This Loss is on Cal and being Lottery Crazy

[Jamal Sunburn]

We have had enough Lotto Picks. And he fails to realize that while it is nice to have Lotto Picks in the NBA, the majority of Kentucky Fans don't care about that.

Stop trying to make Skal another Lotto Pick.

We have other more deserving players on the team. Play Willis. Play Humph. Hell.... try Tai. Try Charles. Who cares. Play the players who want to play.

I'm tired of hearing, "Skal has had a great few days of practice." Listen, I don't believe you, you need more people.

If that's the case, how come none of it has translated into the actual games for over a month now?

I don't want to get down on the kid, because hopefully he turns it around. But willingly playing him, when he does not deserve to be out there is a disservice to THE TEAM, which this game is about, and the other players on the team.

And to be truthful it could be hurting future recruiting efforts if they show guys who are working hard and improving like Willis, but can't get on the court because a kid who is projected to be a Top 3 pick gets to run around the court, get pushed around, and get the ball taken from him from guards. Who would want to come here for that?

What if Skal has to come back next year? He won't play over the guys we have coming in if he plays like this.

And a lot of the same stuff can be said for Poythress too. He's been here 4 years and still looks clueless at times. Making stupid fouls. Not holding onto rebounds. You can't have muscles and not hold onto rebounds. And no, it's not even like KAZ situation where he just looks the part, because KAZ scored.

 

[Stonewall12]

Great post 100% true

I have posted similar stuff in other threads.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Your right. Clearly Cal has lacked success here

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Far Cal!

 

[LmdCat]

We have had enough Lotto Picks. And he fails to realize that while it is nice to have Lotto Picks in the NBA, the majority of Kentucky Fans don't care about that.

Stop trying to make Skal another Lotto Pick.

We have other more deserving players on the team. Play Willis. Play Humph. Hell.... try Tai. Try Charles. Who cares. Play the players who want to play.

I'm tired of hearing, "Skal has had a great few days of practice." Listen, I don't believe you, you need more people.

If that's the case, how come none of it has translated into the actual games for over a month now?

I don't want to get down on the kid, because hopefully he turns it around. But willingly playing him, when he does not deserve to be out there is a disservice to THE TEAM, which this game is about, and the other players on the team.

And to be truthful it could be hurting future recruiting efforts if they show guys who are working hard and improving like Willis, but can't get on the court because a kid who is projected to be a Top 3 pick gets to run around the court, get pushed around, and get the ball taken from him from guards. Who would want to come here for that?

What if Skal has to come back next year? He won't play over the guys we have coming in if he plays like this.

And a lot of the same stuff can be said for Poythress too. He's been here 4 years and still looks clueless at times. Making stupid fouls. Not holding onto rebounds. You can't have muscles and not hold onto rebounds. And no, it's not even like KAZ situation where he just looks the part, because KAZ scored.

We need an extreme amount of talent to compete with lesser schools. When was the last time someone said that a UK team overachieved based on talent?

 

[Hoskins91]

Id say it's more because he knows we aren't going very far if Skal doesn't start playing better, but believe what you want.

 

[3 fan]

I think first two posts are from same person

 

[BostonCat2001]

if this where the case....Cal would play humphies and matthews more and ulis and poythress less

 

[Stonewall12]

I think first two posts are from same person

Well you think very wrong.

3337364737 fan

 

[Wall2Boogie]

I'd much rather have 4 yr players rather than all these premadonnas!

Sincerely,
Louisville fans

 

[Stonewall12]

We have had enough Lotto Picks. And he fails to realize that while it is nice to have Lotto Picks in the NBA, the majority of Kentucky Fans don't care about that.

Stop trying to make Skal another Lotto Pick.

We have other more deserving players on the team. Play Willis. Play Humph. Hell.... try Tai. Try Charles. Who cares. Play the players who want to play.

I'm tired of hearing, "Skal has had a great few days of practice." Listen, I don't believe you, you need more people.

If that's the case, how come none of it has translated into the actual games for over a month now?

I don't want to get down on the kid, because hopefully he turns it around. But willingly playing him, when he does not deserve to be out there is a disservice to THE TEAM, which this game is about, and the other players on the team.

And to be truthful it could be hurting future recruiting efforts if they show guys who are working hard and improving like Willis, but can't get on the court because a kid who is projected to be a Top 3 pick gets to run around the court, get pushed around, and get the ball taken from him from guards. Who would want to come here for that?

What if Skal has to come back next year? He won't play over the guys we have coming in if he plays like this.

And a lot of the same stuff can be said for Poythress too. He's been here 4 years and still looks clueless at times. Making stupid fouls. Not holding onto rebounds. You can't have muscles and not hold onto rebounds. And no, it's not even like KAZ situation where he just looks the part, because KAZ scored.

If this is not true... And it sure look like it is/ why not play Willis and Humphries?

 

[The_Answer1313]

The losses really bring out the stupid in our fan base sometimes

 

[Stonewall12]

The losses really bring out the stupid in our fan base sometimes

I hear ya

 

[ukalum]

We have had enough Lotto Picks. And he fails to realize that while it is nice to have Lotto Picks in the NBA, the majority of Kentucky Fans don't care about that.

Stop trying to make Skal another Lotto Pick.

We have other more deserving players on the team. Play Willis. Play Humph. Hell.... try Tai. Try Charles. Who cares. Play the players who want to play.

I'm tired of hearing, "Skal has had a great few days of practice." Listen, I don't believe you, you need more people.

If that's the case, how come none of it has translated into the actual games for over a month now?

I don't want to get down on the kid, because hopefully he turns it around. But willingly playing him, when he does not deserve to be out there is a disservice to THE TEAM, which this game is about, and the other players on the team.

And to be truthful it could be hurting future recruiting efforts if they show guys who are working hard and improving like Willis, but can't get on the court because a kid who is projected to be a Top 3 pick gets to run around the court, get pushed around, and get the ball taken from him from guards. Who would want to come here for that?

What if Skal has to come back next year? He won't play over the guys we have coming in if he plays like this.

And a lot of the same stuff can be said for Poythress too. He's been here 4 years and still looks clueless at times. Making stupid fouls. Not holding onto rebounds. You can't have muscles and not hold onto rebounds. And no, it's not even like KAZ situation where he just looks the part, because KAZ scored.

No, it is just the opposite. Recruits will notice that people who are projected to be lottery picks play through mistakes and growing pains.

 

[Jamal Sunburn]

Some of you posters can't step away from the extreme. You can criticize a player or coach without saying, "They need to be fired."
or
"I can do a better job."
or
"Cal doesn't know what he's doing."
or
"We have been unsuccessful."

The fact is we took an L to a mediocre team with less talent than us, and there is a reason.

 

[Jamal Sunburn]

No, it is just the opposite. Recruits will notice that people who are projected to be lottery picks play through mistakes and growing pains.

One problem, we're not a farm system for the NBA. If it is indeed players first, let the players who earn playing time play.

 

[Dream Team 13]

I agree. Play the kids that earn time. You do a kid no favors by handing them minutes. In the NBA, all these kids will be fighting for minutes.

Get them ready to compete.

 

[chattanoogawildcat]

I'd much rather have 4 yr players rather than all these premadonnas!

Sincerely,
Louisville fans

so says a poster named wall2boogie lol

 

[DickintheHam]

One problem, we're not a farm system for the NBA. If it is indeed players first, let the players who earn playing time play.

I haven't been to any practices, so maybe he is?

 

[chattanoogawildcat]

One problem, we're not a farm system for the NBA. If it is indeed players first, let the players who earn playing time play.

If you can't see that cal is playing for march, not for the moment, there's no hope for you.

 

[Jamal Sunburn]

I agree. Play the kids that earn time. You do a kid no favors by handing them minutes. In the NBA, all these kids will be fighting for minutes.

Get them ready to compete.

And that's it. Pretty simple. Skal will get to the league and flame out.

 

[brianpoe]

Hoskins has it right imo.

Cal believes we need these freshmen to win in March. He has said We play for March multiple times this year.

Playing compliment players will not win the tourney.

We need the most gifted to get to that level.

We have a far way to go.

Complaining about Cal and his player development and recruiting is mind-numbing.

 

[UK3Pointer]

so says a poster named wall2boogie lol

Sarcasm is your friend.

 

[ukfan03]

I think Skal should play. He will figure it out. He can't develop on the bench.

 

[Stonewall12]

Refreshing to see Jamal Sumburn gets it.

Horrible name but is smart about the game.

Refreshing.

 

[permdaddy]

Cal has been pretty clear that the players come first and I feel like he truly means it. I don't see him ever putting the teams needs over what is best for the kids future. I don't agree with it because I'm a lifelong UK fan, I will always want what's best for the team but Cal isn't a lifelong UK fan. He wants these kids to be great, make a lot of money and will give them every opportunity to do so. It probably hurts the team this year because Skal is going to play no matter what. It's also a big reason that we will be preseason #1 next year and get the recruits every year because they know Cal has got their back. .

 

[Dutycat]

I agree 100%
We are smarter than CAL!
What we see in a game we watch on TV tells us more than he sees in practice and from the bench.
CAL's teams at UK average 8-9 losses for the year. We are on track for 8-9 losses.
I hate when we lose so I will criticize CAL's system every time we lose no matter how many years we go to the final four.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Some of you posters can't step away from the extreme. You can criticize a player or coach without saying, "They need to be fired."
or
"I can do a better job."
or
"Cal doesn't know what he's doing."
or
"We have been unsuccessful."

The fact is we took an L to a mediocre team with less talent than us, and there is a reason.

The best team doesn't always win. It happens. We move on. No biggie. It's December.

This team has a lot to learn. They will figure it out

 

[Jamal Sunburn]

Cal has been pretty clear that the players come first and I feel like he truly means it. I don't see him ever putting the teams needs over what is best for the kids future. I don't agree with it because I'm a lifelong UK fan, I will always want what's best for the team but Cal isn't a lifelong UK fan. He wants these kids to be great, make a lot of money and will give them every opportunity to do so. It probably hurts the team this year because Skal is going to play no matter what. It's also a big reason that we will be preseason #1 next year and get the recruits every year because they know Cal has got their back. .

