one of the best (and I know he has not made but 1 Final Four, save your fingers).

I would just like to see fans be a little more reasonable. We did have one bad season, there is no way around it. But with a team that is so reliant on freshmen, people should be reasonable enough to atleast wait until January before declaring the season a failure.

Another question, if last season had not occured, would this conversation even come up?

 

I feel many judge the state of KY basketball on one season and characterize it as typical Tubby Smith basketball.

Interesting thoughts. How long can Mr. Smith remain at the helm of the program without a significant run in the tournament? How long will it be before the current supporters want a change? Just questions I have, bottom line is that the car you traded in probably could have got you to work and was dependable but you wanted a new one. Some people want a new one sooner than others. That being said, sooner or later we all are going to want a new one, coach or car.

Interesting thoughts. How long can Mr. Smith remain at the helm of the program without a significant run in the tournament? How long will it be before the current supporters want a change? Just questions I have, bottom line is that the car you traded in probably could have got you to work and was dependable but you wanted a new one. Some people want a new one sooner than others. That being said, sooner or later we all are going to want a new one, coach or car.

 

I am not sure how long Tubby can hang around without a trip to the Final Four. I do not necessarily feel "Final Fours" are the measuring stick of a good coach, but that is not how it is perceived... and we all know that perception = reality in the real world. Unless UK stays in the top 10 for the next 3 seasons (yet comes up short of a FF), I think only one Final Four trip within a 12 year time frame might be enough for Tubby to go coach in the NBA for a few years time (if you catch my drift).

 

On the other bolded point...

 

No doubt, and Tubby has been at the helm now for about 10 years... which is rather long time for anyone to maintain a certain job.

Interesting thoughts. How long can Mr. Smith remain at the helm of the program without a significant run in the tournament? How long will it be before the current supporters want a change? Just questions I have, bottom line is that the car you traded in probably could have got you to work and was dependable but you wanted a new one. Some people want a new one sooner than others. That being said, sooner or later we all are going to want a new one, coach or car.

 

Your comparing coaches to cars? If Tubby gets things turned around this year and gets the program back up on top we arent going to want to trade him in. Does Duke want to trade in Coach K?

I think fans should be open-minded enough to atleast give this team a chance.

Your comparing coaches to cars? If Tubby gets things turned around this year and gets the program back up on top we arent going to want to trade him in. Does Duke want to trade in Coach K?

I think fans should be open-minded enough to atleast give this team a chance.

I thought YAK asked a really good question and brings up a good point...

I don't want to argue with anyone on here, but I am curious, I would like to know what the expectations that each have for the UK program. I would like to know what the are for Strike3 and C'Ville and compare that with those of Hard Rock Fan and Eagle01. I'm curious as to how they are different.

....I'm not looking for an argument either and although I said last post several times, here is my "expectations".

 

I've been around sports, all my life from youth levels on up and still involved. I'm also a fan of college athletics, at many schools and including UK, in many sports.

 

I don't assign number of wins or limit number of losses, to the season being successful. I was brought up, coached, trained to understand "unless you win the championship, you will lose the game of the season"....BUT what happens to get you to that last game, determines if your season has been successful. Early on coaches instilled being competitive, over-achieving, team, effort, criticism and being coachable.

 

If you want my UK goals, that I hope they can attain every year, here they are but I realize that its simply not always, going to happen and if they don't, I don't consider a failed season.

 

Being Competitive (one of my favorite words)

SEC Regular Season Title

SEC Tournament Title

#1-#3 NCAA Tournament Seed

Sweet 16 Participant

 

I don't get too upset, when the lose more than expected and don't get too pumped up, when they are ranked #1, or with a great record. If they improve from game to game, get ready for a run in the NCAA's and get beat....not beat themselves, than that is all I can expect. Does it always happen, NO but also no reason to panic.

 

There are a lot of good or great programs, that never get to reach there own thresholds or goals but that doesn't mean they "failed", just that someone got the job done better, that night.

Interesting thoughts. How long can Mr. Smith remain at the helm of the program without a significant run in the tournament? How long will it be before the current supporters want a change? Just questions I have, bottom line is that the car you traded in probably could have got you to work and was dependable but you wanted a new one. Some people want a new one sooner than others. That being said, sooner or later we all are going to want a new one, coach or car.

I still drive my old 1998 Chevy pickup and it still purrs like a kitten!! (pun intended) I drive it to all UK games.:thumb:

....I'm not looking for an argument either and although I said last post several times, here is my "expectations".

 

I've been around sports, all my life from youth levels on up and still involved. I'm also a fan of college athletics, at many schools and including UK, in many sports.

 

I don't assign number of wins or limit number of losses, to the season being successful. I was brought up, coached, trained to understand "unless you win the championship, you will lose the game of the season"....BUT what happens to get you to that last game, determines if your season has been successful. Early on coaches instilled being competitive, over-achieving, team, effort, criticism and being coachable.

 

If you want my UK goals, that I hope they can attain every year, here they are but I realize that its simply not always, going to happen and if they don't, I don't consider a failed season.

