Billy G. doubters still out there?

[UKS2H]

I am so proud of all the boys and coaches today. I can't remember the last time I have been so proud of a loss. This is probably my favorite loss of the year, if that's even possible. Gillispie outcoached Pearl in every facet of the game in my opinion, and that's the 2nd time this year it has happened. This time, we just didn't get a few shots to go down towards the end or we would have won.

If anyone out there (and I know there were few before) still believes that Billy Gillispie isn't the man for this job, I don't know what else you could ask for in a first-year coach who came into a historic program with a depleted inside presence and finished the year with a better league record than the previous year, who had Randolph Morris, Bobby Perry, Sheray Thomas, and Woo.

I really believe we will make the NCAA Tournament now if we can win our final 2 games and win 1-2 games in the SEC Tournament.

These next few games are as important as any in recent memory to me. This team deserves NCAA postseason play for the effort they have put into learning a new system and completely adapting to a new practice style as well. Our conditioning showed why Billy G. runs such hard practices. Guys like Jasper, Harris, and Stevenson can play at full speed for so much longer now than they could in the past.

I just really am excited about the next few games and I can't wait for the SEC Tournament as well. Kentucky can beat anyone in the conference and I think we have proven that this year.

Last year we finished conference play with an 9-7 conference record, and right now we have a 10-4 conference record. I think it speaks volumes for Billy G. and these kids at what a year they have been through and what they have achieved.

Let's buckle down and cheer the boys on to 2 more regular season wins before we go to Catlanta!!!

[BigblueDrew]

Coach G did a masterful job today. He brought a knife to a gunfight and very nearly one. Awsome game plan and pereration on short notice. Also great motivation to get these kids to BELIEVE they could win. He did a lot to change a few peoples minds today, and if not , IMO your an idiot.

[BlueBalls]

The guy can flat out coach. Period.

[Bombastic Blue]

I am so proud of all the boys and coaches today. I can't remember the last time I have been so proud of a loss. This is probably my favorite loss of the year, if that's even possible. Gillispie outcoached Pearl in every facet of the game in my opinion, and that's the 2nd time this year it has happened. This time, we just didn't get a few shots to go down towards the end or we would have won.

If anyone out there (and I know there were few before) still believes that Billy Gillispie isn't the man for this job, I don't know what else you could ask for in a first-year coach who came into a historic program with a depleted inside presence and finished the year with a better league record than the previous year, who had Randolph Morris, Bobby Perry, Sheray Thomas, and Woo.

I really believe we will make the NCAA Tournament now if we can win our final 2 games and win 1-2 games in the SEC Tournament.

These next few games are as important as any in recent memory to me. This team deserves NCAA postseason play for the effort they have put into learning a new system and completely adapting to a new practice style as well. Our conditioning showed why Billy G. runs such hard practices. Guys like Jasper, Harris, and Stevenson can play at full speed for so much longer now than they could in the past.

I just really am excited about the next few games and I can't wait for the SEC Tournament as well. Kentucky can beat anyone in the conference and I think we have proven that this year.

Last year we finished conference play with an 9-7 conference record, and right now we have a 10-4 conference record. I think it speaks volumes for Billy G. and these kids at what a year they have been through and what they have achieved.

Let's buckle down and cheer the boys on to 2 more regular season wins before we go to Catlanta!!!


There might still be some doubters out there, but I figure they'll keep their mouths shut for a while!

[LiveBlue]

Not to mention the ADJUSTMENTS (everyone's "problem" with him.) he made early in the first half when we couldn't get anything done on offense and they were killing us on the inside. He adjusted and nearly pulled this one out.

[UKS2H]

Can I also point out that we have not won 10 games in SEC play in the last 2 seasons and still made the NCAA tournament?

[UKBOO]

I'm certainly not going to call out other posters, but EVERYONE has to give props to the staff. Today showed a culmination of the entire coaching season. As others have said, this bodes well for the future. Give this man a few more horses and he would have blown the orange right off of the pearl necklace.

[KY Native in IN]

no doubts from me pardner!!!!!!!

[UKS2H]

I'm certainly not going to call out other posters, but EVERYONE has to give props to the staff. Today showed a culmination of the entire coaching season. As others have said, this bodes well for the future. Give this man a few more horses and he would have blown the orange right off of the pearl necklace.

GREAT analogy! I can't wait for that because in a couple more years we will be doing it regularly! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[wildcat74]

Give this man a few more horses and he would have blown the orange right off of the pearl necklace.


Sums up my feelings as well :thumbup::thumbup:

[jdeasy]

Of course, I've been a BCG supporter from day one and never doubted him. Today just reinforces that faith more than ever.

We only had one day to prepare to play without PP. It is absolutely remarkable to take the number one team down to the last shot on their floor with only one day to completely change what you want to do because of the loss of the best player.The player that all the offense goes through.

Just think about how amazing a feat that is. hats off to the coach and to the players. As good as coach is, he couldn't do it without the players.

[winston]

Gillispie outcoached Pearl in every facet of the game in my opinion, and that's the 2nd time this year it has happened.


Pearl is going to be outcoached a lot....

I respect Tennessee's athleticism and ability to put on defensive pressure, but Pearl is horrible at making adjustments and has no offensive plan.....none that I can see at least.

[UKBOO]

Pearl is going to be outcoached a lot....

I respect Tennessee's athleticism and ability to put on defensive pressure, but Pearl is horrible at making adjustments and has no offensive plan.....none that I can see at least.

Its street ball. I could be wrong, but I don't see how either UT or Memphis will ever win it all. You simply have to have structure when talent is close to even.

[Rootn4UK]

The guy can flat out coach. Period.

I'll second that motion!

[jdeasy]

Pearl is going to be outcoached a lot....

I respect Tennessee's athleticism and ability to put on defensive pressure, but Pearl is horrible at making adjustments and has no offensive plan.....none that I can see at least.


I got to see Pearl a lot at USI and the guy can flat out coach. He is probably a better motivator than X and O guy, but, he is a very good coach.

Our guy is just better.

[The Goose Was Loose 78]

Play the next game.............. What an effort!!!!!!!!!! South Carolina is now the biggest game of the year. Wow....what a game...what a game....they DESERVE to play in the big dance....I REALLY THINK THAT THIS TEAM (RIGHT NOW) is a TOP 25 team....not the season as a whole, but we are playing just as good as 15 - 25 right now....even without Patterson......
Unfortunately, they don't look at it that way....but I would putthis group of young men against anybody ranked 15 or lower and take my chances.....
As for Coach G....that was a helluva game plan with minimal notice. I am not sure we get this close with Patterson as it caused others to step up and UT was not as prepared for the smaller line up.....just a great job in coaching, motivating, and execution...I have never been more proud to be a UK fan right now. I am 42 years old and I have witnessed 3 of the 7 championships....never am I more proud than I am this day at this time.....
Go Big Blue!

[ukbob]

Gillispie did his best job ever today, IMO. In a short time span, he revamped an offense after a devastating loss of arguably our best all around player. Very impressive.

We now make teams play to us instead of playing to them. That may be the biggest difference.

Terrific job today. We need it again come Wednesday.

[Will Lavender]

There are always going to be doubters. That's just the nature of the thing.

But personally, I don't see how anyone could believe that Gillispie isn't the perfect man for the job after watching that game today.

[winston]

I got to see Pearl a lot at USI and the guy can flat out coach. He is probably a better motivator than X and O guy, but, he is a very good coach.

Our guy is just better.


i see it on their pressure D.....but nowhere else.....

maybe he will show me later

[KY Native in IN]

There are always going to be doubters. That's just the nature of the thing.

But personally, I don't see how anyone could believe that Gillispie isn't the perfect man for the job after watching that game today.


agreed, he has turned this team around.....nobody was banking on a winning season let alone an appearance in the big dance....

everybody says "a couple years"....i don't know we could be back in the public eye next season in a big big way....

that's what i'm hoping anyways...

i'm happy Coach G is on the bench at UK....really glad he's here....great things are ahead and the future looks very very bright....

GO CATS, BEAT SO. CAROLINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

Not only did he adjust the entire game-plan in less than 48 hours, he had to adjust it without Patterson and then adust it again down 20-5 in Knoxville!!

No doubts!

[TrueblueCATfan]

great thread...............fantastic job today by everyone..what a gutty performance

[Tom Blevins]

I have always been a Gillispie supporter. It is gratifying to see others give him props. (Especially after a loss.) I'm proud of our Cats and I'm proud of our coach.

[poodoo]

FANTASTIC job from Coach! I could not be PROUDER of either the players' efforts or the job Coach Gillispie did today! :) Too, if we somehow don't make it to the big Dance, that changes absolutely nothing about how I feel about Coach and the job he is doing as our head coach. In my eyes he is doing a GREAT job, and the future appears to be quite BRIGHT.

Further, as I see it, there's no need for any comparisons to be made. What Coach Gillispie is doing at Kentucky speaks for itself. :) It SHOULD be obvious to everyone, and to me it has certainly been quite obvious from the start of SEC play. KUDOS go out to our head coach, period. :)

I think MOST here have ALREADY been seeing it, though. To me, those FEW doubters, if they still exist, don't really deserve any attention. I know that my attention is on Coach Gillispie himself (along with his team, of course :)). He was already grading out very well, but this retired teacher gives the coach an A+ for his team's performance today! WOW, just WOW! :big_grin: GO CATS! GO COACH G!

[zachkyzach]

Yawn, we get the point. We got the point when posts like this were made right after the Tennessee and Vanderbilt win ealier in the season. We had a lot of fans who had questions before the season. There were a lot of fans who had questions about the coach when we were 6-7. I have been excited about Coach ever since the day he was hired. I would skip classes so I could sit in the computer lab and read more about him. But, I had some questions throughout the season. That doesnt mean I am any less of a fan or that I thought he was the wrong man for the job. If you supported him blindly from the start does that make you a bigger fan than someone who still has questions? I dont see how it could.

Here is the point. We have one heck of a coach whose best years are still in front of him. People can still question him all they want, I know he will get us back to the top. If someone wants to question him then they can be wrong in the end. As I have said since these types of posts have been made, anytime something negative happens to the program the negative people will come back...much like they did after the Vandy loss. I think we can agree that it is very annoying for them to come in and start threads about it. So why start threads calling them out and giving them ammo to start negative posts whenever they can? I just dont get it.

[RP_McMurphy]

Then I question if you watched him at Texas A&M. The guy is a top 5 coach and will bring home many championships to Lexington.

[CatClaws1]

I think today we saw the making of something special th.at is about to happen to the University of Kentucky basketball program....Man can this guy coach and these players have the biggest hearts I have seen in a while. 3 months ago we played the #1 team in the nation and lost by 9 but the score wasn't reflective of the whole game.Today we played the #1 team in the nation and lose by 3 on their home court without Meeks, Patterson, and basically Crawford.

[UKS2H]

FANTASTIC job from Coach! I could not be PROUDER of either the players' efforts or the job Coach Gillispie did today! :) Too, if we somehow don't make it to the big Dance, that changes absolutely nothing about how I feel about Coach and the job he is doing as our head coach. In my eyes he is doing a GREAT job, and the future appears to be quite BRIGHT.

Further, as I see it, there's no need for any comparisons to be made. What Coach Gillispie is doing at Kentucky speaks for itself. :) It SHOULD be obvious to everyone, and to me it has certainly been quite obvious from the start of SEC play. KUDOS go out to our head coach, period. :)

I think MOST here have ALREADY been seeing it, though. To me, those FEW doubters, if they still exist, don't really deserve any attention. I know that my attention is on Coach Gillispie himself (along with his team, of course :)). He was already grading out very well, but this retired teacher gives the coach an A+ for his team's performance today! WOW, just WOW! :big_grin: GO CATS! GO COACH G!

Well said! I am behind you 100%! I think the days of doubting are finally over! We are set for a long ride with a coach who I think will be unforgettable!

[JWORLD]

There are always going to be doubters. That's just the nature of the thing.

But personally, I don't see how anyone could believe that Gillispie isn't the perfect man for the job after watching that game today.



Im very, very proud of the effort today against Tennessee and im proud of the job that Coach Gillispie and his staff have done under the circumstances this year.I just hope that in time that with the right personel, Gillispie can speed up the tempo and pace a little bit.
If he doesn't then oh well, the main thing is that we play hard and win.

[UKcat]

I'm certainly not going to call out other posters, but EVERYONE has to give props to the staff. Today showed a culmination of the entire coaching season. As others have said, this bodes well for the future. Give this man a few more horses and he would have blown the orange right off of the pearl necklace.


:icon_mrgreen::icon_mrgreen::icon_mrgreen:

What a wonderful site that will be! I would really like to see us blow him right out of Tennessee!:icon_twisted:

[UKcat]

There are always going to be doubters. That's just the nature of the thing.

But personally, I don't see how anyone could believe that Gillispie isn't the perfect man for the job after watching that game today.


I knew that when I watched him coaching last season and said to people who were at our house during the A&M-Louisville game that I wished we could get him as our coach!!!
He IS the man............just you wait and see!:widcat:

[colonelcatfan]

Can I also point out that we have not won 10 games in SEC play in the last 2 seasons and still made the NCAA tournament?

Yep, I was thinking that earlier today. But we didnt have the losses to GW, SD,etc. Still I don't see how they can leave this team out.

[BigBlue75]

Yawn, we get the point. We got the point when posts like this were made right after the Tennessee and Vanderbilt win ealier in the season. We had a lot of fans who had questions before the season. There were a lot of fans who had questions about the coach when we were 6-7. I have been excited about Coach ever since the day he was hired. I would skip classes so I could sit in the computer lab and read more about him. But, I had some questions throughout the season. That doesnt mean I am any less of a fan or that I thought he was the wrong man for the job. If you supported him blindly from the start does that make you a bigger fan than someone who still has questions? I dont see how it could.

Here is the point. We have one heck of a coach whose best years are still in front of him. People can still question him all they want, I know he will get us back to the top. If someone wants to question him then they can be wrong in the end. As I have said since these types of posts have been made, anytime something negative happens to the program the negative people will come back...much like they did after the Vandy loss. I think we can agree that it is very annoying for them to come in and start threads about it. So why start threads calling them out and giving them ammo to start negative posts whenever they can? I just dont get it.

No one is accusing anyone of blind support nor has anyone accused anyone else of being less of a UK fan. I think this thread is more of an exhortation for those who hadn't quite accepted BCG's method of coaching. You're quite correct in that the negative people will always be around, but at the same time, if they're going to post something like that, they need to be ready for the responses they're going to get..as we all do when we post.

[Redlegs]

Great job. Billy Clyde already has Kentucky on the way back to national prominence. He'll have 'em raising banners in Rupp sooner rather than later, IMO.

[UKS2H]

No one is accusing anyone of blind support nor has anyone accused anyone else of being less of a UK fan. I think this thread is more of an exhortation for those who hadn't quite accepted BCG's method of coaching. You're quite correct in that the negative people will always be around, but at the same time, if they're going to post something like that, they need to be ready for the responses they're going to get..as we all do when we post.

:beer:Right on! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[TransientAlum]

Yawn, we get the point. We got the point when posts like this were made right after the Tennessee and Vanderbilt win ealier in the season. We had a lot of fans who had questions before the season. There were a lot of fans who had questions about the coach when we were 6-7. I have been excited about Coach ever since the day he was hired. I would skip classes so I could sit in the computer lab and read more about him. But, I had some questions throughout the season. That doesnt mean I am any less of a fan or that I thought he was the wrong man for the job. If you supported him blindly from the start does that make you a bigger fan than someone who still has questions? I dont see how it could.

Here is the point. We have one heck of a coach whose best years are still in front of him. People can still question him all they want, I know he will get us back to the top. If someone wants to question him then they can be wrong in the end. As I have said since these types of posts have been made, anytime something negative happens to the program the negative people will come back...much like they did after the Vandy loss. I think we can agree that it is very annoying for them to come in and start threads about it. So why start threads calling them out and giving them ammo to start negative posts whenever they can? I just dont get it.

What's to get? A few months ago some who defended Billy promised to do something concerning that a little later. Now they are doing what they promised which is to say, "I told you so". Everyone loves someone who keeps their promises.

So, !old to the "yawn".

[bluescat]

FANTASTIC job from Coach! I could not be PROUDER of either the players' efforts or the job Coach Gillispie did today! :) Too, if we somehow don't make it to the big Dance, that changes absolutely nothing about how I feel about Coach and the job he is doing as our head coach. In my eyes he is doing a GREAT job, and the future appears to be quite BRIGHT.

Further, as I see it, there's no need for any comparisons to be made. What Coach Gillispie is doing at Kentucky speaks for itself. :) It SHOULD be obvious to everyone, and to me it has certainly been quite obvious from the start of SEC play. KUDOS go out to our head coach, period. :)

I think MOST here have ALREADY been seeing it, though. To me, those FEW doubters, if they still exist, don't really deserve any attention. I know that my attention is on Coach Gillispie himself (along with his team, of course :)). He was already grading out very well, but this retired teacher gives the coach an A+ for his team's performance today! WOW, just WOW! :big_grin: GO CATS! GO COACH G!

Right on the money as usual, poodoo! We certainly have an incredible coach who is also a tremendous person.

[misterbluecat]

Today's game was great despite the loss. Everyone played hard, but we just couldn't get the shots to fall at the end. I was very proud with the teams effort today. I think the future looks very bright for us.

[BigblueDrew]

People are judged in this world for performance. IMO UK has performed admirably this year in spite of overwhelming obstacles. The coach has to get some of the credit for this. He also should get some credit for the VAST inmprovement we have seen in our two Seniors. I'm not going to start an argument about wehter our previous coach could have done as well given the obstacles we have faced, we will never know. What i do know is that Billy Gilespie HAS produced this year. IMO the future DOES look bright.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

Big supporter/non-doubter here. let me make that much clear. But one question continues to linger:

why does he continue to start Coury ? this is an actual honest to goodness question and if anyone with superior basketball knowledge can give me a good reason I'd be happy. I just can't stand to see that kid get manhandled everytime he touches the ball, provide us zero interior defense, and brick the only freethrows he attempts. I understand the idea of resting PS until the first tv time out (if that is the idea), but it hard to not draw at least some sort of connection between Coury being in there and some of our slow starts this year (i.e. yesterday)

[KYISSUPREME]

I'm officially saying "I told you so" to all the doubters who said he couldn't get it done back in December. And they know who they are, if they are still lurking around.

[UKBOO]

Big supporter/non-doubter here. let me make that much clear. But one question continues to linger:

why does he continue to start Coury ? this is an actual honest to goodness question and if anyone with superior basketball knowledge can give me a good reason I'd be happy. I just can't stand to see that kid get manhandled everytime he touches the ball, provide us zero interior defense, and brick the only freethrows he attempts. I understand the idea of resting PS until the first tv time out (if that is the idea), but it hard to not draw at least some sort of connection between Coury being in there and some of our slow starts this year (i.e. yesterday)

I think Coury must go above and beyond in practice. I think the message is very clear. UK has several players with a lot more gifts than Coury. But there is so much more to it than gifts. Coury must roll up his sleeves and bring it every single day in practice. And he doesn't do that bad of a job in games. He actually plays great D. I think Stevenson has come along as well as anyone on the team. He was a turn over waiting to happen. Maybe watching Coury get the starts because of his work ethic in practice has helped bring Stevenson along?

[KYISSUPREME]

Big supporter/non-doubter here. let me make that much clear. But one question continues to linger:

why does he continue to start Coury ? this is an actual honest to goodness question and if anyone with superior basketball knowledge can give me a good reason I'd be happy. I just can't stand to see that kid get manhandled everytime he touches the ball, provide us zero interior defense, and brick the only freethrows he attempts. I understand the idea of resting PS until the first tv time out (if that is the idea), but it hard to not draw at least some sort of connection between Coury being in there and some of our slow starts this year (i.e. yesterday)

IIRC, Coach said that Stevenson was too nervous at the start of the game. He does much better as a sub.

[AugustaDan]

Big supporter/non-doubter here. let me make that much clear. But one question continues to linger:

why does he continue to start Coury ? this is an actual honest to goodness question and if anyone with superior basketball knowledge can give me a good reason I'd be happy. I just can't stand to see that kid get manhandled everytime he touches the ball, provide us zero interior defense, and brick the only freethrows he attempts. I understand the idea of resting PS until the first tv time out (if that is the idea), but it hard to not draw at least some sort of connection between Coury being in there and some of our slow starts this year (i.e. yesterday)
I don't think it's really a mystery. Gillispie said he'll start those who practice hardest. I don't think he's inclined to give in. So, Coury starts.

[WILD1]

Our kids (and coaching staff) played their butts off!!! Of course, I would have preferred a win but if they give the same effort in the remaining regular season games and the SEC tournamment, they'll be hard to beat. What a way to approach adversity...what a way to coach and play through adversity.
We've once again a supreme teacher and motivator in our midst and with that, the sky is truly the limit! :thumbup:

GO CATS!!!

[wildcatcrazy]

I've not read the posts here but, yes, put me down as one that still has major doubts about Gillispie.

I do not doubt that Joe and Ramel are better players now than if they'd continue with Tubby and I have no doubt that, over time, Gillispie will get it done. In the long run, we are much better off with Gillispie than Tubby.

That said, what likey will be a twelve to fourteen loss season is not acceptible. Certainly, the SEC run is a surprise--and the injuries have played a HUGE part in this season--but there is no reason for some of the losses we have had this year--and that is Gillispie's job!

Ten loss Tubby would have been roasted with this record--even with injuries--why should Gillespie be applauded for the same record.

Bash away!

[UKBOO]

I've not read the posts here but, yes, put me down as one that still has major doubts about Gillispie.

I do not doubt that Joe and Ramel are better players now than if they'd continue with Tubby and I have no doubt that, over time, Gillispie will get it done. In the long run, we are much better off with Gillispie than Tubby.

That said, what likey will be a twelve to fourteen loss season is not acceptible. Certainly, the SEC run is a surprise--and the injuries have played a HUGE part in this season--but there is no reason for some of the losses we have had this year--and that is Gillispie's job!

Ten loss Tubby would have been roasted with this record--even with injuries--why should Gillespie be applauded for the same record.

Bash away!

Because many feel that Coach did not have very much time to place his stamp on this team. Coach didn't create the situation. He deserves more than one year to create his own situation, wouldn't you agree?

[UKcat]

Well, wildcatcrazy, you will admit, won't you that this 12 to 14 loss record is still the result of Tubby recruiting?
You are right; it is not acceptable, but you had to know going in, just like Tubby did, that this season was going to be ugly.
I know that it would have been way worse if Gillispie were not here. Give the man a chance..........you may not ever admit that he is the right man for our coach, but you will know that he is.

[allnet]

Well, wildcatcrazy, you will admit, won't you that this 12 to 14 loss record is still the result of Tubby recruiting?
You are right; it is not acceptable, but you had to know going in, just like Tubby did, that this season was going to be ugly.
I know that it would have been way worse if Gillispie were not here. Give the man a chance..........you may not ever admit that he is the right man for our coach, but you will know that he is.

Why is this season the result of Tubby's recruiting exactly? You telling us we don't even have the talent on the floor for a good coach to beat Gardner Webb? Or are you saying G isn't a good coach? Or are you saying our players suck? Or is it Tubby's fault we have had three stress fractures, broken nose, concussion, plantar fasciatis, another concussion, a sprained ankle, ie injuries that go beyond the norm for KY basketball. I don't get it exactly. What are you saying?

Tubby is gone isn't he?? Like, isn't he the coach at Minnesota or something?

[Will Lavender]

Ten loss Tubby would have been roasted with this record--even with injuries--why should Gillespie be applauded for the same record.

Bash away!

Tubby's circumstances were a bit different, though. Gillispie has not only been strapped with a freakish injury bug, he's also had to endure an alarming lack of talent based on Tubby & Co.'s recruiting.

I think this year has gone pretty much like last year, which is not surprising because we have many of the same players. Our record may be a bit off, but that's expected as well because of the injuries.

I think we're seeing what Gillispie can do with a team based on how unbelievably solid they've been in the SEC season. Once the team got used to his way, and once Derrick Jasper got healthy, we took off. We took off with THIS talent. If that doesn't excite you, then I guess I don't know what else to say.

[Will Lavender]

Why is this season the result of Tubby's recruiting exactly? You telling us we don't even have the talent on the floor for a good coach to beat Gardner Webb? Or are you saying G isn't a good coach? Or are you saying our players suck? Or is it Tubby's fault we have had three stress fractures, broken nose, concussion, plantar fasciatis, another concussion, a sprained ankle, ie injuries that go beyond the norm for KY basketball. I don't get it exactly. What are you saying?

Tubby is gone isn't he?? Like, isn't he the coach at Minnesota or something?

I don't think there's any question that we are sitting where we are partly because of Tubby's recruiting. The man and his staff just did not scout or recruit well in the last few years. I mean, look at our roster. It's pretty evident.

HOWEVER, we still had the talent to beat Gardner-Webb and San Diego. No question. But what are we going to do, bring up Gardner-Webb every time something bad happens? I think there probably were mistakes in that game on Gillispie's end, but it was only ONE GAME. I really don't think a coach's worth can be judged by one game -- the second one of his tenure, no less.

[UKBOO]

But what are we going to do, bring up Gardner-Webb every time something bad happens?

That isn't what gets me. What gets me is when certain fans bring it up any time something good happens.

[UKcat]

Why is this season the result of Tubby's recruiting exactly? You telling us we don't even have the talent on the floor for a good coach to beat Gardner Webb? Or are you saying G isn't a good coach? Or are you saying our players suck? Or is it Tubby's fault we have had three stress fractures, broken nose, concussion, plantar fasciatis, another concussion, a sprained ankle, ie injuries that go beyond the norm for KY basketball. I don't get it exactly. What are you saying?

Tubby is gone isn't he?? Like, isn't he the coach at Minnesota or something?

As they said with Tubby's first team here; it was with Rick's players. It's the same thing now; these were Tubby's players; that's a fact.
I can't explain the Gardner-Webb game; Lord, I wish I could. I do think it was part of the team and the coach not gelling; which they have both now admitted that did happen.
Where are you getting all these questions???? I think, if you read my previous posts, you will find that I have been and will continue to be one of BCG's strongest supporters. The job he has done with the adversities that he has had to deal with is nothing short of fantastic.
Did I say that our players suck???? Yes, there are some there that are not up to U.K. caliber; even you have to admit that; but they are all getting better this season and I have to believe that they ALL will continue to do so.
I am not even going to answer that last question concerning the injuries, other than to say, you are kidding, arent you.
Now do you get what I am saying?????

And, one last thing; yes, Tubby is gone and I am thankful for it.:shrug1:

[UKcat]

I don't think there's any question that we are sitting where we are partly because of Tubby's recruiting. The man and his staff just did not scout or recruit well in the last few years. I mean, look at our roster. It's pretty evident.

HOWEVER, we still had the talent to beat Gardner-Webb and San Diego. No question. But what are we going to do, bring up Gardner-Webb every time something bad happens? I think there probably were mistakes in that game on Gillispie's end, but it was only ONE GAME. I really don't think a coach's worth can be judged by one game -- the second one of his tenure, no less.


Thank you, Will. I may not explain it as well as your words do, but that is what I was trying to say!.

[WILD1]

Thank you, Will. I may not explain it as well as your words do, but that is what I was trying to say!.
He's a professional "word-dude"...and that's why he gets paid the big bucks. :icon_lol:

[wildcatcrazy]

I agree that we are better off in the long run with Gillispie.

Anyone can see the improvement in Ramel and Joe (and Stephenson). They are CLEARLY better players as a result of Gillispies' coaching.

That said, I'm not thrilled with the style of play--but that may well be a necessity due to lack of talent or at least lack of depth.

I also am not sold on Gillispie as a recruiter at this point. No question that Liggins and Miller will help but the jury is still out as far as I am concerned.

We continue to loose recruites to the likes of Florida State--which amazes me.

I believe Gillispie will--given the opportunity--get the ship righted in time but we are nowhere near there yet. Will Gillispie have the patience to build the program back? Will we (fans and media) give him the time to do that?

[allnet]

I don't think there's any question that we are sitting where we are partly because of Tubby's recruiting. The man and his staff just did not scout or recruit well in the last few years. I mean, look at our roster. It's pretty evident.

HOWEVER, we still had the talent to beat Gardner-Webb and San Diego. No question. But what are we going to do, bring up Gardner-Webb every time something bad happens? I think there probably were mistakes in that game on Gillispie's end, but it was only ONE GAME. I really don't think a coach's worth can be judged by one game -- the second one of his tenure, no less.

You keep making the player argument and unless one accepts your evaluation of the players, G still has some question marks. I don't think we are hurting for players myself, particularly with the addition of Patterson. And claiming G's record is poor because of Tubby's recruiting becomes kind of a circular argument that really doesn't stand on it's own. Tubby used his players differently than G. Practiced differently. Coached somewhat differently(not as much as people had hoped, LOL). If you use the Tubby recruiting argument, then it would be fair to come back at you with the G playing time, the G practice regimen, the G injuries as retorts to your argument. I don't think either position is on solid ground. But great for hypothetical theories that can never be tested.

G lost to San Diego, Gardner Webb, Houston, FL, and Miss State, all games I thought were winnable and coachable for wins, even with the injuries, even with the player quality. Any team that tanks like we did at Vandy, reflects on the coach, not the previous coach. It does come down to coaching at the end.

Tubby with these players would have been a whole different season. Our frosh would have still been sophomores, and hopefully improved a jump as most sophomores do, and would still be a core of KY quality players. Who knows what Tubby might have done, what injuries might have occurred, what games might have been kicked or won. If you keep throwing the Tubby Ball, sooner or later somebody is going to pick it up and throw it back.

Tubby isn't here anymore. Why are we still arguing that, and laying this stuff at Tubby's door. When exactly does G take over? In four years? I thought he was the KY coach NOW.

[UKS2H]

It is simply unbelievable to me that people try to defend Tubby's recruiting over the last couple of years.

I can only agree to disagree.

As for the 12-14 loss season....

1. We lost 12 last year.
2. You are assuming we will lose the next 2 games, and a game in each postseason tournament (whether it be NCAA or NIT, I guess you are saying). In case you didn't know, we will have more SEC wins than we have had in the last 2 years.
3. We have more league wins this year than Randolph Morris had in 2 of his 3 years at UK.
4.We did this with a new coach, injuries to Meeks, Crawford, and now Patterson.
5.We did this WITHOUT Morris, Perry, Thomas, and Woo. The only players we gained are Patterson, Stewart, and Williams.

If you are still going back to the Gardner-Webb loss to try to prove something, I must ask you: are teams not supposed to improve over the season? Plenty of teams have lost to small schools early on in the season. It hurts you, yes, but what you do in November and December does not mean nearly as much as what you do in league play if you are in a strong conference such as the SEC. We have the opportunity to be 12-4 in the SEC, with wins over the only 2 ranked SEC schools. We looked GREAT against UT in Knoxville and was -this close- to completing the sweep.

I guess what bothers me most is that some people really believe that players like Michael Porter, Mark Coury, Jared Carter, Mike Williams, and some others even deserve to play at UK or for any team in the SEC. These are all Tubby recruits. We have 10 players on the bench who average less than 2 in all statistical categories that matter. I am not bashing these kids. They seem to play their hearts out and give it everything they've got, but they just aren't talented enough to play against the nation's best.

It's okay, though. You're just another person who will see the light in a couple more seasons rather than now. :shrug1:

GO CATS! BEAT THE COCKS!

[UKS2H]

I agree that we are better off in the long run with Gillispie.

Anyone can see the improvement in Ramel and Joe (and Stephenson). They are CLEARLY better players as a result of Gillispies' coaching.

That said, I'm not thrilled with the style of play--but that may well be a necessity due to lack of talent or at least lack of depth.



You hit the nail on the head! People complain that we don't run and gun, but don't think about how many minutes most of our players play because we have nobody to back them up. When Porter comes in, I just want him to stay in the corner and never get the ball. That would get even scarier if we didn't have set plays and just jacked up shots. For one, we don't have a shooter on the team who can hit the 3 regularly, and for two, we would be dog tired at halftime.

[UFWildcat]

I have decided not to question the Coach anymore.

Made a believer out of me. :thumbup:

[UKcat]

He's a professional "word-dude"...and that's why he gets paid the big bucks. :icon_lol:

I just really LOVE your avatar!:icon_mrgreen:

[dhens7]

It is simply unbelievable to me that people try to defend Tubby's recruiting over the last couple of years.

I can only agree to disagree.

As for the 12-14 loss season....

1. We lost 12 last year.
2. You are assuming we will lose the next 2 games, and a game in each postseason tournament (whether it be NCAA or NIT, I guess you are saying). In case you didn't know, we will have more SEC wins than we have had in the last 2 years.
3. We have more league wins this year than Randolph Morris had in 2 of his 3 years at UK.
4.We did this with a new coach, injuries to Meeks, Crawford, and now Patterson.
5.We did this WITHOUT Morris, Perry, Thomas, and Woo. The only players we gained are Patterson, Stewart, and Williams.

If you are still going back to the Gardner-Webb loss to try to prove something, I must ask you: are teams not supposed to improve over the season? Plenty of teams have lost to small schools early on in the season. It hurts you, yes, but what you do in November and December does not mean nearly as much as what you do in league play if you are in a strong conference such as the SEC. We have the opportunity to be 12-4 in the SEC, with wins over the only 2 ranked SEC schools. We looked GREAT against UT in Knoxville and was -this close- to completing the sweep.

I guess what bothers me most is that some people really believe that players like Michael Porter, Mark Coury, Jared Carter, Mike Williams, and some others even deserve to play at UK or for any team in the SEC. These are all Tubby recruits. We have 10 players on the bench who average less than 2 in all statistical categories that matter. I am not bashing these kids. They seem to play their hearts out and give it everything they've got, but they just aren't talented enough to play against the nation's best.

It's okay, though. You're just another person who will see the light in a couple more seasons rather than now. :shrug1:

GO CATS! BEAT THE COCKS!


Excellent, Excellent post. I would also like to add, that for those of you that think we will be better off in the long run, you have to understand that we had to go through some of the embarassing losses to get to the long run. If BCG doesn't bench crawford and bradley at the start of the season and just let them play the way they want to, we probably would have won some of those bad losses. But I would argue that we would be in much wors shape in the league than we are now.

BCG had to send a message. You can't agree with his message but not let him implement it. This team has more unity, heart, desire, passion, than any other team Kentucky has had for a long, long time. that is BCG.

[TransientAlum]

Excellent, Excellent post. I would also like to add, that for those of you that think we will be better off in the long run, you have to understand that we had to go through some of the embarassing losses to get to the long run. If BCG doesn't bench crawford and bradley at the start of the season and just let them play the way they want to, we probably would have won some of those bad losses. But I would argue that we would be in much wors shape in the league than we are now.

BCG had to send a message. You can't agree with his message but not let him implement it. This team has more unity, heart, desire, passion, than any other team Kentucky has had for a long, long time. that is BCG.

The 96 SEC tournament and this season's beginnings will always have me wondering. Obviously a coach will never admit to anything of the sort but you do wonder...

[WILD1]

I just really LOVE your avatar!:icon_mrgreen:
Thank you...I just really love the Stones, what can I say? :thumbup:

[Terry L. Wildcat]

Since Gardner-Webb is constantly brought up no matter how well we are playing now here is a little history lesson regarding devastating and unexplainable losses. December 28, 1966 in Memorial Colesium: Cornell 92 Kentucky 77. The coach was Coach Rupp and all the players were his including All-Americans Louie Dampier and Pat Riley. Oh, we went 13-13 that year and did not even play in the NIT. IMHO it's time to move on from GW as we have one heck of a coach.

[UKcat]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Great post Terry.

[teamchemistry09]

Since Gardner-Webb is constantly brought up no matter how well we are playing now here is a little history lesson regarding devastating and unexplainable losses. December 28, 1966 in Memorial Colesium: Cornell 92 Kentucky 77. The coach was Coach Rupp and all the players were his including All-Americans Louie Dampier and Pat Riley. Oh, we went 13-13 that year and did not even play in the NIT. IMHO it's time to move on from GW as we have one heck of a coach.

I think most fans have moved on from GW and San Diego. Its the media and ul fans who keep briniging it up. We could win the National Championship this year and people would be saying "and the national champions lost to gardner webb"

[Terry L. Wildcat]

I think most fans have moved on from GW and San Diego. Its the media and ul fans who keep briniging it up. We could win the National Championship this year and people would be saying "and the national champions lost to gardner webb"

and we would be saying #8 ;)

[UKS2H]

Since Gardner-Webb is constantly brought up no matter how well we are playing now here is a little history lesson regarding devastating and unexplainable losses. December 28, 1966 in Memorial Colesium: Cornell 92 Kentucky 77. The coach was Coach Rupp and all the players were his including All-Americans Louie Dampier and Pat Riley. Oh, we went 13-13 that year and did not even play in the NIT. IMHO it's time to move on from GW as we have one heck of a coach.

Amen, brother.

[CarterHall]

Minnesota. She called in a few weeks ago and blasted Gillispie and went on to say how much she misses Tub. The highway runs right up 23, my lady.

[allnet]

It is simply unbelievable to me that people try to defend Tubby's recruiting over the last couple of years.

I can only agree to disagree.

....

1. We lost 12 last year
2. You are assuming we will lose the next 2 games, and a game in each postseason tournament (whether it be NCAA or NIT, I guess you are saying). In case you didn't know, we will have more SEC wins than we have had in the last 2 years.
3. We have more league wins this year than Randolph Morris had in 2 of his 3 years at UK.
4.We did this with a new coach, injuries to Meeks, Crawford, and now Patterson.
5.We did this WITHOUT Morris, Perry, Thomas, and Woo. The only players we gained are Patterson, Stewart, and Williams.

If you are still going back to the Gardner-Webb loss to try to prove something, I must ask you: are teams not supposed to improve over the season? Plenty of teams have lost to small schools early on in the season. It hurts you, yes, but what you do in November and December does not mean nearly as much as what you do in league play if you are in a strong conference such as the SEC. We have the opportunity to be 12-4 in the SEC, with wins over the only 2 ranked SEC schools. We looked GREAT against UT in Knoxville and was -this close- to completing the sweep.

I guess what bothers me most is that some people really believe that players like Michael Porter, Mark Coury, Jared Carter, Mike Williams, and some others even deserve to play at UK or for any team in the SEC. These are all Tubby recruits. We have 10 players on the bench who average less than 2 in all statistical categories that matter. I am not bashing these kids. They seem to play their hearts out and give it everything they've got, but they just aren't talented enough to play against the nation's best.

It's okay, though. You're just another person who will see the light in a couple more seasons rather than now. :shrug1:

GO CATS! BEAT THE COCKS!

I am not sure what the first 5 points of your argument are meant for, but most fans realize that Thomas, Woo, and Perry were maligned and not top contributors while here, are you suggesting we are missing them. And as it has been pointed out, one could freely argue that G is responsible for this year's rash of injuries. Makes as much sense as any arguments being thrown around here.

The Gardner Webb loss is significant as are the other losses on this schedule. They lay on G's doorstep, no one elses. We might give him a pass, but legallized gambling, the NCAA, and the selection comittee don't give passes on those types of games, they count em. Oddly enough some posters don't want anybody going back to the early season to argue whether or not G has proved himself yet(hoping he does and no problem with him being here)but want to go back to Tubby Smith years to make excuses for him. Why do that? Why not lets just go forward?

Porter, Carter, Williams, Stewart, certainly deserve to play for UK imo, and obviously G thinks Coury deserves to play for UK, since he is the one that gave him a scholly, and ALSO STARTS HIM IN JUST ABOUT EVERY GAME. So if you are right it sounds like you are doubting G, yourself. (BTW, you need to remember Coury is a walk-on, not a scholly player). I am one that has no problem with these guys being here, it is hard to recruit 12-13 starter quality players without some big crapfest about playing time and use. I am frankly glad that old coach got Carter, and I would have been mad if he let him go to NC. Who knew he was going to dislocate his shoulder? Stewart? Like him a lot, and expect great things out of him in a year or two. Williams? Don't know, but have seen some very good play out of big solid guys like him and crucial reserve minutes too. Porter might not have come along the way it was preferred, but the kid is a keeper in terms of attitude and effort. I hate to see our own fans dissing our own players like you do here. If they don't put out, coach can kick em, otherwise, we recruited them and need to live with it, and love em. It's a marriage, not a one nighter.

Have you spoken to G about playing Coury? Or are you just mad at him, since obviously, he doesn't know what he is doing playing a sub par player like that;).

[dhens7]

The 96 SEC tournament and this season's beginnings will always have me wondering. Obviously a coach will never admit to anything of the sort but you do wonder...

It has worked in both cases though hasn't it? Not a doubt in my mind Pitino wanted to not win the SEC tourney.

[jdeasy]

I am not sure what the first 5 points of your argument are meant for, but most fans realize that Thomas, Woo, and Perry were maligned and not top contributors while here, are you suggesting we are missing them. And as it has been pointed out, one could freely argue that G is responsible for this year's rash of injuries. Makes as much sense as any arguments being thrown around here.

The Gardner Webb loss is significant as are the other losses on this schedule. They lay on G's doorstep, no one elses. We might give him a pass, but legallized gambling, the NCAA, and the selection comittee don't give passes on those types of games, they count em. Oddly enough some posters don't want anybody going back to the early season to argue whether or not G has proved himself yet(hoping he does and no problem with him being here)but want to go back to Tubby Smith years to make excuses for him. Why do that? Why not lets just go forward?

Porter, Carter, Williams, Stewart, certainly deserve to play for UK imo, and obviously G thinks Coury deserves to play for UK, since he is the one that gave him a scholly, and ALSO STARTS HIM IN JUST ABOUT EVERY GAME. So if you are right it sounds like you are doubting G, yourself. (BTW, you need to remember Coury is a walk-on, not a scholly player). I am one that has no problem with these guys being here, it is hard to recruit 12-13 starter quality players without some big crapfest about playing time and use. I am frankly glad that old coach got Carter, and I would have been mad if he let him go to NC. Who knew he was going to dislocate his shoulder? Stewart? Like him a lot, and expect great things out of him in a year or two. Williams? Don't know, but have seen some very good play out of big solid guys like him and crucial reserve minutes too. Porter might not have come along the way it was preferred, but the kid is a keeper in terms of attitude and effort. I hate to see our own fans dissing our own players like you do here. If they don't put out, coach can kick em, otherwise, we recruited them and need to live with it, and love em. It's a marriage, not a one nighter.

Have you spoken to G about playing Coury? Or are you just mad at him, since obviously, he doesn't know what he is doing playing a sub par player like that;).



The early losses were bad, but, do you not get that it was culture change? Besides losing 4 contributors from last years team and Jasper and Crawford being hurt to start this season, there was a huge culture change that had to be made to right this ship.

There was also a culture change at Texas A&M this season. Early on, they were singing the praises of Turgeon and how much easier he was to play for. Now, they are in danger of missing the tournament and they want BCG back.

I can't believe you don't understand this stuff. If after yesterday's game, you still don't know that coach's way is/was the right way, you will never get it.

If you do truly understand, then you are just being contrary to be contrary.

[xxtay80]

billy g is our coach...a damn good1:thumbup:

let him bring in his recruits....still losing over 10 games 3 yrs from now...id be stunned

[TransientAlum]

The early losses were bad, but, do you not get that it was culture change? Besides losing 4 contributors from last years team and jasper and crawford being hurt to start this season, there was a huge culture change that had to be made to right this ship.

There was also a culture change at Texas A&M this season. Early on, they sere singing the praises of Turgeon and how much easier he was to play for. Now, they are in danger of missing the tournament and they want BCG back.

I can't believe you don't understand this stuff. If after yesterday's game, you still don't know that coach's way is/was the right way, you will never get it.

If you do truly understand, then you are just being contrary to be contrary.

Or avoid rogering up to the real point, the thread title.

It has worked in both cases though hasn't it? Not a doubt in my mind Pitino wanted to not win the SEC tourney.

Yeah, it did, in spades.

[Mark Blueblood]

Since Gardner-Webb is constantly brought up no matter how well we are playing now here is a little history lesson regarding devastating and unexplainable losses. December 28, 1966 in Memorial Colesium: Cornell 92 Kentucky 77. The coach was Coach Rupp and all the players were his including All-Americans Louie Dampier and Pat Riley. Oh, we went 13-13 that year and did not even play in the NIT. IMHO it's time to move on from GW as we have one heck of a coach.

Hey Ancient One - I was there!

[Terry L. Wildcat]

Hey Ancient One - I was there!

I resemble that remark and I was too :eek:

[poodoo]

HOWEVER, we still had the talent to beat Gardner-Webb and San Diego. No question. But what are we going to do, bring up Gardner-Webb every time something bad happens? I think there probably were mistakes in that game on Gillispie's end, but it was only ONE GAME. I really don't think a coach's worth can be judged by one game -- the second one of his tenure, no less.

Exactly, Will. I so agree with everything you say here. Too, we who support Coach Gillispie lose some credibility if we don't admit that first statement.

By the way, I vote for essentially forgetting both the former coach AND those losses that are not remotely representative of our current coach's coaching ability. I really do. :icon_mrgreen:

Too, as I have posted in another thread, Coach G was looking ahead to getting to CHAMPIONSHIPS, beginning with the SEC championship, exactly what we fans had wanted. Notice that UK would have been in the running for winning the SEC East if only a play or two had gone differently at UT--and that was WITHOUT Patterson, besides without Meeks.

You are so right that a coach cannot be judged by one (or a few) games, although the G-W one will, unfortunately, be used against us in tourney talk. At least beginning with the SEC race, Coach has been doing a GREAT job. Too, I do believe he was putting the pieces in places for what we've been seeing. Again, the future seems BRIGHT. :) GO CATS! GO COACH G!

[KY Native in IN]

Since Gardner-Webb is constantly brought up no matter how well we are playing now here is a little history lesson regarding devastating and unexplainable losses. December 28, 1966 in Memorial Colesium: Cornell 92 Kentucky 77. The coach was Coach Rupp and all the players were his including All-Americans Louie Dampier and Pat Riley. Oh, we went 13-13 that year and did not even play in the NIT. IMHO it's time to move on from GW as we have one heck of a coach.


a big amen to that Terry L. - i'm so sick of hearing about those losses i could scream....but it's the card the media has to play unfortunately and good ammo against a program that "fired" (?) our previous winning coach.....

but the fact of the matter (as i think you're saying in your post) is that it happens to EVERYBODY....no matter how great they are....and i think we can all (or most of us) attest to the fact that Rupp is one of the ALL TIME greats that ever coached the game.....

but agree, moving onward and upward is the best thing to do!!!!!!! good and much needed post!

[poodoo]

People are judged in this world for performance. IMO UK has performed admirably this year in spite of overwhelming obstacles. The coach has to get some of the credit for this. He also should get some credit for the VAST inmprovement we have seen in our two Seniors. I'm not going to start an argument about wehter our previous coach could have done as well given the obstacles we have faced, we will never know. What i do know is that Billy Gilespie HAS produced this year. IMO the future DOES look bright.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:, Drew! Exactly! We will NEVER KNOW what the previous coach would have done, as you say, and WHO CARES!!!

Like you, all I DO KNOW is that Coach Gillispie is indeed producing this season, even with the injuries that have hurt the team. Like you, I think the future looks BRIGHT with Coach Gillispie, and THAT is what matters. :icon_biggrin:

In my opinion, the thread deteriorated as it became Tubby debating, once again. :icon_frown: earlier, I had attempted to keep that from happening by mentioning there is really NO need for comparisons to be made. All I need, at least, is to look at what our current coach is currently doing, and I think it's amazing, especially the team's performance yesterday. :big_grin:

KUDOS to Coach Gillispie AND to you yourself, Drew, for NOT making this thread about our former coach. The current coach is MY focus, and may HE lead the Cats to victory Wednesday night. :icon_biggrin:

Also, in addressing another part of this thread, Coach Gillispie's my coach, and I trust him to make the decisions about who starts (and I agree with the points UKBOO made in his post, along with suspecting that Coach thinks that Stevenson is better coming off the bench). Coach is his own man, and I happen to admire that in him. These players definitely KNOW who's the BOSS, and that is a very good thing for UK basketball. GO CATS! BEAT THOSE GAMECOCKS!

[poodoo]

BCG had to send a message. You can't agree with his message but not let him implement it. This team has more unity, heart, desire, passion, than any other team Kentucky has had for a long, long time. that is BCG.

AMEN, dhens7. Well-said. :) GO CATS! GO COACH G!

[allnet]

The early losses were bad, but, do you not get that it was culture change? Besides losing 4 contributors from last years team and Jasper and Crawford being hurt to start this season, there was a huge culture change that had to be made to right this ship.

There was also a culture change at Texas A&M this season. Early on, they were singing the praises of Turgeon and how much easier he was to play for. Now, they are in danger of missing the tournament and they want BCG back.

I can't believe you don't understand this stuff. If after yesterday's game, you still don't know that coach's way is/was the right way, you will never get it.

If you do truly understand, then you are just being contrary to be contrary.

Well, tell that to everybody who thought the ship needed righting. I personally didn't see that problem. Thought it was time for a coaching change more from the fan support standpoint, and the fact that fans were starting to interfere with recruiting itself. I don't see G as any better or worse than most of the choices available to UK last season, well, no, I see him as a vast step above both Pelphrey and Ford, but there were some other potential guys out there that would have been ok too. We retained basically 4 guys with starter minutes this year including Jasper Meeks, Crawford, Bradley. Lots of posters didn't buy the talent shortage early and aren't buying it now, quit trying to sell it. Lots of teams run short rotations, and that is G's choice.

Culture change? Excuse for losses? What? Was there a culture change when we lost big to Vandy and never got the ship righted?? What was G's way during that one? Was it the "right" way? And are you saying losses were neccessary for culture change? What?

Most of the posters here understand a lot of stuff, and don't need their opinons dictated to them or explained to them. MY point, if you care, is that G is the coach now, and that Guy at MN is not. G is the program for better or worse, his successes can be his, but his failures have to be his too. Why do people keep bringing in all this inconsequential stuff and trying to bait other posters into arguing? Who cares what is going on in Texas? Neither changes our record. Let the season proceed and let's see where we are at the end. The same gushing fan base out there now can turn on our coach faster than a New York minute, and G hasn't even completed one season.

[jdeasy]

Well, tell that to everybody who thought the ship needed righting. I personally didn't see that problem. Thought it was time for a coaching change more from the fan support standpoint, and the fact that fans were starting to interfere with recruiting itself. I don't see G as any better or worse than most of the choices available to UK last season, well, no, I see him as a vast step above both Pelphrey and Ford, but there were some other potential guys out there that would have been ok too. We retained basically 4 guys with starter minutes this year including Jasper Meeks, Crawford, Bradley. Lots of posters didn't buy the talent shortage early and aren't buying it now, quit trying to sell it. Lots of teams run short rotations, and that is G's choice.

Culture change? Excuse for losses? What? Was there a culture change when we lost big to Vandy and never got the ship righted?? What was G's way during that one? Was it the "right" way? And are you saying losses were neccessary for culture change? What?

Most of the posters here understand a lot of stuff, and don't need their opinons dictated to them or explained to them. MY point, if you care, is that G is the coach now, and that Guy at MN is not. G is the program for better or worse, his successes can be his, but his failures have to be his too. Why do people keep bringing in all this inconsequential stuff and trying to bait other posters into arguing? Who cares what is going on in Texas? Neither changes our record. Let the season proceed and let's see where we are at the end. The same gushing fan base out there now can turn on our coach faster than a New York minute, and G hasn't even completed one season.


Stevie Wonder could see that the ship needed righting. Of course, Stevie is not willfully blind.

[poodoo]

Ten loss Tubby would have been roasted with this record--even with injuries--why should Gillespie be applauded for the same record.

Bash away!

UKBOO answered your question well, in my opinion, wildcatcrazy. It is Coach's first year. He obviously changed some things. It took time. The overall record should not be applauded, but the conference record, under the circumstances, should certainly be applauded, at least in my opinion. Credit for how this team has been performing in the conference race goes to our head coach, Coach Billy Gillispie. Yesterday's inspired performance was outstanding, and it had Coach's name written all over it. :) The PASSION and TOUGHNESS we saw from our players came from Coach himself.

By the way, you're right about that first part, though. Yet, I hope you decide to let that go. As I mentioned, the comparisons lead to no good whatsoever, and that's comparisons either way. How a few folks can give credit for our former coach's championship away and then excuse our current coach for the early losses because the players were not his own doesn't "get it" with me, but I just LET IT GO. :)

Why? The answer is that I want to spend my time UNITING, not dividing, our fan base. I want the BEST support possible for our basketball team, including its head coach, in whom I honestly BELIEVE. The former coach is GONE, and, again, I say that I wish he would be GONE from our discussions, as including him in them does not seem to lead to GOOD for this basketball program we all love. That's my humble, sincere opinion.

You mentioned recruiting in another post in this thread. I really believe Coach G will be an outstanding recruiter for UK, especially because of the effort he devotes to it. HOWEVER, you are right that we have NOT yet filled positions we need to fill, especially at that power forward or big man position, still again. Still again (and that repeated phrase is intentionally use), we are waiting in the spring. That is a FACT. To deny that causes any of us who support Coach Gillspie to lose credibility, and I, too, sometimes see that happening in fans' comments.

Having said that, once our season is over and Coach has the TIME to devote to recruiting, I still THINK he will bring in some of these guys I so want to become Cats. Yet, again, acting as if he has already done that outstanding job makes some UK fans not appear credible, and you made a valid point that has not been addressed.

As a Gillispie supporter, I believe Coach will come through LATE, just as he has done in regard to our record (and remember that he has had a late start). I surely HOPE that I'm right about that. :)

There's no bashing from this corner, wildcatcrazy. :) GO CATS! BEAT THOSE GAMECOCKS!

[allnet]

Stevie Wonder could see that the ship needed righting. Of course, Stevie is not willfully blind.

Yeah, the ship was going down. 10 straight 20 win seasons, NC, 3 elite 8, never going out in the first round of 10 straight NCAA appearances. Yes we were certainly floundering. There were so many teams doing that when that last coach was here, we were kind of getting lost in the shuffle.

Thanks for pointing that out Stevie. :icon_confused:

[BigBlue75]

Yeah, the ship was going down. 10 straight 20 win seasons, NC, 3 elite 8, never going out in the first round of 10 straight NCAA appearances. Yes we were certainly floundering. There were so many teams doing that when that last coach was here, we were kind of getting lost in the shuffle.

Thanks for pointing that out Stevie. :icon_confused:

I agree, allnet. It might have been time for a change at the end of last season but this notion that the UK program was completely in the toliet the last two years is utter nonsense. It's kind of funny that some people are so blind with hatred and anger that they think everyone else that doesn't agree with them is blind. :icon_rolleyes:

[allnet]

I agree, allnet. It might have been time for a change at the end of last season but this notion that the UK program was completely in the toliet the last two years is utter nonsense. It's kind of funny that some people are so blind with hatred and anger that they think everyone else that doesn't agree with them is blind. :icon_rolleyes:

And the idea is, if you don't lovegush for G, you hate him, or sumpin like dat. They won't let the season play out and look at it objectively, you have to lovegush everytime there is a win. Please.

I wouldn't be surprised if they all know the Richard Cheeks secret handshake.

[ukbob]

Interesting thread.

I think Gillispie has coached badly at times and wonderfully at times.

I don't think he is above criticism. No coach should be.

And at some point, he should be held to the same standard as the previous coach, but it cannot be this year, IMO. There has to be a honeymoon effect in play.

Tubby actually had the worst honeymoon episode by winning it all the 1st year. While we all loved it and wouldn't trade it for anything, living up to that standard was going to be tough for any coach. Not impossible....but tough. And for some years, he lived up to it, IMO. (Many in this thread will disagree) It is the other years, especially the last 2, where he fell asleep at the wheel (or gave up, IMO) sealed the deal.

Gillispie has a chance to be a folk hero. If he brings in the right talent(Miller and Liggins are a great start, but that is not near enough) and sells them on his style, this program could fly above others in a hurry. But there are no guarantees it will happen just because some UK fans think he is better than sliced bread.

In my mind...the proof is still in the pudding. Get us back to contending for titles, get to the Final Four(something Smith got lambasted for constantly by the fans), run a clean program and compete hard in every game, then we can canonize him. Until then, he will be scrutinized sometimes and rightfully so.

Am I optimistic he is the guy? Somewhat. I still have some concerns about things I won't discuss here, but anyone that watches games can see the guy has mad coaching skills. Will those work in the UK fishbowl? None of us know yet. But the thought of this guy working his skills with better players should have us smiling.

This year is a freebie, IMO. Too many bad karma happenings with new systems and tons of injuries have hampered our developement too much to get a great handle on things. I am getting too old to wait 5 years for things any more. I expect to see us back toward the top in year 3 and no later. After all, if he is as good as we all think, that is reasonable.

BG has my support for sure. But these days (like I should have done years ago), I will be watching with my eyes open instead of shut with blind faith.

Just my take on it.

[TrueblueCATfan]

[quote=BigBlue75;412861]I agree, allnet. It might have been time for a change at the end of last season but this notion that the UK program was completely in the toliet the last two years is utter nonsense. It's kind of funny that some people are so blind with hatred and anger that they think everyone else that doesn't agree with them is blind. :icon_rolleyes:[/quote

yeah and it is the same posters over and over again:icon_rolleyes::icon_rolleyes::icon_rolleyes:

[TrueblueCATfan]

I am not ashamed to admit this..but I was not sold on Gillespie in the beginning...and it had nothing to do with me being a huge Tubby fan either....I knew it was time for Tubby to go..he is gone and happy in his new job..I wish him well and I have moved on
I agree with UKbob though..he has coached badly at times and has coached very well at times...
what he did Sunday was nothing short of remarkable
I believe in the end he will lead this program back..until then I remain with some question marks:icon_question:

[UFWildcat]

Interesting thread.

I think Gillispie has coached badly at times and wonderfully at times.

I don't think he is above criticism. No coach should be.

And at some point, he should be held to the same standard as the previous coach, but it cannot be this year, IMO. There has to be a honeymoon effect in play.

Tubby actually had the worst honeymoon episode by winning it all the 1st year. While we all loved it and wouldn't trade it for anything, living up to that standard was going to be tough for any coach. Not impossible....but tough. And for some years, he lived up to it, IMO. (Many in this thread will disagree) It is the other years, especially the last 2, where he fell asleep at the wheel (or gave up, IMO) sealed the deal.

Gillispie has a chance to be a folk hero. If he brings in the right talent(Miller and Liggins are a great start, but that is not near enough) and sells them on his style, this program could fly above others in a hurry. But there are no guarantees it will happen just because some UK fans think he is better than sliced bread.

In my mind...the proof is still in the pudding. Get us back to contending for titles, get to the Final Four(something Smith got lambasted for constantly by the fans), run a clean program and compete hard in every game, then we can canonize him. Until then, he will be scrutinized sometimes and rightfully so.

Am I optimistic he is the guy? Somewhat. I still have some concerns about things I won't discuss here, but anyone that watches games can see the guy has mad coaching skills. Will those work in the UK fishbowl? None of us know yet. But the thought of this guy working his skills with better players should have us smiling.

This year is a freebie, IMO. Too many bad karma happenings with new systems and tons of injuries have hampered our developement too much to get a great handle on things. I am getting too old to wait 5 years for things any more. I expect to see us back toward the top in year 3 and no later. After all, if he is as good as we all think, that is reasonable.

BG has my support for sure. But these days (like I should have done years ago), I will be watching with my eyes open instead of shut with blind faith.

Just my take on it.

Good post. Feel virtually the same way.

[UKS2H]

I am not sure what the first 5 points of your argument are meant for, but most fans realize that Thomas, Woo, and Perry were maligned and not top contributors while here, are you suggesting we are missing them. And as it has been pointed out, one could freely argue that G is responsible for this year's rash of injuries. Makes as much sense as any arguments being thrown around here.

Porter, Carter, Williams, Stewart, certainly deserve to play for UK imo, and obviously G thinks Coury deserves to play for UK, since he is the one that gave him a scholly, and ALSO STARTS HIM IN JUST ABOUT EVERY GAME. So if you are right it sounds like you are doubting G, yourself. (BTW, you need to remember Coury is a walk-on, not a scholly player). I am one that has no problem with these guys being here, it is hard to recruit 12-13 starter quality players without some big crapfest about playing time and use. I am frankly glad that old coach got Carter, and I would have been mad if he let him go to NC. Who knew he was going to dislocate his shoulder? Stewart? Like him a lot, and expect great things out of him in a year or two. Williams? Don't know, but have seen some very good play out of big solid guys like him and crucial reserve minutes too. Porter might not have come along the way it was preferred, but the kid is a keeper in terms of attitude and effort. I hate to see our own fans dissing our own players like you do here. If they don't put out, coach can kick em, otherwise, we recruited them and need to live with it, and love em. It's a marriage, not a one nighter.



First of all, I NEVER dissed our players. If you actually go back and read before shooting your mouth off, I said they played their hearts out. It is my opinion they are not SEC-caliber players. You can disagree, but no reason to put words into my mouth to try to make me look like I'm hating on players.

Second of all, you are OUT OF YOUR MIND if you don't think losing 4 BIG MEN did not hurt us. We traded 4 players who had 15 years of college experience for 3 that have absolutely none. Do you not understand that when Seniors graduate, there should be Sophomores and Juniors who are supposed to pick up the slack?

Thirdly, I don't have any problem starting Coury because Stevenson can't play the entire game!

Next time, go back and READ what I post before you start flaming me for "dissing our players". ;)

[Will Lavender]

Second of all, you are OUT OF YOUR MIND if you don't think losing 4 BIG MEN did not hurt us. We traded 4 players who had 15 years of college experience for 3 that have absolutely none. Do you not understand that when Seniors graduate, there should be Sophomores and Juniors who are supposed to pick up the slack?

I must be out of my mind, because I agree with allnet on this.

If you swap Morris for Patterson, then we really lost very little. (In fact it could be argued that we lost nothing at all.) I agree that the injuries were killers, and that Gillispie deserved a little time because of the basic transition of coming into a new program, but I really find it hard to swallow that losing kids like Sheray and Woo hurt.

In fact I find it impossible to swallow because it's just not true. At all. What it is is another dig at Tubby Smith.

[UKS2H]

I must be out of my mind, because I agree with allnet on this.

If you swap Morris for Patterson, then we really lost very little. (In fact it could be argued that we lost nothing at all.) I agree that the injuries were killers, and that Gillispie deserved a little time because of the basic transition of coming into a new program, but I really find it hard to swallow that losing kids like Sheray and Woo hurt.

In fact I find it impossible to swallow because it's just not true. At all. What it is is another dig at Tubby Smith.

So Perry, Sheray, and Woo were what? We lost 1 of our top 5 scorers and rebounders in Perry, and I think it's easy to say Woo is a lot better of an inside option than Jared Carter, Mike Williams, and Mark Coury.

I just can't understand the logic in thinking that losing all the experience, height, and points/rebounds can somehow be evened out by 3 Freshmen.

Also, Coury played 20 minutes last season, the same as Jared Carter. They weren't ready to take over for any of the guys who left.

[allnet]

First of all, I NEVER dissed our players. If you actually go back and read before shooting your mouth off, I said they played their hearts out. It is my opinion they are not SEC-caliber players. You can disagree, but no reason to put words into my mouth to try to make me look like I'm hating on players.

Second of all, you are OUT OF YOUR MIND if you don't think losing 4 BIG MEN did not hurt us. We traded 4 players who had 15 years of college experience for 3 that have absolutely none. Do you not understand that when Seniors graduate, there should be Sophomores and Juniors who are supposed to pick up the slack?

