From Offense to Defense

by Truzenzuzex on May 21, 2007 12:23 PM EDT in News Comment 9 comments

Well, this is one hell of a day so far.

First, we lose Scott Holsopple to Florida's football team. Then I feel obliged to berate the UK basketball coach and athletics director for weaseling out of a game with UMass. Now, it is brought to my attention that the Atlanta Journal-~~Constipation~~Constitution has seen fit to scold us yet again for our treatment of Tubby Smith.

But fortunately, John Clay comes to the rescue, although he is kind of repeating a meme that I have yet to see supported by anything -- any quotes, any documents, anything -- other than reporters' assertions.

Now, these reporters covering the UK beat are undoubtedly more intimate with the situation than I. I am not a journalist and I'm not trying to play one on this blog, but I sure would like to see some kind of proof that Smith and Barnhart were at odds, and the famous "statement of (non) support)" just isn't quite enough for me to buy into that. I have been waiting a long time for more support to that meme, and so far, none has been forthcoming.

Little help, John?

Hat tip: UK Big Blue Cats

Thanks to The Big Lead for linking our Patterson live-blog of last week.

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UKNation96

by UKNation96 on May 21, 2007 12:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Must be a mental block ...

I make that mistake so regularly, I am loathe to use the word.

Thanks for the correction.

by Truzenzuzex on May 21, 2007 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well ...

I sure don't disagree about Patterson.

And you may well be right about the sports revenue, I know that Florida's athletic department brings in a lot more than ours does, and I have been told that is largely due to football.

But I am disappointed that we lost Holsopple. I just hope we can find a good replacement. Holsopple's effect on last year's team was noticeable.

by Truzenzuzex on May 21, 2007 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You have a point there ...

but I refuse to give in. It's the Scot in me that accounts for the stubbornness, I know, but Florida doesn't deserve the "rival" label yet.

I do agree that the Indiana series has become boring, but not so much about U of L. I live in Louisville, so I have to listen to their fans all the time, and U of L is a big, huge, hairy season-damaging rivalry to me.

Reasonable people may disagree on that, though.

by Truzenzuzex on May 21, 2007 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Louisville still exciting

I agree, Louisville is definitely still exciting. Of course, it's because Pitino is there. I get no end of joy out of UK beating his teams.

Certainly before Pitino went to Louisville the rivalry was lame (ironically BECAUSE of Pitino's absolute dominance of Crum). But we certainly haven't had any gimmes against them since he arrived. Tell me it's not a rivalry after this year's game.

And I think the Indiana rivalry has been awesome too, especially during the Tubby years. To see it cause a head coach really to become mentally unstable has been great drama. It would have been so much better if Davis had quit having never beat us, but it was a great story nonetheless.

It is true, however, that we've given a lot more than we've taken from these teams in recent years. So from that perspective it could have been better. But to me, if you have good enough story, UK doesn't need to lose a lot to make it a good rivalry.

by EEWildcat on May 21, 2007 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs