Outcoached, Outclassed, Outhustled.....

[ukbob]

What a terrible performance on a Senior Day.

A total embarrassment.

But we are what we are.

[Spanish Moss]

I hope Sims is interviewed after the game. I'd like to know how he shut down Noah and brought us the victory he promised.

Now his smack talk looks silly. The fact is it was silly when he said it because everyone in their right mind knew he couldn't carry Noah's jock strap.

[cbc317]

Exactly. We are what we are. It is just a little disheartening to actually watch. We have now lost 4 conference games at home. Unbelieveble. We failed tor each 10 wins in a average SEC and have gotten stormed off the court more times than I care to count.

Oh well, at least I won't be as dissappointed when we lose next week and in the NCAA

[KapitalCat]

Very very bad loss. Many reasons for yet another debacle. A couple of things stand out, one is heart, which left us today at home, and another are forwards that cannot compete at a High D-1 level. We win win Rondo/Sparks are getting it done, when they don't we lose.

Losing this bad, at home, puts us back on that bubble thing.

[joneagin]

KapitalCat wrote: Very very bad loss. Many reasons for yet another debacle. A couple of things stand out, one is heart, which left us today at home, and another are forwards that cannot compete at a High D-1 level. We win win Rondo/Sparks are getting it done, when they don't we lose.

Losing this bad, at home, puts us back on that bubble thing.

Lets at least be realistic. We arent close to the bubble. Even a lose to Mississippi on Thursday (which wont happen cause they are worse than we are) wont keep us out. We are a lock with our RPI and SOS. Lets not act like the world just fall apart.

[KapitalCat]

joneagin wrote: KapitalCat wrote: Very very bad loss. Many reasons for yet another debacle. A couple of things stand out, one is heart, which left us today at home, and another are forwards that cannot compete at a High D-1 level. We win win Rondo/Sparks are getting it done, when they don't we lose.

Losing this bad, at home, puts us back on that bubble thing.

Lets at least be realistic. We arent close to the bubble. Even a lose to Mississippi on Thursday (which wont happen cause they are worse than we are) wont keep us out. We are a lock with our RPI and SOS. Lets not act like the world just fall apart.


You're probably right....I think though there is a bubble forming, losing this bad at home....so I think winning against Ole MIss :)will make me feel better

[ukbob]

joneagin wrote: KapitalCat wrote: Very very bad loss. Many reasons for yet another debacle. A couple of things stand out, one is heart, which left us today at home, and another are forwards that cannot compete at a High D-1 level. We win win Rondo/Sparks are getting it done, when they don't we lose.

Losing this bad, at home, puts us back on that bubble thing.

Lets at least be realistic. We arent close to the bubble. Even a lose to Mississippi on Thursday (which wont happen cause they are worse than we are) wont keep us out. We are a lock with our RPI and SOS. Lets not act like the world just fall apart.
You are right...we are not close to the bubble. If we lose Thursday, there is no bubble. we deserve to be on the bubble.

This team should never be in this position.

[Mackcat]

Better team one. Sure Uk will get in. Been saying that all year, but how excited will you be?

[joneagin]

KapitalCat wrote: joneagin wrote: KapitalCat wrote: Very very bad loss. Many reasons for yet another debacle. A couple of things stand out, one is heart, which left us today at home, and another are forwards that cannot compete at a High D-1 level. We win win Rondo/Sparks are getting it done, when they don't we lose.

Losing this bad, at home, puts us back on that bubble thing.

Lets at least be realistic. We arent close to the bubble. Even a lose to Mississippi on Thursday (which wont happen cause they are worse than we are) wont keep us out. We are a lock with our RPI and SOS. Lets not act like the world just fall apart.


You're probably right....I think though there is a bubble forming, losing this bad at home....so I think winning against Ole MIss :)will make me feel better

Oh come on:lol:I know your a true UK fan...you will be cheering like crazy on Thursday and it will make you feel better when we win.

[joneagin]

Mackcat wrote: Better team one. Sure Uk will get in. Been saying that all year, but how excited will you be?
When the tourny starts, I will be as excited as I always am in March. Thats the nature of the tourny. No one knows what will happen. I will be excited to see us play, no matter the performance.

[RaleighCat]

I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.

[mdluk1]

Very poor effort by the Cats'! Morris' early fouls killed us. Poor shooting. Weak rebounding. Pitiful! No way to send out our seniors.

[PhatNastyCat]

At least we'll only have to watch this team lose two more times.

-PNC

[Blue Heaven]

I have tried to be sympathetic to the Cat's needs this year but motivation shouldn't take a back seat. Players are an extension of the coach, and I am sorry but Tubby hasn't been getting it done in that aspect this year. He used to be a great motivator and I am at a loss for what has happened this year. If we get better PF play next year and the same results come about, how can any Cat fan in their right mind beleive it ought to continue? Just the fact that I have been wavering this year on Tubby and whether he should stay or go is a feeling I thought I'd never have being a fan of the Cats. It's getting to that point folks and those that deny it are kidding themselves.:(

[Aike]

A loss Thursday would put us on the bubble, and very likely out of the tournament. It would leave us 4-6 in our last 10. Honestly, if we let Ole Miss beat us, then I don't think we deserve a bid. Saying that, depending on how some other teams struggle, we could possibly lose Thursday and still squeak in.

I don't agree that we were outclassed or outhustled today. I think we were outcoached in at least a couple of ways, and were definitely outathleted and outshot. :shock:

ukbob wrote: joneagin wrote: KapitalCat wrote: Very very bad loss. Many reasons for yet another debacle. A couple of things stand out, one is heart, which left us today at home, and another are forwards that cannot compete at a High D-1 level. We win win Rondo/Sparks are getting it done, when they don't we lose.

Losing this bad, at home, puts us back on that bubble thing.

Lets at least be realistic. We arent close to the bubble. Even a lose to Mississippi on Thursday (which wont happen cause they are worse than we are) wont keep us out. We are a lock with our RPI and SOS. Lets not act like the world just fall apart.
You are right...we are not close to the bubble. If we lose Thursday, there is no bubble. we deserve to be on the bubble.

This team should never be in this position.

[scars.of.grace]

At this point, we're still in. The team got the win it needed to be in the tournament. A loss on Thursday would probably put us right back on the bubble and it would probably be a matter of other teams losing and the right teams winning their conference. But if we beat whoever it is we play on Thursday to go to 20-11, there's no question we'll be in. We'll see how they respond. Tourney starts soon.

[CatsSaintsFan]

Florida Cracker wrote: I hope Sims is interviewed after the game. I'd like to know how he shut down Noah and brought us the victory he promised.

Now his smack talk looks silly. The fact is it was silly when he said it because everyone in their right mind knew he couldn't carry Noah's jock strap.




Sims talking about shutting down Noah is about as relevant as someone like Brad Gianiny saying he's going to shut down Rondo. I think you have to play more than 4 minutes a game for that statement to sound like anything more than ignorance. I might as well have said Noah wasn't doing that to me. Sims only played about 3-4 more minutes than I did

[BigblueDrew]

RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.

[CatsSaintsFan]

joneagin wrote: KapitalCat wrote: Very very bad loss. Many reasons for yet another debacle. A couple of things stand out, one is heart, which left us today at home, and another are forwards that cannot compete at a High D-1 level. We win win Rondo/Sparks are getting it done, when they don't we lose.

Losing this bad, at home, puts us back on that bubble thing.

Lets at least be realistic. We arent close to the bubble. Even a lose to Mississippi on Thursday (which wont happen cause they are worse than we are) wont keep us out. We are a lock with our RPI and SOS. Lets not act like the world just fall apart.



We lose to a lousy Ole Miss team and we're back on the bubble. You have some upsets in midmajor conferences and we're watching the brackets sunday night with a little more nerves

[Wildcat Larry]

Not to pull a Rekalin Sims here, but we're not gonna lost to Mississippi.

[Mackcat]

Wildcat Larry wrote: Not to pull a Rekalin Sims here, but we're not gonna lost to Mississippi.The dreaded vote of confidence.

[ukbob]

If we lose to Ole Miss, we don't deserve a bid. We may not anyway. We sure aren't going very far.

[Athens2005]

BigblueDrew wrote: RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.

Call people names all you want.

We don't match-up well with Florida.
They played hard (which they are entitled to do), and we didn't shoot well.

Had we shot better (had plenty of open looks), then we would have had a shot at winning.

We can't change the players we had going into this one.

I didn't like some of our line-ups, etc., but still - hit shots and we've gotta shot in this one.


we were ice cold in half #2.

[joneagin]

This is the Old Miss team we just beat by 40. Even if we play like we played today, we arent gonna lose to them.

[CatsSaintsFan]

Athens2005 wrote: BigblueDrew wrote: RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.

Call people names all you want.

We don't match-up well with Florida.
They played hard (which they are entitled to do), and we didn't shoot well.

Had we shot better (had plenty of open looks), then we would have had a shot at winning.

We can't change the players we had going into this one.

I didn't like some of our line-ups, etc., but still - hit shots and we've gotta shot in this one.


we were ice cold in half #2.





I agree to a degree. We match up poorly on the front line with Florida. Early in the second half we lost our lead because they got scores and we had Morris and Rondo at the foul line missing more than making. When it got to 10, we needed a stop and could never get the rebound.

Whether you put it on Tubby or the kids, there was no sense of urgency in the second half.

[Blue Heaven]

Tubby is still the coach so don't bet on it.

[BigblueDrew]

Athens2005 wrote: BigblueDrew wrote: RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.

Call people names all you want.

We don't match-up well with Florida.
They played hard (which they are entitled to do), and we didn't shoot well.

Had we shot better (had plenty of open looks), then we would have had a shot at winning.

We can't change the players we had going into this one.

I didn't like some of our line-ups, etc., but still - hit shots and we've gotta shot in this one.


we were ice cold in half #2.
Athens those are the same old crappy excuses I've heard all year defewnding or gutless uninspired COACHING AND PLAY. Talk matchups all you want, match ups are not this teams problem. Leadership , vision , desire those are the real problems and they START and END at the very top at the University of Kentucky.

[scars.of.grace]

I agree. Simply put, we just don't match up well against this Florida team. Morris can't do it by himself and when he is in foul trouble, you can just bet that Florida is going to dominate inside. And when the shots aren't falling, there is going to be trouble because they are too long for our guys to take it inside against them.

Athens2005 wrote:



We don't match-up well with Florida.
They played hard (which they are entitled to do), and we didn't shoot well.

Had we shot better (had plenty of open looks), then we would have had a shot at winning.

We can't change the players we had going into this one.

I didn't like some of our line-ups, etc., but still - hit shots and we've gotta shot in this one.


we were ice cold in half #2.

[scars.of.grace]

Gutless? What does that even mean? That's a very strong word, too strong to probably use on a basketball game.

BigblueDrew wrote: Athens2005 wrote: BigblueDrew wrote: RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.

Call people names all you want.

We don't match-up well with Florida.
They played hard (which they are entitled to do), and we didn't shoot well.

Had we shot better (had plenty of open looks), then we would have had a shot at winning.

We can't change the players we had going into this one.

I didn't like some of our line-ups, etc., but still - hit shots and we've gotta shot in this one.


we were ice cold in half #2.
Athens those are the same old crappy excuses I've heard all year defewnding or gutless uninspired COACHING AND PLAY. Talk matchups all you want, match ups are not this teams problem. Leadership , vision , desire those are the real problems and they START and END at the very top at the University of Kentucky.

[Athens2005]

BigblueDrew wrote: Athens2005 wrote: BigblueDrew wrote: RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.

Call people names all you want.

We don't match-up well with Florida.
They played hard (which they are entitled to do), and we didn't shoot well.

Had we shot better (had plenty of open looks), then we would have had a shot at winning.

We can't change the players we had going into this one.

I didn't like some of our line-ups, etc., but still - hit shots and we've gotta shot in this one.


we were ice cold in half #2.
Athens those are the same old crappy excuses I've heard all year defewnding or gutless uninspired COACHING AND PLAY. Talk matchups all you want, match ups are not this teams problem. Leadership , vision , desire those are the real problems and they START and END at the very top at the University of Kentucky.

Drew, we lack talent in the front court. PERIOD.

Why can we go to Knoxville and beat a team that Florida lost 2x to?
Why can South Carolina sweep Florida (when we get waxed by them twice)?

Match-ups play a huge role.

Yes, recruiting was down at times (as evidenced by the starting line-up on Senior Day).

But, these guys are not gutless!

Are you gonna tell Joe Crawford (19 points) that he was gutless getting outrebounded by Horford?

Are you going to tell Brandon Stockton that he was gutless getting outrebounded by J. Noah?

These guys played hard! They were overmatched.

There are things that could/should have happened that would've helped us win (we did lead 33-32 with about 1:00 to go in the 1st half).
But, some errors, coaching, fouls, poor shooting, etc., all impacted what happened.

It wasn't gutless. Some things could have been done differently, and maybe, if we play FLA again next weekend, we'll get a chance to try them out.

Regardless, Florida is not stupid. They recognized a huge exploitable advantage on the front line, and basically bounced the ball off the backboard to each other the entire 2nd half.

Our rebouding position didn't even matter.

These kids played hard. They were outmatched.

Sometimes, Drew, excuses are the truth. You state facts, but some people just don't want to listen. It doesn't make you happy, but it doesn't make it any less the truth.

[katfever]

A total complete embarrassment. We once again sink to new lows under Tubby. A blowout loss on senior dayto a sophomore dominated team by a coachwho owns Tubby now. Four straight and the last two blowout losses. Florida has a ton of young talent and we area shell of the program Tubby took over 9 years ago. He ought refund the university his salary this year.

[phoenix]

Drew and others, you were crying before the TN game, disappeared for a few days and now are back again, same soapbox, sharing it again with ukbob. Just a game in a season. Yes, we are short on athleticism this year, that has been established since early in the season. No, we do not have a decent forward to pair with Morris andMorris is prone to do dum things on defense, taking himself out of games. This game we played well and answered the run in the first half. Second half, they put two runs together, and it is hard mentally to keep answering runs like that. We shoot the ball well sometimes. So NO, we aren't a final four team this year. We are an also ran in the NCAA tourney. I think we can make a reasonable run or might not. Obviously we go in with very little pressure on us. I would hate to hit FL again, I am thinking we could lose a 5th time just as easily as the last 4.Bigdeal. I think overall the team is playing well, in spite of not having any answers for FL, butremember that last year with a better team, and FL a different, mmaybe betterteam than this year, we also had trouble with FL. I expect us to continue to play well as the season ends.I cannot share your wild despair for the program and am actually looking forward to the player combinations we might have on the floor next year.

Though these players may not be the top athletes of the last few years, they are hard workers and good kids, with what I believe are good attitudes. Unfortunately attitudescannot make em deliver the ball inside, nor jump higher/run faster. Somewhat dissapointing, but livable and understandable that this can happen every so ofteneven in a great program. I would suggest you all take a chill pill, relax, try and enjoythe SEC tourney and what there might be of the NCAA(and it could be more than you think), and go forward with your fandom into next year, hoping for better things.

BigblueDrew wrote:
RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.

[blueheretic]

The first team we meet in the NCAA that has any talent at the two Forward spots will slaughter this Tubby team.

That Junior Class has killed us this year. No talent at all up front with the exception of Morris. And he can't or won't defend.

That equals an early out in the Tourney.

[phoenix]

Not true at all, forwards alone cannot beat us, they will have to have above average at the guard spots.

blueheretic wrote:
The first team we meet in the NCAA that has any talent at the two Forward spots will slaughter this Tubby team.

That Junior Class has killed us this year. No talent at all up front with the exception of Morris. And he can't or won't defend.

That equals an early out in the Tourney.

[Spanish Moss]

phoenix wrote: Not true at all, forwards alone cannot beat us, they will have to have above average at the guard spots.

blueheretic wrote:
The first team we meet in the NCAA that has any talent at the two Forward spots will slaughter this Tubby team.

That Junior Class has killed us this year. No talent at all up front with the exception of Morris. And he can't or won't defend.

That equals an early out in the Tourney.


??????????

You are watching a different team than I am.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

"Outcoahed"

I 'll "somewhat agree" with this. I really question the second half starting lineup. Lemaster, Woo ? You gotyour hottest defensive hand(Rajon) and the only guy who can stop noah (Mo)on the pine.What happens...same 5-0 start as first half andcrowd is out of game from the start.Other than that I think Tub did about as well as he could while the guys missed shot after shot and couldn't make a dent in the reboundmargin.



"Outclassed"

Are you kidding me ? That's an insult.How were we outclassed ? Because sims shot off his mouth and the media maginfied it ? Can't be any worse than Billy walking on the floor to cry about six straight fouls.



"Outhustled"

I also have to disagree with this. As many have said the UF matchup problemfor usis huge. We get one guy in foul trouble and the game is over since no one else can touch noah. We hustled plenty but missed alot of open shots and we're out-reboundedlike a mother by much taller guys. noah was grapping rebounds over Stcok for christs sake !



In a nutshell, I think the most fitting word would simply be "Outplayed"

[Athens2005]

CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: "Outcoahed"

I 'll "somewhat agree" with this. I really question the second half starting lineup. Lemaster, Woo ? You gotyour hottest defensive hand (Rajon) and the only guy who can stop noah (Mo)on the pine.What happens...same 5-0 start as first half andcrowd is out of game from the start.Other than that I think Tub did about as well as he could while the guys missed shot after shot and couldn't make a dent in the reboundmargin.



"Outclassed"

Are you kidding me ? That's an insult.How were we outclassed ? Because sims shot off his mouth and the media maginfied it ? Can't be any worse than Billy walking on the floor to cry about six straight fouls.



"Outhustled"

I also have to disagree with this. As many have said the UF matchup problemfor usis huge. We get one guy in foul trouble and the game is over since no one else can touch noah. We hustled plenty but missed alot of open shots and we're out-reboundedlike a mother by much taller guys. noah was grapping rebounds over Stcok for christs sake !



