Best point Jay Bilas made

[cbrwalt]

Yesterday on KSR Bilas mentioned how some people (UK fans) complain about Cal and his system.

It seemed he was referring to people who are upset with the one and done's, or not having enough 4 yr players, or not being successful enough.

Jay said that the question is not how Cal recruits and stuff like that. The most important question is
"Would UK be better off without Calipari?"

The obvious answer is: absolutely not. Who would UK get that is going to do better than what Cal has accomplished? No one

I am no fan of Bilas, but I thought this was a brilliant way to simplify the Cal criticism.

It just seems if more people on here actually understood this, there would be a whole lot less complaining, and people would enjoy UK basketball a whole lot more.

Am I wrong?

 

[TBCat]

I don't know. Is there any reason to quote Bilas for that. Bilas has lost all credibility with me. It really doesn't take a genius to figure out Cal is good for UK anyway.

 

[GLR5555]

I would say there are some RR posters that would not agree with that at all.

 

[Jkwo]

I would say there are some RR posters that would not agree with that at all.

Not a single one of them ever claims that we'd be more successful with someone else.

So the only conclusion you can arrive at is that they'd rather be less successful and not have Cal.

And then they have the balls to say that we Cal supporters don't care about the program's success.

It's actually they who put their own preferences over the program's success.

 

[mapcatfan]

To the OP, no, you are not wrong.

Many UK fans have very short memories and have become very spoiled by the success we have enjoyed in Cal's tenure. They forget it isn't the norm.

 

[Jazzycat]

I think some posters want Calipari to stay at U.K. but, would like to see him build teams that win championships and put more of an emphasis on the NCAA championship as a priority. Just a thought....could be wrong.

I have no problem with a "player's first" philosophy. You have to take the good with the not so good consequences with this strategy - but that happens with every program.

 

[Smashcat]

Yesterday on KSR Bilas mentioned how some people (UK fans) complain about Cal and his system.

It seemed he was referring to people who are upset with the one and done's, or not having enough 4 yr players, or not being successful enough.

Jay said that the question is not how Cal recruits and stuff like that. The most important question is
"Would UK be better off without Calipari?"

The obvious answer is: absolutely not. Who would UK get that is going to do better than what Cal has accomplished? No one

I am no fan of Bilas, but I thought this was a brilliant way to simplify the Cal criticism.

It just seems if more people on here actually understood this, there would be a whole lot less complaining, and people would enjoy UK basketball a whole lot more.

Am I wrong?

He's just stating the obvious.

 

[jrpross]

I'll agree with Jay on that one but he better not get used to it.

Seriously, there are some here who would rather have 4 year players and be "pretty good"; maybe make an elite 8 every now and again than be in the hunt every year with the current system.

 

[Chuckinden]

I don't like the OAD system, but that doesn't mean I want to get rid of Cal. I just wish we wouldn't take so many OAD's and sprinkle in some guys that just "might" stay a couple years and give us experience. I know that's hard to do, but I'm not convinced Cal can win another title with just OAD's. The title he won had some experience that was very valuable.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Of course he's right. It couldn't be more obvious.

So why doesn't every Kentucky fan agree with what he said?

You can't account for stupid. It's been part of the human condition since the beginning of time. The rest of us just have to endure it.

 

[Kuhldaddy]

Bilas sucks. He's smart..but he thinks his opinion is more important than anyone else's. Reminds me of a certain talk show host.

 

[BlueRunner11]

A most obvious statemant. He might as well have said the sky is blue.

While some may be more outspoken and irrrational with their criticism, I don't know of any UK fans that think we would be better off with a different coach. Zero.

 

[TJ-Cat]

He makes a good, yet obvious point. The simple fact of the matter is, Cal's system is harder on the fans emotionally. UK fans are so passionate that all the coming and going and unknown roster situations from year to year create a lot of worry and apprehension that is not typical in college basketball. But, just like everything else in life, there is a tradeoff, with all the worry and wringing of hands comes wins and final fours.

 

[brianpoe]

I don't like the OAD system, but that doesn't mean I want to get rid of Cal. I just wish we wouldn't take so many OAD's and sprinkle in some guys that just "might" stay a couple years and give us experience. I know that's hard to do, but I'm not convinced Cal can win another title with just OAD's. The title he won had some experience that was very valuable.

It's kind of hard to say no to top kids for lesser kids.

The truth is we do sign good kids that stay longer than one year and yet so many people conveniently forget.

Jones, Lamb, Wiltjer, Poythress, Lee, Dakari, Aaron, Andrew, Briscoe, SKJ, and Wenyen were all highly ranked and returned. WCS could have left early and returned. Thus that argument isn't very stout.

The real issue is the players leaving early who have no guarantee and should have returned.

 

[KMKAT]

I'll agree with Jay on that one but he better not get used to it.

Seriously, there are some here who would rather have 4 year players and be "pretty good"; maybe make an elite 8 every now and again than be in the hunt every year with the current system.

I'll answer it this way. Tell me how many championships that Izzo has won since Cal came to Lexington? This blank space answers that:>>>>>>>

We hear we want multiyear players, and we have had that with some of the top recruits.
We went to the title game in '14, and how many guys returned? AHX2, Lee, WCS, Dakari.
That was unheard of at the time.

Along with that, Izzo has gotten recruits over Cal and it hasn't helped him to any extent. It has kept him relevant as an elite team, but it hasn't resulted in titles. How about Kansas?

Not questioning Cal (at all), and there's not another coach we could have that would have us still in the battle for Bamba, Knox & Johnson.

Every other school just wants one of those guys. We are waiting to see if we can get ALL 3! And if we did, it would be a surprise, but because its Cal, it plausible.

 

[EvilMD]

I'd like to see us take two top-15 kids per year. Maybe three. The rest would be like Alex or Willie or Darius. Kids like Charles Matthews are transferring because they get recruited over every year.

 

[preacherfan]

I don't like the OAD system, but that doesn't mean I want to get rid of Cal. I just wish we wouldn't take so many OAD's and sprinkle in some guys that just "might" stay a couple years and give us experience. I know that's hard to do, but I'm not convinced Cal can win another title with just OAD's. The title he won had some experience that was very valuable.

I said a long time ago that would happen naturally. I figured some of the OAD's would not be as good as projected and stick around. We have had a few in that situation including this coming year but it has been fewer than expected.

Looking at the incoming class, I think we might be losing fewer next year. At least, I hope so.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

I said a long time ago that would happen naturally. I figured some of the OAD's would not be as good as projected and stick around. We have had a few in that situation including this coming year but it has been fewer than expected.

Looking at the incoming class, I think we might be losing fewer next year. At least, I hope so.

Some multi year player are also not as good as they are projected to be. That sword cuts both ways

 

[brianpoe]

I'd like to see us take two top-15 kids per year. Maybe three. The rest would be like Alex or Willie or Darius. Kids like Charles Matthews are transferring because they get recruited over every year.

This is not a good idea.

Some top goods don't pan out.

See Bragg at KU.

Not many but some EVERY season.

Now calculate how many lesser kids don't pan out.

If you can't foresee Poythress not being great then you sure as hell are not going to be able to predict 3 and 4 stars.

 

[JPScott]

Jay said that the question is not how Cal recruits and stuff like that. The most important question is
"Would UK be better off without Calipari?"

Actually I thought Bilas was saying would UK be better off not taking a one-and-done recruit vs. taking him. It really wasn't directed toward Calipari IMO.

If I'm right about this, I think this entire thread is based on a false premise.

 

[Jkwo]

This is not a good idea.

Some top goods don't pan out.

See Bragg at KU.

Not many but some EVERY season.

Now calculate how many lesser kids don't pan out.

If you can't foresee Poythress not being great then you sure as hell are not going to be able to predict 3 and 4 stars.

Nailed it. To the wall.

 

[Ocornett]

Yesterday on KSR Bilas mentioned how some people (UK fans) complain about Cal and his system.

It seemed he was referring to people who are upset with the one and done's, or not having enough 4 yr players, or not being successful enough.

Jay said that the question is not how Cal recruits and stuff like that. The most important question is
"Would UK be better off without Calipari?"

The obvious answer is: absolutely not. Who would UK get that is going to do better than what Cal has accomplished? No one

I am no fan of Bilas, but I thought this was a brilliant way to simplify the Cal criticism.

It just seems if more people on here actually understood this, there would be a whole lot less complaining, and people would enjoy UK basketball a whole lot more.

Am I wrong?

NO You are NOT. We have a lot of old women that would complain about anything. Always Complain and Always will.

 

[Ocornett]

A most obvious statemant. He might as well have said the sky is blue.

While some may be more outspoken and irrrational with their criticism, I don't know of any UK fans that think we would be better off with a different coach. Zero.

Ulismyman does.

 

[Ocornett]

Actually I thought Bilas was saying would UK be better off not taking a one-and-done recruit vs. taking him. It really wasn't directed toward Calipari IMO.

If I'm right about this, I think this entire thread is based on a false premise.

I think you don't know how to comprehend what anyone says, Poo Poo Boo.

 

[UKGrad93]

Jay said that the question is not how Cal recruits and stuff like that. The most important question is
"Would UK be better off without Calipari?"

Way to go out on a limb. That's bold.

 

[JPScott]

I think you don't know how to comprehend what anyone says, Poo Poo Boo.

Not sure if you're trying to be funny, sarcastic or rude but I did go back and listened again to what Bilas said.

The context was Matt asked a question about UK next season having Wenyen Gabriel as its only experienced player. Bilas said he thought UK would be fine and then said (about 23:00 mark of podcast for anyone wanting to listen):

"You'd rather have some older players mixed in with the young talent, but you can't control this. And for those who think, that you'd be better off going with - the question isn't do you take one-and-dones and all that - the question is whether you'd be better off without 'em. And the answer for Kentucky and for every other school is NO."

Bilas went on to talk about players at other schools leaving early etc.

Again this was a discussion of recruiting and players leaving early. Wasn't directed at Calipari specifically.