Predictions for next year.

[tbbucs86]

vote how the cats will do

[Will Lavender]

REALLY tough to say right now considering our recruiting isn't finished.

If we can't sign any of the high schoolers, then this is probably a 10-loss bubble team.

If we sign Patterson/Sanchez and Lucas, that will really help us, in my opinion. Not that those players are superstars (they aren't; even Patterson has a bunch of holes in his game), but they TREMENDOUSLY help us fill voids.

[Rockober]

Hard to say with ther recruiting process still not complete. I think the CATS will get to Sweet 16 next year.

[Littlemeyer]

We're definitely a tournament team. How far we can advance in the tournament depends on the rest of this recruiting period, IMO. Whether it be Sanchez or Patterson (or the longshot, Hamga), we are at least one big body away from serious contention.

We've got some talent on this team, and if Coach G holds true to his word of running a system based on the talent available, we're already a better team, IMO. Add a few pieces to the puzzle, and we could become a special team.

[gpm61]

#1, how could any blue blooded fan think anything else. But really, we lost Woo, Thomas, Perry and the only one that was any kind of a set-back Morris. The first 3 don't hurt at all with what we have on the bench developing another year (especially under a group of coaches that hopefully can truly develop players)! Then, with the 3 that have already been added, we're probably already a better team. Any additions from here on will be icing on the cake. Yeah, we do need to add another PF or 2, but we'll still be very good without any.

The guys coming back will all be better with Clyde guiding them. The 3 signed are, I think, way better the 3 seniors lost. (Mike Williams will be better than most are giving credit for!) And with 1 or 2 more added in the mixed, the Cats are going to shock the world baby.

I'll end like I started...#1

[Blue Heaven]

I voted for a 2nd rd loss but that's with who we have now. ANY addition to the frontcourt and I'll say sweet 16 possibly elite 8.

[blueheretic]

I'm saying that the addition of the new coach who understands where he is coaching and is highly motivated to win, we are at least Top 20 and a Sweet 16. Add PP and/or Sanchez and this team could go Final Four.

I think Stevenson will be utilized more and better trained, coached, and motivated.

Crawford and Ramel will be different players. Meeks, in my opinion, is going to break out.

I'm not seeing a second year slump as is normal for Sophs. This is a Frosh year for everyone.

The conditioning will be a world of difference alone.

It will be a new and improved and different Kentucky Squad out there.

This coach is about "cutting down nets" as he said.

There will be offense at Kentucky for the first time in ages. That alone will shock many of our opponents.

[TrueblueCATfan]

right now I am saying second round loss.............but I could change my mind once the season starts and I see how things are going......I HOPE we win it all

[blueheretic]

Losing Woo, Thomas and Perry is almost one of those magical addition by subtraction formulas. Smith relied too heavily on Thomas and Perry.

Stevenson and Harris can take those two guys places easily. Probably double the points and rebounds and Stevenson is a shot blocker/alterer.

I think Carter will be more ready to contribute as well.

Supposedly Coach G doesn't attempt to install a difficult system each year. So the learning curve won't be near as steep. I don't see the Frosh or the returning players struggling as much in Coach Gs system as much as did everyone in Smiths Ball Line D.

[Mackcat]

Gonna go with sweet 16 loss. Even if you get Patterson and Lucas I can't see a final 4. They would just be freshman and Billy G has not been past the sweet 16. It will be on the job training, but I would think there will be a break through in the next couple of years.

[Coldstream]

We're definitely a tournament team. How far we can advance in the tournament depends on the rest of this recruiting period, IMO. Whether it be Sanchez or Patterson (or the longshot, Hamga), we are at least one big body away from serious contention.


I think we will be a dangerous team much like this past year that no one wants to draw in the 1st two rounds. Hamga just may be here in the fall. We are the clear leaders for his services and he is working out his academics to be eligible this year. If we get him and Patterson (which the latest articles left me optimistic about coming to UK as well), then we have a pretty solid frontcourt. Hamga and Stevenson would terrorize most offensive players coming near the paint while Patterson will clean up the glass. Gets exciting thinking about that scenario so hopefully it plays out in our favor on the recruiting front.

[poodoo]

I don't see the Frosh or the returning players struggling as much in Coach Gs system as much as did everyone in Smiths Ball Line D. QUOTE by blueheretic
____________

FWIW, I agree that the incoming freshmen will likely struggle less with Coach Gillispie's defense. Too, I'm surely hoping that is the case, along with hoping that we can still get a couple of more freshmen.

Like some others, I can't really make a prediction (and don't ever make them, actually) as there are so many variables involved and probably more so with players' adjusting to a new coach (although I THINK it will work out well). The biggest variable is the roster itself, as others are saying. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that we get a couple of those players.

Mainly, I think we are going to be quite happy with Coach Gillispie, regardless of how far they go in the Big Dance this coming year. I do think he will try to make it fun for the players, which I like, and, subsequently, for us fans.

Personally, I am hoping fans don't put too many high expectations on him as a coach this first season, though. Having said that, especially if we get a couple of those players, I think the Cats can actually be quite successful even this first season. Naturally, I'm HOPING that is the case. GO CATS! GO BILLY G!

[matt colvin]

Way too early to make a prediction yet. I'd like to think we are at least an NCAA team, as we stand now. Some more additions could substantially bolster this roster though. However, I'd argue that development of what is already here is as important for next year as anything.

[KY Blue in Carolina]

Let's see how the rest of this recruiting class fleshes out.....

[SamKat]

I don't make predictions either, but I will say that the regular season will be as interesting, or more so, as rp's first season. We will also be eligible for the SEC and NCAA tournaments, unlike whatchamacallit's first season.

Bring on the Billy G era at the University of Kentucky!

[RCS]

It is interesting to talk about but there are still so many unknowns I really have no idea. For starters we don't know who we will get to fill out this recruiting class. If we add a couple of talented big guys this becomes a very dangerous team. Look at UT last year. Neither of their FR bigs are all world, but just having some decent play from their big guys really helped them. I think we can at least get that from the FR we sign. Next we don't really know how BCG will coach or even how well. We have an idea, but until we see a few games we are all pretty much in the dark. Lastly, who knows how the returning players will fit into the new system and how much they have improved. As some one else said, it is going to be a very interesting season. I have a hard time envisioning a scenario that we don't make the NCAA. We have pretty good talent returning. I think Meeks is going to blow up and with Crawford, Bradley and Legion, we should be an excellent shooting team. I look for us to be very similar to Bruce Pearls first team at UT. Fast, pressure D, lots of 3's and very dangerous.

[Katfan74]

Sweet 16. Ask again after the recruiting is finished.

[Josh]

With the players we have now, who I feel are talented enough, and the proper recruiting class that includes a formidable big-man, I can see this team being an Elite 8 team.

[CoquieKat]

I'd say make it to the Sweet 16 and at least show some improvement over the past couple of seasons.

[Dr. H Lecter]

I'm not sure just how far out on a limb that I'm willing to go...but I think we will do better in the SEC and will do at least one game better in the NCAA.;)

From there its back to UK Basketball as usual.

[BigblueDrew]

I agree that the variables are just too many to predict a finish. I personally am not as optimistic about our tourney chances next year as some. This team will have some CRITICAL weaknesses(unless we recruit a few "hole fillers"). Jared Carter is a HUGE unknown. If he has a break out season it would change everything IMO. I also wonder if the assumptions about our Seniors discovering an intensity and consistancy they have hitherto lacked is being overly optimistic. I was as big a critic of Tubby as anyone BUT I can't chalk off the inconsitency of Crawford and Bradley on his shoulders entirely. They MAY blossom under Coach G but then agian they may not, another unknown. I do know this, regardless of how far we get next year, I expect the season to be exciting and intense, I can't wait.

[Caveman Catfan]

I wish I had known during the season that Gillispie would be our knew coach. There were opportunities to watch A&M play on t.v. to gain a better understanding of how his teams play. I was very impressed with the fact that he took A&M to the top ten. That speaks volumns about him as a coach, IMO. I also thought that the fact that A&M had not been a favorite in the NCAA touney before meant they could be an early out. His run to the Sweet 16 proved that wrong.

I am looking forward to see what style he thinks is best for this team. I am also really looking forward to our wonderful freshman class becoming a soph class. It should be fun, but it is hard to truly judge what to expect from next season.

[phoenix]

I don't see the Frosh or the returning players struggling as much in Coach Gs system as much as did everyone in Smiths Ball Line D. QUOTE by blueheretic
____________

FWIW, I agree that the incoming freshmen will likely struggle less with Coach Gillispie's defense. Too, I'm surely hoping that is the case, along with hoping that we can still get a couple of more freshmen.

Like some others, I can't really make a prediction (and don't ever make them, actually) as there are so many variables involved and probably more so with players' adjusting to a new coach (although I THINK it will work out well). The biggest variable is the roster itself, as others are saying. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that we get a couple of those players.

