Why would ANY UK fan go back to the SEC Tournament again???!!!

[catben]

We truly used to be the “gold standard” of the SEC Tournament. From 1992-1999, the only SEC Tournament we lost (in the Championship Game) was in 1996 (yet became National Champions).

Even under Cal, from 2010-2018—except for the NIT year in 2013—we always made it to the SEC Championship Game, and the other 2 years we didn’t win the SEC Tournament we made it to the NCAA Championship Game, winning in 2012. But since our SEC Tournament Championship win in 2018, we haven’t even made it to the SEC Championship Game (I realize we were favored in 2020…”what if”…).

It’s sad that UK is no longer expected to win it all, year in and year out, or at least make it to the Championship Game. The BBN is the best fanbase, though. I know for those who make the journey, it must especially sting for this to keep happening.

And what makes it even worse is that the other schools really don't even care about the SEC Tournament. Of course every school has it's die hard fans that follow their team no matter where they go, but NOTHING compares to UK Basketball fans taking over Nashville or ANY other town that hosts the SEC Tornament!!

I used to go EVERY year from the Rick day's in the 90's until 2017. When Cal CONSTANTLY downplayed the significance of it, I wasn't going to take time off of work, pay out the nose for seats and a room to watch our team play in it anymore when the coach didn't care if we won and ACTUALLY didn't WANT TO because it would mean playing 3 games in 3 days.

It BLEW MY MIND that the UK coach would come out and say that after how IMPORTANT this week has been over the years to UK fans. Now it's to the point where he would rather watch TV than to prepare for the SEC Tournament.

So, again, WHY should ANY UK fan go to it until Cal is GONE????!!!!

 

[UKUGA]

The only 2 times I attended the SeC tourney I saw KY with an explicable lane violation that cost them a game against Miss state and saw a game canceled due to a tornado.


0 for 2

 

[backinky2018]

With how Cal approaches it like it's NEVER a priority AND the way the Refs call the games, UK fans are THROWING away their money and ACTUALLY supporting the CRAP SANDWICH the SEC is giving UK Basketball by attending!!!

Without UK fans, the SEC Tournament would be a FREAKIN ghost town!!

I hate the SEC tournament, as it is usually meaningless (notice how the committee screws the tourney champion every single year?). I've been once and will likely not go again, as I'd rather go to the NCAA tourney.

With that said, the fanbase loves the SEC tournament (for some reason). I've always thought it was shameful how cal refuses to place any emphasis on it when it's so important to the fans.

 

[FanofUK]

My brothers and I get to together for it, I suppose a golf trip would make more sense. I still enjoyed it right up until we got beat. Vandy is just super hot right now.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

its anywhere these days.. why go to either classic or neutral court games because the last 4 years its just losses piled on losses. and its not even fun anymore. just waiting around for Cal to F*** another game up and lose. We're paying someone 9 million a year for no 1 seed in 8 years, no final four in 8 years and the worst regular season, post season loss, and worst SECT run in UK history. I want cal to retire, I want Barnhart fired.

 

[Rockfly78]

I’ve turned down chances to go so many times. To me it’s such a big risk. I don’t take many risks with my time or money. I’ll probably never go

 

[catben]

I’ve turned down chances to go so many times. To me it’s such a big risk. I don’t take many risks with my time or money. I’ll probably never go

That's just it, the risk used to be EXTREMELY LOW for a UK loss. Now it's the HIGHEST it's EVER been.

Thanks Cal.

I used to go EVERY year. Not anymore until he is GONE!!! He has ADMITTED he doesn't care about it, so why should UK fans??!!!!!

 

[UKBB4Ever]

I’m in Nashville. And will stay until tomorrow.

I won’t go back into Bridgestone. We will just enjoy Nashville for a couple days.

I’ll be back next year. In fact, I made my reservations at the hotel this morning for next year.

It’s a little later next year. Starts on Wednesday, the 13th.

It sucks to lose. But for all the whining about whether Cal cares or not his record in the SEC tourney is now 24-7.

 

[yes_takeaside]

Cal just said in the postgame presser that "We could use the time off, I'm not happy about this, but we could use this time to get healthy"

Wow!! That should make EVERYONE in Nashville feel so much better!! 😫 😫 😫 🤬🤬🤬

So two days off is going to help that much? Still be playing next Thursday or Friday plus some travel thrown in.

What he says has some merit but the problems are more than health.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Idk why anyone goes ever to be honest. So many superior vacations to take.

 

[JonathanW]

With how Cal approaches it like it's NEVER a priority AND the way the Refs call the games, UK fans are THROWING away their money and ACTUALLY supporting the CRAP SANDWICH the SEC is giving UK Basketball by attending!!!

Without UK fans, the SEC Tournament would be a FREAKIN ghost town!!

He’s won 6 in 14 years. Sounds like is a priority.

 

[catben]

He’s won 6 in 14 years. Sounds like is a priority.

How many did we win from 92-2000?

He has stated HIMSELF that he doesn't feel it's important that we win it. That's from HIS OWN mouth.

Since 2018, we have won ONE game in it.

So if he doesn't care about winning it, why should fans spend their time and money to go to it???

 

[STL_Cat]

He’s won 6 in 14 years. Sounds like is a priority.

When was our last?

 

[truebluewildcat]

OP, we're talking about a group of folks who show up and sell out a pre-season "practice" session...year after year...even after crap years...

They have zero interest in giving up a glorified pep rally to send a message of displeasure...Do you think they're going to give up a marquee event in a big southern destination town full of bars and country music?

Come on now.

Cal's packed it. He's done everything he wanted to do at UK. He had a great start with deep runs and stacked teams. Once he got that title, he clearly shifted focus to draft nights, combines, and max contracts...did that very well. Now, he's closer to retirement and I think it's clear the game has evolved to more than what he's interested in.

The talent he got the first 6 years here clearly hasn't been rolling in since...I'm not sure why, probably lots of factors that even Cal can't control.

The transfer portal has gotten out of control, he's lost good depth over the years to it.

He's taken on a lot of projects for whatever reason that never really fully blossomed.

This NIL thing is another bag of fun that is still kind of wonky.

His Xs and Os were never top shelf, but I think they were a lot better and that there's been a noticeable decline in that.

Also, something that has jumped out at me over recent years is just a lack of general pop but also a smoothness. Man, his teams used to have some rhythm and harmony to them...dudes seemingly would jedi flow up and down the court, in the half court, etc...

You can even just look at body language and his eyes. He's tapping the pad...done. One more year to get that sweet retirement package. Will he hang on another year or two after that, maybe, but I think he's on the home stretch of the back 9 so to speak. Mitch is right there with him, so I don't really think he's got any interest in rocking the boat and going through negotiating a buyout, early retirement, and new coaching search. It's been a good time for the both of them. They can see the clubhouse.