regrouping just a bit....

[billoliver40]

It seems like UK has its' share of spoiled fans (myself included). Some of our current players have stated they hear comments about "this is the worst team ever...." not a particularly inspiring thought. We worry about our chances of going another year to the NCAA.

Well...I guess I'm getting old...I remember the disaster of the last Eddie Sutton year. I remember Rick Pitino getting beat by 50+ by Kansas and never calling off a press. And I remember a couple of Joe Hall's years where we were greatful for going to the NIT.....and actually excited to win it once.

A friend of mine said something really surprising to me yesterday...and he's even a bluer blood that most people on the boards. "Y'know Bill...I'd just like to see these kids smile every now and then....after all, it's only a game."

C'mon guys, we don't have to agree that some of these kids are the talent level we'd like (MJordan, LBird, Kareem...they used up their eligibility), but let's all step back and let them try to learn to like the game. Life is going to give them enough reasons to be unhappy soon enough.

I said myself the past couple of years: I'd just like to see these kids try hard sometime instead of going through the motions.
These kids seem to be doing just that. Maybe one of these days it'll work right for em.

Enough soap box...holidays are here...hope all on the board have Happy times...enjoy.

[poodoo]

:thumbup::thumbup:, bill. Too, I know we lost tonight and that we're now 4-5. I thought that our players were TRYING hard, though. I liked that they did not quit. I liked some of the enthusiasm I saw on the bench when we were doing some things well. I liked the determination and heart I saw in Joe Crawford. I saw some improvement from Jared Carter. I saw some walk-ons giving their all. I LOVED not only seeing Jodie Meeks play unbelievably well and with passion and "reckless abandon" (as just mentioned by the WLAP show hosts) after having been out six weeks with an injury, but also listening to Jodie talk after the game, mentioning his concern that his parents may have been worrying about him when it was actually a charley-horse. Bless that young man's heart.

I listened to Coach Gillispie after the game, and I felt for him. He has had some really bad luck with injuries, first his starting point guard and then his arguably best returning player, and then his leading scorer and rebounder tonight in a so-important game. Too, Coach G was so frustrated about our lack of rebounding and costly defensive mistakes from veteran players, and he would repeatedly say that it falls back on him, as he is evidently not coaching them well enough (and, yes, I know how much he gets paid, but I am still sympathetic in regard to his lack of luck his first season here). Yet, frankly, sometimes players have been taught well, and it just doesn't show. While some have been upset with various individuals, I guess I've really felt for both the coach and the players these past couple of games, in particular. :icon_sad:

For me, as long as they are trying hard, I just pull all the HARDER. These guys NEED US FANS right now. Let's BE THERE for them. I loved seeing the smiles when they had occurred. Here's hoping we see a lot more of them. These are MY CATS, win or lose, and I hope most of you have the same attitude.

Again, good post, bill, one made BEFORE the loss, but it still works for me. :) Also, personally, I still SUPPORT the coach and have NOT GIVEN UP on this team. It is going to take TIME and some HEALING of players, and it may not all come together this year. Then again, though, it just MIGHT. Let's hang in there as fans, and, as bill said, regardless, may ALL enjoy the holidays. GO CATS! GO COACH G!

[little4040]

two very well said posts!!!


GO:widcat:

[Kantukeeslim]

EXACTLY!!!

I said this earlier and I'll say it here too.

The number of games played by UK this year with a full roster ZERO. Number of games played with all our starters ZERO.

Until this changes, I think the player bashing and coach bashing really should stop.

We're not sure what this team is capable of, because we have yet to see this team at full strength. We have a shooting guard playing point, and when he's not we have a role player who gives it his all, but was honestly never meant to be a starter. We're playing center by committee, cuz well, we don't even really have a center till someone decides to step up.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

It seems like UK has its' share of spoiled fans (myself included). Some of our current players have stated they hear comments about "this is the worst team ever...." not a particularly inspiring thought. We worry about our chances of going another year to the NCAA.

Well...I guess I'm getting old...I remember the disaster of the last Eddie Sutton year. I remember Rick Pitino getting beat by 50+ by Kansas and never calling off a press. And I remember a couple of Joe Hall's years where we were greatful for going to the NIT.....and actually excited to win it once.

A friend of mine said something really surprising to me yesterday...and he's even a bluer blood that most people on the boards. "Y'know Bill...I'd just like to see these kids smile every now and then....after all, it's only a game."

C'mon guys, we don't have to agree that some of these kids are the talent level we'd like (MJordan, LBird, Kareem...they used up their eligibility), but let's all step back and let them try to learn to like the game. Life is going to give them enough reasons to be unhappy soon enough.

I said myself the past couple of years: I'd just like to see these kids try hard sometime instead of going through the motions.
These kids seem to be doing just that. Maybe one of these days it'll work right for em.

Enough soap box...holidays are here...hope all on the board have Happy times...enjoy.

Well put. Everyone look.......^^^^^ (We're all not crazy like Vitale says we are!!!!)

[wildcatnc]

and a lifelong UK Athletics supporter I can honestly say that it has been a rough year for me. I love my Blue and White and can only agree with the first two posters. Lets lay off any bashing of current players/coach for this season and just try our best to rrot for these kids. Most of the walk ons are better than any of us at BBall anyways (I know I Would never have gotten to wear the JErsey as a wlkon or on scholarship) but would have loved being in Dusty's shoes last night. I do not care about NCAA or NIT tourneys - I just want these kids to love playing for UK. I want them to see our passion for the game and our honor for them wearing the Blue & White. Let;s lift them up and cheer them on. We can discuss the disaster later on!

The B***ing is not helping any of the team or our image. So lets stop it and just start cheering them on like they will win the NCAA Tourney

[UKBOO]

Great thoughts by all.

[poodoo]

and a lifelong UK Athletics supporter I can honestly say that it has been a rough year for me. I love my Blue and White and can only agree with the first two posters. Lets lay off any bashing of current players/coach for this season and just try our best to rrot for these kids. Most of the walk ons are better than any of us at BBall anyways (I know I Would never have gotten to wear the JErsey as a wlkon or on scholarship) but would have loved being in Dusty's shoes last night. I do not care about NCAA or NIT tourneys - I just want these kids to love playing for UK. I want them to see our passion for the game and our honor for them wearing the Blue & White. Let;s lift them up and cheer them on. We can discuss the disaster later on!

The B***ing is not helping any of the team or our image. So lets stop it and just start cheering them on like they will win the NCAA Tourney

:thumbup::thumbup:. Too, these players obviously need more confidence. I hope fans at Rupp will SHOW THEM THE LOVE this Saturday. GO CATS!!!!!!!!!