Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Late last night, word started to circle that the UK basketball roster had a shakeup at the bottom of the depth chart and that a number of walk-ons would not be returning to be a part of John Calipari’s first season in charge. Adam Delph was the first name tossed out there after he got all 2008 on us and announced his dismissal via Facebook. Then, WKYT reported after I dosed off to sleep that Mark Krebs was the only walk-on returning next year, meaning that a pair of fan favorites, Dwight Perry and Matt Scherbenske, were also sent on their way. While it should be noted that UK has not confirmed this yet or released anything official, this situation still sucks.
Far too often in sports we hear about players being kicked off for breaking rules or players not taking advantage of a situation that fans would kill to experience just once. Those types of stories seem to be a dime a dozen these days and when those players get the boot, it doesn’t really register in the fanbase outside of a “What impact does this have on my team?” debate. But, this situation is a lot different. The guys who have supposedly been told they are not returning weren’t going to see any clock next year. They weren’t going to have their jerseys in the bookstore or NBA scouts asking about them. They probably won’t have their pseudo-personality on a video game. They weren’t even going to get a free education. These were just a couple of kids who, through their hard work and positive attitudes, were living the dream that so many of us want for ourselves and our kids and, for that reason, their dismissal registers with us. So, Coach Cal, I hope you’re ready for some negative feedback.
But, that doesn’t mean what Calipari did was wrong or that we should even be surprised. With the departure of the trio of walk-ons, Calipari has now sent 12 players from last year’s massive roster packing and that, folks, is what we signed up for. Change. Turnover. Improvement. Unfortunately, just like when he didn’t meet with Landon Slone, it’s not always going to be that storybook fairy tale that we want to believe happens behind the doors at Memorial Coliseum. In an ideal world, Dwight Perry would be at Senior Night this year, Scherbenske would be Tweetin’ his heart out from the road and Adam Delph would be forming another homegrown legacy. But, as we should have started to expect when no walk-ons were listed on UK’s updated roster, it looks like that story book ending won’t be happening. Instead we’ll have to turn our heads to a happy ending that, hopefully, will take place the first weekend of April in Indianapolis.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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July 31st, 2009 at 11:03 am
say a prayer for marks mom, she has been fighting cancer for several years and has had over 300 chemo treatments. she has not been doing to well lately.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:09 am
Everyone should have known when Calipari was hired and/or researched Cal’s coaching style after he was hired - would have known that Calipari doesn’t like walk-ons and he doesn’t like having players on 13 man roster that he can’t ever see playing in the future.
For the most part he will only works with 10 players in practice. We have heard him say in interviews he doesn’t let everyone practice. He doesn’t have time to focus on everyone. He works 10 guys in practice and focuses even more on the starting 5.
He has said in interviews that he doesn’t have time to babysit a bunch of players, that it isn’t his job.
Some UK fans might not like the way Calipari runs his team but get over it. We got a coach who is a winner and has his system.
Let the man do his job. I bet the UK fans who complain about Cal’s decision about walk-on players were also complaining, like many of us, about losing the last several years.
Now we got a winner. Be happy and let him do it his way
July 31st, 2009 at 11:11 am
I don’t care if he’s off the team: I’m still going to use the “Dwight Perry’s photo for every player” joke this season. YOU CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME COACH CAL!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:12 am
Cal can do whatever he wants. I just don’t see what the point is. What does it hurt to keep a couple of extra walk-ons? Especially a guy like Dwight Perry who is one of the most liked players on the team.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:12 am
I don’t buy it, Save. I love CoachCal and hope he does great things at UK but this move makes no sense to me. What do you possibly gain from sending these three packing? Name one positive.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:12 am
The rationale doesn’t really work that way. Using that logic, you could welcome in hundreds of walk-ons because “they won’t be playing.” Having more players on the roster means more time spent on them, on or off the court. The Gillispie mentality of having dozens of players for practice doesn’t work, especially for a coach like Calipari that prefers to keep the “real” player roster to a minimum.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:12 am
the band-aid has officially been ripped off, now the healing begins
July 31st, 2009 at 11:13 am
I’m ok with this, COMPLETELY. You’re only as good as your weakest link and so now that’s Krebs. Krebs is by no means a slouch, and I’m sure that his height and shooting ability were major factors.
