I too, have been following the Cats for 60+ years.
I agree 100% about anyone bashing the coach. What does bother me is the attitude around this years team.
By attitude, I am talking about from an outsiders view ( a fan) the lack of heart. There was a time old guys, wearing a Kentucky uniform meant something. Nowadays, its seems to be more about the name on the back instead of the front.
Getting beat is no shame. Getting beat because more players did not give 100% than ones that did give 100% is a shame.
Maybe these guys think they are giving 100%, who knows.
Coach says he wants them to 'drive, create, shoot towards the rim and lets go get it". Fine, but if you wont go get a rebound, how is this going to work?
Its society that is the problem with this team and others like us. Kids feel special. We are part of the problem for buying into all the crap about 5 stars and shit.
Kentucky players do not sit on the bench while their team is getting beat laughing, cutting up and then walk away from the handshake line. This is not the Kentucky basketball I watched for 60 years.
Old guys, remember when our really good '78 team came with no hustle against Florida State in the NCAA? Coach Hall benched them for almost a half. They came back in and took care of business.
Coaches don't seem to want to do that much today, bench players to send a message.
I am one who understood Coach K telling his players to take off their Duke jersey's and hoodies, telling them they did not deserve to wear them.
Todays players could not be coached by the likes of Joe B, Bobby Knight, Gene Keady, John Wooden's. Like those coaches or not is not the point, those guys could coach, win games but they did not let their players talk back, do as they may on the court or walk away from the handshake line.
Players today are being told they will be in the NBA after one year. 18-19 year old kids who have been cuddled and pampered by coaches who use them to win games but for the most part do little for them in preparing them for college ball. AAU ball is all about money and to get the money you have to have the best players. Many of those coaches aren't going to risk losing a player over discipline.
Coach Cal has his hands full with trying to get young kids to buy into playing as one. He tries to give them freedom but how many 18-19 year old prima donnas are mature to handle all this?
Tradition is out the window. Its all about the 'bling" today.
So, this old timer likes to win, go to Final Fours, but I also like to do all this with class.
That is the Kentucky basketball.