Why does UK any have Cal. as a coach?

[Blueaz]

Many on RR and HOB are convinced, that Calipari's talent is recruiting and he is less than average as a head coach; and if you disagree...well, hell, you are just a sunshine pumper.
So, for all you. Who could UK hire, that would bring in same amount of talent and make deeper runs in the NCAAT?

 

[Smashcat]

Many on RR and HOB are convinced

Glad I'm not paying good money to hear the same ole crap on HOB. LOL

 

[wild mandu]

Yes, because criticizing him and pointing out obvious flaws means you want him replaced.

Good call.

 

[homerjay20]

No one. Cal's the absolute best guy out there to be coaching at Kentucky.

 

[JeffGoodmansVestigialTwin]

Many on RR and HOB are convinced, that Calipari's talent is recruiting and he is less than average as a head coach; and if you disagree...well, hell, you are just a sunshine pumper.
So, for all you. Who could UK hire, that would bring in same amount of talent and make deeper runs in the NCAAT?

This post can't be serious?

 

[.S&C.]

Many on RR and HOB are convinced, that Calipari's talent is recruiting and he is less than average as a head coach; and if you disagree...well, hell, you are just a sunshine pumper.
So, for all you. Who could UK hire, that would bring in same amount of talent and make deeper runs in the NCAAT?

Cal is an excellent coach. Recruiting is the biggest part of that. Cal is a great recruiter so it makes up for some shortcomings on the X's and O's side of things. Is Cal a great floor coach? I actually don't think he tries to be really.

The disconnect on this board is all about context. Someone thinks Cal isn't focused enough on certain aspects like shooting, they're dumb. Think they know more than cal. A "troll".

Someone thinks cal is actually a great floor general, they're a pumper.

I think cal coaches a certain way that makes hindsight seem obvious at times. When it works it's like, "damn, dude is bad ass. No other coach can do that". When it doesn't, it's "he should have known". We have an extreme system. To me this causes a huge disconnect with the fans.

Cal is polarizing, and that's not going to change. That's why he loves coaching here. We care and He loves that.

 

[blubo]

Many on RR and HOB are convinced, that Calipari's talent is recruiting and he is less than average as a head coach; and if you disagree...well, hell, you are just a sunshine pumper.
So, for all you. Who could UK hire, that would bring in same amount of talent and make deeper runs in the NCAAT?

johnnie jones? rick barnes? mark few? jay wright? bill self? coach k? what if izzo had the same players that cal has?

 

[W_Heisenberg]

OMG we have lost 2 games! THE SKY IS FALLING!! NNOOOOOOO

 

[Aike]

The guy is coaching for March, and it isn't always pretty on the way there.

Other coaches do it differently. Many fans would do it differently. The results speak for themselves.

Guy has gotten his team to the Elite Eight or better 8 of the last 10 years. Every other coach in the country would kill for that level of success.

 

[.S&C.]

The guy is coaching for March, and it isn't always pretty on the way there.

Other coaches do it differently. Many fans would do it differently. The results speak for themselves.

Guy has gotten his team to the Elite Eight or better 8 of the last 10 years. Every other coach in the country would kill for that level of success.

I knew when cal got here his methods would piss some off. Coaching for March means you take lumps early and often.

 

[bucsrule8872]

What current D-1 coaches are better?

K is probably the only guy that is better all around than Cal and he still loses 1st round games from time to time.

Williams and Pitino have one more title each, and have been coaching longer. Plus, both have major scandals they are dealing with.

Izzo has the same amount of titles and has been at a major school longer than Cal. And look at the talent in his backyard? There is no comparison between Michigan talent and Kentucky talent in HS. Izzo is a great coach, but not any better than Cal, IMHO.

Self is in the same boat. He gets similar talent and has just one title. When Self won it all he had the most talented roster in D-1 that year without question, IMHO. They had four or five 5-stars on that team and they stayed 3-4 years (which does not happen often these days). He has had superb talent since then (Wiggins, Embiid, McLemore, Selby, Oubre, etc.) and failed to win another title.

Those are the only guys I can think of that are in the same class as Cal.

I wouldn't trade Cal for any one of them, not even K considering he is at the end of his career and Cal still has several seasons.

 

[Comebakatz3]

This team hits shots like we know they can and they become extremely dangerous. Briscoe finds any semblance of a midrange or three point shot and he becomes a huge threat with his driving ability. Ulis hits more free throw line jumpers then defenses will sag on him less and he can get deeper and probably hit Skal/Lee for lobs. Murray just needs to play with the same intensity he did in the second half the entire game. He wants to win, but seems like has to really turn it on in order to do so. He needs to figure out how to make his team better when he isn't able to get his own points.

We have to realize that we are handicapped offensively in the front court. Neither Lee nor Skal are offensive threats at this point, and really Poythress isn't either. So, our guards have to work to get pressure off of the big men. They have to put up soft shots that our big guys can rebound and put back, they need to draw defenses out to open up dunks and lobs and our big guys need to be active on pick and roll plays.

I think Cal could do some things right now to help this team overcome the shooting slump, but they are a young team and they need to take their bumps. It will make them closer and will make them tougher come March. It's just the second loss. We will be all right.

 

[calamitybone]

No one. Cal's the absolute best guy out there to be coaching at Kentucky.

Boom.

 

[Xception]

The problem is people really don't understand the game as it is now . Most years we have the best players , that's true . But they need time to adapt to college and gain experience , by years end we are usually one of the best teams . This process happens almost every year and fans can't wrap their mind around it for some reason . They think an elite players comes to college and doesn't need to learn the system , acclimate to new surroundings at school , get used to bigger and faster players etc....

The only years there will not be many growing pains is when you have quality returning players like Jones , Lamb or last years crop . No , they think freshman are plug and play right out of the box . Very few coaches could take this many new guys and make a final four , Cal is doing it regularly . He did it at Umass and Memphis too , that's impressive . Cal is a very good coach , he's just never better than hindsight .

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

"This team hits shots like we know they can and they become extremely dangerous"

There's the rub. Many, including myself, don't think we CAN hit shots. Murray, yes. Ulis .. has a good shot but imo
playing 40 minutes every game and having to be first concerned about running the offense, well...I don't think he will shoot it like last year when he always played with fresh legs, could pick his spots and often was on the floor WITH Andrew. Tyler is not super human. I think he has too much on his plate. But if he's subbed out there's not a shooter coming in. Again the cited post is just not true. We cannot shoot the rock. It's a fatal flaw,

 

[Blueaz]

Yes, because criticizing him and pointing out obvious flaws means you want him replaced.

Good call.

by the tone of the posts...they would be the way to fix his "flaws"

 

[Blueaz]

This team hits shots like we know they can and they become extremely dangerous. Briscoe finds any semblance of a midrange or three point shot and he becomes a huge threat with his driving ability. Ulis hits more free throw line jumpers then defenses will sag on him less and he can get deeper and probably hit Skal/Lee for lobs. Murray just needs to play with the same intensity he did in the second half the entire game. He wants to win, but seems like has to really turn it on in order to do so. He needs to figure out how to make his team better when he isn't able to get his own points.

We have to realize that we are handicapped offensively in the front court. Neither Lee nor Skal are offensive threats at this point, and really Poythress isn't either. So, our guards have to work to get pressure off of the big men. They have to put up soft shots that our big guys can rebound and put back, they need to draw defenses out to open up dunks and lobs and our big guys need to be active on pick and roll plays.

I think Cal could do some things right now to help this team overcome the shooting slump, but they are a young team and they need to take their bumps. It will make them closer and will make them tougher come March. It's just the second loss. We will be all right.

Briscoe just needs a larger size t-shirt, under his jersey

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

About whether Cal is or wants to be a good Xs and Os coach, when you go after the players he does and runs the system he does, it's more about getting the most out of his players' talents, motivating them, etc. He is not running multiple screens, complicated sets, and a handful of different defenses. Whether he can do that or not I don't know. He wasn't getting this level of talent at UMass and Memphis (although the 2008 team was very talented), so I guess he can. I didn't follow them enough to know though.

 

[Blueaz]

johnnie jones? rick barnes? mark few? jay wright? bill self? coach k? what if izzo had the same players that cal has?

rick barnes...you lost any basketball knowledge creditability

 

[docholiday51]

About whether Cal is or wants to be a good Xs and Os coach, when you go after the players he does and runs the system he does, it's more about getting the most out of his players' talents, motivating them, etc. He is not running multiple screens, complicated sets, and a handful of different defenses. Whether he can do that or not I don't know. He wasn't getting this level of talent at UMass and Memphis (although the 2008 team was very talented), so I guess he can. I didn't follow them enough to know though.

Agree and would like to add that I don't see anyone saying replace Cal except those raising hell about the non existent posters wanting him replaced

 

[blubo]

rick barnes...you lost any basketball knowledge creditability

and your post made me doubt yours. and my list was meant to be facetious.

 

[ganner918]

Yes, because criticizing him and pointing out obvious flaws means you want him replaced.

Good call.

Literally saw a post after the last game saying that it's time for him to move on.

 

[trav55]

Every time we get a commitment people go crazy about how great we're gonna be. Then when we're not as good, mind you it's still only December, people don't lower the expectations the slightest bit and just start criticizing everybody. That's what's crazy to me,

Cal goes 38-0 then loses to a great Wisconsin team and suddenly he can't coach. It's idiotic. Four final fours and and a championship and yet people complain.

 

[OldEvilleCat]

I don't like to be labeled, but I used to know a girl named Sunshine....

I don't get all the hostility. Most people (on the board) when asked, predicted around 5-8 losses this year. Seems as if we're on track for that. So we predict them to lose games then we're upset/ready to throw in the towel/faaar Cal because we lost...? It don't make no sense people.

Anyways....I'd rather lose to OSU and beat UL than vice-versa.

 

[Blueaz]

and your post made me doubt yours. and my list was meant to be facetious.

back at you...

 

[Dakota25]

He's a good recruiter but not all that great of a coach. Losing to Ohio State with the talent he has is pretty bad. Should have won it all last year with arguably one of the best college basketball teams ever assembled. If UK doesn't make the tourney, and it's a small possibility, then he will be on the hot seat.

 

[USNNFOCAT]

OMG we have lost 2 games! THE SKY IS FALLING!! NNOOOOOOO

Yes it is, oh my what should we do? Fake classes? Hookers? No, those have been tried and we want to be original. Stick with Cal? Risky move if past performance is any indication of future prospects! What is BBN to do?

 

[USNNFOCAT]

If UK doesn't make the tourney, and it's a small possibility, then he will be on the hot seat.

I'll take that bet!

 

[docholiday51]

I'll take that bet!

Me too where does the line start?

 

[WhiteCityCat1]

He's a good recruiter but not all that great of a coach. Losing to Ohio State with the talent he has is pretty bad. Should have won it all last year with arguably one of the best college basketball teams ever assembled. If UK doesn't make the tourney, and it's a small possibility, then he will be on the hot seat.

This is some of the stupidest BS I've read on here in a long time.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

He's a good recruiter but not all that great of a coach. Losing to Ohio State with the talent he has is pretty bad. Should have won it all last year with arguably one of the best college basketball teams ever assembled. If UK doesn't make the tourney, and it's a small possibility, then he will be on the hot seat.

No, he won't be on the hot seat. That's just a stupid idea. Get a grip/

 

[WhiteCityCat1]

I don't like to be labeled, but I used to know a girl named Sunshine....

I don't get all the hostility. Most people (on the board) when asked, predicted around 5-8 losses this year. Seems as if we're on track for that. So we predict them to lose games then we're upset/ready to throw in the towel/faaar Cal because we lost...? It don't make no sense people.

Anyways....I'd rather lose to OSU and beat UL than vice-versa.

You got that right my friend.

 

[BearMercer]

I knew when cal got here his methods would piss some off. Coaching for March means you take lumps early and often.

Why are coaching for March and winning games you should win in December mutually exclusive?

Cal is on the record saying he wants to go 40-0. That includes winning games early in the season when you have the better group of players.

 

[Blueaz]

why do some many say UK had the most talented lineups ever, last year; but do not say it was freshman and sophomore heavy?
If those same guys were juniors and seniors there is no doubt IMO...one of the best teams ever and 40-0 would have been "easy"

 

[WhiteCityCat1]

why do some many say UK had the most talented lineups ever, last year; but do not say it was freshman and sophomore heavy?
If those same guys were juniors and seniors there is no doubt IMO...one of the best teams ever and 40-0 would have been "easy"

Gotta love these couch coaches that are always smarter than the HOF. Coach .

 

[jrpross]

Why are coaching for March and winning games you should win in December mutually exclusive?

Here's an example: I think most of us at this point agreed that Skal is playing absolutely horrendously. How many other coaches would have taken him out of the starting lineup by now? Cal has not and I would bet that it is because he realizes that our best chance of succeeding in March is if we have him playing as close to his full potential as possible. That is not going to happen with him riding the pine. He is letting him take a bunch of lumps now in hopes that he will improve drastically by the time the season is over.

These were different teams, and they may have different outcomes. But look at 2011 and 14. Both teams lost quite a few games before making a surprise final four run. It is because Cal would rather lose some games early but let his players improve, and make sure he has the right strategies in place for the last few weeks of the season.

 

[.S&C.]

Why are coaching for March and winning games you should win in December mutually exclusive?

Cal is on the record saying he wants to go 40-0. That includes winning games early in the season when you have the better group of players.

Cal has always stated, back to his Memphis days, that he wanted a team that could interchange positions on defense and go undefeated. What the hell is wrong with wanting to be perfect? I never understood how anyone, let alone a rival, could find a fault there. But tell me, where did Cal state he was GOING TO ACTUALLY be able to do that? That is a coaches dream. To fault him for losing some early games here and there and cite that lofty goal is poor logic.

 

[crestcat]

Dec. 26 I hope Cal is in a kickazz mood and not in a getting ready for March mood.

 

[.S&C.]

Dec. 26 I hope Cal is in a kickazz mood and not in a getting ready for March mood.

I hear ya. To be honest what I love about Cal is he hates losing. He will never lose a game to prove a point, like that last A***hole.

When people say Cal coaches for March they just mean he doesn't spend time overly obsessing over things like conference tournaments and games like Indiana. He's willing to be unconventional for a greater means.

Do we have some fans taking that out of context to justify this team losing? Absolutely.

 

[RondoBaller21]

What type of title is that. We're you drunk when you posted this?

 

[BearMercer]

Cal has always stated, back to his Memphis days, that he wanted a team that could interchange positions on defense and go undefeated. What the hell is wrong with wanting to be perfect? I never understood how anyone, let alone a rival, could find a fault there. But tell me, where did Cal state he was GOING TO ACTUALLY be able to do that? That is a coaches dream. To fault him for losing some early games here and there and cite that lofty goal is poor logic.

Did you even read my post? Where did I fault him for wanting to go 40-0.