Even the most ardent supporters of Tubby, including me have seemingly taken a step back and feel that a change at the top is needed.

Obviously, there are games left to be played that can really change the mood of the program. Actually for better and worse.

3 games ago things were rosy. 3 losses later and the BBN is wanting blood.

With that, could OTS future be held in the hands of Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson?

Now we are talking about a coach who has landed exactly 2 first round draft picks in the last decade.

Both Lucas and Patterson fill voids in the program, particularly Patterson with the impending departure of Morris.

If OTS whiffs and Morris leaves...I think you may just see OTS ride off into the sunset.

 

If the latter were to happen...how bad will the PR be against UK, in running OTS out?

Will it be harsh?

WIll it depend on the next coach?

Will it be justified?

Patterson is much more important in the grand scheme of things. The guards are good enough at this point but if Morris leaves UK is in deep trouble in the post. I'm not very comfortable at this point with Stevenson and Carter as the 4/5, if Morris leaves Lexington. UK is terrible in the post outside of Morris now, imagine how bad it will be if he leaves and Patterson ends up elsewhere.

Even the most ardent supporters of Tubby, including me have seemingly taken a step back and feel that a change at the top is needed.

Obviously, there are games left to be played that can really change the mood of the program. Actually for better and worse.

3 games ago things were rosy. 3 losses later and the BBN is wanting blood.

With that, could OTS future be held in the hands of Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson?

Now we are talking about a coach who has landed exactly 2 first round draft picks in the last decade.

Both Lucas and Patterson fill voids in the program, particularly Patterson with the impending departure of Morris.

If OTS whiffs and Morris leaves...I think you may just see OTS ride off into the sunset.

 

If the latter were to happen...how bad will the PR be against UK, in running OTS out?

Will it be harsh?

WIll it depend on the next coach?

Will it be justified?

You know, the thing that KILLS me most about OTS is his substution patterns. One game Porter will play substantial minutes, the next he's on the bench the most of the game only to get PT in the last 2 minutes when UK is down. Ramon Harris plays in the first half, yet he saw NO action in the beginning of conference play and no PT in the second half. Woo only comes in when we are in desperate need of another post player. THe best substitute we have is Meeks (who should be starting).

 

We recruit point guards with no confidence in their shooting ability (Hawkins, Jasper). And we can't make a clutch free throw for our lives.

Even the most ardent supporters of Tubby, including me have seemingly taken a step back and feel that a change at the top is needed.

Obviously, there are games left to be played that can really change the mood of the program. Actually for better and worse.

3 games ago things were rosy. 3 losses later and the BBN is wanting blood.

With that, could OTS future be held in the hands of Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson?

Now we are talking about a coach who has landed exactly 2 first round draft picks in the last decade.

Both Lucas and Patterson fill voids in the program, particularly Patterson with the impending departure of Morris.

If OTS whiffs and Morris leaves...I think you may just see OTS ride off into the sunset.

 

If the latter were to happen...how bad will the PR be against UK, in running OTS out?

Will it be harsh?

WIll it depend on the next coach?

Will it be justified?

 

It will be harsh and nasty.

 

As much celebration as there was about UK hiring a minority coach and trying to get rid of its media built up past and how Rupp was a racist there will be as many people saying that UK and the BBN did not give him enough time or a fair shake.

 

It will get even worse if they do not interview at a minority coach or hire a non-minority coach.

Even the most ardent supporters of Tubby, including me have seemingly taken a step back and feel that a change at the top is needed.

Obviously, there are games left to be played that can really change the mood of the program. Actually for better and worse.

3 games ago things were rosy. 3 losses later and the BBN is wanting blood.

With that, could OTS future be held in the hands of Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson?

Now we are talking about a coach who has landed exactly 2 first round draft picks in the last decade.

Both Lucas and Patterson fill voids in the program, particularly Patterson with the impending departure of Morris.

If OTS whiffs and Morris leaves...I think you may just see OTS ride off into the sunset.

 

If the latter were to happen...how bad will the PR be against UK, in running OTS out?

Will it be harsh?

WIll it depend on the next coach?

Will it be justified?

1. I don't neccesarrily feel that a change is need but I have questioned the recruiting in the past, regardless if it be Rigot and Hansen or not( and I do believe they shouldn't have been back) it all ultimately still rest on Tubby with it being his program.

 

2. Imo you are correct in the 3 games left will tell a big tale on the future of OTS.

 

3. I don't care about 1st round draft picks, I want good college basketball players that want to play at U.K. and not just in college b.b. to use it as a one year prep for the NBA.

 

4. Getting Lucas and Patterson will really help things next season and I just hope that some of the things that I have heard on Patterson's attitude/dicipline problems are not true. (will not go into it here bc he is still a h.s. kid - bgp rules)

 

5. I will still support OTS, I feel that he is an excelelnt coach and I can't think of but a few more other than him that I would even consider for the U.K. job. Bottom line is recruiting, it has to improve and with this years freshmen class I think that it heading in the right direction (they are a very good group).

how bad will the PR be against UK, in running OTS out?

Will it be harsh?

WIll it depend on the next coach?

Will it be justified?

 

It will be ridiculous, IMO. I believe it was during the 04-05 season that it was popular in the media to chide UK fans for having high standards. Many liked to insinuate that Tubby was disliked because he was black.

 

After last season's debacle they've quieted down a bit and have stayed that was this season. You can be assured though that if he's let go they'll have a field day.

 

They'll just point to the winning percentage stats over and over and ignore historical losing streaks to Vandy and Florida, a history of questionable recruiting and the inability to motivate his players.

I think a lot of Patterson rides on him for hiself. Barnhardt won't have him out as coach and use the reason, "he just didn't get Patrick," or "the recruiting just wasn't happening."

 

I don't think he'll get fired for his failed attempts to recruit top players, but if Morris leaves and we fail to get a major power foward, I would think that he sees nothing out of next season and decides to retire.

 

Now, the reasons that Patterson and his recruits want to come here have to do with Tubby as a person. Most athletes are let out of their scholarships if a coach leaves, so I would hate to lose the recruits (Stewart, Patterson) if Tubby were to retire.

I think a lot of Patterson rides on him for hiself. Barnhardt won't have him out as coach and use the reason, "he just didn't get Patrick," or "the recruiting just wasn't happening."

 

I don't think he'll get fired for his failed attempts to recruit top players, but if Morris leaves and we fail to get a major power foward, I would think that he sees nothing out of next season and decides to retire.

 

Now, the reasons that Patterson and his recruits want to come here have to do with Tubby as a person. Most athletes are let out of their scholarships if a coach leaves, so I would hate to lose the recruits (Stewart, Patterson) if Tubby were to retire.

You make some very good points here SSF. Imo it would hurt the recruiting if Tubby were let go now (after this season). Most players do come bc of the coach. I feel that some would still come to U.K. bc of the history and tradition of the program but a coach leaving right at signing time could not be good.

 

Having said all of that I still stand by and believe that NO one player (or coach) is bigger than or makes the program at U.K..

I think Patterson is a make or break recruit for UK. They are counting on him in a very big way and a major letdown is possible...

I don't think there is any way Smith gets the axe. The only way he leaves is on his own. Regardless of what happens with Patterson I think UK and Smith would both be better off if he left.

 

About Patterson, is he really that good? Seriously, he is good but we speak of him like he is the savior of the program. This guy is not Jamaal Mashburn.

I don't think there is any way Smith gets the axe. The only way he leaves is on his own. Regardless of what happens with Patterson I think UK and Smith would both be better off if he left.

 

About Patterson, is he really that good? Seriously, he is good but we speak of him like he is the savior of the program. This guy is not Jamaal Mashburn.

Then who do you suggest we get??? Patterson is the good 4 that UK has been missing for YEARS!!!

Then who do you suggest we get??? Patterson is the good 4 that UK has been missing for YEARS!!!

 

I think Patterson would be a good signing but he is 1 player. The rest of this class is less that stellar. Currently we have Stewart and another 7 foot project. The only difference is that this project is no longer on his high school team.

 

Patterson is the magic potion. He will help but he alone isn't enough to right the ship.

I do agree with Ricky P on the fact that UK will not get rid of Tubby after this season no matter what happens. I believe that is what LABS was saying as well in saying that if UK were to not get Patterson and Lucas, that Tubby would ride off into the sunset, saying that Tubby would leave on his own. I believe that is pretty accurate as well. Falling off like they have here at the end of the season and not getting the recruits would possibly be the formula for Tubby to decide to walk (maybe to the Charlotte Bobcats?).

Even the most ardent supporters of Tubby, including me have seemingly taken a step back and feel that a change at the top is needed.

Obviously, there are games left to be played that can really change the mood of the program. Actually for better and worse.

3 games ago things were rosy. 3 losses later and the BBN is wanting blood.

With that, could OTS future be held in the hands of Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson?

Now we are talking about a coach who has landed exactly 2 first round draft picks in the last decade.

Both Lucas and Patterson fill voids in the program, particularly Patterson with the impending departure of Morris.

If OTS whiffs and Morris leaves...I think you may just see OTS ride off into the sunset.

 

If the latter were to happen...how bad will the PR be against UK, in running OTS out?

Will it be harsh?

WIll it depend on the next coach?

Will it be justified?

 

 

I'd say if neither come, Morris leaves, and we can't get anyone to fill the shoes in the inside Tubby's job will be in jeopardy. I'd run a 4 guard offense next year if that were the case. Jasper, Bradley, Crawford, Meeks, and a 7-footer. We'd shoot 35 3's a games.

I don't think there is any way Smith gets the axe. The only way he leaves is on his own. Regardless of what happens with Patterson I think UK and Smith would both be better off if he left.

 

About Patterson, is he really that good? Seriously, he is good but we speak of him like he is the savior of the program. This guy is not Jamaal Mashburn.

 

 

Compared to Bobby Perry and Sheray Thomas he's Jordan......