February 14, 200719 yr BRB, I think you are missing a point. To assume, that I am not disappointed is to assume wrong. I am disappointed. Everyone wanted a top recruiting class and got it with the junior class. And they have been a huge disappointment. From Rondo's selfishness to Crawford's disappearing to Morris' thinking more of his ability than it was to Bradley's inability to step up his game at point guard. Add in Perry not performing 1/4 to the level he did in the tournament. I was disappointed when he recruited what seemed to be a great talent in Carruth that turned out to be a great talent with a huge attitude problem. Yes, I was disappointed in the loss to Michigan State as I was in the loss to Arizona a few years earlier. One was in the national championship game, one was in the Elite 8 but to me equally were disappointing. They had a chance to win and didn't. And, I was disappointed in the loss to Marquette but seeing what DWade is doing now, I understand it. To me, great coaches have great defensive teams and good offensive teams. Do I like Tubby's offensive game plan? No, too much dribbling. But as I have mentioned in another thread on my thoughts about this team, I think he is playing to this teams' strengths. They are a horrible passing team. Can a coach make them a better passing team? Yes and no. You have to understand the concept of the game of basketball to be a good passing team. There were several incidents of someone being open in the lane last night where the pass was never made, made late, or too soft and a basket didn't result from a UK player open in the lane. I think this is a team that is not very intelligent in understanding the game of basketball. And I had an administrator once who said, you can't make chicken salad from chicken poop. The poor senior class has hurt KY for the past few seasons. But I think Tubby saw them as more of a role players in between strong classes rather than stars. And the class before and after did not live up to their advertised recruiting label. Azubuke left early and left a scoring void. Morris basically slept-walked through his freshmen year while Crawford moped till he tried to leave. It seems from rumors and innuendo that Sparks and Rondo were bigger problems for the team than they were help. Disappointment, yes and definitely. But as I look at the coaches that are out there, I see none that don't come with their own baggage or have had their share of issues. Billy D is on top right now. But he is with a recruiting class that would have UK fans up in arms that they are not to the level UK expects until they would have seen the results 3 years later down the line. A few years back, Billy D even said he wanted to model his program more like Tubby and less like he had been doing. He does that and look at the results. He stayed away from the McD recruits that leave or try and leave after just months and instead recruits the players that are going to stay awhile and he wins a national championship. I think the key thing is between us who you say have our head stuck in the sand and those who are TBer's, is that we don't hold to the mistaken notion that UK has a pick and choose among who they want. I don't believe any has that anymore in today's collegiate world. Today's athletes are too worried about immediate PT and looking good on national tv to worry about the name on the front of the jersey. If you think that school's can pick and choose, why is Durants or Oden not at Duke????? Did Coach K not think they could play? Or maybe even Duke gets said no to. UK has not been a name that people fawn over since Rupp was the only game in town. We saw in the 80's the recruiting came in Fed Ex/Emory packages. And Bobby Knight has alluded that was happening under Hall's watch also. So why was it different for Pitino. He played a style of ball that others did not and they wanted to play that style. Now, most play that style. Couldn't have been Pitino or UL would be filled with the Durants and the Wrights. And they are not. :thumb: Absolutely GREAT post!! I agree on all points that you made. Including the first sentence.
February 14, 200719 yr Another ten-loss season will be complained about even if the 10th loss comes in the national championship game.:sssh: No way. Tubby would get a lot of props if he can get this team to the final four. I would say a trip to the final four would quiet a lot of critics.
February 14, 200719 yr People who won't tolerate program slippage...:creepy: 18-7 with a top 10 RPI and SOS doesn't seem to indicate program slippage...:sleep:
February 14, 200719 yr Author 18-7 with a top 10 RPI and SOS doesn't seem to indicate program slippage...:sleep: Only if you define your program by RPI and SOS...Good one! All those numbers tell me is that they are winless against ranked teams, not in the hunt for the SEC title, and are a lock for another 10 loss season. Thanks for playing though.
February 14, 200719 yr There are alot of measures, and I think that 10 loss seasons can be put in there. Along with NO final fours since 1998. Then there are other measures, Tubby has a great winning percentage, has dominated SEC play, excluding this year. UK definately plays a tough OOC schedule, but they also play their fair share of "cupcakes" like every team does. Which brings me to another measure, of this years team. NO wins over top 25 teams. They have played the top teams tough but that doesnt mean anything, I dont beileve in Moral victories whatsoever, because after those loses Im sure the team and Tubby were just as mad that they lost by 4 then if they would have lost by 25 pts. Indiana is ranked right now. Also, UK proving that they can play with and possibly beat a team like Florida is much more encouraging then having them come in here and win by 25... you have to agree with that.
February 14, 200719 yr None of this is going to matter after this season anyways. Mark my words, TUBBY WILL RETIRE AFTER THIS SEASON. Take it or leave it, but just remember where you heard it first.
February 14, 200719 yr Indiana is ranked right now. Also, UK proving that they can play with and possibly beat a team like Florida is much more encouraging then having them come in here and win by 25... you have to agree with that. It shows they can play with those big teams, they need to beat one though. They have had their chances. I have said numerous times, that UF-UK game was tough to judge, cuz neither team was close to their A game that night. And I think we have seen UF's A game much more then UK's.
February 14, 200719 yr It shows they can play with those big teams, they need to beat one though. They have had their chances. I have said numerous times, that UF-UK game was tough to judge, cuz neither team was close to their A game that night. And I think we have seen UF's A game much more then UK's. They sure do need to beat one I agree with that.
February 14, 200719 yr Author None of this is going to matter after this season anyways. Mark my words, TUBBY WILL RETIRE AFTER THIS SEASON. Take it or leave it, but just remember where you heard it first. I think I am having my first man-crush...:lol:
February 14, 200719 yr Only if you define your program by RPI and SOS...Good one! All those numbers tell me is that they are winless against ranked teams, not in the hunt for the SEC title, and are a lock for another 10 loss season. Thanks for playing though. Parity sucks, huh?
February 14, 200719 yr I think I am having my first man-crush...:lol::lol: It happens to the best of us.
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.