San Diego at Kentucky -- Open Game Thread

by Glenn Logan on Dec 29, 2007 12:57 PM EST in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

This is the official Open Game Thread for San Diego at Kentucky. For those of you who can't get the game on TV, here are some links:

San Diego is one of the weakest teams we have faced this year, and UK has no excuses for not getting the W. Even as bad as the Cats have been at times, I don't see this San Diego team as a serious threat to win in Rupp Arena.

We have seen some game-to-game improvement in Kentucky, but only in fits and starts. There is a possibility to see one or more of our injured sophomores in this game, but I wouldn't count on it. Meeks is said to still be very sore, and even though Jasper has seen some practice time, in my heart, I doubt we will see him today.

Billy Gillispie has continued to assure us that Kentucky will improve and has had more than a week and some extra holiday practice to work on the Wildcats and improve what they are able to bring to the floor. While injuries still represent the Cats' biggest problem, the two biggest problems they have on the floor are turnovers and rebounding.

San Diego brings a credible defense to the floor that will challenge Kentucky's ballhandling, so we should see if the efforts in practice will bear any fruit in this area. Also, we still have not seen the Cats get the ball to Patterson in the post as often as Gillispie wants, so this should be a game in which we can look for improvement in that area as well.

My keys to the game:

Getting the ball to Patterson in the post
Dominating the glass.
The return of the 5 assist Joe Crawford
Scoring from people other than Patterson, Crawford and Bradley.
Improvement in the turnover area.

Turnovers are killing our offensive efficiency, and we must find ways to keep Patterson involved offensively the entire game.

I will not be liveblogging the game today. Please do avail yourselves of the comments in the open thread, I will be in and out during the game.

GO, CATS!

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Comments

I have a feeling...

we will see the Cats click today with much more efficiency than we are used to seeing. I am not sure why I feel this way I just have this gut feeling that they are getting close to a breakthrough. I hope I am right. Either way, we win this game easily at 72-59.

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2007 1:47 PM EST reply actions

Jay Bilas

So glad he's doing the Texas game and not ours.....I hate that guy......Texas hasn't looked to good the past couple games

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 1:48 PM EST reply actions

OH...

What a finish

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

No overtime...

thankfully!

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2007 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

passing

somebody needs to teach these guys how to feed the post.....its pathetic

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 2:11 PM EST reply actions

jasper

alright lets get it on!!!

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 2:22 PM EST reply actions

We ...

need to keep working hard.

USD is hitting shots that they don't normally hit, and we put them on the line a lot in the first half.

Foul less, keep working. Only 7 turnovers in the first half for the Cats, that is comparably excellent.

San Diego is hot from 3, and as a team, they are a sub 30% team.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 29, 2007 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Am at work

(which sucks)and it has finally slowed enough for me to check the score and I see we are losing?? What the F**K? Are we looking bad or is sd playing out of their minds?

by wldcatsfreak on Dec 29, 2007 3:30 PM EST reply actions

both

SD is playing well.....we are playin like crap.....down by 8? this is unbelievable

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 3:38 PM EST reply actions

Thanks

for the info, maybe being at work right now isn't so bad. At least this way the fam doesn't hear any new words that are not fit for little ones ears.

by wldcatsfreak on Dec 29, 2007 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

Wanna join?

I'm starting an online support group for suicidal kentucky fans

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 3:57 PM EST reply actions

Please

forward all information available for your support group. And if you would be so kind send a bottle of something very strong to help numb the pain as well.

by wldcatsfreak on Dec 29, 2007 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Reasons

There are lots of reasons this UK team sucks. Injuries, coaching change, lots of reasons.

But this is just miserable and embarrassing.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Dec 29, 2007 4:02 PM EST reply actions

sicck

I have never seen a team get as many breaks as sd. Yes we were sloppy but damn!! I'm sick. The bottum can't get much lower.

by bigblfan on Dec 29, 2007 4:17 PM EST reply actions

Bad day

5-6... unless a miracle occurs this is the year that Kentucky's NCAA streak is finally broken. :(

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 29, 2007 4:24 PM EST reply actions

and...

...that's what hurts the most. I surely didn't expect us to be this bad.

by Clandestine on Dec 29, 2007 9:51 PM EST up reply actions

Hope

A belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance, believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary. Looks like we are going to find out if hope floats this year!! Keep the hope alive BBN

GO CATS!

by bigblfan on Dec 29, 2007 4:35 PM EST reply actions

Tru should be a sports analyst

Let's look at his five points the Cats needed to improve on and whether they did so:

1. Getting the ball to Patterson in the post
No.

2. Dominating the glass.
No.

3. The return of the 5 assist Joe Crawford
No.

4. Scoring from people other than Patterson, Crawford and Bradley.
No.

5. Improvement in the turnover area.
No.

I think its fair to say if UK made some progress in these areas, they would have won the game.

by senowen on Dec 29, 2007 4:43 PM EST reply actions

sigh.

I really have nothing of value to contribute to this conversation, just want to commiserate with everyone. This SUCKS, we are a bad, bad basketball team, we would be LUCKY to be an NIT team at this point, we were just embarrased by a no-name team with a sub-500 record on ESPN. I asked after the LAST inconcievable loss if things had reached the nadir...apparently we haven't gotten there yet : /

by blue kentucky girl on Dec 29, 2007 5:48 PM EST reply actions

Jasper

Sooo good to see Derrick Jasper back. He did an amazing job on offense, considering his situation. He was obviously a step slow on defense, and winded the whole time, but that's how it goes with an injury.

Yeah, we were bad, but this is no surprise to anyone who looked at the roster and injured list at the beginning of the year. I think we will be actually be okay (that is, not dismal) once we get Jasper and Meeks back and in condition. Unfortunately that will probably be February. 8'(

Hopefully the SEC tournament will be winnable and we'll have a chance at at least making the tournament.

And of course insane appreciation to Patrick Patterson, who played great. At least two of those turnovers of his belongs to Bradley too, for making a couple of bad passes that Patrick almost salvaged.

by EEWildcat on Dec 29, 2007 8:05 PM EST reply actions

Huh?

"Yeah, we were bad, but this is no surprise to anyone who looked at the roster and injured list at the beginning of the year."

I think your alone on that one

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

Try making a line-up

1 - ???
2 - Bradley/Crawford
3 - ???
4 - Patterson
5 - ???

Do we have anyone with any significant experience at any of those slots? (Meeks and Jasper are on the I.L) Who can you put in one of those slots who contributed in a marquee game in past years? This is an especially key point given Tubby's everyone-plays rotations.

And Patterson is even performing way above expectations.

We are pretty spoiled as UK fans, we are used to, and expect victories. But you have to actually take a look at the roster.

I love my team, and I'm not griping about it, but besides Bradley and Crawford and the injured list, we have practically no experience. You've got to be realistic with your expectations, or you're going to be disappointed.

by EEWildcat on Dec 29, 2007 8:35 PM EST up reply actions

seriously....

we just got beat by 9 points by San Diego......Nobody expected this.....we we're a preseason top 25 team, way overrated but 9 points worse than San Diego, c'mon

by spork on Dec 29, 2007 9:49 PM EST up reply actions

double sigh

I'm not sure what I can say that hasn't already been said. I was already feeling under the weather before the game and now I just feel awful.

I, too, am glad to see Jasper return as well as Meeks. I nearly fainted when PP was limping on the sidelines. It seems like once we get one back and somewhat healthy, another one goes out.

Things are really bleak right now, obviously, but what's making matters worse (IMHO) is the fans who are consistently attacking BCG and blaming him for all of this. I'm not talking about on this site (it is very balanced here, which is the main reason I enjoy coming here), but on the sports talk radio stations and the message boards.

Before this year started, the majority of us (the realistic ones) knew that it would be rough, Patterson or no Patterson. Everyone was on the Gillispie train and saying 'good riddance' to Tubby. Now, there are the fools who are ready to fire him at the snap of a finger. The same fools who blamed Tubby for his faults, accused him of destroying the program, are now placing the blame on Gillispie when 2 months ago, he was their savior. It's ridiculous.

What we're seeing may or may not be a reflection of his coaching skills, but we need to give him time to find out. We honestly can't expect to see him in his fully potential unless we give him time to recruit his own players and establish his own system.

I hope that all of this negativity doesn't drive Patterson away. I really think he will be unstoppable if he sticks around in time to get the right help.

by Carissa on Dec 29, 2007 8:24 PM EST reply actions

Negativity

All of this negativity is driving me away from message boards and blogs, that's for sure. I fume during the game, and come on and read some people's comments and posts and I get even worse. I can't stand everybody jumping on Coach after 11 games, it's sad and embarrassing. I think it's time I give it up for a while until we start winning (we will).

by GregJ on Dec 29, 2007 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

Don't be disheartened ...

this isn't about the coach, it is about the team.

Kentucky is used to winning, and we are struggling with teams we should be beating easily, even with our second string. This is a problem, and we have to be honest that something is clearly broken.

Nobody should be calling for the coach's job, but for Heaven's sake, we need a bit more than we have been getting out of the guy. He is allowing himself to look like he doesn't know what the hell he is doing, and if we can't admit that to ourselves, we are just not being honest.

I have faith in him, but I need some reassurance here. Even if I don't get it, I'm not going negative, but for God's sake, Kentucky basketball is becoming a laughing stock.

If Coach tells me we have to suck for a long while to get where we need to be, I'm fine with that. I'm all about the long view, and I'll suffer through a miserable season if that's what it takes. But so far, all I have heard is bromides, and my stomach is sick of them.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 29, 2007 11:45 PM EST up reply actions

Not buying the injuries excuse

Guys, it's San Diego. Again, we see no coaching adjustments, no zone defense, the same stupid mental mistakes, the same inane turnovers, the same lukewarm offense.

Bottom line, Kentucky should be beating teams like San Diego by 15 points with half the roster out injured.

Instead, they lost by 9.

This comes down to coaching. It is NOT injuries. It is NOT a lack of talent. THOSE EXCUSES DO NOT FLY WHEN YOU PLAY SAN DIEGO! PERIOD!

I can't give Gillispie a pass anymore. I thought he was a great hire when Kentucky brought him on board. I realize it's just been 11 games, but I'm really wondering if he's the right guy for Kentucky basketball.

This might seem like I'm taking a shot at Kentucky, but I'm not. I cover SEC basketball. SEC BASKETBALL. These defeats are humiliating for our conference. Kentucky should have no more than 3, maybe 4 at the outside, losses this year.

This is simply not excusable, folks. This is on Billy Gillispie. End of story, end of debate.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 29, 2007 8:43 PM EST reply actions

Very wrong

Two of UK's three best players are hurt (Meeks and Jasper). Patterson is an elite player and the rest of the team is just not very good.

I think the 2 time coach of the year knows more about coaching than you do; he is paid millions to coach.

You may "cover" SEC basketball, but you don't seem very knowledgeable about it. Extremely poor recruiting over the past three years has brought UK to this point; great recruiting will bring UK back to the top and it will happen. Rupp could not make this a competitive team at this point because there is little to work with. End of story.

by BeatUL on Dec 29, 2007 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn't matter.

BeatUL, what you're missing is the IMMENSE disparity of talent between UK and GW and San Diego. I wouldn't go so far as to say UK should beat San Diego with a roster full of walk-ons every time, but it ought to be about a 50/50 split. With a healthy P-Pat, Crawford, and Bradley, I believe they should win 9 out of 10 times.

Kentucky wouldn't have offered a single scholarship to the players on that team. Yet they played more cohesive ball, moved better on offense, and cleaned up the boards. Offensive rebounding does require some basic things like athleticism and some reasonable amount of talent, but in many cases it's just attention to detail in setting up the play and sheer desire to come down with the ball. San Diego had more of both on this day.

Kentucky simply shouldn't lose this game at home, just like they shouldn't have lost to Garder-Webb by 14 points. Just like they shouldn't have blown a 14-point lead with 10 minutes to go against UAB.

You wrote: "Extremely poor recruiting over the past three years has brought UK to this point."

No, it didn't. Coaching. Coaching. Coaching. Kentucky's talent isn't great, but you use THAT argument when you start losing in conference play. Kentucky's losing to lousy teams! News flash, BeatUL, San Diego was 6-8 coming into this game... 6-8 in the West Coast Conference!

I don't believe any other SEC team, with the exception of perhaps South Carolina or maybe LSU, would have lost to those teams on their home court.

It is simply inexcusable, and talent/injuries/new coach arguments don't hold up against this level of competition.

BeatUL, you are quick to point out that I know nothing about basketball, but based on your commentary to date I'm afraid you're the one who seems to come up empty more often than not. I realize you don't care for a Gator criticizing your team, but I'd really rather have a discussion based on meritorious arguments rather than "the 2-time coach of the year knows more than you do". That is a kindergarten-quality argument, sir, and it's rather tiresome that you keep bandying it about. The 2-time coach of the year should NOT BE LOSING TO G-W and SAN FREAKIN' DIEGO, nor should this Kentucky team be 5-6 with the schedule they've played to date.

COACHING.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 29, 2007 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

Newsflash

Hey Gatorpilot, I wish there was something magical about a Kentucky jersey or even a SEC-school jersey that would create wins. But there isn't.

It comes down to the players on the floor and the coaching staff. It's not the name of the school and the coaching staff.

There is more parity in all of college sports than there has ever been. There will be even more next year. You can't just have an off year and not get crushed nowadays.

I do agree with you that it makes the conference look bad. We have really put the hurt on the conference's RPI. Oh well. We've carried the conference's RPI for many more years.

I am glad you're not coaching the team though, zone defense is just not what you use against a team shooting 56+% from 3.

by EEWildcat on Dec 29, 2007 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

zone

Maybe you missed all those points right under the bucket? A lot of semi-controlled slashing drives to the hoop?

Yes, it is obvious that you don't generally use zone against a team shooting well from beyond the arc. However, many of San Diego's long-range shots were uncontested. I believe this was due, in part, to Kentucky's constant man coverage, missing the switch, and just running out of steam on defense. SD was patient passing the ball and kept things in motion on offense, rather than Kentucky's "let's stand still and dribble the ball and wait for the clock to wind down" attack. How many times did UK try to press and trap on those tired legs? You use zone for more than one reason, and one is to conserve energy. This is especially true for a team without a lot of depth like (obviously) Kentucky.

So, I'm sorry you don't care for my coaching chops or lack thereof but I will say this... I know good coaching when I see it, and I ain't seeing it in Lexington right now. Nor is the rest of the college hoops institution. (Show me some articles where Billy G's coaching as of late is being praised?)

The "parity" argument doesn't work with teams like SD and GW. These teams are simply not very good even in their lower-level conferences. "Parity" is used to describe programs like Butler, Southern Illinois, etc... teams that rise to the top and start competing with the big boys year in and year out. That will not happen with GW or SD, at least not this year, or next, or the ten after that. :)

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 29, 2007 9:37 PM EST up reply actions

I have to agree with Gator

I'm far from giving up on our new coach, but things are strange. It's like he's trying to teach a lesson to his players (or his boss?) that's more important than winning the games. Very weird, at least in my perception.

by Clandestine on Dec 29, 2007 9:54 PM EST up reply actions

Zone

No, I didn't miss those at all. They were (in large part) a failure of help-out defense. That's essentially all you do in a zone when the other team has good ball movement. So that certainly wouldn't have helped. Billy G said in a press conference when asked about playing zone, something to the affect of zone being harder to play correctly than man, and if we can't even play man correctly, how can we succeed with zone?

Truth be known, SD played a great game. They had good ball movement, got penetration, hit their open shots, rebounded, collapsed on Patterson on defense, Most importantly, they had players for every role, and they played their roles well. They might not have a lot of wins, but they brought their A-game to Rupp. Parity is very much a factor, from the top to the bottom of every conference.

I'm not saying I think Billy G is doing a good job. Of course I wish we had more wins - but the losses are understandable given the roster. I am, however, giving him the benefit of the doubt that he's using the games as a teaching tool and that we'll be better by the end of the season. Time will tell.

by EEWildcat on Dec 29, 2007 10:59 PM EST up reply actions

Gillispie

Maybe there was an immense differential in talent level, as there has been in previous games this season that we've lost. But to ask our senior leadership (if there is any) to completely change systems and storm out of the gates is ridiculous. Go ahead and judge Gillispie now and eat your words later in the season or next season at the latest.

by GregJ on Dec 29, 2007 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

Who we lose to

It's not the losses, it's who we've been losing to. Gardner-Webb, Houston, San Diego...if we had losses to UCLA, Memphis, Michigan St., okay, I can swallow those. But San Diego??? We are Kentucky, we should not be losing these games!

"The three point line should be moved back. It shouldn't be the same in Division I as it is for eighth-grade girls."

by MNBlue on Dec 29, 2007 8:50 PM EST reply actions

"We should not be losing to these teams"

Why? Just because there is an "UK" on the uniforms? If you don't have the talent you are not going to win. UK does not have the talent. THIS YEAR! It will change, it is changing. Did you see how slow and unathletic UK loked once again? With Patterson, Meeks, Jasper and soon to be Miller and liggins UK will have 5 players as athletic and capable of any int he country. Hang in there folks, good times are coming!

by BeatUL on Dec 29, 2007 9:00 PM EST reply actions

we shouldn't be losing

I'm tired of people saying, "when Jasper and Meeks..." TWO PLAYERS DO NOT MAKE A TEAM. Kentucky is an elite program, you should be able to take the entire starting five out, and still be able to compete against mid-major teams with .500 records.

"The three point line should be moved back. It shouldn't be the same in Division I as it is for eighth-grade girls."

by MNBlue on Dec 29, 2007 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

I can't believe...

... that you seriously believe your own argument here.

No one is suggesting UK will win a single game because of the jersey, Kentucky's tradition, etc... least of all me, a guy who absolutely abhors a fan's insistence on his team's "tradition" as a reason why they're somehow relevant in the modern college athletics universe despite not fielding good teams for years.

This is not about talent, BeatUL. Kentucky has more talent riding the pine than San Diego has starting the game. You know how Kentucky fans are anxious to see Porter sit more? San Diego would have fallen all over themselves to snag a player like that.

Calling these losses "talent-induced" has to be the most specious argument I've ever heard! It's GARDNER-WEBB AND SAN DIEGO! Kentucky should NOT lose to both of these teams in the same year! PERIOD!

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 29, 2007 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

Blaming

It on the coaching, and solely that, is just as fallacious; its a mixture of things that are dooming this team, and no one reason stands out more than the other.

However, as much as you are getting tired of seeing claims of injury and talent dooming this team, we're getting tired of you ranting about how Kentucky shouldn't lose to so-and-so. They did. It happens. It isn't the apocalypse, and it isn't the end of Kentucky basketball, and certainly, it shouldn't be the end of Gillispie's tenure, or even our faith in him.

| ride | the | lightning |

by paralyzer on Dec 29, 2007 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

OK.

Sure, it's fallacious. Must be.

It walks, talks, and quacks like a duck. But it ain't a duck.

I'm not asking anyone to change their faith. I'm a sports fan, I gripe and I celebrate and this is how I "participate" in a game that God didn't give me the body or talent to play competitively. And that pretty much explains the existence of sports blogs, while we're at it. :)

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 29, 2007 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

A given,

But while it's good to say this team shouldn't be losing to no-names because of their name, that doesn't change the fact that they are, and as much as you or anyone else may want to specify the blame on the coach, and him solely, this isn't the case. Come next year, if the same things are happening, then sure, we can say its the coach, but for him to be 11 games into his first season, when we already know that most of Billy Gillispie's first seasons are poor, we can't say for sure, and it doesn't put much aid to the situation to play the blame game.

| ride | the | lightning |

by paralyzer on Dec 29, 2007 9:54 PM EST up reply actions

Laughable

I don't expect you to know much about college basketball but to actually say UK has more talent on its bench than San Diego has starting is ignorant. I won't beat a dead horse and name the several players on UK's roster that would fight for time on OVC teams.

by BeatUL on Dec 30, 2007 1:07 AM EST up reply actions

The laugh's on you, methinks.

Yeah, there are some guys -- walk-ons -- who probably would have a harder time getting a scholarship at a "mid-major" than others.

But the talent on the bench, cumulatively, is easily better than the total offered up by SD's starting line-up. Remember, they looked competent today due in large part to the fact that Kentucky was so woeful. They were 6-8 in the West Coast conference coming into this game, sir. I say, again, 6-8. Kentucky's bench talent is easily superior and if you can't recognize that, well, you're probably beyond help.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 30, 2007 1:22 AM EST up reply actions

Sorry man

I understand what you are doing but attempting to fault Billy G. for the performance of this woefully pathetic team is ignorant.

The cummulative talent on this team is OVC caliber and it is not because of Billy G.; we know where the blame rests.

This team is slow, cannot jump, cannot hit or defend the outside shot and they certainly are pathetic in ball control. I have never seen a UK team so unathletic and that includes the probation years.

You are dead wrong and you just don't know what you are talking about.

by BeatUL on Dec 30, 2007 4:51 AM EST up reply actions

This ...

is just not productive.

There is no doubt at all that our players are more talented that G-W and San Diego. None. Whatever.

About the other schools -- UNC, IU, even Houston, you might have a point.

But if you think that UK was out-talented by San Diego and Gardner-Webb, I respectfully suggest it is you who don't know what you are talking about.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 30, 2007 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

Seriously.

It's fairly unbecoming to announce your disappointment on the basis of who we lost to, rather than how many we've lost to. Just as the players need to realize, the fans need to realize that, just because the jersey says "UK" doesn't mean that they will win every game; it doesn't mean they will defeat every quality opponent; it doesn't mean they will defeat every so-called lesser opponent. It happens, and while you can sit back and dwindle over the losses, reminiscing over the prior seasons won't do anything to shape, mold or better the remainder of this season, and the quality of those forthcoming.

This isn't a game that we lost solely due to injured players, poor talent, or coaching. It was a combination of everything, but griping over those little things won't do anything; complaining about the coach won't make everything better; complaining about our talent won't suddenly land us three 5-stars eligible to play this year.

As for those other SEC teams, or those other SEC journalists, those like Gatorpilot(sorry, you're here, I'll pick on you), for example? Yes. Kentucky is killing your RPI. Yes, we're making our conference look bad. Yes, we aren't playing too well. Now, you should savor being able to say all of that. It doesn't happen very often, and it will come back to haunt you.

| ride | the | lightning |

by paralyzer on Dec 29, 2007 9:33 PM EST reply actions

pride

"just because the jersey says "UK" doesn't mean that they will win every game"

Right, except there's this thing called "pride".

Kentucky has more wins than any division 1 program. Our coach gets paid more than most teams entire athletic department. We've produced NBA pros, won more SEC titles and tournaments, and have a whole mess of national championship trophies.

WE ARE KENTUCKY. WE SHOULD BE MOPPING THE FLOOR WITH TEAMS LIKE SAN DIEGO.

We win with hard work, determination, and never, ever giving up. That is our tradition. We are Kentucky.

And you know what? Just because it says "UK" on our jerseys used to mean that we WOULD win every game. That "UK" use to strike fear into anyone who played us. Teams used to be intimidated by coming into Rupp. How many home games did we use to lose in a season? How many have we lost already? That "UK" represented something: pride.

"The three point line should be moved back. It shouldn't be the same in Division I as it is for eighth-grade girls."

by MNBlue on Dec 29, 2007 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

There's

A fine line between pride and ego; when we field a team that marches out there, thinking that they are better simply because of that jersey, it doesn't guarantee us anything but a loss. This is the 2007-2008 season. It isn't the Rupp Days, it isn't the Pitino Days, it isn't even the Tubby Days. All of those seasons are in the past, and are wholly irrelevant. We shouldn't need to cling to them; we shouldn't need to live in the past; we need to look to the future, and we need to get over ourselves.

So what if the Jersey doesn't strike fear in their hearts? Just because we want it to won't make it. Just because we want this season to magically improve doesn't mean it will, and hell, it may not for a few more years. If people can't handle that, then can they really say they have pride, or do they just have a boastful tongue?

Pride is sticking with your team, even when they are losing to no-name teams at home.

| ride | the | lightning |

by paralyzer on Dec 29, 2007 9:51 PM EST up reply actions

what

"All of those seasons are in the past, and are wholly irrelevant."

I'm sorry, what did you just say? I don't think I heard you, because there's a load of crazy in my ears. I wonder if programs like Duke and UNC think their past is "wholly irrelevant".

You seem very, very, content with the fact that we are 5-6, losing to no name teams. I know this isn't the Rupp era, I know this isn't the Pitino era, you know how I can tell?

BECAUSE WE ARE 5-6 AND LOSING TO NO NAME TEAMS.

"The three point line should be moved back. It shouldn't be the same in Division I as it is for eighth-grade girls."

by MNBlue on Dec 29, 2007 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

Great reply!

People make this way too complicated sometimes, looking for all kinds of ways to dissemble the obvious. Your take is perfected simplicity, and undeniably true. Right on!

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 29, 2007 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

Too complicated?

Sorry I'm not going to jump onto the "we lost to no-name teams, woe is me" bandwagon. We lost, its in the past.

Get over it and fine something new to write about, or are you so fascinated by that Kentucky Tradition you so protestantly abhor?

| ride | the | lightning |

by paralyzer on Dec 29, 2007 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

Don't Worry.

You're forgiven; we all get a little carried away sometimes, and forget that what we did fifty years, ten years, even a year ago has nothing to do with what we're doing now. We're the all-time winningest program. We have the highest winning percentage. We have seven national titles. We also have losing seasons; we also have down-right awful seasons. Bringing up the past, and making faux claims of pride are irrelevant when faced with the present and future.

| ride | the | lightning |

by paralyzer on Dec 29, 2007 10:53 PM EST up reply actions

5-6

We are the ONLY team in the SEC with a losing record. Down years happen but DAMN this is f'n ridiculous. Both sides of the "talent" argument have some merit but facts are facts poor recruiting DID NOT lose this game for us. This is san diego.....no way we should EVER lose to san diego! Were is the heart in this team? This one was f'ed up by players not willing to always play hard for 40 minutes and a coaching staff that at this point can not get the job done.

Its gut check time, conference play is right around the corner and these guys need to wake up and realize that NO ONE is intimidated by the name on the front of our jerseys anymore. This includes coaches and players.

Its our duty as fans to support our team through thick and thin and by god I intend to due just that. By the same token its their responsibilty to play and coach their asses off!

by wldcatsfreak on Dec 29, 2007 9:58 PM EST reply actions

I would add to this

never ending blame game but I can't find the heart to do so right now. We are just not a very good team right now. And, I do have to say that some of that blame lies on the coach. But really it lies everywhere. Former staff recruiting, injuries, seniors that have no stake in UK and what we mean and on and on. I've was worried last year about how bad we would be this year just by watching that team play. Even though we won 22 games I never got the feeling that last year's team had any heart at all with the exception of Bobby Perry. Unfortunately, I don't think we will have one until we are a couple of more years down the road and Patterson makes this his team. But you cannot say 11 games into a season that a coaching hire was wrong. It's just not enough time. Let Gatorpilot sing his song of doom and gloom but I still say we have to give this coach time. Florida gave Billy D time. I believe he went 13-17 and 14-15 his first two years (this just 2 years after their Final Four appearance in 1994). We Kentucky faithful will give BCG time knowing there will be growing pains as there always are anytime something changes for the better.

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2007 10:18 PM EST reply actions