I try to stay even keel after a loss or a win and I do realize things arent as bad as they seem right now, and arent as good as they seemed after we blewout South Carolina. But the fact is we have got to start consistently getting better players at UK. I think in 3 of the last 4 years recruiting goals have fell short.

Dont get me wrong, I love the freshmen class and I think they are going to be great, but we needed a good PF in that class to really be a starter as a freshman and we didnt get one. Now we need Patrick Patterson and I believe we would be a much better team with a true pointguard like Lucas coming in and helping.

I think the only way to straighten things out is for Tubby to get rid of Rigot and Reggie Hanson and get some assistants who can recuit better.

UK has to run, to dominate...if that means changing personell, so be it.

I would say that the senior class recruiting class was weak and the sophomore class was weak. The junior class and freshmen class are strong. That would be 2 out of 4.

 

That said, post players are a huge weak spot.

^ They are.....that's why I get amazed at the number of times that UK slows it down, and gets in a half court set...run boys.

UK has all the tools (tradition, sending guys to the NBA, playing in Rupp, the fanbase, and an awesome practice facility) now to be as dominate in recruiting as anyone. Sadly, they aren't getting the job done so something has to change...

UK has to run, to dominate...if that means changing personell, so be it.

 

The problem with running is the best chance you have to run is by forcing turnovers and this team does not turn other teams over much at all. Also, we do not push the ball hard usually after a defensive rebound. Also, I like Ramel Bradley, but he is going to have to start playing good against a team that has is actually good.

Look what happened to the football program this year when changes in the right place happened (Phillips and Sanders). Tubby could be ok if he got better assistants and let them do what they are good at. The crew they have now all have a blank stare on their face during a game, no passion it seems.

I cannot debate the importance of good assistants. I think an hour west of Lexington is prime A example of that.

 

Pitino gets the credit of being the all-knowing coach in the 90's at UK but look at the assistants he had. Tubby, Billy D., Herb Sendek, Ralph Willard, etc.

 

I think the early UL teams had Mick Cronin there.

 

And now that they are not enjoying as much success is his assistants as strong as they were at UK in the 90's?

Ramel Bradley dribbles way to much. The first half last night was the best display of passing KY has had since Bogans & Fitch & Daniels were here.

Recruiting is a problem, Rigot came here with a reputation of getting overseas players. That got us Woo, but thats it. I can see us getting to the sweet 16 this year. Anything else is a plus.

I agree the recruiting has been way to inconsistent over the past 4 years. Next year's team will be the real telling point of whether or not the senior and soph. classes were flukes or if they are the new trend.

 

With the way he's played lately, I don't see Morris going anywhere unless he starts playing with some intensity soon. That being said the talent on next year's team should be huge assuming Moses and Pettigrew come to UK.

 

PG-D-Jas, Michael Porter

SG-Bradley, Meeks

SF-Crawford, Harris, Stewart

PF-Moses, Stevenson, Pettigrew

C-Morris, Carter, Williams

I think as long as Tubby stays around the next couple of years, the tale will be told on recruiting. If he cant do it now with the top notch practice facility it will never be done. That was one thing they whined about for several years was their own practice facility, and now they have it. Nowhere else to throw the blame...

Question I have is, Would you rather have a top 5 class every 3 years or so with role players in between, or consistant top 20 classes every year?

 

Me personally, it's a no brainer, but what's everyone's opinion?

^ They are.....that's why I get amazed at the number of times that UK slows it down, and gets in a half court set...run boys.

 

I've been saying that for years, but if you're a UK fan and say it then you're a Tubby basher...so I'm glad someone else sees it too.

 

But, that's not Tubby's style, so it's never going to happen. I finally wised up and gave up on that dream.

I have no problem with half court sets. I have a problem with Bradley dribbling and the other four guys standing around. Slowing the ball down is not a bad thing at all IMO, but when you stop moving the ball in your set defense is SIMPLE. Move the ball and move without the ball.

^ They are.....that's why I get amazed at the number of times that UK slows it down, and gets in a half court set...run boys.

Granted I turned it off at halftime and missed about 10 minutes of the 2nd half, but there were many times that they ran. The announcers were even commenting on the fast break opportunities.

 

Also, against good teams you are not going to get a fast break opportunity every single time. The defense is going to win the possession on occassion.