Okay UK fans... Help me out here

[TheDude1]

Okay you guys.

So I know you hate Duke and hate Duke fans and all of that.

But beyond that... Help a brother out.

So we have lost nearly our entire team this year, and it kind of sucks. I am so used to getting to know our kids for years at a time... That's always been a big part of it. Having so many of them just for four months (or a year and four months) sort of sucks, comparatively.

You guys have had to deal with this for a while now... How do you do it? Any advice?

 

[TheKentuckyKid]

Suck it.

 

[KA4Prez]

Start following the NBA. For one, I enjoy watching games and checking box scores just to see how UK players did. Soon, there will be a UK player on every roster. Tons of top 50 players already and counting. Almost all of them are good kids who still rep UK and hang out with each other off the court. It's crazy when people say those guys don't care about UK. Their actions say otherwise.

 

[Aike]

It helps that you guys are suffering.

All seriousness, I follow recruiting, and the draft, and the NBA.

The season doesn't end until almost 4th of July. Then we start getting summer practice reports, etc. Whole new team to learn about.

We are a talented group of fans, but it's easier than it looks.

Probably the thing that has made it easiest is watching how invested our NBA guys are in BBN. We have the kind of brotherhood extending into the pro ranks that we've never truly had in the past.

 

[Aike]

Start following the NBA. For one, I enjoy watching games and checking box scores just to see how UK players did. Soon, there will be a UK player on every roster. Tons of top 50 players already and counting. Almost all of them are good kids who still rep UK and hang out with each other off the court. It's crazy when people say those guys don't care about UK. Their actions say otherwise.

Pretty crazy how similar our answer was.

 

[KYtotheCore]

OP likes nothing more than bringing Duke to the board. Nothing. More.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Okay you guys.

So I know you hate Duke and hate Duke fans and all of that.

But beyond that... Help a brother out.

So we have lost nearly our entire team this year, and it kind of sucks. I am so used to getting to know our kids for years at a time... That's always been a big part of it. Having so many of them just for four months (or a year and four months) sort of sucks, comparatively.

You guys have had to deal with this for a while now... How do you do it? Any advice?

Our worry level is pretty low because of our coaches work ethic. Cal works way ahead and will always put together a good team. Probably very very few coaches out work him on the recruiting front. We have gotten used to being taken care of. Unlike your coach and Pitino, Cal does not hold kids back. We know ahead of time our guys will improve tremendously and will most likely leave. Way of life now we are used to.

 

[IL Wildcat]

Well, it should be noted that many don't deal well with it at all, even after 8 seasons. Look around at some of these threads and see folks freaking out when exactly what was predicted at the beginning of season is actually happening.

But hey, none of us like the fact that players are leaving early and we don't get to know them as well as we once did. We would all prefer they stay.

The only suggestion I would offer is to just embrace it, enjoy the time you have with some really great players you'll likely be watching in the NBA for years to come, and get ready to follow another group next year. Otherwise it will drive you nuts.

 

[martinsm30]

I am curious how the ancient Coach Krymeariver will handle all of those freshman at once. Cal is younger and has a lot more experience dealing with it.

Maybe K will leap up during a game after a major freshman mistake and his spine will just remain in the chair. Career ending back injury.

 

[JerseyCat84]

Tell Coach K to stop copying the UK model. That might help.

 

[WildMoon]

Duke's player don't do well in NBA.

sooooo... i can't really see the big picture thats in works that it is for Coach Cal.

sooooo... you guys play like shit.

sooooo... Enjoy suffering

and....... keep in mind after Coach K...you guys will suck.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

Go back and recruit the 3 and 4 star kids. They always stick around 4 years

 

[Montana81]

We really don't deal with it very well to be honest.

 

[kyboy1998]

I think it sucks. I like to win though so I take solace in that.

I'm not a Pelicans, Kings, Nuggets etc fan and don't care enough about people that don't have a vested interest in me to keep up with them closely when they leave.

I just enjoy the seasons one at a time and trust that we'll be good each year.

 

[floatingyou]

Wouldn't watching Duke pansies in the NBA make him more depressed?

UK kids show out. Duke kids are used to playing 8 on 5, a lot different game

 

[wildcatsboston1984]

I don't really follow basketball to get to know the players.