 

Being Competitive (one of my favorite words)

SEC Regular Season Title

SEC Tournament Title

#1-#3 NCAA Tournament Seed

Sweet 16 Participant

 

I don't get too upset, when the lose more than expected and don't get too pumped up, when they are ranked #1, or with a great record. If they improve from game to game, get ready for a run in the NCAA's and get beat....not beat themselves, than that is all I can expect. Does it always happen, NO but also no reason to panic.

 

There are a lot of good or great programs, that never get to reach there own thresholds or goals but that doesn't mean they "failed", just that someone got the job done better, that night.

Just to add on because I know it is going to be misrepresented... STIRKE3 is not saying he is jumping with joy with a Sweet 16 appearance.

Just to add on because I know it is going to be misrepresented... STIRKE3 is not saying he is jumping with joy with a Sweet 16 appearance.

You are very correct....:thumb: I've screamed at the TV, cussed Coach Smith, players and vowed to "never watch again" at times but I always end up, with the same thought...."That's why the game is played"

 

I've often debated with people, which hurts more.....to lose in the 1st Round or Championship game, since both are defeats. Make the championship game, most would say "they can't win the big one"....lose early and most will say "the program is declining"....

 

My reason on Sweet 16, if UK makes it then they have a chance to win/advance....Can't win it, unless your in it.

I still drive my old 1998 Chevy pickup and it still purrs like a kitten!! (pun intended) I drive it to all UK games.:thumb:

I too drive an old truck. Doesn't mean that every now and then I wish I had a new one. It also doesn't meant that at some point I won't get a new one.

I don't want to argue with anyone on here, but I am curious, I would like to know what the expectations that each have for the UK program. I would like to know what the are for Strike3 and C'Ville and compare that with those of Hard Rock Fan and Eagle01. I'm curious as to how they are different.

I want a team that I can be proud to say I support, don't get me wrong I am still proud to say I am a big blue fan, but not as proud as what I used to be. I just don't think Tubby can coach the type of players that belong at UK, you know the really great players.

Of course Tubby can take good players like Gerald Fitch, Marquis Estill, Erick Daniels etc. and mold them into really good college players in 3 or 4 years, but what about the players that can come in and immediatley make a huge impact.

 

Let's take a look at how some of the highly recruited players have faired under Tubby. These are just a few that come to mind forgive me if I leave someone off.

 

Jason Parker- left the team

Rashaad Carruth(sp.)- kicked off team

Keith Bogans- good 4 year player, never reached true potential under Tubby

Tayshaun Prince- much better in NBA than college

Morris- tried to got to NBA after freshman year

Crawford- tried to leave during middle of Fresh. year, never has reached potential

Rondo- we all know that story, wasn't good enough to start half the year for Tubby last year, but good enough to wow scouts and fans as a rookie for the Celtics.

 

As bad as I hate to say everyday the college game is becoming more like the NBA, you almost have to be better with dealing with ego's than you are with X's and O's to be succesful year in and year out in college.

....I'm not looking for an argument either and although I said last post several times, here is my "expectations".

 

I've been around sports, all my life from youth levels on up and still involved. I'm also a fan of college athletics, at many schools and including UK, in many sports.

 

I don't assign number of wins or limit number of losses, to the season being successful. I was brought up, coached, trained to understand "unless you win the championship, you will lose the game of the season"....BUT what happens to get you to that last game, determines if your season has been successful. Early on coaches instilled being competitive, over-achieving, team, effort, criticism and being coachable.

 

If you want my UK goals, that I hope they can attain every year, here they are but I realize that its simply not always, going to happen and if they don't, I don't consider a failed season.

 

Being Competitive (one of my favorite words)

SEC Regular Season Title

SEC Tournament Title

#1-#3 NCAA Tournament Seed

Sweet 16 Participant

 

I don't get too upset, when the lose more than expected and don't get too pumped up, when they are ranked #1, or with a great record. If they improve from game to game, get ready for a run in the NCAA's and get beat....not beat themselves, than that is all I can expect. Does it always happen, NO but also no reason to panic.

 

There are a lot of good or great programs, that never get to reach there own thresholds or goals but that doesn't mean they "failed", just that someone got the job done better, that night.

How many of these will get checkmarks this year? How many got check marks last year?

How many of these will get checkmarks this year? How many got check marks last year?

No idea, perhaps teams like Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Alabama will have a lot to do with the success of UK, since they aren't going to give them anything.

 

I think several of you have valid points, but many are overlooking a critical factor in college athletics....UK was dominant at times, during decades, ups and downs but other programs are getting better to. They have the same goal, win and All-Americans are going to other schools, mid-majors, NAIA and plenty of high school players are leaving early. Other teams are improving and closing the gaps on UK, UNC, Duke....Georgetown was at top of the heap with great players, but were not able to sustain.

 

Recruiting is a crap-shoot at best, systems fit some better and others digress....for the record, do I like Coach Smith's offense....NO.

 

A college team, can't climb the ladder and stay there uncontested....not in today's time.