Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Longtime readers of this blog would have never believed they would see a day where Pat Summitt was the picture on back to back posts. But for anyone who heard Summitt garble her way through “Rocky Top,” you would know that there can be no other news story of the day. Pat was so amazingly awful that William Hung was seen teasing her in the crowd. Plus it looked like she was wearing a diaper….I mean it. Look I am all for the show of spirit….but it sure was a Roseanne-level performance.
Its always bad when you have to write these things before the game is over. However at the moment of this writing, Tennessee is beating Florida 50-31 and the defending champs truly are looking pitiful at this point. Mike Decoursey said on our show a few weeks ago that Florida was not a great team…..why? Great teams dont put up stinkers, and Florida does. This Florida team I am seeing tonight is not a championship team. At this moment, UT is scoring on layup after layup as the Gators show no ability to close out the lane and stop penetration. Donovan is being outcoached and the team looks out of sync….not the signs of a great team.
To the news (with more views)….
(1) Mitch Barnhardt talked to the fans today on the radio and continued his style of not exactly giving Tubby a vote of confidence. He mentioned that at UK “4 and 5 seeds in the NCAA are not acceptable”…..well we wont be getting that this year. 
I give Mitch credit for going on the radio and answering the fans (although we are still waiting for him to return our calls here) and I understand the difficult position he is in. However his actions of the last few days have set up a series of expectations…expectations that Mitch will have to meet. He has all but said that if the finish this season is not strong, changes will be made. That means they have to be made….period. Many believe that Mitch is hinting that things may be done for Tubby…..maybe so….but what is more likely is a “fire the staff” ultimatum…..all I will say is that the tough talk and the communication with the media mean that Mitch must follow through. If he doesnt, this “media blitz” will have done more harm than good.
(2)Chris Lofton is good, eh? So is Al Horford….Dicky V and Billy D were right.
(3) One of the most special days in college sports is tomorrow night and almost no one is talking about it. Senior Day at Kentucky is one of the coolest sporting events that I have attended. Everything about it, from the paper hoops to “My Old Kentucky Home” to the tradition of starting all the seniors makes it a great night. I really hope that this tradition continues in earnest tonight. This senior class is much-maligned…..while at UK all three have been said to not be talented enough to wear the UK uniform. But whatever one thinks about that question, another thing is for sure. These are three quality young men….Bobby Perry will one day make Kentucky basketball proud with his life accomplishments….Sheray Thomas has overcome a serious medical illness and yet has always worked hard during his time in Lexington…..and Woo is as good a guy as you will ever meet. These three young men may or may not have been what you wanted on the court. But off it, they have been nothing but class, giving their all on the court, in the classroom and with charitable acts that few will know. Keep that in mind tomorrow night…..it is their night and I hope folks show their appreciation.
(4) And if class, honor and dedication to your players doesnt make you want to cheer the Seniors tomorrow night, then knowing that Jai Lucas will be there eyeing every minute of the proceedings should. Make no mistake….Lucas is concerned about Tubby’s future….if Tubby is here next year, Kentucky needs Lucas with him. Tomorrow is the night that could seal that deal. Fans should act accordingly.
More to come today…..including our Senior tribute.
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February 27th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Wow what a half by UT! Finally a basketball game worth watching with some intensity. Kind of reminds me of the game UK had a few years ago against UF when they were number 1. And did I hear right, Digger Phelps saying “Drop it like it’s hot?” haha
February 27th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
And for heavens sake please pronounce his name right. I keep hearing people say jeye. It’s pronounced Jay. right? I heard the P pat would be there also.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Bobby Perry is one of the biggest assholes and most stuck up people u will ever meet. I seriously doubt he will ever do anything to make UK proud. A lot of UK students are going to be very happy to see him leave, especially the football players. Ill never forget what happened last spring when Perry tried to start a fight with Bo Smith at 2 keys.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Where is the news about your site and radio show?
February 27th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
how is Tennessee winning?!? There goes our chances of a bye…
February 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
We should all go in and “play nice” on Wednesday night for a couple of reasons. (1)We should ALWAYS treat our Seniors well. Don’t blame THEM..Hell, if they offered me a scholarship, I’d take it and so would you. (2) We have way more to lose than there is ever to be gained by showing our displeasure on Wednesday night…and it only makes us look like what everybody back in my home state already think we are…..And, as pointed out there might well be a couple of people in Rupp that we want to come back…
February 27th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I will be glad when the senior class is finally gone..4 role players in one class just kills me…at least Shag got smart and left. I know it’s not the players fault it is the guy that recruited them all for the same class….my gut feeling is Jai and Pat won’t be here because Tubby won’t be here, but I can live with that!
February 27th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
If anyone in Rupp boos Tubby or any of the players,they should get their ass kicked!!!All this fire Tubby shit is getting on my last nerve.Let the team finish out the season and whatever happens people can bitch then,Because even if Kentucky wins the National Championship someone will find something to cry about!!Some So-called Kentucky fans need to grow up and get a life!! Sorry for the profanity,but enough is enough!!GBB!!
February 27th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
I’m going for silver linings here: The losses to Vandy and UT aren’t looking too bad right now.
If Tubby hires an OC (again, Tubbs, Westhead, or Richardson) an associate HC (Ralph Willard) and an up and comer (Rod Rhodes?…joking) and we could turn the corner. Thing is, it’s the end of the line if that doesn’t work, so who knows if they’ll join.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Being that I personally know Botez Smith and some of the football players he frequently went to the bars with, I would bet that gutter couldn’t be more wrong. I just hope the seniors don’t get boo’ed for wanting to play at a great college basketball program. It would really hurt the program to lose recruits at the game along with a coach at the end of the year.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Good quality blog, MATT. Way to go killa…. Go get em Mitch, welcome to the party!!!!
February 27th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
UT now up 24 (60-36) in 2nd half.
Perhaps Billy D was distracted by his interview with Mitch B on Monday?
February 27th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
you’re a freaking moron
February 27th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
You got the hots for Lucus don’t you Matt…….. Come on now, admit it…
February 27th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
“Fans should act accordingly.”
I totally agree. No matter what your views about the head coach are, we should show some class. This is a very special night for the seniors and it should be a positive experience they treasure for the rest of their lives. I hope we can give that to them and unite for one night.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Hey guys, don’t forget Florida lost 3 in a row about the same time last year and we know how that turned out…..oh yeah and I pick Texas to win it all
February 27th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
These seniors deserve respect from the fans. They have done nothing to hurt the program off the court
and if they had a PF amongst them they would have had a Final Four in their tenure.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
ThaT was a great thing as the spirit in Tenn is what use to be on Kentucky. Hey Guys check out my first newscast but due to Tec. problems it is short but for now it is 2 mins long. Please check it out at http://www.ohnapierandbrowneyes.net and look at the NEW Dan Rather from the mountains. Thanks OH
February 27th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
The seniors have a PF but he got 30+ pounds of muscle cut out during surgery to remove a tumor a couple years ago.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Sheray = Canadian.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Florida making a comeback.
For UK to get a bye: Vandy loses 2 in a row, Tennessee loses tonight, Georgia loses tomorrow and UK wins against Florida this Sunday
February 27th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
anybody still want to suck off Billy D? You all suck.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Mitch B is a very good AD. He is adressing the issue the best he can right now. He is listening. Here is how it will play out in my opinion:
1) Tubby will be TOLD that he will assemble a new staff. If Tubby agrees he will be back. If Tubby is stubborn, then a buyout will occur.
2)Tubby will be given $$$ to bring in a DYNAMIC staff. Who? I do not know.
3)Tubby MAY HAVE TO PROMISE Patterson and Lucas a starting position right away to get them. IMO it is justified for except Meeks, no starting position should be a lock for next year the way the Juniors have performed lately.
