The Disconnect Between What We Want and What We Will Get

[Aike]

I know this is a discussion board. We all have our hopes and dreams, and all of us (most of us) are UK fans.

Maybe I’m just getting old. Cynical. Seen too much. I’d like to think I’m realistic (but wouldn’t we all).

Point 1:

“Anyone would be crazy and knows nothing about basketball if they don’t want Oscar back. He’s NPOTY!!”

Avoiding the nuances of this discussion. The mistake-riddled basketball that Oscar plays. The alienation of teammates. The fact that he’s old enough to be on his second NBA contract.

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Looks like a yes to me.

How has Cal done coaching Oscar so far?

See, even if you love Oscar and think he’s amazing, he’s still working within the constraints of playing for Cal. We already know that doesn’t work.

I know, I know. We looked great for 6 weeks in 2022.

How did we look when it mattered? How did we look when we slowed down into patented Cal stall ball?

What we WANT is for the best rebounder in the country to be coached up to a level that he will help us win a National Championship.

What we will get (should Oscar return) is another Cal coached atrocity, with lackluster defense, poor spacing, and an early exit.

Point 2:

“We should stock up on wings and play 4 out in 2023-2024.”

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Because if he is, and it looks like he will be, we are not going to play with 4 guards.

Bradshaw will be at the 4.

Lance Ware will get more minutes than we ever thought possible.

Justin Edwards will spend the vast majority of his time at the 3, no matter how much we think and believe that playing him at the 4 would be simultaneously fun to watch, and produce winning basketball.

It isn’t going to happen. Great players aren’t going to come here to sit on the bench. I wish I were wrong, but I really really don’t think I am. This isn’t my first go around with the Coach Cal Circus.

What’s the best we can hope for? A rim protecting big so that we have the best chance of success playing the way Cal likes to play.

Some shooting depth - hopefully less injury prone than our recent shooting depth.

It’s good to dream. I get it. I used to dream too. Then I woke up and realized that Cal will still be our coach next season.

 

[jmw23712]

In summary, at the end of the day it doesn’t matter who’s on the roster, Cal is the coach which means the team will fail.

And while I want to be more optimistic and hopeful he will change, it seems like you’re probably right. There are no elite level players in the portal and Cal isn’t a good enough coach to win without Elite level players.

 

[Untouchables22]

(1) Dillingham and Wagner are too short to play together and play consistent defense. Most guards can easily shoot over them and see the rim too easily but something inside me knows Cal is going to try to play them together all season for large stretches
(2) No matter how consistently playing Ware at PF results in the other team going on a run and our offense collapsing while he is in the game he will still play in two Big situations. It’s utterly maddening

 

[Aike]

In summary, at the end of the day it doesn’t matter who’s on the roster, Cal is the coach which means the team will fail.

And while I want to be more optimistic and hopeful he will change, it seems like you’re probably right. There are no elite level players in the portal and Cal isn’t a good enough coach to win without Elite level players.

I would be slightly more optimistic than that. I would say Cal is Cal and will do things a certain way. Best we can hope for is getting the pieces most conducive to playing Cal’s way.

 

[Aike]

(1) Dillingham and Wagner are too short to play together and play consistent defense. Most guards can easily shoot over them and see the rim too easily but something inside me knows Cal is going to try to play them together all season for large stretches
(2) No matter how consistently playing Ware at PF results in the other team going on a run and our offense collapsing while he is in the game he will still play in two Big situations. It’s utterly maddening

Get it all out. Acceptance is necessary to survival.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I know this is a discussion board. We all have our hopes and dreams, and all of us (most of us) are UK fans.

Maybe I’m just getting old. Cynical. Seen too much. I’d like to think I’m realistic (but wouldn’t we all).

Point 1:

“Anyone would be crazy and knows nothing about basketball if they don’t want Oscar back. He’s NPOTY!!”

Avoiding the nuances of this discussion. The mistake-riddled basketball that Oscar plays. The alienation of teammates. The fact that he’s old enough to be on his second NBA contract.

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Looks like a yes to me.

How has Cal done coaching Oscar so far?

See, even if you love Oscar and think he’s amazing, he’s still working within the constraints of playing for Cal. We already know that doesn’t work.

I know, I know. We looked great for 6 weeks in 2022.

How did we look when it mattered? How did we look when we slowed down into patented Cal stall ball?

What we WANT is for the best rebounder in the country to be coached up to a level that he will help us win a National Championship.

What we will get (should Oscar return) is another Cal coached atrocity, with lackluster defense, poor spacing, and an early exit.

Point 2:

“We should stock up on wings and play 4 out in 2023-2024.”

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Because if he is, and it looks like he will be, we are not going to play with 4 guards.

Bradshaw will be at the 4.

Lance Ware will get more minutes than we ever thought possible.

Justin Edwards will spend the vast majority of his time at the 3, no matter how much we think and believe that playing him at the 4 would be simultaneously fun to watch, and produce winning basketball.

It isn’t going to happen. Great players aren’t going to come here to sit on the bench. I wish I were wrong, but I really really don’t think I am. This isn’t my first go around with the Coach Cal Circus.

What’s the best we can hope for? A rim protecting big so that we have the best chance of success playing the way Cal likes to play.

Some shooting depth - hopefully less injury prone than our recent shooting depth.

It’s good to dream. I get it. I used to dream too. Then I woke up and realized that Cal will still be our coach next season.

The hope is that maybe someone like Edwards is good enough to make up for Cal's deficiencies, ala Malik Monk against UNC in 2017 or Karl Towns against Notre Dame in 2015.

Yet, even if we get Oscar and Reeves back, and even with all the freshmen talent, I don't trust Calipari to get us back to the Final Four, so your points are sound.

 

[Aike]

The hope is that maybe someone like Edwards is good enough to make up for Cal's deficiencies, ala Malik Monk against UNC in 2017 or Karl Towns against Notre Dame in 2015.

Yet, even if we get Oscar and Reeves back, and even with all the freshmen talent, I don't trust Calipari to get us back to the Final Four, so your points are sound.

Edwards and Wagner are very competitive guys. They might be able to get us over the top. But you have to be close to the top before you can make it over.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Edwards and Wagner are very competitive guys. They might be able to get us over the top. But you have to be close to the top before you can make it over.

Plus, we still have a head coach who is once again approaching the portal with kid gloves, showing loyalty to guys who would sell our program out at the first opportunity.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Cal has more NCAA wins than any coach since he's been at UK. Cal has more sec titles since he's been here than all of the other 13 wannabes have together.

Cal beat our '96 team with 1 player and 4 ball boys. Cal took UMass to the FF. They never did anything before and haven't done anything since he left. Cal completely rebuilt a Memphis team that hadn't done anything in years. And they haven't donw anything since he left. Even hired this board's favorite coach and he failed miserably there too.

Cal resurrected UK in only one season.

Cal also has more wins over higher seeds than any coach in the country over his time here.

Yet, internet warriors are better coaches than Cal. Then you have the so called bennies that think they can coach but get offended because they think Cal called them bennies.

We are going to return to dominance next year. We have UK level players again next year. But Cal doesn't need them to succeed. Cal took a team with 2 players to a 2 seed last season. Was in the discussion for a 1 seed. With 2 players. Once he coached up to NPOY. This season we only had 2 players again. And our NPOY was hurt to start the season. Then our other player was hurting the second half of the season.

This board will be a ghost town next season. You will have to go to UConn's forums to find most of them. The rest will be at Alabama or Arkansas forums.

The posters here, most not all, have become so extreme in their hatred that they can't even take themselves seriously. If a player does well he did it in spite of Cal. If a player doesn't do well, it's all Cal's fault. When we win it's all on the players. When we lose it's all Cal's fault.

They have become caricatures of themselves.

 

[Aike]

Plus, we still have a head coach who is once again approaching the portal with kid gloves, showing loyalty to guys who would sell our program out at the first opportunity.

Admittedly, I don’t know exactly what Cal is doing with the portal. Appearances can be deceiving.

But I agree that the player’s first mantra is going a little too far in the portal era.

Way back when, when Cal said he would never be held hostage again, what he really meant was that he will always be held hostage. He’s become a prisoner to the system that he himself created. Albeit a well compensated prisoner. With multiple houses. And dogs. And Little House re-runs.

Wait, maybe we are the ones being held hostage?

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Admittedly, I don’t know exactly what Cal is doing with the portal. Appearances can be deceiving.

But I agree that the player’s first mantra is going a little too far in the portal era.

Way back when, when Cal said he would never be held hostage again, what he really meant was that he will always be held hostage. He’s become a prisoner to the system that he himself created. Albeit a well compensated prisoner. With multiple houses. And dogs. And Little House re-runs.

Wait, maybe we are the ones being held hostage?

Cal's approach to the portal is very much like Little House on the Prairie:

 

[Titpwhami2014]

Cal has more NCAA wins than any coach since he's been at UK. Cal has more sec titles since he's been here than all of the other 13 wannabes have together.

Cal beat our '96 team with 1 player and 4 ball boys. Cal took UMass to the FF. They never did anything before and haven't done anything since he left. Cal completely rebuilt a Memphis team that hadn't done anything in years. And they haven't donw anything since he left. Even hired this board's favorite coach and he failed miserably there too.

Cal resurrected UK in only one season.

Cal also has more wins over higher seeds than any coach in the country over his time here.

Yet, internet warriors are better coaches than Cal. Then you have the so called bennies that think they can coach but get offended because they think Cal called them bennies.

We are going to return to dominance next year. We have UK level players again next year. But Cal doesn't need them to succeed. Cal took a team with 2 players to a 2 seed last season. Was in the discussion for a 1 seed. With 2 players. Once he coached up to NPOY. This season we only had 2 players again. And our NPOY was hurt to start the season. Then our other player was hurting the second half of the season.

This board will be a ghost town next season. You will have to go to UConn's forums to find most of them. The rest will be at Alabama or Arkansas forums.

The posters here, most not all, have become so extreme in their hatred that they can't even take themselves seriously. If a player does well he did it in spite of Cal. If a player doesn't do well, it's all Cal's fault. When we win it's all on the players. When we lose it's all Cal's fault.

They have become caricatures of themselves.

You cannot defend the last 3 seasons. You cannot defend 8 years without a Final Four. This is Kentucky and Cal’s coaching performance is unacceptable.

 

[Aike]

Cal has more NCAA wins than any coach since he's been at UK. Cal has more sec titles since he's been here than all of the other 13 wannabes have together.

Cal beat our '96 team with 1 player and 4 ball boys. Cal took UMass to the FF. They never did anything before and haven't done anything since he left. Cal completely rebuilt a Memphis team that hadn't done anything in years. And they haven't donw anything since he left. Even hired this board's favorite coach and he failed miserably there too.

Cal resurrected UK in only one season.

Cal also has more wins over higher seeds than any coach in the country over his time here.

Yet, internet warriors are better coaches than Cal. Then you have the so called bennies that think they can coach but get offended because they think Cal called them bennies.

We are going to return to dominance next year. We have UK level players again next year. But Cal doesn't need them to succeed. Cal took a team with 2 players to a 2 seed last season. Was in the discussion for a 1 seed. With 2 players. Once he coached up to NPOY. This season we only had 2 players again. And our NPOY was hurt to start the season. Then our other player was hurting the second half of the season.

This board will be a ghost town next season. You will have to go to UConn's forums to find most of them. The rest will be at Alabama or Arkansas forums.

The posters here, most not all, have become so extreme in their hatred that they can't even take themselves seriously. If a player does well he did it in spite of Cal. If a player doesn't do well, it's all Cal's fault. When we win it's all on the players. When we lose it's all Cal's fault.

They have become caricatures of themselves.

First, you yourself were calling for Cal’s head immediately after the SEC Tournament loss.

Second, the UMASS Final Four was almost 30 years ago. I admit, that was a great coaching job. 30 years ago.

I completely agree that Cal had lots of success early in his run here. He isn’t getting it done anymore. Which, like I mentioned, you seemed to agree with a few weeks ago.

I disagree that Cal did anything with only 2 players. I think our talent level has been adequate recently, while Cal’s coaching and some of his decisions have been less than adequate. Playing too much Wheeler. Not playing Sharpe.

I’m in full agreement that we will look better with more talent. I’m hoping we bring in more talent. That was part of the point of this thread.

The other part being that it needs to be talent that fits into Cal’s style or we run the risk of more disappointment. Old dog doesn’t seem to be learning new tricks.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Cal has more NCAA wins than any coach since he's been at UK. Cal has more sec titles since he's been here than all of the other 13 wannabes have together.

Cal beat our '96 team with 1 player and 4 ball boys. Cal took UMass to the FF. They never did anything before and haven't done anything since he left. Cal completely rebuilt a Memphis team that hadn't done anything in years. And they haven't donw anything since he left. Even hired this board's favorite coach and he failed miserably there too.

Cal resurrected UK in only one season.

Cal also has more wins over higher seeds than any coach in the country over his time here.

Yet, internet warriors are better coaches than Cal. Then you have the so called bennies that think they can coach but get offended because they think Cal called them bennies.

We are going to return to dominance next year. We have UK level players again next year. But Cal doesn't need them to succeed. Cal took a team with 2 players to a 2 seed last season. Was in the discussion for a 1 seed. With 2 players. Once he coached up to NPOY. This season we only had 2 players again. And our NPOY was hurt to start the season. Then our other player was hurting the second half of the season.

This board will be a ghost town next season. You will have to go to UConn's forums to find most of them. The rest will be at Alabama or Arkansas forums.

The posters here, most not all, have become so extreme in their hatred that they can't even take themselves seriously. If a player does well he did it in spite of Cal. If a player doesn't do well, it's all Cal's fault. When we win it's all on the players. When we lose it's all Cal's fault.

They have become caricatures of themselves.

"This board will be a ghost town next season."

You are relatively new to the board, and you've never been here during our successes, but you're ignorant if you think this message board will be a ghost town next season if we're winning under Calipari. For the 6 weeks in 2022 when UK looked legit, this place was bubbling over with excitement.

BBN wants to win, and if winning happens again under Calipari, you won't find very many of us who will be complaining.

Your narrative is so off course, man. You don't seem to have a clue on this one.

 

[JLoad22]

I know this is a discussion board. We all have our hopes and dreams, and all of us (most of us) are UK fans.

Maybe I’m just getting old. Cynical. Seen too much. I’d like to think I’m realistic (but wouldn’t we all).

Point 1:

“Anyone would be crazy and knows nothing about basketball if they don’t want Oscar back. He’s NPOTY!!”

Avoiding the nuances of this discussion. The mistake-riddled basketball that Oscar plays. The alienation of teammates. The fact that he’s old enough to be on his second NBA contract.

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Looks like a yes to me.

How has Cal done coaching Oscar so far?

See, even if you love Oscar and think he’s amazing, he’s still working within the constraints of playing for Cal. We already know that doesn’t work.

I know, I know. We looked great for 6 weeks in 2022.

How did we look when it mattered? How did we look when we slowed down into patented Cal stall ball?

What we WANT is for the best rebounder in the country to be coached up to a level that he will help us win a National Championship.

What we will get (should Oscar return) is another Cal coached atrocity, with lackluster defense, poor spacing, and an early exit.

Point 2:

“We should stock up on wings and play 4 out in 2023-2024.”

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Because if he is, and it looks like he will be, we are not going to play with 4 guards.

Bradshaw will be at the 4.

Lance Ware will get more minutes than we ever thought possible.

Justin Edwards will spend the vast majority of his time at the 3, no matter how much we think and believe that playing him at the 4 would be simultaneously fun to watch, and produce winning basketball.

It isn’t going to happen. Great players aren’t going to come here to sit on the bench. I wish I were wrong, but I really really don’t think I am. This isn’t my first go around with the Coach Cal Circus.

What’s the best we can hope for? A rim protecting big so that we have the best chance of success playing the way Cal likes to play.

Some shooting depth - hopefully less injury prone than our recent shooting depth.

It’s good to dream. I get it. I used to dream too. Then I woke up and realized that Cal will still be our coach next season.

Grady going ice cold and not even looking for his shot killed us last year. Reeves horrendous shooting against K State, Toppin not showing up etc. killed us this year. Just head-scratching that anyone would throw it on Oscar.

 

[cathouse]

The sooner UK fans accept the fact that Cal don't GAF about UK or the fans, other than his paycheck and the notoriety that comes with being the coach of the once greatest basketball program in the nation, the BETTER it will be for your mental health.
CAL DONT GIVE A ****. PERIOD

 

[Aike]

Grady going ice cold and not even looking for his shot killed us last year. Reeves horrendous shooting against K State, Toppin not showing up etc. killed us this year. Just head-scratching that anyone would throw it on Oscar.

I think you missed the point. Which is fine. Nice edit by the way. “Disgraceful” seemed a little harsh.

 

[JLoad22]

I think you missed the point. Which is fine. Nice edit by the way. “Disgraceful” seemed a little harsh.

Isn't the point always "Cal sucks" sprinked in with a little "this or that player sucks or isn't used right by Cal?"

You started the thread. You aren't going to be able to dictate how it's received.

 

[Aike]

Isn't the point always "Cal sucks" sprinked in with a little "this or that player sucks or isn't used right by Cal?"

You started the thread. You aren't going to be able to dictate how it's received.

Na. You don’t get it, and I can tell because I’m fairly perceptive. No need for me to dictate anything. It is what it is.

 

[JLoad22]

How come none of the players ever blame Cal's coaching for their poor performances when it matters? Not one. EVER.

 

[JLoad22]

Na. You don’t get it, and I can tell because I’m fairly perceptive. No need for me to dictate anything. It is what it is.

I got it just fine. You are trying to dismiss anybody that doesn't agree with you that all of our troubles are because of Cal. What a laughable joke. "I'm right and anybody that doesn't agree doesn't get it".

The 9 year old across the street does that stuff, lol.

 

[Aike]

How come none of the players ever blame Cal's coaching for their poor performances when it matters? Not one. EVER.

You didn’t hear Oscar calling Cal out in the press this past season?

 

[Aike]

I got it just fine. You are trying to dismiss anybody that doesn't tell you how amazing a post it was. Hilarious!

No man, I was only seeking your approval.

 

[Ripcord65]

Edwards and Wagner are very competitive guys. They might be able to get us over the top. But you have to be close to the top before you can make it over.

You're among the best and most reasonable posters on this board, Aike, and I usually agree 100% with everything you write. Here I drop a bit under 100% with this proviso: You are 100% right that "Edwards and Wagner are very competitive guys" and "[t]hey might be able to get us over the top." BUT ... as you've observed, Calipari will still be the coach. I'm going to use a metaphor that I heard my father use a thousand times: You can't hitch a thoroughbred to a plow.

No doubt Edwards and Wagner are thoroughbreds, and I think - with Edwards and Wagner - we'll be "close to the top." But (and I presume that you're familiar with my ol' daddy's metaphor) ... a thoroughbred can't run like a thoroughbred if you hitch him to a plow ! Some way, some how, Calipari will (metaphorically) hitch Edwards and Wagner to a couple of plows. I can't even suggest precisely how Calipari will fulfill the metaphor, but I know that he will. I'm afraid that Edwards and Wagner will be hitched to Calipari's plow too often, and for too long each time, for them to be able to get us over the top.

But, nevertheless, thanks for your many astute and insightful contributions to the board ... and - Go 'Cats !

 

[Ripcord65]

Admittedly, I don’t know exactly what Cal is doing with the portal. Appearances can be deceiving.

But I agree that the player’s first mantra is going a little too far in the portal era.

Way back when, when Cal said he would never be held hostage again, what he really meant was that he will always be held hostage. He’s become a prisoner to the system that he himself created. Albeit a well compensated prisoner. With multiple houses. And dogs. And Little House re-runs.

Wait, maybe we are the ones being held hostage?

Ain't no doubt about this one, Aike. We're definitely the ones being held hostage ! ! !

 

[Aike]

You're among the best and most reasonable posters on this board, Aike, and I usually agree 100% with everything you write. Here I drop a bit under 100% with this proviso: You are 100% right that "Edwards and Wagner are very competitive guys" and "[t]hey might be able to get us over the top." BUT ... as you've observed, Calipari will still be the coach. I'm going to use a metaphor that I heard my father use a thousand times: You can't hitch a thoroughbred to a plow.

No doubt Edwards and Wagner are thoroughbreds, and I think - with Edwards and Wagner - we'll be "close to the top." But (and I presume that you're familiar with my ol' daddy's metaphor) ... a thoroughbred can't run like a thoroughbred if you hitch him to a plow ! Some way, some how, Calipari will (metaphorically) hitch Edwards and Wagner to a couple of plows. I can't even suggest precisely how Calipari will fulfill the metaphor, but I know that he will. I'm afraid that Edwards and Wagner will be hitched to Calipari's plow too often, and for too long each time, for them to be able to get us over the top.

But, nevertheless, thanks for your many astute and insightful contributions to the board ... and - Go 'Cats !

The optimist in me is not allowing me to completely agree, while the realist in me totally understand where you’re coming from. I guess I still dream a little.

 

[CrimsonCats]

How come none of the players ever blame Cal's coaching for their poor performances when it matters? Not one. EVER.

That’s a pretty meaningless distinction. It’s basically high level team sports 101 not to throw your coach under the bus in the media no matter what’s going on behind closed doors. Of course the players aren’t going to publicly blame Cal for losing.

 

[Aike]

That’s a pretty meaningless distinction. It’s basically high level team sports 101 not to throw your coach under the bus in the media no matter what’s going on behind closed doors. Of course the players aren’t going to publicly blame Cal for losing.

To be fair, lots of former players have taken shots at Cal.

 

[JLoad22]

That’s a pretty meaningless distinction. It’s basically high level team sports 101 not to throw your coach under the bus in the media no matter what’s going on behind closed doors. Of course the players aren’t going to publicly blame Cal for losing.

It never crossed Reeves' mind for even one second to blame anyone but himself for missing shot after shot, same with PJ missing double digit free throws, WCS no-showing, on and on. Blaming it all on the coach is for people that never even played a sport.

 

[Chitown Terry]

Plus, we still have a head coach who is once again approaching the portal with kid gloves, showing loyalty to guys who would sell our program out at the first opportunity.

How in the hell do you know how he is approaching the portal? Kentucky may be contacting players and simply not leaking anything to the media. You guys just are annoying as hell. You revel in misery. Many of you hate the coach so much you want the team to fail.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

It never crossed Reeves' mind for even one second to blame anyone but himself for missing shot after shot, same with PJ missing double digit free throws, WCS no-showing, on and on. Blaming it all on the coach is for people that never even played a sport.

There's a legitimate reason so few posters on this message board agree with you.

The idea that "you can't blame Calipari for how Reeves shoots" is legitimate if you isolate the argument to one game and offer the argument independent of the very real fact that the guy who missed 14 out of 15 shots was given full license to shoot 15 shots in the first place; or if you isolate Reeves' crappy performance from Grady's crappy performance from Wheeler's crappy performance from Toppin's crappy performance from Herro's crappy performance from PJ's crappy performance from SGA's crappy performance from Knight's crappy performance from etc....

The one common denominator in all of these close losses (games that were decided under the two minute mark of the second half) is Calipari. He's been outcoached during the closing portions of each of these close-out games. Of course, you already know that, but I doubt you're willing to be publicly convinced to the contrary.

You're attempting to isolate that common denominator from all of these games, and treat them as independent variables and islands unto themselves.

You can't isolate them, and that's why there's only about 5 or 6 posters on this entire message board who would ever admit to taking your position seriously. I'd also venture to write that those 5 or 6 posters are either not UK fans, or are so limited in their standard for UK basketball that they literally wouldn't mind if every record we have fails to stand over the course of time.

To be clear, I think your outlook is absolute rubbish.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

How in the hell do you know how he is approaching the portal? Kentucky may be contacting players and simply not leaking anything to the media. You guys just are annoying as hell. You revel in misery. Many of you hate the coach so much you want the team to fail.

You still yapping over there, waiting for Papa Cal to come home with some treats?

 

[Aike]

There's a legitimate reason so few posters on this message board agree with you.

The idea that "you can't blame Calipari for how Reeves shoots" is legitimate if you isolate the argument to one game and offer the argument independent of the very real fact that the guy who missed 14 out of 15 shots was given full license to shoot 15 shots in the first place; or if you isolate Reeves' crappy performance from Grady's crappy performance from Wheeler's crappy performance from Toppin's crappy performance from Herro's crappy performance from PJ's crappy performance from SGA's crappy performance from Knight's crappy performance from etc....

The one common denominator in all of these close losses (games that were decided under the two minute mark of the second half) is Calipari. He's been outcoached during the closing portions of each of these close-out games. Of course, you already know that, but I doubt you're willing to be convinced to the contrary.

You're attempting to isolate that common denominator from all of these games, and treat them as independent variables and islands unto themselves.

You can't isolate them, and that's why there's only about 5 or 6 posters on this entire message board who would ever admit to taking your position seriously. I'd also venture to write that those 5 or 6 posters are either not UK fans, or are so limited in their standard for UK basketball that they literally wouldn't mind if every record we have fails to stand over the course of time.

To be clear, I think you're outlook is absolute rubbish.

I’ll be the first to admit that in the game you lose to end the season, people often play poorly. So I don’t hang it all on the coach. Everyone can’t have a good game every time out.

A couple of points.

One, it doesn’t have to be that way. Does anyone look back on our loss in 1992 and think we just didn’t show up? It’s possible to play your best basketball and still lose. When that happens, you tip your cap.

Two, this is Kentucky and you have to do better here. Aw shucks, Elite Eights are pretty good won’t cut it here for long. Think that’s not fair? It’s a 9 million dollar job, the highest profile in the sport. Fair has nothing to do with it.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I’ll be the first to admit that in the game you lose to end the season, people often play poorly. So I don’t hang it all on the coach. Everyone can’t have a good game every time out.

A couple of points.

One, it doesn’t have to be that way. Does anyone look back on our loss in 1992 and think we just didn’t show up? It’s possible to play your best basketball and still lose. When that happens, you tip your cap.

Two, this is Kentucky and you have to do better here. Aw shucks, Elite Eights are pretty good won’t cut it here for long. Think that’s not fair? It’s a 9 million dollar job, the highest profile in the sport. Fair has nothing to do with it.

We have a few fans on this message board who have no measurable standard. Everyone knows who they are. Nothing you write is going to change their outlook because if they allow their mental outlook to drift towards reality, they're likely the types that won't be able to cope. It's why they're creating safespaces on facebook now.

Preferably, I wouldn't mind if the whole lot of them left here because I know they are incapable of embracing or acknowledging critical objectivity. You can't have real conversations with people like that.

 

[know1]

I made this same point in a few threads already with a lot less words. The roster doesn't really matter with Cal as the coach.

 

[Chitown Terry]

You still yapping over there, waiting for Papa Cal to come home with some treats?

This is the way an intelligent adult responds when someone challenges their nonsense. This tells me all I need to know about your maturity kevel and your ability to analyze things. You are a waste of my time.

 

[BigCat241]

How about we all just agree that the coach deserves some of the blame as he is the head coach and is judged on results, and also guys like Reeves and Grady (missing point blank wide open 3's over and over again), and PJ (bricking FT after FT), also deserve some blame for no showing in their most important games?

 

[Mike-D]

I know this is a discussion board. We all have our hopes and dreams, and all of us (most of us) are UK fans.

Maybe I’m just getting old. Cynical. Seen too much. I’d like to think I’m realistic (but wouldn’t we all).

Point 1:

“Anyone would be crazy and knows nothing about basketball if they don’t want Oscar back. He’s NPOTY!!”

Avoiding the nuances of this discussion. The mistake-riddled basketball that Oscar plays. The alienation of teammates. The fact that he’s old enough to be on his second NBA contract.

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Looks like a yes to me.

How has Cal done coaching Oscar so far?

See, even if you love Oscar and think he’s amazing, he’s still working within the constraints of playing for Cal. We already know that doesn’t work.

I know, I know. We looked great for 6 weeks in 2022.

How did we look when it mattered? How did we look when we slowed down into patented Cal stall ball?

What we WANT is for the best rebounder in the country to be coached up to a level that he will help us win a National Championship.

What we will get (should Oscar return) is another Cal coached atrocity, with lackluster defense, poor spacing, and an early exit.

Point 2:

“We should stock up on wings and play 4 out in 2023-2024.”

Will Cal still be the coach next year?

Because if he is, and it looks like he will be, we are not going to play with 4 guards.

Bradshaw will be at the 4.

Lance Ware will get more minutes than we ever thought possible.

Justin Edwards will spend the vast majority of his time at the 3, no matter how much we think and believe that playing him at the 4 would be simultaneously fun to watch, and produce winning basketball.

It isn’t going to happen. Great players aren’t going to come here to sit on the bench. I wish I were wrong, but I really really don’t think I am. This isn’t my first go around with the Coach Cal Circus.

What’s the best we can hope for? A rim protecting big so that we have the best chance of success playing the way Cal likes to play.

Some shooting depth - hopefully less injury prone than our recent shooting depth.

It’s good to dream. I get it. I used to dream too. Then I woke up and realized that Cal will still be our coach next season.

💯
👏
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Yeap. And that's why I'm not getting excited about next season. I won't be excited about UK basketball until this moron is no longer screaming on the sidelines. We will go into another tournament game next March, and shoot horrifically before we go back home. We'll score somewhere in the mid 60's, and Cal will be interviewed at half-time talking about rock fights. I'm soooo done with him. He doesn't know how to value offense, he doesn't know how to teach it, and he damn sure doesn't follow advanced offensive metrics. The percentages don't lie, they prove this. We do the complete opposite of everything you're supposed to be doing on offense.

 

[Aike]

I made this same point in a few threads already with a lot less words. The roster doesn't really matter with Cal as the coach.

I’m wordy sometimes. It’s my day off.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

All

Cal has more NCAA wins than any coach since he's been at UK. Cal has more sec titles since he's been here than all of the other 13 wannabes have together.

Cal beat our '96 team with 1 player and 4 ball boys. Cal took UMass to the FF. They never did anything before and haven't done anything since he left. Cal completely rebuilt a Memphis team that hadn't done anything in years. And they haven't donw anything since he left. Even hired this board's favorite coach and he failed miserably there too.

Cal resurrected UK in only one season.

Cal also has more wins over higher seeds than any coach in the country over his time here.

Yet, internet warriors are better coaches than Cal. Then you have the so called bennies that think they can coach but get offended because they think Cal called them bennies.

We are going to return to dominance next year. We have UK level players again next year. But Cal doesn't need them to succeed. Cal took a team with 2 players to a 2 seed last season. Was in the discussion for a 1 seed. With 2 players. Once he coached up to NPOY. This season we only had 2 players again. And our NPOY was hurt to start the season. Then our other player was hurting the second half of the season.

This board will be a ghost town next season. You will have to go to UConn's forums to find most of them. The rest will be at Alabama or Arkansas forums.

The posters here, most not all, have become so extreme in their hatred that they can't even take themselves seriously. If a player does well he did it in spite of Cal. If a player doesn't do well, it's all Cal's fault. When we win it's all on the players. When we lose it's all Cal's fault.

They have become caricatures of themselves.

All that is true but so is the NIT, worst season in UK bball history, first round flame out, and Sharpe fiasco.