It was before my time and probably before most peoples time that post here but looking at past stats and all the high scoring games makes me wonder if Rupp was known more for his offense or defense? No doubt he was way ahead of his time. I know he wrote some books but I haven’t read any of them. Just wondering if anyone on here has any insight or good stores to tell since it’s a slow time for basketball news
Was Rupp an offensive genius?
- Thread starter sportspm
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He was considered a innovator of the game in the forties with his fast break style of basketball some believe he patterned after a local hs coach at Clark County letcher Norton
Rupp never had a player or team shoot 40% from 3. He was useless.
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Yes, and UK was the 1st CB dynasty winning four titles before anyone else in 11 seasons:
‘48, ‘49, ‘51 and ‘58.
‘48, ‘49, ‘51 and ‘58.
I heard he never let his teams shoot threes. Thought I'd look it up. It's actually true. They never shot a three. Not one.
Genius, my ass!
Rupp was friends with some of the top pro coaches of the day and would talk basketball with them, so yes he was on the cutting edge of basketball in the day. He was getting top talent and wanted a faster pace to help talent show their skills. He was one of if not the first to play a national schedule. He did this to allow his players to play in areas where there was pro ball, giving them more chance to be noticed. Prior to Rupp, most college ball was local. By traveling to other parts of the country, it lead to highlighting differences in officiating in different areas, creating a problem for the NCAA. This didn't make Rupp very well liked by the NCAA.
If not the inventor, he was the popularizer of the fast break, which is a 1000000x greater accolade to have than inventing some BS like the "four corners". The great Red Auerbach once said about Rupp and his teams that he would rather watch a Kentucky basketball practice than any two teams playing a game.
Rupp was ahead of his time, I was able to see his teams from the early 60's they were a fast break first kind of a team but when that wasn't there their offense consisted of player movement and passing, no one exemplified that more than Rupps Runts, he was definately a genius.
