Randy Parker

I shall wait till the end of next season, and even moreso, the season after that before I start judging Billy G.

I would agree with you if we were performing the way we are now w/o having losses to the Gardner-Webbs & VMIs of this world. And then the debacle @ Vandy last year.

That's what started me sour on Tubby--the 2nd round loss to UAB in '04. We lost to a team we had no business losing to (they went out and got trounced by 26 to Kansas in their next game). But BCG's losses to GW & VMI are completely inexcusable.

Not the best comparison. In Tubby's last two years here, the SEC was ten times better than it has been the last two years...

 

This team should not be where it is at right now. Yeah Tubby brought in some players in like Harris and Porter who are not that great. However he is not the one who keeps playing them. I really dont get why Billy G has been doing that. As we seen the other night when he used a different lineup in the second half, we actually have some players that can play. He just chooses not to use them for whatever reason.

I agree, this team should not be where it is right now.

I disagree about your reference of Harris & Porter. It should have also included Stevenson, Stewart, & Carter. That's five players that would have to work very hard to be a back-up on any other top 15-20 type of team. Instead, 3 of those guys are starters right now.

But you make a good point about BCG's lack of playing time for some players--Galloway, in particular.

As I have said before, Tubby started this era of medocrity, and BCG is just continuing it--even making us more of a non-factor. Both men deserve a great deal of blame.

Assuming we don't make the Dance or don't get past the 1st weekend of the Dance, this year will make the 5th out of 6 seasons where we didn't make it to the Sweet 16. The exception being the 04-05 team which lost to MSU in the Elite Eight. In 3 of his last 4 seasons, Tubby had us home the first weekend of the Dance.

BCG has failed to win a post-season game @ UK--a trend I fear will continue this season.

The Tubby vs. BCG debate doesn't make sense to me. Tubby was turning UK into just another program. BCG is struggling to keep us from falling even further off the radar.

If it ended today, a win would get us a game against Auburn.

I saw that too, but there's A LOT of basketball to be played before it's over. Auburn's a game up on MSU for 2nd in the West, but I think their schedule is tougher. They go to Bama & host LSU. MSU hosts Florida & then goes to Ole Miss. But then again, MSU has lost 5 out of 6, so they're not playing so hot. We really need to pull for them against Florida.

The East will be interesting.

* Florida a rough road game @ MSU & hosts UK

* Tennessee goes to USC & hosts Bama

* USC hosts UT & goes to Georgia

* UK hosts Georgia & goes to Florida

I think Florida, UT, & UK each go 1-1 the rest of the way. USC goes 2-0, meaning USC wins the East, UT finishes 2nd, & UK/Florida tie for 3rd. I don't know how that tiebreaker works, but I'm thinking it's the record vs. the East, in which case UK wins the tiebreaker (6-4 vs. 5-5).

That would give us a 1st round game vs. Arkansas, and playing Mississippi State (assuming it plays out how I think it will).

If Florida wins out and we get the #4 seed, we get a first rounder against either Bama or Ole Miss, and then a rematch w/ LSU should we win.

We need to win more than we need to honor a senior, so I'm inclined to say no. At the same time, I would try to get him some minutes here and there.

A lot of people are counting on a win or two in the SEC tourney, but I'm not so sure. Looks like we're either going to get Arkansas, Ole Miss, or Alabama--depending on where we finish. And there's a very real possibility that one SEC win means a game against LSU or Mississippi State. It just doesn't look good. I know a lot of people are looking for the silver lining, but you really need binoculars to see it.

Before we entered this final six-game stretch, I said we would need to go 4-2 (beginning w/ the Vandy game) to make it to the Dance. I thought we would need to be 11-5 in the conference. Now, I believe 10-6 will get it, but I don't think we'll go 10-6.

The only thing that his helping UK right now is that other conference teams can't seal the deal. USC's loss to Vandy, Florida's loss to UT, UT's loss to UK, UK's loss to LSU...the mediocrity of the conference is really the only thread by which UK is hanging.

I don't see us beating Florida. I don't see us winning more than 1 game in the SEC tourney. I just think it's very, very bleak right now.

I really like that lineup as well. That was the lineup we used when we came back against LSU. May be our best lineup.

My lineup as well. If Miller is contributing offensively, it is certainly our best lineup.

I think Billy Clyde has taken away the confidence of many players in his short time at the University of Kentucky. Perry Stevenson has obvious limitations and zero confidence right now. If Perry Stevenson had obvious limitations and an abundance of confidence right now, he would obviously be contributing in a much greater fashion.

 

Same can be said psychologically about Michael Porter, Kevin Galloway, DeAndre Liggins, and Josh Harrelson. Throw Jared Carter in there as well.

Agree on your last statement, except for Carter.

But the only thing we've asked of Stevenson is to be what he was last year when Patterson went down. He hasn't come close to duplicating what he has already accomplished in the past. I don't think that's asking too much--to bring to the table something you've already brought before.

For everyone who always reminds us that Jodie Meeks is "Tubby's Guy" I would also like to remind them that Perry Stevenson is as well.

Stevenson is one of the most frustrating players on the team. With Porter, you know it's a talent-deficiency. But with Stevenson, he's proven he can play at times--just not with consistency. I don't understand him at all.

Galloway

Meeks

Patterson

Miller

Harris

Hm, okay.

 

Billy G has been to the post season 5 years in a row, but thats 1 trip to the NIT, 2 first round losses, 1 second loss, and a sweet 16 trip. Nothing major. Horn has had 2 early NIT exits, but he was also coaching at WKU, not Texas A&M. I honestly believe Horn would get more out of this UK team than him, and the one last year for that matter. But that's just me. What do I know.

I understand the points that you've made. I'd just like to see how Horn does without Downey. He may excel. I hope he does. He seems like a decent guy. I don't wish him failure at all. But he may struggle too.

