Is the UK basketball program on the verge of becoming another Indiana?

[TopCatCal]

IU basketball during the 1970's, 80's & 90,s was as good as any program in the country. I'm sure if anyone would have told an Indiana fan after they made the Final Four in 1992 that they would make only 1 Final Four over the next 31 years they would have laughed at you...... And now here we are at Kentucky with our next chance at the FF will be in 2024 we are now going on 9 years without a Final Four. With Calipari & his coaching staff I've got ZERO reason for hope that next season will be any better than the last 2 years have been. And with Calipari's contract we're stuck with this guy for at least the next 3 years before UK could buy him out. At that time our FF draught would have reached 11 years. Then the problem will be, that the man that will be hiring Calipari's replacement Mitch Barnhart has a track record for hiring duds. Joker Phillips, Billy Gillispie, Kyra Elzy not to mention the fact that's he's the one that gave Calipari this ridiculous contract of his. Let him hire another clown like Gillispie & let this guy go 3 or 4 years without making another Final Four then our FF draught will be 14 or 15 years. Double digit loss seasons 14/15 years without a Final Four we would be no better than Indiana. Mitch Barnhart has got to go before Calipari's replacement is named. The longer this is allowed to fester the closer we get to being like Indiana. If it happened at Indiana, it could happen anywhere.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Anything is possible in the new NIL era.

We went 13 years between final fours not long ago though and recovered so let's stop with this UK has never had down periods before nonsense

 

[kyboy1998]

I remember when Indiana was our statistical Peer. I worried about them before Duke and say UConn. Indiana, UNC and UCLAS fake run were all I was concerned about.

I hope we don’t go down that road. We have self destructive qualities though and I could see it happening.

 

[ukjenning44]

Under Cal we are Indiana right now honestly.

 

[TucsonCat]

No

 

[Bluesbrother]

No

... whistling past the graveyard.

 

[NociHTTP]

Under Cal we are Indiana right now honestly.

In some ways we're worse than Indiana. Indiana had the better team this year IMO. They were certainly more fun to watch. I don't care for the state, nor their history (sorry), but they were not at all painful to watch. In fact I thought they could go deep.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Somebody wake me up when we go 30 years with a single FF. Nevermind, I will probably be dead.

 

[Bluesbrother]

Somebody wake me up when we go 30 years with a single FF. Nevermind, I will probably be dead.

I think we're well on our way. Maybe we can bury you right next to the UK Basketball Tradition that already has one foot in the grave.

 

[saxonburgcat]

In some ways we're worse than Indiana. Indiana had the better team this year IMO. They were certainly more fun to watch. I don't care for the state, nor their history (sorry), but they were not at all painful to watch. In fact I thought they could go deep.

News flash: IU went as far as we did this year. And, they went as far as we did last year too!

 

[saxonburgcat]

I think we're well on our way. Maybe we can bury you right next to the UK Basketball Tradition that already has on foot in the grave.

Good comeback! You made me laugh after my old man nap.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

UK is dangerously close to slipping off the ledge into mediocrity. Next season will determine the future of Kentucky basketball. With the unquestioned #1 recruiting class, a few holdovers and undoubtedly a couple of transfer, the 23-24 team will be Calipari's last, best chance to change the trajectory of his legacy at Kentucky. IMO, anything short of a Final Four appearance is a failure. Calipari knows this and the stakes are going to be very high next year. Another 1st or 2nd round flameout and you can effectively start shoveling dirty on top of Calipari and the UK program under him.

