I was wrong.  There I said it.  For the longest time myself and JL seemed to be the only people saying that Tubby shouldn't leave, and at minimum should be given a year to fix the deficiencies in the program we have all come to love.  This diary isn't a knock on Tubby Smith at all, nor should it necessarily be confused in any way as such.  Instead, it is more of a revelation I've had over the past few weeks.

Coach Gillispie has been the new UK coach for a little over 6 weeks.  During this time, I have experienced something I have not seen in my albeit relatively short time following the Kentucky program (and by relatively short I only say that because I am of the ripe old age of 24).  But what has transpired during this six week period has been nothing short of amazing.  There has been a newfound rejuvenation in the spirits of the Kentucky faithful, and for the first time in a long time recruiting battles have that sense of fun and anticipation in knowing that we won't just settle for lesser-tier players in the event our number 1 or number 2 targets fail, but knowing that our 3, 4, and 5 offers for the same position are just as good and just as talented as those highly coveted recruits every school wants.  We no longer expect to see what diamonds in the rough can be found in the spring signing period.  Instead, we wait with baited breath on who, among a veritable bevy of options will be the next to sign.  For me, that is such a fantastic turnaround that was neither expected nor within rational contemplation in such a short period of time.

Let's face the facts.  Tubby's recruiting was never quite what we expected, and in certain cases ran contrary to what we thought to be beneficial to the program.  During each offseason I can remember following recruiting, I had that sense of cynicism, wondering who the next high profile recruit to spurn UK would be this season.  Be it Tyler Hansborough, Brandon Wright, Thaddeus Young, Deon Thompson, Tyler Smith, Dan Werner, or even the famous Tyrone Nash, I never had that gut feeling that we would land the one who could make the turnaround a reality.  UK seemed to be that cute girl living in a house full of playmates.  Sure we looked good, but were nothing but a backup plan in case the others didn't for some reason work out.  Not any more.

In six weeks, Coach Gillispie has signed two fantastic players, on and off the court, and received a verbal from a third.  GJ Villarino, a guard with a great reputation for leading teams and scoring, has already verbally committed for the '09 class.  Alex Legion, a Parade All American pure shooter from Oak Hill Academy joins the Cats and with him comes dreams of that fast pace we have all wanted.  Patrick Patterson, a McDonald's All American fills the gaping hole we have had in the 4 spot for what seems like the past 6 years.  In six weeks, Gillispie has taken what was a guard heavy UK team with little inside threat, to a guard heavy UK team with one of the best high school recruits controlling the paint.  More importantly, watching the Patterson highlight clips on YouTube show a power forward who loves to run.  With such a guard-heavy team, this seems to be a match made in heaven.

Tubby laid the framework for a commitment from Patterson, and Gillispie opened the door, held it open, and finally walked through it with Patterson in hand.  For developing and culminating the relationship for three years with Patterson, Tubby deserves the respect.  However, in six weeks, Gillispie continued the courtship, and deserves even a higher level of respect for finishing the job.  Although I understand the danger of laying all of our eggs in one basket, the addition of one player to UK's roster has done more for the program than his contributions on the floor may ever well do...we no longer are that cute girl in the house of playmates.  Gillispie's arrival has signaled our transformation into Playmate of the Year.

Looking through my rose-colored glasses, I can be nothing short of excited about the oncoming season.  I look at Gillispie's track record with previous teams he has turned around, I look at their respective rosters, and I smile.  UK has much more talent than either Texas A&M or UTEP when Gillispie took the helms.  What will he do with our team?  Time will tell, but I, for one, have a huge smile on my face thinking about next year.  

I don't expect nor anticipate a championship.  Honestly, a sweet sixteen finish would be fantastic given the circumstances.  What I have come to realize over the past weeks is that instead of being a national contender in my head, we are becoming one in the minds of many, pundits included.  Don't believe me, look at what the ESPN writers had to say about programs best poised for success.  The national media is recognizing it, as well as, and perhaps more importantly, the recruits see it.  Right now, our list of potential recruits for '08 and '09 seems unending.  

Time will tell as to Gillispie's final impact on the program.  But if the past six weeks have been any indication of what is to come, it is not unthinkable to see banner number 8 or 9 to be hanging in Rupp in the next few years.  

Again, I was wrong.  Tubby's leaving has opened the door for probably the most exciting time I've seen around UK basketball by Coach Gillispie, and his players haven't even stepped foot on the floor.  Gillispie understands the demands the fans place on his success, and I truly feel that there is no other man capable to do the job.  He won me over in his press conference announcing him as the new coach, and in doing so, seems to have won over many more as well.  

There may be some stumbles out of the gate, but things are looking better.