Looking back, I was 1000% in favor of Cal coming to Kentucky. Even though most are saying the first 5 years were a honeymoon, and its been downhill since then, I kinda have issues even with that. First off, how could a team with the talent of his first team, 8 players who played in the NBA, lose to a team with not one NBA caliber player?? I remember West Virginia's backup PG was hurt, and the starter had a strained shoulder and could only go left. We let them dictate how the whole game was played instead of pressing them until their tongues drug the ground. Then we started jacking up 3 after 3, played right into their hands, with no adjustments being made. We definitely left a National Championship on the table there for sure with that team. I still believe that team was more talented than the 2012 team.
Fast forward to the next season. We lose to a UConn team in the first game of the final 4. I went back and watched the last few minutes. I had completely forgotten how it unfolded. We had the ball down 2 with 16 seconds left. Cal calls a timeout, we come out of the timeout looking totally lost, does anyone remember what happened next? We ended up with a 25 foot heave 3 by Deandre Liggins with around 6 seconds still on the shot clock. Of all the people we had on the floor, Liggins should've been the last player looking to shoot a 3 in that situation. It really looked like some of the mysterious sets we're still running with zero purpose. That team ended up with 9 losses and still had some upperclassmen playing alot. In Cals defense, if Enis Kanter had gotten eligible, like he should've been, that is a different team. I give him credit for getting us there, but the point is, no way should we lose to that team. Kimba Walker basically beat us by himself.
2013 ...well we all know how that season unfolded. Another embarrassment and s**t show. I guess Cal got a pass for that one from the Championship the previous year.
Then the 2014 game with Kevin freaking Ollie out coaching Cal in the championship game.. No way should that team have beaten us, but that's the year we were so lucky just to be there. I will give Cal credit again for getting us there, but it seems to be the pattern of getting us there and then we just come out flat and lay an egg.
2015... still sick over how that one played out. Terrible job coaching the Wisc, game. I can still remember 2 shot clock violations after a freaking timeout!! Keeping Ulis and Booker on the bench, when they were the ones who kept us in the game. I think its been pretty much downhill since then.
Then the last 2 NCAA tournaments were gift bye tickets to the final 4, and we completely pissed those opportunities away. We lost to an already mediocre to start with Kansas St. team, who basically played us without their best player. We had 7 current NBA players on that team again against a team of nobodies. Getting out coached again by Bruce Webber. That says it all right there. We will never have an easier path to the Final Four!! I can remember the Auburn game, whom we had just beaten by 30 points, 2 weeks earlier, they lose their best player in the NC game. Ashton Hagans making turnover after turnover, (Im thinking 8 turnovers) remaining in the game? Why didn't we put Quickley in at point? And who could forget us getting blown by off the dribble time after time by the 2 Auburn guards. Why not go to a damn zone and stop the dribble penetration? I'm still looking for an answer to that one??? That's when I fully realized this coach and his archaic system was never gonna get us back on top.
I hate to feel like I'm piling on, but I feel like we should have at least 2 and possibly 3 more National Championships in the trophy case. I'm tired of the fan lectures, the tired old cliches and excuses, the dribble drive (whatever the heck thats supposed to be??), the archaic dead offense. Basically, the whole schtick. Go ahead and bash me!! Just thinking aloud here.
Fast forward to the next season. We lose to a UConn team in the first game of the final 4. I went back and watched the last few minutes. I had completely forgotten how it unfolded. We had the ball down 2 with 16 seconds left. Cal calls a timeout, we come out of the timeout looking totally lost, does anyone remember what happened next? We ended up with a 25 foot heave 3 by Deandre Liggins with around 6 seconds still on the shot clock. Of all the people we had on the floor, Liggins should've been the last player looking to shoot a 3 in that situation. It really looked like some of the mysterious sets we're still running with zero purpose. That team ended up with 9 losses and still had some upperclassmen playing alot. In Cals defense, if Enis Kanter had gotten eligible, like he should've been, that is a different team. I give him credit for getting us there, but the point is, no way should we lose to that team. Kimba Walker basically beat us by himself.
2013 ...well we all know how that season unfolded. Another embarrassment and s**t show. I guess Cal got a pass for that one from the Championship the previous year.
Then the 2014 game with Kevin freaking Ollie out coaching Cal in the championship game.. No way should that team have beaten us, but that's the year we were so lucky just to be there. I will give Cal credit again for getting us there, but it seems to be the pattern of getting us there and then we just come out flat and lay an egg.
2015... still sick over how that one played out. Terrible job coaching the Wisc, game. I can still remember 2 shot clock violations after a freaking timeout!! Keeping Ulis and Booker on the bench, when they were the ones who kept us in the game. I think its been pretty much downhill since then.
Then the last 2 NCAA tournaments were gift bye tickets to the final 4, and we completely pissed those opportunities away. We lost to an already mediocre to start with Kansas St. team, who basically played us without their best player. We had 7 current NBA players on that team again against a team of nobodies. Getting out coached again by Bruce Webber. That says it all right there. We will never have an easier path to the Final Four!! I can remember the Auburn game, whom we had just beaten by 30 points, 2 weeks earlier, they lose their best player in the NC game. Ashton Hagans making turnover after turnover, (Im thinking 8 turnovers) remaining in the game? Why didn't we put Quickley in at point? And who could forget us getting blown by off the dribble time after time by the 2 Auburn guards. Why not go to a damn zone and stop the dribble penetration? I'm still looking for an answer to that one??? That's when I fully realized this coach and his archaic system was never gonna get us back on top.
I hate to feel like I'm piling on, but I feel like we should have at least 2 and possibly 3 more National Championships in the trophy case. I'm tired of the fan lectures, the tired old cliches and excuses, the dribble drive (whatever the heck thats supposed to be??), the archaic dead offense. Basically, the whole schtick. Go ahead and bash me!! Just thinking aloud here.
