The State of the Big Blue Nation

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 9, 2007 9:33 AM EST in Basketball

Eight months after Billy Gillispie, former coach of Texas A&M University was announced as the next coach of Kentucky, what is the state of the Big Blue Nation?

In the last two months, we have seen significant injuries, complaints about Gillispie's unrelenting criticism and pre-game workouts, and players leaving the program mid-season. We have seen the Wildcats lose to a hyphenated university and get crushed at home by North Carolina, and the very next weekend, a brutal beating at the hands of border rival Indiana.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Faithful, the state of the Big Blue Nation is discord.

From the team to the fans, there seems to be no end to the unhappiness and dissatisfaction with what is happening to our once proud program. Most of us fans expected bumps in the road and an adjustment period that is inevitable with regime change, but this? Nobody expected this, or if so, they kept it to themselves. Make no mistake, I didn't expect a seamless transition, but neither did I expect to see players with good basketball skills play this poorly. Most of us expected to struggle a bit this year, but not to the extent that we have seen so far. Watching this Kentucky team play is no fun at all right now. In fact, at times while watching them this year I have been reminded of a visit to a Navy dentist who drilled out one of my cavities with no Novocaine. Fun? Not.

So why is this happening to us? Perhaps we all had our Big Blue shades on just a little too long when we thought about how this team would be. If you think about it, it is fairly instructive that we have a walk-on starting on our team over scholarship players. That should be a sign to all that something is not well. But we have also seen some strange coaching decisions from Gillispie so far this year.

Here is a case in point -- we have had players foul out of no less than three games so far this season, two players foul out in each of the last two. One thing for sure, Gillispie sure doesn't protect his players from foul trouble. At this point, I don't know Gillispie well enough to know if this is a bug or a feature, but there is more. Gillispie has not played one second of zone defense this year. Now, I love man to man defense, but virtually every college coach in America has a zone in his repertoire, except, apparently, Gillispie. The armchair coach in me suggests that perhaps a zone would have been a good thing to throw at IU yesterday, at least for a few possessions, just to give them a different look.

The biggest reason we are losing right now comes down to one thing -- shooting the basketball. 39% shooting will lose you a lot of games, especially on the road. The reason we shot so poorly is pretty easy to see -- we aren't getting the ball to our players in scoring position, and our spacing reminds me very much of our spacing last year -- poor. That led to a very high number of challenged shots yesterday, and when that happens, shooting a poor percentage is almost inevitable. Our ball movement is poor, and it is poor for a very simple reason -- we aren't committed to getting the ball to Patterson in the low post. You have to be committed to that, and yesterday, we saw Indiana force us away from the spots we need to get to in order to make a clean pass to the post. It's fundamental basketball.

The way you attack that is with a dribble drive to the spot or ball reversal, but we just aren't very good at either one of those. Michael Porter is at a quickness disadvantage, so when he is on the wing like he was most of the day yesterday, he doesn't have the room he needs to maneuver or screen availability. That makes it easy to deny the wing pass from him, or force him to pass the ball back to the middle. If we had put him at the top, with Bradley and Crawford on the wings, we probably would have done better.

Another way to attack the wing denial is to play the high-low, which we did a bit of yesterday with some success. The problem is, you need to have a confident big man out high, and although Stevenson is getting better, he still struggles with it a bit. By the way, it was easy to miss, but Perry Stevenson had a really good game yesterday. He was manhandled a bit down low by that huge, round fellow Thomas that Indiana has, but frankly, Thomas pushed and shoved even Patterson out of the way a lot. But Stevenson managed ten points and six rebounds, made all his free throws, made a couple of nice passes to Patterson on the high-low, and generally played good basketball.

Kentucky must get more production out of Bradley and Crawford. Crawford has been in a funk for two weeks, and Bradley, well, he blows hot and cold when it comes to shooting. When he shot a free throw 12'9" instead of 13'9" and barely grazed the front of the rim, I knew he was likely in for a long day. Unfortunately, without Alex Legion or Jodie Meeks, we can't afford for either Crawford or Bradley to have an off game. We simply don't have anyone else who can score from the perimeter.

At the end of the day, the problem with Kentucky right now is ball movement, and knowing how to attack defenses in different situations. Crawford and Bradley have just never been very good at figuring this out, and who really knows why? But we need somebody who can think out there on the floor and get people in the right places. That sort of leadership is currently what we lack, and while Patterson is clearly able to deliver the emotional leadership, somebody in the back court must direct the team. So far, we just don't have that person available.

So I say to all my Big Blue brothers and sisters out there, don't lose your wits. I don't know if this team will ever get there without more help, and that isn't going to be available for awhile. It's easy to point fingers at the coach, and for sure, there are things there to criticize, but it's a bit too early to see if this is just a learning curve, personnel problems, or something more sinister and permanent. Let's just try to keep our shirts on and fight through it with the team. You know, we ask the team to fight through adversity all the time, I think it's about time some of us fans started fighting through the urge to rant and rave angrily and keep our outlook positive. I personally believe we will get there, but we obviously aren't going to get there without some pain. Let's just buck up and take it on -- this team is not one for the fair-weather fan.

Update [2007-12-10 8:24:23 by Truzenzuzex]: John Clay has an article in the LHL today that captures my feelings even better than I did -- the Cats shouldn't be this bad.

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Comments

Sybil

I feel like I have more persons indwelling my body than she. The major personality currently is Randy Quiad in Major League 2 (i think). It would be nice if we could just compete. IU has 3 out and we are never in the game. I realize we have kids out but this is looking in the abyss. I will now puke and return to my fetal position. Go away, please go away!

by modcpa on Dec 9, 2007 10:05 AM EST 0 recs

Heh ...

I know how you feel.

Lets just hope we have hit rock bottom, and don't try to keep digging.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 9, 2007 10:08 AM EST up 0 recs

No brainer..............

New coach, new HARD NOSED philosophy being imposed on players that were not recruited by the coach, devastating injuries, and a wayward young man (Legion) who has made a serious mistake regardless if he returns or not. Finally, the cupboard was left extremely bare by Tubby (overall returning talent is mid level college at best...or, more accurately, we have a team of role players and few stars/scorers. The analysis of this team should wait until we are completely healthy (if that happens) or until next year when we have a few more players on the team....It is very painful now, but to analyze every single move of this team while they are going through this transition, is really an exercise in futility. If everyone keeps this up, they will have to put our whole state on suicide watch. We will be fine gang....just have to get through this rough time.

by Chuck Alexinis on Dec 9, 2007 7:56 PM EST up 0 recs

I keeping thinking about UNC

It wasn't too long ago that UNC was going through a stretch that is quite similar to what UK currently faces. They got through it relatively quickly (2-3 years) and I think UK will too.

While I wasn't expecting this kind of futility on the court, given the injuries and distractions I can't say I'm that surprised by it. I think if either Meeks or Jasper were healthy this would be a much better team, and of course if both were healthy they would be worlds better.

Also remember this team is still very young, so there is still (presumably) a lot of room for them to grow and improve.

Looking for a rock to wind a piece of string around.

by JLeverenz on Dec 9, 2007 10:27 AM EST 0 recs

I agree totally

Meeks and jasper would certainly make the games against UNC and IU closer.. I don't think UK would have had a chance to win either, but it would have been better. This is a young team; the two seniors offer no leadership on the court.

What we have is a superstar in Patterson, a all-SEC calber player in Meeks, a decent, but limited point gueard in Jasper. With the incoming recruits the next couple years the talent level will rise greatly.

Right now we are dealing with a few role players that may or may not belong at UK and then we have Porter, Coury, Carter, Williams, and Harris who should not be on scholarship because they just are not good enough, they are out of their league.

by BeatUL on Dec 9, 2007 11:39 AM EST up 0 recs

The State of the Big Blue Nation

is frustration. This frustration is understandable and expected. It is expected because of terrible recruiting of the past has filled UK's roster with players who belong at Murray State and EKU, not UK. It is understandable because of an injuries to a very capable Meeks and a decent to good Jasper. Two young men who would be starting.

Reality is that UK does not have the talent to compete with the UNC's of the world. When you start Coury and Porter you cannot expect to be competitive with IU or UNC. UK does not have any high caliber talent on the bench except for Meeks and he is in a suit. IU destroyed UK with two of their own stars out.

In real estate it is location location location.. in college basketball it is talent talent and talent. Poor recruiting in the past has left UK in this position. Poor talent. Absolutely no depth of talent. That is why UK is struggling.

It will change. Athleticism and talent is coming. Some of us are able to bare it knowing the future is bright; others struggle with the reasons why and cannot over come their emotions to realize what is truly going on; and others simply need to cry a river, build a bridge and get over it.

by BeatUL on Dec 9, 2007 11:31 AM EST 0 recs

Shooting

Shooting the ball 39% will never win you any game...and it's a lot of reasons UK lost in the Tubby era as well.

I'm not giving up on this team, I think once all the pieces come together, they'll be a good squad. Here's hoping for an SEC title.

"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 9, 2007 11:53 AM EST 0 recs

A day has gone by

I guess I'm inclined to still give Gillispie a pass. This is a team of walked wounded (Meeks, Jasper) and mentally wounded (Legion). I have to think this would have been a different looking game with those guys on the court.

Then again, IU didn't play their best guys and their scrubs played great.

All in all, I still think the Cats will ultimately be better than they were last season. If not, Gillispie will be in some serious hot water in year one because being worse than the '07 version just isn't acceptable.

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

by Gatorpilot on Dec 9, 2007 12:06 PM EST 0 recs

Walked?

Where am I getting this? WalkING wounded.

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

by Gatorpilot on Dec 9, 2007 12:11 PM EST up 0 recs

No way BCG is in hot water...

after this season. This team will be worse with the injuries and especially losing a difference maker like Morris.

It is acceptable having a poor season as BCG is in the process of cleaning up Tubby's mess.

by BeatUL on Dec 9, 2007 1:01 PM EST up 0 recs

I agree that ...

Gillispie isn't in any trouble this year, no matter what our record winds up looking like.

And he shouldn't be.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 9, 2007 5:10 PM EST up 0 recs

Agree as well....

Gillispie is in no way in trouble and it would be STUPID, IDIOTIC, whatever you want to call it to think he is in any way not capable of turning UK into the program it used to be. It is hard for me to believe that he can turn all the teams around and do what he did with Texas A&M by turning them into a national power (who were they before Gillispie) and then he can come to the most storied program in the NCAA and not do anything. Patience is a virtue is the way I am taking it. Lets see where we are 2 years from now....if no progress by then I will be worried.

C....A....T....S CATS CATS CATS

by MartinGolf9 on Dec 9, 2007 8:14 PM EST up 0 recs

Yeah, not with the administration...

... but with the fans. I agree he's not in danger of losing his job this year no matter what. But the administration wasn't Tubby's biggest problem, it was the fans...

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

by Gatorpilot on Dec 10, 2007 2:23 AM EST up 0 recs

Definately......

....but you are always going to have a select number of fans that are going to go from one extreme to another. The fans just need to relax and let Gillispie get at least 1 of his recruiting classes in. He is left to try to coach a mid tiered team who is playing the best of the best with a target on their back. Again, Gillispie was great at his previous schools so its hard for me to believe that he is in any way over his head here and won't be able to do it. He just hasn't had any time, everyone really needs to relax and be happy we have a coach who will get the recruits in.

C....A....T....S CATS CATS CATS

by MartinGolf9 on Dec 10, 2007 9:05 AM EST up 0 recs

Lack of talent and coaching woes

I'll be honest, I think Tubby and Gillispie share the blame for yesterday's debacle.

Yes, we may have a lack of talent out there... but despite all my feelings that Tubby had to go, I feel like he would have shown a better handle on that game than Gillispie did.

I don't know how to explain my feelings for Billy Clyde right now. I almost feel like he's a nice shiny car that when you open up the hood, its rusted out and has problems getting started. I love the energy I saw out of him in the off-season, but so far I have been decidedly unimpressed with his sideline decision making. I think this feeling must be starting to grow in many of us... we tried to justify the GW loss by saying that he was trying to "teach them a lesson" for Christ's sake!!! We all expressed a confusion on why he made no adjustments at half-time of the GW game but had faith, after a few more games, I'm beginning to wonder if he CAN make adjustments.

My wife hasn't liked BCG ever since he was introduced at his press conference in the spring. She said he looked like a "goober" and that he was in over his head. She likened him to the captain of the chess team who just got a date to prom with the head cheerleader... just clueless and out of his league. All through the summer, I shook my head and laughed whenever she brought it up. Then he came out with the sleeves rolled up on his warm-up outfit at Big Blue Madness and her commentary on his appearance and demeanor became nearly unbearable, but I shook my head and laughed. Now I'm beginning to wonder...

Yes, the team is woefully undertalented... but they also appear woefully undercoached right now.

by chirop1 on Dec 9, 2007 1:00 PM EST 0 recs

It is far too early

to judge BCG. UK basketball is being rebuilt and we should hold off judgement for another full season and maybe two.

by BeatUL on Dec 9, 2007 4:31 PM EST up 0 recs

Oh I certainly havn't written him off...

Like I said, there's plenty of reason for this season to be a disappointment independant of the coach. Right now, our record is actually one loss shy of where I thought we'd be. (Planned on two losses in NYC... GW did save us that.)

My point is that I do feel there are decisions that could and should be made to at least mitigate the situation, and I havn't seen BCG do that yet.

by chirop1 on Dec 9, 2007 5:02 PM EST up 0 recs

Well ...

I think coaches are always being judged by fans, and that's fair. I also think he has made some decisions worthy of criticism, and that's also fair.

What isn't fair is those people calling for his head, or going overboard. Plus, if he were to be canned this early, it would be a black mark on our entire program.

I think Gillispie will do just fine, and I have confidence in his ability as a coach. I think most of the BBN does, as well. We will probably all look back at all this angst and laugh.

I can't help but recall the Louisville fans early last year when the Cards were looking weak, calling for Pitino's job. That wasn't a small minority, either, that was a very significant number of fans. The all looked foolish after the season was over.

I have a feeling the same thing is going to happen to UK fans who are jumping off the Gillispie bandwagon.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 9, 2007 5:16 PM EST up 0 recs

Over his head????

I really have a hard time with that. I think any of us would take the team he built at Texas A&M in a heart beat right now....so why do you think he can't do that here? If he can take A&M, definately not a basketball school, and turn them into a national contender then do you really, honestly, think he can't do that here. It takes more than one year to do it....and I think everyone in the BBN would at least know it takes at least giving the man time to bring in at least 1 of his own recruits....Patterson and Legion are not what I would consider a BCG class, although Patterson was a key pick up for him. All in all I think we just have to have patience, grit our teeth this season and have confidence we will be back to CONSISTENT greatness in a couple of seasons.

C....A....T....S CATS CATS CATS

by MartinGolf9 on Dec 9, 2007 9:29 PM EST up 0 recs

Fire Clyde!!!!

Just kidding...really! Remember when we didn't want to give Tubby creds for winning a National Championship with another guy's players? Why not give BCG a little slack for losing with PART of another man's recruits? This is going to be a long and ugly season; let's take it with gritted teeth and say to our detractors (to paraphrase The Guvner)"We'll be back!"

Stinky Blue

by Stinky Blue on Dec 9, 2007 3:09 PM EST 0 recs

Important not to forget....