4) 2 years will be the grace period after these changes, and a TOP 10 recruiting class will be expected after this year.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Do you fools realize how my career at UK ended? I hope Bobby kicked my ass. I don’t remember it cuz I was high dog.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
I’m gonna give Crawford a break given the events that transpired but no one else has any excuse
February 27th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
If there is a “Fire the staff” ultimatum (likely excluding the two new guys), keep in mind that Hobbes and Tubby are close (Tubby was his best man at his wedding, I think). Could be a factor unless some of those guys voluntarily leave for other positions. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the old Bama coach retire in such a situation, though.
I really hope the seniors play with fire tomorrow.
My guess on the lineup:
Woo
Thomas
Perry
Bradley
Jasper (or Meeks or Crawford, given Jasper’s poor play of late)
Jai’s going to be at Rupp. Show him the class of UK fans, folks. No “Fire ____” chants or signs, if you really care about the future of the program. And no, you should never be willing to have some losses, or accept bad seasons, just because you want a new coach.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
If UK lands Patterson and Lucas, the Cats will have a Top 10 class THIS year.
Next year, Green committed. Frease about to commit. Miller would make Top 10 class.
OTS signed Top 10 (or better) classes in 1998, 99, 2000, 01, and 04. That’s 5 of 9.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
My sources at UK are telling me Billy Gillispie is going to be the next HC at the University
of Kentucky. Take it FWIW.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
BTW, #27 is Tom Gray. Stupid SOB, what do you get out of loving Tubby?
February 27th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Senior jumping thru hoops when I 1st saw it back in the Mid 70’s made me cringe. Felt that won’t last, so high school. Man was I wrong. Everything about else Senior Day is special. this to those 3 young men, THANKS.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
FU #29.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Add Kyle Macy to my previous post as the new Assoc. HC.
So much for Florida overlooking us. The scary thing is, if this team was mentally tough, we’d be looking at a 15-1 season. Unfortunately, we’re VERY far from that.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Once again, Tubby has won 77% of his games at his current job and 73% in his 16 year career. That ranks 10th among active coaches.
And 73% of his NCAA games at his current job. That ranks 6th among active coaches. 70% for his career. That ranks 10th (all-time).
Averages 24+ W per season. That ranks 3rd among active coaches.
Only one has won NC in his career. And ranks 3rd in Most W in past 5 years. 4th in Most W in past 10 years.
Numbers don’t lie Yawn. The next coach will be Mike Brey after Tubby retires in 2011. Get it throught
your thick head. Idiot
February 27th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Kyle was a great player and I am sure a good guy, but not a good coach. Associate? nah! Maybe on the staff though.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Go Vols!
February 27th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
All I can say is that Tubby will and should be back, given he has a new staff. I dont think Hobbs and Rigot and them will put him in that position of having to “fire them.” I think it will be mutual and like said before there is a lot of season left, we could do something still. Just like b4 UF has a struggle last year down the stretch then ran off 11 straight, it could even happen for Ky, all it takes if for finishing a game to click, and better ball movement and for heaven sakes getting their ass on somone and boxing out and we win most of these close games.
For the Seniors Thanks for the 4 years of hard work and dedication, and a job well done by keeping the UK reputation clean from off the court issues. Lets be the “Classy” UK fans that everyone talks about and writes about and send these young men off with a night they wont forget, and hopefully lure some new young men in with the night of their lives, the night UK turns around an average to dissapointing year, setting up a chase for the title. It would be nice to hear a few LUCAS chants during some timeouts but better yet some standing O’s for our senior class!
February 27th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
The buck stops at the top. Letting Tubby weasel off the hook by canning his assistants will be pathetic. Who hired the bleeping assistants and chose to recruit the players. Keeping him will be a joke!!
February 27th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
AND NO BOOING TUBBY! SHOW SUPPORT OF THIS TEAM, if your a real UK fan you arent even close to writing this season off yet becuase that means itll just be that much longer until Oct.15 next year to start out the next season of supporting the best team in all of sports, GO CATS!
February 27th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Hey Tom Gray, please quit quoting stupid statistics. They don’t mean anything. We are finishing the worst non-probation 2 year stretch in the history of UK basketball. Next year looks to be worse after Morris leaves. Do you want Flubby to drive the program completely into the ground before we get rid of him. Get that through your thick head!
