UK Basketball will be fine

[blueheretic]

The important thing is that the cancer has been removed. It ran out on it's own by some miracle of the Gods. We will still need recovery time from the ten years of decline brought on by the illness. The after effects of the cancer may have us down for a couple of years. UK will recover.

Now, UK moves on.

UK marches on as this program always has.

UK will be back on top.

Mitch will make his hire. The new coach will be successful or he will not. If the new guy is not successful, I think we may have the replacements already waiting in the wing. It may be that Pelphrey or Ford is the guy who will take UK back to the top. The next hire may turn out to be a transition coach. So many people were satisfied with the Smith years. This is where the Smith years have left us. Smith ran away and Donovan won't be coming. The door to the Pitino Era can finally be closed.

Now UK moves on.

And UK will be back!

You guys take care.

[Caveman Catfan]

A ten year decline?

UK was in the final 8 and a double overtime from the final four just 3 years ago.

As to patience, yes the fans need continued patience, but Mitch should have a replacement by Thursday of next week. Beyond that and we have problems, IMO.

[SamKat]

Good to see you back, Blueh! I like your positive attitude.

[Mountain Cat]

blueheretic wrote: The important thing is that the cancer has been removed. It ran out on it's own by some miracle of the Gods. We will still need recovery time from the ten years of decline brought on by the illness. The after effects of the cancer may have us down for a couple of years. UK will recover.

Now, UK moves on.

UK marches on as this program always has.

UK will be back on top.

Mitch will make his hire. The new coach will be successful or he will not. If the new guy is not successful, I think we may have the replacements already waiting in the wing. It may be that Pelphrey or Ford is the guy who will take UK back to the top. The next hire may turn out to be a transition coach. So many people were satisfied with the Smith years. This is where the Smith years have left us. Smith ran away and Donovan won't be coming. The door to the Pitino Era can finally be closed.

Now UK moves on.

And UK will be back!

You guys take care.




Personally I am as pissed at MB as I could possibly be. Todd should ask for a written report as to MB's daily activities since the OTS departure and see just how hard MB tried to get BD.

I could be wrong, but I believe that MB dropped the ball big time.

If the report is not extremely compelling, then Todd should fire MB on the spot.

[IlikeUK]

I find it downright insulting that you speak of a man that represented our program for over a decade with nothing but passion and loyalty as a "cancer". Like him or not, Tubby Smith was nothing even close to a cancer.

[Caveman Catfan]

Here is my feelings on Mitch's "have patience" statement, as presented in another thread:

Whoever is the choice, we should have a coach by this time next week, at the very latest. It has been a couple of weeks since Tubby quit. There has been more than enough time to line up the ducks after making a pitch to the hottest coach in America. Plan B should not take nearly as long (because Plan B should have begun far before Donovan's actual announcement). If we get to Friday of next week and we are dealing only in rumors and rejections, this will be a nightmare.

[BigBlue75]

Caveman Catfan wrote: A ten year decline?

UK was in the final 8 and a double overtime from the final four just 3 years ago.


My sentiments exactly. I agree with the overall point of this thread not that the program has been in a decline for ten years. I have to respectfully disagree with that part.

[Josh]

Cancer.

http://www.seasonedgamers.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

[Caveman Catfan]

Those who think UK suffered a cancer, be prepared for the death of the program because cancer kills and hard to overcome (maybe in five years we can feel good about the program - MAYBE, if lucky). But, the call to be patient, because everything will work out just fine belies the analogy. Anyone who has had cancer will understand my point, I think.

[audacious1]

blueheretic wrote: The important thing is that the cancer has been removed. It ran out on it's own by some miracle of the Gods. We will still need recovery time from the ten years of decline brought on by the illness. The after effects of the cancer may have us down for a couple of years. UK will recover.

Now, UK moves on.

UK marches on as this program always has.

UK will be back on top.

Mitch will make his hire. The new coach will be successful or he will not. If the new guy is not successful, I think we may have the replacements already waiting in the wing. It may be that Pelphrey or Ford is the guy who will take UK back to the top. The next hire may turn out to be a transition coach. So many people were satisfied with the Smith years. This is where the Smith years have left us. Smith ran away and Donovan won't be coming. The door to the Pitino Era can finally be closed.

Now UK moves on.

And UK will be back!

You guys take care.


Calling our previous coach a "cancer" is hardly the kind of behavior that will draw in the top-notch coach we all know you want.

[poodoo]

IlikeUK wrote: I find it downright insulting that you speak of a man that represented our program for over a decade with nothing but passion and loyalty as a "cancer". Like him or not, Tubby Smith was nothing even close to a cancer.


My reaction is the same. Too, when I think of how families feel when they hear the word "cancer" and simultaneously read this post, it makes me sick to my stomach.