That Legion abandoned his team when they were in greatest need. Missing our two starting guards and headed into our first road game of the year, Legion caused issues that kept him off of our sidelines. As I watched the debacle that was IU vs. UK, I couldn't help but feel that Legion should share in a majority of the responsibility. Granted, his presence likely wouldn't have changed the outcome much, I still believe that his selfish decision making over the past week has been more detrimental to the team then anything else.

by cmmason on Dec 9, 2007 4:33 PM EST 0 recs

He no doubt does ...

bear some. And I am pretty sure that will be an obstacle to his return, if he decides to come back.

I think Coach Gillispie will want to be convinced that this will not happen again. I think he owes it to the rest of the team to ensure that Alex Legion won't be a distraction for this team again.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 9, 2007 5:08 PM EST up 0 recs

Don't put this on Gillispie.

This is a team with limited talent, the result of years of mediocre recruiting. Only one player can be regarded as an excellent shooter, Meeks and he is injured.
This team reminds me of Pitino's first team at UK, limited talent, although they played their hearts out. They also had some shooters, although this team is better athletically. This team is not playing bad defense, they just don't have many players who can score. Without the defense it would be much worse.
The program was in bad hands for years and gradually fell to the present level. Give Gillispie time to turn it around. The fact that both Coury and Porter are getting significant playing time says it all.

by 58Fan on Dec 9, 2007 6:42 PM EST 0 recs

how is success defined?

I grew up listening to Cawood on the radio. I remember the excitement of the '78 championship. Later on, I thrilled to the excitement of being able to watch the Wildcats on television. Every time the starters were introduced at the home games, my heart would swell with pride for the Kentucky blue as the chillbumps grew on my arms. I have been a fan for many years, and I have rejoiced with the team in a win and mourned their losses. When the team loses, no one feels it worse than the coach and the players. I don't think success is defined more as to how one handles adversity (loss), rather than how one reacts to prosperity (winning). Let's stop questioning the ability of our team/coach so early into the season. The players may be reading these comments, and they need all the support we can give them.

by jenpin09 on Dec 9, 2007 6:46 PM EST 0 recs

1978 Team

There was mention of the 1978 team.....the nickname for that season was "A season without celebration." Why? Because a national championship was expected and when they won, the players were more relieved than happy. The fan expectation is so high here. We are never satisfied. In 1996, we had possibly the greatest college basketball team ever, yet people were upset that we lost two games that year. In 1997, probably Pitino's best coaching job, there was a great deal of criticism because he would not play Derek Anderson and that we would have beaten Arizona had he played. In 1998, Tubby won with Rick's players (I for one don't think Rick would have won it with that team....that team was perfect for Tubby's style!). 3 Championships and 1 runner up and no one is ever happy. Now, the shoe is on the other foot. We have Billy working hard to get us back to the top so we can worry more about a championship game vs. who is going to transfer. This is utter chaos. I, for one, am tired of it!

by Chuck Alexinis on Dec 9, 2007 8:03 PM EST up 0 recs

Piyino in '97

He did a good job except when it counted, in the Campionship game.

Miles Simon posterized half the team because Rick couldn't find it within himself to pull the press.
That mistake cost UK the game.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 10, 2007 3:54 PM EST up 0 recs

Wow...

The days of listening to the radio as a family...

I actually cried real tears as my transistor radio ran out of batteries as Caywood interviewed Macy on his senior night. My Mom came and told me it would all be fine, "...we are Kentucky. We will always be good and there will always be the next Macy."

WELL MOM?!

Just kidding Mom, it will be fine.

We are all using this new gift called "Thu Intranets" (little bush joke there) and my Dad who has been a barber for 39 years is laughing because this is how it has always been for him and his fellow barbers. All day every day through every season of every coach. It seems worse because we can all talk to each other and vent.

The cliff is not in the road this year or next. It is possible we could see it the middle of year three but for now we all need to relax.

by wilson452 on Dec 9, 2007 8:42 PM EST up 0 recs

Remember

Do ya'll remember when Pitino was just strating out as UK's coach and we played Kansas and were getting crushed by like 50 points. He was out of timeouts and needed one badly. Roy Williams walks over and asks Pitino if he would like him to call a timeout. Rick looks at Roy and says Fu## your timeout.