 

[stoneycat_20]

It makes recruiting a lot more fun to follow..and screw the NBA

 

[TnRustyCAT]

You can also do like some of UK FANATICS! Watch each team develop and make a run in the ncaa tournament, and when several leave, hope they do well where ever they end up. Personally, I know many, many UK fanatic's who does NOT give a DAM^ about the watered down nba! I don't waste my precious time on nba, and have NOT for several year's!

 

[morgousky]

That's a "like me" post if I've ever seen one.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Okay you guys.

So I know you hate Duke and hate Duke fans and all of that.

But beyond that... Help a brother out.

So we have lost nearly our entire team this year, and it kind of sucks. I am so used to getting to know our kids for years at a time... That's always been a big part of it. Having so many of them just for four months (or a year and four months) sort of sucks, comparatively.

You guys have had to deal with this for a while now... How do you do it? Any advice?

We have had a team good enough to make a serious run all but one year (NIT), and one year we lost in the second round. 6 EEs in 8 years makes it easy to take the turnover. If we weren't winning, I would hate it. Also, the guys he's been getting have almost all been great kids, and have stayed out of trouble. Of course, it would be better if they stuck around longer, but that's just the current reality. Cal doesn't attract the type of player that is going to stick around just to enjoy the college life.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Suck it.

Holy shit, that was funny af.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Okay you guys.

So I know you hate Duke and hate Duke fans and all of that.

But beyond that... Help a brother out.

So we have lost nearly our entire team this year, and it kind of sucks. I am so used to getting to know our kids for years at a time... That's always been a big part of it. Having so many of them just for four months (or a year and four months) sort of sucks, comparatively.

You guys have had to deal with this for a while now... How do you do it? Any advice?

My best advice is to jump headfirst into the OAD system and don't look back because it will always conflict you. As one poster stated; Embrace it. But not half azz.

 

[Derbyman32]

My best advice is to jump headfirst into the OAD system and don't look back because it will always conflict you. As one poster stated; Embrace it. But not half azz.

I agree about embracing it. I love the excitement of the one and done and seeing something new every year. I never followed the NBA at all but now I look daily and am proud to see our players doing so well. The main reason for this is the more players that thrive will make Cal's job a little easier when he goes into homes. No coach can go in a home and talk to a top caliber recruit with a resume like Cal has to back him up and it is my opinion it will get better and better. I love the attention we receive nationally and the kids have become great ambassadors for Kentucky Basketball.

 

[kyboy1998]

That's a "like me" post if I've ever seen one.

I agree. I just hate bashing opposing fans that come to the board and struggle with a nice way to say go f*** yourself.

 

[mebeblue2]

most deal with it fine, a few are having trouble with it
most embraced the automobile, a few had trouble with it

times change, adjust or get left behind

i care more about the name on the front of the jersey then i do on the back of it
i want UK to compete for the championship every year, the OAD system is giving me that

the only other option is to recruit lower rated guys and pray every 8-10 years you hit lightning in a bottle
as a Duke fan would you be happy with that model?

 

[420grover]

I think at UK, with the aid of the internet and the massive amount of media coverage, I know most of the one and dones better than I knew Tayshaun Prince or Jamal Mashburn. Yeah, they used to be here 3-4 years but what did you really know about them? A few interviews throughout the years and some sound bites. Now, we know everything about these kids before they even step on campus.

 

[uky8unc5]

I go back to early 50's as a fan. Us graybeards know that this is the Golden Era of UK basketball (other than late-90's). I'm loving it!

 

[TheDude1]

Hey all,

Okay, appreciate it. Yeah, I have to admit I don't follow the NBA at all. We have a ton of guys there, but not many AD/Boogie/Wall/etcs... I get the point about checking up on them, which I do but not regularly... Most of our guys are not as regularly in the headlines as your big names.

Not looking back is hard. I mean... "Back" is where all of my favorite players are

I suppose winning helps a great deal. We are just still getting into this. 2015 was great, but the only OAD in that group I really loved was Jones... Winslow was always a cool cat, and Jah was pretty quiet too. This latest group... Maybe the year going so poorly hurt that?

Anyway, appreciate the thoughts.

Oh, and KYtotheCore...this...

OP likes nothing more than bringing Duke to the board. Nothing. More.

... Coming from the guy who literally posts nothing on the national board by "Hey, let's talk about UK!" threads, and directed at a guy who has now started a grand total of about one thread on this forum, is a bit much

 

[TNCatfanforever]

Okay you guys.

So I know you hate Duke and hate Duke fans and all of that.

But beyond that... Help a brother out.

