Florida Atlantic game didn’t bother John Clay, but fans are concerned

John Clay has an interesting piece on his blog, Sidelines. The part that got my attention was his opinion that Kentucky fans are beginning to doubt the tactics of Coach Gillispie.

I have said my piece about that several times, and we'll just leave it at that. But John's perception that Gillispie is a drama queen looks like it has merit, at least on its face.

This does seem a little strange given our success so far this year, but keep in mind that the UK fan base is fully aware that we have been blowing out Little Debbie over and over again. The game against Louisville this weekend is beginning to loom large, and it may represent a turning point of sorts no matter which way it goes.

10 months ago Truzenzuzex 51 comments 0 recs |

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The Louisville game..

…will be BCG biggest game of his coaching career…
I mentioned this in a previous post and believe it to be more so today..!

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

by vinceuk1 on Dec 29, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would add the qualifier ...

… “so far.”

The outcome of this game will surely create a lot of discussion, for good or ill.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

correct, thank you

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

by vinceuk1 on Dec 29, 2008 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

FAU > Been There, Done That

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/19921208EasternKentucky.html UK squeaks out W over EKU but goes on to FF in 1993.

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/19951206Wisconsin-GreenBay.html Another narrow W over Woogie Boogie (nickname for Wisky-GB up here) goes on to win NCAA in 1996.

UK didn’t play all that well and FAU played very well. And yet it was W anyway.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 2:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

True.

But this was more significant than usual, I think, because of Gillispie’s tinkering with a starting lineup that had been crushing opponents. I actually think that is much more of the story of the FAU game than the outcome.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Guess

But OOC cupackes are the time to tinker. Injuries may cause lineup changes down the road. Tinkering in December may lead to W in March.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's true.

But there is tinkering, and then there is tinkering. Replacing half the starting lineup is a bridge too far, and frankly, it’s hard to see what his motivation was.

But to be fair, he may have had a good one that we just don’t know about.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

(OT Reply) Bridge Too Far

I’ve actually walked across the Remaggen Bridge in Arnhem, Netherlands.

I worked for a Dutch company HQ’ed in Arnhem.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Those are both ...

… A bridge too far. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bah...

Forty and I rarely agree,but he is right. Now is the time to tinker. Lot of things go on behind closed practice doors. Pitino and Tubby did the same thing. Tubby especially did a lot of pre-conference tinkering. I don’t see why everyone is so bent out of shape.

by sylvar on Dec 29, 2008 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really ...

… don’t think “bent out of shape” is an accurate description of what John was describing.

More like perplexed.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I posted this in the FAU Post Mortem thread and still believe it....

"I’m not too concerned by the FAU game for several reasons… UK won and come March no one will remember UK struggling today. It will just be another win.

UK won by playing way less than they are capable of playing. It is a good thing to play your "C" game and still do enough to win.

Not every game can be a thing of beauty and I will allow for an ugly game from time to time especially if they win.

FAU played extremely well and hit all kinds of shots. Their guards were better than ours today which is some reason for concern." (end of Post Mortem post)

With that being said I expect UK to beat these kinds of opponents by a much larger margin from here on out. I also eluded to this in another thread that I think the UK fan base is starting to get restless because UK has gone so long unranked while losing games to the likes of Gardner Webb, VMI and San Diego. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard about this nationally and it is quite frankly embarassing. I do not buy excuses for these losses and UK shouldn’t either. I am not down on BCG and I am done trying to figure him out. I am just going to accept what he does and who he starts from now on. I only ask that he gets UK back into the discussion of the top teams in the nation. It probably won’t happen this year but UK should be favored (or at worse a slim dog) in just about every game the rest of the regular season. So I expect alot of wins and no more embarassing losses.

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 3:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What does a good record in the SEC mean anyway?

As I return back from visiting relatives over the holidays in Kentucky, the media up here is all about the Bears (so what else is news?). The concern is all around the question:

The Bears had a winning record in the NFC and the NFC Central Division, but so what? The division and the conference is relatively weak…

To me the same question and concern can be about UK. Can the team be considered good if they finish with a 12-4 record in the SEC? Is this false praise or at least a reasonable standard to be happy?

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

12-4 Is UK "Average" Record In SEC

UK was 120-40 in SEC regular season under Tubby. And something similar (W 3 out of 4) under Pitino.

UK was 20-5 in SECT under Tubby. Even better (17-1 in SECT) under Pitino.

But the UK “average” is better than every other SEC team.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Expect UK To Have 13 Or 14 W In SEC This Season

13-3 or maybe 14-2.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yea...

…but with the relative weakness of the conference does that mean anything???

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It Means UK Will Have 25 W (Or Close) Entering SECT

And a chance at high seed in NCAA.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that is virtually a given..

..but again, it will be interesting to see how the overall SEC SOS will play into the seeding. I think more than in recent years, the SECT outcome will be extremely important in the seeding (not so much on the overall record or the SEC regular season record).

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well ...

… the SEC looks weak right now, but there is a lot of season left to go. There are many young teams in the SEC that have significant talent, and it could be that the SEC isn’t quite as bad at the end of the season as they are right now.

In other words, nobody knows yet. Ask again after the SEC tournament, and I can give you a better answer. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hey HozeKing, hope you had a great Christmas..!

You say that now, but were you preaching that same tone when The Cards where in C-USA…? :-)

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

by vinceuk1 on Dec 29, 2008 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't remember...

…with my advanced age…it was too long ago. But it was likely a moot point given that was back in the day that UofL played a tough non-conference schedule. Sigh…….those were the days….

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because unlike the NFL...

Colleges do celebrate conference championships.

You are absolutely right that winning the NFC North is no big deal, however winning your conference is always a goal.

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

by chirop1 on Dec 29, 2008 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now the Steelers have something to measure themselves against......

…given they won in a tough conference. Right, Vince?

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and had the toughest schedule in 25 years...!

I like our chances my friend, but i digress… GO CATS..!!! lol

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

by vinceuk1 on Dec 29, 2008 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But still...

…‘my’ Colts kicked your all’s tail….at ‘ketchup field’ no less!!!!!!

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was with Ben throwing 3 picks...

..I dare to say, that will not happen again… hehehe

Plus, you boys better be ready for SD… they are as hot as anyone in the NFL…

GO CATS…!!!!!

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

by vinceuk1 on Dec 29, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ben barely even knows his own name today!

He got his bell rung pretty good yesterday.

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

by chirop1 on Dec 29, 2008 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Have a little faith in Coach Gillispie

I agree wholeheartedly that the upcoming UofL game will be Coach Gillispie’s biggest and most telling game thus far of his coaching career. I also personally believe that his “tinkering” with the starting lineup (whether it be disciplinary tinkering or experimental tinkering), is done in foresight of the tougher games ahead. What may appear as “strange coaching tactics” to some of the UK fan base at present, are actually calculated moves and risks taken NOW while the competition is softer. Forty’s got it right when he says; “Tinkering in December may lead to W in March.” Let’s try and be patient with Coach. Whether we can see it or not, I think he knows WHAT he’s doing and WHY. Like Patterson said in the Jerry Tipton article (Cats not afraid to question Gillispie) when asked to challenge Gillispie’s coaching decisions; “He’s always right. We may think we’re right. But it always turns out that we’re wrong.”

by Blueboy on Dec 29, 2008 4:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I believe ...

… Gillispie knows what he is doing. I just haven’t figured out if I agree with him or not. :-)

I think we will see criticism leveled at Gillispie until UK fans get comfortable with his style. But so far, I would say that the fan base has been remarkably patient with him, and I don’t really see that patience being tested all that much. I do see some concern, and I have my own concerns, but I know from his record he is a capable coach, and I have seen some good results year to year, and within this year. So I do believe he has a good system in place.

I do question some of his decision-making, though.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well there is faith and then there is BLIND FAITH

It seems to me that it would be a lot fairer to the fan base and a lot better for Gillispie if he’d offer some insight to his thinking. The biggest issue I have seen is his lack of ability or willingness to communicate is his biggest shortcoming to date. Coaching a top program with a demanding and interested fan base is critical to one’s success. Good coaches are good communicators…Pitino, Coach K, Good Ole Roy, etc. He has got to get better. If he doesn’t it may be his eventual downfall.

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, yeah, it would.

But as far as downfall, I think it will take rather more than that.

I would like to see more transparency from him, but I am beginning to think I won’t.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yea

…a more accurate statement from me would ‘it may lead to his eventual downfall’. You’re right the lack of communication alone won’t be a problem but it may cause other problems such as a failure to keep the fan base rallied and keeping key backers in his corner. Regardless, never underestimate the value of good communication when leading a large ‘organization’…and that is what UK is as far as revenue, ‘shareholders’, media, etc.

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mindgames will continue

until BG gets all his players and system firmly established.I have questioned his methods,and at this point,just let the season ride out.Early exit in March,BG may have put himself on an island of sorts that demands results,when using his unconvential methods.BG has turned things around twice,and this UK team has improved since last year.

by -Zoso- on Dec 29, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it's never really blind faith in a coach with a proven record vetted by a UK Athl. Dir.

And I have spoken often of how easy it is for any of us to look foolish pretending to second-guess the only man who sees every practice, every game, every academic progress report, and more tape from opponents than any fan.

But my biggest disappointment with BCG to date is that he is not glib or well spoken off the cuff, and tends to play his cards close to his chest instead of sharing more with the fans. He is way too tight-lipped about broad strategy during press conferences and interviews.

To me the only excusable reason for this would be fear that he would tip his hand to opponents. Otherwise it’s just Bogarting info that fans have a right to chew on. If the National Championships start flowing in, I will forgive.

by Ken Pomeroy on Dec 29, 2008 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Another Bernie Madoff???

And I have spoken often of how easy it is for any of us to look foolish pretending to second-guess the only man who sees every practice, every game, every academic progress report, and more tape from opponents than any fan.

I wonder how many investors thought that about Bernie as well?

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is not Wall Street..

I respect Coach for keeping the team info as inside stuff. Why do we need to know the inside team difficulties that Coach has to deal with on a daily basis?

This is a problem with UK fans. They want to know and follow every little thing about our team. I personally think that Coach is very personable with the media. He injects humor into some of his comments and is fairly open with discipline problems he has encountered.

How would you like to deal with all these team players?

by kykat51 on Dec 29, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rupp, Hall, Sutton, Pitino, Tubby

Every one of those 5 kept the Team Stuff as inside stuff.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 10:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I deal with approximately 160 right now...

…and do it w/o intimidation, bullying, etc. that too many high school and college coaches use as a tactic. And I dare say, that most of the issues are much more serious than a group of twenty 18-20 yr olds.

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

by HozeKing on Dec 29, 2008 11:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

160 Players Is Too Many On 1 Roster

Suggest you cut about 145 of them.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 30, 2008 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha!

Very funny, that! :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 30, 2008 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would if I could find a shooter or two....

…and by a one-to-one comparison, I am severely underpaid.

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

by HozeKing on Dec 31, 2008 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Patience

UK fans need a little more of that. Some need a lot more.

The Cats are much improved this (OOC) season and figure to improve on their SEC record, too.

The L to VMI was a surprise and the L to Miami a disappointment (for me) but UK is better this year than last. Other than Harris, no major injuries.

25 W headed into SECT play would be better than 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, or 2008.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Out of curiousity...

How many games did we play back then?

I know it seems like Memphis played damn near 50 games last year. (Yes, I realize it was closer to 40… I’m engaging in hyperbole.)

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

by chirop1 on Dec 29, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It Depends On Which Year (Exculding SECT And NCAA Games)

28 in 1991. 29 in 1992. 26 in 1993. 29 in 1994 and 1995. 30 in 1999 and 2000. 28 in 2001 and 2002. 27 in 2004 and 2005. 30 in 2006 and 2007. 29 in 2008. (Compared to 31 in 2009 season)

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 5:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

25 wins would be great in the regular season...

however there is no gaurantee that will happen. I will judge the success of this season based on what they do “this season” and not what they did in the 90’s or under previous regimes.

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tru - Question

what changes do I need to make to be able to type in “bold” in the message section. Is it in the Edit Settings section by changing the “default text editor mode” to HTML??

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It should be clear to the right of the word ,MESSAGE above the box for your comment...

…the colors on my laptop are strangely configured, so I can’t see the BOLD, Italics, strikeout, etc. options.

by mrmondaynite on Dec 29, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OMG I must be blind.....

thanks :-)

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No...

You should see a little “B” icon right under the subject line. Highlight the text you want to bold, and that will do it.

You can also type an asterisk on either side of the word you want to bold, i.e. asteriskWORDasterisk (replace with the character). This is a shortcut for bolding. A simple asterisk and a space before a line of text will itemize it. There are other shortcuts as well, but I forget what they are.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's the same nearly every year

UK fans (or most passionate fans) have absolutely no patience.

This is an extremely young team, relying on young players to provide major minutes. UK playing as we would all like to see them play takes time and experience.

They have made tremendous progress this year, anyone who doesn’t see that … well, I don’t know what to say without being crass.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 29, 2008 6:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs