March 23, 200719 yr Color me as shocked. I was shocked at how quickly this went down. I fully thought OTS would return for another year with some new assistants. Tubby evidently thought so as well. He was recruiting on Monday and so were his assistants and offered an in-state kid. He was at the Sweet 16 working the stands and watching Matt Walls on Wednesday. Then today, and all the fireworks went off. It is a downer because I had hoped Tubby could turn it around. However, it is likely the best for all parties involved. Things had gotten stale. So how did this go down. I was told by a friend that there was some smoke between Tubby and Minnesota two weeks ago. My friend dismissed it and I did as well when we were told this. Same source told my buddy that Alford was headed to New Mexico. Turned out to be true. In the meantime, OTS never spoke one on one until this morning with Minnesota. There is some dispute about whether or not OTS and Barnhart met. I was told there is a strong opinion that Barnhart and OTS met this morning and the ultimatum was laid out to get rid of some assistants. Tubby balked. Tubby was keeping status quo. Assistants were recruiting as of last night. Upon disagreeing with Barnhart over the ultimatum, Tubby called Minnesota and spoke with them for the first time saying if they wanted him, he would be interested in coming. Then the other parties hammered out the contract and OTS was on his way to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. A lot can be said of the UK fan base. Much of it will be negative. I think Gregg Doyel, Pat Forde, Mike DeCoursey, and Dan Wetzel have essentially vouched for UK fans. So where does the focus turn? For one, I don't see how Barnhart can go through the process without least making a sincere overture at Donovan. I agree. He has to at least make an overture to get Donovan. Can he get him, possibly, but he may have to wait. Then the pecking order will include many others. One thing I get a chuckle out of is the one name many will immediately discount...Rick Pitino. Everyone knows how Barnhart and Jurich have had their differences, it seems, a game of one-upmanship. What if Barnhart could reel in Pitino from Louisville? I cannot even begin to even think that...but money will not be an issue here. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. A weird day but one that should be a very interesting ride.
March 23, 200719 yr Not sure even Pitino could become Judas twice in the same state... As much as I hate to say it, I agree that Billy D has to be close to the top of Barhart's list. I just have never liked him and even though he won it last year, he has been very weak in March...
March 23, 200719 yr Author Another story percolating is that Tubby told team and staff this morning without notifying UKAA. However, the issue of Minnesota was out there for over 2 weeks, so that jives with what I originally heard. Saul Smith will be on the Gopher staff. Evidently, OTS was wanting to bring in Saul for the UK staff in some capacity for 07-08. Which gets me back to another story, I heard. Saul told Deron Feldhaus in Maysville that OTS was leaving. So where does Feldhaus go with the news? Billy Donovan. Evidently, the word is that when asked about coming to UK, Donovan would go for it. Which sparked, supposedly, some renewed interest in UK by Darius Miller. All I have heard about Miller and UK recently, was that UK didn't have much of a shot with the current regime. Now this supposedly changed. This stuff is good. Let me throw something else out there. How high is Florida willing to go to pay for Billy Donovan? Are they willing to pay him more than, say...oh...uh...Urban Meyer?
March 23, 200719 yr Another story percolating is that Tubby told team and staff this morning without notifying UKAA. However, the issue of Minnesota was out there for over 2 weeks, so that jives with what I originally heard. Saul Smith will be on the Gopher staff. Evidently, OTS was wanting to bring in Saul for the UK staff in some capacity for 07-08. Which gets me back to another story, I heard. Saul told Deron Feldhaus in Maysville that OTS was leaving. So where does Feldhaus go with the news? Billy Donovan. Evidently, the word is that when asked about coming to UK, Donovan would go for it. Which sparked, supposedly, some renewed interest in UK by Darius Miller. All I have heard about Miller and UK recently, was that UK didn't have much of a shot with the current regime. Now this supposedly changed. This stuff is good. Let me throw something else out there. How high is Florida willing to go to pay for Billy Donovan? Are they willing to pay him more than, say...oh...uh...Urban Meyer? Has to be around 3.5 million to keep him
March 23, 200719 yr Florida's AD, when asked about Billy showing interest in UK, said in essence, It's a free world and Billy can talk to whoever. UK has never hired a head coach with a national championship on their resume.
March 23, 200719 yr Florida's AD, when asked about Billy showing interest in UK, said in essence, It's a free world and Billy can talk to whoever. UK has never hired a head coach with a national championship on their resume. Why do I get the impression UF doesn't really appreciate the Kid?
March 23, 200719 yr Here's what's next... ..immediately, some sever mediocrity from the Wildcats....then a chance at rebuilding, but only if everyone buys in...this is a 3 year setback, no matter which way people would like to spin it.
March 23, 200719 yr Billy D, Rick Pitino, Calipari...any of those would be a good choice IMO. I know I've been harping on this alot, but be careful what you wish for with Calipari....He's nothing but trouble.
March 23, 200719 yr Here's what's next... ..immediately, some sever mediocrity from the Wildcats....then a chance at rebuilding, but only if everyone buys in...this is a 3 year setback, no matter which way people would like to spin it. I think it's three years for anyone except Donovan, who would still be able to get some late recruits. But next year would be another #7 seed, 11 loss season, even with Donovan.
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