I'm starting to get frustrated, too.

[IndyCat1995]

You could say I'm a bit of a sunshine pumper. Probably can tell from my posts to likes ratio. I don't think I have once bashed Cal. Even when I'm really upset, say after a loss or missing out on a kid we think we really need. I always bite my tongue and just say Cal has a plan. (which I still believe) And I'm quick to call out JFCats, Kentucky Kiddy, Zaytoven, etc. Still love ya'll, we are all rooting for the same cause at the end of the day. But I'm starting to get where you guys and others are coming from.

Let me say this before I get into it. I love Cal. But I'm a little unsure of the current direction. It is also possible to be upset with the coach and at the same time not want anyone else to be the coach. This is where I am.

I just don't see how UK can get back to a final four so damn young. So damn talented, but when you get to that Elite 8 match-up, you really need dudes that have been there before. The Fab 5 almost did it with primarily freshman. Our cats almost did it in 2014. But it just takes so much for it to happen. How many times did Miller, Jones, and Lamb come through in 2012 when we needed them?

I think Cal himself senses this too. That is why I think he's going hard after players like Haarms, whom he normally wouldn't go after. I'm happy he brought a long Mintz and Toppin for experience alone and I do believe he will go after another big man for next year. Maybe a guy we haven't heard of yet. Just can't afford to miss this time.

John Calipari has done so much for Kentucky. The way he's changed the brand alone will do wonders for recruiting after he is gone. Think of little kids now who are growing up and will see all these superstars in the NBA that went through Lexington before they got there...

We already know how next year will go. They'll struggle early, lose to a couple no names, and be playing well in March. But will it be enough to get to the promised land? Just don't feel as confident as I usually do. Being quarantined has hampered my sunshine pumping abilities I guess.

 

[coryrusso]

Losing all our starters plus JJ was the downer for me.I mean if they were all expected first rounders I would have understood but it might just be Maxey going first round so I don't get it.I love Cal and don't want anyone else but he could stand to make some changes.

 

[IndyCat1995]

Losing all our starters plus JJ was the downer for me.I mean if they were all expected first rounders I would have understood but it might just be Maxey going first round so I don't get it.I love Cal and don't want anyone else but he could stand to make some changes.

I truly believe he was caught off guard by the EJ and JJ departures

 

[GaryAlbright]

Hard to tell since we don't know how these guys will adapt to the college game. The team is very young but the talent is here with four 5-star recruits on the roster. How many other schools can claim they have as many?

 

[stereonut]

Losing all our starters plus JJ was the downer for me.I mean if they were all expected first rounders I would have understood but it might just be Maxey going first round so I don't get it.I love Cal and don't want anyone else but he could stand to make some changes.

Good post, but what are some changes that you think he should make?

 

[bereback]

What in the heck is going on, kentucky just lost a player to BYU. We are going to be awful next year. I'm almost to the point that I want next season canceled!!!!!!!

 

[kybassfan]

Losing all our starters plus JJ was the downer for me.I mean if they were all expected first rounders I would have understood but it might just be Maxey going first round so I don't get it.I love Cal and don't want anyone else but he could stand to make some changes.

I think one point of confusion is that you think the choice is NBA or Ky. The choice is college basketball versus getting paid. Cal is such a good recruiter that we have a disproportionate number of players with that option.

 

[wk1001]

Losing all our starters plus JJ was the downer for me.I mean if they were all expected first rounders I would have understood but it might just be Maxey going first round so I don't get it.I love Cal and don't want anyone else but he could stand to make some changes.

Cal gives these kids an informed opinion of what they should do. Some families take the advice (PJ,Nick, IQ, etc). Some families have their mind made up (EJ among others). These kids wanna be pro basketball players. They dont want to be teachers, lawyers etc. A lot of us dont agree with EJs decision but Cal cant MAKE them come back.

I would have loved to got JJ back but he knows the guys coming in are probably better. He knew his PT was gonna go down and I cant blame him for leaving. But u cant blame Cal for someone not wanting to compete for PT

 

[BigBlue1992]

I'm coming from the same direction also. It's not always about where we've been but a lot of the criticizing is coming from those (including me) that are looking forward and seeing where we're heading.

