With Jai gone, where is PP going?

[Craig the Blueheart]

I think I know the answer, but I wanted to check the pulse to see if anyone still thought there was a chance.

[crazzedcats22]

I think I know the answer, but I wanted to check the pulse to see if anyone still thought there was a chance.

there is always a chance, but my money is on Florida!

[Wildcat Larry]

Time wrestle Sanchez away from Pelphrey.

[crazzedcats22]

Time wrestle Sanchez away from Pelphrey.

hopefully, we get Patterson and don't have to worry about this

[Craig the Blueheart]

Time wrestle Sanchez away from Pelphrey.

Sureley we could get him if we want, but I almost would pass on the guy. I am not sold on him.

[Will Lavender]

Florida, IMO.

I tell you what. If Gillispie doesn't get any of these kids, that will be a tough, tough pill to swallow.

[DCWildcat]

Tough to see Patterson coming here, but who knows, he might.

[TexasCat]

Depressing day, and i don't think the week will get any better. I hope I'm wrong and Patterson and Sanchez decide to come to UK.

[crazzedcats22]

Florida, IMO.

I tell you what. If Gillispie doesn't get any of these kids, that will be a tough, tough pill to swallow.

if that happens, wonder if Billy G loses his luster with some of the UK fans? Obviously, it's not helping. Started off so promising and I see us slowly losing each of these four players.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Florida, IMO.

I tell you what. If Gillispie doesn't get any of these kids, that will be a tough, tough pill to swallow.

I agree... I think that will be a wet blanket on the whole cloud nine we are on right now... I know it is not fair, but that will probably be the perception.

Somewhere Tubby is feeling relieved that he was not here for a non-commit.

[Will Lavender]

if that happens, wonder if Billy G loses his luster with some of the UK fans? Obviously, it's not helping. Started off so promising and I see us slowly losing each of these four players.

He shouldn't. Gillispie has only had about a month to really recruit. Lucas and Patterson especially would have been incredibly difficult given how much time Billy Donovan has been on them compared to how much Gillispie has had.

But with some UK fans, you'd lose your luster if you didn't win every game by 30 and pull in the entirety of Rivals top 20.

[Wildcat Larry]

Hasn't Donovan only been on Lucas for about a month?

[patpat4three]

say if we got patterson and sanchez wouldnt that be arguably more beneficial than patterson and lucas?

[crazzedcats22]

He shouldn't. Gillispie has only had about a month to really recruit. Lucas and Patterson especially would have been incredibly difficult given how much time Billy Donovan has been on them compared to how much Gillispie has had.

But with some UK fans, you'd lose your luster if you didn't win every game by 30 and pull in the entirety of Rivals top 20.

I agree he shouldn't, but I am sure that he will.

[Mark Blueblood]

if that happens, wonder if Billy G loses his luster with some of the UK fans? Obviously, it's not helping. Started off so promising and I see us slowly losing each of these four players.

Well, he won't lose his luster with me. I gave up on Patterson and Lucas some time ago. Besides, Billy's only had a few weeks to get all this going. He's already got a top 15 player committed from '09 and a top 5 for '08 who wanted to commit, but his mother wouldn't let him.

And, in my opinion, if you'd rather have Jai Lucas than Alex Legion....well....you're crazy. It ain't like we don't have a few guards already.

[Will Lavender]

Hasn't Donovan only been on Lucas for about a month?

Seriously? It felt like 9 years.

[BigblueDrew]

Folks this kid aint coming here he NEVER was IMO. Tubby recruited our program right over a cliff and right now we are still in a free fall. We FINALLY have a coach that can pull on a parachute and stop the fall but it isn't going to be this year, he came in WAY too late to do much about it. Actually getting Legion was a HUGE accomplishment. I have determined that I will be satisfied with what we have on board now and yell like crazy for the Cats next season. I PROMISE you they will over achieve and compete for an SEC championship next year with the players we have comitted and on the roster NOW>

[crazzedcats22]

Seriously? It felt like 9 years.

it did feel like forever, but you have to give Billy D props I guess. He only recruited him for a really short amount of time and got him to commit. Pretty impressive.

[charms]

I would like to see PP come, I really think that he is not as concerned to play with JL as JL was about playing with him. I dont think I will right off next years team yet, we still need to give BCG time to work with what we got. I think the returning players will improve and could possibly get deep in the tournament. I also think UF's winning streak still came to a halt, I think we take both games next year. I am more worried about Tennessee than Florida.

