Tough one yesterday, but something as UK fans we deal with. Just some random thoughts (some I have posted in other threads):
1. The Elite Eight continues to kill us. As well as we do in Sweet Sixteen games (88% winning percentage), we struggle in Elite Eight games (45% winning percentage). Compared to the other blue bloods in the Elite Eight (Duke - 80% winning percentage / UNC - 71% winning percentage / Kansas - 64% winning percentage / UCLA - 82% winning percentage), we struggle for some reason. Not sure why that is. We make a lot more, which is great, but the Regional Finals just kills us. Some can be associated with who we match-up against in the Elite Eight, but not all.
2. If Bam, Monk and Fox go pro, as expected, Cal will have had 19 players get first or second team All-SEC players under him at UK. Only 1 has come back the following year....Terrence Jones, who helped lead us to the National Championship. He did alright for himself by staying. We need our next Terrence Jones.
3. I have no problem when guys leave early for the NBA. It's the time we live in and it's part of the process. But, for some reason, there is this perception by our big time recruits, that if you stay longer than 2 years at UK, you're a bust. That perception has to stop. We are the only program losing such players on a regular basis. Guys like Daniel Orton, Doron Lamb, Archie Goodwin, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and Aaron Harrison shouldn't be leaving after their 1st or 2nd year, but there is this culture/perception that we cannot get rid of. I'm not sure that will change while Cal is here, but it frustrates the heck out of me.
Again, tough one to swallow, but as always....Go Big Blue!
1. The Elite Eight continues to kill us. As well as we do in Sweet Sixteen games (88% winning percentage), we struggle in Elite Eight games (45% winning percentage). Compared to the other blue bloods in the Elite Eight (Duke - 80% winning percentage / UNC - 71% winning percentage / Kansas - 64% winning percentage / UCLA - 82% winning percentage), we struggle for some reason. Not sure why that is. We make a lot more, which is great, but the Regional Finals just kills us. Some can be associated with who we match-up against in the Elite Eight, but not all.
2. If Bam, Monk and Fox go pro, as expected, Cal will have had 19 players get first or second team All-SEC players under him at UK. Only 1 has come back the following year....Terrence Jones, who helped lead us to the National Championship. He did alright for himself by staying. We need our next Terrence Jones.
3. I have no problem when guys leave early for the NBA. It's the time we live in and it's part of the process. But, for some reason, there is this perception by our big time recruits, that if you stay longer than 2 years at UK, you're a bust. That perception has to stop. We are the only program losing such players on a regular basis. Guys like Daniel Orton, Doron Lamb, Archie Goodwin, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and Aaron Harrison shouldn't be leaving after their 1st or 2nd year, but there is this culture/perception that we cannot get rid of. I'm not sure that will change while Cal is here, but it frustrates the heck out of me.
Again, tough one to swallow, but as always....Go Big Blue!