We couldn't win championships with superstar big guys like Cousins, Randle, and Towns. I got blasted for criticizing the decision to recruit Haarms. Cal has said himself that if you don't have a big man, you're a fraud. Well, if we couldn't get the job done with those other three guys, Haarms was gonna do us no good in getting to where most of us wanna be. I understand you gotta play somebody but that seems like desperation from Cal to just get anybody.

Which by the way, I don't like the direction CBB is headed in as a whole anyway. But I really do feel Cal is losing control of the entire situation.

 

[RunninRichie]

What in the heck is going on, kentucky just lost a player to BYU. We are going to be awful next year. I'm almost to the point that I want next season canceled!!!!!!!

??????????

 

[YardCat]

I think Cal would love to have 5 players 6,'7" or 6'8" to play at once, this could be the year.

 

[Baller Cal]

What in the heck is going on, kentucky just lost a player to BYU. We are going to be awful next year. I'm almost to the point that I want next season canceled!!!!!!!

I'm just glad none of our fans are losers that go to rival fans' boards to act like they are fans of that team. I mean talk about a gutless loser. Do you agree that people such as that are miserable losers?

 

[BigBlue1992]

Cal gives these kids an informed opinion of what they should do. Some families take the advice (PJ,Nick, IQ, etc). Some families have their mind made up (EJ among others). These kids wanna be pro basketball players. They dont want to be teachers, lawyers etc. A lot of us dont agree with EJs decision but Cal cant MAKE them come back.

I would have loved to got JJ back but he knows the guys coming in are probably better. He knew his PT was gonna go down and I cant blame him for leaving. But u cant blame Cal for someone not wanting to compete for PT

Cal may be giving them an informed opinion now but was he four to ten years ago? No way. He wanted to bring in complete freshmen classes in each year just to see how many he could turn into OAD's.

You bring up Juzang but what about all the others that had the same mindset as him? I mean you go back to Cal's first years here and they thought the same. Now tell me, how do players ten years apart playing on different teams, with no common connections, come in with the same mindset that they're OAD's? Sorry but the only common denominator between them all points back to John Calipari

 

[coryrusso]

I think one point of confusion is that you think the choice is NBA or Ky. The choice is college basketball versus getting paid. Cal is such a good recruiter that we have a disproportionate number of players with that option.

Yes but you have so many in a season go to the second round or not be drafted it's a problem.Maxey is a totally different story.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

The elephant in the room is that we have had more experienced teams in 2017 and 2019 that didn't make the last play needed to win the Elite 8 games against UNC and Auburn. So it is not like Calipari has not had some good mixes of experience with freshman of late. This year's team was another nice mix, and I know we all say they could have won it all and the guard play would have made the difference in March but we don't really know and never will. They certainly would have been a grind it out, win by 1-9 points per game NCAA Champ if it had happened as this team rarely blew out anyone. We have had good experienced teams (By Calipari standards) 3 of the last 4 years and no final fours to show for it.

 

[hotelblue]

What in the heck is going on, kentucky just lost a player to BYU. We are going to be awful next year. I'm almost to the point that I want next season canceled!!!!!!!

the sarcasm is excellent here. nice work.

 

[Smashcat]

I truly believe he was caught off guard by the EJ and JJ departures

I’d say EJ but not JJ. They only went out and got JJ when it looked like Dontaie Allen was going to take a lot longer to recover than initially figured. Allen is a better player and much better shooter.

 

[JwUKFan11]

Losing all our starters plus JJ was the downer for me.I mean if they were all expected first rounders I would have understood but it might just be Maxey going first round so I don't get it.I love Cal and don't want anyone else but he could stand to make some changes.

Losing JJ sucked big time. I really think he could have been the leading scorer next year. Having said that I still think our team next year will be fine and will compete for a final 4.

 

[kybassfan]

Yes but you have so many in a season go to the second round or not be drafted it's a problem.Maxey is a totally different story.

You are still thinking NBA. Lots of ways to get paid besides the NBA

 

[coryrusso]

You are still thinking NBA. Lots of ways to get paid besides the NBA

Then why did some guys who could have made overseas money return to Florida,Nova,Virginia,Kansas,etc.

 

[BigBlue1992]

You are still thinking NBA. Lots of ways to get paid besides the NBA

Who wants to go to Iraq or Turkey to play basketball? No thanks

 

[wk1001]

Cal may be giving them an informed opinion now but was he four to ten years ago? No way. He wanted to bring in complete freshmen classes in each year just to see how many he could turn into OAD's.

You bring up Juzang but what about all the others that had the same mindset as him? I mean you go back to Cal's first years here and they thought the same. Now tell me, how do players ten years apart playing on different teams, with no common connections, come in with the same mindset that they're OAD's? Sorry but the only common denominator between them all points back to John Calipari

You cant change a kids mindset especially with delusional parents (Michael Bradley's dad called his son the next Larry Bird back in 99). Does anyone think EJ made the right decision, I know I dont. His dad had his mind made up and he was gone. Cal is goin to try to recruit the best players every year and some of these 4 stars see the writing on the wall and dont want to wait their turn. JJ is a good player but may had to of waited til his junior to get starters minutes. Like I said before, cant blame the kids for wanting to go somewhere they will get more minutes, but if u think we are they only one losing transfers every year, go check the list of transfers the past few years

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Cal may be giving them an informed opinion now but was he four to ten years ago? No way. He wanted to bring in complete freshmen classes in each year just to see how many he could turn into OAD's.

You bring up Juzang but what about all the others that had the same mindset as him? I mean you go back to Cal's first years here and they thought the same. Now tell me, how do players ten years apart playing on different teams, with no common connections, come in with the same mindset that they're OAD's? Sorry but the only common denominator between them all points back to John Calipari

So what’s your answer?

 

[drcats2013]

What in the heck is going on, kentucky just lost a player to BYU. We are going to be awful next year. I'm almost to the point that I want next season canceled!!!!!!!

Troll.

 

[drcats2013]

Tyler Hansbrough played at UNC 4 straight years averaging over 18 ppg each season, then a guy like EJ leaves after two mediocre years. Obviously it’s a different game now, but man that’s wild to think about.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

The elephant in the room is that we have had more experienced teams in 2017 and 2019 that didn't make the last play needed to win the Elite 8 games against UNC and Auburn. So it is not like Calipari has not had some good mixes of experience with freshman of late. This year's team was another nice mix, and I know we all say they could have won it all and the guard play would have made the difference in March but we don't really know and never will. They certainly would have been a grind it out, win by 1-9 points per game NCAA Champ if it had happened as this team rarely blew out anyone. We have had good experienced teams (By Calipari standards) 3 of the last 4 years and no final fours to show for it.

Well, 2017 got totally ****ed. I can’t lay blame anywhere but squarely on the officiating in that particular game. To a lesser extent, 2019 as well. There’s just no possible way that Auburn didn’t commit a foul the last 9+ minutes of regulation. Especially with the way they play defense. We’ve gotta be head and shoulders above the field talent wise in order to win it all. ****ing blows!

 

[Mr_GG]

I'm frustrated because, since the beginning of the 2019 season, I had the 2021 season as our next great year. I figured we couldn't miss because we would either land 4-5 top 10 guys like we did in 2013 or we would have a lot of lower ranked 5 stars that would develop and be there that year.

I never expected to lose our entire starting 5 when we have had 1 projected in the 1st round. Also, if we add Cade Cunningham to this year's team + one more elite 4/5 (Brown/Kuminga/Banchero) or if we return Quickley and Richards, we would steamroll everyone next year. I think next year's team would be the closest thing to a 2012/2015 type year we've had in terms of talent/experience.

Now I see next year's team more like this past year's (good and in the hunt, but my no means a favorite). If we can add one more elite guy, I still think we would be #1 in the country. It's just frustrating to me because I've wanted another 2015 type year for a while now, and we're always 1-2 players short.

 

[jace2012]

Cal may be giving them an informed opinion now but was he four to ten years ago? No way. He wanted to bring in complete freshmen classes in each year just to see how many he could turn into OAD's.