[Will Lavender]

it did feel like forever, but you have to give Billy D props I guess. He only recruited him for a really short amount of time and got him to commit. Pretty impressive.

Even more impressive given the fact that Donovan might be in the NBA next season.

[Tom Blevins]

I believe there's still a chance.

[crazzedcats22]

Even more impressive given the fact that Donovan might be in the NBA next season.

very true. I guess Jai is pretty confident that (a) Billy D will be there or (b) Florida will survive without him. I'd be pretty nervous if it were me.

[Coldstream]

Unless Jai has his way, I think it is b/n Duke and UK right now. I recall Jai's comments where he said he would persuade PP to follow him.

[crazzedcats22]

Unless Jai has his way, I think it is b/n Duke and UK right now. I recall Jai's comments where he said he would persuade PP to follow him.

probably depends on how much PP wants to play with him. I think all along Jai has wanted to play with PP more than the other way around. Which is why I think PP to UK is unlikely because I think Jai would have gone. Unless, of course he fell into a man cruch with Billy D???

[Craig the Blueheart]

Unless Jai has his way, I think it is b/n Duke and UK right now. I recall Jai's comments where he said he would persuade PP to follow him.

What makes you believe that it would be primarily between UK and Duke? Gut feeling?

[Josh]

At this point I would be very surprised to see Patterson end up with Kentucky. It would be a great, great pickup for us, but I think he will be with the Gators, as tough as it is for me to say.

[charms]

Unless Jai has his way, I think it is b/n Duke and UK right now. I recall Jai's comments where he said he would persuade PP to follow him.

I really think if PP has waited this long, nothing JL can say will sway his decision. I would hope after waiting this long and having all the information, He can make the decision on his own.

[DCWildcat]

it did feel like forever, but you have to give Billy D props I guess. He only recruited him for a really short amount of time and got him to commit. Pretty impressive.

Interestingly, Donovan tried to get involved several times earlier and Lucas gave him the "thanks but probably no thanks."

[thedude]

it did feel like forever, but you have to give Billy D props I guess. He only recruited him for a really short amount of time and got him to commit. Pretty impressive.

This is not true. Donovan recruited him for the last two years and was upfront with him the entire time about Taurean Green. He told him if Green leaves early he will have a scholly for him.

Moreover, Jai Lucas recruitment was irrelevant. The recruiting race was for Patrick Patterson, because if you could get PP to commit, then Lucas was coming right along with him and Donovan had been on PP for sometime now.

BTW, PP is going to Florida. Write it down and circle it.

[Woodgate]

if they were for sure going to the same place, then they would announce together, there is a chance PP will go to UK still

[crazzedcats22]

if they were for sure going to the same place, then they would announce together, there is a chance PP will go to UK still

one would think so, but we also thought Hamga to UK was a "done deal." At this point, I am not surprised by anything!!

[Caveman Catfan]

hopefully, we get Patterson and don't have to worry about this

Patterson and Sanchez would be nice, but I think Patterson will end up at Duke or Florida (probably the latter).

[Caveman Catfan]

Interestingly, Donovan tried to get involved several times earlier and Lucas gave him the "thanks but probably no thanks."

I think Lucas made it clear that playing time was important. With Green out, he will get his share and we will see a lot of him.

Hopefully, we will see Jasper posting him up and taking advantage of his size!!!!

[leroybyrd]

PP is coming to UK. Just like Jai, he wants to play immediately and these two may have had to come to grips with the fact that they are not going to play together. I think PP may be doing his own thing, which made it tough for JL.

[teamchemistry09]

PP would most likely play immediately if he went to florida. But i think they would have announced together if they were both going there. Well see Wednesday

[KapitalCat]

I think I know the answer, but I wanted to check the pulse to see if anyone still thought there was a chance.

Duke, UF or KY. Jai will try and convince him to go to UF. My guess right now is that Jai will win and he'll go to UF.

[BamaCat86]

Patterson has made it very clear that he is his own man and will make his own decision. I too think that Jai may have wanted to wait and annouce with PP that they were both going to Florida, but PP wouldn't tip his hat.

I think that Patterson to UK is still a possibility, but so is PP to Duke and PP to Florida.

[Craig the Blueheart]

I wish like crazy PP would make UK his school, but I am now more pessimistic than ever.

[lribookend]

I agree with those before me who suggested that playing time was a big part of JL's decision. Kentucky has several strong guards coming back. With Lucas, there would have been a logjam at guard for UK. I'm not at all sure that Porter would have stayed if JL had come in and gotten more minutes. So, we'd have picked up one point guard whose playing time was limited, but we'd have run the risk of losing another.
When T. Green signed with an agent, the possibility of significant playing time shot up for JL at Florida. I'm not sure I agree with those who give Donovan the credit for doing such a great recruiting job......after all, the gators have won two NC's in a row, for gosh sake...., and they LOST their top 6 players........they certainly SHOULD be able to recruit players in that situation. Things may not be the same one year from now, however. Gator fans should enjoy the moment, it may not return for awhile.

[Craig the Blueheart]

This is not true. Donovan recruited him for the last two years and was upfront with him the entire time about Taurean Green. He told him if Green leaves early he will have a scholly for him.

Moreover, Jai Lucas recruitment was irrelevant. The recruiting race was for Patrick Patterson, because if you could get PP to commit, then Lucas was coming right along with him and Donovan had been on PP for sometime now.

BTW, PP is going to Florida. Write it down and circle it.

How are you so sure?

[benny17]

probably depends on how much PP wants to play with him. I think all along Jai has wanted to play with PP more than the other way around. Which is why I think PP to UK is unlikely because I think Jai would have gone. Unless, of course he fell into a man cruch with Billy D???

This is how I feel too. I don't think Jai would have picked UF if he wasn't a 100% sure that PP would be there too next year. The only thing that gets me is that UF has come in later on both of these players then we did. I mean UF and Duke didn't really jump on the PP wagon until he was top 20. We was after him last year when he was in the 40's. If it was me I would be like if you didn't want me when I was #45 then I don't want you when I #10. And I like jai but if for the last year you have OK, OK st., UK, UM and those schools where the ones you were going too pick from and in the last two months UF comes into the picture and you pick them, thats just bad. I hope I'm wrong and PP comes too UK but once again I don't think Jai would have picked UF if he wasn't 100% sure that PP was going there too.

[Caveman Catfan]

They do not want to share the limelight. That is why, IMO, they did not announce on the same day.

I still think he goes to Florida. If not, then to Duke. But, the best decision would be UK. He would be an immediate starter and an immediate impact player for UK at PF. But, I don't think he wants UK. Just a gut.

[WildFan]

say if we got patterson and sanchez wouldnt that be arguably more beneficial than patterson and lucas?


Yes.

[WildFan]

if that happens, wonder if Billy G loses his luster with some of the UK fans? Obviously, it's not helping. Started off so promising and I see us slowly losing each of these four players.

Billy will ot have lost any of luster. He has been working on ,08 and '09 very hard. The fact that Tubby had not completed '07 when he took over caused him to have to recruit the best of what was left. Seeing that he has only had a very short time to do so, I am going to give him a free pass on this one. I've gotta remind myself that I am a fan for the long haul and I think we will be in fine shape down the road.

[scfcats]

I don't think Jai would have picked UF if he wasn't 100% sure that PP was going there too.

I don't think anyone has a clue what PP is going to do outside the Patterson home. Saw in another thread that JL is recruiting him now, he doesn't sound 100% to me. I'm still optimistic about him. His family has said some good things about UK. My gut tells me Wednesday is going to be a good day for UK and BCG.;)

[TrueblueCATfan]

Gut feeling..Patterson will go to Florida............wow this sucks.....no recruits.....what is wrong with UK..why can't we get the good recruits anymore..

[blueinLou]

He shouldn't. Gillispie has only had about a month to really recruit. Lucas and Patterson especially would have been incredibly difficult given how much time Billy Donovan has been on them compared to how much Gillispie has had.

But with some UK fans, you'd lose your luster if you didn't win every game by 30 and pull in the entirety of Rivals top 20.

Will OTS lose his "luster" if neither goes up north??

[UKManGillispieFan71]

Everyone needs to keep in mind that college basketball recruiting is about much more than coaches, tradition, and facilities. Florida should have ALWAYS had a huge advantage in recruiting, simply based on the location of the real estate. Throw in the fact that they are currently the "IT" team in college basketball and that makes for a tough sell if you are an opposing coach. The kids we are fighting over were about 8 years old the last time we cut down the nets. Lucas is following the lead of Patterson, who will sign with UF on Wednesday. They separated the signing days so both could enjoy their day without competing for the thunder. All I can say is that I hope both of them enjoyed their recruiting visits to Rupp and have some fond memories of their experience. I dare say they will not enjoy the next several times they step in to that building, nor will the fan reaction be quiet so warm.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

:icon_rolleyes: I'm just happy I lived long enough to see one of them make a decision...we will win number eight with or without PP.

[bluesuede]

say if we got patterson and sanchez wouldnt that be arguably more beneficial than patterson and lucas?

Would be good!!

[Woodgate]

Duke, but jai might convince him otherwise, and we might have an early xmass and he'll go to UK.. ah man next year sucks as much as the last 2 years... oh well one more year then it is

[Doug Hardin]

Logic would say Duke or UK. Both of those schools would seem to have the edge in regard to playing time and proximity to his home. I also think most of the reason people think he's leaning toward UF has been unfounded speculation: this guy and his family have been so tight-lipped that it's almost impossible to read anything.

But I'll pick Florida. For some reason, regardless of the coach, and regardless of what seems to make sense, UK can't win recruiting battles with them (e.g., Mike Miller, Mohammed Abukar, David Lee, Dan Werner, Jai Lucas, even Billy Donovan for the head coach job).

[scfcats]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/kevin_armstrong/05/14/jai.lucas/index.html

PP say "congrats" to Jai, but that's it. He's coming to UK. ;) I hope...

[BRN2BNK]

Hasn't Donovan only been on Lucas for about a month?

Good point--I think this is easily forgotten when we look through our blue sun glasses.

[lribookend]

Good point--I think this is easily forgotten when we look through our blue sun glasses.

No, from some published stories, Donovan has been recruiting JL for a long time....but, he made it clear that if T. Green was returning, there wouldn't be much playing time. However, once Green decided to go pro, the opportunity to play a lot of minutes at UF increased. It is a myth that BD only got involved a month ago.....I don't have the links to support this, perhaps others do. If so, please post them. THANKS!@

[lribookend]

Gut feeling..Patterson will go to Florida............wow this sucks.....no recruits.....what is wrong with UK..why can't we get the good recruits anymore..

Are you joking? Some programs give coaches a few years to build a program. You want results in a couple months? Surely not........

[Will Lavender]

Logic would say Duke or UK. Both of those schools would seem to have the edge in regard to playing time and proximity to his home. I also think most of the reason people think he's leaning toward UF has been unfounded speculation: this guy and his family have been so tight-lipped that it's almost impossible to read anything.

But I'll pick Florida.

Hilarious post.

You perfectly highlight the maddening absurdity of this young man's recruitment, Doug.

[abroo588]

Gut feeling..Patterson will go to Florida............wow this sucks.....no recruits.....what is wrong with UK..why can't we get the good recruits anymore..

What about Legion? We got him. What about A.J. Stewart. He seems solid. Look at Jodi Meeks, Jasper, and Stevenson. GOOD RECRUITS!!!! Sure, we've slid. We're not getting every single top recruit we shoot for, and we're getting fewer than we want/need. But CBC getting Legion shows that our name still has some weight, and that he is out there working to make sure that we get some good ones recruits. We still might even get Patterson (wishful thinking perhaps, but it ain't over yet). We've not slid into an endless abyss; we're just not where we used to be, but I think we're on the way back.

Here's to hoping (not wishful thinking, but confident expectation) that we'll see brighter days in UK's recruiting VERY soon. I'm confident.

[BigblueDrew]

Gut feeling..Patterson will go to Florida............wow this sucks.....no recruits.....what is wrong with UK..why can't we get the good recruits anymore..

His name was Orlando Tubby Smith and he is responsible for where we are today. If you don't believe it watch and see where we are recruiting wise in a couple of years. Blaming Gilespie for ANYTHING that happens this recruiting season is like blaming Bill Clinton for somethiong that happens in Iraq today.