BCG had great success in his last two positions, as did Horn. I just don't see how Horn has proven himself to be any better a coaching prospect than BCG. Even if BCG had secured himself a solid PG, it would be extremely difficult to turn over the controls of the team to a freshman. That's why he made the huge effort to keep Jasper.

The one thing Horn can do that BCG cannot is keep from making a donkey of himself on national television. For the life of me, I don't understand why he has to be such a bullhead. I'm not asking him to enjoy interviews (and interviewers), but he doesn't have to be an idiot about it.

A couple of things regarding the Unforgettables. They had great bball IQ, and most could shoot.

Secondly, they played a chaotic press that was not as common in the early 90's. There were not many pressing teams back then, and they used it to their advantage.

Good call. I was thinking the same thing. Unforgettables could put the ball in the hole. The Forgettables can't do that.

I'm not the biggest Gillispie fan, but neither am I sold on Darrin Horn. I see him in the same light as Pelphrey & Travis Ford--two names that would immediately bubble up to the top in the eyes of many, if BCG left or was relieved of his duties.

Horn, like Pelphrey & Ford, may turn into a quality coach, but has yet to prove anything consistently over time. That takes experience and years. So I'm not sold on him yet; and yes, he did inherit Downey, whereas BCG inherited Porter. Big difference.

If you chose a point guard, I would think you'd want one who would be a perimeter threat in addition to good playmaker/game controller. I really think Epps would be the choice, if only considering recent PGs.

But you can win games with a non-perimeter scoring PG. Wayne Turner couldn't throw one in the ocean, but he had Sheppard, Padgett, Mills, & Evans to pick up the slack in the "3" department.

Rondo couldn't shoot either, but he had Sparks (to a degree), Kelenna, Moss, & two solid post-players in Morris & Hayes (speaking of the 04-05 team).

So if you have a non-perimeter-shooting point guard, I don't think that helps this year's team any.

Worst loss ever to South Carolina is what they said on the radio last night....

In the past 3-4 years, we've been piling up a lot of those "first time ever" and "worst loss ever" records.

I have an idea we could split Mason Co. and Maysville up and call the other half the Maysville Bulldogs and that would be a real solution to Mason winning every year.

:clap:

LSU by 9.

I'm not comparing Rick to BCG, because I think Pitino is one of the top coaches out there and hopefully BCG will prove to be. In watching the game they made a reference to the last time USC swept UK and it was 97 with two very good guards. Back then Rick was so set in his ways he wouldn't zone up, now he seems to be willing to try whatever he needs to win a game. Does anyone think if BCG make it that long here will he eventually see the light?

Billy will be a coach that always goes against the grain, whether for good or for bad.

I remember Rick playing some zone in 96 & 97--mostly in 97 after we lost Derek Anderson. I remember both USC games, but do not recall if we zoned them or not. Either way, they surely didn't embarrass us as they did last night.

Yeah, we want UK to lose.

 

 

What we want is some intellegent debate on why people think UK will win certain games, when the talent level, coaching style and matchups certainly don't seem to be in UK's favor. Instead people get upset when we ask for people to give their reasons why they feel UK has a good shot at winning.

Ditto.

Can we implement a "who cares" smiley for the rest of this season?

You'll get crucified for that comment. Anyone who thinks with their brain gets hammered on this site from some people who can't see that this UK team just isn't good and will likely miss the tourney. I love my Cats--always will. I never neglect to follow and cheer them on with passion. But I can see mediocrity when I see it, and that's what this team is. I truly wish it were different, and I would love to be wrong, but nothing indicates anything other than that.

Great game. Best opening-round-of-the-district game I've ever attended.

Very impressed with East--particularly their bigs. Barnhill is solid--an absolute banger. #3 was also impressive. Has a good inside & outside game. #22 also hit a lot of outside shots. East, for the most part, played under control and smart. Without question, they had Elliott on the ropes tonight.

As for Elliott, the great teams find a way to win, and that's exactly what they did tonight. Glad someone gave Flannery some props on the 3 he hit. The only bench points for Elliott, it came at a critical time--tying the score at 36 (I believe). Ferg got hot at the end of the 3rd quarter and the start of the 4th, and that's really what gave Elliott a good run and some breathing room. Despite the technical, some unwise shots, and several missed free-throws, the Lions did what you're supposed to do in March: survive & advance.

About the officiating? One-third of the crew was consistently lousy. I'm told he's one of the highest-rated officials in the region, but he stunk it up last night, making terrible calls on both ends of the floor.

Great high school game, and congrats to both East & Elliott for their intensity and effort.

USC by 4

I'd take the best UK player I've ever seen

Mash

I'm far from a Calhoun fan, but his response was certainly understandable. His $12 million comment was exactly what I was thinking when I first saw it.

Of course, next season's success primarily depends upon decisions by both Meeks & Patterson. I want them both to be back, but if they can make millions next season, I would be selfish to demand them to stay. Patterson is a first rounder, and Meeks a late first-rounder/early second-rounder. But then again, I don't know much about NBA scouting--what teams are looking for. I think in time Meeks will be the better pro.

Regardless of what happens with these two guys, the big question marks are Orton & Hood. I think Orton is a talent. Seems to be a Randolph Morris type, from what little I've seen of him. The red flag is his knee injury. We've all seen how knee injuries can hamper a big man. If he bounces back, ala Estill, things could go well. If he doesn't, ala Sam Bowie (NBA years, that is), then there could be a big, gaping hole in the middle.

As for Hood, it's just hard to tell b/c of the talent (or lack thereof) that he's played with in high school. He could turn out like Pelphrey, but also like Carrier. He seems to have the head of Pelphrey. Let's just hope he has the talent too.