How Far Does Cal Have to Take This Team to Win Back Some Benefit of the Doubt?
- Thread starter Random UK Fan
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I'm going to root like hell for this team to win every game and get as far as possible in the tournament, and they'll be super talented so they may very well have an awesome season and go on a huge run. But, and maybe this is just a reflection of my current mood about the program on June 13th, I don't think any result from just this next season would be enough for me to give Cal any individual "benefit of the doubt".
In order for me to buy back into Calipari stock I'd need to see a shift from 'players first' to 'program first' where the winning is once again sustained over several seasons in a row with players who stick around and actually want to be here. Otherwise we'll be right back here on this message board asking this same question again about the 24/25 team.
And I don't think that's ever going to happen again with Cal at the helm, so ideal situation here is a banner and a goodbye.
In order for me to buy back into Calipari stock I'd need to see a shift from 'players first' to 'program first' where the winning is once again sustained over several seasons in a row with players who stick around and actually want to be here. Otherwise we'll be right back here on this message board asking this same question again about the 24/25 team.
And I don't think that's ever going to happen again with Cal at the helm, so ideal situation here is a banner and a goodbye.
I think I”m over Cal and his snideness and his liberal bullshit. Even if we go undefeated and take the title, I’ll be really happy for us but I won’t want him back next year.
For me it’s not about how far. It’s about how we finish. Obviously I don’t want to start slow and have a pathetic regular season. But I don’t want to have a fantastic regular season and then get upset in the NCAAT by a team we already beat 2 or 3 times. Just like with auburn a few years ago. Especially if it is the same way we seem to always lose, no real game plan, no adjustments, stupid lineups and substitutions. I am done watching that, and have been for many years!
Don’t think so. He can win the title, which won’t happen, and I still want him gone. We need a fresh start.
My only demand is for him to move on regardless to what he does now or in the future. I have just had enough of him. UK was once highly desirable because of its rich history. Cal turned it into an accelerated steppingstone to the NBA. Players without a snowball's chance of being drafted are declaring for the NBA because they don't want to be that guy who failed to be one-and-done. Cal has turned the program into a bunch of selfish players who could care less about the university. They appear to have no school loyalty.
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Name a team that fired a coach who made a Final Four that year, I'll wait
It would be nice to get UK back where Coach Cal had them in his first 9 or 10 years when consistently had them either Elite 8 or Final Fours. I believe through 2019-20 and that last year UK was 25-6 but Tourney was cancelled. The previous 10 seasons Coach Cal leads Kentucky to 8 Sweet 16's, 7 Elite 8's, 4 Final Fours, Runner-up and a Championship. If we can get back to those years getting to the Elite 8's consistently and Final fours I would be happy. Also, it would be nice if Cal would just let some of his impressive Assistant Coaches to take over dealing with the Offense, defense, player development. We have heard Antigua talk about how he is tried to get Cal running the zone on defense that would help some of the players on 'D'. We have all heard how great and popular asst. coach Coleman is working with the offense, defense, and the players. Cal has now hired one of the best that came from the NBA for many years working with Player development in the young players and scouting the opponents and putting game plans together. We still have one more opening and if he could get another strong hire then I hope Cal which UK is paying good money for Assistants let them take over in the different areas and get away from being hardheaded.
We also heard on Twitter and Matt Jones about Coach Cal's take now on NIL and coming together with creating La Familia. That would be what I would like to see in 2023-24 season and its not just Final Four or Elite 8, let the assistants take over more, let Asst. Coach Welsh have full control over player development, scouting, and pulling game plans together, and get this NIL mess fixed that hurt us recently on Dickinson, Kaluma, Nelson, etc. If all this could happen I would give Coach Cal Benefit of the Doubt. Let's get back to how it was in the first 10 years reaching Elite 8's and Final Fours, plus Championships!
We also heard on Twitter and Matt Jones about Coach Cal's take now on NIL and coming together with creating La Familia. That would be what I would like to see in 2023-24 season and its not just Final Four or Elite 8, let the assistants take over more, let Asst. Coach Welsh have full control over player development, scouting, and pulling game plans together, and get this NIL mess fixed that hurt us recently on Dickinson, Kaluma, Nelson, etc. If all this could happen I would give Coach Cal Benefit of the Doubt. Let's get back to how it was in the first 10 years reaching Elite 8's and Final Fours, plus Championships!
I think it's just time to move on. Even Joe B told him Kentucky is a 10 year job. Dook, UNC, Nova coaches have moved on and I think it's time for Kentucky and Cal too. Kansas at least won a title recently.
As far as what he needs to do just to keep his legacy from becoming a joke a FF. It's been 8 years. Unacceptable with the players we've had in that time frame. And because we are Kentucky.