February 27th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
First W over UNC in 25 years. First W over Duke in 25+ years. First W over UCLA in 25+ years.
Best W-L (%) record in Div I basketball for first time in 25+ years. TWICE - 1998 and 2003.
First time #1 ranked in final AP poll in 25+ years.
4 straight W over UNC for first time EVER. 19-0 SEC record for first time EVER.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Okay…
Longest period with no final 4 ever.
Highest percentage of ten loss seasons ever
Lose to vandy 4 in a row first time in 30 years
Will lose to team for 6th time in a row Sunday first time ever
this year will be 4th 2nd round or earlier exit in 10 years
Worst non-probation 2 year loss total ever this year at least 25
First season ever not to beat ranked team this year
2 wins and 13 losses last 2 years against ranked teams
and on and on and on and on
February 28th, 2007 at 12:07 am
1988 and 89. Not on probation. 40-25.
1973 and 74. Not on probation. 33-21.
2006 and 07. Not on probation. 41-22 (so far).
February 28th, 2007 at 12:07 am
billy donavan has just lost his third in a row it is time to fire donavan. does the almighty kentucky fans really want donavan now that he has lost three in a row and he is supposed to be the number one team in the country.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:09 am
it just killed me tonight when they showed the eastern conference standings
and we were second to last. i need to grow up but that is terrible.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Season in 89 was destroyed by pre-probation. Same diference. Is that really your defense?. We will have 25 or 26 by the end of this season.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:16 am
1989. Not on probation. Never heard of pre-probation.
UK was on NCAA Probation in 1977 and 78. Went 56-6. Won NC and made Elite 8.
Billy D is 127-38 the past 5 years and doesn’t deserve to be farred.
OTS is 128-37 the past 5 years and does deserve to be farred???
February 28th, 2007 at 12:20 am
Billy D has been to 2 final 4s and claimed an NC since Tubby’s 98 championship which seems like 50 years ago. UK was NOT on probation in 1977 and 1978 in basketball. They were in football. !988-89 was the last year of Eddie Sutton and the program collapsed before that year even started. They lost most of the players and were more or less already serving probation.
When was the last time UK spent any amount of time at all in the top 10? Answer is 4 years ago. Longest period ever………
February 28th, 2007 at 12:23 am
16-3: Odds that I am a d-bag
24: hours a day that I spend on this blog or looking up statistics to praise Tubby
5: my IQ
0: number of times I have had sex
115: percent of people on this blog who don’t like me
would you guys like anymore statistics?
February 28th, 2007 at 12:28 am
Im sorry Tom Gray but U have to admit #48’s post is pretty funny, even though I am a Tubby supporter and do understand what your saying, its just that #48 that was a quality post! haha.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Sure hope we can beat UGA while Jai is in the house, if not things get a whole lot uglier than they are now!!!
February 28th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Feel the same as # 48, I had to look like 3 damn times to make sure it was right!! THis is a shame!!!
February 28th, 2007 at 12:34 am
sorry # 44 on the above post , not #48
February 28th, 2007 at 1:01 am
yeeeeeeeee haaawwwwwwwww
February 28th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Finally the end is in sight for this pathetic senior class. They were garbage from the start and it’s seemed like forever until they leave but finally it’s close!
February 28th, 2007 at 2:46 am
Sheray Thomas! Bobby Perry! Woo whatshisface! We hardley knew ye!!
February 28th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Despite how I feel right now in regards to Tubby, when tomorrow night comes, I am going to be pulling for the Cats, hope they win big, hope the seniors have a memorable night (in a good way of course), hope the fans cheer for the team and Jai and hope they don’t boo the coach.
Since a decision won’t be made til after the season ends, there’s not much else than can be done now anyway but hope for the best and see this season through. Then when the season is over, we can resume this discussion. But for now, I am done with the subject.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:17 am
Keep on supporting Tubby guys. This is going to end bad because he will not relinquish his assisstants.