You bring up Juzang but what about all the others that had the same mindset as him? I mean you go back to Cal's first years here and they thought the same. Now tell me, how do players ten years apart playing on different teams, with no common connections, come in with the same mindset that they're OAD's? Sorry but the only common denominator between them all points back to John Calipari

If only Cal could isolate the players from friends and family, UK could probably keep a team of juniors and seniors. It’s the outside noise screwing the roster up. I’m sure Cal is getting tired of starting with a new team every year but it is what it is.

 

[Lil Spears]

We will be good next year like most years. Just the one year Noel went down killed that. If we could make most of you happy here, we would need 20 players on every team. We can't get them all. Smh at the ones that think we should get everyone. Be proud of what we do have, what we do accomplish and for the ones that want to put that UK blue on. Bitter posters here. It's one thing to discuss options and want players, but it's another to think Cal doesn't know what he's doing or has lost it. Also that we won't have as good as chance as anyone else. Enjoy what we have at Kentucky because we all know it could be a lot worse. Cant please them all!

 

[Titpwhami2014]

You cant change a kids mindset especially with delusional parents (Michael Bradley's dad called his son the next Larry Bird back in 99). Does anyone think EJ made the right decision, I know I dont. His dad had his mind made up and he was gone. Cal is goin to try to recruit the best players every year and some of these 4 stars see the writing on the wall and dont want to wait their turn. JJ is a good player but may had to of waited til his junior to get starters minutes. Like I said before, cant blame the kids for wanting to go somewhere they will get more minutes, but if u think we are they only one losing transfers every year, go check the list of transfers the past few years

I remember Bradley’s dad. Nice player who got better at Villanova and made it to the NBA. But he couldn’t shoot a lick. Kevin McHale was the closer comp.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

What in the heck is going on, kentucky just lost a player to BYU. We are going to be awful next year. I'm almost to the point that I want next season canceled!!!!!!!

NUMBER ONE recruiting class again....That's what is going on.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

What in the heck is going on, kentucky just lost a player to BYU. We are going to be awful next year. I'm almost to the point that I want next season canceled!!!!!!!

Stop looking at it like that. Kentuckydidnt “lose a player to BYU” like the way you’re insinuating. A grad transfer became available and in the 2 weeks of recruiting him he decided he liked the pitch from a different school.

 

[CB3UK]

You could say I'm a bit of a sunshine pumper. Probably can tell from my posts to likes ratio. I don't think I have once bashed Cal. Even when I'm really upset, say after a loss or missing out on a kid we think we really need. I always bite my tongue and just say Cal has a plan. (which I still believe) And I'm quick to call out JFCats, Kentucky Kiddy, Zaytoven, etc. Still love ya'll, we are all rooting for the same cause at the end of the day. But I'm starting to get where you guys and others are coming from.

Let me say this before I get into it. I love Cal. But I'm a little unsure of the current direction. It is also possible to be upset with the coach and at the same time not want anyone else to be the coach. This is where I am.

I just don't see how UK can get back to a final four so damn young. So damn talented, but when you get to that Elite 8 match-up, you really need dudes that have been there before. The Fab 5 almost did it with primarily freshman. Our cats almost did it in 2014. But it just takes so much for it to happen. How many times did Miller, Jones, and Lamb come through in 2012 when we needed them?

I think Cal himself senses this too. That is why I think he's going hard after players like Haarms, whom he normally wouldn't go after. I'm happy he brought a long Mintz and Toppin for experience alone and I do believe he will go after another big man for next year. Maybe a guy we haven't heard of yet. Just can't afford to miss this time.

John Calipari has done so much for Kentucky. The way he's changed the brand alone will do wonders for recruiting after he is gone. Think of little kids now who are growing up and will see all these superstars in the NBA that went through Lexington before they got there...

We already know how next year will go. They'll struggle early, lose to a couple no names, and be playing well in March. But will it be enough to get to the promised land? Just don't feel as confident as I usually do. Being quarantined has hampered my sunshine pumping abilities I guess.

This is all ANY of us who have been labeled Debbie Downers have been saying. Its not negative....its a realistic and sober view of the reality of where we are. Yes, we win a lot. But the first two months are usually rough andnuninspired while they figure things out. It simply isnt a satiafying product. It isnt. It just isnt.

 

[Big Cat fan]

So it took the OP this long to get we have a problem? Missing on the Top talent for 5 years. Players not wanting to stay here when they are not ready for the NBA. Players leaving going to other schools. IT TOOK A BUM PICKING BYU for you to understand now????? ok

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Who wants to go to Iraq or Turkey to play basketball? No thanks

It’s not always Iraq or Turkey. It could be Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy etc. Obviously it’s nowhere near NBA money but for someone like Hagans? Or Briscoe? Those types of players who are good but not nearly NBA good can have an excellent life playing overseas.
Think about it. Yeah it’ll take some getting used to but going overseas to a potentially somewhat cool country and make a very solid six figures? With perks? Maybe even endorsements? Not a bad gig at all.

 

[LowCountryCat]

This is all ANY of us who have been labeled Debbie Downers have been saying. Its not negative....its a realistic and sober view of the reality of where we are. Yes, we win a lot. But the first two months are usually rough andnuninspired while they figure things out. It simply isnt a satiafying product. It isnt. It just isnt.

Which team made it farther in the tournament, 2014 or 2015?

 

[Poetax]

You could say I'm a bit of a sunshine pumper. Probably can tell from my posts to likes ratio. I don't think I have once bashed Cal. Even when I'm really upset, say after a loss or missing out on a kid we think we really need. I always bite my tongue and just say Cal has a plan. (which I still believe) And I'm quick to call out JFCats, Kentucky Kiddy, Zaytoven, etc. Still love ya'll, we are all rooting for the same cause at the end of the day. But I'm starting to get where you guys and others are coming from.

Let me say this before I get into it. I love Cal. But I'm a little unsure of the current direction. It is also possible to be upset with the coach and at the same time not want anyone else to be the coach. This is where I am.

I just don't see how UK can get back to a final four so damn young. So damn talented, but when you get to that Elite 8 match-up, you really need dudes that have been there before. The Fab 5 almost did it with primarily freshman. Our cats almost did it in 2014. But it just takes so much for it to happen. How many times did Miller, Jones, and Lamb come through in 2012 when we needed them?

I think Cal himself senses this too. That is why I think he's going hard after players like Haarms, whom he normally wouldn't go after. I'm happy he brought a long Mintz and Toppin for experience alone and I do believe he will go after another big man for next year. Maybe a guy we haven't heard of yet. Just can't afford to miss this time.

John Calipari has done so much for Kentucky. The way he's changed the brand alone will do wonders for recruiting after he is gone. Think of little kids now who are growing up and will see all these superstars in the NBA that went through Lexington before they got there...

We already know how next year will go. They'll struggle early, lose to a couple no names, and be playing well in March. But will it be enough to get to the promised land? Just don't feel as confident as I usually do. Being quarantined has hampered my sunshine pumping abilities I guess.

Actually you don't know how next year will go, remember you said you were a sunshine pumper not a fortune teller, lol. But honestly, lets see how the roster pans out, its April, lots of time for things and rules to change before we start predicting what we will or won't do.

 

[Creed Bratton]

I truly believe he was caught off guard by the EJ and JJ departures

and probably Whitney too. I am sure at the Christmas break it was looking like he would be a 2 year guy only to lose in a couple of weeks later.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

NUMBER ONE recruiting class again....That's what is going on.

Which truly is fantastic. It really is BUT we lost a $hit ton. Literally 97% of our scoring. All 5 starters and only one dude who played even somewhat meaningful minutes is returning. That’s just hard to overcome even for Calipari. If we were somehow brining JJ, IQ and EJ back I’d be on cloud NINE for next year. Hell gimme IQ and EJ and I’d still be on cloud 9.

 

[Poetax]

and probably Whitney too. I am sure at the Christmas break it was looking like he would be a 2 year guy only to lose in a couple of weeks later.

I agree with you, I think Cal thought he could rework Whitney into more then even he knew he could be. I think it caught Cal off guard.