As far as what he needs to do just to keep his legacy from becoming a joke a FF. It's been 8 years. Unacceptable with the players we've had in that time frame. And because we are Kentucky.
I need to see consistency. It would take multiple dominant seasons. And i’m not saying that means 2012 and 2015 type seasons in a row. But i mean…we’ve never managed back to back 30 win seasons under him. Just too much “rebuilding” and not enough dominating during his tenure.
Even if he won a title this season i still wouldn’t trust him to string together 2 all around great seasons in a row. And i’m not saying back to back final fours because i think that’s unreasonable. But back to back 1 seeds or at least back to back 30 win seasons for once and i could say “okay, i think he’s found it again”.
Otherwise? I’d rather take my chances on a number of other guys out there to try and be that guy.
A louisville fan of all people mentioned a name and i’m intrigued with it. It’s a gamble, but they all are to some degree.
Even if he won a title this season i still wouldn’t trust him to string together 2 all around great seasons in a row. And i’m not saying back to back final fours because i think that’s unreasonable. But back to back 1 seeds or at least back to back 30 win seasons for once and i could say “okay, i think he’s found it again”.
Otherwise? I’d rather take my chances on a number of other guys out there to try and be that guy.
A louisville fan of all people mentioned a name and i’m intrigued with it. It’s a gamble, but they all are to some degree.
I don’t even think the final four drought is that bad when looking at our history. I mean it’s getting there. And we’re a long shot to make it at the start of next season too. But we haven’t even been a 1 seed in 8 years. 8 years with no one seed OR Final four…that is absolutely awful for a blue blood. None of UNC, Duke or Kansas have experienced such a drought in the 64 team era.
I think saying we’re IU is an exaggeration, they’ve been largely irrelevant for over 20 years, but we’re certainly living dangerously.
going to texas would've went a long way, but he screwed that up as well
I will never pull for Cal again regardless of what the team does. He has to move on!
Cal has done too much damage to get me back. He would have to go on one hell of a run over his last few years here to get me back.
Now, that doesn’t mean I won't stand up and call it out when he does a good job, but he's just done too much damage to this program, he put the NBA draft and individual players ahead of the program and he plays tug-of-war with the BBN while losing at a historic rate.
Also, lets be honest, the Cal we have right now, isn't capable of winning big. You could give him that entire 2012 team again and he would find a way to lose 8+ games and lose early in the tournament. The guy is washed up.
Now, that doesn’t mean I won't stand up and call it out when he does a good job, but he's just done too much damage to this program, he put the NBA draft and individual players ahead of the program and he plays tug-of-war with the BBN while losing at a historic rate.
Also, lets be honest, the Cal we have right now, isn't capable of winning big. You could give him that entire 2012 team again and he would find a way to lose 8+ games and lose early in the tournament. The guy is washed up.
And factor that in the way the bracket has opened up for him multiple times and he failed to take advantage.
We are way past due for a FF. If he’s gets there I will be back on board to some extent.
However, for me personally, it’s not just about making it to a FF. It’s about how he coaches, interacts with fans, etc. Honestly, those things are more important in some sense than making it to a FF. The tourney is so random if he modified some of his stubborn coaching stances and begins treating the fans and media with at least a modicum of respect, I would feel better.
Regardless, UK def needs to be competitive at the highest levels this year tho it’s his make it break. Win the SEC. Beat top 25 teams again, etc etc. I’m not gonna say FF or bust tho there are other factors for me as a fan.
However, for me personally, it’s not just about making it to a FF. It’s about how he coaches, interacts with fans, etc. Honestly, those things are more important in some sense than making it to a FF. The tourney is so random if he modified some of his stubborn coaching stances and begins treating the fans and media with at least a modicum of respect, I would feel better.
Regardless, UK def needs to be competitive at the highest levels this year tho it’s his make it break. Win the SEC. Beat top 25 teams again, etc etc. I’m not gonna say FF or bust tho there are other factors for me as a fan.
This is exactly where I’m at!
I would think a 1 or 2 seed would qualify as a great regular season.
He's going to have to win the title. I will always doubt the coach here that only has one title in 8 or more years. Been 11 now. A title nothing less. It's he does it I'll back off for good. If he doesn't he's failed like Rick, Tubby, bcg, Hall and Eddie. Two or more titles or you failed in my eyes.
To dream the impossible dream
This is my quest to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far …
Not gonna happen.
Probably the worst hypothetical ever proposed
This is my quest to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far …
Not gonna happen.
Probably the worst hypothetical ever proposed
Think about this. A coach says his goal is to win a title with five freshmen starters. Doesn’t matter what their position is or if they fit a tram dynamic, this is what we’re going to do
Pure silliness.
Excellent post. Exactly what I was thinking, but couldn't have said it better myself.
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