if you can't play man to man def you can't play for Cal

[kybassfan]

I have no problem with a defense first philosophy but I also think know your team and their abilities and know the other teams weaknesses, if playing some zone at key times exploits your opponents weaknesses then you should be able to teach and play some zone. I coached 26 years, we taught M2M first then zone and we switched defense a lot to confuse the other team, we were very good at switching defense and it gave us an edge against bigger teams.

I'm more a if you can't beat them with man to man, you probably can't beat them. I think a zone is a crutch to get around foul trouble or injuries. Each to his own though.

That said, my post was surrounding Calipari and his career trends on defense. He's always defense first and man to man that vast majority of the time. There is very low probability that this will change. That's who we hired. We knew what we were getting. Its not like he changed after he got here.

 

[Graves51]

The only thing that is sad here is this post. You sound like a butt hurt rival fan. Those are the only people I ever see calling us a minor league NBA program. What exactly about that is a bad thing first of all? It is not exactly the terrible and sad attribute that you obviously feel it is. This whole idea that we are an NBA team means that Cal has recruited at such an elite level that we truly could compete and we look like an NBA squad. Not such a bad thing IMO. When I hear butt hurt rival fans such as yourself proclaim such things as if it is a derogatory remark, I usually just tell them Thank You. As a UK fan it is always our goal to have the most talented team in the country, you just affirmed to me that we do in your opinion. So thanks buddy. Appreciate the compliment.

As to the players are more important BS--some people are just never gonna learn. Frankly, if you have not figured out yet that Cal wants to win at least as much, if not more, than any other coach out there then I don't know what to tell you. If you are truly a UK fan, I suggest you go root for another team b/c you obviously lack the basic comprehension skills needed to figure out that when Cal says things like "player first" it is 100% geared towards recruiting. He understands that the more talented players we get, the better on the court results are going to be. It is not hard to comprehend. Cal has done an amazing job at UK in every facet. He is a perfect fit for UK. As stated, if you want a real stand up guy like Pitino who puts himself before all of the recruits and the University, go for it buddy. Become a UL fan. have to say we won't miss you here if this post is indicative of your opinion.

Been a fan since birth, long enough to want Kentucky to put their best players and effort on the floor at all times. Don't care how many stars they have or anything else. Don't care if they are drafted #1 or at all. If you think Cal doesn't recruit and coach with an eye on getting players drafted then you are nuts! Been a fan a long time and don't care what kind of names you want to throw at me. I will always put the program above coaches and players. We will see how this season pans out. Hope they win them all!

 

[.S&C.]

Then don't be afraid to pay zone. It's really a good defense, especially with all the touch fouls being called now.

BTW, I believe the quote Cal made was, "I can't hide you in this offense".

We man up because that's what solid defenders do, and we recruit defensive oriented players. A zone wouldn't do anything for this team except create more open looks for opponents; something we already know they will hit when playing UK.

 

[bluelifer]

Been a fan since birth, long enough to want Kentucky to put their best players and effort on the floor at all times. Don't care how many stars they have or anything else. Don't care if they are drafted #1 or at all. If you think Cal doesn't recruit and coach with an eye on getting players drafted then you are nuts! Been a fan a long time and don't care what kind of names you want to throw at me. I will always put the program above coaches and players. We will see how this season pans out. Hope they win them all!

Why do you think Cal recruits and coaches with an eye towards getting players drafted?

 

[brianpoe]

Why do you think Cal recruits and coaches with an eye towards getting players drafted?

Amazing after 6 years some people still do not get it...

 

[Atrain7732]

Amazing after 6 years some people still do not get it...

Bet you don't get an actual answer as to why he thinks this way. Maybe some incomprehensible babble about higher recruits playing over better bench players.

No really player examples. Truth is, their is no examples. Best example to counter their stupid argument is Skal this year. He comes in super hyped, Cal plays him to start and he underwhelms after 5 games. Since then, his time has slowly been limited in favor of lessly touted players. Complete opposite of their mumbo jumbo but you will never hear them admit it. I think half the stuff they hear fans of other schools spout and they just repeat it. Weird.

 

[michaeluk26]

Amazing after 6 years some people still do not get it...

Its truly mind boggling is it not?

I love how after every loss the same predictable group starts whining about how Cal cares more about the stars and getting kids to the NBA and players first. Last year you heard none of this shit, but throw a loss in there and holy hell people lose their freaking mind. I honestly can't wait till the time comes, when Cal is gone, and these same posters realize we've never had it better than when Cal was here. They will be begging for a golden age like this again and realize how truly misguided they were.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

This is true unless you're one of Cal's prized guys in which case you do whatever the hell you want and still play.

There are different rules for the high ranked guys vs. "normal recruits."

 

[CardChipper]

The best thing about a zone or any changed defense is the initial confusion it creates in the opposition. Of course if you have superior talent that trumps everything, but the advantage is in the surprise. Basketball is a game of runs, and if you can spark a run at the right time thats just good coaching. Man is much more aggressive, but you guys need to protect your bigs. A zone would really help UK, even going to it briefly. Your best defenders are on your perimeter.

 

[Montana81]

Personally I hate zone. Especially for a young team. I think man is easier to teach and pick up.

In order for a team to be good at a zone I think you have to have multiple guys that have been in the program practicing it multiple years getting major minutes. That's how Syracuse has done it. When West Virginia beat us with the 1-3-1 they had a bunch of upperclassmen.

Kevin Stallings had a team where he'd go to a zone the last 5 minutes of a lot of games to throw teams off. But he had multiple upperclassmen on that squad that had been doing it every game for a few seasons.

Some of Pitino's Louisville teams have had success with a matchup zone but his better defensive teams always have a bunch of upper class men.

 

[CardChipper]

Personally I hate zone. Especially for a young team. I think man is easier to teach and pick up.

In order for a team to be good at a zone I think you have to have multiple guys that have been in the program practicing it multiple years getting major minutes. That's how Syracuse has done it. When West Virginia beat us with the 1-3-1 they had a bunch of upperclassmen.

Kevin Stallings had a team where he'd go to a zone the last 5 minutes of a lot of games to throw teams off. But he had multiple upperclassmen on that squad that had been doing it every game for a few seasons.

Some of Pitino's Louisville teams have had success with a matchup zone but his better defensive teams always have a bunch of upper class men.

I agree with everything you have said here. Its really a question of necessity. You guys have looked terrible on the road. Opposition bigs have just destroyed you inside. Why not try to implement some zone to keep Lee out of foul trouble? Just because Cal is a hall of famer doesnt mean you cant question him. Its a message board, for goodness sakes.

 

[K_TIME]

I think the OP is onto a point. Cal's best teams always finish top 10 of FG% against on defense end of floor. His suffocating man to man defense, with length at the rim to shot block, plus quickness at most positions on the floor, etc. is his calling card moreso than the mythical "dribble drive" offense.

But this year when you play a guy like Briscoe 30 minutes at a wing spot while shooting 19%3pt and 35% FT is completely lost on offensive end of floor.

I personally think Cal whiffed a good bit in last year's very weak HS class. I also think Slice was an overrated coach who couldn't get us to the better kids and the ones we did get with his help as assistant were not overly well evaluated. But next year looks ideal and we'll turn this thing around in quick order.

 

[LmdCat]

This makes no sense because most of this current team can't play man defense or score so why did he bring them here? He needs to stop trying to adapt his players to his system and adapt his system to his players. If he gets the right players for his system, it would easily allow him to fully utilize his one-trick-pony defensive system, man defense.

 

[Graves51]

This makes no sense because most of this current team can't play man defense or score so why did he bring them here? He needs to stop trying to adapt his players to his system and adapt his system to his players. If he gets the right players for his system, it would easily allow him to fully utilize his one-trick-pony defensive system, man defense.

That's right but many of these posters can't see thru the Blue fog. I am as big of a fan as any but don't subscribe to the theory that Cal does everything right and speaks in riddles. I am a Kentucky Wildcat fan and will be after all these players are gone. 64 yrs old already, so not sure about all the coaches! LOL Hate it when people run posters down personally for having a different opinion than they do. We can respectfully disagree.

 

[whhs22]

if anything I think it would help to go zone on out of bounds plays. we keep getting burned. I do not think anyone is saying lets become Syracuse. but I do think some are questioning why we will not make changes. you can only keep trying to put a square peg in a round hole for so long.

coaches like RP even mix it up when it calls for it. if you have overwhelming talent and shot blockers you can afford to take chances out front. cal has always had a shot blockers or big guards to take up passing lanes. just does not have that this year. so why not get creative. have nothing to lose.

I think if he mixed it up it would help keep the other team off balance. right now they just get to the hole at will. and cal is then having to scramble and try to motivate a kid to do something that he just does not do that well. cal screams effort, well I agree effort is a huge part of it. but at some point skill and ability play a part to.

 

[bluelifer]

You guys really think it's a good idea a for a coach that doesn't coach zone and players that don't play zone, to switch to zone in the middle of January, and expect to be able to compete at the level we're used to competing at?

Again, it's fine to go to it on occasion as a wrinkle, but if you want a team that plays zone you need a different coach.

Cal may prove me wrong and go to it for the rest of the year, but so far there has been nothing to indicate that will happen.

 

[LmdCat]

You guys really think it's a good idea a for a coach that doesn't coach zone and players that don't play zone, to switch to zone in the middle of January, and expect to be able to compete at the level we're used to competing at?

Again, it's fine to go to it on occasion as a wrinkle, but if you want a team that plays zone you need a different coach.

Cal may prove me wrong and go to it for the rest of the year, but so far there has been nothing to indicate that will happen.

There is no way that these kids have reached this stage and not played a simple 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone. These are the first two defenses that most coaches teach younger players.

 

[ukwazoo]

You guys really think it's a good idea a for a coach that doesn't coach zone and players that don't play zone, to switch to zone in the middle of January, and expect to be able to compete at the level we're used to competing at?

Again, it's fine to go to it on occasion as a wrinkle, but if you want a team that plays zone you need a different coach.

Cal may prove me wrong and go to it for the rest of the year, but so far there has been nothing to indicate that will happen.

I remember in the UConn title game a couple of years back we went to a zone for the first time all year. UConn threw the ball all over the gym - had no idea what to do. We got back in to the game - and then switched back to man defense and lost.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

If you cannot play man to man defense you really should not play at a major college basketball program in general, not sure why the OP singles out UK and Cal when that is true everywhere. Most big name teams do not play much zone.

 

[LmdCat]

If you cannot play man to man defense you really should not play at a major college basketball program in general, not sure why the OP singles out UK and Cal when that is true everywhere. Most big name teams do not play much zone.

Your statement makes no sense. Playing man defense isn't simply knowing how, it is about having the skills to do it. If it is that easy, every team would simply use it an nothing else.

 

[brianpoe]

This makes no sense because most of this current team can't play man defense or score so why did he bring them here? He needs to stop trying to adapt his players to his system and adapt his system to his players. If he gets the right players for his system, it would easily allow him to fully utilize his one-trick-pony defensive system, man defense.

That's right but many of these posters can't see thru the Blue fog. I am as big of a fan as any but don't subscribe to the theory that Cal does everything right and speaks in riddles. I am a Kentucky Wildcat fan and will be after all these players are gone. 64 yrs old already, so not sure about all the coaches! LOL Hate it when people run posters down personally for having a different opinion than they do. We can respectfully disagree.

This argument is very shallow when looking at the results.

Cal has a new team every year, and all but two we go to the final four and another we had a great chance to win it all in 2010.

Yet Cal doesnt adapt?

Cal has said it himself several times, we cant have a set system due to turnover.


Because he doesnt play zone is your argument or he doesnt play Skal at the 4?


Lets give Cal the benefit of the doubt and look at it from his point of view:

Cal has said numerous times that there is not enough time for him to teach freshmen (most of who are leaving) a quality zone defense. He also said he doesnt like it because teams will make 3's and it hurts rebounding.

Skal at the 4 can cause many issues:

This may not allow us to play our best players - if Skal were to do well at the 4 where does Alex play? Center? At 6'7? SF again? Yikes.

Does Willis ever see the floor in this scenario? Hump, who showed he isnt ready last game, would be forced to be the #2 center behind Lee who has zero post moves and is no help drawing defenses to the block which could negate Skal's
effectiveness away from the basket.

Also, if Skal is that "stretch 4" away from the basket, what does he offer other than a spot up jump shot? If he is defended closely, with Lee or Alex in the post he will be, he is not going to get around anyone.

And finally I'm sure Cal would hate to pull a 6'11 player away from the boards with the issues we have with rebounding. Now this is based upon what Cal might have thought he was getting with Skal in the beginning as far as rebounding.



I see the need for a zone, dont get me wrong, as I have said many times our best offensive players cant defend and our best defenders cannot score.

As mentioned prior, it is January and may be too late for major defensive changes - I wont be surprised if we do start seeing some occasional zone now and then, we played a zone at the end of the LSU game for a few possessions. I wouldnt count on Cal doing it often.


Criticizing the coach is definitely fair game. But in the case of certain posters (LMD) who have been negative toward Cal for years, it just seems as if they are thrilled in thinking that they finally have evidence they were right.

Just because I think we need to zone and Skal should face the basket more doesn't make me right when looking at the possible reasoning on the coach's side of things.

I put this year's issue on 3 items:

Roster is simply not a good mix of talents.
Skal's deficiencies.
Upper class leadership.

Cal is ultimately responsible, however, it is a lot to ask for us to hit the jackpot each year with the current recruiting philosophy, especially with a poor HS class. Arguing that philosophy is just dumb after our results.

Not sure Cal or anyone else could have predicted Skal's ineptness or Briscoe's shooting woes.

Cal cannot make Alex or Lee change their internal make-up and all of a sudden become leaders.


I give Cal the benefit of the doubt because of his proven record and accept that some years the roster just isnt going to be what it needs to be with our OAD philosophy.

 

[brianpoe]

There is no way that these kids have reached this stage and not played a simple 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone. These are the first two defenses that most coaches teach younger players.

This is definitely true and I wish we would do some of each, but again, I understand the issues of not doing this as well.

 

[bluelifer]

Well, the good news is, you zone pumpers will all be able claim that you're probably right, because you'll likely never get the chance to be proven wrong while Cal is here.

 

[CaliforniaCatFan58]

Wow. Some people are concerned with this team? Last year may have been a weak HS class, but this team is no different than any team we have had the last 6 years. Cal will work on the defense. By the end of Feb this will be a good/great defensive team. However, it takes a lot away from shooters and 17/18 year old kids (offense) when they are required to spend energy on defense ...at the beginning of the year. Remember 2011 and 2014 especially. How many losses did we have those years? How did those years turn out? Yes...this year will be painful, and we may not win it all, but by March we will have as good a shot as anybody. If we fall in games it should be to having a bad shooting night...not defense. However, like each year our shooting (FT and from the floor) always increase about March when our kids are in shape physically to not just play defense but have the legs left to make shots. Gentlemen, we are just too spoiled with winning to accept any loss and forget our past history. Go Cats!

 

[CaliforniaCatFan58]

By the way. IMHO we will lose 5-6 more games during the year. Also, LSU is for real...same problem as us caused them to lose games (First of the year). By the end of the year I would take a draw with UNC or KU rather than them. They did win at Vandy (not easy) and UCLA appears to be the power on the west coast. Those two losses were against pretty good teams. Again, JMHO.

 

[brianpoe]

Wow. Some people are concerned with this team? Last year may have been a weak HS class, but this team is no different than any team we have had the last 6 years. Cal will work on the defense. By the end of Feb this will be a good/great defensive team. However, it takes a lot away from shooters and 17/18 year old kids (offense) when they are required to spend energy on defense ...at the beginning of the year. Remember 2011 and 2014 especially. How many losses did we have those years? How did those years turn out? Yes...this year will be painful, and we may not win it all, but by March we will have as good a shot as anybody. If we fall in games it should be to having a bad shooting night...not defense. However, like each year our shooting (FT and from the floor) always increase about March when our kids are in shape physically to not just play defense but have the legs left to make shots. Gentlemen, we are just too spoiled with winning to accept any loss and forget our past history. Go Cats!

I would like to agree with this, but the difference is in the johnny and joes on this team and those teams.

This team has NO inside presence offensively or defensively.

Our 2 bigs are both supporting role types with very little offensive game, low bball IQs, and provide zero upperclassmen leadership.

Of the other 3 starters..

We have a 5'8 PG - who works his tail off.

A shooting guard that cannot shoot.

A SG with phenomenal talent shooting the ball but also is a very erratic player due to his youth.

There is no - Randle to rely on for a basket or key rebound, 3 guards that can make FT's, or two 7 footers in the paint (2014), nor do we have a Jones and Jorts toughness in the paint, a very reliable shooter in Lamb, quality upperclassmen in Miller and Liggins who both played very good defense (and made 40% of their 3's).

This is not a team like those that just had to put it all together. The pieces were there and you knew the talent was as well.


Our individual pieces this year are lacking - Alex is Alex, Lee has improved but not enough to qualify as a go to guy, Briscoe has a lot of room to improve and may, Murray will get better, Tyler is good. But this is not nearly enough in my opinion.

Again, our best offensive players have trouble with defense and our best defenders have poor offensive games.

It will be an amazing job if Cal can get anywhere close to 2011 and 14 with this squad.

Roster makeup is very hard to overcome.

 

[CaliforniaCatFan58]

I would like to agree with this, but the difference is in the johnny and joes on this team and those teams.

This team has NO inside presence offensively or defensively.

Our 2 bigs are both supporting role types with very little offensive game, low bball IQs, and provide zero upperclassmen leadership.

Of the other 3 starters..

We have a 5'8 PG - who works his tail off.

A shooting guard that cannot shoot.

A SG with phenomenal talent shooting the ball but also is a very erratic player due to his youth.

There is no - Randle to rely on for a basket or key rebound, 3 guards that can make FT's, or two 7 footers in the paint (2014), nor do we have a Jones and Jorts toughness in the paint, a very reliable shooter in Lamb, quality upperclassmen in Miller and Liggins who both played very good defense (and made 40% of their 3's).

This is not a team like those that just had to put it all together. The pieces were there and you knew the talent was as well.


Our individual pieces this year are lacking - Alex is Alex, Lee has improved but not enough to qualify as a go to guy, Briscoe has a lot of room to improve and may, Murray will get better, Tyler is good. But this is not nearly enough in my opinion.

Again, our best offensive players have trouble with defense and our best defenders have poor offensive games.

It will be an amazing job if Cal can get anywhere close to 2011 and 14 with this squad.

Roster makeup is very hard to overcome.

You make very valid points. But we will just have to see.

 

[brianpoe]

You make very valid points. But we will just have to see.

I definitely prefer the season unfold like you said! I'll gladly eat plenty of crow.

 

[CaliforniaCatFan58]

I will go out on a limb and predict UK will be shooting 65 -70% from the FT line and 35-40% from 3 by March. Remember 2011 when Harrellson (sp) suddenly turned into Bill Russell? If we shoot just that good it will loosen the interior and help the bigs. If we had shot only that good all year...we would be undefeated..and this conversation would not be taking place.

 

[3rex]

Zone opens you up to all sorts of issues, especially giving up offensive rebounds. I don't like zone defense either.

