Kentucky all business about getting stronger [Archive] - Wildcat Nation Forums

WildcatRick

07-13-2006, 04:35 PM

Kentucky senior small forward Bobby Perry felt like he knew the Wildcats' new strength and conditioning coach before he met him.

While Perry was relaxing at home in Durham, N.C., before beginning summer classes at UK, teammates fed him scouting reports about Scott Holsopple. The words "serious" and "hard worker" were repeated each time the conversation turned to Holsopple. Senior power forward Sheray Thomas[/db] kept using the same two words to continually describe him: All business.

It took one workout for Perry to realize that reputation was deserved.

"My expectations were pretty high coming in after everything I heard," Perry told Rivals.com, "and when I first started working out with him he made a big impression. His level of intensity was unbelievable. He won't allow you to quit and he's with you the entire time, right by your side."

Many were expecting Tubby Smith to dismiss some of his assistant coaches after a rocky 22-13 season – which included the school's first home loss to Vanderbilt. But the only change he made to his staff was the addition of Holsopple, who spent the last five seasons as the strength and conditioning coach for Marquette's athletic department. Holsopple, who works only with the men's basketball team at UK, replaces Tom Boyd. Smith fired Boyd, who held the position since the Smith era began in 1997, in the middle of last season.

Holsopple, who was a former All-America boxer at Penn State, brings a new attitude and mentality to Lexington, Ky.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=rivals-39836&prov=rivals&type=lgns

WildcatDan

07-13-2006, 04:53 PM

"My job isn't just strength and conditioning, it also involves sport-specific development," Holsopple said. "That means creating faster footwork and more explosiveness. We do a lot of work to increase agility and flexibility."
I like this guy already! Sounds like the hard nosed, serious minded, motivational type of strength coach we need at UK.

RCS

07-13-2006, 05:01 PM

I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.

blewis18

07-13-2006, 06:17 PM

RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.

RCS I think we all know you mean with exception to...

http://ecsowder.blogplot.com/21/img_Apr_11_2005_16_46?display=original

Good gosh those arms could break my thigh!!!

CaliUKFan

07-13-2006, 09:32 PM

probably could make a similar argument for Bogans in his senior year

trublue4life

07-13-2006, 09:57 PM

RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I really hadn't noticed them being terribly out of shape until last season. Last year, from day 1, the team looked to me to be a step slow, weak inside and too easily fatigued. I always wondered how much effect Chuck's graduation had on the motivation for offseason "voluntary" workouts. My guess is Chuck wouldn't let guys take summers off. For Tubby to pull a mid-season firing of the strength coach, especially one that had been around for his entire tenure, means things must have been totally out of control and worse than even I imagined.

DCWildcat

07-13-2006, 10:24 PM

Sparks and Crawford were unacceptably out of shape last season. Maybe a Holsoppling will do a world of good.

KY Native in IN

07-14-2006, 12:34 AM

all business and getting stronger???.....they got dang better be!

no fiddle fartin' around this season men! let's get in there and get it done!

NUMBER EIGHT!!!!!!!:wildcatface

cumberlandredskin

07-14-2006, 07:42 AM

RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I have thought the same as you. A really good conditioning program will reap huge dividends this season. It will make them physically and mentally stronger.I think there's a good chance it will develop good team chemistry too. Sometimes when a team goes through a really tough conditioning regime it builds a bond between them.

phoenix

07-14-2006, 12:01 PM

trublue4life wrote: RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I really hadn't noticed them being terribly out of shape until last season. Last year, from day 1, the team looked to me to be a step slow, weak inside and too easily fatigued. I always wondered how much effect Chuck's graduation had on the motivation for offseason "voluntary" workouts. My guess is Chuck wouldn't let guys take summers off. For Tubby to pull a mid-season firing of the strength coach, especially one that had been around for his entire tenure, means things must have been totally out of control and worse than even I imagined.

I have no idea why they fired the strength coach last year. I don't think anyone else does either. I thought they looked a little slow because they WERE a little slow last season. Hopefully, Sparks, Stockton, and Moss being gone will up the speed quotient overall somewhat. I didn't think Thomas was exceptionally fast nor Morris. Part of the reason Rondo didn't have the quality season he might have. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference in Thomas particularly, and if Morris can cut his body fat a slight bit it might help him, but I don't see him as distressingly fat.

Will Lavender

07-14-2006, 12:59 PM

phoenix wrote: trublue4life wrote: RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I really hadn't noticed them being terribly out of shape until last season. Last year, from day 1, the team looked to me to be a step slow, weak inside and too easily fatigued. I always wondered how much effect Chuck's graduation had on the motivation for offseason "voluntary" workouts. My guess is Chuck wouldn't let guys take summers off. For Tubby to pull a mid-season firing of the strength coach, especially one that had been around for his entire tenure, means things must have been totally out of control and worse than even I imagined.

I have no idea why they fired the strength coach last year. I don't think anyone else does either. I thought they looked a little slow because they WERE a little slow last season. Hopefully, Sparks, Stockton, and Moss being gone will up the speed quotient overall somewhat. I didn't think Thomas was exceptionally fast nor Morris. Part of the reason Rondo didn't have the quality season he might have. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference in Thomas particularly, and if Morris can cut his body fat a slight bit it might help him, but I don't see him as distressingly fat.

I think it was because Kansas and Indiana made us look like we were third graders playing tetherball on the recess yard.

phoenix

07-14-2006, 05:02 PM

Will Lavender wrote: phoenix wrote: trublue4life wrote: RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I really hadn't noticed them being terribly out of shape until last season. Last year, from day 1, the team looked to me to be a step slow, weak inside and too easily fatigued. I always wondered how much effect Chuck's graduation had on the motivation for offseason "voluntary" workouts. My guess is Chuck wouldn't let guys take summers off. For Tubby to pull a mid-season firing of the strength coach, especially one that had been around for his entire tenure, means things must have been totally out of control and worse than even I imagined.

I have no idea why they fired the strength coach last year. I don't think anyone else does either. I thought they looked a little slow because they WERE a little slow last season. Hopefully, Sparks, Stockton, and Moss being gone will up the speed quotient overall somewhat. I didn't think Thomas was exceptionally fast nor Morris. Part of the reason Rondo didn't have the quality season he might have. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference in Thomas particularly, and if Morris can cut his body fat a slight bit it might help him, but I don't see him as distressingly fat.

I think it was because Kansas and Indiana made us look like we were third graders playing tetherball on the recess yard.
Perhaps, but then the other 8 years we looked pretty competitive. My guess is that it was something nobody had any idea about. That kind of thing just doesn't happen in the middle of the season. I doubt it was strength issues at all last year. Bet it was something else, but don't even pretend to have a hint what that might have been.

Will Lavender

07-14-2006, 05:13 PM

phoenix wrote: Will Lavender wrote: phoenix wrote: trublue4life wrote: RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I really hadn't noticed them being terribly out of shape until last season. Last year, from day 1, the team looked to me to be a step slow, weak inside and too easily fatigued. I always wondered how much effect Chuck's graduation had on the motivation for offseason "voluntary" workouts. My guess is Chuck wouldn't let guys take summers off. For Tubby to pull a mid-season firing of the strength coach, especially one that had been around for his entire tenure, means things must have been totally out of control and worse than even I imagined.

I have no idea why they fired the strength coach last year. I don't think anyone else does either. I thought they looked a little slow because they WERE a little slow last season. Hopefully, Sparks, Stockton, and Moss being gone will up the speed quotient overall somewhat. I didn't think Thomas was exceptionally fast nor Morris. Part of the reason Rondo didn't have the quality season he might have. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference in Thomas particularly, and if Morris can cut his body fat a slight bit it might help him, but I don't see him as distressingly fat.

I think it was because Kansas and Indiana made us look like we were third graders playing tetherball on the recess yard.
Perhaps, but then the other 8 years we looked pretty competitive. My guess is that it was something nobody had any idea about. That kind of thing just doesn't happen in the middle of the season. I doubt it was strength issues at all last year. Bet it was something else, but don't even pretend to have a hint what that might have been.
I posted this once before.

I heard Tubby applaud Tom Boyd last October for the fact that we hadn't really had too many injuries in his time at Kentucky.

Last year, we had a bunch of little injuries.

Who knows. Conditioning is one thing that I always disagreed with many posters on, basically arguing that it was another overblown criticism of Tubby. Last year, though, I had to eat some crow. It was the first time I really noticed, just anecdotally, that we were not as strong as we should have been.

Dwight Schrute

07-14-2006, 06:05 PM

I thought I remember reading on the other board that a big reason Boyd was fired (and which would explain why we looked so terrible last year) was his outside interest (whatever that was) that prohibited him from giving his all to the program.

If that were true, that would explain the piss poor condition that we seemed to be in last year. Even Tubby was looking a little heavier (though that may have had more to do with Donna's pie shop).

phoenix

07-14-2006, 07:25 PM

Will Lavender wrote: I posted this once before.

I heard Tubby applaud Tom Boyd last October for the fact that we hadn't really had too many injuries in his time at Kentucky.

Last year, we had a bunch of little injuries.

Who knows. Conditioning is one thing that I always disagreed with many posters on, basically arguing that it was another overblown criticism of Tubby. Last year, though, I had to eat some crow. It was the first time I really noticed, just anecdotally, that we were not as strong as we should have been.

I wouldn't pretend to know whether or not we are as strong as we should be from one year to the next, they all look pretty strong to me.

I didn't think we were fast, and arriving a 1/2 step late negates any strength advantage or equality you might have.

How was it anectdotally you "noticed we were not as strong as we should have been."?

Will Lavender

07-14-2006, 07:31 PM

phoenix wrote: Will Lavender wrote: I posted this once before.

I heard Tubby applaud Tom Boyd last October for the fact that we hadn't really had too many injuries in his time at Kentucky.

Last year, we had a bunch of little injuries.

Who knows. Conditioning is one thing that I always disagreed with many posters on, basically arguing that it was another overblown criticism of Tubby. Last year, though, I had to eat some crow. It was the first time I really noticed, just anecdotally, that we were not as strong as we should have been.

I wouldn't pretend to know whether or not we are as strong as we should be from one year to the next, they all look pretty strong to me.

I didn't think we were fast, and arriving a 1/2 step late negates any strength advantage or equality you might have.

How was it anectdotally you "noticed we were not as strong as we should have been."?

Because we got the ball ripped out of our hands a lot. Because our 4s couldn't hold their ground inside, and Morris tended to get in foul trouble because he had to go over and perpetually help. Because we got bullied a lot at almost every position. Joe Crawford and Ravi Moss, God bless them, were really taken to the shed by some of those big 3s. (That's a strength and a size issue, I realize, but still.) We gave up so many career highs to players last year Rupp Arena became the metaphorical equavilent of the back of your dad's Chrysler on prom night: guys were just gettin' lucky like crazy.

And I mean anecdotally rather than analytically.

You could, I guess, take a look at "strength stats" like rebounding, charges taken, steals, second half offensive output, etc. and try and see objectively if a team is in top physical condition.

blueheretic

07-15-2006, 12:03 AM

I'm telling you guys. This S&C, if he is as good as advertised, will bear more fruits than anything else Tubby has done in a while.

Confidence builder. More Strength. More aggession.

That will translate and/or lend itself to more wins. Toughness lends itself to a winning attitude.

Kentucky has been missing toughness since Magloire left.

Too many, Tarzan/Jane instances in the Tubby tenure.

SunBaller

07-15-2006, 01:01 AM

Our leading rebounder this pastseasonwas a 6' 1", 171 lb. skinnypoint guard . . .Rondo. I think it's obvious that our problem was more than strength. Footwork, agility, timing, athleticism, etc. is difficult to teach, itshould be recruited. We never lost a game because of rebounding anyway. This past season in our first game with Florida, the eventualNational Champs, we outrebounded them by 4 rebounds (37 - 33)and got beat by 15 points. We got beat out of the SEC Tournament by a South Carolina team that we outrebounded by 12 rebounds (38 - 26). In the first game with Alabama we outrebounded them by 10 rebounds (32 -22)and lost. But in the SEC Tournament Alabama outrebounded us by 10 rebouinds (45 - 35)and we beat them. Rondo, at 171 lbs., was the leading rebounder with 8 rebounds in our final gameloss to UConn in the NCAA Tournament. Rebounding strengthis not a major factor. Overall conditioning could be a factor, but near the end of the season (when it matters most) we had better second halves than first halves. We were down by 3 to UAB at the half and down by 12 to UConn at the half in the NCAA Tournament. We came back in the second half to beat UAB and cut the deficit to 4 points with UConn. Our conditioning seemed acceptable at the end of the season. The problems llie elsewhere, but any little thing we can improve is certainly welcomed.

I'm sorry, but I'm tired of digging for excuses to transfer the blame for our post season droughtfrom the Coaching Staff to players, fans, and anyone or anything else that can be dug up.

blueheretic

07-15-2006, 02:54 AM

SunBaller wrote: Our leading rebounder this pastseasonwas a 6' 1", 171 lb. skinnypoint guard . . .Rondo. I think it's obvious that our problem was more than strength. Footwork, agility, timing, athleticism, etc. is difficult to teach, itshould be recruited. We never lost a game because of rebounding anyway. This past season in our first game with Florida, the eventualNational Champs, we outrebounded them by 4 rebounds (37 - 33)and got beat by 15 points. We got beat out of the SEC Tournament by a South Carolina team that we outrebounded by 12 rebounds (38 - 26). In the first game with Alabama we outrebounded them by 10 rebounds (32 -22)and lost. But in the SEC Tournament Alabama outrebounded us by 10 rebouinds (45 - 35)and we beat them. Rondo, at 171 lbs., was the leading rebounder with 8 rebounds in our final gameloss to UConn in the NCAA Tournament. Rebounding strengthis not a major factor. Overall conditioning could be a factor, but near the end of the season (when it matters most) we had better second halves than first halves. We were down by 3 to UAB at the half and down by 12 to UConn at the half in the NCAA Tournament. We came back in the second half to beat UAB and cut the deficit to 4 points with UConn. Our conditioning seemed acceptable at the end of the season. The problems llie elsewhere, but any little thing we can improve is certainly welcomed.

I'm sorry, but I'm tired of digging for excuses to transfer the blame for our post season droughtfrom the Coaching Staff to players, fans, and anyone or anything else that can be dug up.

Someone asked if there was a Tubby norm. There it is.

phoenix

07-15-2006, 08:28 AM

blueheretic wrote: I'm telling you guys. This S&C, if he is as good as advertised, will bear more fruits than anything else Tubby has done in a while.

Confidence builder. More Strength. More aggession.

That will translate and/or lend itself to more wins. Toughness lends itself to a winning attitude.

Kentucky has been missing toughness since Magloire left.

Too many, Tarzan/Jane instances in the Tubby tenure.

The Bogans team was a tough team.

The Daniels, Fitch, Hawkins, Hayes group was even tougher. Both big winners too.

I really don't see one area to point at as a major failure other than maybe overall team speed last year in terms of conditioning, and don't know that there is conditioning for that. I don't think S&C was a main component to losses last year.

It was"the team, boss, the team". Just never worked. I think good strength and conditioning is always a plus for mental endurance, but it won't solve any big problems in our program because I never felt itWAS a big problem in our program, but maybe last year it was less than it could have been. I still am somewhat perplexed as to why an experienced coach is let go in the middle of the season.

Look forward to maximizing that portion of the game though, if indeed it wasn't up to snuff before.

rickdacatkilla

07-15-2006, 10:04 AM

sounds like a great getfor you guys.

UKSam

07-15-2006, 10:31 AM

Not only will this help in the obvious: strength, quickness, jumping and a reduction of injuries. I am hoping it will bring a don't quit attitude and a swagger we haven't had a while.

gsparks

07-15-2006, 10:57 AM

Why did it take Tubby this long to see we are out of shape? Ricky's teams were never like that.

phoenix

07-15-2006, 06:46 PM

gsparks wrote: Why did it take Tubby this long to see we are out of shape? Ricky's teams were never like that.
Yeah right, at least not til last year.. .:rolleyes:

poodoo

07-15-2006, 10:39 PM

Thanks for the link, Rick.

Too, I really like what I read about this guy. Count me in with those who think he can make a difference in strength and conditioning. He did at Marquette.We'll see.:)

audacious1

07-16-2006, 04:50 PM

RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I disagree and see this as another slam on Tubby. "Top physical condition" is subjective and varies with each player. Being more specific would help give credibility to your position.

audacious1

07-16-2006, 04:53 PM

Will Lavender wrote: phoenix wrote: Will Lavender wrote: I posted this once before.

I heard Tubby applaud Tom Boyd last October for the fact that we hadn't really had too many injuries in his time at Kentucky.

Last year, we had a bunch of little injuries.

Who knows. Conditioning is one thing that I always disagreed with many posters on, basically arguing that it was another overblown criticism of Tubby. Last year, though, I had to eat some crow. It was the first time I really noticed, just anecdotally, that we were not as strong as we should have been.

I wouldn't pretend to know whether or not we are as strong as we should be from one year to the next, they all look pretty strong to me.

I didn't think we were fast, and arriving a 1/2 step late negates any strength advantage or equality you might have.

How was it anectdotally you "noticed we were not as strong as we should have been."?

Because we got the ball ripped out of our hands a lot. Because our 4s couldn't hold their ground inside, and Morris tended to get in foul trouble because he had to go over and perpetually help. Because we got bullied a lot at almost every position. Joe Crawford and Ravi Moss, God bless them, were really taken to the shed by some of those big 3s. (That's a strength and a size issue, I realize, but still.) We gave up so many career highs to players last year Rupp Arena became the metaphorical equavilent of the back of your dad's Chrysler on prom night: guys were just gettin' lucky like crazy.

And I mean anecdotally rather than analytically.

You could, I guess, take a look at "strength stats" like rebounding, charges taken, steals, second half offensive output, etc. and try and see objectively if a team is in top physical condition.

I don't believe there are such things as "strength stats" as things like quickness, basketball IQ, what plays we're running factor into those items you've mentioned more than strength.

Conditioning while related to strength manifests itself much differently in the box score.

phoenix

07-16-2006, 08:32 PM

Tre Pryor wrote: Will Lavender wrote: phoenix wrote: Will Lavender wrote: I posted this once before.

I heard Tubby applaud Tom Boyd last October for the fact that we hadn't really had too many injuries in his time at Kentucky.

Last year, we had a bunch of little injuries.

Who knows. Conditioning is one thing that I always disagreed with many posters on, basically arguing that it was another overblown criticism of Tubby. Last year, though, I had to eat some crow. It was the first time I really noticed, just anecdotally, that we were not as strong as we should have been.

I wouldn't pretend to know whether or not we are as strong as we should be from one year to the next, they all look pretty strong to me.

I didn't think we were fast, and arriving a 1/2 step late negates any strength advantage or equality you might have.

How was it anectdotally you "noticed we were not as strong as we should have been."?

Because we got the ball ripped out of our hands a lot. Because our 4s couldn't hold their ground inside, and Morris tended to get in foul trouble because he had to go over and perpetually help. Because we got bullied a lot at almost every position. Joe Crawford and Ravi Moss, God bless them, were really taken to the shed by some of those big 3s. (That's a strength and a size issue, I realize, but still.) We gave up so many career highs to players last year Rupp Arena became the metaphorical equavilent of the back of your dad's Chrysler on prom night: guys were just gettin' lucky like crazy.

And I mean anecdotally rather than analytically.

You could, I guess, take a look at "strength stats" like rebounding, charges taken, steals, second half offensive output, etc. and try and see objectively if a team is in top physical condition.

I don't believe there are such things as "strength stats" as things like quickness, basketball IQ, what plays we're running factor into those items you've mentioned more than strength.

Conditioning while related to strength manifests itself much differently in the box score.

Yeah, I was hoping he had something more definitive also, that was why I asked about the anectdotal proofs.

phoenix

07-16-2006, 08:36 PM

Tre Pryor wrote: RCS wrote: I frankly have thought UK never looked in top physical condition the entire time Tubby has been here. They don't look terrible or anything, just not as good as is physically possible. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.
I disagree and see this as another slam on Tubby. "Top physical condition" is subjective and varies with each player. Being more specific would help give credibility to your position.

Certainly got a lot of wins by not being in the best shape possible. I wonder if Tubby could help me before I go see my doctor next time. He must know a secret or two.

Nothing like subjective criticism though, hard to rebuke it. (Hard to prove it to, but that is besides the point).

Regardless, I assume there was a problem somewhere that needed to be fixed last season. I guess I really don't need to know where or whatthe problem was exactly, just need it to be fixed.

blueheretic

07-17-2006, 12:03 AM

Apparently, you guys know more than Tubby Smith as well. He saw the4 need for a change. Fired the old S&C Coach and hired Holsopple.

I guess we can go tell Tubby that he made a mistake. He needs to fire Holsopple now and re-hire the old guy.

You guys go to great lengths to deny that there are any flaws in the Tubby system.

It's almost funny.

No there are no problems. Tubby is perfect. When is the canonization of Saint Orlando. lol

Amazing.

13 losses. Thisis the ant-ithesis of the Championship year. That year Tubby won the Regular Season SEC, theSEC Tourney and the NCAA Tourney. First time that had ever been accomplished. This year. Tubby lost everything. Got romped at home byVandy. Got crushed by KU and IU. The Gators (who so many UK fans were saying weren't that good) kicked us around like dirty step children. The year of thecupcake--the year that even the cupcakes gave UK a run for their money and almostsucceeded. Something that should never happenbut that becomes morefrequent in the Tubby era. There is your proof that UK and Tubby had problems.

That exceeding bit of ugliness occurs one year removed from Tubby Smith declaring in the press that it is time for Kentucky to get back to the Final Four. One year removed from arguablyhis best recruiting class at UK.

But no. You guys are correct. Things are perfect at UK. This is exactly what I'm talking about. Any time anyone dares to say that Tubby has had a less than perfect tenure, there are some on this site who are so defensive that they attack.

I give you Phoenix and Tre Pryor above.

God forbid that Orlando be called anything less than perfect. lol

"We shall have you dealt with knave. Loose not your perfidious tongue on the perfection that is Tubby Smith."

In Tubby they trust. I guess if I put all of my hope in one person, I'd be defensive too.

WildcatDan

07-17-2006, 01:21 AM

Who else would you put your hope in for next season at UK?

blueheretic

07-17-2006, 05:10 AM

WildcatDan wrote: Who else would you put your hope in for next season at UK?

Moot point.

It's not about replacing the man. It's about him being accountable for his actions or lack thereof. It's about him taking care of his responsibilities.

Many of you seem loathe to do so. As if nothing that occurs at UK is the responsibility of Tubby Smith. As if he is accountable for nothing and to no one.

This is Tubby Smith. He is above reproach to so many of you. It's as if he were GOD almighty himself.

Phoenix and those who think like himseem to think that nothing is going wrong. It's all proceeding rather swimmingly.

Tre Pryor and those who think like him want to brand everyone as if they have some sort of dark agenda. We must replace the Tubster before the full autumn equinox to curry favor with Loki, son of Odin.

Blah blah blah...

What I want is for Tubby to make changes that will enhance the program.

Changes that will attract recruits who will bring back a winning attitude to Rupp Arena.

Changes that will make UK dominant.

Changes that will give UK a defense that can overcome a bad defensive day.

Changes that will bring in Talent and keep that talent at UK. I'm not talking about the NBA. I'm talking about guys who transfer each year.

Changes that will create and foster an atmosphere at UK Bball HQ and with recruits that this is a team, a family, that UK is a fun place to be and play.

Changes that will get UK players in the Top Tier of the Draft rather than into the 2nd Round and the back door of the NBA.

Changes that make UK a primary choice. Instead of the second or third choice because Duke, UNC, UConn, Florida or whomever wasn't recruiting them. Or the Tubby favorite of cherry picking a recruit who has backed out of a prior commitment.

Changes that will put UK on the road to the Final Four.

Changes that will allow him to build upon momentum rather than starting from scratch each October.

Change that will have the press speaking highly of Tubby Smith and UK.

Changes that will put the fear back into the eyes and hearts of the opponent. If you think anyone fears a Tubby Smith coached UK, you are joking.

Changes that will unite the fan base.

Positive change.

This is the least positive that I have seen the UK fan base in years. The UK Basketball program is about to join the UK football program.

But if you say such a thing, either you don't know anything or you have an agenda.

Yeah, I have an agenda. Bring Kentucky Basketball and get rid of this Tubby Ball. Get back to dominance.

I can already hear Will lavender typing his post. It's not possible to be a dominant program in this new modern Age of Basketball. And DCWildcat chiming in with his VARIANCE. It's all the roll of a dice. Loki controls the dice.