Cal is just cuttin off the fat from this ass kickn Cat team that’s getn ready to take the floor.
CHEERS!!!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:14 am
Zack Newton was playing in that scrimmage the other day.
If he can make the grades you might see him walking on.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:15 am
Didn’t we use perry a lot when showing recruits around campus?To me there is no excuse for this what could it have hurt to let him stay for his senior year?Cal says it’s all about the kids but this is ridiculous unless some decent excuse is given
July 31st, 2009 at 11:16 am
Beisner, nice write up. The more players you have the less focused you can be…
If I am coach and someone is on my team, I want to coach them to be bball players, not cheerleaders. Less players mean less distractions less team mishaps less player tension and a more “family” (what happens in the family stays in the family) atmosphere.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:17 am
Okay, EVERYONE QUIT CRYING NOW!!!!!!!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:19 am
#5 I’m not saying I agree with him kicking off walk-on players.
What I’m saying is that what hired a proven coach and we should let him do his job.
What I hate more than anything is watching UK lose. We got a proven winning coach and (right or wrong) he has his way of doing things and his system.
Let him do it his way. Maybe he just wants to change the culture of the program. Maybe he wants to change the expectations among players on the team.
I think Coach Cal was honest to use from the beginning when he said in several interviews, he isn’t a babysitter and he won’t babysit anyone. He has a job, the players have a job and it is time to get to work
July 31st, 2009 at 11:19 am
This was a house that needed cleaning folks. If you want touchy feely then go root for Minnesota. It’s a new day….
July 31st, 2009 at 11:21 am
Aint nobody crying but it aint right either perry done a lot for the university and was a senior.Cal wouldn’t have had to look at him past this season.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:21 am
Practice will be focused on these guys:
G-Wall, Bledsoe, Liggins, Dodson, Hood
F-Miller, Patterson, Stevenson
C-Cousins, Orton
The if time is left, Harrellson and Harris might get some reps. It sucks for those guys, but that is the business of a coaching change. The last guy believed in taking as many players as possible for better competition. The new guy belives in quality over quantity, and his record speaks to numerous success.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:23 am
And i love cal as much as i love my wife no question about it but the facts are the facts
July 31st, 2009 at 11:24 am
#10 Every UK fan has been calling for change the last 5-7 years.
Now we got it! With change comes decisions we might not agree with. Cal has a proven system and a way of doing things. If it makes Cal feel more comfortable has a coach to put his WHOLE system/style into place as much as possible right away, then I am fine with it.
I also thought during Gillispie’s short time that he should have gotten rid of as many Tubby players as possible with a few exceptions. Not because some of those guys couldn’t play, some good but as a new coach you have to do things “your way”, with “your team”.
Cal is creating a everyday atmosphere he is comfortable with. If that means better results next season - Then I’m fine with whatever he does.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:24 am
#5: More room on the bench is a positive. These guys never even sniffed the floor. Granted, they should have been treated better, but come on. Back in my day when I went to UK, we didn’t have walk-ons AT ALL. None. Zero. We had 13 players, 9-10 may have seen action, three schollys sat at the end and never played. Ever hear of Chris Gettlefinger?? Played for Joe B. and rarely saw action, if ever. Same with Massiello. Not sure if he was a walk-on or not, but what good did it do having him there? We don’t need a bench full of cheerleaders. BCG seems to think large amounts of mediocrity made up for bad coaching. The only ones I feel for are Dwight and the Slone kid. He played last year. He deserved a shot. He had talent. We are headed in a new direction and we have to take some medicine, ever how bitter it is, to improve.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:24 am
DAMN, I love Coach Cal and am so glad hes here bc we are preparing to dominate, but I really hate this for those kids. I wish more than anything he would let them back on. These guys went through hell to get this far. How many walk ons who KNOW they will get zero PT have enough heart to go through two years of Billy G’s bootcamp? I believe these guys earned their jerseys, this sucks. Oh well, I am not going to call for Coach Cal’s head or anything but this really does suck for these great kids. Breaks my heart, I know I used to dream of going to UK and busting my butt for a walk on spot just to warm up in front of the fans at Rupp and wear KENTUCKY proudly across my chest. Its a dream, and yes I know they got to live it for a while, but Dwight should be there for Senior Night, no doubt in my mind.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:25 am
Are walk ons meant to be “fillers”, “cheerleaders”, “tour guides”, “glue guys”? If so, then multiple people can fill that role. I thought they were meant to bring something to team in either two ways (1) basketball skills or (2) basketball knowledge.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:25 am
Dwight has gotten to be apart of the greatest program in college basketball for 3 years.