Thirdly, I don't have any problem starting Coury because Stevenson can't play the entire game!

Next time, go back and READ what I post before you start flaming me for "dissing our players". ;)

Well how are other posters supposed to interpret your post? This is what you said wasn't it?

"I guess what bothers me most is that some people really believe that players like Michael Porter, Mark Coury, Jared Carter, Mike Williams, and some others even deserve to play at UK or for any team in the SEC. These are all Tubby recruits. tWe have 10 players on the bench who average less than 2 in all statistical categories that matter. I am not bashing these kids. They seem to play their hearts out and give it everything they've got, but they just aren't talented enough to play against the nation's best. "


If you don't believe those kids DESERVE to play for UK it seems pretty clear what you do believe. You call out Coury by name, and G actually starts him, so what is it you are saying about G exactly? I get tired of people claiming our recruits don't deserve to play for UK, I think it belittles them, and is another warning sign for potential recruits as to how they might be treated by some of our "fans", such as you, when they get here. It is also a big deterrent for their parents, kids may not bloom, may not prosper, may end up as practice players, but if they fulfill their part of the scholarship agreement and keep their nose clean off the court, I hate to hear fans making these types of accusations. This is a bad habit that has grown up on all the internet boards, playing judge and jury for kids basketball abilities in a large public forum, when imo, none of us really know a whole lot about the situation. Sure, it's always been done, but usually the exposure might have been to 10 people at the maximum, and you knew them all, and none of them was connected to the recruit.

Now it's an open forum, that gets read by parents and prospects and people are saying that kid doesn't deserve to wear our uni, or that kid doesn't deserve to play for our team, or that kid isn't even a Div 1 player, he should be NAIA at best or similar crap. Did you ever consider what Porter, Coury, Carter and Williams feel after reading a post like yours??

I think they feel dissed.

[jdeasy]

[quote=BigBlue75;412861]I agree, allnet. It might have been time for a change at the end of last season but this notion that the UK program was completely in the toliet the last two years is utter nonsense. It's kind of funny that some people are so blind with hatred and anger that they think everyone else that doesn't agree with them is blind. :icon_rolleyes:[/quote

yeah and it is the same posters over and over again:icon_rolleyes::icon_rolleyes::icon_rolleyes:


Blind with hatred describes the ones that diss the coach now for no reasons. Yes, the program was in the tank the last two seasons and moving further down. We lost 25 games over those two years with the number 1 recruiting class in the nation. We finished out of the top 25 both seasons. We even had a shrink come in to find out what was going on. Stockton was playing over Rondo.

During that time, we had 4 high school AA's, the number 1 JUCO in the Nation, plus Sparks, plus Woo and Allyene. Yet, we get blown out by IU and Kansas. We barely beat the Jackrabbits in Rupp.

BCG had to play this season without 6 of the top players from last year's team. A team that went 7-9 down the stretch and 9-7 in the SEC. He replaced those 6 players with PP and he's missed two games with injuries as well. Both losses.

We know a marginally talented team that's getting better as the season goes on instead of flaming out.

Even if you are right about BCG, there is no way to know in the first season. To try to say otherwise is where the blindness comes in.

We have a coach that doesn't make excuses while some pine for a coach that threw the players under the bus at every opportunity. They make innuendo comments about thing they were concerned with early, but, they can't for the life of them name any specific that they are whining about.

If you are a UK fan, you will come to appreciate BCG as coach of the Wildcats. If you are not a UK fan, nobody really cares if you ever give him his proper respect.

[UKS2H]

Well how are other posters supposed to interpret your post? This is what you said wasn't it?

"I guess what bothers me most is that some people really believe that players like Michael Porter, Mark Coury, Jared Carter, Mike Williams, and some others even deserve to play at UK or for any team in the SEC. These are all Tubby recruits. tWe have 10 players on the bench who average less than 2 in all statistical categories that matter. I am not bashing these kids. They seem to play their hearts out and give it everything they've got, but they just aren't talented enough to play against the nation's best. "


If you don't believe those kids DESERVE to play for UK it seems pretty clear what you do believe. You call out Coury by name, and G actually starts him, so what is it you are saying about G exactly? I get tired of people claiming our recruits don't deserve to play for UK, I think it belittles them, and is another warning sign for potential recruits as to how they might be treated by some of our "fans", such as you, when they get here. It is also a big deterrent for their parents, kids may not bloom, may not prosper, may end up as practice players, but if they fulfill their part of the scholarship agreement and keep their nose clean off the court, I hate to hear fans making these types of accusations. This is a bad habit that has grown up on all the internet boards, playing judge and jury for kids basketball abilities in a large public forum, when imo, none of us really know a whole lot about the situation. Sure, it's always been done, but usually the exposure might have been to 10 people at the maximum, and you knew them all, and none of them was connected to the recruit.

Now it's an open forum, that gets read by parents and prospects and people are saying that kid doesn't deserve to wear our uni, or that kid doesn't deserve to play for our team, or that kid isn't even a Div 1 player, he should be NAIA at best or similar crap. Did you ever consider what Porter, Coury, Carter and Williams feel after reading a post like yours??

I think they feel dissed.

If any of those guys care about what anyone on this website or any other FAN MESSAGE BOARD has to say, then they would have never made it as far as they have made it thus far. Give me a break. You act like these guys are 10 year olds and we are talking about little league.

[allnet]

If any of those guys care about what anyone on this website or any other FAN MESSAGE BOARD has to say, then they would have never made it as far as they have made it thus far. Give me a break. You act like these guys are 10 year olds and we are talking about little league.

Sorry to inform you that parents have already publicly stated that the info on message boards have been read and have bothered them to the point of influencing their decision. I would think that was adequate to show that negativity about players can have an influence. Maybe a couple of the players we wanted "never DID make it this far", who knows.

Either way, I don't think posters claiming so and so doesn't deserve to be here is a good influence on potential recruits, do you?

[UKS2H]

Sorry to inform you that parents have already publicly stated that the info on message boards have been read and have bothered them to the point of influencing their decision. I would think that was adequate to show that negativity about players can have an influence. Maybe a couple of the players we wanted "never DID make it this far", who knows.

Either way, I don't think posters claiming so and so doesn't deserve to be here is a good influence on potential recruits, do you?

I think these are grown people and already are lucky to have the god-given talent to get a free ride in college and I sincerely doubt they care about anything said here. You have your opinion, I have mine. End of story.

[allnet]

[quote=jdeasy;413057][quote=TrueblueCATfan;412898]


Blind with hatred describes the ones that diss the coach now for no reasons....

Stockton was playing over Rondo.....


BCG had to play this season without 6 of the top players from last year's team.[ quote]

Wow, who are the posters you are referring to? The blind with hatred ones? Dissing the coach for NO REASONS, let's find em and set them in the corner.

Stockton was playing over Rondo??? Was that like when Porter was playing over Crawford? (No wonder some posters are nervous about this coach.:icon_biggrin:)

What is it with the "without 6 of the top players from last years squad"?
You mention that often, and in fact seem to mention it in every thread you get on about coaches. Who exactly besides Morris are we missing badly, and don't you think Patterson as a freshman, more than replaces Morris as a junior? I do, and I think statistically he is probably ahead of Morris, but the others were not dominant players by any means, and the players in our playing rotation are better than what were the main players last year, don't you think? I do. Jasper and Harris, and Meeks if he ever gets healthy.

[Catdaddy24]

I tell ya, I admit I was starting to get a little antsy towards BCG earlier in the season. I had a few questions on his x's and o's but he has proven me wrong and thank goodness. Like someone else had posted earlier, there are a few things off the court that makes me wonder whats going to happen in the future with him at UK. Can he stay poised as the UK coach off the court as well as on? We will see. But on the court he has proven himself this year to hold his own. His x's and o's are starting to hit on all cylinders and his player development for some has been outstanding. Once he gets some more 4 or 5 star talent in here we will see how he handles the reigns. IMO he will be just fine and in the next 2 years I predict elite 8 or final 4. From what I've witnessed so far I believe it is more than possible with an elite 8 visit next year. Hey I am the optimist.

[Will Lavender]

So Perry, Sheray, and Woo were what?

Not very good.

[Will Lavender]

Not very good.

Actually, let me qualify because that sounds bad.

Those three players all helped the team in various ways. I liked them all, and Bobby Perry obviously came up with some huge performances in post-season play his last two seasons.

But fans complained about those guys for four solid years. They played their guts out, but they were not on a UK level talent-wise. (Bobby Perry could possibly have been a role player on a good UK team.)

To bemoan their departure is just a convenient way of saying "Look what Billy Gillispie can do, and he has less than Tubby Smith!" No, Gillispie has about the same as Tubby Smith -- thus UAB, thus San Diego, thus Gardner Webb. Thus the similar record. The record in the SEC has been impressive, but take a look at the SEC. We ain't quite dealing with a murderer's row of top flight talent.

I'm just not going to sit here and buy the God bless Billy Gillispie stuff while we subtly slur Tubby out of the other side of our mouths. I LOVE Gillispie and think he'll do great at UK, but right now he can't hold a candle to all the things Tubby did here.

[UFWildcat]

This thread seems vaguely familiar.

Taking sides again. But what more could you ask for from UK fan base on the internet. :shrug1:

[UKBOO]

:shrug1:Actually, let me qualify because that sounds bad.

Those three players all helped the team in various ways. I liked them all, and Bobby Perry obviously came up with some huge performances in post-season play his last two seasons.

But fans complained about those guys for four solid years. They played their guts out, but they were not on a UK level talent-wise. (Bobby Perry could possibly have been a role player on a good UK team.)

To bemoan their departure is just a convenient way of saying "Look what Billy Gillispie can do, and he has less than Tubby Smith!" No, Gillispie has about the same as Tubby Smith -- thus UAB, thus San Diego, thus Gardner Webb. Thus the similar record. The record in the SEC has been impressive, but take a look at the SEC. We ain't quite dealing with a murderer's row of top flight talent.

I'm just not going to sit here and buy the God bless Billy Gillispie stuff while we subtly slur Tubby out of the other side of our mouths. I LOVE Gillispie and think he'll do great at UK, but right now he can't hold a candle to all the things Tubby did here.

I think people, and it seems even you, miss the point. Those three were not "UK starting quality". No doubt about it. I admired their games. But on every team there is a major drop off in talent at some point. Every team also has "OK" players that need experience. Last year's line up of UK level players or players with game experience had 8 or 9 guys. This year's had maybe 4. Maybe 5 if you count Legion for a half a year? But he didn't really get to a point where he contributed much. Crawford took almost a half a year to get into game shape (still has his days), Jasper is just now looking like he can move OK. Can't count Meeks. Stevenson has developed, but he certainly wasn't anywhere near ready in the early season.

YOU CAN'T DO IT WITH 5 GUYS.
Now, it is what it is. You go to war with what you have. UK struggled early. There are numerous factors. Did Coach make some bad choices? Probably. Do I use the six inch knife or the five in this gun fight?

Having said that, players like Harris, Stevenson and Jasper have come along. UK now loses 2 Pat.

I just do not see how people can put all the blame on Coach for the early season. I don't. I also do not make the argument that is was Tubby's fault either. It just is what it is. And in my mind, Coach gets a ton of credit for coaching UK above a very low place. Those who don't??? :shrug1::shrug1::shrug1::shrug1::shrug1:

[TrueblueCATfan]

[quote=jdeasy;413057][quote=TrueblueCATfan;412898]


Blind with hatred describes the ones that diss the coach now for no reasons. Yes, the program was in the tank the last two seasons and moving further down. We lost 25 games over those two years with the number 1 recruiting class in the nation. We finished out of the top 25 both seasons. We even had a shrink come in to find out what was going on. Stockton was playing over Rondo.

During that time, we had 4 high school AA's, the number 1 JUCO in the Nation, plus Sparks, plus Woo and Allyene. Yet, we get blown out by IU and Kansas. We barely beat the Jackrabbits in Rupp.

BCG had to play this season without 6 of the top players from last year's team. A team that went 7-9 down the stretch and 9-7 in the SEC. He replaced those 6 players with PP and he's missed two games with injuries as well. Both losses.

We know a marginally talented team that's getting better as the season goes on instead of flaming out.

Even if you are right about BCG, there is no way to know in the first season. To try to say otherwise is where the blindness comes in.

We have a coach that doesn't make excuses while some pine for a coach that threw the players under the bus at every opportunity. They make innuendo comments about thing they were concerned with early, but, they can't for the life of them name any specific that they are whining about.

If you are a UK fan, you will come to appreciate BCG as coach of the Wildcats. If you are not a UK fan, nobody really cares if you ever give him his proper respect.[/quote

we never said anything about not appreciating Gilliespie...respect....did you ever give any to our fromer coach.NO all you ever did was bash the man....so don't talk about somebody being a real fan...move on.....we have a new coach

[poodoo]

I'm just not going to sit here and buy the God bless Billy Gillispie stuff while we SUBTLY slur Tubby out of the other side of our mouths. I LOVE Gillispie and think he'll do great at UK, but right now he can't hold a candle to all the things Tubby did here.

:thumbup::thumbup:, Will, for that part of your post. Also, neither am I. I JOIN you because it's the RIGHT thing to do.

On this thread I myself had SUBTLY mentioned, not once, but twice, that the comparisons are NOT necessary as we justly praise our coach for how the Cats performed Sunday. I LOVE to emphasize positives and lavish praise WHEN it's deserved. That praise is EXTREMELY deserved after the Cats' Sunday performance, without Patterson, against the number one ranked team in the nation on their homecourt. Yet, the thread deteriorated to the point I had feared would happen. :icon_sad:

I, too, LOVE Coach Gillispie and the job he is doing. YET, I don't enjoy being part of a thread that JUSTLY gives him praise, but has also has all those "digs" to which you refer. :icon_sad: Why such is so necessary is totally beyond my thinking. :shrug1: Where is a spot for someone who loved and supported our former coach (but certainly knew some changes had to be made after last season and am pleased with how things transpired) AND also loves and supports our current coach and is SO EXCITED about the future?!!! Why should a discussion of deserved praise for Coach Gillispie involve our former coach at all? (I don't get it, and, again, I certainly don't get it, either, when folks are criticizing our current coach and comparing him to our former coach, for he CHOSE to leave and is NO LONGER our coach!)

Will, you are SO RIGHT that Coach Gillispie has not YET accomplished near the things that our former coach accomplished here, period (regardless of how disappointing the last two seasons were). When we, as a fan base, continue to hurl the "digs" or insults toward our former coach, we bring some of the negative impression the media paints of us upon ourselves. :icon_sad:

Personally, I LOVE "gushing" love when it's deserved. That's just me. I so dislike, however, anything remotely approaching hatred. You mention "God bless Gillispie" stuff. Well, I say, "God bless Coach Gillispie, and God bless our former coach, too." I mean every word of it.

I caught the end of the first hour of the WLAP Show tonight, FWIW. I had not intended to share what I had heard (as I try not to discuss our former coach here, for I think there is FAR too much obsession with him) :icon_frown:. I've changed my mind, though.

Someone named Steve, who had interviewed Coach Smith and had been close to the situation, noted that a HUGE part of Coach's leaving was so Saul could coach with him. He also shared how our former coach had had some health problems last season, not known to most. MOST OF ALL, though, he was sharing how he thought that the UK basketball job had really taken a toll on Coach Smith because of the OTHER side of the job. He noted that Coach Smith just could not say "NO" to anyone who asked of his time, referring to charities and community service.

THAT is the man some must continue subtly, or not so subtly, insult (and that's not even going into the obvious accomplishments as the UK coach, to which you refer). :icon_sad: Yes, I would LOVE to continue to SO PRAISE Coach Gillispie WHEN it's so obviously deserved, as is the case after Sunday's game, in particular. Again, :thumbdn::thumbdn: to the rest of that, though, and, yes, it puts a damper on my enthusiasm!

How such makes us UK fans appear! More than that, though, like you, I want to be NO part of that! I want merely to enjoy and support THIS coach, while disrespecting no one--and certainly someone who, most would agree, had some outstanding accomplishments during his coaching tenure at UK.

End of a MOST SINCERE expression of my feelings on this matter. My apologies for the length of this post. GO CATS! GO COACH G!

[matt colvin]

End of a MOST SINCERE expression of my feelings on this matter. My apologies for the length of this post. GO CATS! GO COACH G!

poodoo, you don't ever need to apologize for the length of your posts :thumbup:.

From what I've seen of Coach Smith this season, he almost looks and sounds like a man reborn. It's a case where he did what was best for him, too. And in the end, that's the most important thing, as no basketball team is worth a degradation of one's health.

I thought it was time for a change, and the opportunity seemed to be and has turned out to be the best for both parties. I watched the clips of the same interview poodoo speaks of, and I knew Coach Smith had done the right thing when I heard him say something to the effect of how he couldn't wait to come back to Rupp Arena and watch the games so he could critique the team the way many of us do :icon_mrgreen: He said that with some good natured humor, and I certainly had to smile when he said that. I also realize, though, that there was a lot of truth and message to that comment as well. I just hope that he will be welcomed back to share in our ties, and be a figure much the way Coach Hall has.

With that said, Go Cats, and beat the Gamecocks tomorrow night!

[poodoo]

poodoo, you don't ever need to apologize for the length of your posts :thumbup:.

From what I've seen of Coach Smith this season, he almost looks and sounds like a man reborn. It's a case where he did what was best for him, too. And in the end, that's the most important thing, as no basketball team is worth a degradation of one's health.

I thought it was time for a change, and the opportunity seemed to be and has turned out to be the best for both parties. I watched the clips of the same interview poodoo speaks of, and I knew Coach Smith had done the right thing when I heard him say something to the effect of how he couldn't wait to come back to Rupp Arena and watch the games so he could critique the team the way many of us do :icon_mrgreen: He said that with some good natured humor, and I certainly had to smile when he said that. I also realize, though, that there was a lot of truth and message to that comment as well. I just hope that he will be welcomed back to share in our ties, and be a figure much the way Coach Hall has.

With that said, Go Cats, and beat the Gamecocks tomorrow night!

Thanks, Matt. :) Too, I had come back to check this thread before calling it a night. I had wanted to check that it had not been misinterpreted by anyone. :)

Like you, I think the change was definitely the best for everyone concerned. While I did not hear the actual interview and had only heard the end of the discussion on the show, when I had responded in agreement with Will's point, it had just felt right to share what I had heard.

Most of all, may we get away from ANY discussion of our former coach and get back to expressing some confidence in our current one, which is the point of the thread with which I had so agreed (but without calling anyone out, as UKBOO also said in his post). I truly believe he especially deserves that after our Sunday performance, besides our performance during the conference race, in general. :)

For any who did not care for my post in which I poured out those sincere feelings, there are two things I especially learned from my so beloved parents. Those were not to say anything at all about someone unless I had something nice to say, and the other was always to stand up for what I thought was right. Well, hopefully that lengthy post at least brought out some smiles in Heaven. :icon_mrgreen: Too, Will, just look at what YOU started! :icon_mrgreen:

Seriously, back to more support for our CURRENT coach, Coach Gillispie, and God bless, EVERYONE (and I mean every word of that, too). :) GO CATS! BEAT THOSE GAMECOCKS!

[Will Lavender]

:shrug1:

I think people, and it seems even you, miss the point. Those three were not "UK starting quality". No doubt about it. I admired their games. But on every team there is a major drop off in talent at some point. Every team also has "OK" players that need experience. Last year's line up of UK level players or players with game experience had 8 or 9 guys. This year's had maybe 4. Maybe 5 if you count Legion for a half a year? But he didn't really get to a point where he contributed much. Crawford took almost a half a year to get into game shape (still has his days), Jasper is just now looking like he can move OK. Can't count Meeks. Stevenson has developed, but he certainly wasn't anywhere near ready in the early season.

YOU CAN'T DO IT WITH 5 GUYS.
Now, it is what it is. You go to war with what you have. UK struggled early. There are numerous factors. Did Coach make some bad choices? Probably. Do I use the six inch knife or the five in this gun fight?

Having said that, players like Harris, Stevenson and Jasper have come along. UK now loses 2 Pat.

I just do not see how people can put all the blame on Coach for the early season. I don't. I also do not make the argument that is was Tubby's fault either. It just is what it is. And in my mind, Coach gets a ton of credit for coaching UK above a very low place. Those who don't??? :shrug1::shrug1::shrug1::shrug1::shrug1:

No, I pretty much agree with you. (Though will say that I think when you've got the kind of players playing substantial minutes we've had the last two years you know you're going to struggle.)

I was just pointing out the Tubby vs. Billy G. thing (which is exactly what this thread is about) doesn't quite fly. At least not for me. The records are similar, the output is similar, the ugliness of the games is similar. Why? Many of the same players!

[TransientAlum]

Billy is a leader.

Last comment on all of that.

[wildcatcrazy]

Just seems to me we have a double standard here.

If Tubby had the same record with these players, we'd run him out of town.

With Gillispie, he has done a great job?

I just don't get it--or agree with it. I do agree that we are better off in the long-run with Coach Gillispie but the jury is still out----big-time---for me.

As a case in point, the theory is that Tubby couldn't recurit and that Billy G. is a great recuriter.

Where is the evidence of that? We have only one talented freshman (Patterson--thank goodness) and the incoming class of Liggins and Miller is good--not great only because we need a big man and need some "numbers".

Where is the proof that Billy G is a great recruiter? (I do agree that we likely don't get Patterson or Miller without Coa