Do you really think kids now-a-days care that you won NC's in the 50's?

Yes, it's called tradition and is something you can't buy or accumulate over a short period of time. It matters that there are banners dated from the 40's to the 90's and you can't miss them ever time you step in Rupp.

If anybody says the head coaching job at U.K. is not the top job to have is blowing smoke. I know alot of recruits don't remember our 7 championships but hopefully that problem has been taking care of. And if nothing else our yearly attendance and following to tournaments tells everyone this is the best job.

and they will never be what they once were.

 

I don't think it's as attractive as people might think. "

 

-Bill Rafftery on ESPN Radio.

Basically Bill Rafferty coached Seton Hall when they were dong well to win 5-10 games a season :sssh: , not a real knowledgable person on winning programs . Rafferty should stick to "man to man" and "send it in" or "left loungerie on the floor" and try not top comment on winning programs since he has so little experience with that type of thing.:sleep: :irked:

I think that Meeks is taking a course in Taxidermy. It has an emphasis in stuffing BIRDS

:laugh: :laugh: I can confirm that his first test was passed with "flying" colors on Sat., Dec, 16th : U.K. 61 U.L. 49. This was the first in a series of "bird" stuffings to complete before he is done at U.K.

For the record, I'm not saying tradition doesn't matter. I'm saying tradition and prestige established in the past 20 years counts for much more than anything done in the 40's, 50's.

And I let you know the reason he said that he verballed to Kentucky, right after he did so. You tell me what's more important to the discussion.

 

I might also add that you might not be telling the whole story. I hear Meeks said, "Come on, it's Kentucky! I need the CASH!"

 

Just playin, just playin.

 

I don't have a problem with it being a combination of factors...as long as people aren't trying to discount the role that tradition plays and the impact it can have in recruiting.

 

A school like UK, because of it's tradition and name, will get a look from almost any kid because of that...COMBINE that with a coach who can recruit well, and it's a nice combination and one that should produce some highly ranked classes.

 

UK isn't going to recruit itself though...that is obvious, but with the combination of things it has going for it (tradition, facilities, support, etc.) it should be a much easier place to successfully recruit than most other schools, based on those factors. Which is why it became painfully obvious that Tubby or/and his staff were severely lacking in that department...if you can't recruit at UK, then it's obviously not one of your strong suits.

For the record, I'm not saying tradition doesn't matter. I'm saying tradition and prestige established in the past 20 years counts for much more than anything done in the 40's, 50's.

 

I think UK could hold it's own with the majority of schools in recent history (the last 20 years).

 

4 Final Fours

2 National Titles

1 Runner-Up

Two undefeated runs through the SEC

Back-to-back overall #1 seeds in the NCAA Tourny

I can't keep track of the SEC Regular Season and Tournament Titles

 

With the exception of Duke, I think UK could stand against any other school. I'm not gonna get into a detailed analysis of it...obviously there may be some who have an edge on UK, but it wouldn't be to the point that UK couldn't even be in the discussion. If your point is that there are more schools that can match UK's more recent tradition, then you're right. But, UK has been as successful as almost anyone in recent and past history...so both can only help the program when it comes to recruiting, IMO. It's not the only thing, because if it was we'd have better players right now, but it certainly makes things easier on a coach who is a good recruiter, IMO.

This is so much fun.

This is so much fun.

 

It definitely helps me pass the time at work on slow, boring days...like today. And, after Tuesday, we can start breaking down UK's new coach...:lol:

and they will never be what they once were.

 

I don't think it's as attractive as people might think. "

 

-Bill Rafftery on ESPN Radio.

I will give Raff "a little blow-by", with the right coach, better players who have much better attitudes KY. can be where they once were and maybe even better!

Do you really think kids now-a-days care that you won NC's in the 50's?

 

No but I'm sure they care that when they were growing up Kentucky was a national power, going to 3 straight national championships. They also probably care that Kentucky has been a #1 seed quite a few times in recent memory.

 

The Kentucky job is one of the elite jobs in the nation. Sure, the times have changed, but it's still the #1 opening in college basketball.

For the record, I'm not saying tradition doesn't matter. I'm saying tradition and prestige established in the past 20 years counts for much more than anything done in the 40's, 50's.

 

So making the finals in 96, 97, and 98 would be a plus, correct?

On #2, so is everyone else's.

 

Everyone's facilities are as nice as UKs?

So making the finals in 96, 97, and 98 would be a plus, correct?

 

No because high school seniors are only about 18, making them 8 when it happened. They don't really remember those years either. Face it UK is just a has been.

and they will never be what they once were.

 

I don't think it's as attractive as people might think. "

 

-Bill Rafftery on ESPN Radio.

 

 

I earned several degrees from the University of Kentucky and have been a basketball season ticket holder since the opening of Rupp Arena and I think that, at this time, Rafftery's comment is correct.

 

The great tradition was built by Adolph Rupp at a time when the SEC was, with rare exceptions, less than competitive. The national landscape featured only a handfull of schools with good teams. No one has more respect for and love for "The Baron" than do I but facts are facts. Hall, Pitino, and Smith added a little to the tradition but, in reality, no more than could have been added by a goodly number of other coaches. Sutton, of course, was a mistake.

 

Today, there is parity. UK is still UK. However, many others have caught up with the Wildcats and some have passed them. Many fans have not "adjusted" to reality.

 

Other than for a much bigger pile of money, which he doesn't need, why would Donovan leave Gainesville, Florida for Lexington, Kentucky?