Blue/White Game

[jchcharley]

When and where is this game?

[ryanebelhar]

I went to one in Owensboro when I was a kid. Too bad they can't do that anymore.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Gillispie drops Blue-White Scrimmage

The change new Coach Billy Gillispie brings to Kentucky basketball will begin in the pre-season. For the first time in memory, there will not be a Blue-White Scrimmage.
UK spokesman Scott Stricklin said the Oct. 31 date for the first exhibition game contributed to the decision to use all available time for practice.
Joe B. Hall, whose UK coaching career began as an assistant in 1965 and ended after 13 seasons as Adolph Rupp's successor in 1985, could not remember the last time the program did not hold a public scrimmage in the pre-season.
"It's up to his discretion," Hall said of Gillispie. "Practice time for a new coach is certainly important."
UK has used public scrimmages to raise funds for charity. Until the NCAA outlawed it, UK staged public scrimmages in the state each fall.
"What I loved was doing it out in the hinterlands," Hall said. "The public (in the small towns) had not seen the Cats play."
In Hall's mind, the scrimmage gave fans a preview of the team. "Fans could get acquainted with the younger players," he said. "Everybody wants to see Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion in action."
The scrimmage also gave the players a taste of live action.
"It makes for a real good simulated scrimmage," Hall said. "It gives the players more incentive to give a good effort."
Gillispie's reputation and public comments suggest he will provide the players with plenty of incentive to give a good effort each day in practice

http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/192054.html

[matt colvin]

Well. I've went to and enjoyed these in the past. I understand that coach wants all available practice time, but I will miss the blue-white games.

[KapitalCat]

I think coach will bring them back once he has a full roster. Remember he has two guys that will be out of action in Jasper and Carter and possibly a third as Joe recovers from his knee surgery.

[UKManGillispieFan71]

I have a good friend that will be heart broken about this, it has become an annual tradition for he and his extended family to meet in Lexington for the game, then some celebration at various watering holes to discuss the merits of the new team.
I beleive the cancellation of the game may also have something to do with the fact that BCG brought more than a Southern Drawl with him from Texas. The infamous Boot Camp is back in full force at the Kraft Center and the entire team is suffering through the most excruciating conditioning regimine that any of them has ever seen. From what I have been told, that slow and easy southern charm disappears quickly behind closed doors (no cameras around). BCG seems to be cut from the same mold as a certain nameless coach that resides a short distance up I-64 that beleives that the players do not need to be his friend for him (and the team) to be successful. They may not like the journey, but they will most definately enjoy the destination.

[KYISSUPREME]

I think coach will bring them back once he has a full roster. Remember he has two guys that will be out of action in Jasper and Carter and possibly a third as Joe recovers from his knee surgery.

I agree. I think it is only temporary, and partly due to the early exhibition on Oct. 31. Or so I hear.

[KennesawCat]

Look, guys. For the 99.9% of the Kentucky fans who have never been to a blue/white game and have not participated in the "tradition", this really is a non-story.

To me it's one more step toward BCG making this HIS team and HIS program.

I applaud him for making a bold move, and putting his effort in doing what he thinks he needs to do to bring us #8. If he believes this is what he needs to do to accomplish this, I support him.

[KapitalCat]

Look, guys. For the 99.9% of the Kentucky fans who have never been to a blue/white game and have not participated in the "tradition", this really is a non-story.

To me it's one more step toward BCG making this HIS team and HIS program.

I applaud him for making a bold move, and putting his effort in doing what he thinks he needs to do to bring us #8. If he believes this is what he needs to do to accomplish this, I support him.

Totally agree although I do think he canceled due to circumstances of this particular year.

[Dwight Schrute]

Look, guys. For the 99.9% of the Kentucky fans who have never been to a blue/white game and have not participated in the "tradition", this really is a non-story.

To me it's one more step toward BCG making this HIS team and HIS program.

I applaud him for making a bold move, and putting his effort in doing what he thinks he needs to do to bring us #8. If he believes this is what he needs to do to accomplish this, I support him.