[charms]

His name was Orlando Tubby Smith and he is responsible for where we are today. If you don't believe it watch and see where we are recruiting wise in a couple of years. Blaming Gilespie for ANYTHING that happens this recruiting season is like blaming Bill Clinton for somethiong that happens in Iraq today.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[UKManGillispieFan71]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigblueDrew
His name was Orlando Tubby Smith and he is responsible for where we are today. If you don't believe it watch and see where we are recruiting wise in a couple of years. Blaming Gilespie for ANYTHING that happens this recruiting season is like blaming Bill Clinton for somethiong that happens in Iraq today.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________

Does that mean that when we cut down nets after winning the SEC Tournament next season that OTS should be there to take the last snip? After all, " he is responsible for where we are today. " I see two SR Guards that were part of a recruiting class ranked number one in all the land, a 7'2" JR Center that chose KY over NC, and a loaded sophmore class with future SEC POY Jodie Meeks leading the charge. Add the ultra athletic AJ Stewart to the mix, and from where I stand, I do not see a cupboard as bare as some of you do. Actually, I see a squad as it stands right now that is capable of taking the SEC Season and Tournament Titles next season. Regardless of where Patterson hangs his hat.

[DCWildcat]

Gut feeling..Patterson will go to Florida............wow this sucks.....no recruits.....what is wrong with UK..why can't we get the good recruits anymore..

Seems like a very rushed statement only weeks into a new coach's tenure. Give him time.

As for Lucas and Patterson specifically, Lucas once said that Tubby was "75% of the reason he was interested in Kentucky" (direct quote), and Patterson said numerous times that his interest in UK stemmed from Tubby recruiting the longest, since he was a freshman in high school and long before he became a very high-major recruit.

I don't think we can say that anything's "wrong" with UK if these guys choose to go elsewhere after liking Kentucky primarily for Tubby.

[DCWildcat]

It would be silly to blame any of this on Gillispie. I have not lost one bit of faith in the guy. The fact that he reeled Legion in the way he did says much more to me than Hobson, Lucas, McClain, Sanchez, and Hamga's decisions combined.

[leroybyrd]

His name was Orlando Tubby Smith and he is responsible for where we are today. If you don't believe it watch and see where we are recruiting wise in a couple of years. Blaming Gilespie for ANYTHING that happens this recruiting season is like blaming Bill Clinton for somethiong that happens in Iraq today.

Dumb analogy. It would actually be like blaming the new president in '08 for Iraq. Also, Tubby did recruit Meeks, Jasper, Stevenson, and not only that, Hayes, Prince, Bogans, Azabuike.........he just put all his eggs in one basket too many times with kids like Hansbrough, Wright and this year with Patterson and Lucas.

[Gunsmoke]

I think it is in the Herald this morning that Coach Smith at Oak Hill said Legion talked to Patterson Monday night and supposedly told him that dUKe is out of the picture now.

[BigblueDrew]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigblueDrew
His name was Orlando Tubby Smith and he is responsible for where we are today. If you don't believe it watch and see where we are recruiting wise in a couple of years. Blaming Gilespie for ANYTHING that happens this recruiting season is like blaming Bill Clinton for somethiong that happens in Iraq today.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________

Does that mean that when we cut down nets after winning the SEC Tournament next season that OTS should be there to take the last snip? After all, " he is responsible for where we are today. " I see two SR Guards that were part of a recruiting class ranked number one in all the land, a 7'2" JR Center that chose KY over NC, and a loaded sophmore class with future SEC POY Jodie Meeks leading the charge. Add the ultra athletic AJ Stewart to the mix, and from where I stand, I do not see a cupboard as bare as some of you do. Actually, I see a squad as it stands right now that is capable of taking the SEC Season and Tournament Titles next season. Regardless of where Patterson hangs his hat.

--------------------
If you think Tubby was a good recruiter then we will simply agree to disagree. I think he was a horrible recruiter and I believe that Gilespie's results on the recruiting trail in the next few years will accentuate that point to everyone. I might have overreacted with my post but it really frosts me that I'm catching hints of criticism of Coach G losing out on these giys after being on the job for about 3 weeks. The Tubby Defense league is holding him to a standard after 1 month they NEVER held Tubby to in TEN years.

[Will Lavender]

The Tubby Defense league is holding him to a standard after 1 month they NEVER held Tubby to in TEN years.

I don't think that's true at all.

If this site is any indication of how UK fans are in general, then Tubby fans are Gillispie fans. Almost everyone on WCN who liked Tubby has stood up for Gillispie.

Here's how I am: you're not talking about a "Tubby apologist," you're talking about a "UK coach apologist." I'd probably defend the coach, whoever he was, regardless -- unless it got to the point where it was impossible to defend him with a straight face.

And look:

We wouldn't even have a shot with Patrick Patterson today if it weren't for Tubby Smith.

[Craig the Blueheart]

I don't think that's true at all.

If this site is any indication of how UK fans are in general, then Tubby fans are Gillispie fans. Almost everyone on WCN who liked Tubby has stood up for Gillispie.

Here's how I am: you're not talking about a "Tubby apologist," you're talking about a "UK coach apologist." I'd probably defend the coach, whoever he was, regardless -- unless it got to the point where it was impossible to defend him with a straight face.

And look:

We wouldn't even have a shot with Patrick Patterson today if it weren't for Tubby Smith.

I could not agree more with what you said. Great post. :thumbup:

[BigblueDrew]

I don't think that's true at all.

If this site is any indication of how UK fans are in general, then Tubby fans are Gillispie fans. Almost everyone on WCN who liked Tubby has stood up for Gillispie.

Here's how I am: you're not talking about a "Tubby apologist," you're talking about a "UK coach apologist." I'd probably defend the coach, whoever he was, regardless -- unless it got to the point where it was impossible to defend him with a straight face.

And look:

We wouldn't even have a shot with Patrick Patterson today if it weren't for Tubby Smith.
___________________________________

Will I agree that many here defend the "UK Coach" regardless of who he is. It just drives me crazy however that so many people continue to give Tubby a pass on the horrible job he did recruiting at UK. I just don't understand it. His deficiencies in this area have been obvious for years yet even after he is gone some continue to defend them . I will let this go, I simply didn't want to see our new coach blamed for a problem that he had nothing to do with and that was basically ignored by many .

[Craig the Blueheart]

___________________________________

Will I agree that many here defend the "UK Coach" regardless of who he is. It just drives me crazy however that so many people continue to give Tubby a pass on the horrible job he did recruiting at UK. I just don't understand it. His deficiencies in this area have been obvious for years yet even after he is gone some continue to defend them . I will let this go, I simply didn't want to see our new coach blamed for a problem that he had nothing to do with and that was basically ignored by many .

Who has given him a pass on recruiting? I have seen so many posters on this board admit that there were deficiencies in that area. In addition, I have seen those that have argued that recruiting, although not up to par, was not as bad as those may give him credit for. I have seen absolutley nobody who claims that he recruited well enough to succeed, however.

[Will Lavender]

___________________________________

Will I agree that many here defend the "UK Coach" regardless of who he is. It just drives me crazy however that so many people continue to give Tubby a pass on the horrible job he did recruiting at UK. I just don't understand it. His deficiencies in this area have been obvious for years yet even after he is gone some continue to defend them . I will let this go, I simply didn't want to see our new coach blamed for a problem that he had nothing to do with and that was basically ignored by many .

Seems like you're desperately trying to find a way to blame Tubby as a way to deflect blame from Gillispie. Tubby was a very poor recruiter; I don't see many people denying that. I just don't know how that fits into the situation we're talking about here.

And I don't think ANYONE should be blamed. This kid has been an enigma since day one. He clearly plays by his own rules.

If anybody's on here blasting Gillispie this afternoon, they should be flogged with a slightly cooked rigatoni noodle.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Seems like you're desperately trying to find a way to blame Tubby as a way to deflect blame from Gillispie. Tubby was a very poor recruiter; I don't see many people denying that. I just don't know how that fits into the situation we're talking about here.

And I don't think ANYONE should be blamed. This kid has been an enigma since day one. He clearly plays by his own rules.

If anybody's on here blasting Gillispie this afternoon, they should be flogged with a slightly cooked rigatoni noodle.

Coincidently, I am going to be warming up a frozen dinner of rigatoni alfredo with broccoli if anyone needs any.

[BigblueDrew]

Seems like you're desperately trying to find a way to blame Tubby as a way to deflect blame from Gillispie. Tubby was a very poor recruiter; I don't see many people denying that. I just don't know how that fits into the situation we're talking about here.

And I don't think ANYONE should be blamed. This kid has been an enigma since day one. He clearly plays by his own rules.

If anybody's on here blasting Gillispie this afternoon, they should be flogged with a slightly cooked rigatoni noodle.

Will I see people on here dailly denying it, just read UK MAN TUBBY FAN 71's post at the top of the page as an example.

[Will Lavender]

Will I see people on here dailly denying it, just read UK MAN TUBBY FAN 71's post at the top of the page as an example.

Seems to me an optimistic post that asks a fair question: how much credit does get next year if we win a lot of games?

I'm simply not sure why we need to be terribly pessimistic at all times or else we're called the "Tubby Defense League." I'll say -- and I'm sure many here would say the same; probably most here would -- that Tubby's recruiting was poor, and that it certainly wasn't UK quality in the last couple of years. On the other hand, we are not completely without talent. We have a terrific stock of guards; we have a potential all-SEC performer in Meeks. It's not all bad...especially if we get Patterson today.

That's how I see it, at least. Me and my blue shades.

[BigblueDrew]

Seems to me an optimistic post that asks a fair question: how much credit does get next year if we win a lot of games?

I'm simply not sure why we need to be terribly pessimistic at all times or else we're called the "Tubby Defense League." I'll say -- and I'm sure many here would say the same; probably most here would -- that Tubby's recruiting was poor, and that it certainly wasn't UK quality in the last couple of years. On the other hand, we are not completely without talent. We have a terrific stock of guards; we have a potential all-SEC performer in Meeks. It's not all bad...especially if we get Patterson today.

That's how I see it, at least. Me and my blue shades.

Will I got involved in this thread when a poster asked Why can't Kentucky seem to land the big fish anymore? My answer is Tubby Smith others will cite other reasons but that is mine. I never said I thought next years team would be horrible or we had no talent. We have talented players , just an uneven squad as coach Smith NEVER recruited to our needs. His teams always had gaping holes and if Patterson goes to UFL so will next years. The fact is I'm looking forward to next year more than any season since 96. I think we will be much improved. I'm excited, with our new coach, and the reality that Tubby is GONE finally. I feel like a man just released from prison. I also stated that I hope our new coach doesn't get tarred with the same recruiting brush as the last one. I'm hoping for the best and can't wait for the Gilespie era to begin where we can close the book on the past regime.

[TrueblueCATfan]

His name was Orlando Tubby Smith and he is responsible for where we are today. If you don't believe it watch and see where we are recruiting wise in a couple of years. Blaming Gilespie for ANYTHING that happens this recruiting season is like blaming Bill Clinton for somethiong that happens in Iraq today.

I don't believe I blamed ANYBODY.....just wondering why we lose good players to other schools when they have UK as one of their top choices....

[TrueblueCATfan]

Are you joking? Some programs give coaches a few years to build a program. You want results in a couple months? Surely not........

Did I blame anyone..NO..just wonderng why good players chose other schools over UK

[poodoo]

I don't think that's true at all.

If this site is any indication of how UK fans are in general, then Tubby fans are Gillispie fans. Almost everyone on WCN who liked Tubby has stood up for Gillispie.

Here's how I am: you're not talking about a "Tubby apologist," you're talking about a "UK coach apologist." I'd probably defend the coach, whoever he was, regardless -- unless it got to the point where it was impossible to defend him with a straight face.

And look:

We wouldn't even have a shot with Patrick Patterson today if it weren't for Tubby Smith.

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. As the much older English teacher (yes, I'm retired, of course), I give you, Will, an A+ for this post. :big_grin: Oh, no, I'm not getting into any argument here, and I realize everyone was sincerely posting in the thread. It's just that your post perfectly captures what I think IS the case and have so often been trying to say (and sometimes in a "long-winded" way, unfortunately). I'm reading old posts (my apology), and I had to comment about this one.

Too, thankfully, we have now gotten Patterson (after the Monday misses) and, hopefully, we can all enjoy the present and look forward to the future together. :) Too, while I happen to think our former coach's recruiting was sometimes good and sometimes bad and certainly inconsistent (and the two recent subpar years greatly affected the team's performance the past two seasons, in my opinion), I think our NEW COACH's recruiting is going to be GREAT, overall, and THAT is what matters. :)

Too, FWIW, I felt exactly that way even after Black Monday. I did not blame Gillispie for the misses, even within my heart. Likewise, I would not have blamed him if we had not signed Patterson. I even think that few here, if any, would have done so. What matters, though, is that we DID get him, though, and that recruiting for the FUTURE is most likely in excellent hands. Again, let's CELEBRATE TOGETHER. :) GO CATS! GO BILLY G!