Mainly, I think we are going to be quite happy with Coach Gillispie, regardless of how far they go in the Big Dance this coming year. I do think he will try to make it fun for the players, which I like, and, subsequently, for us fans.

Personally, I am hoping fans don't put too many high expectations on him as a coach this first season, though. Having said that, especially if we get a couple of those players, I think the Cats can actually be quite successful even this first season. Naturally, I'm HOPING that is the case. GO CATS! GO BILLY G!

As far as struggling with defense, well, seemed like talented players were still making it onto the court as freshmen in a big way, so, how much of a struggle was it? If G plays straight man as preferred defense, yes that is easier to play for most players, but it is also a difficult defense to adjust during a game. Help defenses are predicated on double teams at various points on the court, and are anticipating the breakdown and have the built in adjustments. I wouldn't get excited about one defense being easier or better than another or that it will lead to a great increase in freshman production. Freshmen make a lot of mistakes on BOTH sides of the ball. The outstanding freshmen always made it to the floor for big minutes with Tubby. They will probably do the same with G. Kids that have holes in their game on either side of the ball, will as always, need time to learn before making good contributions. Lazy or unmotivated players will be as unpopular with G as they were with Tubby.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

Losing Woo, Thomas and Perry is almost one of those magical addition by subtraction formulas. Smith relied too heavily on Thomas and Perry.

Stevenson and Harris can take those two guys places easily. Probably double the points and rebounds and Stevenson is a shot blocker/alterer.

I think Carter will be more ready to contribute as well.

Supposedly Coach G doesn't attempt to install a difficult system each year. So the learning curve won't be near as steep. I don't see the Frosh or the returning players struggling as much in Coach Gs system as much as did everyone in Smiths Ball Line D.


As for Ball Line D.... thats pretty much what most man 2 man defenses are accross the country. People call it different names but its pretty much the same thing. And as someone metioned earlier, man is hard to adjust during a game.

IMO man 2 man D is about 10% positioning, and 90% hustle. If these kids show that they have the hustle to play full court man and get in peoples faces we will be just as good, if not better than last year on the defensive end.

As for offense... The one thing i was very impressed with with Clyde's A&M team last year was their ability to put points up on the board (Especially the Texas game, the best game of the year IMO). I like the team right now, with just the signed recruits to go to the sweet 16. I expect that to change in the near future with or with out PP and Jai.

[poodoo]

I wouldn't get excited about one defense being easier or better than another or that it will lead to a great increase in freshman production. Freshmen make a lot of mistakes on BOTH sides of the ball. QUOTE by phoenix
_________

First, phoenix, I REFUSE to be drawn into any Tubby debates. It is widely known that I supported our former coach. I have mostly discussed strengths and have also discussed recruiting misses that have hurt us the past couple of seasons, as I see it.

Anyway, the point is that I am NOT "excited" about one defense's being easier or better than another. Too, I fully realize that a team does not need to depend too much on freshmen production.

By the way, to make my post clear, I happened to think that our former coach's defense was a strength for his teams. HOWEVER, I have also HEARD, with my OWN EARS, young players say how hard it was for them to master that former coach's defense. So when mastered, I thought it was dominant and a huge part of the success in that previously mentioned three-year period. Yet, I stand by my statement, basing it on the comments from actual UK playes.

Most of all, I do NOT want to discuss our former coach (for which I have expressed continued respect and wish the very best in Minnesota). My post was nothing beyond thinking that our freshmen MAY struggle less under our new coach's defense, although I do not KNOW that will be the case. I believe in focusing on potential POSITIVES for THIS staff, just as I had tended to focus on our other staff's POSITIVES. That's all.

I strongly believe in the LET'S MOVE ON philosophy. By the way, I had been MOST CONCERNED about who might replace our former coach. I am honestly MOST PLEASED, however, with the coaching hire, although we have obviously seen no results on the court at this time. I intend to be SUPPORTIVE and also objectively look at statements made in posts (and not categorize someone and agree or disagree with him or her accordingly). I agreed with the one part of someone's post, although we certainly cannot KNOW anything about the defense until we see it, too, on the court.

Most of all, again, I REFUSE to enter any debates about our former coach, although I have previously made my feelings quite clear (mostly positive and some negative). I'm looking for POSITIVES for next season, period.

Also, may no one use any of these comments as any further discussion about our former coach. My response is meant merely as a response to phoenix's comments, as an interpretation of my original post. As I posted along with another poster today, it has come to the point that I am not even going to post at all when our former coach is discussed (beyond defending his character and responding here to phoenix as it had been an earlier post). I am SICK of the bickering here, the division, etc. Yes, our former coach SHOULD be able to be discussed at a completely objective level with no emotional arguments, but that just doesn't seem to be the case, as another WCN member excellently pointed out.

So PLEASE, NO ARGUMENTS, anyone, about this post. Too, phoenix, I do not want to argue the point (and I actually don't see a lot of difference EXCEPT the point of emphasis), so please just let this clarifying post be the end of this discussion. Let's all TALK COACH GILLISPIE and HOPE for the best next season! That's at least my vote. Too, the topic is about predictions, and I refuse to predict. None of us KNOW how the next season will go, but let's all look for POSITIVES and HOPE for the best. Thanks to all.

[phoenix]

Gee Poodoo, I'm sure glad your caps work!
Love all that emphasis, might be missplaced but it wasn't misspelled!!!!!!!!!

[UKcat]

I can't really make a prediction, yet, but I will wager a bet that we will be a heck of a lot better and more enjoyable to watch than we would have been without Billy Clyde!!!!!

[poodoo]

Gee Poodoo, I'm sure glad your caps work!
Love all that emphasis, might be missplaced but it wasn't misspelled!!!!!!!!!

I guess I've goofed again. Phoenix, I had started to add that I do not mean my capitals to mean screaming. It is the way I always post to show emphasis, as we are obviously only typing and there's no voice inflection on a computer. I certainly did not mean my post to come across in any negative way. It was very sincere.

Phoenix, I had felt so great two days ago, after having read DenCat's thread. I so want to MOVE ON. Before I had read your post, though, I had gotten the "message" from a poster on the other "side" that he essentially "detests" me for defending Coach Smith in ANY way (and, actually, I had not even been doing that, but whatever). In the post to which you objected, I had agreed with one point the other poster had made, which matches my philosophy that our former coach certainly had both strengths and weaknesses. Honestly, besides not wanting to argue and debate at all, I absolutely did not want to be getting it from BOTH sides by trying to be fair and be in the middle, as I have so wanted everyone here TO GET ALONG. I've read still another post from that poster today and realize that it's hopeless as my lenthy posts in trying to bring about understanding are seen as merely a defense of our former coach, something they are not. Then here I was "seen" by you as being critical of our former coach, while I did not intend it THAT way, either. I just see all of us humans as having good and bad points. I saw our former coach as being a great human being and a great coach except for some recruiting misses and some slippage the past two seasons. What does that get me! The answer is disapproval from both sides (and STRONG disapproval from one of those sides), and it's honestly "getting to me."

I see folks' wanting to have VILLAINS here. I guess I'm naive. I want to see the best in EVERYONE. I honestly feel miserable right now, as I have just read another post from that poster on another thread, one that was obviously directed, still again, toward me, with derision when there had been absolutely NONE directed the other way. Go figure.

Hopefully you mean nothing by this response to my post. I had laughed with you at your pointing out my "typo" that time in the past. I don't even know how to interpret this response from you. Again, I am feeling like the "enemy" from BOTH sides and not at all happy. All I want is what DenCat and so many others want, for us to MOVE ON and FORGET THE PAST. Everyone here, to my knowledge, is a good guy or good gal. So I cannot understand animosity toward anyone. I really can't. Maybe I am just too naive.

UKfaninCO also said it so well. Tubby is GONE. Nothing else (about Tubby) matters now. I stated in that thread which had been seemingly upsetting both him and me in its disintegration into a "Tubby debate" thread that I'm not saying anything else about Tubby, regardless how much "bashing" continues. It's not worth it. Likewise, of course, I guess I had better not admit to some of those things that just MIGHT be better with Coach Gillispie, BUT here's hoping things ARE better with Coach Gillispie.

Honestly, I have never understood caring about being RIGHT or WRONG. Actually, though after reading still another poster's post within a thread yesterday I realized although that battles' still being fought from LONG AGO, far longer than to which DenCat referred, "battles" that had gone on after the Team Turmoil year on the old site. I don't care about any of that and didn't care then. All I want is for us to win (and do it the right way) and be nice to one another. Frankly, I think I have more hope about the first part.

I have also figured that my problem is that some folks have wanted me to GET ON THEIR SIDE. I do NOT WANT to be on ANY SIDE, only the side of UK basketball (although, again, I WILL defend our former coach anytime his character is attacked, and I do think some of the continued bashing is sad since folks got what they had wanted AND, most of all, that we have a NEW coach that I truly think is going to be a GREAT one). THAT is all that matters, as UKfaninCO stated. In that regard I have AGREED with comments from posters on both "sides," as I think the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.