I don’t feel sorry for him.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:27 am
It does suck to have kids who want to walk-on and have stuck with the fiasco we’ve endured for the that last two years leave, but If you want the taste of a great steak, you might have to trim off a little fat and gristle to enjoy it throughly. I wish those guys nothing but the best life has to offer, and thank them for being a part of UK’s family.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:27 am
Sorry, we don’t need a bunch of modestly talented at best walk-ons clogging up practice.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:33 am
dwight has been through the gillispie experiment and has seen things behind closed doors that weren’t probably a positive site…forget the other walkons i don’t care, but dwight perry should be given this slot because doesn’t he deserve some accolades this season as much as the next guy. Talk about a guy who is proud to wear that KENTUCKY across his chest as much as anyone even in the bad times. I hope we see him senior night because he deserves that.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:34 am
During the Tubby and Gillispie years the bench was lined with dead wood. Its time to get rid of it. If you have 10 players that can start any where in the country, you don’t need walk ons.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:35 am
damn whos going to hold the bench back when wall does something amazing,perry was so good at that.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:35 am
the people that aren’t sad to see dwight go are the people that don’t see him busting his ass in class and trying to get an education. U won’t find many UK students that aren’t upset about dwight being cut.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:35 am
BOOOO Calipari!
For everything he has done right, this one is equally wrong!!!
SHAME ON CAL for cutting Dwight Perry, he is more a WILDCAT than Calipari is and he deserves Cals respect for what he has given the University, staff, and fans.
CAL DOESN’T UNDERSTAND LOYALTY.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:37 am
was dwight the one who got into with cousins the other day? or should i say, cousins was getting on dwight?
July 31st, 2009 at 11:37 am
What good does it do to cut Dwight loose? Cal doesn’t have to “focus” on him in practice. He could simply let Dwight hang around on the sidelines (in games and in practice) if he had to (that is, assuming Dwight would be kosher with assuming a downgraded role from “walk-on”/manager…talk about gettin’ pretty low down on the totem pole). By all accounts, Dwight was great with recruits who were on campus, was a GREAT cheerleader during games, and well-liked by the entire team. Again, how could keeping him not be beneficial?
July 31st, 2009 at 11:38 am
amen brother!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:38 am
The number of walk-ons on the roster last year was ridiculous. A program of Kentucky’s stature should not need walk-ons. Calipari was brought in to revive the program and return to elite status. Pandering to a bunch of walk-ons will not make that happen. Life can be cruel. Apprecitate the time they had and move on. If you are a walk-on at UK, obviously your future plans will not depend on basketball.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:39 am
Let’s just say it all together in a big koom-ba-yah moment: It sucks for these guys.
Now that that’s been settled, we have a roster of guys that need to be fine-tuned into a Final Four Team. And we have the leader to do it. So let’s worry about who IS on the team, not who used to be. Nobody was up in arms for Pilgrim, Stewart or Galloway. And they were losing a FREE RIDE.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:39 am
you guys are acting like these walkons were PPat quality and they stuck around instead of taking a better offer at another school. They were walk-ons, meaning they werent good enough for a scholly and just wanted to play basketball as part of the greatest program ever. The only thing that will change is they no longer get a free front row seat. They weren’t even good enough to get playing time on Clyde’s NIT team and now they aren’t good enough to practice with Cal’s allstar team so he is getting rid of them to make the TEAM better. I’m good with that.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:42 am
I am glad we got calipari instead of a ford or pelphry for one reason we know he can and will win and win big.No doubt if i thought ford could do the same i wouldve taken him in a heart beat because he’s true blue and i don’t think something like this would happen.But i guess you get what you pay for and i won’t be complaining come april!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:43 am
I am glad we got calipari instead of a ford or pelphry for one reason we know he can and will win and win big.No doubt if i thought ford could do the same i wouldve taken him in a heart beat because he’s true blue and i don’t think something like this would happen.But i guess you get what you pay for and i won’t be complaining come april!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:45 am
I’m not saying that this is the final draw or got him ‘kicked’ off the team, but I have knowledge that Perry and one of the incoming freshman got into it the other night during a pick up game, and it grew into a pretty big ordeal. They actually had a team meeting Tuesday night about it and canceled pick up games because of it. Cal was in NJ at the time so I don’t think he would have been the one to pull the string, but let’s just say this. It’s about time for Pat Pat to get back to some pick up games to get some of the newbies tempers and cockiness in check.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:52 am
Coach Cal is Mr. Meticulous when it comes to details and he knows this will allow for more focus to be directed toward the guys in his playing rotation. Besides, we are not involved with all the behind the scenes stuff. For all we know the walk-ons could be detractors during practice. I for one like the philosophy behind the move. While I support all the members of the team from walk-on to leading scorer, it was time for a change. If you wanna win and win big sometimes you gotta do the uncomfortable. For those of you who keep saying, “well I just don’t see what it would hurt to have kept a few walk-ons especially a senior”…I see your point. However, keep in mind sometimes what separates a NCCA tourny team and a NIT team can be the smallest of details. GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:54 am
you “trim the fat”, “not good enough to be in practice”, and win at all costs people make me sick. i hope your bosses decide to “trim the fat” and we’ll see how you like it. there was no reason to cut current walk-ons. it would have been simple just to not add any going forward and when these guys graduated that would be it. next to patrick, dwight perry had the most heart and drive on the team last year. i just hope that coach cal’s win at all costs style doesnt leave us in the same shape as the last two schools he coached.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:56 am
Dwight Perry, Matt Scherbenske, and Adam Delph….you are the weakest links.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:58 am
28 - do you feel sorry for all of UK students who bust their ass only to get fired from a job because of bad economy or change in management? its life, welcome to it…
38 - yeah, I think that could also be a reason.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:58 am
If our bosses decide to trim the fat and i am part of that fat then that makes sense. All that argument does is prove the point, that sometimes to make a team (or company) better you have to get rid of your weakest links and change the mentality. Just because someone isn’t looking for PT in a game doesn’t mean they aren’t a distraction to others during practice.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:59 am
I don’t like it. It’s a tradition that goes back to at least Joe B (I don’t know about Rupp). It’s always good for our fanbase to have an underdog on the team to pull for. It adds to it, although I understand that not every fan gets it / feels that way. We’ve had some enjoyable success stories in modern history (Cameron Mills and Ravi Moss to name a couple). I wish that Coach Cal would be a little flexible on this and change his mind.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:59 am
i understand both sides, but it just breaks my heart for these kids. you know if you were in their position and had BUSTED your butt to get where you were, you would be devastated!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:02 pm
44 - you named two stud walk-ons….
