Why I am optimistic about this season

[ukgrad]

I have a number of reasons for this, and I hope this post doesn't go unnoticed because we need to be supportive of this group (no matter how hard it might be after last year). I wanted to go a lot more in depth, but I just don't have time do to that, and I'm expecting at least some feedback...

1. Our junior class is the #1 recruiting class from 2 years ago.... Despite not having Rondo (who IMO, as much as I loved him may have been the problem last year), this junior class has the potential to make an incredible impact. Yes, we had an off year, but for some reason, this class reminds me of the junior class from UNC that won it all the year after a dissapointing season.. I think that team went 18-11 something like that when Felton, May and company were sophmores.... Oh, and did I mention, we have a PG that can shoot! Finally!

2. Moving players to their 'natural' positions... Crawford will finally get to shine at the position he was meant to play, shooting guard... no longer does he have to shoot over the long arms of a small power forward, but now he will be able to see over most of his defenders, as well as post up to smaller ones.. Perry also gets to move to his more suited position this year, and someone said it best that he could be like Scott Padgett at that position...

3. Bobby Perry... Our 'glue guy'... he really showed me something last year, and I know he intends to continute that trend

4. Morris... last half of last year, he showed a tremendous amount of fire... he's coming out of the blocks for a whole year this time around and he knows he has to seize it... I think you're going to see a monster this year... i hope i'm right..

5. Improved strength/conditioning... it will help, and all the credit goes to the new s&c coach... I'm hoping we see it most with Carter

6. The freshman... Despite not getting Wright or some other stud on the blocks I think Stevenson is going to be an energizer off the bench... Someone who will get in there grab rebounds and swat shots to get the team sparked... I'm also really really excited to see Meeks and Jasper in action... i'm hearing nothing but awesome things... they will make practice competitive... and as for Porter... the guy got a football scholarship offer from USC (Trojans of course) for pete's sake... how can he not be athletic!

7. Motivation... I really believe that this group of guys is extremely motivated after last season... Last season it was Rondo/Sparks team... This year, it's THEIR team... and they know it... Despite fans' perspectives, these players and these coaches understand what UK basketball means to their fans... and they know we're a little down, but ready to bounce back and give us what we want!

8. Tubby Smith.. last but certainly not least... I am a Tubby supporter... I think he is the best X's and O's coach out there... does he need tweaking at some things... absolutely, but so does any coach out there.. I love the guy, and wish him the best of luck this season... He wants a Final Four/Championship as bad or worse than any UK fan out there... do not doubt that for one second.

[poodoo]

8. Tubby Smith.. last but certainly not least... I am a Tubby supporter... I think he is the best X's and O's coach out there... does he need tweaking at some things... absolutely, but so does any coach out there.. I love the guy, and wish him the best of luck this season... He wants a Final Four/Championship as bad or worse than any UK fan out there... do not doubt that for one second. QUOTE by ukgrad

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Well, first, I'm not letting your post go unnoticed. Of course, anything with "optimistic" in the title is going to grab my attention, for sure. :ggrin:

Anyway, you certainly share some nice positives. Although none of us can know how this team is going to perform, there are certainly some things that should give us hope, things you have shared.

I especially like your last point. While I do not think Tubby performed that well as a coach last season (and that he does indeed "need tweaking at some things"), I also still "love the guy," am a Tubby supporter, and wish him the best of luck this coming season.

Most of all, I, too,do not doubt FOR ONE SECOND that Tubby Smith "wants a Final Four/Championhip as bad or worse than any UK fan out there." That statement is why I really wanted to respond to your post. I ABSOLUTELY agree with you. In regard to how the season turns out, we'll just have to wait and see. I have NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER, though, about Tubby's expectations for himself as coachand for the UK basketball team.

[catfan043]

Im probably one of the biggest Tubby supporters there is, and i think you stated what you said about him well, he's an awesome coach and yes he does have someaspects that need improvment but every coach does, if someone else came in there would just be a whole new list of problems with that guy and i think thats what some fans dont think about. I have a very good feeling about this years team, plenty of talent and a great coach, i'm already countin down the days to Big Blue Madness.

GO CATS!!!

[poodoo]

catfan043 wrote: yes he does have someaspects that need improvment but every coach does, if someone else came in there would just be a whole new list of problems with that guy and i think thats what some fans dont think about.

GO CATS!!!

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. The grassso often SEEMS greener on the other side of the fence. :D

[Josh]

I think you hit the nail on the head with your list. Each one rings true. This team is going to be very good, I can just feel it. I can't wait to see what they do on the court. Big Blue Madness is coming up soon!

[Mark Blueblood]

Good post ukgrad. I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment.

[bluegrassking]

ukgrad, I believe there are reasons to be hopeful if what we are shooting for being improved. If the goal is as it has been every year, to win a the National Championship, then optimisim would seem to have to be more guarded.

We don't have the players to make this very half court and pound it inside offense excel and have little to offer as far as shotblocking or rebounding to make it happen on D.

One day Tubby will adjust his recruiting to his style, his style to his recruits, or be gone, but the status que in my opinion is not likely to win a championship. Possible, yes but not likely. Kind of like banking on a lottery ticket to get ahead. It can happen but it is foolish to count on it.

Banking on Rondo being gone to improve us by subtration especially far-fetched keeping a few things in mind.

1. He played very hard and last year as maligned as he came to be put forth easily the most consistent effort.

2. He gave no hint of any problem as a freshman, despite being handed the keys to the sports top program from the jump.

3. He seems to have no reputation for being a bad apple elsewhere and was even praised by Izzo-another defensive oriented hard nosed style coach.

4. He has already come back to help with camps, even though he is embarking on his pro career as the 1st PG selected in the NBA draft. Ainge, is old school seems to be more than impressed.

5. Tubby doesn't blame the kid.

I give credence to one thing and one only-Rondo had no outside shot (except in the clutch) and defenders will be less able to sag off Bradley. That'll make a diffrence on offense as long as Ramel can show a strong ability to attack the basket and dramaticly improves his assist to turnover ratio.

[poodoo]

I give credence to one thing and one only-Rondo had no outside shot (except in the clutch) and defenders will be less able to sag off Bradley. That'll make a diffrence on offense as long as Ramel can show a strong ability to attack the basket and dramaticly improves his assist to turnover ratio. QUOTe by bluegrassking

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You have made many valid points about Rajon Rondo, bluegrassking.I have often posted that I felt Rajon Rondobecame some UK fans' scapegoat for a disappointing season last year (while he was essentially leading in all the hustle stats). In other words, Rondo's negatives have been greatly exaggerated by some fans.Again, you make some valid points in that regard. I also agree with you that Rajon's not being able to make those outside shots in games, though,caused the defense to be able to sag off him, which really hurt UK's offense.

We can improve offensivelyIF Ramel is respected for being able to hit the outside show AND can also attack the basket well, besides improving that assist-to-turnover ratio. Also, Ramel's enthusiasm on the court can potentially be a positive for this team (as Rajon's demeanor on thecourtmaynot have worked so well with histeammates and certainly not with someof our fans, although not the case with me).While Rajon reportedly did notalways listen to his coach, Ramel may be tempted to do the same (as Tubby Smith became visibly upset with BOTH Rajon and Ramel about too much one-on-one activity), but must resist that temptation, in my opinion. Everyone is going to need to pull in the SAME direction, in my humble opinion. Let's just hope it happens.
:)

[RCS]

I don't think Rondo was a major problem child or anything, but I don't think he ran the offense well either. Even beyond Rondo, I just think there was too much upheval last year with Morris status in question, Sparks getting off to a really slow start, trying to replace Hayes leadership, etc. etc.I think Tubby needed to fill the leadership void and he failed to do so. I think this year is going to be different. I think we have talent and we have the chance to be excellent. Maybe we will be, maybe we won't, but I don't think championship is out of the question.I think Tubby is back on top of things(or maybe I just hope he is), I think the strength and conditioning will make a big difference. I think Crawford and Perry being in the natural positions and the influx of talent from the FR will make a huge difference. Time will tell as it always does.

[ukwebfan]

I have 2 points to consider after reading the posts. If you go by reputation, we now have solid defenders coming off the bench with Jasper, Stevenson, Porter and Meeks. If they don't start, I hope we can add Carter and Thomas to this group with their improved muscle mass.

I have no doubt Rajon has excellent ability but I can't for the life of me base his talent on a Boston trade with Phoenix. After all, Ainge traded a first-rounder for Jeri Welch.

[poodoo]

RCS wrote: I don't think Rondo was a major problem child or anything, but I don't think he ran the offense well either. Even beyond Rondo, I just think there was too much upheval last year with Morris status in question, Sparks getting off to a really slow start, trying to replace Hayes leadership, etc. etc.I think Tubby needed to fill the leadership void and he failed to do so. I think this year is going to be different. I think we have talent and we have the chance to be excellent. Maybe we will be, maybe we won't, but I don't think championship is out of the question.I think Tubby is back on top of things(or maybe I just hope he is), I think the strength and conditioning will make a big difference. I think Crawford and Perry being in the natural positions and the influx of talent from the FR will make a huge difference. Time will tell as it always does.


Great post, RCS. Too, I happen to love the cautious optimism. Time will tell, as you so wisely say. :)

Also, specifically, I agree that Rondo did not run the offense well. As you suggest, though, there were a lot of factors involved in that.