January 21, 200719 yr There lies the problem IMO. I can remember when a big win was a win at a top ten teams home court. Believe it or not UK used to to that from time to time, even if their talent level was down. We are in our longest dry spell from the final four in history and all of a sudden most UK fans are OK with it. This scares me. You must really be recalling some very old times. Here's a list of UK's wins on an opponents home court since Rick Pitino took over as coach. Only one from those good old days. 12/12/92 Win at #9 Louisville 88-68 12/2/00 Win at #6 North Carolina 93-76 1/29/02 Win at #5 Florida 70-68 3/8/03 Win at #3 Florida 69-67 That's exactly 4 wins in the last 18 years, 3 of them by Tubby Smith coached teams.
January 21, 200719 yr There lies the problem IMO. I can remember when a big win was a win at a top ten teams home court. Believe it or not UK used to to that from time to time, even if their talent level was down. We are in our longest dry spell from the final four in history and all of a sudden most UK fans are OK with it. This scares me. As a matter of fact here's the record of UK vs. the top 10 in the post Eddie Sutton era. Rick Pitino: Home 2-4 Road 1-4 Neutral 9-5 Total 12-14 Tubby Smith: Home 13-1 Road 3-7 Neutral 7-9 Total 23-17 Looks like Tubby both PLAYS better competition and PRODUCES better against said competition. :thumb:
January 21, 200719 yr You must really be recalling some very old times. Here's a list of UK's wins on an opponents home court since Rick Pitino took over as coach. 12/12/92 Win at #9 Louisville 88-68 12/2/00 Win at #6 North Carolina 93-76 1/29/02 Win at #5 Florida 70-68 3/8/03 Win at #3 Florida 69-67 That's exactly 4 wins in the last 18 years, 3 of them by Tubby Smith coached teams. Boy! You done some research there AJG. My comment was aimed at guys that were calling this years win at South Carolina, the win over Auburn or any win for that matter, a big win. My point is that fans of UK basketball have lowered their expectations IMO. I for one do not think that UK Basketball is what it used to be, that's all, exactly.
January 21, 200719 yr By the way, I have not given Rick kudos for anything. I'm just stating my opinion and you guys are trying to fry me up in bacon.
January 21, 200719 yr UK is not going beat decent teams when Crawford and Bradley shoot a combined 9-28 from the field. Combine that with Morris only getting 2 shots in the second half. That is a formula for defeat for UK. During UK's winning streak, their offensive success was predicated on crisp ball movement and taking good shots. In addition, they have taken care of the ball. Today, you combine poor production from the guards with an opponent that can shoot the ball, you are not looking at a positive outcome. A deeper look at the stats you see Crawford 4/10 on threes but 0/7 on shots inside the line. Their basketball IQ or play today left a lot to be desired. Vandy lacks a true 5 man, UK should have worked the ball to Morris and get him to the foul line. That is the most disappointing item that I come away with today is their lack of poise at times and carelessness with the ball. Just throwing the ball away in key situations. 13 of their 29 attempts in the second half were 3 point attempts. The road begins to get tougher right now. You cannot afford to lose a game at home in this conference, especially to a team that is not a very good road team. Unfortunately, the loss overshadows some positive production from Perry and Thomas. Give Vandy credit, they executed, they fought on the boards, and they really moved the ball and made open shots. Ross Neltner has found his niche at Vandy, plays his role well and has teammates that share the ball. It was a game they deserved to win. Im not worried about the rankings because UK has not really beaten anyone that really makes you take notice, but for the most part they have avoided letdowns during that stretch of wins until today. Give the Dores credit, they executed and UK folded. Before people pile on OTS, did he throw the ball away on three straight trips to open the half without a shot? Did he just throw the ball away on consecutive trips in a one point game? Maybe his substitution patterns are questionable, but the guys he rolls out there need to execute consistently. Today, they didn't. One thing he has to do is get Crwford some breaks. 38 minutes is far too many minutes for him. Not a time to feel sorry for yourself. Rough trip Wednesday in Athens. Great post LABS, and I am sure that UK will bounce back in Athens...
January 21, 200719 yr Hmm from 1979 until 1996 One final Four! Do you go back that far? The good old days! They went in '84 as well, AND 1993.
January 21, 200719 yr Boy! You done some research there AJG. My comment was aimed at guys that were calling this years win at South Carolina, the win over Auburn or any win for that matter, a big win. My point is that fans of UK basketball have lowered their expectations IMO. I for one do not think that UK Basketball is what it used to be, that's all, exactly. Actually, you said that you remembered when a big win was a win at a top ten teams home court. Those were your words, I'm just wondering what era you were talking about because it certainly wasn't in the past 20 years.
January 21, 200719 yr Like I have said from 79-95 1 Final four. So they must be thinking about 96-98.:thumb: Might want to re-check that.
January 21, 200719 yr Vandy has really made their tourney resume look better in the last 2 weeks: UK, Alabama, and UT Ws will garner some attention.
January 21, 200719 yr Actually, you said that you remembered when a big win was a win at a top ten teams home court. Those were your words, I'm just wondering what era you were talking about because it certainly wasn't in the past 20 years. That's just it, it's somewhat a figure of speech, I'm not talking about any era in particular. Like I've said numerous times, some guys on here and fans in general are calling the wins with South Carolina and such as big wins. Since when did a win against a very poor SC team become a big win? I've never referred to any era. I do remember what UK fans called a big win. Beating the tar out of a very weak team was not considered a big win yesterday IMO. Who mentioned any era???? Do you consider the win at South Carolina or the win over Auburn big wins? You know what a big win is AJG. Yes I do remember when a win on the road at a top ten team was big. Is it not?
January 21, 200719 yr In all levels of the world when someone isn't meeting expectations changes are often needed. Look at FC's last post. He is a strong Tubby supporter but agrees things need to clear up. Let me try to help you out. Look at what UK was right before Tubby rode his horse into town. Look at what UK is 10 years later. I will let you assess it and figure it out. Now I agree we will never be a 3 peat final 4 team again but we should be a final four team/contender every 2-4 seasons. Let's see, Tubby has coached UK for 9 full seasons. In those 9 full seasons he has won a National Title and made 3 other Regional Finals. You said that UK should be a Final Four team or contender every 2-4 seasons. I would think that a Regional Finalist would have to be considered a Final Four contender so Tubby's teams have qualified 4 out of 9 times...........
January 21, 200719 yr ^ That's a stretch...there is NO denying the fact that they are in the longest Final Four drought in school history, and that is likely to be extended this season as well.
January 21, 200719 yr That's just it, it's somewhat a figure of speech, I'm not talking about any era in particular. Like I've said numerous times, some guys on here and fans in general are calling the wins with South Carolina and such as big wins. Since when did a win against a very poor SC team become a big win? I've never referred to any era. I do remember what UK fans called a big win. Beating the tar out of a very weak team was not considered a big win yesterday IMO. Who mentioned any era???? Do you consider the win at South Carolina or the win over Auburn big wins? You know what a big win is AJG. Yes I do remember when a win on the road at a top ten team was big. Is it not? Its still big, I was just pointing out that it hasn't happened very often in the past 20 years. College basketball is different than it was even 10 years ago. Today ANY road win in league play in ANY of the major conferences is big. The UK win against USC, while it is very helpful to UK's cause, should have been expected. The Auburn win was simply protecting our home court and it should have been expected, the margin of both wins was what was encouraging. The home loss was not good, but due to already owning 2 road wins in league play, doesn't have to be a killer. If UK can pick up a 3rd road win against UGA it would help to make up for the Vandy loss.
January 21, 200719 yr Ricky P may have built a few things in his life but UK Basketball was NOT one of them. Revived may be a better word. :thumb: I didn't think that I would by reading all your other post on this thread but I have found 1 that I can agree with.
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.