 

[Disappointed Cat]

IU basketball during the 1970's, 80's & 90,s was as good as any program in the country. I'm sure if anyone would have told an Indiana fan after they made the Final Four in 1992 that they would make only 1 Final Four over the next 31 years they would have laughed at you...... And now here we are at Kentucky with our next chance at the FF will be in 2024 we are now going on 9 years without a Final Four. With Calipari & his coaching staff I've got ZERO reason for hope that next season will be any better than the last 2 years have been. And with Calipari's contract we're stuck with this guy for at least the next 3 years before UK could buy him out. At that time our FF draught would have reached 11 years. Then the problem will be, that the man that will be hiring Calipari's replacement Mitch Barnhart has a track record for hiring duds. Joker Phillips, Billy Gillispie, Kyra Elzy not to mention the fact that's he's the one that gave Calipari this ridiculous contract of his. Let him hire another clown like Gillispie & let this guy go 3 or 4 years without making another Final Four then our FF draught will be 14 or 15 years. Double digit loss seasons 14/15 years without a Final Four we would be no better than Indiana. Mitch Barnhart has got to go before Calipari's replacement is named. The longer this is allowed to fester the closer we get to being like Indiana. If it happened at Indiana, it could happen anywhere.

Cal is struggling to match Gillespie numbers the last 3 years despite much more talent. So yeah, we have been looking like Indiana for several years.

 

[HagginHall1999]

No.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Can’t believe we have idiots still supporting Cal

 

[kywildcat41086]

Can’t believe we have idiots still supporting Cal

If a 9-16 , 1st round loss , 2nd round loss , and losing the all time wins lead doesn’t turn the support machine off nothing ever will. I mean with the results just stated above I agree how can anyone ever support the guy anymore. I didn’t even list everything he’s done to bring the program down I just listed the last few seasons! The 9-16 season should’ve did it for any true blue fan!

 

[Smashcat]

Not yet, but Cal is on the verge of becoming another Tubby. 10 years without a FF visit.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

It’s amazing that some fans think it’s impossible that we would.. Of course it could happen.

 

[Big Cat fan]

Buddy we haven't been as good as Indiana since the 2019 season.

 

[stuway]

Yes, if we don't get a new coach immediately

 

[Backer cutter]

Yeah I think so. We’re up trending. 9-16 to first round exit to round of 32. Almost there. Yeah for sure, we’re almost equal Indiana. Go big blue!

 

[Bigblueamdyou]

In some ways we're worse than Indiana. Indiana had the better team this year IMO. They were certainly more fun to watch. I don't care for the state, nor their history (sorry), but they were not at all painful to watch. In fact I thought they could go deep.

they was a fraud and that’s why they got exposed

 

[Lukeslaw]

On the verge? I'd say we're halfway there.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Can’t believe we have idiots still supporting Cal

Not one poster in this thread defended Cal. You have poor reading comprehension. We are a long way off from being another IU. IU has not been relevant since 1987. We have struggled for a few seasons, no doubt. But, I would still rather be a UK fan than you IU fan wannabes.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

If the goal was to come up with the most foolish and ludicrous thread title, the OP should have tried harder…

Will Kentucky become the next CCNY?

Kentucky was an OT from a Final Four four tournaments ago. Indiana has been past the Sweet 16 once since 1993. Kentucky has been at least to the Elite 17 times in that period, won three titles and went to Eight Final Fours.

Other than that, comparing the programs makes perfect sense.

 

[Backer cutter]

If the goal was to come up with the most foolish and ludicrous thread title, the OP should have tried harder…

Will Kentucky become the next CCNY?

Kentucky was an OT from a Final Four four tournaments ago. Indiana has been past the Sweet 16 once since 1993. Kentucky has been at least to the Elite 17 times in that period, won three titles and went to Eight Final Fours.

Other than that, comparing the programs makes perfect sense.

We suck man. Just admit it. Defending this stuff is ludicrous. Calipari is washed up. It happens. Next man up. We will get it back. Not without a change though. Time to let go.

 

[saxonburgcat]

How about some facts to enlighten the uninformed?

2018 IU wins 16 games
2019 IU wins 19 games - NIT Quarterfinals
2020 IU wins 20 games - Tournament cancelled
2021 IU wins 12 games
2022 IU wins 21 games - Loses in first round
2023 IU wins 23 games -Loses in 2nd round


2018 UK wins 26 games - Sweet 16
2019 UK wins 30 games - Elite 8
2020 UK wins 25 games - Tournament cancelled
2021 UK wins 9 games
2022 UK wins 26 games - Loses in first round
2023 UK wins 22 games - Loses in 2nd round

 

[dl51344]

Yes.

 

[know1]

Yes. We're pretty much there at this point. He should have been fired at least 2 years ago to save the program. It's basically too late now.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Not one poster in this thread defended Cal. You have poor reading comprehension. We are a long way off from being another IU. IU has not been relevant since 1987. We have struggled for a few seasons, no doubt. But, I would still rather be a UK fan than you IU fan wannabes.

I’m not saying anyone on this thread still supports Cal. Just that there still are fans that support him

 

[Victorbmyboy]

You guys have 3-4 mediocre/bad coaches and a scandal to go through before you become IU. 😉

 

[true blue1]

Somebody wake me up when we go 30 years with a single FF. Nevermind, I will probably be dead.

Been 8 years since we made it.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Been 8 years since we made it.

True. Tubby went 9 years without a FF. Billy G added 2 on to that. Cal added another year to that before he took us to the FF.

There is NO doubt in my mind that Cal has to add a few transfers and our Freshmen need to rise to the challenge and get us back to the FF this coming year or else.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

UK is dangerously close to slipping off the ledge into mediocrity. Next season will determine the future of Kentucky basketball. With the unquestioned #1 recruiting class, a few holdovers and undoubtedly a couple of transfer, the 23-24 team will be Calipari's last, best chance to change the trajectory of his legacy at Kentucky. IMO, anything short of a Final Four appearance is a failure. Calipari knows this and the stakes are going to be very high next year. Another 1st or 2nd round flameout and you can effectively start shoveling dirty on top of Calipari and the UK program under him.

Would it determine the future of Kentucky or the future of Calipari era in Kentucky? Kentucky has proven that it can win with different people in charge. That is what makes it Kentucky. Calipari on the other hand has been trending downward for a few years.

 

[crashtestdummy]

Perhaps, and the fact that your question is reasonable to ask, is dangerous enough for me. And very possible considering the changes throughout college basketball.

 

[know1]

Unless t

You guys have 3-4 mediocre/bad coaches and a scandal to go through before you become IU. 😉

Unless the awful coach we have now stays 5 more years.

 

[know1]

True. Tubby went 9 years without a FF. Billy G added 2 on to that. Cal added another year to that before he took us to the FF.

There is NO doubt in my mind that Cal has to add a few transfers and our Freshmen need to rise to the challenge and get us back to the FF this coming year or else.

Most of Tubby's teams had a legitimate shot at the Final 4,though. Cal's recent teams haven't.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Most of Tubby's teams had a legitimate shot at the Final 4,though. Cal's recent teams haven't.

Yeah, that is true. However, Tubby's last two teams didn't have a legit shot at the FF and were bubble teams. I think the pressure on Tubby was that there was no hope of ever getting back to a FF due to UK losing its luster. The top recruits were going elsewhere.

As for Cal, obviously the 21 team had no chance of a FF. Maybe we could say the same thing about 22 and 23 as well. But, on the flip side, Cal has somehow managed to recruit the top class in the nation for next year. With a few transfers, we would definitely have a legitimate shot at a FF.

As I have said many times, next year is a make or break year for Cal. Anything less than a FF and I think the boosters will pressure Cal and Mitch to make a change.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Most of Tubby's teams had a legitimate shot at the Final 4,though. Cal's recent teams haven't.

BTW, with all the talk about Cal mailing it in and no longer caring, etc, he still has the number one class coming in. From almost any perspective, that seems like a disconnect to me. Regardless of how the fans feel right now, the top recruits still want to play for Cal. That would make an interesting thread if people would discuss it intelligently.

 

[BBNWildcat]

BTW, with all the talk about Cal mailing it in and no longer caring, etc, he still has the number one class coming in. From almost any perspective, that seems like a disconnect to me. Regardless of how the fans feel right now, the top recruits still want to play for Cal. That would make an interesting thread if people would discuss it intelligently.

Number one classes are irrelevant to this modern game. The players won’t stay past one year and freshmen don’t win titles. Unless you want to hang recruiting banners that line of argument Is meaningless.