I had been ready to say that it was good to see you posting again, blueheretic, as that was how I had felt. Now I simply feel sick (although I agree with so much of the post and think it could have been an excellent one). As it is, it'sstillanother unnecessary putdownofCoach Smith (andmost every family can tell you howit reacts to the"C" word, so, yes, that word itself is a terrible negative within a post that also hasa goodpositive message to us fans)at a time in which most ofus, instead, want to MOVE ON and have made a conscious effort to do just that.I honestly feel sick and am calling it anight or whatever.:(

[SCBlu]

Welcome back. Generally don't agree with your posts... but respect your opinions nonetheless.

[TrueblueCATfan]

BigBlue75 wrote: Caveman Catfan wrote: A ten year decline?

UK was in the final 8 and a double overtime from the final four just 3 years ago.


My sentiments exactly. I agree with the overall point of this thread not that the program has been in a decline for ten years. I have to respectfully disagree with that part.
10 year decline my arse............do not agree at all

[TrueblueCATfan]

Scars wrote: Cancer.

http://www.seasonedgamers.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

I do not like that choice of word either..pretty damn pathetic............no wonder Billy D wants to stay in Florida:rolleyes::X

[Freydaddy]

Please don't use cancer or war metaphors.
They carry too much emotional baggage for so many people.
I tell my classes the same thing about "retard" and its variants.
You never know who you'll hurt with such language.

Keep working those phones Mitch!

[RP_McMurphy]

I would have used different adjectives however BH is correct that there were serious problems in Lexington since the former coach took over.

[Caveman Catfan]

The return of the Tubby bashing.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Caveman Catfan wrote: The return of the Tubby bashing.
really..the man finally leaves and he stills get bashed.............no wonder we can't get a coach

[Caveman Catfan]

It's a cancer. ;)

[RP_McMurphy]

I don't think it's "bashing". I think it's telling the truth. The guy left our program in shambles while cashing millions of dollars of checks from us.

[phoenix]

I actually feel a certain portion of the fan base is more of a cancer to the program than the occassional, round of 32 NCAA tourney team.

We actually need to recover from that cancer more than the fantasy cancer blue heretic claims. If we didn't have that fan cancer, maybe Donovan would have given it more than 10 minutes thought when the job came open.

[Caveman Catfan]

Yeah, the program is a shambles. :rolleyes:

And, serious problems since he has arrived. :rolleyes:

I agree with Phoenix on this one.

[kybuc]

phoenix wrote: I actually feel a certain portion of the fan base is more of a cancer to the program than the occassional, round of 32 NCAA tourney team.

We actually need to recover from that cancer more than the fantasy cancer blue heretic claims. If we didn't have that fan cancer, maybe Donovan would have given it more than 10 minutes thought when the job came open.



:thumbup

[RP_McMurphy]

You guys haven't checked our roster for next year have you? Hint it's pretty ugly and not exactly UK talent. Shambles yes I call finishing fourth in the SEC East shambles. I call 25 losses in two years shambles. I call having a losing streak at Rupp Arena to Vanderbilt shambles. Do I stop here or do you want to hear more facts?

[Caveman Catfan]

No thanks. Don't need to hear any more opinions from the Bash Tubby crowd.

Check the roster. The man no longer coaches here. Give it a rest already. :?

[BigblueDrew]

RP_McMurphy wrote: You guys haven't checked our roster for next year have you? Hint it's pretty ugly and not exactly UK talent. Shambles yes I call finishing fourth in the SEC East shambles. I call 25 losses in two years shambles. I call having a losing streak at Rupp Arena to Vanderbilt shambles. Do I stop here or do you want to hear more facts?
Posts like yours were shouted down before he left and will ,FOR SURE be shouted down now. I personally never viewed Tubby Smith as a "cancer" (an extremely poor choice of words), I did view him as a very bad fit as a coach here and I shed no tears for him leaving. I realize some fans are very angry over his departure and if they need to blast the fans who didn't like him to get over thier grief I can live with it.

[BigBlue75]

RP_McMurphy wrote: I don't think it's "bashing". I think it's telling the truth. The guy left our program in shambles while cashing millions of dollars of checks from us.

It is bashing, however you slice the pie, and he did not leave the program in shambles. Period.

Tubby Smith is no longer our coach and to constantly belittle the man after he's gone is wrong and serves absolutely purpose whatsoever.

[RP_McMurphy]

Cancer wasn't my word. I subscribe to the Adolph Rupp theory.........If a team is dogging it by God burn 'em (his advice to Cawood). Well if a coach is dogging it then by God I will burn that coach.

BigblueDrew wrote:
RP_McMurphy wrote: You guys haven't checked our roster for next year have you? Hint it's pretty ugly and not exactly UK talent. Shambles yes I call finishing fourth in the SEC East shambles. I call 25 losses in two years shambles. I call having a losing streak at Rupp Arena to Vanderbilt shambles. Do I stop here or do you want to hear more facts?
Posts like yours were shouted down before he left and will ,FOR SURE be shouted down now. I personally never viewed Tubby Smith as a "cancer" (an extremely poor choice of words), I did view him as a very bad fit as a coach here and I shed no tears for him leaving. I realize some fans are very angry over his departure and if they need to blast the fans who didn't like him to get over thier grief I can live with it.

[TrueblueCATfan]

phoenix wrote: I actually feel a certain portion of the fan base is more of a cancer to the program than the occassional, round of 32 NCAA tourney team.

We actually need to recover from that cancer more than the fantasy cancer blue heretic claims. If we didn't have that fan cancer, maybe Donovan would have given it more than 10 minutes thought when the job came open.

freaking post of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mountain Cat]

I have member of my family household being treated for cancer right now.

I am not offended by the use of the word.

OTS, however was not a cancer.

Nonetheless, I take the view that his time to go came, and he went, and we now have an opportunity to be new and improved. That part of Heretics message is solid.

We need a special coach now, so Mitch needs to earn his check. I still think an internal inquiry into how and why we did not register interest from Billy needs to be done by Todd. If MB dropped the ball, I want him gone too. My hunch is that he dropped the ball. You simply cannot wait around until someone is thought to be ready to be approached. You have to "recruit" your personnel at all levels.

If there is a coach we want, then I expect our AD to suck up to them and to assertively seek them out, to leave no stone unturned,and to tell them what they want to here and humble himself before them, so that we land them and can right this program. I do not get the sense that MB worked it that hard.

Big Clue to Mitch: UK's basketball Coach is more important to the UK fan base, ten fold, than are you. Mess this up and you are freaking toast. We could get a quality AD in a wink.

[Will Lavender]

Mountain Cat wrote: Big Clue to Mitch: UK's basketball Coach is more important to the UK fan base, ten fold, than are you. Mess this up and you are freaking toast. We could get a quality AD in a wink.

Not sure what Barnhart could have done differently.

You offer the job. You show him the briefcase o' cash. He takes it or he doesn't. It ain't rocket science.

[katfever]

phoenix wrote: I actually feel a certain portion of the fan base is more of a cancer to the program than the occassional, round of 32 NCAA tourney team.

We actually need to recover from that cancer more than the fantasy cancer blue heretic claims. If we didn't have that fan cancer, maybe Donovan would have given it more than 10 minutes thought when the job came open.

What a freakin joke. While I disagree with the use of the term cancer, to say it was the fans is the reason BD did not talk to Mitch is just utter bs. I decided to not discuss Smith anymore but to argue he did not leave UK in a bad spot is to just stick your head in the sand. Look at the damn roster of players- and quit bringing up UK was a bounce away from the final 4 THREE years ago among other what ifs- it is so lame it is pathetic. Your "occasional" round of 32 has happened 3 out of 4 years at UK. Smith is gone and UKis better for it.

[Mountain Cat]

Will Lavender wrote: Mountain Cat wrote: Big Clue to Mitch: UK's basketball Coach is more important to the UK fan base, ten fold, than are you. Mess this up and you are freaking toast. We could get a quality AD in a wink.

Not sure what Barnhart could have done differently.

You offer the job. You show him the briefcase o' cash. He takes it or he doesn't. It ain't rocket science.


Are you being purposefully obtuse? In an employee's market, it takes a whole hell of a lot more than just pointing to the pile of money. Billy needed to feel the love, and see the vision of what the plan for the program was going to be with him in it, and apparently MB failed to show him any love or sell him on where Billy fit into the vision.

MB's job is on the line. Do you doubt that this is the single most important hire of his career? Get this right, or it is all over for MB. Todd will lock him out of his office just like he did to Larry Ivy.

[Will Lavender]

Mountain Cat wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Mountain Cat wrote: Big Clue to Mitch: UK's basketball Coach is more important to the UK fan base, ten fold, than are you. Mess this up and you are freaking toast. We could get a quality AD in a wink.

Not sure what Barnhart could have done differently.

You offer the job. You show him the briefcase o' cash. He takes it or he doesn't. It ain't rocket science.


Are you being purposefully obtuse? In an employee's market, it takes a whole hell of a lot more than just pointing to the pile of money. Billy needed to feel the love, and see the vision of what the plan for the program was going to be with him in it, and apparently MB failed to show him any love or sell him on where Billy fit into the vision.

MB's job is on the line. Do you doubt that this is the single most important hire of his career? Get this right, or it is all over for MB. Todd will lock him out of his office just like he did to Larry Ivy.
You act like Barnhart could have turned on a charm-switch and wooed Donovan to UK. If that were possible, Tubby Smith would have turned on his back in the summer of '05 and pulled in Brandan Wright and none of this would be happening.

Look, there's a ton of love in 3.5 million dollars. He would have been one of the highest-paid coaches in the history of the game. And I'm sure Barnhart didn't just call him and say, "Want it?" and Donovan said, "Nope," and Barnhart said, "Alright, talk to ya later." You know there was a pitch -- a hard one.

Just didn't work.

Time to move on.