Lots of coaches don't "like zone defense" either but they play it when they believe situations call for it.

 

[CaliforniaCatFan58]

I definitely prefer the season unfold like you said! I'll gladly eat plenty of crow.

Heck, my friend. I can't even watch them right now without my pacemaker going wild. I hope I am right, but if not I will be deathly ill.

 

[fatguy87]

I remember in the UConn title game a couple of years back we went to a zone for the first time all year. UConn threw the ball all over the gym - had no idea what to do. We got back in to the game - and then switched back to man defense and lost.

UConn also scored just 1 PPP that game.

We played pretty darn good defense overall.

 

[Hoskins91]

We've only got a year with these guys, because of that we have to choose what to emphasize. We don't have enough practice time to learn multiple defenses and play them well.

The UConn game we lost because we had our worst offensive game of the year. That was actually one of our better defensive performances, we just couldn't score.

 

[Ron Mehico]

Cal doesn't like zone, he likes man to man. Boheim doesn't like man to man, he likes zone. Tubby played ball line defense. Pitino is all about the press. Alabama in football likes to run. Oregon likes to do the spread and play up tempo. Nebraska used to be all about the option. That's right guys, college sports involve teams with different styles. Kentucky's current style is man to man defense. I have no idea what is so difficult or frustrating for you, that's just what we play. Just STFU about it and move on, quit being stupid.

Also I hope everyone read CUT-NETS post asking why he keeps playing Briscoe who is obviously the "weak link" but not Skal. Look at their current production and you'll notice Briscoe is now one of our better players (hopefully he keeps it up). Just like the thread where everyone was criticizing cal for telling Briscoe to shoot jumpers, which he's done the last two games at like a 60% clip. Too many people here that have no idea what they are talking about. If you are going to bitch, at least bitch about something not stupid.

 

[DwayneMeighan]

This is true unless you're one of Cal's prized guys in which case you do whatever the hell you want and still play.

There are different rules for the high ranked guys vs. "normal recruits."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that life as an athlete? The better players always get a longer leash. This isn't a Cal thing, it's a universal sports thing.

There's not a single athlete in the world that is perfect. Coaches have to take the good with the bad with every single player. Some players just have much more good than do bad, and those are the players that get a longer leash because those players contribute more to the team. It's that simple. Always been that way. Always will be that way.

You really wanna why Murray has a longer leash on defense or with turnovers than Willis, Hawkins, Matthews, Mulder, etc... ? This is why. Some of you are trying to make this out to be more than it really is. This situation is perfectly normal, and really isn't that hard to understand.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

zone is for cowards

you don't like cal, i don't like you

 

[UK90]

looking back when Cal first got here and he made the comment, if you can't play I can't hide you. I think most were thinking he can't hide you on the Offensive end.

I don't know who thought that, but I've always assumed that quote was about defense, because defense is where many other coaches do essentially try to "hide" poor defenders with zones.

Cal refuses to do that. Either you fit Cal's system or you don't, he won't change it to accommodate a slow-footed defender. So if you can't guard elite athletes man to man, perhaps you'd be best served choosing some other school/coach. It's why Wiltjer probably made a mistake choosing us, and why a kid like Kennard probably made a wise decision by rejecting us.

 

[JC for 3]

zone is for cowards

you don't like cal, i don't like you

....nah, not at all. Zone enables you to play guys that may be much better on offense than they are on defense. In our case, Willis & Mulder.

 

[Atrain7732]

a minor league team to the NBA, that's what we have become. Players more important than program, sad.

This is what you said about UK and your all-time favorite team. And then you go on to whine that you do not like when people run each other down for differing opinions. Nobody anywhere that I have seen ever came close to saying that Cal is above criticism. I will freely admit he has made his share of coaching mistakes. But, so has every other coach ever. Just because we don't agree with your criticism doesn't mean the same thing.

I respectfully ask you to give me at least one solid example where Cal has CONTINUOUSLY played a higher ranked player over a much lower ranked player where there was clear in-game evidence that the lower level player was playing at a higher level for more than just a game or two. I submit that you cannot bc I cannot think of a single example. Also, just FTR, Hawkins stepping up and playing a great game against UL doesn't count as playing consistently at a higher level. I love Hawk, but he has been, at best, a low level offensive player his entire career and a marginal to adequate defender. Same with Willis. I love the guy, and the Willis groupies will all go nuts, but the guy absolutely KILLS US ON DEFENSE. For the 2-3 three pointers he hit Tues, he gave up at my last count 4 to MSU. If you don't see that you are blind.

On the other hand, I can think of multiple examples of the opposite occurring, which on its face would seem to counter your entire ridiculous assertion that Cal cares more about getting the players to the NBA than winning National Championships. Just taking into account this season. Skal came in as the unanimous top 2 NBA one-and-done pick. Cal gave him ample opportunity to play thru the initial learning curve, not because he wants to get him drafted, but bc this team needs Skal to have a Final 4 season. However, once it was clear to Cal that he just was not playing up to the proper level, he has modified his lineup and has moved Lee over to center. Skal has averaged what, 10-12 mins a game the last 5 games. That is an example of Cal going with a lesser ranked multi-year player that is not on any NBA boards I am aware of in favor of the super hyped 5-star NBA number one pick. Could Cal keep playing Skal and get him exposure and at some point he would make some highlight plays and might maintain a higher draft status, sure. However, it is clear that would hurt our team at this point. Skal will continue to play sparingly until he shows that he deserves to stay on the floor.

So, please spare us all of the whiny BS about posters running each other down. You blatantly falsely accused UK's coach and players of not caring about their team, only about getting to the NBA as fast as possible. You expect to be treated better than you treat others?

 

[Graves51]

This is what you said about UK and your all-time favorite team. And then you go on to whine that you do not like when people run each other down for differing opinions. Nobody anywhere that I have seen ever came close to saying that Cal is above criticism. I will freely admit he has made his share of coaching mistakes. But, so has every other coach ever. Just because we don't agree with your criticism doesn't mean the same thing.

I respectfully ask you to give me at least one solid example where Cal has CONTINUOUSLY played a higher ranked player over a much lower ranked player where there was clear in-game evidence that the lower level player was playing at a higher level for more than just a game or two. I submit that you cannot bc I cannot think of a single example. Also, just FTR, Hawkins stepping up and playing a great game against UL doesn't count as playing consistently at a higher level. I love Hawk, but he has been, at best, a low level offensive player his entire career and a marginal to adequate defender. Same with Willis. I love the guy, and the Willis groupies will all go nuts, but the guy absolutely KILLS US ON DEFENSE. For the 2-3 three pointers he hit Tues, he gave up at my last count 4 to MSU. If you don't see that you are blind.

On the other hand, I can think of multiple examples of the opposite occurring, which on its face would seem to counter your entire ridiculous assertion that Cal cares more about getting the players to the NBA than winning National Championships. Just taking into account this season. Skal came in as the unanimous top 2 NBA one-and-done pick. Cal gave him ample opportunity to play thru the initial learning curve, not because he wants to get him drafted, but bc this team needs Skal to have a Final 4 season. However, once it was clear to Cal that he just was not playing up to the proper level, he has modified his lineup and has moved Lee over to center. Skal has averaged what, 10-12 mins a game the last 5 games. That is an example of Cal going with a lesser ranked multi-year player that is not on any NBA boards I am aware of in favor of the super hyped 5-star NBA number one pick. Could Cal keep playing Skal and get him exposure and at some point he would make some highlight plays and might maintain a higher draft status, sure. However, it is clear that would hurt our team at this point. Skal will continue to play sparingly until he shows that he deserves to stay on the floor.

So, please spare us all of the whiny BS about posters running each other down. You blatantly falsely accused UK's coach and players of not caring about their team, only about getting to the NBA as fast as possible. You expect to be treated better than you treat others?