I know what the problem is, but I'd rather keep it to myself.

Players?

Evidently he hasn’t told the players either.

by Wild Weasel on Mar 9, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He needs to

come clean give me a reason to believe in him. We are not a bunch of idiots. I have been watching the Cats for 40 years this is like a nightmare, but you never wake up

by sgray62 on Mar 9, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i know that this is probably not the case. actually im 99% sure its not the case… but does anybody else suspect that billy g has already been told he wont be back next year? i know it sounds ridiculous but i cant really think of any other reason… btw i have no evidence whatsoever to back this up, just grasping at straws, so don’t assume this as fact because the only person that i have conferred with about this idea is myself when im laying in bed at night thinking how crappy the season has been

by hummer11092 on Mar 9, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

When someone gives me their two week notice...

I tell them to pack their stuff and go. Even if they’ve been a good employee. Two weeks notice just means they’re gonna hang around, tell all your staff how great their new job is, and basically collect a paycheck while they’ve got one foot out the door.

I certainly don’t fire someone and let them stick around two weeks!

If the decision had been made to let him go… he’d be gone already.

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

by chirop1 on Mar 10, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bama And Georgia Are Proof

Bye-bye to Gottfried and Felton mid-year.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 10, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps

he thinks the turnovers are a result of a lack of talent in some of his players & he’d just as soon not open up a can of worms. Just speculation.

by Bluegilla on Mar 9, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You should be listening

To the whole thing as I am.

by kykat51 on Mar 9, 2009 6:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He will not mention players

He believes in protecting his team. And he has not given up on this team.

by kykat51 on Mar 9, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Internet now

He is saying that players, parents etc should not pay attention to the negativity.

by kykat51 on Mar 9, 2009 6:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And he is absolutely correct about that.

I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra

by JLeverenz on Mar 9, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely agree.

by bluegrassgal on Mar 9, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's impossible to read anything into this quote

But the fact that he knows (or at least strongly believes that he knows) is somewhat encouraging.

I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra

by JLeverenz on Mar 9, 2009 6:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good point kykat. say what you will about the guy’s coaching strategy but one thing is for sure: he is very passionate about his team and will do whatever he cant to protect them even if that means being tight lipped with the media

by hummer11092 on Mar 9, 2009 6:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

the plot thickens…..

by uk1982 on Mar 9, 2009 6:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There is only one thing ...

… He simply does not have good players and as much as folks think he “throws kids under the bus” he only usually does so when players don’t perform.

What he’s implying in my opinion is that there needs to be a purge and he can’t say that, just like Tubby couldn’t talk about the shitty season in 2006 until the day the season ended and he said “It won’t be like this anymore.”

Of course, that worked out a little differently than he expected.

I get frustrated at Billy. He’s been way too rigid for sure, and his choices for playing certain guys seem baffling, it’s true.

But he’s also a coach, and he knows what he’s looking for. UK fans always think — myself included — we know more than anyone. But what kind of coach would abandon what got him to that point? I’m not talking about maybe playing Porter less or another guy more. But all this crap about playing zone. If the guy GOT THE FLIPPING KENTUCKY JOB playing a certain way, what kind of dumbass would he be deciding to change things when he got there?

It’s quite simple: this team has a group of basketball misfits. Guys who are too slow, too gangly, too athletic or too dumb. And almost none of them have a high basketball IQ. Probably only Patterson has the level of hoops IQ for Gillispie’s liking.

Stewart is a raw athlete who can’t run a play.
Galloway is even worse because he’s ostensibly a point guard.
Porter may know where to be, but he can’t get there.
Harrelson started playing like four years ago and clearly had no instruction at the lower levels.
Harris is a future car salesman trying hard but without a sense of urgency.
Liggins is a talented kid with rocks for brains (by all appearances).
Miller is a kid with fundamentals and talent but no heart/spine.
Meeks is an immense athlete with max effort but who fails to pick his spots.

