**Piglet Mignon and anyone else-- warning, long reply** Tried breaking it down in smaller chunks but if you don't like long posts then just don't read it.
No doubt Kentucky has a basketball standard that is as high as it gets . Cal had more final 4's than Pitino and also has one of Kentucky's 4 Championships the last 40 years . It has just been to long since he made a serious run . Were hoping a rejuvenated Cal can give the Razorbacks some of that earlier tenure success .
Lord knows I'm often wrong but never doubt; however, I suspect you guys will start suffering the "death by a thousand cuts" frustrations/ peccadillos with Cal within the next 2-3 years as UK did before your frustrations will start really grinding on you circa year 4-5:
* weird little player injuries with a healing time that drags on and on.
* a growing worry about early season wins while being told "we're built for March" (realization that the vast majority of new/young college players Cal brings in (no matter how good) doesn't translate to winning games earlier in the season. This W/L record DOES impact March no matter how Cal tries to blow it off.)
---> fans may start mocking tried and true Calisms like "we're built for March" with phrases like "we're built for June (recruiting)".
* ultimately beating teams you should but only after being down/starting to wonder why you are struggling with this team in the first place based on the talented athletes on your roster (your pucker factor will start increasing) "Crap, we won by 10 but we really should have clobbered these guys."
* starting to notice a rightfully deserved bias against Cal by refs resulting in angst "that was a foul- what the hell??!!" no-call comments by fans. this will start building this into a big deal come March at some point during his tenure there.
* Cal's "be mad at me, not the players" or similar quotes when head scratching decisions/losses happen. This passive aggressive behavior by Cal will not be evident at first but will slowly fester in the Arkansas fan base.
1. specific to "decisions", you guys will be absolutely befuddled why he does or not play certain guys who have shown they should be in the game *or NOT* in the game.
2. decisions tied to allowing incoming transfers which result in the team not entirely meshing "gotta have those athletes" no matter what the cost.
3. I'd suggest getting caught up on old episodes of "Little House on the Prairie" in case you end up in a conversation with Cal (don't worry about engaging on how he and the staff gameplan).
*players your fans base grows to love/ identifies with as the season goes on-- with an excitement of seeing improvement in year 2-- only to be pushed out the door whether they may ultimately be ready or not-- for another crop of young talented athletes (key in on the word "athlete" and why I used it instead of "player").
1. all but the most diehard of fans will have a hard time remembering who was on your team a couple years earlier with the afore mentioned fan favorite being the exception and not the rule (success will ease that confusion...at first)
2. you'll hear former players speak about playing for Cal if asked but not nearly as much about playing at Arkansas (this perhaps is a dated concept but it is still important in Kentucky and I believe in Arkansas as well). The "university of Cal" comments will start.
I believe you guys will enjoy the initial success as we did with Cal from 09-17. You used the words "rejuvenated Cal" and you'll be right at first. A competitive Arkansas is fun rival for Kentucky and SEC.
Ultimately, his shtick will start wearing on you. When the success of the first few years starts diminishing the little things you guys overlooked (as WE DID) will become big issues. At some point, the rotating door of players will lead to apathy on the part of your fan base. This, coupled with Cal's hubris, frustrating losses/ personnel decisions year over year will cause the rumblings to start. Soon after, folks will realize the joy of watching their team has diminished/some will say they've lost it.
Instead of responding/adjusting/ admitting a course correction may be in order, Ol' Cal to double down on "my way is correct", REALLY start ramping up the "blame me" coach talk, surround himself with yes men coaches/supporters. The downward spiral will speed up.
When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
CM.