I am with that, but to an extent. The kids who are supposed to get drafted high shouldn't matter more than the other kids, if they are ready to contribute right now. It's not right.

 

[Fancatstik]

We have had enough Lotto Picks. And he fails to realize that while it is nice to have Lotto Picks in the NBA, the majority of Kentucky Fans don't care about that.

Stop trying to make Skal another Lotto Pick.

We have other more deserving players on the team. Play Willis. Play Humph. Hell.... try Tai. Try Charles. Who cares. Play the players who want to play.

I'm tired of hearing, "Skal has had a great few days of practice." Listen, I don't believe you, you need more people.

If that's the case, how come none of it has translated into the actual games for over a month now?

I don't want to get down on the kid, because hopefully he turns it around. But willingly playing him, when he does not deserve to be out there is a disservice to THE TEAM, which this game is about, and the other players on the team.

And to be truthful it could be hurting future recruiting efforts if they show guys who are working hard and improving like Willis, but can't get on the court because a kid who is projected to be a Top 3 pick gets to run around the court, get pushed around, and get the ball taken from him from guards. Who would want to come here for that?

What if Skal has to come back next year? He won't play over the guys we have coming in if he plays like this.

And a lot of the same stuff can be said for Poythress too. He's been here 4 years and still looks clueless at times. Making stupid fouls. Not holding onto rebounds. You can't have muscles and not hold onto rebounds. And no, it's not even like KAZ situation where he just looks the part, because KAZ scored.

Agreed except the part where you said "the majority of Kentucky Fans don't care about that". Not if you read this board regularly.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

I found a picture of today's announcers, I think they are part of the problem also

 

[ala_kat2]

Cal definitely plays his pet "one-and-dones" over more experienced players, particularly talking about Willis. He lets Briscoe throw up bricks and praises him for playing tough. But let Mulder or Willis make one mistake and to the bench they go.
This team pksys better when Willis is in the game, but even if Cal realizes this he refuses to play him.
Cal is not coaching this team to win games for UK, but to make sure his kids get to the NBA.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Cal definitely plays his pet "one-and-dones" over more experienced players, particularly talking about Willis. He lets Briscoe throw up bricks and praises him for playing tough. But let Mulder or Willis make one mistake and to the bench they go.
This team pksys better when Willis is in the game, but even if Cal realizes this he refuses to play him.
Cal is not coaching this team to win games for UK, but to make sure his kids get to the NBA.

Why would Cal not play him if he realizes they are better with him? That makes no sense. This notion that cal is just about one and dones and doesn't care about winning is ridiculous.

Wilis isn't taking us to the title game. cal knows this. He's willing to live with these guys cause he knows they will get better and eventually get us to where we need to be

 

[Ineverplayedthegame]

Why would Cal not play him if he realizes they are better with him? That makes no sense. This notion that cal is just about one and dones and doesn't care about winning is ridiculous.

Wilis isn't taking us to the title game. cal knows this. He's willing to live with these guys cause he hopes they will get better and eventually get us to where we need to be

I don't disagree with your premise but at this point I don't think he knows anything about this team.

 

[Jamal Sunburn]

Why would Cal not play him if he realizes they are better with him? That makes no sense. This notion that cal is just about one and dones and doesn't care about winning is ridiculous.

Wilis isn't taking us to the title game. cal knows this. He's willing to live with these guys cause he knows they will get better and eventually get us to where we need to be

Who is asking Willis to take us to a title game? It's either boom or bust with you guys.

We need players to come in and contribute in a positive fashion. And then the team can hopefully compete for a title.

 

[Blueaz]

I think first two posts are from same person

wrong...3 of the first 4 are from the same person

 

[The_Answer1313]

I don't disagree with your premise but at this point I don't think he knows anything about this team.

You have to play your best players. These guys might be struggling right now but they are freshman and it does take some time to get things right.

Not every team is gonna get it immediately like last season and the AD team

 

[The_Answer1313]

Who is asking Willis to take us to a title game? It's either boom or bust with you guys.

We need players to come in and contribute in a positive fashion. And then the team can hopefully compete for a title.

Your advocating playing wilis. Someone has to sit then. How many mins do u wanna give him?

People putting way too much into a December loss. Let them play. Let them figure it out.

In every year but one Cal has had this team playing the best basketball in March. This will be the same thing this season

 

[DwayneMeighan]

Cal is not coaching this team to win games for UK, but to make sure his kids get to the NBA.

The two go hand in hand. Are you so dense that you can't realize that? These players that Cal is helping reach their dreams are the same exact players who are winning all these games for UK.

UK hasn't gone to four of the last five Final Fours based on the play of the Willis' of the world. If it wasn't for those "pet one and dones", then UK probably still wouldn't have been to a Final Four or won a title since '98. I mean, seriously, how much dumb can be posted in one thread?

 

[Ineverplayedthegame]

You have to play your best players. These guys might be struggling right now but they are freshman and it does take some time to get things right.

Not every team is gonna get it immediately like last season and the AD team

And some never get it.
In the end this is an meaningless loss however embarrassing it was.