Anyway, I hope your post was only a friendly post. I hope you understand my response. The posts' misunderstanding my words and seeing me as an enemy have just been too much for me.

[UKcat]

Ms. Poodoo,
Please, don't let those on here who have nothing better to do than harp at us, make you feel miserable. It's not worth it. There is not a better poster on here than you. I don't know you; have never met you; but I know from the words that there is one fine lady behind them. Your heart is in the right place. Don't worry about what/whom you cannot change. Keep your head up!!! We love you just the same.
I am not/was not a Tubby supporter. Have not been for a long, long time. I could see the damage being done to our basketball program and knew changes had to come, sooner or later. Sadly, it was much later than I was hoping for. I could not support a coach that was not good for our program, and I truly believe that he was not.
I know that makes me different from you, but I still respect your feelings and opinions, and I would hope that you can do the same for me.
Anyway.............what I am trying to say..............don't let the boo birds get ya...............GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[poodoo]

Ms. Poodoo,
Please, don't let those on here who have nothing better to do than harp at us, make you feel miserable. It's not worth it. There is not a better poster on here than you. I don't know you; have never met you; but I know from the words that there is one fine lady behind them. Your heart is in the right place. Don't worry about what/whom you cannot change. Keep your head up!!! We love you just the same.
I am not/was not a Tubby supporter. Have not been for a long, long time. I could see the damage being done to our basketball program and knew changes had to come, sooner or later. Sadly, it was much later than I was hoping for. I could not support a coach that was not good for our program, and I truly believe that he was not.
I know that makes me different from you, but I still respect your feelings and opinions, and I would hope that you can do the same for me.
Anyway.............what I am trying to say..............don't let the boo birds get ya...............GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a sweet post, UKcat. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Ironically, I had just posted on another thread that you had brought a big smile to my face with your "hee! hee! hee!" response to me there, and I had added that it had been "a much needed smile." THEN I come here and read this kind post and start to "tear up," but they are happy, appreciative tears (unlike some previous ones). It's nice to be understood.

Oh, no, I don't mean the compliment, although I appreciate your kind words, I ONLY mean the part about my heart's being in "the right place." I know you are right on that one, for I have known my intentions all along. Too, I think you have seen and realized that I respect folks, regardless of their opinions on that other issue (which I don't want to discuss).

Too, there were such varying opinions on that other issue. While I was one who had thought SOME changes must definitely occur, I could not celebrate until the HIRE was made. From that moment I HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING, and that is honestly all that I want to do. All I honestly WANT to discuss is Coach Billy Gillispie, who I think is PERFECT for UK basketball.

You have probably notice that I tend to respond to posts with NO concerns whatsoever what "side" a particular poster was on in regard to that issue, as I honestly DON'T CARE. Too, I like to respond to individual points within posts, not even thinking about "sides" or to whom I am responding. I only care about my WILDCATS and trying to get along as ONE fan base, ENJOYING this hire and what I think is going to be a MOST EXCITING time.

I wish everyone would not even think about past "sides" on this issue, as DenCat so perfectly expressed. I guess I will have to KEEP THE FAITH on that one, because I surely like to be smiling, in contrast to feeling misunderstood and thus miserable.

If you think my heart is full of LOVE and just wants everyone to GET ALONG and for NO ONE to be personally attacked in any insulting way, then you do "know" me, even though we have never met. You cannot begin to imagine how much your comments mean to me, as I am sometimes guilty of thinking I just can't do anything right (and, ironically, I even posted simulaneously with another poster, which caused it to appear that I was responding to a post of his, which I had vowed not to do--now THAT is talent, right! lol).

You are obviously a good person to have bothered to make this post. You have no idea the good you have done by doing so. Thanks from the bottom of my heart, UKcat. Too, it feels good to have been understood.

P.S. To ALL WCN members, I'm not responding to any PM's in this regard. That is because I strongly do not believe in talking about folks behind their back and would feel that was happening by any discussion in a PM. Actually, I am not even opening such a PM (while having nothing but respect for the sender and no personal offense intended). In addition, as I've posted a few times back, because of a most hurtful experience with a PM in the past, my policy is not to open PM's from folks I have not personally met). I hope that is clear, as I just "have a thing" about not wanting anyone's feelings ever to be hurt. Thanks for listening.

[UKcat]

You're welcome, Ms. Poodo; I meant it; as I am sure, so did you!:icon_mrgreen: :thumbup: