Kentucky Basketball Serenity: Listen to the sound of the wind ...

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 19, 2008 7:12 PM EST in Commentary Comment 57 comments

... that's blowin' through the trees, rivers are flowin' to the sea.
Yeah they're all comin' home just like you and me.
Life's for livin', child can't you see, cause,
These are the days we will remember
And these are the times that won't come again
The hottest of flames becomes an ember
And you've gotta live it while you can ... -- Keith Urban These are the Days

Serenity struck me this afternoon in a way I didn't expect after the debacle of last night. After a very trying day at work and finally getting to a stopping point, I just felt the burden of the thundering defeat at the hands of North Carolina last night and the pressure of the day's trials just slip off like a heavy yoke. I was suddenly reminded of the memorable words of Traitor Rick Pitino, "Live in the precious present."

Of course, for most Kentucky fans, the present isn't all that precious. The Wildcats are the leading the nation in assists for the other team, and UK finds itself firmly on the wrong end of an 0-2 start. Nobody for Kentucky is playing well, coach Gillispie looks somewhat overwhelmed by it all (even if he probably isn't) and nobody can point to anything particularly promising except for one thing -- we are two games into a thirty game season.

That fact is the source of much of my sudden bout of serenity. We have just barely begun this campaign, and despite the early stumbles, Kentucky is not nearly as unfortunate in reality as they have looked so far. Last night, as Ken Pomeroy points out below, there were a few bright spots in an otherwise profound darkness. Nothing like the light at the end of a tunnel, mind you, but more like the discovery of a luminescent fungus or mold in a dark cave that lights the way down an otherwise impenetrable blackness, forcing us to grope and trip just a little less on the way to ... where?

We don't know where, and therein lies the other cause for my sudden bout of tranquility. One of the truly great things about a basketball season is that it is a journey, not a destination. It would be nice if Kentucky were back on top of college basketball, but I think Kentucky fans are finally waking up to the realization that there are no quick fixes in the college game these days. Teams take time to turn around after running into difficulty, coaches take time to get acclimated to their job, and life does not stop to wait for the Wildcats to catch up with it.

I remember last year's SEC run, and the puzzlement of the basketball world as Kentucky managed to surprise everyone and finish a close second in the SEC East to Tennessee. Many thought at that point that Kentucky had arrived again, but alas, not yet. Not yet. As anxious as we are, we must listen to the wind, the sound of the world, the fans, the thump of the ball on hardwood. The satori will come for this team. Not immediately and not all at once, to be sure, but come it will and when it does, it will be all the more wonderful for the contrast with the pain and frustration we feel now, just as the sweet is more intense after the bitter.

Let us not forget our history, our proud heritage, and how long we struggled before the halcyon days of Traitor Rick. Twenty years we went between the championships years of 1958 and 1978, and to duplicate that feat will take ten more years. I don't believe it will be that long before the 'Cats are back on top, and I don't think most Kentucky fans do either. So instead of taking it out on the world and your fellow fans, trust the program. It doesn't matter if you trust coach Gillispie, trust the program that has delivered seven national championships and two in the last 15 years. Take a deep breath, and think about the glory past and the glory yet to come. As the saying goes, it always looks darkest just before the dawn.

Remember how the Suffocats, down 25-11 at Vanderbilt after the first ten minutes, a game very similar to what we saw last night, stormed back unexpectedly to emasculate the Vanderbilt Commodores by 22, barely letting them across half court in the second stanza. When satori struck them, they became an otherworldly team that never looked back on the way to a #1 national ranking. Never forget the unexpected national championship of 1998, where the seeming leftovers from the powerful 1996 and 1997 teams wound up grasping the brass ring. All these things may seem a distant memory now, but they are the result of the program, not just the man who sat in the hot seat

Trust the program, and your trust will be rewarded.

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"Trust the program, and your trust will be rewarded" (quoting)

I surely hope you are correct. Last night, I couldn’t even post on the open thread. Can’t remember when I’ve felt so completed worn down by our Cats. Seems like lots of us are having difficult days at work lately, and then to come home and watch the Cats be utterly dismantled before one’s very eyes – too much, I tell you. I’m glad you’re feeling tranquil, but I think I’ll wait until after Saturday’s game to decide how I feel. Wonder if I can p/u the game in Alabama (FSS)? Anyway, if Delaware State plays them close, then I’m deeply, seriously worried about this team’s chances.

by bluegrassgal on Nov 19, 2008 7:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

13-13 in 1974

Then 26 point L to IU (best program then) early in 1975.

And UNC led the Cats by 15 the next game (in Louisville) at halftime before UK rallied to W by 12.

Been there before, always came back to the top.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 19, 2008 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hooray!

Really excellent post, and I couldn’t agree more. By the start of the second half last night, after it was obvious we had no chance of winning but we weren’t being totally humiliated to the point that it was hard to watch, I started trying to appreciate just having the chance to watch the team play—it’s UK basketball season again! I don’t know about y’all, but this is one of the things I look most forward to with the arrival of colder weather.
And I do believe the team is playing and trying hard. Oh, they’re playing dumb as a box of rocks, to be sure, but not all lazy and half-assed. That was the main positive that I took out of both last night and VMI. Neither was a listless, lifeless effort where it looked like they simply didn’t care that must. It just looked like they weren’t a very good basketball team right now, and THAT they can improve on. They will get better—they have to, right? Any moron can hop on the bandwagon when the team is setting the world on fire—it’s times like these that are for the true UK basketball connoisseur : )

by blue kentucky girl on Nov 19, 2008 8:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

“I started trying to appreciate just having the chance to watch the team play—it’s UK basketball season again” Thanks for the perspective, I am going to try to keep that thought in mind whenever I get frustrated with the results on the floor. Benedict Pitino was right about the “precious present”, basketball season is always special in the Commonwealth.

by TrueBlue92 on Nov 20, 2008 2:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be negative

but I think this frustration runs deeper.It’s not about losing to UNC,but more about our longest FF drought,coupled with our perceived inability to be an elite program,at the moment.Can we return?Yes.But with mind-boggling defeats to Gardner-Webb and VMI,and lack of any convential wisdom regarding changing defenses and making In-game adjustments,and not playing the best players to win,but the players who practice the best,I am lost as a UK fan.UK is about winning,and give me the gamers,not the teacher’s pet.

by -Zoso- on Nov 19, 2008 8:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Usually ...

… eggs get broken to make an omelet.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 19, 2008 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Only 1 missing piece short

Just think guys, if Derek Jasper hadn’t transfered, we’d be doing fine. It’s just the point play and inability to run our offense that’s killing us. It’s not a systematic failure, just a lack of depth at one position (with promising Andre Liggins & Kevin Galloway as new blood). With a solid point guard, we’d be running our offense, gaining confidence and doing fine.

Not that this is an excuse. UK as a program should be able to weather one transfer. But we’re just not there yet. With Liggins/Galloway/Villarino and the rest of the staff next year (Pilgrim! Hood! Orton! And STRONG senior class), we’ll be rocking the house.

And this season’s not done. Liggins will improve, we’ll try some different ways to start on offense, we’ll be good by January.

by EEWildcat on Nov 19, 2008 11:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think Jasper ...

… certainly would have helped. But now, as you say, I think it’s largely up to Liggins.

Somebody somewhere in one of the earlier threads essentially equated Liggins to Randall Cobb on the football team. I think that comparison is apt — nobody wants to have a freshman at quarterback, but at this point, it seems that our freedom of action is limited if we want to win.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 6:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Derrick Jasper

Wouldn’t be playing at UK either. He needs a redshirt year to fully recover from his 2007 leg injury.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 20, 2008 6:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not so sure ...

… he wouldn’t, but I agree that a redshirt year is definitely better for him.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 6:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just remember...

that this system BCG runs takes players a while to get. If you remember last year we were lamenting the fact that we had no leadership from a couple of terrible seniors (Bradley and Crawford) and we were all disappointed by the lackadaisical attitudes and actions on the court. We saw what happened by the end of the season. The team came together, they got Billy and they made a run all while hampered by devastating injuries.

These guys have only really been practicing together about a month. They have 3 new faces that are getting serious playing time in the form of Liggins, Miller, and Harrelson. Patterson took the entire summer off from Basketball to get better! Of course he’s going to be rusty and not up to what we expect. And we have a glaring weakness at the point guard position (Porter is a 2 and I hope he was never recruited for the point) that would hamper any team. I have to say that at least these boys work hard. They have not always worked smart but you can see in their eyes and their faces that they want to win and will do what is needed to win. Let’s just give them some time.

I’m a die hard fan as well who is crushed each time we lose to the VMI’s, UNC’s and Gardner-Webbs of the world. But let’s face it. We are NOT entitled to anything. You get what you get in this game, just as in life by working hard and having a plan. There is no doubt that Billy is working hard. And when I see the recruiting he is doing, there is no doubt he has a plan. Jeez, give him and this team some time. Just because you put Kentucky on your shirt does not guarantee anything. Some seem to think it should guarantee wins over VMI and competitiveness with UNC. But, we just are not there yet. We are only 2 games into the season and cannot judge this year until March is over.

Hopefully in March I will point back to this post and be able to say, “See, I told you so!”

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Nov 20, 2008 7:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

2006 Recruiting

Derrick Jasper was PG, Jodie Meeks SG in that class. Michael Porter was recruited as a reserve “combo” guard to back them up (and was used that way in 2007 season).

Few teams recruited two better guards than Jasper and Meeks in 2006 class.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 20, 2008 7:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

2006 class was great

+Stevenson.

Great college players.

by EEWildcat on Nov 20, 2008 9:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get the "traitor Rick" stuff

The guy left in 1998. For the Celtics. Get over it.

by chipconstant on Nov 20, 2008 8:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's not the Celtics.

There is this team called the University of Louisville that people don’t like.

by EEWildcat on Nov 20, 2008 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Never

by kentuckygirl0724 on Nov 20, 2008 9:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have always used that ...

… and always will until he retires.

I like Rick Pitino, but I also like referring to him as Traitor Rick. It works for me. You get over it.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 9:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Traitor Rick...?

that’s about the nicest words I can use for him on this blog…
I use words like (#@&#) and (&@#&^) and sometimes (@%$!&*¿¿*)..

sorry for the foul language…

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Nov 20, 2008 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

TCFEBUK1 = Pitino

TCFEBUK2 = Tubby.

Use those instead?

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 20, 2008 2:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oh wahhhh

No rational Kentucky fan has anything personal against Rick Pitino. He did what he needed to do for himself and his family and that’s fine. Basketball-wise, though, he left one school for it’s biggest in-state rival. If he was too much of a…(searching for appropriate language….) baby that being called a traitor on a blog would really hurt his feelings, I don’t think he would have made such an explosive move as one from UK to UL obviously is. THe guy knew exactly what he was doing, and I think he’s a big enough boy to take it. He knew UK fans were fanatical (and he benefited hugely from that fanaticism when he was here). There’s no way Pitino thought it’d be all “oh welcome back! How lovely to have you! good luck at Louisville!” Calling him “Traitor Rick” on a blog or booing him when he takes the court at Rupp is no more inappropriate than sneering at Duke fans or the Tennessee coach or any of our other rivals—it’s just sports trash-talk which is an accepted (and fun!) part of the sports landscape.

by blue kentucky girl on Nov 20, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol... my point excatly...

Pitino got Kentucky back to where we belonged, and for that, he has my respect… But he will always be Traitor Rick to me… lol

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Nov 20, 2008 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I still don't get it

I had a girlfriend 10 years ago. She dumped me, and married my best friend. They live in the same state, but about 90 miles away. I don’t talk about her at all. I don’t even think about her. I am remarried, I have beautiful children with my beautiful wife. Why should I think about something that happened 10 years ago? I am concerned with the here and now, not ancient history.
I guess I should pine away, destroy my current relationship over my bitterness that she dumped me.
Make up a name for her, call her “Sleazy Sally”. Makes sense. Great expenditure of my time.

by chipconstant on Nov 20, 2008 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pitino

Tubby beat him, 4 out of 6.

If he can, surely Gillispie can.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 20, 2008 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Some people can forget the past...

And move on to a better life. I did after I ended my first marriage, but some cannot. I don’t hate Pitino for leaving for the NBA and returning to Ky to coach UL. He took the UK program to the elite level and won a championship and I will always respect him. He has a big ego albeit perhaps not as much so now as during the 90’s. Good luck this year, except when the Cats meet the Cards :-)

by kykat51 on Nov 20, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have been disappointed in Pitino at UofL

I’ll be honest, when he took the job… I was a little excited. I thought with our team chugging along like it was in the early 2000’s, it was just a matter of time before we had our first UK vs. UofL game where they were ranked 1 and 2. UNC was in the midst of the Doherty era decline and I had starry eyed dreams of Kentucky and Louisville supplanting Duke v. UNC as the premiere rivalry on a national level.

Alas, Pitino hasn’t had the level of success I anticipated for him in the Big East and we all are living with some decidedly un-Kentucky like days currently.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Nov 20, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well perhaps it may happen

In the next 2 years, unless Pitino wins a NC this year and retires. He has many outside interests to keep him occupied and content in life, but I still think he wants a #2 NC ring before he hangs up coaching.

by kykat51 on Nov 20, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that you, chip,

should do whatever you like! If you don’t like to think about or discuss the past at all, then you shouldn’t. Personally I think talking about and not forgetting what’s come before has value—I’m not sure how we’d fill up this blog if no one ever discussed things that happened in the past, but you don’t like it, you shouldn’t participate. But about the nickname, relax, man—calling him “Traitor Rick” is NOT that big a deal. Really. Honestly, no “current relationship is being destroyed” through the bitterness of this G-rated name calling. I promise, there is no “extra expenditure of time” taken on this—there is actually one more syllable in “Rick Pitino” than in “Traitor Rick” : ) I’m not in the least bitter or sad or “betrayed” about Pitino coaching in Louisville. It has nothing to do with that. I call him “Traitor Rick” in the same spirit as I root against Duke and Indiana and Florida and UNC and Tennessee and whoever else—because they are rivals and it is a fun and HARMLESS part of being a fan.

by blue kentucky girl on Nov 20, 2008 5:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here, Here!

This is exactly what I have been saying!! The season is just beginning – it WILL get better. Kentucky WILL be Kentucky again, but it WILL take time. I have never believed in anything more.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Nov 20, 2008 9:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's all about setting the RIGHT expectations...

The Big Blue Nation needs to fine tune their BS-filter…. Their hopes are set too high thanks to Billy’s exaggeration of the recruits (see: Galloway, Harrelson, etc.). Now he is saying that Liggins is the next coming of Magic as a point guard….it ain’t happening. All this false expectation is aggravated by the willing Big Blue Media.

Folks, the fix isn’t coming this year…all the coaching in the world won’t solve the perimeter talent. Meeks is the only available shooter. PPat will have a difficulty having the impact he had last year w/o the support of Bradley and Crawford. Be prepared for a year long struggle….you can’t coach talent.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Liggins is the next coming of Magic..?

could you please provide a link to where Billy says that..? I must have missed it…

thank you…

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Nov 20, 2008 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There you go...

…congratulations. Keep questioning what is coming from Billy and the media. The only thing that Billy spins coming from the debacle down at UNC is that ‘…Liggins is a colt…’ (see? that’s how you highlight a quote). Billy is grabbing at straws and is not only setting the fans up for disappointment but setting up a poor freshman as well. Sad.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Still waiting for a link...??

if you’re gonna make stuff up, at least have the back bone to say, “I made that line up BBN”…

Link please..??