In a nutshell, I think the most fitting word would simply be "Outplayed"


:thumbup

[katfever]

The Tubby lovefest continues....:rolleyes:

[ukbob]

CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: "Outcoahed"

I 'll "somewhat agree" with this. I really question the second half starting lineup. Lemaster, Woo ? You gotyour hottest defensive hand (Rajon) and the only guy who can stop noah (Mo)on the pine.What happens...same 5-0 start as first half andcrowd is out of game from the start.Other than that I think Tub did about as well as he could while the guys missed shot after shot and couldn't make a dent in the reboundmargin.



"Outclassed"

Are you kidding me ? That's an insult.How were we outclassed ? Because sims shot off his mouth and the media maginfied it ? Can't be any worse than Billy walking on the floor to cry about six straight fouls.



"Outhustled"

I also have to disagree with this. As many have said the UF matchup problemfor usis huge. We get one guy in foul trouble and the game is over since no one else can touch noah. We hustled plenty but missed alot of open shots and we're out-reboundedlike a mother by much taller guys. noah was grapping rebounds over Stcok for christs sake !



In a nutshell, I think the most fitting word would simply be "Outplayed"

Then we will agree to disagree.

Outclassed does not mean they have more "class" than we do. It means we are not playing in their class of basketball.

Were were outcoached....period. In 2 games, Donovan made the right adjustments...Tubby did not. He has more to work with for sure, but when your team looks uninspired in a big game, it starts with coaching motivation and the ability to make the proper moves. It happens.

And if you think we hystled int hat 2nd half, then I don't know what to tell you. They got all the losse balls, all the rebounds. That s desire and hustle. Even Tubby agreed with me on that one in his post game comments.

[Athens2005]

katfever wrote: The Tubby lovefest continues....:rolleyes:

I'm not reading much love for Tubby Smith on this thread.

I think there are just people that have developed past the point of criticizng recruting issues from the past that we cannot control, and are pointing out why we are losing (aside from strictly "Tubby Smith is an idiot" issues).

Almost every sporting event I have witnessed in my entire life has ended with one team winning, and one team losing.

Far less than 1% of those events have ended with the losing team feeling like they couldn't have done a lot better.

Additionally, the errors of the winning team have a tendency to get swept under the rug.

'tis the nature of sports.

And you know what else? If people want to love Tubby Smith - then good for them.

He seems to be a great man and a fine basketball coach.

I can think of a lot worse people to defend.

[ukbob]

phoenix wrote: Drew and others, you were crying before the TN game, disappeared for a few days and now are back again, same soapbox, sharing it again with ukbob. Just a game in a season. Yes, we are short on athleticism this year, that has been established since early in the season. No, we do not have a decent forward to pair with Morris andMorris is prone to do dum things on defense, taking himself out of games. This game we played well and answered the run in the first half. Second half, they put two runs together, and it is hard mentally to keep answering runs like that. We shoot the ball well sometimes. So NO, we aren't a final four team this year. We are an also ran in the NCAA tourney. I think we can make a reasonable run or might not. Obviously we go in with very little pressure on us. I would hate to hit FL again, I am thinking we could lose a 5th time just as easily as the last 4.Bigdeal. I think overall the team is playing well, in spite of not having any answers for FL, butremember that last year with a better team, and FL a different, mmaybe betterteam than this year, we also had trouble with FL. I expect us to continue to play well as the season ends.I cannot share your wild despair for the program and am actually looking forward to the player combinations we might have on the floor next year.

Though these players may not be the top athletes of the last few years, they are hard workers and good kids, with what I believe are good attitudes. Unfortunately attitudescannot make em deliver the ball inside, nor jump higher/run faster. Somewhat dissapointing, but livable and understandable that this can happen every so ofteneven in a great program. I would suggest you all take a chill pill, relax, try and enjoythe SEC tourney and what there might be of the NCAA(and it could be more than you think), and go forward with your fandom into next year, hoping for better things.

BigblueDrew wrote:
RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.
Just a game in a season? Your spin is Pitinoesque in nature.

But I do look forward to next season because I cannot stand this one much longer. And I also think we will be a better team all around, but that's just me.

[Athens2005]

ukbob wrote: CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: "Outcoahed"

I 'll "somewhat agree" with this. I really question the second half starting lineup. Lemaster, Woo ? You gotyour hottest defensive hand (Rajon) and the only guy who can stop noah (Mo)on the pine.What happens...same 5-0 start as first half andcrowd is out of game from the start.Other than that I think Tub did about as well as he could while the guys missed shot after shot and couldn't make a dent in the reboundmargin.



"Outclassed"

Are you kidding me ? That's an insult.How were we outclassed ? Because sims shot off his mouth and the media maginfied it ? Can't be any worse than Billy walking on the floor to cry about six straight fouls.



"Outhustled"

I also have to disagree with this. As many have said the UF matchup problemfor usis huge. We get one guy in foul trouble and the game is over since no one else can touch noah. We hustled plenty but missed alot of open shots and we're out-reboundedlike a mother by much taller guys. noah was grapping rebounds over Stcok for christs sake !



In a nutshell, I think the most fitting word would simply be "Outplayed"

Then we will agree to disagree.

Outclassed does not mean they have more "class" than we do. It means we are not playing in their class of basketball.

Were were outcoached....period. In 2 games, Donovan made the right adjustments...Tubby did not. He has more to work with for sure, but when your team looks uninspired in a big game, it starts with coaching motivation and the ability to make the proper moves. It happens.

And if you think we hustled in that 2nd half, then I don't know what to tell you. They got all the loose balls, all the rebounds. That s desire and hustle. Even Tubby agreed with me on that one in his post game comments.


Bob, I'm sorry, but if their effort equals our effort, then they're going to beat us almost every time.

It's unfortunate, and some of the blame falls right at the feet of the coach.

Regardless, there is a clear reason why their big studs outrebound our little guys.

Noah and Horford are far better than Perry & Thomas, etc. It's a fact.

I played my brother one-on-one in basketball for the better part of 10 years.

Never beat him one time. In fact, he always killed me.

Often, I played as hard as I could.

But, he was bigger, faster, stronger, and could jump higher than me.

So, he continuously kicked my butt.

I just don't understand why some people refuse to see this.

One team wins. One team loses.


I'm rambling (on multiple posts/threads), and there's really not much more I can say.


Mike Tyson lost to Buster Douglas because he quit training hard.

When Mike Tyson put forth effort, he knocked out Michael Spinks in 1:31.

Florida's effort was there today, especially in the 2nd half.

We started Preston Lemaster, Woo, Stockton, Sparks, Moss.

Look at who they started.

Effort alone won't get it done.

What if both teams pray for victory? Did God not listen to one of them?

Both teams wanted it.

Florida is better. They killed us up front.

Blame whomever you want, just don't tell me that these guys didn't hustle on what could be the last game at Rupp Arena for maybe every single guy that played.

[ukbob]

Athens2005 wrote: ukbob wrote: CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: "Outcoahed"

I 'll "somewhat agree" with this. I really question the second half starting lineup. Lemaster, Woo ? You gotyour hottest defensive hand (Rajon) and the only guy who can stop noah (Mo)on the pine.What happens...same 5-0 start as first half andcrowd is out of game from the start.Other than that I think Tub did about as well as he could while the guys missed shot after shot and couldn't make a dent in the reboundmargin.



"Outclassed"

Are you kidding me ? That's an insult.How were we outclassed ? Because sims shot off his mouth and the media maginfied it ? Can't be any worse than Billy walking on the floor to cry about six straight fouls.



"Outhustled"

I also have to disagree with this. As many have said the UF matchup problemfor usis huge. We get one guy in foul trouble and the game is over since no one else can touch noah. We hustled plenty but missed alot of open shots and we're out-reboundedlike a mother by much taller guys. noah was grapping rebounds over Stcok for christs sake !



In a nutshell, I think the most fitting word would simply be "Outplayed"

Then we will agree to disagree.

Outclassed does not mean they have more "class" than we do. It means we are not playing in their class of basketball.

Were were outcoached....period. In 2 games, Donovan made the right adjustments...Tubby did not. He has more to work with for sure, but when your team looks uninspired in a big game, it starts with coaching motivation and the ability to make the proper moves. It happens.

And if you think we hustled in that 2nd half, then I don't know what to tell you. They got all the loose balls, all the rebounds. That s desire and hustle. Even Tubby agreed with me on that one in his post game comments.


Bob, I'm sorry, but if their effort equals our effort, then they're going to beat us almost every time.

It's unfortunate, and some of the blame falls right at the feet of the coach.

Regardless, there is a clear reason why their big studs outrebound our little guys.

Noah and Horford are far better than Perry & Thomas, etc. It's a fact.

I played my brother one-on-one in basketball for the better part of 10 years.

Never beat him one time. In fact, he always killed me.

Often, I played as hard as I could.

But, he was bigger, faster, stronger, and could jump higher than me.

So, he continuously kicked my butt.

I just don't understand why some people refuse to see this.

One team wins. One team loses.


I'm rambling (on multiple posts/threads), and there's really not much more I can say.


Mike Tyson lost to Buster Douglas because he quit training hard.

When Mike Tyson put forth effort, he knocked out Michael Spinks in 1:31.

Florida's effort was there today, especially in the 2nd half.

We started Preston Lemaster, Woo, Stockton, Sparks, Moss.

Look at who they started.

Effort alone won't get it done.

What if both teams pray for victory? Did God not listen to one of them?

Both teams wanted it.

Florida is better. They killed us up front.

Blame whomever you want, just don't tell me that these guys didn't hustle on what could be the last game at Rupp Arena for maybe every single guy that played.

Oh I definitely agree to a point. They are a better team with more talent overall, IMO. I doubt we could beat them more than once if we played 5 times. But we should not have been BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT in 2 games against them. They are not UCONN or Duke, Talented? Yes...but not unbeatable like we make them look.

However, this team should know by now that it HAS to play all most of it cylinders to beat quality teams. I expect that effort EVERYsingle game, especially at home on Senior Day and in a must situation. I expect them to go for every loose ball and block out with a passion. I don't expect us to hit every shot but I do expect us to act like we are playing at OUR HOME. I expect our coach to do the same. I did not see that in the 2nd half. I saw 2 players playing up to the level of our competition and that is it. I just did not see the hustle we saw in the 1st half for whatever reason...being outplayed, being tired, whatever.

Every coach, including Tubby, will tell you that rebounding is some talent but a lot of hustle and heart and determination. Getting to loose balls after missed shots long are strictly hustle plays. We got none of those in the 2nd half and got several in the 1st.

Where was the press, the traps, or the sense of urgency this team has lacked in 90% of our games this year? When you are down big, you have to do something, even radical somethings to change the tempo. Did you see us doing any of that today? I did not.

Sorry...I quit making excuses for things I don't like. I know we are not a good team...been saying that all year. But we should be better than what we saw today in that half...at home...on a big day, in a big gamewith a lot riding on it. We are KENTUCKY. Will we play like it more than2-3 times inthis entire year?

[DamonEsquire]

I just discuss this with Dad. Outcoached oh Yes! Outclassed only by parents. Outhustled 3-3 fg to start second half was just the beginning. The stats might not tell this story but Florida probably had at least ten dunks.3 seven footers on bench and Mr. Morris conditions wood. Those aren't great but then the low fg percentage and things got worse. Thatis heard around the World. I just hope. There wasn't any bad accidents (?)...;)

p.s. A word to the hustlers out there. Try to respect big men because you will need them. To many same type players. That don't bold well....

[Terry L. Wildcat]

ukbob wrote: What a terrible performance on a Senior Day.

A total embarrassment.

But we are what we are.

:thumbup:cry::cry::cry::cry:

[Aike]

Your brother sounds like some kind of player. I like to see posts like this.:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Athens2005 wrote: ukbob wrote: CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: "

I played my brother one-on-one in basketball for the better part of 10 years.

Never beat him one time. In fact, he always killed me.

Often, I played as hard as I could.

But, he was bigger, faster, stronger, and could jump higher than me.

So, he continuously kicked my butt.

[catfando]

Why do we continue to whine about how we are outsized, better, stronger big men on the other team?........Tubby recruited Woo, Shags, and Carter. And only one could possibly help Morris. Hint.......it ain't Woo or Shags. We are in this predicament because of poor recruiting decisions and poor talent assessment. This season lies strictly on the shoulders of Tubby.

[BigblueDrew]

phoenix wrote: Drew and others, you were crying before the TN game, disappeared for a few days and now are back again, same soapbox, sharing it again with ukbob. Just a game in a season. Yes, we are short on athleticism this year, that has been established since early in the season. No, we do not have a decent forward to pair with Morris andMorris is prone to do dum things on defense, taking himself out of games. This game we played well and answered the run in the first half. Second half, they put two runs together, and it is hard mentally to keep answering runs like that. We shoot the ball well sometimes. So NO, we aren't a final four team this year. We are an also ran in the NCAA tourney. I think we can make a reasonable run or might not. Obviously we go in with very little pressure on us. I would hate to hit FL again, I am thinking we could lose a 5th time just as easily as the last 4.Bigdeal. I think overall the team is playing well, in spite of not having any answers for FL, butremember that last year with a better team, and FL a different, mmaybe betterteam than this year, we also had trouble with FL. I expect us to continue to play well as the season ends.I cannot share your wild despair for the program and am actually looking forward to the player combinations we might have on the floor next year.

Though these players may not be the top athletes of the last few years, they are hard workers and good kids, with what I believe are good attitudes. Unfortunately attitudescannot make em deliver the ball inside, nor jump higher/run faster. Somewhat dissapointing, but livable and understandable that this can happen every so ofteneven in a great program. I would suggest you all take a chill pill, relax, try and enjoythe SEC tourney and what there might be of the NCAA(and it could be more than you think), and go forward with your fandom into next year, hoping for better things.

BigblueDrew wrote:
RaleighCat wrote: I have no doubt we're in the NCAA tourney. But we'll be the lowest seeded Kentucky team in decades (maybe generations) and we'll be lucky to play 2 games in the Big Dance.

Such it is in Tubby's NINTH SEASON. 1998 is light years in the past and if you think we're getting back to elite status under this coaching regime, you are fooling yourself. Tubby has made chicken *^%@ out of chicken salad. Regression is too nice a word.
Well said my friend. It is sickening to see UK get run out of it's own gym on Senior Day. All you Tubby apologists spin it ANY way you like, this is unacceptable.Phoenix, I have been gone a few days, my mother was recieving hip surgery and I felt it more pressing than getting on here and eating crow for predicting UK would lose to UT. DON"T compare me to the fans that disappear after a UKwin to only return after loses. I haven't done that this season. Here is the bottom line here. We are both huge UK fans obviously but have vastly divergent views of where the program is and is headed. Your view as I see it isthat this year is an abberation mainlycaused by a confluence of unaviodable factors( etc .Azibuke leaving early)and bad luck(losing some recruits unexpectedly and a few recruits we did get not panning out). This position states that all great programs experience these types of years occasionally and that the fans need to chill out, andtake our lumps quitely in the secure knowlege that Tubby Smith is a great coach and will right the ship and return our program to prominence in short order. My view is thatthis UK basketball team is the culmination of 9 years of Tubby Smiths coaching. I don't see us improving dramatically next year, to the contrary we could easily be worse given what we will probably lose in the offseason and the unknown quality of what we are adding. I don't feel Tubby is a good fit here(I never have). Both his style and coaching philosophy do not lend him to be succcessful in the futureIMO. I feel that the UNiversity of Kentucky should NEVER have a season as bad as this one(and yes I know we have in the past, and they were just as unacceptable to me then as this one is now). IMO UK should NEVER have the type of talent deficits I have witnessed this year(and will agian for at LEAST one more year). UK is and always has been about basketball excellence, something I can only say about only2 of Tubby's 9 squads. He may be a great coach but I don't trust him to fix things(HE BROKE THEM),I don't believe he will right the ship(our program will continue its free fall), I will not be silent about my feelings on the subject and "lay back and enjoy it".

[graham51]

Would some one please explain one more time for me how Tubby always has his team "peaking in March".

[CurlyCat]

Florida Cracker wrote: I hope Sims is interviewed after the game. I'd like to know how he shut down Noah and brought us the victory he promised.

Now his smack talk looks silly. The fact is it was silly when he said it because everyone in their right mind knew he couldn't carry Noah's jock strap.



I think the new rule should be you can't talk to the media unless you average at least 10 minutes a game!

The Tampa Tribune had the quote this morning and was quick to point out that Sims had only 1 minute against Florida in our last matchup. :rolleyes:

[vlambdin]

We shouldn't lose to Ole Miss. They are a really low ranked team. That is why Rod Barnes is being let go at the end of this season. Nobody didn't shut Noah down today he scored over 20 points from what I counted. We did very well in the first half they were only up one point at half time, then we come out in the second half and almost quit. The defense was just flat, period. I am very disappointed in their second half play today. I know we could have beaten Fla. if they had kept their defense rolling like they did in the first half. In fact Noah was all over the floor and making runs for the basket and nobody stopping him. They made our boys look like a bunch of High School players today. They just didn't play with the fire that they played with against Tennessee. Their fire went out in the second half and never did re-ignite. I just hope that next season we recruit some players who will have the fire and passion to beat teams like Tenn. and Fla. We just don't have the fire power that we need I am afraid to say. Joe played really well today and Brandon Stockton did well too, but, you can't depend upon tow players to carry the whole team. It has to be a complete team effort, and that was missing today my friends. I don't mind saying that I am very disappointed in their second half effort today.

[poodoo]

I don't agree that we were outclassed or outhustled today. I think we were outcoached in at least a couple of ways, and were definitely outathleted and outshot. :shock:QUOTE by Aike

_______

I agree, Aike. Too, FWIW, Tubby said on his postgame show that we were both outplayed and outcoached.

If shots had been falling, it would have been a different game, causing the crowd to get into the game and players' possibly taking their games to an even higher level. It was not that we were outhustled, though.We were too small and less athletic, particularly in trying to grab rebounds. Too, yes, it was not one of the coaching staff's better games.