OPEN SHOT: Where do they find these folks?

by JL Blue on Dec 11, 2007 4:28 PM EST in Media

Took the time in this long week to listen to my first Billy Gillispie Show.

Holy crapola! are most of these callers ridiculous. Are the intelligent folks too busy reading Proust to call in or is there a literacy limit?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not implying UK fans are stupid, or that education/coherence have anything to do with fanship, but "Ya'lls keep shootin', press more and I'll hang up and listen" isn't (a) a question or (b) that close to English.

To his credit, Gillispie handles himself with aplomb, given how frustrated the Big Blue Nation is right now, and laughs off some of the more ridiculous questions/comments.

But it's eye- (or ear-)opening to hear what at least a vocal few of the BBN sound like.

This is your open thread.

Update [2007-12-11 17:25:25 by JL Blue]:

BREAKING: LEGION TO LEAVE KENTUCKY

... From Tipton: "Freshman Alex Legion has decided he wants to transfer from Kentucky, the player’s godfather and mentor said on Tuesday.

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Call-in

It's funny you should say that. I said the exact same thing right after listening to that last call in. Where are all the intelligent people?

by GregJ on Dec 11, 2007 4:36 PM EST reply actions

Call-in

Sad - but true - most of the BBN fans lack a formal HS education
And most never learned to listen to their mothers; "if you can't say something nice, then don't open your foul mouth"

by deWildcats on Dec 11, 2007 5:00 PM EST reply actions

The Show

I just caught a piece of the show but what I heard gave me cause for concern. BCG as much as stated he would not use a zone defense. I'm as much for smash mouth man to man as anyone. I love it. I just wonder why BCG would be that vocal and one-sided in his philosophy. It would seem a lot tougher for an opponent to prepare for the possibility of differing defenses than just one. I can remember the Dale Brown era and the "freak" defenses. It was at a minimum a problem in preparation. Just a thought.

by modcpa on Dec 11, 2007 5:18 PM EST reply actions

I guess ...

... but what it seemed like Gillispie was saying was moreso that in his opinion zone defense actually requires more basketball IQ and knowledge of the game, something he seems pretty sure this team isn't going to suddenly develop.

I did not get the impression zone was out for all eternity as long as he's coach, only that this group has neither the quickness nor the Bball IQ to pull it off effectively.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Dec 11, 2007 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

Alex.......

If this is really the final word on the kid then godspeed to him, I wish him the best.

Now as far as the team is concerned, I'm happy as hell to finally be able to close the book on this story. One distraction to put behind these kids, now focus on the UAB and the remainder of the schedule. Patterson is a beast, Jasper is on the mend, and Meeks can hopefully start showing some improvement. Feels like a little positive energy might be coming our way.

by wldcatsfreak on Dec 11, 2007 6:49 PM EST reply actions

I don't want him.

If he's not prepared to sacrifice to be a part of the blue nation, we don't need him. We don't. I had a job once that I hated. I didn't want to go and all I thought about was finding something else. I didn't give it my all or do everything I could to make that job better even though I like to think that I did. I just was not happy. We want happy players that want to wear the white and blue. No one else. No hard feelings Alex, but we don't want you if you don't want us.

by hoopchi on Dec 11, 2007 7:35 PM EST reply actions

legion

so long and so what. we want players who want to be here, heart and soul, or you end up with another joe crawford..talented, but never lives up to their potential.

by joeyandemily on Dec 11, 2007 8:44 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

I wholeheartedly agree. When players are not fully committed, they are not going to put their all into what they do, whether it be practicing, playing, or learning.

If Tubby had just let Crawford go, I think team chemistry would have been better in the long run. Sure, we would have lost one of our eventual leading scorers, but imagine who else might have stepped up to score had they been given the chance to touch the ball.

Legion seems like the type to not play team ball, and that is what we desperately need right now, so adios, farewell, goodbye, good luck, so long.

by The Lexpatriate on Dec 11, 2007 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

This seems ...

to be a pattern with this young man.

It's too bad. I really hope his mother isn't responsible for causing these changes, as has been widely rumored. It would be a shame if his baggage began to outweigh his talent.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 11, 2007 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

am i right

in thinking with legion gone, that gives us 4 open scholarships for next year (crawford and bradley, and still had one open this year) right??

by joeyandemily on Dec 11, 2007 11:59 PM EST reply actions

Schollies

Two of the scholarships are already spoken for, but I believe that still leaves 2 available. So yea, I think you're right.

With Miller and Liggins already in the fold, Gillispie has a terrific opportunity to sign a Top 5 class. If he can persuade Hopson to wear blue, then wow, what a class. Talk about a quick turnaround.

All of the angst endured today would seem like a distant memory.

C'mon Clyde earn it.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 12, 2007 1:58 AM EST up reply actions

Legion and Petrino

I wish Alex only the best of luck, and echo Tru's thoughts from his above post. It is never good to lose a talented player, but sometimes parting is the best for all concerned.

I just watched Petrino's new conference introducing him as Arkansas' new coach. This guy is a slithering, slimy, four flushing snake in the grass. In the short term I am sure the Razorbacks will be productive on the field, but they will grow to regret this hire in the long run. I mean seriously, how many people think he will stay in Fayetteville longer than is absolutely necessary?

"Calling the Hogs" has to be the most embarrassingly idiotic ritual in college sports. I laughed my arse off watching the ENTIRE media contingent, the AD, Petrino and his family, along with the cheerleaders, "Call the Hogs" on ESPN in front of the entire world. Truly priceless entertainment.

Someone, maybe Bill Clinton, Jerry Jones, or Jimmy Johnson, needs to recommend a change in the way they display their school spirit. I hope they didn't put Pelphrey through the indignation of "The Call". He will be scarred for life.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 12, 2007 12:01 AM EST reply actions

slithering, slimy, four flushing snake in the gras

LOL!

Been watching any Christmas Vacation lately? That sounds eerily similar to Clark's rant once he found out that his Christmas bonus was an enrollment into the Jelly-Of-The-Month Club...

by vickster3 on Dec 12, 2007 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Clark Griswold

vick it is funny you would bring that up. I actually watched "Christmas Vacation" just the other night.

When I wrote my evaluation of Petrino I wasn't thinking of Clark's rant, but maybe subconsciously his words were the inspiration for my words.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 12, 2007 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

Best thing to take from the call-in show

One caller commented that we couldn't wait for Coach G to get "his guys" in here. Gillispie immediately responded, "These ARE my guys. I am their coach." Uber-classy, and true.

Even in spite of the morons who call in - and as a long-time listener, I can tell you it's always been that way - listening to Coach G inspires a lot of confidence and pride in this fan, at least.

Show of hands: In Coach G's shoes, how many of you, after being asked for the umpteenth time "How ya'll doin'?" would respond "The same as I was when the last caller asked, and the one before that, and the one before that!"?

by Acdixon on Dec 12, 2007 10:09 AM EST reply actions

I think that's right.

I really liked that comment also, and he reiterated it several times for emphasis.

That is exactly the right way to answer that question.

The questioners on the call-in show continue to ask lame questions, as they have ever since I can remember. But you can't really blame them, most are just ordinary folks, not journalists.

by Glenn Logan on Dec 12, 2007 10:50 AM EST up reply actions