July 31st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
What is it with you people? These guys weren’t good enough to play…period!! You feel sorry for guys that were able to experiece what most of us can only dream of. We can’t all play D1 basketball at the greatest program in history. Hell, if thats the case give me a uniform, I want to be a cat too. I have an idea, let’s reserve the first 8 rows behind the bench for all of us walk-ons. Good job Cal…you are doing what you’re paid to do…make us elite like we should be. This isn’t little league where everyone makes the team…this is UK basketball. If you don’t like it go root for your local elementary team where its fair and Johnny gets a uniform.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
27) Expect a lot of t’s this year now that dwight is gone
July 31st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Also, whose to say Krebs won’t be the success story…
July 31st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I dont think anyone is saying that it doesnt suck for these kids and that they shouldnt be devastated, but so are 10% of american’s without jobs. All i was saying is that it’s part of life, it sucks, but Cal is trying to build a better program and he obviously feels that getting rid of those kids helps the entire team which is why i’m in support of it. In the end i think everyone can agree on one thing: GO CATS
July 31st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
This move shows that we have a CEO without a heart. Will we win? yes. Will it be like the 98 team where it’s about UK on the jersey? no. That is why it breaks my heart. He cut ONE OF US.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Some of you all kill me. These are friggen walk ons we are talking about–WHO CARES!?!? Did you guys really build a sentimental relationship with these players or something? Would you rather have John Wall matching up against Krebbs in practice, or Liggins? Kentucky is going to obviously have NBA talent come in and out every year from here on out, we can’t have these players playing against walk ons who essentially may be hurting them in the long run. What a bunch of cry babies some of you are, They. Are. Walk. Ons.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Why are they dismissing Dwight Perry? He’s started in more NCAA tourney games then Patterson. We lack experience and then is what Coach Cal does? J/K whenever D.Perry got in is usually when I would leave the game.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
This takes away one of the most fun parts of home games: cheering like hell when one of these guys get in the game at the end of a blow out and nails a three. Dwight was the most positive player on the team for the last three years and he had to put up with Billy Clyde’s crapfest just like the rest of us, and now he gets his Senior Day taken away in the name of efficiency in practice? I don’t get this one. Yes, I know Cal’s a genius and all that, but for all his motivational garbage on those tweets, Cal showed a side I’m not particularly fond of. If Clyde had done this you all would have FREAKED. Cal is still untouchable, I suppose.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I have to believe that there is more to this issue than just up and deciding to let all but one walk-on go. This is something that
should be dealt with at the team level..thats why we pay Coach the big bucks..we should support the staff’s decision and move on..
July 31st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
LoL @ 53. That’s good right there.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:43 pm
AHHHH!!!! I’m sure Dwight Perry is a great kid, I’m sure Landon Sloan is a great kid, etc. etc. If you people love walks on so much then you can do one of two things: 1) Root for Minnesota or 2) ‘Walk on’ to BCG new ranch in TX. If Coach Cal thinks we can win ONE MORE GAME without the walk ons than with then let the man do the job we are paying him almost $4 million a year to do.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:43 pm
It amazes me how many dumb FU##ers are out there!!! Who gives a rats
ass about walk-ons. How about focusing on something that matters, instead
you just get on here to bitch and complain. I believe there are more women
visiting this site than one realizes!!!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
52, 53… in the minority, you are
yes, UK basketball and it’s players mean a lot to many…we like winning, but, we like things done the right way, the majority does anyway…and this cut was wrong. plain and simple. wrong.
these are kids, they have families and they are upset…we should be too as family…something you guys don’t seem tuned into
my 60 plus year old father just called Cal a ‘jerk’ for doing this…why? because it was wrong.
winning and NBA talent, and LEAVING early?!? during a game doesn’t make you a Wildcat fan, understanding loyalty, UK’s tradition and that we are family…that is being a WIldcat…some of the greatest UK players never started, some of the greatest UK players were never on a scholarship, something that some fail to see, but, the majority see it loud and clear.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Hey 29, what was you the mascot for your high school team growing up?
I bet you showed up 3 hours early to just get a sniff of a jock strap!!
You bunch of losers wake up!!!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
54, when Cal wins a title, I’d give him this one, but, he fails to see the importance of someone like Dwight.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
“dosed off”? Isn’t that what Michael Jackson did?
July 31st, 2009 at 12:47 pm
SO your grandfather was the mascot also, wow you inherited a mighty gene.
Your family passed down being the Red Hound for Corbin High?
July 31st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Hey squirms, maybe Dwight can join Macy’s new team and you can go watch him
hoot and holler from their bench
July 31st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
64, Dwight was a Wildcat who was cut for no reason. That is wrong. Cal made a mistake on this one. No championship will correct this error.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:51 pm
64, atleast I’d stay for the entire game…that’s what fans do.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Think about it…why would Coach’s staff suddenly decide to cut three walk-ons? Why would they cut all but one? Obviously, ther is something going on behind the scenes that is above our pay-grade. If you don’t trust Coach’s ability to make decisions regarding team composition, then apply for the job yourself next time around..