This team is 2-6 in games of 5 points or less. They have held and lost leads in most of their losses this season. They haven’t handled adversity and have consistently failed to perform in the clutch — missed free throws, blown assignments, poor ball handling.

Sure, some of these are coaching issues, and a lot of it is the snowball effect.

But this is a team made up of mismatched pieces.

The Heart & Mind of the Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Mar 9, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: your individual player assessments...

I’m quite sure that the only one you’ll ever have the chance to change your mind about is Miller…and possibly Meeks.

In other words, I think Miller has already improved and will continue to do so. I think Meeks hit a ceiling around mid-season that he’ll not reach again (at least not at UK).

I also feel that Galloway might be able to prove your wrong, but his eligibility is running out quickly, and Hood and Vilarino will take time from him.

by mrmondaynite on Mar 9, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And you're absolutely right about Liggins, as far as I can tell.

Really disappointing thus far.

by mrmondaynite on Mar 9, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please JL

Your comments on some of the players we have heard so many times before and so have the players themselves. Could we possibly not do it here?

by kykat51 on Mar 9, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you KyKat. JL's assessment goes beyond their basketball talent to personal

attacks on them, their abilities and their furures. Shame on JL.

by Blueobsessed on Mar 10, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please

If Liggins cannot see that each time he chucks a thirty footer he is going to the bench just before he chucks a thirty footer and heads to the bench, then he has rocks in his head.

I’m not saying he can’t do advanced Calculus, I’m saying he has rocks where basketball smarts would be.

Enough with the pussyfooting. I’m sure weekly backrubs from co-eds and the ego stroke that comes with being a UK basketball player — even a terrible one like Jared Carter — more than salves the wounds from an anonymous internet hero like myself.

The Heart & Mind of the Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Mar 10, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, But

You make good points, Heart & Mind, and I agree with much especially your overall evaluation of the roster but — and here I’m going to sound like, heaven forbid, Forty — but the point is this roster is significantly of Gillispie’s own making. As I’ve posted previously: Stewart, Porter, Harris and Stevenson should have never been scholarship occupiers (I hesitate to use word, players) at UK but that doesn’t explain Galloway, Harrellson, or Liggins (your description is perhaps harsh but basically accurate). I do think Miller having better upperclassmen as role models would have progressed further toward efficacy.

by Wild Weasel on Mar 9, 2009 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I Knew You'd Come Around

The roster is spilt pretty evenly. 6 were signed by Tubby. 7 were signed by Gillispie.

Baloney on the 4 Tubby recruits not deserving scholarships. Pure, unadulterated HGWASH.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I may put a different spin on things,

let me say that each of our players has some strengths, but all but possibly one have significant flaws also. This year’s team has been unable to build on the strengths to the point that they can overcome the flaws. On the other hand, opposing teams have been able to exploit our flaws to the point that our season has been a disappointment.

I don’t disagree that the team is somewhat mismatched, but it’s pretty cruel to say that a kid that’s trying his best has rocks for brains or no heart. If you haven’t been in the crucible, you don’t know what pressures are there.

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Mar 9, 2009 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

You put it much better as a team perspective

Rather than calling out individual players. I think it cruel to call out individual players when I hope they are at least trying.

by kykat51 on Mar 9, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

Liggins and Miller were in significantly over their heads this year. Miller has shown that he can do great things and so has Liggins, unfortunately Liggins showed it early in the season. I think Tubby was on to something with Porter, but he just hasn’t worked out as a PG, but as a shooter, he has shown us much in the past few games. Galloway had a tough time in transition from D2 to D1, but he wasn’t that bad and Harrelson is young, with 2 years left still. Meeks, hopefully, will find his way, and start taking good shots and not forcing the drives. As for Stewart, the potential is there, but its just hard to say.

by the spork on Mar 9, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

absolutely agree

All the players on the roster do some things well, but for whatever reason haven’t been able to gel in such a way as to maximize those good qualities.

I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra

by JLeverenz on Mar 9, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The way things are

I think a lot of this season is a byproduct of the NBA rule that forces players into college for a year.

I don’t think that we would have as many problems with the players we have if they weren’t forced to come in and make an impact as freshmen. Normally, kids like Miller, Liggins, HArrelson and Galloway would have a year or two to be tutored by the upperclassmen. Unfortunately, with players like Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo, many players feel like they are expected to come in and make an impact from day one. When this doesn’t happen they get frustrated and this is what happens.

With few exceptions, the teams that do well have great senior leadership, which we do not.

I think there are some things that coach is responsible for, but for the most part we have a perfect storm of problems that begins with asking too much of kids that aren’t ready for the responsibility.

by aidanpryde18 on Mar 9, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What???

Because kids can’t go into the NBA at an early age they are at a disadvantage in the NCAA? New one on me. None of the recruits we have are as highly touted as Mayo or Rose, the kids we have are college caliber talent and nothing more, yet.

by the spork on Mar 9, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think I explained myself clearly.

Because of kids like Rose and Mayo having to play a year at the college level, I believe that many of us assume, as well as the freshmen themselves, that freshmen players should come in and make a huge impact.

Some 18 year olds are ready to jump straight to the pros, but not many. I think when I see someone like DeAndre Liggins play, that he thought that he would have a one-year highlight reel for the draft, not that he would have to work on fundamentals and play some team ball.

by aidanpryde18 on Mar 10, 2009 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on, guys

Let’s not kick our student athletes when they’re down. These are 18-22 year-olds. If you want to destroy Gillispie or Barnhart, that’s fine, those guys are adult millionaires on the commonwealth’s payroll.

Besides, I’m sure they’re getting their faults pointed out enough in practice.

by EEWildcat on Mar 9, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry...

but I’m sick of hearing that argument, I’m 22, and I would love to be getting a free ride through college. These players are adults, and if they can’t take it, I’m sorry, but they don’t deserve to be playing at this level.

by the spork on Mar 9, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm 25, went to UK...and I agree...

…to an extent.

I know Michael Porter is not extremely talented, and he gets slammed constantly. However, I think he takes it in stride, knowing that 99.9% of people who criticize him have never had the privilege of playing Kentucky basketball, and he has.

The verbal punishment some of these guys at Kentucky take gets rough though.

However, these guys are getting a free education (whether or not they choose to obtain a degree) in exchange for their athletic talents. Criticism comes with the territory.

by mrmondaynite on Mar 9, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

but I dont think proving they should be able to handle it is a valid enough reason to publicly drag them through the mud. Sure, they may be old enough to handle some criticism, but this argument should be about us, not them, and whether we have any business publicly bashing them. Just because they get a scholarship does not mean we should act so classless.

Until you can provide enough good reasons to publicly bash our players I’ll just regard those arguments for the crap they are. In the mean time, here are some good reasons not to treat our team like that:

1) Publicly badmouthing our team shows a lack of class.
2) For better or worse, they are OUR team
3) They are the ones out there playing, we score a collective 0.0 ppg for UK
4) This blame-game generates only bad press and must hurt recruiting
5) Did I mention they play for our team? UK fans are suppose to support the guys with the Kentucky jerseys on
6) A firestorm of public criticism hurts the team mentality.Telling our players they suck and arent good enough for UK works to crush any winning attitude or confidence they have left.

So, unless yall can give me a good reason to bad mouth our team, I’ll maintain that you can keep that criticism to yourself.

by BigBlue87 on Mar 9, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give me a break...

I’m not saying anyone should drag these guys through the mud, but when they screw up, its going to get publicized and scrutinized. It is not badmouthing, it is just the way it is. Not saying that bashing our players is the way to go, but maybe you haven’t noticed that this is a public ‘forum’ in which we discuss and sometimes ridicule Kentucky basketball. You think that ridicule is going to be limited to BG, I think not. The players are just as much responsible for this team as the coach and I expect them to take no less heat.

by the spork on Mar 10, 2009 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its not about their ability to take it, its about about our choice to give it. Here it is plain and simple: when criticism of your own players goes beyond the realm of basketball, it is classless and does nothing but harm.

Maybe we’ve had a miscommunication here and certainly you’re comments havent gone that far, but some of the comments here have and I was responding to the arguments above that attempted to defend that sort of crap.

by BigBlue87 on Mar 10, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I definitely agree with BigBlue87

Say we come out of it all and end up better, which of the two would you be prouder of a player saying?
“We went through a rough patch, and all the fans were cursing us when we were trying our best, but it just wasn’t working. But we managed to find a way out despite their lack of support for us, "
OR
"We were having a tough time, but the loyalty of our fans, and their faith in us, kept our spirits up and gave us the strength to get through it. So we owe our recovery to the fans – thanks guys.”

Your choice.

Ultimately, I just don’t think all this negativity during the latter part of this season – especially towards the players – is productive. There may be some cases where it might be, but I don’t think this is one of them. And if it’s not productive, why do it? To make yourself feel better at the expense of your team? (Which is going to get worse and make you feel more disappointment, again). I just don’t see it.

by EEWildcat on Mar 10, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the problem Billy G...

… you keep everything to yourself… How about sharing it with… hummm, I don’t know…

YOU PLAYERS…!!!!

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

by vinceuk1 on Mar 9, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Talent

The overall talent on this team isn’t that good but with Meeks and Patterson,they should have faired better,especially in a weak SEC. I have been very hard on BG recently,some of it deserved,but I also wonder how different a season it would have been if this team had a decent point guard. There is just nobody to take control of things on the court and run the offense. And I don’t think Porter,Liggins or Galloway will ever be decent point guards.

As far as BG knowing but not saying.my guess is he doesn’t know and he doesn’t want to admit it.

by maysvilleblue on Mar 9, 2009 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Liggins And Galloway Aren't "Decent" PG

Why in the hell did he recruit them to UK?

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

plan B’s ?? Didn’t pan out? Didn’t learn quick enough?

Most importantly, there wasn’t much left in the market for better point guards at that period. Remember it takes years to recruit.

I believe both of them will develop into the player we want to see when they get a grasp of how Billy wants to to execute.

by khlim2 on Mar 9, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baloney

UK had an entire YEAR to recruit PG in 2008 class. The UK staff had been recruiting the 2008 class for years (albeit elsewhere). But each coach knew the 2008 prospects very well.

Courtney Fortson visited UK campus. Rotnei Clarke did, too.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Derrick Jasper leaving really hurt this team...

IMHO

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

by vinceuk1 on Mar 9, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Absolutely

But he was recruited by the wrong coach so even if he stayed, it wouldn’t matter.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sadly, I agree....

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

by vinceuk1 on Mar 9, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even if he had stayed

he shouldn’t have played because of his injury. In hindsight, he shouldn’t have played last year.

by Fortunatus on Mar 9, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to agree letting Fortson and Clarke slipped hurt us alot. But remember this is before Jasper announce he would leave, or else I think at least one of them would commit to us. So you can’t really blame coach for this.

Correct me if I am wrong, I believe recruiting these days heavily rely on relationship. It takes years to evaluate, and build relationship in recruiting. This goes hand in hand with what Truz keep saying that we should at least let Coach has a generation of his own recruit. At year 3 and 4 he should have the players he wanted. (Orton, Hood, GJ) I think it would be more justifiable to place our judgment after next season.

by khlim2 on Mar 9, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's My Point

The UK staff had developed relationships with members of the 2008 HS class for years.

Gillispie, Cox, Webster, and Cyprien ALL were recruiters before they came to Kentucky.

It’s just not accurate to say they started recruiting in April 2007.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The 8th grader from California

committed after about a week of relationship building.

by Fortunatus on Mar 9, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

unfortunately not all players and parents have such good judging ability. :)

by khlim2 on Mar 9, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fortson, Maybe; Clarke, No

Courtney Fortson would have provided UK a player who has talents that are missing from the roster: ability to penetrate off the dribble, create his own shot and make his teammates better. His A:TO ratio of 1.2:1 isn’t great but not terrible for a freshman. He’s been suspended once so he’s not squeaky clean and we’ll see about his academics.

From what we know about Gillispie, Rotnei Clarke could not play. He’s a slow-footed spot up shooter — over 70% of his FGA were from 3 — and he’s a defensive liability. Sort of the second coming of Michael Porter. Would he have been a better use of a scholarship than Kevin Galloway? 4 years instead of 2, don’t think so.

by Wild Weasel on Mar 9, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fortson Was MVP Of UK's "Elite" Camp

Maybe they weren’t so “elite” after all.

You obviously have no clue about Rotnei Clarke. He’s been a contributor on probable #1 seed Oklahoma this year.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

How exactly is Rotnei Clarke being a “contributer” at OU when he plays for Arkansas?

Maybe you are thinking of Willie Warren? : )

by BigSkyCat on Mar 10, 2009 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I Was (Sorry)

HE was another UK recruit that opted elsewhere.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 10, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rotnei Scored 15 points

in the Oklahoma-Arkansas game
on 3 of 4 field goals (all 3-pointers)
6 of 7 free throws.
All of them for Arkansas basket, he didn’t put any in the Oklahoma basket.

(need some stats in there for 40)

by EEWildcat on Mar 10, 2009 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fortson no also

I live in Arkansas and have watched Fortson all season. He reminds me of Liggins without the self control. He was benched by Pel this year and had been on verge of being benched other times.

He is a fearless player but wreckless as hell. BCG and him would have had major clashes all year.

by hoboat33 on Mar 10, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Recruits

I’m sure not every player recruited developes into the player the recruiting coach thought he would be. Liggins was highly recruited by several programs and what’s not to like? A 6’6" pt guard who is a great athlete and I’m sure with his ego BG thought he could transform Liggins into a great pg. One problem is that not all recruits who are great athletes turn into great players.

by maysvilleblue on Mar 10, 2009 7:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gillispie recruited TWO point guards

for this year’s team, but he has played a shooting guard recruited by Coach Smith. Gillispie decides who to play. He has decided not to play his own recruits. Did he misjudge the talent? Or has he failed to teach?

by Fortunatus on Mar 9, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Porter has one year experience under the system though.

by khlim2 on Mar 9, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So What?

He’s a back-up SG.

UK recruited Galloway and Liggins to play PG, not Pine Patrol.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I

don’t know what to think anymore!!!!!!!!!!! I am so confused. I think I am going to just stop trying to figure it out and enjoy the rest of the season and hope for the best! I love my Cats!

I don't care who is coach as long as Kentucky is Kentucky!

by tenken on Mar 9, 2009 9:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just wish the SEC tourney would get here.

For all the negativity, I’m predicting we win.

Patterson shoots his normal 68% for the tourney and averages 22 a game. Meeks lights it up for his average every night. Harris shuts down the opposing teams best player. Porter protects the ball and eliminates his turnover issues while hitting a game winning 3 pointer. Stevenson finds the inner Mike Tyson that has gone missing and goes double double two of the four games. The spark goes off in Miller and he suddenly takes over games when the chips are down, scoring at will. Galloway and Liggins combine for so many assists that we need a calculator to add them all up. Harrellson hits 3 treys but better than that he blocks 10 shots! And we win and go dancing!

I’m done with the negativity. If I’m on this team its about time I realize I’m better than anyone playing in Tampa and nothing is going to stand in my way. Go Cats!

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Mar 9, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

SEC Is Weak

Any team in the SECT could W it.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly my point.

Nobody out there is better than us. So let’s put it together and win it.

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Mar 9, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that when the staffs switch to us, the recruits does not necessarily continue their interest. Geography might play a big difference, and also the difference in league. Players that interested in A&M might not interested in UK.

by khlim2 on Mar 9, 2009 11:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I Beg To Differ

The former UK coach (left in 2007) recruited a solid 2008 class at his new school, 4 of whom either start or are solid contributors.

Vilarino and Ross-Miller were recruited by TAMU but jumped right over to UK.

IF the coaches really have “relationships” with recruits, that transcends the change in schools.

You’re dreaming if you think otherwise.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Recruiting dynamics are key

As I see it now, most of the hot players are going to ACC, Big East or Pac10 teams. The SEC, Big 10 and others in between are second tier. But the Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska kids seem to want to stay close to home. Billy D wins 2 national championships but hasn’t reloaded. Why? Playing in the ACC and Big East right now is more fun, in the view of the kids. The SEC and Big 10 aren’t fun right now.

Because the Texas kids want to stay at home, Billy G hasn’t been able to entice Texas players to come to UK. Except for two commitments from 2 point guards whose credentials are questioned. (So were Wayne Turner’s.)

If I’m correct in my analysis, our new coach needs to be an outstanding evaluator of potential and an outstanding teacher and who puts together a staff of outstanding evaluators and teachers.

We can also present ourselves to kids thusly: Why would you want to go to the ACC or Big East, where good teams beat the crap out of each other and very good teams go to the NIT, when you can come to UK, win the conference and get into the NCAA? I have a feeling that having fun in the regular season against very good teams is considered to be more important to top-notch kids than getting into the 65-team NCAA at the end of the season.

And it seems these days that more kids are having a healthier perspective about getting into the NBA or playing for money in Europe.

by Fortunatus on Mar 9, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Point About Wayne Turner

UK declined his request to make unofficial visit in summer of 1994.

Then in January 1995, UK coaches realized Turner was the Real Deal. He was invited to visit and committed soon afterwards.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 9, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it is really hard to evaluate point guards

Basketball is about quickness (physical and mental), ball movement and scoring, but most people (fans in particular, but coaches too) focus on the scoring. Who scores. How many points. But some quick thinking player who understands ball movement and gets the ball to a player at a position where he can easily score.

If I recall correctly, Wayne Turner has played in more Wildcat victories than any other player.

I hope these points guards from Texas that Billy has commitments from are better at playing the game than any of the players on our current roster.

by Fortunatus on Mar 10, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

132 W For Turner (1996 Thru 99)

132 W for Allen Edwards, too. (1995 thru 98)

Ditto Cameron Mills (on those teams) but he played JV in 1995.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 10, 2009 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agree on the acc, big east - however

calipari keeps reloading in memphis – and i have got to believe the sec is more fun than cusa…..

guess there are exceptions to every rule.

by memphis wildcat on Mar 10, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SEC will load up on talent

once ESPN takes over broadcasting rights.Best advertisement for a conference.5 years from now,SEC will be a major player in BB.

by -Zoso- on Mar 10, 2009 6:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

SEC major player

I think the SEC has been and still is a major player in college basketball. This year is just a down year. All conferences has it happen just like the ACC a few years ago. I agree the SEC will reload which means UK is going to have to keep pace. That has been the problem the last few years,UK keeping pace in recruiting.

Not sure how big of a difference ESPN will make but it can’t hurt.

by maysvilleblue on Mar 10, 2009 7:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One Way To Measure Recruiting = McDonalds/Parade HS All-Americans

2009 = none (Parade not announced yet)
2008 = Miller (Parade)
2007 = Patterson (both), Legion (Parade)
2006 = none (Meeks made neither)
2005 = none
2004 = Rondo, Morris, Crawford (both)

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 10, 2009 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where it went wrong

You can take this for what you want, but I think where the wheels fell off for the season is when Coach G let Stewart back on the team. I am a High School Football Coach ( and I know that has nothing to do with coaching BB at UK), and what a decision like that says to the rest of the team is that there is no real ramifications to a player that will walk out on a team. All of the players notice stuff like that. I have seen a situation like this with my own eyes and the same thing happened that season, players look like they quit on the Coach. If someone chooses to leave the team when things arent going great, is that someone you really want to do battle on the hardwood with. The day that happen the wheels came off for the rest of the season. Look at how the games went. A decision like that gives the Players full control, and says act however you want and there will be a place for you. Now that doesn’t mean it won’t be taken care of in the offseason, but as for the season you are in, it is pretty much done.

by Bige541 on Mar 10, 2009 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The timing's wrong

Things were going downhill before Stewart quit. Stewart’s frustration was a symptom of the problem, not the cause. I agree with what you’re saying in general but I’m not sure it applies to this particular situation. I would think the Liggins situation earlier in the year would also fall into this category.

by Danvillecat on Mar 10, 2009 8:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think it was a symptom, because this was not the first time that this had happened with Stewart. And the Liggans thing also. Chemistry is a very underestimated quality to winning, Look at the Yankees in Baseball, the Most talented team by far, but have not been able to consistantly win championships in a while, because something is amiss in the clubhouse. Situations like this completely tear apart chemistry and that is more than just a symptom.

by Bige541 on Mar 10, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree and disagree

I agree that chemistry is very important. I’ve coached basketball myself and fully understand how important it is. I’m just saying the timing doesn’t work out. They had the game against L’ville in which they looked pretty good and then the 5-0 start in the conference. Then the wheels fell off. Something happened with the team. The Stewart blow up occurred later and appeared to be from frustration on his part. The reason I said it was a symptom is that it appears to be part of the overall frustration the players are feeling with this situation. You are right in that something is amiss in the clubhouse but I would guess it’s more on the coach. If you’ve been in coaching long you’ve probably seen your share of these problems that stem from the coaching side as well. I’ve both played on a team coached by a nutjob and been an assistant coach to one. From my personal experience what I’m seeing at UK looks similar.

by Danvillecat on Mar 10, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

But the situation I was apart of wasn’t because because of a nutjob Coach. It was because of a nutjob player. In fact we went to the playoffs the year (OH Football) before the player decided to play, and then the year after He quit. Sometimes the other pllayers around the one or 2 guys just get wore out by the constant negativity, so what you get is players looking like they are not trying because they are just mentally fatigue of all the Drama. I agree that this not just on the players, but on the coach because he has to be the one that sets the tone in the Locker Room, but I do think BCG let the certain players set that tone and that is on Him. I do think he is a good Coach and I think things will be dealt with in the off season, right. So, I can see it from the other angle. So just imagine if we both experienced our situations at the same time with a nutjob coach and a nutjob player. I don’t think UK is in that situation yet.

by Bige541 on Mar 10, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Major overhaul

I feel a major overhaul of the roster is coming in the offseason. Quite a few players will be “encouraged to pursue other opportunities.” Partly, this is out of necessity to solve the scholarship backlog, but mainly this is a way for BCG to remake the team as he desires. Some will likely leave due to a talent deficiency, others due to their behavior/attitude (and it will be a mix of both Tubby and BCG recruits, so I’m not trying to assign “blame” here). Basically, I think this is Billy-speak for “_ sucks” or “_ is a locker room cancer.”

I would not put it past him for BCG to have decided (after the SC game?) that this team was never going to get where he wanted as constituted, and he was willing to let it fall completely on its face so that he had an excuse to blow it up.

But, of course, I am just speculating, as is everyone else. . .

C! A! T! S! CATS! CATS! CATS!

by NYCCats on Mar 10, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree and disagree

I agree that a major turnover in the off-season is likely. If I were guessing, I’d agree with Forty that Liggins and Stewart are gone; maybe Harrellson too. The only reason that worries me is because we’ll essentially be in the same PG situation next year – Porter starting with Galloway and a freshman (maybe two) backing him up. Miller has shown some ability to bring the ball up, but he’d be more out of position there than Porter is now.

I disagree that Coach G would throw the season after the USC game so he would have an excuse to blow the team up. One of the things we’ve seen from him is that he doesn’t really need a justification to do much of anything. (At least, no justification that is apparent to the fans; I believe he has justification in his own mind for everything he does, and incidentally, I think his justification is always that he thinks it will make the team better.)

by Acdixon on Mar 10, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs