was pretty much a package deal from Henry Clay to UK.

you are so right!

Well, it isn’t “whacky,” now is it? Two words — Fab Five.

I agree that there is a fair chance that UK will not be as good as advertised, at least not good enough to get to the Final Four.

But don’t act like this has never happened, i.e. that an infusion of young talent failed to get a team to the Final Four. The last time we saw a recruiting class of this quality in college basketball, that team did get to the Final Four. That is simply a fact.

So your claim that this is “whacky” just doesn’t hold up. The most recent precedent, in fact, suggests it is certainly justifiable historically.

So what was your “perspective,” exactly? That we should expect 25 wins and a second-round flameout, roughly equivalent to the performance of the last four years? If we shouldn’t expect more than that, perhaps Calipari will become the new Gillispie.

This year’s schedule contains about 34 guaranteed games counting the first round of the SEC tournament only, and very likely at least 40 games. A 28-12 year would be a disappointment to any Kentucky fan, and would be an insignificant improvement over Tubby Smith’s last two years. Less than 30 wins would be a major disappointment to many fans, and I might be one of them.

The expectations to win 30 games, given the schedule, talent, and quality of the competition, simply aren’t all that high. In fact, I think they may be a bit low, but this is Coach Cal’s first year.

I actually totally appreciate a healthy perspective (believe me, I do), but this is sports and so I also like to mix in a little optimism with my realism (I think it’s entirely possible to be optimistic and realistic at the same time, thank-you-very-much) and then throw in a WHOLE lot of fun and excitement.

Now, I personally don’t really expect a Final Four and an undefeated season (and I’m not entirely sure how we got to Final Four and how many wins we’ll have this year as I thought we were discussing Cousins’ potential, but whatever) as all that is unrealistic to my mind seeing as how this group has yet to take the floor. In my heart do I want us to accomplish those things, well sure I do, but at this stage I don’t truly expect them. However, I also don’t think there is anything wrong with other people having their high expectations. Will they be sorely disappointed if this group of ‘Cats doesn’t achieve the high marks they are counting on? Maybe they will and I guess that’s their problem, but there is certainly nothing wrong with aiming for the stars.

So again, people are just excited at this point and they have good reason to be. We have a team that rankings-wise at least, the record books may never see the likes of again and people are over the moon with anticipation and excitement and I happen to think that excitement is also pretty darn healthy. Surely you know excitement? It’s what can happen to a person when they don’t allow their mind to drown in skepticism and wander into the depths of what-could-possibly-go-wrong on a daily basis. : )

And don’t worry, all the high and totally out-there expectations for the team and the season that people are throwing around right now will most likely dissipate some once the season starts, but until then, I guess you’ll just have to go on reading about it from us silly and "not too smart" UK fans. But, on the other hand, I suppose such talk might even elevate once the season tips-off as we may completely tear it up, you never know. And good luck to you, sir, in dealing with that. : )

those kids dont get anything out of the use of their names while in college anyway…..lol….besides….it would have to be a REALLY big T-shirt….lol….the hardest one was Stevenson…..couldnt decide between “The Shadow” and “Swatmaster P”….lol…..