I have been reading Rupp Rafters for years put never knew how to post. Have no idea if this will work. I attended Kentucky in late 60's. Calipari is great recruiter of course but the class of Isssel, Pratt, Casey, Moose, Busey, etc. was pretty damn good. Went to every freshman game and we were awesome. Dampier and Riley were seniors and we only went 13-13. Dont hear enough about Issel, Casey and Pratt on here. Would have won the title going away if Casey had not been hurt, he was great. Issel is arguably the most relevant player in history of UK basketball. I am having a ball watching Calipari's teams but was crushed this year. 4 lottery picks and not win the title is pretty lame.
Brand new poster---Issel, etc.
- Thread starter finneyswharf
- Start date
i apologize for calling our team lame. that was plain stupid. i bleed blue for all kentucky teams past and present. i hope to make better posts in the future. i was just so disappointed, thats all.
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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Of course, UCLA was very good in 1970, but I thought they were vulnerable. Alcindor graduated the prior year and Bill Walton was still in high school.
Sidney Wicks was a stud, but the other starters: Steve Patterson, Curtis Rowe, Henry Bibby, and John Vallely should have been beatable.
Jacksonville had an excellent team.
...and think about that Final Four: UCLA, Jacksonville, St. Bonaventure, New Mexico State...almost unthinkable today.
Welcome to the board. I doubt you will win over many of the younger crowd with your statements and the use of the word lame to describe last year's finish. But, I agree with you that Issel was something else and the younger crowd can't warm up to him very well since they never saw him play. Most probably never have even bothered seeing him play in videos and are mainly into the most recent players. I, myself, appreciate all eras of UK basketball and can't say I'm partial to the old days or what's going on now. I can say, though, I love what Cal has brought to the program and the excitement we all can enjoy every year, including what's coming up this season. I, like you, was very bummed to lose that last game last year but can't say it was lame at all. It was a remarkable run and a very good experienced team beat us in the Final Four. Hated it but still love that team and wouldn't have traded them for anything. I love all our past players and think they all have offered something special to the UK program in their own way but don't just get caught up in the good old days, enjoy what's happening now with as much passion as you did in Rupp's time. There were some disappointing finishes back in those days and earlier, I'm sure.
Tried to reply but failed. i am the poster of Issel, etc. I have already apologized for calling the finish lame. Did not really mean the term to describe our incredible team. Any team and coach that loses one game are among the very elite of all time and i watched every single game. I agree that the focus should be on enjoying the present and I think Cal is giving us a remarkable ride and i too am having one hell of a time. I think this years team is going to be awesome and i can't wait. I learn so much from reading this forum and hope you guys will give me a fresh start. I love to read your post about all players past and present and also recruits. Most of you are more up to date on our players than i am and i enjoy it very much. it is just that I am now a relative old timer and remember the past with fondness also. But my focus is definitely on the present and future and love all our teams. Again, please forgive my inadvertant misspoke. FINNEYS WHARF
Welcome to the board! But, you don't have to start a new thread every time. Just click on "reply" on any post and you can post your thoughts within that thread. And maybe lose the bold font. (the "B" at the top).
i said i apologize and just want to be a decent participant. i love cal and all the players. i just dont know what else i can do but say i am sorry. i have a good attitude. haven't you ever made a mistake?
I also had the pleasure of watching Big Dan and also the "Super Kittens" at Memorial. I was at the Jacksonville game, if a game were decided by officiating that was it - pitiful. UK would have taken UCLA to the shed that year, as UCLA lost their best player to injury that same week. I fully believe that game was as close to "bought" as was ever played. I know it sounds like sour grapes - but I was at courtside and the officiating was that bad!
Go Big Blue!
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
Guest
Totally understand, Finney, and definitely do welcome you to the board. It can get dicy here at times for new posters but if you've been a reader for sometime I know you understand what I'm talking about. I also am very fond of the past years of UK teams and have a collection (my UK room) of pics and autographs from some of the people you speak of with fond memories (issel, Dampier, Pratt to name just a few). Whether it was the past, present or future it has always been a great time being a Cats fan so I can relate to some of your memories of great teams from the past. Sounds like you would be a poster I would enjoy hearing from again on the board so don't be shy about posting your thoughts.
You're fine, Finney. Welcome to the board. We were all broken up about the loss. Of course, Cal has given us much to be excited about and grateful for. If you support all the cats, new and old, and you have the knowledge of our splendid history, you'll be a very welcome contributor.
Just curious. Where's the name come from? Probably obvious but not familiar to me. Reminds me of a seafood restaurant up somewhere in New England. Finley's Wharf or something like that. Too long ago since I was there for this old brain to recall.
Somewhat OT, and I know it has come up before, but if you (and others) ever want to start a topic and post pics of your UK Room, I definitely want to encourage that! If that thread is already around here, somewhere, please feel free to point me in that direction.
I've been planning one for years... but have moved way too many times to ever put one together, unfortunately. It'd be cool to see the efforts of some of the Go Big Blue-blooded of this board... and perhaps a note about the "Holy Grail" of their UK collection.
It was not UCLA but St. Bonaventure that lost its best player to injury, Bob Lanier. He broke his arm or wrist in the Eastern Regional championship game.
![[roll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/roll.r191677.gif "roll [roll]")
I have AN AB WORKOUT IT'S MOSTLY SITUPS AND I FINISH IT OFF WITH PLANKS WITH MY FEET UP AGAINST THE WALL COZ THAT KEEP YOUR LOWER ABS FROM SLACKING OFF ALSO ROWING HELPS LOTS OF ROWING I USE A KAYAK
Welcome to the board finny. Most U.K posters are great, a few....not so much, but you just learn to overlook their posts anyway.
If you have relatively thick skin, and a good sense of humor, you'll enjoy it here.
Ready for some college football & basketball..........
Welcome to the board ! I just wish some of the younger fans could have watched Big Dan play. They did not call him "The Hoss" for nothing. Was really fun watching him play.
Ok,lets get this straight. I am all about Cal and all the teams. I was so damn proud to be a Wildcat this past year and i honestly think we could be as good this year. Maybe not undefeated, who knows, but really really good at the end. I believe the talent level is off the charts and we are all going to have one hell of a lot of fun. I know I will. Watching the Cats is my main interest during the season. But seeing as he is a former great i thought i would share one more story about Issel if that is ok. many years ago i was reading the main interview of the month in Playboy magazine and it was with Kareem. A long article. They ask him who was the toughest player he ever had to guard and his response was something like this: Big white guy named Dan Issel. He gives you a silly head fake going to the rim and it works. If that is not working he steps out to the corner and can hit the jumper. I am working from memory since the magazine burned up in a house fire, but i know that is very close. I thought that was pretty high praise for one of our own from someone like Kareem. It was many years ago when Issel was with the Nuggets. Any of you see that? Ok back to the present which is what counts now of course. Our guard play should be incredible. Can't wait to see how Cal mixes it up with the guards. Skal was always good but i understand he is even much improved. Any of you hear that? Probably the top player now. If he can block shots like I know he can and play really good D he will be something to behold. I think Lee is going to be really really improved and if Alex plays like he did in the Bahamas it could all be special. One I just cant wait to see this year is Ulis, he is going to be something I think. Anyway i believe some of you guys knows more than me so i will continue to keep a hawk eye on the Rafters. Finneys Wharf came from where i lived until my house burned up a little over 3 months ago. The computer signed the name, I would rather have something more UK related but what the hell. Hope you guys think my posts are worthwhile, remember I graduated UK 45 years and care about the history and today.
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