I hope you're right and that this is just a one time thing due to the shorter time period between MM and the first game. Especially with the screwup that was the midnight madness distribution, as Matt Jones said, this is the only chance that many fans will get to see UK in action, and that is the true shame.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Look, guys. For the 99.9% of the Kentucky fans who have never been to a blue/white game and have not participated in the "tradition", this really is a non-story.

To me it's one more step toward BCG making this HIS team and HIS program.

I applaud him for making a bold move, and putting his effort in doing what he thinks he needs to do to bring us #8. If he believes this is what he needs to do to accomplish this, I support him.

I am not sure how canceling the game will help us hang another banner? :shrug1:

[RaleighCat]

I am not sure how canceling the game will help us hang another banner? :shrug1:

Nor am I sure how keeping it will, either.

Bottom line is that our coach, Billy Gillispie, made this decision. Coach gets the benefit of the doubt in my book. His team, his program, his decision.

[matt colvin]

I am not sure how canceling the game will help us hang another banner? :shrug1:

I think that he wants all of the available practice time that he can possibly have. Blue/White game is a scrimmage, and maybe not the intensity of practice that Gillispie wants. With the off-season injuries and such, he feels they need all of the real practice they can get.

I also think he'll eventually bring it back.

[golflender]

Look, guys. For the 99.9% of the Kentucky fans who have never been to a blue/white game and have not participated in the "tradition", this really is a non-story.

To me it's one more step toward BCG making this HIS team and HIS program.

I applaud him for making a bold move, and putting his effort in doing what he thinks he needs to do to bring us #8. If he believes this is what he needs to do to accomplish this, I support him.

I agree with this...

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Any chance that he will go a step further, and like Florida, do away with Big Blue Madness ?

[Grub]

Any chance that he will go a step further, and like Florida, do away with Big Blue Madness ?

I don't think you'll ever see that. He surely recognizes Big Blue Madness as a recruiting tool. You get 24,000 screaming fans at a practice, it's gotta make an impression. Likewise the Blue White game is not much more than a glorified pickup game. It hasn't been attended very well in recent years either.

[UKcat]

I hate to see them do away with the scrimmage, however, I also see it as an opportunity for more injuries to the players, which we do not need!!!
I know that they could be injured every day in practice but the risk of being injured in an unnecessary scrimmage may be a high price to pay at this point.

[BigBlueLuke]

I don't think you'll ever see that. He surely recognizes Big Blue Madness as a recruiting tool. You get 24,000 screaming fans at a practice, it's gotta make an impression. Likewise the Blue White game is not much more than a glorified pickup game. It hasn't been attended very well in recent years either.

Recruiting is what Im really worried about with this, along with fan energy. I know it will still be crazy in there, but I just hope this decision hasn't taken some of the energy from the event.

What are they going to do when they were supposed to be playing the game? Shooting layup drills? Running suicides? I dont know, but like you all, Im giving him the benefit of the doubt, if he thinks it's in the best interest of the program, then so do I.

[Wildcat Larry]

Recruiting is what Im really worried about with this, along with fan energy. I know it will still be crazy in there, but I just hope this decision hasn't taken some of the energy from the event.

What are they going to do when they were supposed to be playing the game? Shooting layup drills? Running suicides? I dont know, but like you all, Im giving him the benefit of the doubt, if he thinks it's in the best interest of the program, then so do I.
This is not about the scrimmage at BBM, but about the separate scrimmage that is usually held a couple of weeks later. It has no affect on what's going to happen at BBM.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

I hate to see them do away with the scrimmage, however, I also see it as an opportunity for more injuries to the players, which we do not need!!!
I know that they could be injured every day in practice but the risk of being injured in an unnecessary scrimmage may be a high price to pay at this point.

To be honest hald of the stuff they are doing in practice is "game based" drills and the other half of the stuff at times in more dangerous than just playing a scrimmage.

[lribookend]

I guess I am just old-fashioned, but the first time I ever got to see the Ky Wildcats basketball team in person was at a Blue-White game at Memorial Coliseum in the early 1960's. Since then, I have attended too many Blue-White games to count, and have taken my kids to them, as well. I personally found them to be much more informative about the potential of the players than the much more limited Midnight/BB Madness "media event". Of course, I was left out in the cold by Ticketmaster for BB madness last Saturday, so my option B was to at least attend the Blue/White game. The justification for not having it is very weak, in my opinion. Practice is practice, whether it is with or without fans watching. You can get injured in practice just as easily as in a scrimmage. A scrimmage does a better job of simulating a real-game situation than a closed practice. You can try to justify this decision any lame way you can think of: injuries, helping to win a national championship, allowing more practice time, whatever. But in reality, the decision stinks. I am 100% behind BCG until now, but this decision stinks. The cable system in Frankfort doesn't carry ESPNU, so some of the early games are not available to me unless I drive to Lexington or find a sports bar with satelite tv. I never envisioned it would be so difficult to watch the wildcats during October/November this year. This isn't the way to win over fans.

[poodoo]

I beleive the cancellation of the game may also have something to do with the fact that BCG brought more than a Southern Drawl with him from Texas. The infamous Boot Camp is back in full force at the Kraft Center and the entire team is suffering through the most excruciating conditioning regimine that any of them has ever seen. From what I have been told, that slow and easy southern charm disappears quickly behind closed doors (no cameras around). BCG seems to be cut from the same mold as a certain nameless coach that resides a short distance up I-64 that beleives that the players do not need to be his friend for him (and the team) to be successful. They may not like the journey, but they will most definately enjoy the destination.

Thanks for sharing, UKMan. Too, bleedblue lady and I have discussed how we think Coach Billy G is a perfect combination of our past two coaches. Like the guy down the road, he is seemingly not at all afraid to be tough. I firmly believe these guys will be quite well-conditioned and play hard AND know who's the boss.

Further, I like that he feels comfortable with being the boss, period, not worrying whether or not we fans agree with all his decisions. He gets paid to do what he thinks is best for his team, and I trust him to make the right decisions. Also, I like his confidence (without the ego and a need to be in the limelight). I feel sure he knows his players are going to receve a lot of adulation at Midnight Madness and the exhibition games. Perhaps he does not want them getting TOO MUCH of that from us fans--that a little more boot camp and private practice is needed, instead.

From what I have read and heard in the past, I felt that he's a very smart man in regard to managing his players. I still feel the same. By the way, I do understand fans' disappointment, though. I, too, have so enjoyed some Blue/White scrimmages in the past.

[lribookend]

[quote=poodoo;332610]Thanks for sharing, UKMan. Too, bleedblue lady and I have discussed how we think Coach Billy G is a perfect combination of our past two coaches. Like the guy down the road, he is seemingly not at all afraid to be tough. I firmly believe these guys will be quite well-conditioned and play hard AND know who's the boss.

Further, I like that he feels comfortable with being the boss, period, not worrying whether or not we fans agree with all his decisions.

POODOO, I respectfully disagree. Although most coaches don't care what the fans think (Hal Mumme, Bill Curry and Eddie Sutton come to mind here, none of them seemed to care one iota what the fans thought), I believe they SHOULD CARE what the fans think. Like it or not, Basketball is ENTERTAINMENT. Fans want and expect to be entertained. If they aren't, they go away. The bottom line is that the Head Coach must win games, and lots of them. Fan support can help them win games if it is present. Lack of fan support can work against a coach and his program. I certainly hope that our new coach DOES CARE what the fans think. To ignore them can be a mistake. Ask Coach Smith if fan support is important if you think I am wrong. Sorry, he isn't here to ask. I'll never believe that he left for MINN ONLY BECAUSE it was a better program. I believe he left, in part, because many fans had lost confidence in him. But I promised to not keep bringing up the past, so let's just see what the new season brings.

[BigBlueLuke]

This is not about the scrimmage at BBM, but about the separate scrimmage that is usually held a couple of weeks later. It has no affect on what's going to happen at BBM.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I wear a size 13 shoe for anyone who cares...and it wasn't that hard to get it in my mouth...sorry about that:icon_redface:

[lribookend]

Nor am I sure how keeping it will, either.

