The money pit ...

by Glenn Logan on Mar 23, 2007 4:56 PM EDT in Media

is what my house has become. I am, at the moment, acquiescing to my wife's call for an upgrade - to the bathroom, that is.

As luck would have it, an analogy can be found here. My wife's request for an upgrade is analogous to many UK's fans, who have also been calling for an upgrade - to the men's basketball coach.

I think it is important for us to differentiate between the DD'rs of the world, and most UK fans. Every group has its fringe elements, and as I bemoaned here:

Wouldn't it be sad if these misguided Souls of the Program became the face of all Kentucky fans? I have bad news for those who think so - it is already happening.

The fringes of UK's fans have become the face of the BBN, and it's a clown's face.

That's a shame, because it isn't a fair representation of the BBN.

Many (perhaps most) UK fans simply wanted an upgrade, and there is nothing wrong with that. As JL correctly pointed out, we are talking about college basketball, not war and peace.

I think we must be wary of the suggestion that others outside the program are somehow unqualified to make judgments about UK and its basketball program. They may be wrong, but many are very well qualified and pay attention to UK basketball. No, they may not be as plugged in as you, or me, or many over at TCP and other places, but as a general proposition they are more familiar with the situation than most casual UK fans in the state.

So while we may rightly pillory their reasoning, we should resist the temptation to call thier opinion uninformed. Even Gregg Doyell, whom I utterly loathe, is sufficiently knowledgeable about the situation to offer cogent commentary, however one-sided it is.

But by the same token, JL's suggestion that the media's sudden fascination with Kentucky's coaching situation is little more than a passing fad is right on the mark. It is simply the subject du jour.

Update [2007-3-23 23:21:22 by Truzenzuzex]:Can anybody pick out the odd sports writer in this article? Hint: His first name begins and ends with the same letter.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Another Subject du Jour:

According to ESPN, Morris has been picked up by the Knicks for $1.6M. As if next season wasn't going to be interesting enough already!

by BlueHeart on Mar 23, 2007 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

Media moves as fast as a razor in Britney's hair

RIGHT ON TRUZ and JL! This too shall pass.

I have thought, talked to JL and posted a constant theme of the fact that we were just in need of something new in the eyes of Kentucky and the ears of the nation. After the Vandy meltdown the air got too heavy to go back.

Right now the only story, in order, is

Tubby
Fans
UM
Fans
UK
Tubby
and Fans Again.

The real looser in today's coverage is UM. The press would rather laugh at the bride's maids dresses than look at the bride. Sorry UM.

That is today folks. The timing is perfect. The Final Four will move the spotlight and then once a coach, any coach, is named the talk will be all UK. It is the pure science of sociology and media. We as Americans can only hang on a story for 3 days. Some longer and some shorter. Heck a war can stay front page only until a spoiled singer shaves her head.

I was not happy with where I felt we were going and yes I wanted a change. I also just became a UM fan and do not in any way apologize for that. I think TS will kill at UM and the style of the Big Ten.

In the words of Roger Waters, "Breathe, Breathe in the Air."

Relax. Right or wrong, pretty or not, just or unjust, the air is not as thick this morning.

Let them talk today and we will be very fine tomorrow.

by wilson452 on Mar 23, 2007 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Morris

Randolph Morris is a New York Knick

by UK44 on Mar 23, 2007 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

Morris

What's up guys. As the SB Nation Knicks guy, I was wondering what you Wildcat fans could tell me about Mr. Morris. I haven't seen to much of him. Should I be excited that he's a Knick?

Kind of a bizarre situation...

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth @ A Sea Of Blue on Mar 23, 2007 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

Low-down on Morris

Losing Morris is a huge loss for Kentucky. To see what he was capable of, one need only look at his stats for his last few games. 20ish points, 13ish rebounds. This is especially good since Kentucky's point guard play has been spotty at best, and Morris wasn't getting much help from the power forward slot either.

Also, consider, Kentucky doesn't have many scoring options other than Morris (except freshman Meeks towards the end of the season), so often he would be double and triple teamed, and would still come up with the bucket. Towards the end of the season, teams' only defense against Morris was to foul him hard.

So, he can be a real force when he wants to be. So should you be happy he's a Knick?

Well, that "wants to be" part is very key to answering that. During the beginning and middle of the season, Morris had many "lazy" games where he didn't put forth a lot of effort. Other games, he would get in great position, and the guards wouldn't get him the ball, and he'd get frustrated and quit trying.

By the end of the season, however, Morris was a totally different player. On defense, he went after any player who came in the lane, ran the court, and worked terribly hard in the post on almost every offensive possession. He was a real man, offensively and defensively. So the question is, did Randolph finally discover his work ethic? Or was he just showcasing himself to NBA scouts so he could sign a free agent contract?

So, to answer your question: yes, you should be happy that he's a Knick. But you should also be happy that he only has a 2 year contract in case his new-found motivation is a fluke. :)

by EEWildcat on Mar 23, 2007 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I recommend cautious opitmism ...

I think Morris will turn out to be a better player in the NBA than he was in college.

Offensively, his game is going to be questionable in the NBA. He likes the turn-around jumper, but he will quickly learn that the folks in the NBA are more than capable of sending the weak stuff into the stands.

Still, he is physically strong and capable. Once he learns that fouls in the NBA are different than fouls in college, he should be able to give some good minutes in relief.

Go Randy. Good luck in the Association

by Glenn Logan on Mar 23, 2007 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I know there is some of that ...

and ultimately, you may be right and I may be wrong. But really, it is ridiculously easy to write bad stuff about UK with what has been made of 1966 (regardless of accuracy), our checkered past with NCAA violations and some elements of our fan base. However, I believe it is going to get old relatively fast this time.

I think most of us are able to cogently formulate our own opinions about our school and the situation at hand. We have little need of the advice of pundits, but they will certainly offer us some.

Regardless of the veracity of their opinions, I doubt that any serious UK fan will give much credence to them. And if UK being "down" will make them happy, I have a feeling their pleasure will be quite short lived.

by Glenn Logan on Mar 24, 2007 11:26 AM EDT reply actions