Rick didnt take his starters out and he didnt call of the man and go to a zone. He was putting in his system and making a point.

I know we arent coming off probation but the state of the program is what it is. Billy G will get the job done we just have have have to be patient and give him the opportunity.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Dec 9, 2007 8:28 PM EST 0 recs

Could we consider it....

Tubby issued probation....caused by his recruiting....how many scholarship players on our team would actually be playing for another "storied program"? With so many wasted scholarships I think it is Tubby issued probation.

C....A....T....S CATS CATS CATS

by MartinGolf9 on Dec 9, 2007 9:32 PM EST up 0 recs

Re: davw

Excellent point!

by Ken Howlett on Dec 10, 2007 3:55 PM EST up 0 recs

Don't give up on this group of players

Alright, that was an ugly game for sure. Sometimes it's just one of those nights. Nothing seems to go right. Some of you might remember the 1984 final four game against Georgetown with Patrick Ewing. UK shot something like 11% in the second half. Now that was ugly!

My point is that sometimes even good teams have nights where the shots won't fall. It's the nature of the game. There are a lot of factors going on here with the injuries, lack of depth, distractions. Going into the season, I really though we were going to be loaded in the back court. With so many really good guards, how were we going to keep people happy with playing time? I never thought I'd see us have Bradley and Porter foul out and then have to shift Crawford over to be the primary ball handler with no other guards in the game. Yep, that was ugly, but there's been worse. This group is a work in progress. Keep supporting them and they will be alright.

by cthom on Dec 9, 2007 10:14 PM EST 0 recs

my thoughts

i think us making ANY tournament this year hinges on how early meeks and jasper can return. if its late in the year, or not at all this year, i do not think we will even make the NIT. hopefully i'm wrong, but it doesn't look good, nor did i expect it to. of course i thought it would be better than it is, but...
1) all the injuries
2) Legion gone
no one could have predicted those things. what was predictable however, was that we were't going to immediatley be at the top. bcg has to have time to get his players in, and either lose or re-train tubby's left overs. i have not lost hope in this new coach at all. of all the turn arounds at his other schools, none were done the 1st year. it was the second year. i will keep watching, and will not lose hope, at least for a few years. each loss will hurt, each victory will be sweet, but just hang on!

by joeyandemily on Dec 9, 2007 11:40 PM EST 0 recs

Generally....

We are injured with a new coach who is putting his system in. Our most talented players are the ones who are hurt and that has forced Gillispie to have to put players in the game that he really doesn't want to. When our starting lineup includes Coury and Porter you know you are in for a long game no matter who you are playing.

C....A....T....S CATS CATS CATS

by MartinGolf9 on Dec 10, 2007 9:07 AM EST 0 recs

Emotions Stem from Expectations

This is almost always the case:

Emotions Stem from Expectations

We're about where I expected us to be, so I'm not really upset. Would I like us to be? Of course. Now, I expect us to the win the next (4) games. So my emotions could change quickly.

by Clandestine on Dec 10, 2007 10:00 AM EST 0 recs

UAB

Kind of worried bout them.....at freedom hall and they always have a good team. We're gonna have to play well

by spork on Dec 10, 2007 12:12 PM EST up 0 recs

I will be ...

at that game.

I sure hope to see better.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 10, 2007 12:15 PM EST up 0 recs

John Clay article

The article sums it up pretty well I think. Most rational Kentucky fans expected this to be a down year... I don't think we expected us to look THIS bad.

by chirop1 on Dec 10, 2007 10:35 AM EST 0 recs

Some insight...

...on why Bradley was left in with foul trouble. http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=36801&format=html

Hat tip: Bryan the Intern at KSR

by Acdixon on Dec 10, 2007 12:27 PM EST 0 recs

Truth

After reading all of the comments regarding the situation we find ourselves in, I think there is at least a little bit of truth in every post.

The Tubby situation: True, Tubby did not leave behind an extraordinary amount of talent. But the level of ability is not as low as some would have us believe. Crawford, Bradley, Stevenson, Meeks, Jasper, Stewart. Those are six pretty good players. Joe and Ramel, while not blessed with leadership skills, can perform at a high level. Consistency has always been their problem. Playing smartly has always been their problem. I don't think Simith is to blame for that. Meeks as we all know is a stud. Stevenson and Stewart both show a tremendous amount of potential. Stevenson especially, is beginning to come into his own. Neither are blue chip players, but I feel they can be molded and coached up to a level worthy of UK jerseys. Morris going pro obviously hurt. With him in the middle, even with the loss of Meeks and Jasper, this team would be much, much better. Sometimes a player leaves and the team never misses a beat, sometimes they struggle. This is one of the times that the team struggles. Jared Carter, people forget, was recruited and offered by North Carolina and Illinos. Ole cryin' Roy thought enough of him to visit Scott Co. at least once to watch him play. The few minutes he has been on the court the last few years I have seen some athletic ability, and a couple of nice post moves, unfortunately he has had no time to hone his skills and become a better player. Who' fault is that? Tubby? I don't think so. Bad luck is who I blame.

Clyde: He has, through no fault of his own, been placed in an unwinnable quandry. He is attempting to teach his team in front of the world without two starter being present. I saw him coach approximately 10 games before he arrived at UK. My perception of him was that he was an excellent game coach. I don't think he has forgotten how to coach when the lights come on. All I hear him say before and after games is that "we have a long way to go". Truer words have never been spoken. I claim no inside knowledge into exactly what his blue print for success is, but it is much, much too soon to question his coaching acumen. I believe he has a plan and he is sticking to it, regardless. I applaud his belief in himself.

The Injuries: Fans who don't realize that the injuries to Meeks, and Jasper have, and will continue to cripple this team are living in another universe. Not having those two playes healthy have forced Coury, Harris, and Porter into playing many more minutes than their talent dictates. I have no problem with those guys (Harris and Porter) being on scholarship. But they are not SEC caliber players when it comes to starting. Every team has 2-3 players who don't see much action. Not every player can be a Top 30 guy. The rants I read about those two receiving too many minutes, and blame it on the former coach, make me sad, because I know there is some poor soul out there who is clueless. Injuries brother! Injuries brother! It really isn't that hard to understand.

Legion: Some may disagree, but Clyde needs to gather him up, and let him know he is wanted, he is needed, he is loved. Ahhhh. Then kick him in his ass. The program needs him to stay, if an agreement between him and Clyde can be reached. He is an extremely talented player, and UK is not in a position to allow talent to walk out the door unless the situation is totally unresolvable. I don't want to here this crap about UK being bigger than any one player. "We'll get someone better" etc, etc.. The time for prideful rantings are over. We need players, especially someone with his talent, especially with Meeks and Jasper ailing.

End Game: The sun will rise, gas prices will go up, and my mother will cook a magnificent Christmas dinner. Some things in life will always be the same. UK will be back, help is on the way.-- Speaking of help, Mr. Hopson is sure talking like UK is at the top of his new list.-- Some knee jerk reactionaries theorize that it will be years before UK again dominates. I say rubbish. UK has had struggles before, and will in the future. But they will always come back strong and dominant. Bank on it.

I ran my paragraphs together because I did not want the post to take up 15,000 column inches.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 10, 2007 4:43 PM EST 0 recs

Ken

Great Post. It should go in the Diaries sections.

Pretty much everything you said completely hits the nail on the head.

I predict we have a pretty good team next season and are back to being great in two years.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Dec 10, 2007 5:27 PM EST 0 recs

Thanks,

davw. Just my two cents worth.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 10, 2007 6:52 PM EST up 0 recs

maybe not

"I predict we have a pretty good team next season"
We're losing Crawford and Bradley. Although they don't make us a great team, they do provide a lot of minutes, points, and experience(even if they don't show it sometimes). They're being replaced by two freshmen who are supposed to be very good but lets face it, they're gonna be freshmen, you don't know what your gonna get out of them. This years team with Meeks and Jasper should be a good team, but next year? I don't know.
"back to being great in two years."
Great is maybe a little strong, but I believe if BG gets two solid years of recruiting in it would be possible. But I would bet on more like 3 to 4 years before we have a chance at a truely great team

by spork on Dec 11, 2007 4:02 AM EST up 0 recs

Trouble in Paradise

Rumor has it that BCG won't be at the helm next season and it has little to do with basketball. If what I'm hearing is true it could make the Sutton years look warm and fuzzy. This is not the direction I had in mind.

by modcpa on Dec 10, 2007 8:45 PM EST 0 recs

Bah ...

I have heard that rumor, and a dozen others.

Show me a newspaper article or a honest-to-God media report, and maybe I'll worry.

Until then, it's all just people doing what they do best -- gossip.

:-)

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 10, 2007 10:11 PM EST up 0 recs

No doubt..........

I find it hard to believe that if BG was that much on the hot seat someone wouldn't have caught wind of it. ESPN, SI.com, CBSsportsline, Foxsports would all be drooling over a scoop like that and as of right now they all have exactly zero posted on the subject.

Just BS rumors!!!

by wldcatsfreak on Dec 10, 2007 10:38 PM EST 0 recs

Beleive me

I am the last person that wants this to be true. My source has been very credible and I will also take a wait and see attitude. Let me pose a question that in light of these "rumors" gives pause to think. Why would an entity such as UK not have a written contract with it's coach. It's just not done and makes this look all the more questionable.

by modcpa on Dec 11, 2007 10:07 AM EST up 0 recs

Well, well, well...

Look who else has been working without a contract until just now:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10524319/rss

Wonder why the media didn't play this one up? I prefer to take Tru's line of thought on this one.

by Acdixon on Dec 11, 2007 3:53 PM EST up 0 recs

It happens ...

all the time.

Remember this?

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 11, 2007 7:00 PM EST up 0 recs

The State of the Big Blue Nation

is a glass half full! Sure this team lacks SEC caliber talent with only a few players who truly belong.

But Patterson will be around one or two more years, Meeks will be back and ready to go and a healthy, very serviceable Jaspers will return. Now you have three seasoned, UNSELFISH leaders that will bring along the future stars in Liggins, Miller (who will move up to 5 stars) and it looks like Hopson. I expect Hopson to sign with UK and if that does happen, you arguably have a top 5 recruiting class. And these guys are atheltic... VERY athletic.

My beloved UK fans, patience... the future has never been brighter! This is truly one year when you can smile and say wait until next year; because there is a change in the talent level that is occurring that is night and day from the previous years and it will make a HUGE difference.

by BeatUL on Dec 11, 2007 9:04 AM EST 0 recs

Spork

I disagree. By the time Jasper and Meeks are beginning their senior season and Patterson (if he's still here) is a junior I think we will be back to greatness.

I also think these incoming freshman are going to give you more than Joe and Ramel give you, which is minutes and every other game points. Thats about all they bring to the table.

I think we will have a good team next year like top 30 good. I expect to be back in the top 10 by the time Miller is a soph. Keep in mind thats just my opinion, not an expectation.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Dec 11, 2007 9:16 AM EST 0 recs

i hope your right....

but Miller and Liggins are gonna be freshman. We may just get minutes and every other game points with them as well, maybe not even that much. Or they could be a couple of Durants and really take us to the top but I doubt it. I honestly think we'll be lucky to have Patterson back next year and I would bet a paycheck that he won't be around for his junior year. If there is one thing that has worried me about Gillispie is the face that he's getting all these commitments but still no big man. Can you imagine if Patterson left this year it would not be a good year us next year. And it is very possible, the guy is putting up consistent double doubles, you know pro scouts are waiting in line to talk to him.

by spork on Dec 12, 2007 3:38 AM EST up 0 recs