5 hours ago, futurecoach said:

 

 

 

 

 

Where are these Cal teaches no defense comments coming from? If anything that is the one thing Cal usually focuses on the most. Just because he doesn’t play zone like some of you all want, doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about defense. Defense in the one thing he does focus on. In fact I wish he would focus more on offense than defense.  Which this is his 14th year coaching at UK. Under Cal UK had been in the top 35 in defensive efficiency for 7 of those years, and multiple years in the top 10 and one year as the top defensive team. 
 

Now last night the defense was horrible. Which I’m not saying this is a good defensive team, but even good defensive teams have nights where they get shredded. 
 

So very surprised to see the attack on the defense. When IMO it is still the offense that is the biggest issue and what people should complain about. If people want to complain about the offense, you won’t get any arguments from me, because the offensive system is plain bad. 

If you’ll check the years Cal has ranked high in defensive efficiency he’s had at least 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 really good shot blockers, (2012 and 2015 he had 3 on each team) that cleaned up and intimidated, I was told in those years by someone close to the program that Cal would tell them “just make them turn once and we’ll block it”, which of course worked, but of course the problem is when you don’t have those shot blockers and you have to TEACH:

On ball defense, away from the ball responsibilities, close outs, playing with your feet first and not your hands, rotations ball side and weak side, handling ballscreens, getting off screens away from the ball, understanding angles and you can’t, then you get this team (and some others) and why they’re so bad defensively.  Just like in the same way Cal’s teams are not good offensively unless he has a stud point guard, which obviously he doesn’t have this year, so they struggle offensively 

Obviously a lot has to happen still. However, if Texas ends up firing Beard. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cal leave to go to Texas. They are going to want to get a big name, especially with the move to the SEC. Cal may think it’s just time for him and UK to part ways. Then some of those top recruits for next year follow Cal to Texas. Much like the recruits followed Cal to UK, when they were going to go to Memphis originally. 

16 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

If you’ll check the years Cal has ranked high in defensive efficiency he’s had at least 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 really good shot blockers, (2012 and 2015 he had 3 on each team) that cleaned up and intimidated, I was told in those years by someone close to the program that Cal would tell them “just make them turn once and we’ll block it”, which of course worked, but of course the problem is when you don’t have those shot blockers and you have to TEACH:

On ball defense, away from the ball responsibilities, close outs, playing with your feet first and not your hands, rotations ball side and weak side, handling ballscreens, getting off screens away from the ball, understanding angles and you can’t, then you get this team (and some others) and why they’re so bad defensively.  Just like in the same way Cal’s teams are not good offensively unless he has a stud point guard, which obviously he doesn’t have this year, so they struggle offensively 

You pointed a couple of years with the shot blocker. As I mentioned they have been a top 35 team defensively for more than half of of his years here, including last year too. Then even a few of the years they were top 35, they were top 50. So like it or not defensively his teams have been one of the better defensive teams in comparison to other power 5 schools. Just because some of you may not like that he doesn’t play zone, which seem to be the common complaint from some. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t care or teach defense. Defense is the one area he always seems to focus the most with on his teams. Now offensively is a different matter, and doesn’t seem to be much to it. 

9 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

I haven't watched a second of the last 3 games. 

I quit after Gonzaga. UK just doesn't have the pieces nor the chemistry. They're not fun to watch. Going to be a long boring season. 

 

At least we have a football game in a couple days. 

2 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Obviously a lot has to happen still. However, if Texas ends up firing Beard. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cal leave to go to Texas. They are going to want to get a big name, especially with the move to the SEC. Cal may think it’s just time for him and UK to part ways. Then some of those top recruits for next year follow Cal to Texas. Much like the recruits followed Cal to UK, when they were going to go to Memphis originally. 

That sounds plausible. 

21 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

I haven't watched a second of the last 3 games. 

I watched about 7 minutes of the game and turned the tv to a Netflix documentary about Lynyrd Skynyrd. 
This team is not fun to watch. No talent imo. It seems they can’t get a good combination of players in the lineup to run a coherent offense or play defense. Too many players that are a square peg that Cal is attempting to wedge into a round hole. They have one player that will see minutes in the NBA (Wallace) and another that might make a roster (Oscar) and that’s about it. They went to the Bahamas and thumped some thrown together teams that were terrible and everyone, me included, got all pumped up for a grand ole season and a Final Four possibility, and now it appears they won’t even qualify for the Big Dance in March. 

On 12/29/2022 at 8:56 AM, mcpapa said:

Only a handful of posts by the UK faithful. 
 

Someone said not long ago that a real  concern for the coach and and the program is apathy. 

Absolutely agree with this.  Apathy is a problem.  It wasn't long ago we planned what we were doing around UK games and watching them.  We would be eagerly by the computer the day the tickets were released to alum to buy our one set we were allotted because they sold out quickly now there are still conference game tickets available to alum. months after they went on sale. Last night we were at a high school game and someone commented on how bad UK played and I didn't even know they had a game.  I knew it was bad when UK-UL tickets for tomorrow were available at face value on our local facebook page.  My father the die hard fan gave up his season tickets because " I would rather watch my grandchildren play high school/grade school ball."  UK probably doesn't care but maybe they should start.  

50 minutes ago, rjal said:

Absolutely agree with this.  Apathy is a problem.  It wasn't long ago we planned what we were doing around UK games and watching them.  We would be eagerly by the computer the day the tickets were released to alum to buy our one set we were allotted because they sold out quickly now there are still conference game tickets available to alum. months after they went on sale. Last night we were at a high school game and someone commented on how bad UK played and I didn't even know they had a game.  I knew it was bad when UK-UL tickets for tomorrow were available at face value on our local facebook page.  My father the die hard fan gave up his season tickets because " I would rather watch my grandchildren play high school/grade school ball."  UK probably doesn't care but maybe they should start.  

Not discounting anything you say here, but I believe across the board there is general apathy, or whatever you want to call it, for sporting events. Look no further than college football - which has a lot bigger draw than college basketball - is at its lowest average attendance since 1981. This started prior to COVID, but that accelerated it. There is more content and choices than ever.

Another good example of this is the Champions Classic. So we are not just talking UK here. You could buy tickets leading up to the games for practically nothing.

15 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Obviously a lot has to happen still. However, if Texas ends up firing Beard. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cal leave to go to Texas. They are going to want to get a big name, especially with the move to the SEC. Cal may think it’s just time for him and UK to part ways. Then some of those top recruits for next year follow Cal to Texas. Much like the recruits followed Cal to UK, when they were going to go to Memphis originally. 

This won't happen, we couldn't get that lucky.

Gotta love being a UK fan. One of the best freshmen in the country, returning player of the year, currently 8-4 against the #21 toughest schedule in the nation with three of the 4 losses to quad 1 teams ... and people are so disgusted they don't care anymore and don't want to watch. 

15 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Gotta love being a UK fan. One of the best freshmen in the country, returning player of the year, currently 8-4 against the #21 toughest schedule in the nation with three of the 4 losses to quad 1 teams ... and people are so disgusted they don't care anymore and don't want to watch. 

It’s called underachieving and nobody likes that.

9 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

It’s called underachieving by UK fans and no UK fan likes that.

Fixed it for you.

21 hours ago, futurecoach said:

You pointed a couple of years with the shot blocker. As I mentioned they have been a top 35 team defensively for more than half of of his years here, including last year too. Then even a few of the years they were top 35, they were top 50. So like it or not defensively his teams have been one of the better defensive teams in comparison to other power 5 schools. Just because some of you may not like that he doesn’t play zone, which seem to be the common complaint from some. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t care or teach defense. Defense is the one area he always seems to focus the most with on his teams. Now offensively is a different matter, and doesn’t seem to be much to it. 

Just picked those years for examples, there have been other shot blockers, Nerlens Noel, etc., check the other years they were high, shot blocker,  I saw some video of Cal doing a man defensive drill, just unreal, wouldn’t believe it if you didn’t see it for yourself 

6 hours ago, bugatti said:

Not discounting anything you say here, but I believe across the board there is general apathy, or whatever you want to call it, for sporting events. Look no further than college football - which has a lot bigger draw than college basketball - is at its lowest average attendance since 1981. This started prior to COVID, but that accelerated it. There is more content and choices than ever.

Another good example of this is the Champions Classic. So we are not just talking UK here. You could buy tickets leading up to the games for practically nothing.

100%.

Doesn't change how bad the team has played, especially Wednesday night but I think after COVID, people realized they don't need sports in their lives as much as they used to.

I'd like to see them start working Livingston more into the offense.  I think, on this team at least, he might be the key to figure a few things out on offense.