I heard Mike Decourcy saying yesterday that Mitch has been biding his time and will make some kind of moves concerning this staff. Decourcy said that there are some coaches out there that don’t need great assisstant coaches as recruiters because the head coach recruits like a nut, ala Roy Williams the champ this year.
Face it, Tubby hates to recruit and really lacks the fire to make it happen.
Oh well, he only makes millions, what should we expect?
Gray, keep spewing stats, when he leaves you should go with him. You make me sick with your lack of reality.
Guys, I root for the program, not coaches and this guy has no UK fire in him.
He is lazy recruiter. Remember, Mitch had to tell him to be out in front of this program more last summer.
Thank Gawd the end is near.
Sorry, I will not be sappy when the night comes for the MAC seniors to leave.
I miss the good old days when the UK intimidated other teams when we walked in, now they shrug us off.
Lucas to MARYLAND and Pat to Florida and that sux.
February 28th, 2007 at 8:39 am
I agree with all the posters who said,
1) Support our Seniors tonight, despite what you think of them personal but because they wear the Kentucky jersey,
2) Cheers for everything, team, staff, etc. and Jai Lucas!!!
February 28th, 2007 at 8:55 am
That’s right, because how these guys got a free education at UK is beyond me.
Good for them!
total points combined in career for this group: 1,057
total rebounds combined in career for this group: 729
AWESOME!
February 28th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Why would you think that there’s any chance Mitch would want to back down from changes. At the very minimum the assistants better be looking for work, unless we have a great finish. There’s no way this staff comes back in tact after the season. Hopefully Tubby refuses and Mitch can’s em all.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:08 am
I think the assistants will resign at the end of the season. Tubby told them last year to start looking hard for a new gig cause he knew this year would be what it is. He told them if we lose 10 or more you will have to go. What is ashame is that if we would have beaten UAB all the assistants would have gotten head coaching jobs and we may not be in this mess. Even as it is we will get Lucas with either Patterson or Rusher then 08 will be nice with Green, Frease,Dais or White.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Dave G., fans like you is what makes me so so proud to be a part of Kentucky Basketball. Truly great posts and adds so much to the conversation!!!! Kudos, you should be proud.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:49 am
“I think the assistants will resign at the end of the season. Tubby told them last year to start looking hard for a new gig cause he knew this year would be what it is. He told them if we lose 10 or more you will have to go. What is ashame is that if we would have beaten UAB all the assistants would have gotten head coaching jobs and we may not be in this mess. Even as it is we will get Lucas with either Patterson or Rusher then 08 will be nice with Green, Frease,Dais or White.”
No doubt, Tubby has proven what he can do with his top recruits in the past. All we need are some guys that are rated highly.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Tubby needs new assistants. He needs help recruiting. If he gets those and still loses 10, he will leave. But he is most likely not leaving before then. Anyone who says otherwise is just pushing their own agenda. It’s just common sense. The past two “horrible” seasons are still ending with Tourney trips, with this year’s yet to be decided. Very few people actually involved in the operations of basketball would fire a coach who continues to put them in the big dance, even at UK. You replace the assistants first.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Morris needs to borrow Ravi Moss’s heart for the rest of the year.Can you imagine how good Morris
could be if he had a heart like Ravi
February 28th, 2007 at 10:23 am
If you’re going to hire a good AD, then let the person do the job. This program cannot be run by the fans. Almost with every fan, we’re too emotional, and were raised that way. Collectively, we comprise an angry mob roaming like “The Night of the Living Dead” from computer to computer. We’re ruthless and hungry. What’s not to love.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Larry Coker replaced his assistants and it got worse at Miami. Changing the assistants will
do nothing. The man in charge doesn’t think there is a problem. Until he departs things will
only get worse.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:09 am
“The man in charge doesn’t think there is a problem.”
Great point DMR. This is the biggest problem the staff and program have, the head man refuses to admit he’s not getting it done; therfore, how can ANYONE reasonably expect him to fix it. Until he’s gone everything else is just window dressing.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Regardless of your feelings of what the direction of the program is, this is a great tradition that needs to be honored with respect. Support UK and forget about what you think of our coaching situation for a night.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:23 am
FOr #67 .. Tubby does know there’s a problem with recruiting. I agree he’s not going to chnage his style on the court but fans just need to get over that. Changing assistants will not work unless its on the court coaching that is the problem. Recruit better, get better results. All other changes will have minimal effect.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Can’t wait ’til tonight.
IMO, UK basketball senior night is the best sporting event of the year in Lexington. I cheer like crazy every year when the boys are announced, and it doesn’t matter to me if the senior is Kyle Macy, Chuck Hayes, or Sheray Thomas. Some might have better stats or more wins during their time in Lexington, but a UK senior is a UK senior.
And, I swear, if Woo cries during My Old Kentucky Home, somebody better hold me.
Go Big Blue!
P.S. J-AY, LU-CAS (clap, clap - clap, clap, clap).
February 28th, 2007 at 11:28 am
# 59, Dave G. Don’t blame the seniors for not playing up to our expectations. I agree that they are role players pushed into trying to be more than they are because of other recruiting failures. However, you can’t blame them for that. Woo doesn’t have all the ability in the world but he certainly plays with heart. He bleeds blue just as much as players born and raised in Kentucky do. He plays with heart and determination. Yes, he comes up short sometimes and makes bone head plays/fouls…but at least he is giving it his best shot and trying. If Morris had Woo’s heart and determination to go with his skills watch out!
The other seniors are almost the same. They wear the KY uniform and give 100%. Don’t ever blame the players that try and make the most of whatever athletic ability they have. Now if they didn’t hustle or play all out or care….then you can criticize their effort and only then.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:29 am
#48, fake Tom Gray…..priceless!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:31 am
67) Yes, your one example assures us all that no program can get better by replacing some/all of the assistants. We should all immediately change our minds.
68) Coaches in general will often not accept things are wrong, because it is accepting defeat. That is to say, they won’t say it publicly. Often, a lot of discussions and changes take place behind the scenes. If Tubby is not aware that there are problems, why did he reportedly peel the paint off the lockerroom walls with his tirade after the Vandy game, to the point that reporters were asked to wait elsewhere so they wouldn’t hear it. You don’t yell like that at your team if you think all is well.
Tubby may not say on his radio show that there are problems, but that is mainly just because he doesn’t want to berate his whole team publicly. It’s not his style. Some coaches do it, and Tubby has done it at times, but in general, it doesn’t seem to be his style. (ex of obvious exception - Azubuike looked like Tarzan, played like Jane).
Also on that note, while Bradley or other players may tell the media that they don’t let the losses bother them, you know they do. Bradley and Crawford joked that videos of their losses would be played during their workouts, but you can rest assured that it does bother them. But in public, you shrug it off and show confidence and bravado. That’s part of sports.
70) You can bring in exciting assistants and help with recruiting without changing your style on the floor.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:39 am
I have preached about this for a year…….Tubby is an extraordinary coach. He is a great ambassador for the UK program and his presence on the bench exudes a royal flair, but Tubby’s weakness is that he surrounds himself with mediocrity. He has fixed one problem by hiring Hosopple as S&C coach, but he counteracts that good decision by making three bad ones- namely keeping David Hobbs, Scott Rigot, and Reggie Hanson on the bench. Anyone who knows college basketball knows that a coach is only as good as the company he/she keeps. The best coaches in the game have had high quality assistants at their sides. We as UK fans are well aware of this with Rick Pitino who had an incredible knack for hiring quality assistant coaches. Men like Tubby Smith, Billy Donovan, Herb Sendek, and Ralph Willard have gone on to have success at the head coaching position; two have won national championships in their own right. They are not forgettable coaches. Names like David Hobbs, Scott Rigot, & Shawn Finney are. Reggie Hanson is not a forgettable coach in the bluegrass because of his playing status as a wildcat, but in other parts of the country, they’re like “Reggie who?”