So we have lost nearly our entire team this year, and it kind of sucks. I am so used to getting to know our kids for years at a time... That's always been a big part of it. Having so many of them just for four months (or a year and four months) sort of sucks, comparatively.

You guys have had to deal with this for a while now... How do you do it? Any advice?

Ask Grayson but don't let his answers trip you up.

 

[wcc31]

You have to look at how cool/interesting it can be seeing an entirely new team (and with Cal) style of play every year. And keep your eyes on the prize- March.

I don't mind it because we win big every year and are playing our best ball by the NCAA. Others struggle with it, which I get.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

@TheDude1

Every November you are wondering what you are going to see. What can this guy do? What about this guy? How do they mesh? Usually,by Thanksgiving, you have it all figured out, then they roller coaster you in December. You get to love watching them as they learn and then March comes, and in early April the press conferences.

Wash, rinse repeat.

 

[Bluest Member]

Okay you guys.

So I know you hate Duke and hate Duke fans and all of that.

But beyond that... Help a brother out.

So we have lost nearly our entire team this year, and it kind of sucks. I am so used to getting to know our kids for years at a time... That's always been a big part of it. Having so many of them just for four months (or a year and four months) sort of sucks, comparatively.

You guys have had to deal with this for a while now... How do you do it? Any advice?

Duke and UNCHEATS gets all the help in the world from the NCAA and Media,why would you need help from us?

 

[warddr]

Just do what you did when Okafor, Winslow, and Jones all left. Don't act like this is something new to Duke.

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

What are you talking about? You got to watch Grayson Allen trip people for multiple seasons. You got watch Kennard nail jumpers and not play defense for multiple seasons. You get your first group of guys who don't wilt to K's tears and you come here asking how to deal with it? As someone else said, you're fishing for likes.

I hate Duke, and I hate K. He's not the man of character that I used to think he was, and who the media still thinks he is. His treatment of Allen proves that. I don't hate Duke fans though. That's ignorant.

That being said. I don't like the OP. This is the first post of his on this board where he's been pleasant. Other times he's unbearable.

 

[ram1955]

From my perspective, the benefit of getting the oad's is that at least we get them for a year and knock other schools out of having them for 2, 3 or 4 years.

As for dook...once coach kra-zooo-skee leaves, that program will fall back into its pre coach k state of anonymity. They've had a nice little run but it will end soon.

 

[TheDude1]

Just do what you did when Okafor, Winslow, and Jones all left. Don't act like this is something new to Duke.

Yeah, but it isn't that simple.

First, that team won a title. That sort of covers up everything else, you know? Plus, it was the first time we've had more than a single OAD, you know?

It seems like it will happen more often now, and I doubt most of the seasons will end in titles. Hell, if ONE ends in a title that would be great.

Nail, yeah, that sounds about right. The roller coaster sucks especially. You guys have had GREAT success in March and April, which I think probably helps a LOT. Like... a ton, you know? Fingers crossed we follow suit, but I just don't see that it is likely (there aren't many runs like Cals in history, at all, after all...)

 

[ram1955]

I go back to early 50's as a fan. Us graybeards know that this is the Golden Era of UK basketball (other than late-90's). I'm loving it!

Exactly

 

[oldsports_]

OP likes nothing more than bringing Duke to the board. Nothing. More.

I think some of our own fans do a good job of that.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Hey all,

Okay, appreciate it. Yeah, I have to admit I don't follow the NBA at all. We have a ton of guys there, but not many AD/Boogie/Wall/etcs... I get the point about checking up on them, which I do but not regularly... Most of our guys are not as regularly in the headlines as your big names.

Not looking back is hard. I mean... "Back" is where all of my favorite players are

I suppose winning helps a great deal. We are just still getting into this. 2015 was great, but the only OAD in that group I really loved was Jones... Winslow was always a cool cat, and Jah was pretty quiet too. This latest group... Maybe the year going so poorly hurt that?

Anyway, appreciate the thoughts.

Oh, and KYtotheCore...this...



... Coming from the guy who literally posts nothing on the national board by "Hey, let's talk about UK!" threads, and directed at a guy who has now started a grand total of about one thread on this forum, is a bit much

 

[MWes11]

It's very easy to stay engaged in everything from recruiting all the way to our players in the NBA due to the fact that the members on this board are active 24/7 365 days a year. This board is a treasure and one that I thoroughly enjoy.

My advice, make sure your board stays active all year long and it never gets boring.