Pilgrim update

[westerncat]

This was posted 20 minutes before the show and has some new details. Full story below….

Players expect to hear a final answer by Wednesday, but they've been kept out of the loop on a lot of this. Initial word was that Cal was expected to be back and coaches were still recruiting, talking with the current players, but things have gone quiet.
- One player agent expects John Calipari to return with a complete staff overhaul, Reed Sheppard returns (among other stay/go decisions that include several outgoing transfers)
- Some dream coach possibilities may not be such wild dreams after all -- some still coaching in the tournament. If Barnhart is worried about no clear-cut options being available, he should pick up the phone and call or put out some feelers, at minimum. Maybe (and hopefully) he already has, but the pool is bigger than initially expected, from my understanding.
- The ongoing NIL conversation from today has had some real backlash, to put it lightly. Kentucky was an early favorite for one portal guard with confirmed contact who is now questioning his interest in the program (beyond coaching uncertainty, obviously). Between lucrative promises and miscommunications regarding deals, that's something that needs to get under control moving forward no matter who the coaches are. Can confirm the caller's story was true from the other side and frustration is real.
- Continue to hear any scenario where Calipari is back involves major foundational changes and accountability about how the show is run over there. No scenario where this thing is run back as-is. Change is coming, Barnhart is deciding just how much is necessary.
- Still hear Coach Cal wants to be here and would like one last shot at this if the opportunity is there.
- Money is there if Barnhart decides it's time, but no one knows his thinking right now.

If the money is there get rid of Calipari NOW. He will NOT change.

 

[TheBlueMist]

- Still hear Coach Cal wants to be here and would like one last shot at this if the opportunity is there.

How is next year's team going to give him more of a shot than this year's team? The waste of the talent on this team cannot be overstated.

 

[BigKari]

They are definitely a Few Smart options still left coaching in this tourney.

 

[KTBFFH92]

If he’s back then there should be an empty Rupp arena… what a disgrace

 

[westerncat]

Maybe someone can answer this question, is there anyone in the athletics department being told how the fans really feel about Calipari ? That the majority wants him gone.

 

[2Dope15]

This can't be about the players draft statis anymore. It needs to be about UK.

 

[cawoodsct]

They are definitely a Few Smart options still left coaching in this tourney.

No and no

 

[HagginHall1999]

Yeah he just got a big extension. Sucks. We're running it back with Cal. While Oats and Alabama are playing for a elite 8 spot in a few days.

Was talking (instead of typing) with my cousin in law who is a big basketball fan. He is high on Oats too and kind of talked me into your opinion tonight.

I'm hesitant but starting to agree that he may be better than I give him credit for.

 

[WeWant9]

Was talking (instead of typing) with my cousin in law who is a big basketball fan. He is high on Oats too and kind of talked me into your opinion tonight.

I'm hesitant but starting to agree that he may be better than I give him credit for.

I don’t know if he’d be my top choice, but you can’t discredit two SEC regular season and tournament championships, plus three S16s…at Bama. I kind of liken that to someone taking UK football to NY6 bowl games.

 

[HagginHall1999]

I don’t know if he’d be my top choice, but you can’t discredit two SEC regular season and tournament championships, plus three S16s…at Bama. I kind of liken that to someone taking UK football to NY6 bowl games.

Fair comp. My whole on the court thing with Oats was just the sheer volume of outside shots he tends to rely on in big games. It just seems nearly impossible to repeat for 5-6 games. Once you get to SS you are playing teams that generally can play the game.

 

[HagginHall1999]

@RunninRichie

One of the things he shared was regarding Oats, Smart and TJ (Iowa St name slipping) all were from Wisconsin and played DIII now in Swt 16 as D1 coaches ....which is pretty wild.

 

[true blue1]

Sounds like a slap on the wrist.

Bruiser and one more coach to be the sacrificial lambs for Cal's ineptitude.

Exactly.

 

[WeWant9]

Fair comp. My whole on the court thing with Oats was just the sheer volume of outside shots he tends to rely on in big games. It just seems nearly impossible to repeat for 5-6 games. Once you get to SS you are playing teams that generally can play the game.

I wouldn’t consider him a home run hire like some others, but for now we’re stuck with Cal so we can keep an eye on him. I didn’t love how he handled some of the Bama stuff last year, and I would question how he’d handle the 24/7 365 day pressure that comes with being the UK coach.

 

[HagginHall1999]

I wouldn’t consider him a home run hire like some others, but for now we’re stuck with Cal so we can keep an eye on him. I didn’t love how he handled some of the Bama stuff last year, and I would question how he’d handle the 24/7 365 day pressure that comes with being the UK coach.

Apparently he has signed a LT deal with a large buyout so sounds like ship has sailed.