Bottom line is that our coach, Billy Gillispie, made this decision. Coach gets the benefit of the doubt in my book. His team, his program, his decision.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wow, did he buy the team? "His team, his program, his decision"? I thought it was the University of Kentucky's team, and I thought we HIRED him to coach the team? I am a UK grad, he is not. To my knowledge, he has never helped cheer the UK team on to victory, or contributed money to the UK athletics program, or sent any children to UK as students, as I have, and many others have. He didn't bring the UK program to where it is today. He mostly inherited a tradition and fan base built by others before him. I think he would agree to that. Wow. Come on, RaleighCat, you are better than that post. I think BCG is the best coach in America. But I am unwilling to say it is "his team to do with as he likes". We gave the former coach way too much latitude in that respect. We should have learned from that experience.

[UKManGillispieFan71]

The cable system in Frankfort doesn't carry ESPNU, so some of the early games are not available to me unless I drive to Lexington or find a sports bar with satelite tv. I never envisioned it would be so difficult to watch the wildcats during October/November this year. This isn't the way to win over fans.[/QUOTE]

I know it may be small consolation, but Beef O Brady's in Frankfort has all of the UK Games on their numerous televisions. They also have excellent wings that they put on special during the games.

[lribookend]

The cable system in Frankfort doesn't carry ESPNU, so some of the early games are not available to me unless I drive to Lexington or find a sports bar with satelite tv. I never envisioned it would be so difficult to watch the wildcats during October/November this year. This isn't the way to win over fans.

I know it may be small consolation, but Beef O Brady's in Frankfort has all of the UK Games on their numerous televisions. They also have excellent wings that they put on special during the games.[/quote]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thanks for the tip! I think I will be eating a lot of wings there this season, LOL. I haven't been to the Frankfort BoB yet, but the one in Louisville that I went to last month had EXCELLENT food. And they had large TV'S on all the walls, too, so BoB's may be where I plant myself during the ESPNU games. Again, thanks for the tip.

[jkeller]

I guess with pessimistic UK fans the news has been too good so far (all the hype, all the new recruits, etc.) that they feel the need to have a panic attack over something stupid, like not holding a scrimmage.

Honestly, this is not the end of the world. They still have BBM, and every other game this year, they are still going to be ready for the season whether or not they hold a public scrimmage or not.

And maybe Billy Clyde didn't realize how much some people would worry about this, perhaps he will re-instate the scrimmage next season.....

[lribookend]

And maybe Billy Clyde didn't realize how much some people would worry about this, perhaps he will re-instate the scrimmage next season.....[/quote]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I tend to agree, at most schools (such as UF), they probably couldn't care less whether there was a scrimmage or even a Madness event (obviously, since they canceled it). I think our fan base is different, and hopefully BCG will be a little less naive next year than maybe he was this year. Things like buying out the UMASS game and now cancelling the Blue-White game are not terrible sins. But neither do they do anything to build fan loyalty and allegience, either. I understand that the honeymoon is still on, so in most people's eyes, he can do no wrong. He could step in a pile, and everyone would say he smells like newly cut roses. But when the honeymoon wears off, (and it always does eventually), fans will be more patient if the coach has tried to build fan excitement and loyalty, just as (I hate to say it, but its' true) Bruce Pearl has been doing at UT.

[poodoo]

Iribookend, I did not mean that Coach Gillispie should not care at all about us fans. He should and must, and you are definitely right about that "honeymoon period."

I was merely saying that I like that he seems comfortable BEING THE BOSS and chooses to make decisions according to what he sincerely feels is best for his basketball program--TO WIN GAMES, whch is ultimately what most fans want. Specifically, I was remembering how he has answered questions about STYLE OF PLAY. When he makes those decisions, I WANT him thinking of only the best way to WIN, instead of worrying about entertaining and pleasing us fans.

I similarly believe parents need to make it clear who is the BOSS, not worrying about pleasing their kids or making them their "friend." Notice I was actually responding to UKMan's post in that regard.

I feel parents usually better know what is better for the child in the long run, and Coach G perhaps knows more about what is better for this UK basketball team. :) Personally, again, I loved those scrimmages and games and definitely sympathize with you and others who had planned to attend. :icon_sad: Yet, most of all, I do want him to do what he feels is best for the program.

Similarly, many fans were upset when Coach Brooks had moved the date of the Louisville game. My philosophy had been the same on that one. I felt it was HIS decision, whatever helped our chances of WINNING. IF we had played the game as the first game of the season and one big play had gone differently and we had lost, we just might not even have four wins at this time, as how that game turns out seems to affect both fans' and players' level of enthusiasm. In other words, he thought It was best to play it later, even though the media and some fans did not like it, AND HE STOOD FIRM. His decision is looking good right now. :)

Finally, I was a Tubby supporter. I did not see everything about Tubby as a positive, though. Sometimes I felt he did not totally feel comfortable with being the BOSS. We all remember Rashad Carruth and Team Turmoil. Even on some of his call-in shows, I would hear Tubby kindly taking callers' suggestions and trying to be nice and please them with his answers.

I love niceness, but sometimes a confident coach who also feels totally comfortable being the BOSS-with both his players and the fans--is a good thing. I think one can be both nice and firm--same as with parenting and teaching.

We'll see. I'll trust Coach G with the decisions, and let's all HOPE for the best. :)

[CATFAN0416]

I understand many of you are upset about the decision to cancel the scrimmage, but our coach has bigger plans than a saturday afternoon scrimmage. I was really looking forward to the scrimmage too, but if he thinks it is in the best interest of the team not to have it this year, then he must know something about his team that we don't. Maybe he will realize he has made a mistake and have the Blue/White game in the future. Now if he were to cancel BBM that would be a different story. Hopefully he will use next saturday as a day to make the team better and it will only help build anticipation for the home opener. Just like many people believe that Coach is getting too much credit before ever coaching a game at UK, it seems that some people are already questioning his ability before his first game.

[lribookend]

but if he thinks it is in the best interest of the team not to have it this year, then he must know something about his team that we don't.

I agree, he certainly must. Many coaches in the past did not feel that an inter-squad scrimmage would hurt his team. I'd just like to know his thinking. Maybe if he took a minute or two to explain it, it would have gone over a little better.

Just like many people believe that Coach is getting too much credit before ever coaching a game at UK, it seems that some people are already questioning his ability before his first game.

I haven't seen anyone question his ability to coach. But I hope he isn't above fans questioning why he would cancel a game that clearly had more benefit for the fans than it did his team's chances of success or failure.

Like it or not, BCG is in a position that will end one game into the season. Today, he is UNDEFEATED as the head coach at Kentucky. He is also WINLESS as the head coach at Kentucky. Given that fact, fan's impressions must be based on what he has accomplished so far.....I'd give him an A in the area of recruiting, and an A in the area of staff hiring. In the area of marketing/fan relations, I'd give him a C.....Just my opinion, before all the honeymooners attack me. Buying out the UMASS game and canceling the Blue/White game did nothing to win over fans, IMHO.
Unlike many who attack me on this board, I was NOT a proponent of hiring Billy Donovan. I WAS at Memorial Collesium to cheer him the day he was introduced to the UK faithful. I believe he was the best coach we could have hired. However, I will not blindly support every decision he makes just because he makes it. I guess that differentiates me from many of you. So be it.

[CATFAN0416]

I agree with what you have said, but I think we are dealing with a man who cares so much about basketball in general and specifically his current UK team that he doesn't care about the marketing and winning fans over. He most likely believes that if he can win games and championships that fans will be happy. He seems like he is a guys who eats, sleeps, and breaths basketball 25 hours a day.

[BigblueDrew]

Coach G has made the call. He has three players rehabbing, another with a concussion and is a new coach putting in a new system , with an early season start date. Seems like a reasonable decision to me.

[poodoo]

I agree with what you have said, but I think we are dealing with a man who cares so much about basketball in general and specifically his current UK team that he doesn't care about the marketing and winning fans over. He most likely believes that if he can win games and championships that fans will be happy. He seems like he is a guys who eats, sleeps, and breaths basketball 25 hours a day.

FWIW, that's also how I see it. Too, I don't call it "blindly" accepting his decisions. I just can't criticize him without knowing the whole story. To me, in general, we fans tend to do just that far too often.

Instead, personally, I tend to trust him to make what he feels is the right decision for the program since he is indeed so passionate about basketball and naturally wants to WIN. I just haven't seen evidence to make me not trust him. We'll see. NO coach, Coach G included, is going to make all the right decisions, of course.

Again, regardless, I feel for fans who had planned to intend. If I had planned to do so, I, too, would have been disappointed.