July 31st, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Considering the way Cal likes to run practice it would be unfair to keep these guys on the team. Everyday at practice they would not be included and have nothing to do…
I hate to see the guys who have been here for a while go, but I can understand the logic.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I am shocked at the outcry for these kids. It is one thing to support them and feel bad because their dream has been cut short, but it is another to suggest that somehow the coach was WRONG. It’s his damn team, period.
These kids ONLY got the chance that they had because BCG wanted alot of walkons. Not because they are Kentucky caliber players. Would they take away from the scholarship player’s training? I don’t know. That seems like a coach’s decision to me.
Applaud them for their time, envy them for the opportunity they were GIVEN, but give it a rest as to what’s “fair.” Uggggggg.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
No knock on any of the kids, but Dwight Perry would have had “Zero” importance on this team going forward. If you want to keep him around cause he’s a good kid and nice guy, fine, but don’t sell his “importance” because he had none. If you want something warm and fuzzy, go knock down the bottles at the state fair and win a teddy bear, if you want to rebuild the most dominate program in college roundball, you’re at the right place.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:56 pm
65…ur an idiot….life is tough, get over it
July 31st, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Squirm…
I agree with what you are saying, but why is Cal doing it the wrong way? I am confused why letting someone go off the basketball team is such a big deal. Are you mad he gave the boot to Stewart, Galloway, Pilgrim ( I am missing someone here) who were on scholarship? Did you dad call him a jerk when he forced all the scholarship players to leave? Is it just the “feel good story” that you and your dad are so mad about?
July 31st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
The people complaining seem to be reflecting our entitlement culture.
i.e. Dwight works hard for 3 years, he deserves senior night.
What about the aspect of work is its own reward? Dwight worked hard and no doubt enjoyed the experience. Can’t that be enough?
July 31st, 2009 at 1:00 pm
My take on this is simple: Now when we are beating Louisville, UNC, Indiana, UConn and all other schools on our schedule by 40, the coach can’t tell Cal to take out his good players and put in his walk ons…he won’t have any. SO, payback time bitches!!
Seriously though, if Cal really cared about our history he’d never have gotten rid of Dwight. The fact that Dwight and Patrick are synonymous should be evident!! I’m just thrilled that KSR will still run with that one.
GO CATS!
July 31st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Some folks like getting “up in arms” just for the sake of doing so…please leave the decision making to the experts..don’t try this at home..
July 31st, 2009 at 1:03 pm
74..now thats funny..
July 31st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I posted this on another site but I will share it on here as well:
Lets look at this as a business (which it is) A manager gets fired at a company and there is a whole staff including unpaid interns that obviosly arent qualified to be there since production has been on a steady decrease from previous management and staff. Now comes in the new General Manager and what is his first order of business; none other than getting the correct staff in place to increase production of the business. The first people that get laid off (cut) are the paid employees not cutting it. When the GM first adresses the office he informs all the staff (unpaid interns included) that the staff he likes may not be as large as the one this business is used to but he doesnt feel the need for all the interns that are currently in the office BC it takes away production from the paid employees. Now some interns have been here for a few years and are great friends and really try to motivate the staff and are always doing the little things such as copies and mailers etc. Well the manager feels its the paid staff responsibilty to do those things as well so he cuts re-leases all but one intern. People this is life and it is a BUSINESS so if Cal feels the need to re-lease players regardless of their class then it’s what he needs to do!
July 31st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
More info about alleged fight needed, please elaborate if can.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:09 pm
It is absolutely amazing to me the callousness of most of these posts. Unless you’re a 5-star product, then you’re just so much “excess fat to be trimmed.” Now I understand why the majority of the basketball world feels the way they do about UK.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
79 - why is that a bad statement? People use it all the time as term of downsizing…
July 31st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Those that are saying “Just trust Cal . . . he knows what he’s doing”, etc., were saying the same thing when Billy got here. If I don’t agree with something Calipari does, I’m going to say so. And I say that having walk-ins is a part of our tradition and it should continue — no matter who the coach is. After he’s won a couple of NCAA titles here, then I’ll say “F tradition.” Until then, I’d like to see it continue.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:16 pm
79) No one is talking about any players with *’s we are talking about a group of walk-ons that were told before Cal stepped in his office that he didn’t keep more than 1 maybe 2 of them
July 31st, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Again, was anyone complaining when he was asking all the scholoarship players to leave to make room for new players? Why is it ok to tell a player who has moved schools three times in 3 years to pack their bags and move on but not ok to tell another player that you will not be on the bball team, however, you will also not have to move schools?
July 31st, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Squirm are you challenging my fanhood? haha. Well I guess if your 60+ pops said it, it must be true, unless he senile with dementia. Walk-ons have speent years sitting on the bench wearing blue, getting free nike stuff and being a part of the team we all have great passion for. If it wasn’t for Tubby’s nepotism, DP would be lucky to be playing bball at a school like High Point. I wish him the best, but his dismissal does not sadden me as much as Pilgrim’s. Coach Cal has my trust and we should sit back and let him do his job and not 2nd guess him until he at least loses a game. UK is not downsizing, but is making the changes it takes to be a more competitive team.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
81 - so “our” tradition is to defend walk-ons but not defend scholarship players?
July 31st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Kowboy… Your replies have a taint of what we went through last year (Billy Clyde’s style & attitude)… May I suggest to you to let up a little on the *throat throttle* when critquing other people opinions… BTW fans do pull & look forward for the Cameron Mills(s) and Ravi Moss(s) on a team.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Never said that. Where did I say that? Two separate issues. AJ Stewart needed to go - he was a squirrel. The other two - Galloway and Pilgrim - I personally would have liked to see stay.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:22 pm
“It’s a ‘jump to conclusions’ mat. You see it’s a mat and
you have different conclusions you can jump to” - Tom Simpkowski
No one on here knows more about the situation than the walk ons,
the team, and Coach.
I have seen a couple mentions of D. Perry being almost like a manager
So, really who’s to say if he will or will not have some sort of role
with the team outside of wearing a jersey and being on the roster.
Let’s all take some Prozac and calm down the bi-polar behavior. Love him or leave him.
Calipari is here to stay. Get used to it.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
My point is, if it is so wrong to let Perry go, then it should be wrong to let all the other players go…or is it ok since he brought in 5 star recruits? Since no new walk-ons came on board, Perry should stay? Why the royal treatment for him and not Galloway?
July 31st, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Perry was a senior who had been with us since day one.Galloway was a senior with just one year with us.Not to mention perry didn’t even have a scholarship.No one even me will care about this when the season starts and we’re winning because we all love winning.But that still don’t make it right
July 31st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
No offense, because he’s a great kid, but when was Scherbenske ever a fan favorite? He didn’t even dress for a game last year and played in maybe 2 games the year before.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Please bring Perry back
July 31st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
What can never be taken from them is the amount of tail they probably got just for getting to sit on the bench and be part of the team. I think they’ll be just fine, as will the rest of the team.
UK fans constantly proving that we’ll always find something to complain about.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Some of you clearly don’t understand marketing. Cal is trying to restore the brand to recruits. How special does it look to have on a UK uniform when there are 5′10 awkward country hillbillies with that same jersey on? This is in addition to reducing his headaches. When you have players with nothing but time on their hands- that can result in unneeded distractions for everyone. I hate how UK fans think they can pick and choose what parts of Cal’s approach they want. For any of it to work, he has to do it ALL his way. All the moaning about things like this, only proves your level of knowledge about maintaining and coaching a program like kentucky.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Squirms ~ don’t pretend to speak for the “majority”. Perry getting cut sucked, yes. But does it really matter in the grand scheme? Cal made no secret of his distaste for walk-ons. He didn’t try and hide it and cut these guys behind everyone’s back. He told us all from the beginning he would do it. The day has come and you’re acting all surprised??
They served absolutely no purpose that they can’t still serve if they stay on campus. I’m sure they’ll still be friends w/ the players and cheer them on which is all they did previously. Move on.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:13 pm
What is all of this ‘Cal is throwing out tradition’ crap. Somebody has to start traditions, that’s what Cal is trying to do. He is trying to start a tradition of not starting walk ons and not losing to VMI. For those that are interested, take a look at when the roster started to bulge with walk ons what happened to our win percentage? Walk on successes make us feel good but habitually playing the lottery trying to get a another Cameron Mills doesn’t consistently games.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Yeah, well say its a big game, say the national championship, and say the refs are calling it really tight, and what if nine guys foul out and also nine of their guys foul out and its a triple overtime and then it comes down to just our walk ons against their walk ons and we don’t have any. Bet you’d be sorry then. That would be awesome.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I hope Mark’s mother gets too see him WIN a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! GO CATS!!
July 31st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Why don’t you cry about it squirms? Or better yet, why don’t you take it on yourself to go and try and convince people to never forgive Calipari for this.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Bottom Line,,,there was no legitimate BASKETBALL reason to keep these guys. You got 15 guys on the team, you got 15 chances for something to go wrong. You got 12 on the team,,,,well you get the point. And what the hell does Walk ons have to do with our Tradition? Nothing. Geez, some of you need to get a grip.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
#97,,,,What if your Aunt was a Man, then she’d be your uncle.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Oh for the life it is to be a UK fan, last year we couldn’t “EVEN” imagine what the hell we were gonna have on our plate today. Last year was nothing but freakin’ Spam, this year we have a 22 ounce Fillet with all the trimmings. It’s agreed to feel bad for the walk-ons, they and only they know what the bullshit they went through the last few years. But folks when Pilgram, Stewart, Porter and Galloway were told to pack their bags, everyone knew what was going to be the results sooner or later, you’d be a fool not to know he was gonna let some walk-ons go. Yes I feel bad, I do feel for them, but if you’ve ever been in sports… Jr. High, High School or even College this has got to be no surprise to anyone. What’s done is done! We wanted Cal…..We got Cal, now if you hate what he did, and it keeps you awake at night I suggest you start rooting for another school. We as UK cans have always wanted a winner, we have one, nows the time to act as one.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:33 pm
101 yeah what if my aunt was named Sam and then she’d be Uncle Sam and then he’d put another 2 billion in the cars for clunkers program then I could get a van like the Partridge family and I could start a band called Matt Pilgrim and the Walkons.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:53 pm
86, yea its time to go for the throat, aggressive behavior and nothing but
ass kicking!! Yea big differance between Ravi, Mills compared to these clowns, get
your head on!! You bunch of women need to go change your tampon!!! I smell BLOOD
July 31st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
104…Before you go off again about tampons, you just might want to check when Cameron Mills played at UK(1998 season… the last NCAA Championship team. He was an instrumental outside shoot for the Cats for Tubby Smith that year.
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/1997-98.html
Just a little information for you !!!
July 31st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I hear a lot of folks asking, “What harm would it do for these kids to stay? They are paying their own way and will not see the floor anyway?” But truthfully- will Wall, Cousins, Patterson, Orten, Bledsoe, Dodson, Hood, Miller, or any of the other guys get BETTER by going up against Adam Delph, Dwight Perry and Matt Scherbenski in practice? Is Cal going to spend valuable practice time- which btw is limited by NCAA rules- teaching the DDM to these walk-ons who will never see the floor? Or instead, teach it to the guys who will be instrumental in our quest for a Championship?
I understand the feelings of those who want kids to stay who are not going to be staying. But one thing we have to keep in mind is that Smirky the Clown had a very rare large number of walk-ons. In that sense, Cal is trying to get us back to “normal”. But beyond that, Cal said it best when he said that any more than 12 or 13 players and it becomes difficult to accomplish what he wants to do in practice. I, for one, want Coach Cal to be able to mold this team with optimum efficiency. We do, after all, have 6 newcomers…none of which has played even one minute of major Division One NCAA Men’s College Basketball. Cal knows what he is doing. And he is not out to hurt anyone or to take anything away from these kids. He is simply trying to to what he was hired to do…take UK back to where we belong in the upper-echelon of College Basketball. And win Championships. Clyde left a big mess and Coach is simply going about the business of cleaning it up. That’s all.
August 1st, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hey Tampon face, I said Mills was a contributer, these guys could not play for
Morehead!!! You dumbass!!! Change your tampon again