It’s time for Tubby to man up and make a decision for the good of the team and NOT for the good of his loyalty to his asistants.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Billy Donovan changed his main asst.when he hired Larry Schyatt, why not use that example? Hmmm?
February 28th, 2007 at 11:45 am
“68) Coaches in general will often not accept things are wrong, because it is accepting defeat. That is to say, they won’t say it publicly. Often, a lot of discussions and changes take place behind the scenes. If Tubby is not aware that there are problems, why did he reportedly peel the paint off the lockerroom walls with his tirade after the Vandy game, to the point that reporters were asked to wait elsewhere so they wouldn’t hear it. You don’t yell like that at your team if you think all is well.”
Simply not true, there are countless examples of coaches taking the responsibility and admitting they screwed up. Roy Williams is the first one that comes to mind. Even John Clay, a Tubby apologist, called him out for not taking the blame. He yelled at his players because he thinks he’s done everything right and it’s all their fault. Yelling at the players doesn’t say you’re taking responsibility.
Tubby’s main problem is that he thinks winning a lot of regular season games is what Kentucky is about. He thinks he’s been successful because 3 out of the last 8 years he hasn’t lost 10 games in a season. He’s digging in, he’s saying his staff is the right staff, his system is fine, and it’s just the players fault. What’s funny is that he recruited all these kids, he had the number one recruiting class in the country 3 years ago, but it’s the players fault. Way to man up Tubby, sure you get paid a ton of cash, but why should that stop you from throwing your players under the bus to take the heat off of you.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:49 am
The problem isn’t just recruiting. We have juniors and seniors making freshmen mental mistakes in tight ball games. They aren’t getting the coaching they need, period. By that time in your career you shouldn’t make those mistakes, but who out of our junior and senior class don’t make stupid mistakes? They all do, if they play much. That’s coaching folks, nothing more nothing less.
A great coach but bad recruiter will net you high win totals, but not much in the tournament. If you’re a great coach, you simply don’t have experienced players that have so many mental breakdowns. Some of you need to stop looking at the reputation and start looking at the product he puts out on the floor. It’s not a well coached team.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
CONGRATS to the seniors and I wish them the very best in their future endeavors.
I hope the BASHERS show some class tonight and don’t boo and act a fool. Whether you like it or not, Tubby being here is the only way this turns around.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Whoever wants Bill Gillispie out of A&M to the be the coach should watch some more college basketball. He is the same style and boring play we have now. He has been good the past 2 years because of A.C. Law. Same with all that want Tom Izzo. Look at Izzo’s record recently. Not that strong either. We need to go after a young, hot, fun type of coach that will put the type of effort and passion in this that needs to be put. There are 3 guys from the state of Kentucky who fit that. John Pelphry, Travis Ford, and Darrin Horn. I want some fire back in the program the same type of fire we got when we hired a young Rickie P. Billy D. won’t come up here because his next stop will be the NBA.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
“VTubby being here is the only way this turns around”
I know you love Tubby more then UK, but that statement is flat out silly.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I’m going to miss Woo.
Damn, he was playing well against Vandy on Sunday. I think if Tubby
gave hime more of Morris’ minutes in that game, we win.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
That was me in Post #82. Forgot to log in.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I love Woo, he should be getting 10-12 minutes per game every game. Hustle and shooting are what the guy contributes. That and some serious passion for UK.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
#84, I couldn’t agree more. He came in with fire on Sunday,
and then before you know it, lazy Morris back in the game.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Honestly, a better D1 school for Woo would’ve been Vandy. There big men often play facing the basket and out at the charity stripe or further.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I the coaching is the reason for the mental mistakes please explain why of the last 10 years only the last two classes have been somewhat mentally weak. The biggest thing missing is this group doesn’t have the fire of the previous teams. Bradley and Meeks do for sure,but that is not enough.
I will support the Seniors b/c they have sacrificed for the cats and that’s all we can ask of them. The reality is the recruiting looks to be turning around if we get Pat and Jai, and then we have Green and possibly Frease the year after.
Support the team, the coach and the program till the end of the season, only then will something happen. You can talk about it all you want but it can only hurt us until then.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Sometimes I am ashamed to be a KY fan. Grown adults insulting players (kids) and bashing other adults.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
For those of you who don’t like what’s going on at Kentucky, there are still other teams in this state, Louisville perhaps?? They have the old coach and maybe you can find more enjoyment cheering for the black and red.. I think a lot of the people who post on here aren’t true fans, or even know the slightest thing about college basketball.. Sometimes it helps to think for yourself and gather your own information instead of relying on rankings and other people’s opinions..
Let’s go Tubby
February 28th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Kentucky fans have unrealistically high expectations… It might help the so called “UK fan” to have more achievable expectations instead of something that will never be achieved by any program..
February 28th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Apparently it’s an unachievable for any program to be ranked in the top 25…or beat a ranked team for that matter.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
It’s apparently unachievable for any program to be ranked in the top 25…or beat a ranked team for that matter.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
“Kentucky fans have unrealistically high expectations… It might help the so called “UK fan” to have more achievable expectations instead of something that will never be achieved by any program..”
No doubt, Kentucky fans actually think they should finish better then 3rd in the SEC east!!!!!!!!! Those are just pipe dreams people.
February 28th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Several on here will be crying into their pillows in a few weeks because it is over for OTS at UK. Keep telling yourselves that there will be staff changes-that ship sailed last year. MB ‘advised’ OTS to make coaching staff changes last offseason, OTS flatly refused, MB made his infamous ‘CEO of UK basketball’ comment, now the time has come for OTS to pay the piper. MB made public comments over the past few days and did not come out in support of OTS’ future at UK. All he had to do was say ‘Tubby will be the coach at UK next season’. He did not. Gabriel tried to goad him into saying as much on WLAP, yet MB did not. The UK fans(not Tubby fans)are fed up, the BOT is fed up, the media is starting to get their digs in, it is over. The handwriting is on the wall-all one has to do is pay attention.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
We’ll see. Until then, it’s not over since we’re still playing. So bite a pillow #94(holt)
February 28th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
The SEC is tough.. regardless of what anyone says.. Night in, night out it is the toughest conference in America… There is no one here posting who could play in the SEC, so why are we talking??
February 28th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Your right bigcat, fans shouldn’t ever voice their concerns of the program, we aren’t the ones who pay Tubby’s salary with donations and tickets sales. We should just shut down all sports websites and watch the game in complete silence and never speak of the basketball team because we aren’t good enough to play for one.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Bigcat, are you serious? Because I cannot play in the SEC (which you back as the toughest conference, but don’t support), I cannot talk about or evaluate what I see? I cannot sing well, but I recognize good singing. You want more analogies?
Just because someone doesn’t agree with your line of thought doesn’t mean that they’re not fans. Quit copping out. You don’t like their arguments? Fine. Doesn’t mean they’re not fans. All fans want UK to win; they disagree about how to get there.
Am I not a patriot because I voted for Nader in 2004? Or am I a patriot because I serve in the Air Force? Or maybe I don’t care about the national security of this country because I don’t believe runaway military spending is the only way?
Man, your core argument looks just as asinine when applied to patriotism as it does to fanaticism. Interesting.
Are you honestly saying that anyone who would like Tubby replaced doesn’t know anything about college hoops? Really? There is no happy medium there? Or maybe it’s just that no one can play in the SEC (as if athletic ability and mental ability are necessarily linked). At least contribute intelligently to the argument instead of attacking other people’s intellect and fan status.
March 1st, 2007 at 12:30 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Ford
I’m not a tubby basher and I completely support him and the team. But if he leaves I think this
man is the future of UK. How could there be a better choice. He’s from Ky, played at UK
and the resume looks impressive so far.
his team is 22-7 so far this year.
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July 10th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
your comments about pat wearing a diper & so on are unbelievable!!!!!!! how could you talk
about an awesome coach like pat summitt with out talking about all her success well all you
could seem 2 talk about is negative stuff.but your probably only saying that stuff bacause
you’ll never see as much success as she has hey you probably wont see half her success!!!!!
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