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Nov 20, 2008 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Paraphrase v. Quote

Vinny, you need to look up the definition of a paraphrase (my words) versus a quote (other’s words)…it will help you understand the primary point.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081120/SPORTS03/811200465/1002/SPORTS

Let me know how else I can help.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Now he is saying that Liggins is the next coming of Magic as a point guard"

that’s an exact quote from your post… no mention of “paraphrase”…

When you come on a blog and start throwing around what other people “said”, it needs to be the truth, otherwise, people will continue to find you to be disingenuous, i like found you… now move along…

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Nov 20, 2008 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My faut

Next time I will slowly spell out things for you. I see implication and nuance are not your strengths….should have known better.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You should spell out

“fault” slowly first ; )

I think vince is pointing out there’s quite a difference in Gillispie saying Liggins is a “colt” and saying he’s the next coming of Magic. That’s not so much paraphrasing what he said as wildly exaggerating it.

by blue kentucky girl on Nov 20, 2008 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

(geez, we’re picky on this site aren’t we? I’ll learn to type slower)

…but here’s the point that I am making with BBN. The comments that Billy makes are exaggerated (at least strongly supported) by the media and then ‘exaggerated’ by the fan base. The end result is that too high expectations are set. Billy is setting himself up for failure as a result.

A little plain talking and less spinning will help both him and the fan base.

Interestingly I just notice Vinny’s post below and I think we are sitting in the same pew.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's true ...

… of virtually every high-caliber college team, particularly in markets like Kentucky where there are no pro teams. We have seen it before with Traitor Rick, Tubby Smith, everybody.

I guess I just don’t see the value in the point you’re making.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you kidding???

One of Pitino’s strengths is telling it like it is. His clear and honest assessment of the UK program when it was recovering helped…it didn’t hinder it. The fan based loved his first team even though it hovered around .500 win rate.

My point is that Billy needs to be much more honest on where his team is….he does too much spinning.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha!

Telling it like it is, huh?

Maybe you forgot he coached here before he went to Louisville. Yes, I’m sure you did.

:-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One more thought...

…and then I will shut up on this subject.

The BBN is not alone in this regard. Living in the Chicago suburbs, I see the same dynamic with the Cubs and ND Football fan base. In the off season the fan base gets way out of whack on their expectations.

The cycle begins with the team’s leadership, then exaggerated by the willing and excited media, and then the fan base gets itself riled up. The end result is a disappointed fan base and the team’s management is eventually fired.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

At Kentucky, the expectations are going to be high if they field a team that couldn’t put the ball in the basket with nobody else on the court.

This is basketball country, and expectations are part of the game here. Nothing will ever change that, nor should it.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Implication and nuance

Nuance, that wasnt exactly a subtle statement you made.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Nov 20, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would actually like to see ANY over exageration directly from BCG

He is MR. Politician dude.

He is king of “we have some very very talented guys….who have allot of learning to do….who can be great for UK….after some very very very hard practice….then they can be player of the year…if they do the little things…”

I see the card as your pic so you must be confusing Pitino with Mr. Deadpan BCG. He is always optimistic but is very careful to negate that the very next sentence.

Trust me, you do not want to argue with me on this as it is my career to measure public statements and the double meaning of spin.

Changing how you think will change what you think.

by wilson452 on Nov 20, 2008 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes, the season is just beginning, but....

I just hope we are not diving in to another Matt Daugherty situation here, where everyone was saying that UNC had all the talent in the world and they would get better, “too much talent”… Well,they never did, and Matt was let go after his final team finished 8-20…
Now I’m in no way predicting this, but I have to tell ya’, this ole’ Kentucky boy is gravely concerned about the present state of his beloved wildcats…
And Billy G…??? I have to wonder about his metal state right now… You know the man reads papers and hears all the discontent…

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Nov 20, 2008 9:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gee,

That is a really great attitude to have! I love it!……NOT.

While your opinion is certainly your own and I suppose we can’t all be reasonable and optimistic about the season ahead, I thank god that Coach Gillispie’s "mental state" is a whole hell of a lot tougher than the attitude you portrayed in this post.

Word of advice (as I am worried about your "mental state" : ) ) — scroll up and re-read Tru’s incredibly well written feature piece and then read go over to the fanposts and read the post MartinGolf just put up. Reading those two pieces might even help your "mental state" a bit. ; )

by BigSkyCat on Nov 20, 2008 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well, hosnestly, I do worry bout my mental state sometimes...

I just gave an observation and a personal opinion, that’s it… No need for name calling… I will read and respect everyone’s opinion on this blog and would ask that you give me that same respect…

i hope you, Tru and MartinGolf are correct and things get better, but I personally see much deeper problems then just wins and looses…

peace…

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Nov 20, 2008 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh goodness!

I guess that didn’t come out right at all! It was meant more in jest than as an attack on your mental sanity. I was certainly not trying to "attack" you and if that is how it came across, well, I do sincerely apologize.

While I can understand the frustrations, I don’t share your anxiety (but please understand that I do definitely respect your opinion) about the upcoming season as I personally don’t find it productive (just for me) to play the blame game and don’t think it’s necessary to jump the gun and compare unsuccessful coaches with Coach Gillispie at this point.

So, again, I certainly don’t want to start an argument with you. If we as UK fans can’t stick together, now that would really be a mess! : ) Peace to you too!

by BigSkyCat on Nov 20, 2008 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I'm talking 'bout...

Great post Tru. I’m sure the guys find a way to read this stuff on the internet and as much as the national and local press had a field day with all of the bad stuff I’m sure the boys in blue would appreciate reading an encouraging article. I can’t imagine how it must feel for those guys to walk off that court disappointed with themselves and then have to hear how everyone in the country is disappointed too. Somebody has to be on their side…. or at least have something decent to say.

Thanks….

GO BIG BLUE!! Long Live Coach G (so long as he wears KY blue)!!!

by bluebloodtoo on Nov 20, 2008 10:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hey

anybody heard from kykat51? I havent seen a comment from her since way early in the UK/UNC game.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Nov 20, 2008 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I am back now

Just had some unexpected disruptions to my time on this blog. Nice to be missed though :-)

by kykat51 on Nov 20, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To catch you up

we lost to UNC. Harris killed a guy. Dick Vital suckled Tyler. Bob Knight kicked BCG in the nads during halftime. BCG says Liggins is just as good as Magic Johnson. The football cats are a lock to not loose this Saturday. We are 0-2 and so the season has been called off and BCG may be fired (or will leave for another job on his own) by next week sometime.

OH, and Pitino never spins his statements and only tells it honestly like it is.

That might have done it.

Changing how you think will change what you think.

by wilson452 on Nov 20, 2008 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Thank you so much for the catchup! I have been reading all the funny stuff from our community here. Lol…really nice to enjoy the lighthearted fans here on this blog. What is that I hear? When things seem so bad…it’s sometimes better to laugh than to cry. At least one develops laugh lines around the mouth and not frown lines on the forehead. Just one of life’s many lessons I have learned through the years.

And I do believe in our basketbal Cats and our Coach!

by kykat51 on Nov 20, 2008 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fantastic Summary!

This has done more to lift my spirits than anything else.

Well done Wilson!

by racercat98 on Nov 20, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent Post

Everything you said was dead on

UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ FOB Kalsu, Iraq

by The White Mandingo on Nov 20, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tru

I adore your writing. This one in particular as it made me feel so much better after a few bad days. Your intro made me immediately think of my days spent on the Florida beaches with my Mom. Just lying there in the warm sun and listening to only the sound of the surf, I could forget about everything and have God’s creation envelop me. Thanks for an excellent post as always.

by kykat51 on Nov 20, 2008 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs