Tom Leach interviews Jay Bilas about UK

Part one of Tom Leach's interview with ESPN's Jay Bilas.

I'll post the second half as soon as it's available.

I think Bilas makes some good points, but I am significantly more optimistic than he is. I don't really think UK can be "great" this year, but I think they can bee very good. We'll have to see.

11 months ago Truzenzuzex 22 comments 0 recs |

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Bilas' Theory

Rupp was equally strong in 1932 as he was in 1931.

Hall struggled in 1974 compared to 1973.

Sutton also struggled in 1987 vis-a-vis 1986.

Pitino was better in 1991 than 1990.

Tubby was not as good in 1999 as 1998.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 20, 2008 5:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Damn 40

If BG could be in the company of Rupp or Pitino this season,that is a DEFINATE good sign!

by -Zoso- on Nov 20, 2008 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Don't See It (Yet)

Give it time. But nothing remotely like Rupp or Pitino so far.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 20, 2008 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jay Bilas must have looked at my post...

Tru and Vinny, here is what I posted earlier today:

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.
That’s all I am saying as well…this team will have a difficult time this year through coaching…need to recruit more shooters.

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

by HozeKing on Nov 20, 2008 5:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I am not in agreement ...

… with Bilas or you on that. Meeks is fully capable of handling the shooting, and contrary to what Bilas said, he is fully capable of getting his own shot. I also think that once Liggins becomes established at the point, Porter will be able to help with some of the shooting, he does that pretty well. We also have some bench players that, as time goes on, can give us some situational shooting.

As I said, I am considerably more optimistic than Bilas is, even given the two losses.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The one word I hear repeatedly...

Is “patience”, which I do have. We the BBN had it during the rebuilding years of Pitino. Where has it gone now? Are we so spoiled after winning a NC in 1996 and 1998? Some are, but I do not think the majority of the BBN are in that category. We, the majority, are too intelligent to be bashing our players and Coach during this period. Just my thoughts after being a Big Blue fan for many years even during the down years.

by kykat51 on Nov 20, 2008 5:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think JB is right

in his observations,he is just comparing us to UNC now,and we are not there.His quote when you look out on the floor,not alot of NBA guys out there is true.Of all the ESPN commentators,I like Bilas first(although I thought last season he was using bizzarro logic for UK not to get in the NCAA dance).One stick in the eye though could be that BG’s teams of past have excelled in the second season.

by -Zoso- on Nov 20, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like Bilas ...

… as well, but tell me — when you looked at the Suffocats, how many pros did you see?

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

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 20, 2008 11:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bogans only player drafted

but Bogans,Hayes,and Azubuike still play in the NBA.Daniels and Fitch played a brief stint in the league as well.Not sure about Estill,did he ever make a roster?But you make a good point,no pun intended,but I thought Hawkins really defined that team with his ability to really disrupt up front,one of those rare lock down defenders.

by -Zoso- on Nov 21, 2008 6:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Patterson

Meeks, Liggins.

The current team has 3 who will be drafted.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 21, 2008 6:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

coffee

a lot of those players at least had a cup of coffee in the NBA.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Nov 20, 2008 11:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that's true.

But when they were seniors, how many of them were people looking at and saying, “There is a future pro”?

Not many, I’ll wager. I always thought Azubuike would make make it, but very few others who weren’t Wildcat fans did. Same with Hayes, Fitch, Hawkins, etc.

Never at any time, I think, could you look at the floor with the players on that team and say “There’s three NBA players down there.” I guarantee nobody ever looked at that team and said “There is an NBA first-rounder.”

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

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 21, 2008 7:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right about Hayes and Fitch

…but if I remember correctly Hawkins was always considered an NBA prospect. And commentators always remarked about Azubuike’s “NBA body.” Hayes and Fitch were another story altogether, undersized and purportedly under-athletic.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 21, 2008 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hawkins

Always thought he would earn a living playing basketball but never an NBA prospect.

Bogans was the only “NBA prospect” on 2003 as defined by He Was Drafted By NBA Team.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 21, 2008 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hawkins

starred at Oak Hill and was a Parade AA. He was considered a future NBA prospect when he was recruited. His subsequent failure to develop was the reason he did not get drafted.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 21, 2008 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BS

Pure baloney.

Hawkins was never considered an NBA prospect and that Lack Of Development stuff is balderdash.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 21, 2008 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hayes

Hayes is undersized but at no time was he ever considered under-athletic

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Nov 21, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Err...

…“respectively” was supposed to be the last word. I will once again complain about SBN’s failure to get a BB system that allows commenters to edit posts.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 21, 2008 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs