Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
So what do you say about today? For a game that I could literally find no one who believed the Cats could win, it stayed surprisingly close throughout. Ok, thats my attempt at being positive. Now lets get real. The Cats lost a hideous game between two underperforming teams on national television and in so doing, assured themselves of being only a desperation run in the SEC Tournament from an NIT bid. The Gators came out early and were hot, building up a seven point lead that they essentially kept throughout the last 35 minutes of basketball that made James Naismith cry. The Cats at times looked inspired, at times disinterested and at virtually all times lost, and the Gators won a game that puts the Cats in the same position as Georgia heading into the SEC Tournament. It was tough to watch today, and the train wreck of an ending to the regular season is now finally over. Some notes….
— The story of the game from my perspective was the Cats’ inability to have anything resembling a gameplan against Florida’s zone. For most of the first half, the Cats looked like a team from Planet Man-to-Man that awkwardly landed in another galaxy and said “what is this crazy defense your people are attempting to play?” The ball simply moved around the perimeter, with no flashes into the heart of the zone, until one desperation outside shot was taken or the ball was lobbed to Patterson in traffic. In the second half (for baffling reasons), Billy got out of the zone, allowing UK to get some penetration lanes, but then with eight minutes to go they brought it back, and the Cats looked flustered again. Because UK doesnt play a zone defense they likely (a) dont practice against it in practice or (b) see a weak version of zone since they never run the scheme. Either way, they looked inept on the offensive end for most of the game and preparation seemed to once again be the cause.
— Defensively, I thought the Cats played ok. They came in with a gameplan to try and shut down Nick Calathes and Ramon Harris/Darius Miller did a decent job in executing that gameplan throughout. Calathes was held to five points and basically became a decoy option. The Gators only scored 60 points, a low enough total that if the Cats executed offensively they could win, and generally speaking there were few defensive breakdowns. The Cats’ weakness on the defensive end (the PG play) however once again showed through as Walter Hodge and Erving Walker combined for 28 points on the Michael Porter/Kevin Galloway defensive assignment. Those big shots and defensive lapses occurred on crucial possessions and deflated a couple of comeback attempts.
— Individually, the Cats have very little to hang their hats on tonight. Really only two players, Patterson and Ramon Harris, played to the top of their ability. Patrick had a huge first half, scoring 14 points and basically producing the only attempts at offense for Kentucky throughout. He was double and triple teamed and generally fought through those defenses to give the Cats some points and rebounds. In the second half, he was completely forgotten about and only had 2 points and 1 rebound, in large part because the ball was almost never sent his way. That consistent theme, forgetting the best player late, showed itself again today.
— As for the Razor, he had one of his best games of the post-injury time. He had 14 points and was aggressive in taking the ball to the basket. Outside of Patterson and Meeks, he was the only player that looked as if he might actually want to take a shot during the entire game. His defense on Calathes was generally stellar and he helped get a couple of steals and big rebounds in crucial possessions. Harris is what he is and will never be a top level talent, but if he plays with the aggression and fervor he did today, he can be a huge attribute, even on the offensive end.
— Another difficult performance for Jodie Meeks. He only scored 15 points, an amount that simply isnt enough for the Cats to win on the road, and looked out of sorts on both ends of the floor. When Jodie was open or got shots in the flow of the offense, he looked solid, but he once again forced a number of looks and seemed flustered by the zone defense from the Gators. Defensively he was better than in the last couple of games, but still found himself beat off the dribble too often. These last few games have really hurt Meeks’ on the national scale and have likely taken him off the conversation for First Team All American.
— At least with the three guys above however, points were scored. Until the eight minute mark in the second half, only THREE Cats had even scored in the game. Think about that….for 32 minutes, only the two superstars and the Razor could put the ball in the basket. And worse yet for me, the other guys didnt even seem to have a desire to LOOK FOR OFFENSE. There was no penetration, no looks for outside jumpers and very little rebounding. Bottom line is that most of the other players looked scared and that makes it impossible to win.
— I dont know how to explain why it has happened, but Perry Stevenson has taken a huge step backwards this sseason. He looks unbelievably tentative on the offensive end, has basically given up attempting to rebound the basketball and has yet to improve on his individual defense, thus making him a liability when he is on the floor. Add to that his seemingly NCAA record streak for number of consecutive games with a traveling call and he may very well be the most frustrating player on the roster for me right now.
— A very poor day of play from the point guard position. Michael Porter and Kevin Galloway combined to get 4 points and allow 28 against them for a performance that made it difficult to win. Porter was once again unable to guard his man on defense (a continual theme of the season and the main reason Gillispie simply has to adjust when he is in the game) and Kevin Galloway looked lost and out of control throughout most of the rest of the proceedings. Both guys definitely will not want to cherish this game tape.
— Finally, a word about where this team has been/is going. We can all debate the level of talent on this team and that has been done perpetually throughout the season. But one thing is clear….this team has gotten substantially worse as the year goes on. The Cats started 5-0 in conference and have lost 8 of 11 since. During that entire time, the talent has been the same….but the execution and preparation has gone downhill at an unbelievable rate. Everyone has their opinions about where this program is going or where it should be headed and I think reasonable minds can differ. But one thing that seems beyond clear to me is that is the worst coached UK team of my lifetime. I firmly believe Gillispie is a good coach and has huge amounts of ability in the profession. But this has been a terrible performance by him and seems to only be getting worse. That is troubling.
We will have more later tonight. Now is the time to enjoy this weather….
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March 7th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
This is one of the worst Fla teams Billy D has had and they whipped us.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I’m sorry guys its not coach who is turning the ball over and not rebounding. Sure he could take Porter out of the position of turning the ball over every other time up the floor. The players play like they are scared. Maybe in some peoples opinion that is Coach’s fault… i disagree however.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
By the way go EAGLES tonight on ESPN 2 at 8 pm. Donnie Tyndall is a good coach obviously.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
When is the NIT Selection Show? Can we start the first ever KSR NIT Bracket Challenge? Hope we don’t draw Tennessee-Martin in the first round.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I would love to see us play in memorial, but not if we’re going to come out and play like…well like ourselves I guess. Turn down the NIT, it will be nothing but a blow to the teams confidence, or whats left of it.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Newsflash to Razor: You should have been doing this all year!
March 7th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Just my opinion, but in listening Gillispie’s post game show, he was not nearly as cocky and offensive as usual. He sounded very humble and may be realizing that he has lost control of this team. That gives me hope for the future because you can only fix something after you realize there is a problem.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I think when the games are not sold out and fans stop following the CATS for tournaments and road games Mitch & the brain trust with make a change. If BCG doesn’t resign or get himself fired for something stupid.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Just absolutly painful to watch. I have never seen such unorganized play at this program. I honestly believe they would play better if they just played it like a pick up game. I know that the players are not executing very well, but this system, or lack there of, is brutal. This dog won’t hunt.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
FIRE THIS CLOWN — NOW
Don’t let him continue to dig a deeper hole.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
7) BCG needs to go on the Interventions Show.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Poor Pat. Wish things coulda been different.
Vote if you get bored.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I remember Tubby losing control twice… the first time with Des Allison and gang he bounced back, the second time with rondo and gang he left.
I sure hope BCG can bounce back but it looks rough.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
You totally glazed over Billy Clyde’s post-game comments. Coach was very eloquent and forthright with game details. Players were treated with kid gloves. Mr. Leach was lavished with respect by Coach. Billy passed your etiquette quiz with flying colors.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I don’t see Gillispie as a good coach on any level. Not even recruiting. No adjustment to the zone in the first half - I would say unbelievable, but it’s what you expect from this deer in the headlights in over his head Texas redneck.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Gillispie will be given one more year to produce. However, no more head games. Just win baby!
March 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
2..its the coaches job to teach fundamentals and when you can do that by March, then you failed.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Matt… it’s not just that the team has gotten worse. It’s that it’s very easy to gameplan against a team that doesn’t switch offense or defense!
Like I wrote last thread… how long would we give Brooks if he ran man press all season, and threw 100% of the time on offense.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
A challenge to the fans of BCG…what have you seen from him in 2 years that makes you believe he is the right coach to bring UK back? I’m not looking for a defense of why you don’t fire him after 2 years but what do you see in him that you like? What have you seen him do to make you think he can fix this mess?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
2, that’s no excuse… that’s the coaching staff’s job to fix the turnovers in practice over the course of the season . The team has gotten worse, not better. The methods used to attack or execute against a press and defense are not putting the players in a position to be succesful, and our point guards should be able to improve their ball handling and passing (and judgemental) skills thorugh the course of the season. If they are playing well in practice, then it must mean the practice players are not posing enough of a challenge, and the coach should be using extra bodies from his abundance of practice and bench players as extra defensive players in practice. Play 7 against five if you have to, and force the players to learn to move and make decisions in practicet that they will actually face in games. Turnovers are a huge problem for the team , but only one of many that coach has not corrected.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
14) Now it’s time for you to give BCG a swift reach-around.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Although I fully support him returning next year, #19 is correct, he has yet to prove anything and will be required to prove it next year. Without a doubt, this program would be in better hands with Travis Ford as coach.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
21. What we need is a poll to gauge where we are.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
#14….didnt listen to it….but looks like someone gave him the KSR list
March 7th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
23) We are at the bottom.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Watching Billy Coach is too painful!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
25. We go uphill from the hollar.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I listened to the post game show and Gillispie was singing a much different tune. It was the first time I actually felt that he recognized a problem.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Ha! Ha! Ha! I told you guys
so, but you just wouldn’t
listen. Keep Billy at Kentucky
is the battle cry of every
UK opponent.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
27) not with BCG manning the ship
March 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
dr. drew needs to counsel billy. remember the 1st step is admitting you have a problem.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
to me not making the tourney is not the worst part of this season, its the complete lack of progression. this team has done nothing but go backwards. I think this team has given up on BCG at least the ones he brought in to make us better than last year.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Never thought I’d say this, but,,,
BCG has just gotta go.
Period.
Even when the Cats were winning, I’d sit back and watch the games and think(like most of us) “What the hell? No adjustment? Zone defense please? Porter, again??”etc. etc. But at least we were winning, and the general thought was “well, Billy may not be a great coach or might be too stubborn for his own good, but we can win with what we have on the roster now, and if he can bring in more players–better players–then we can put together a good run in the NCAA Tourney sooner rather than later.”
But then the second half of the season kicked in.
8-8 in the SEC???
With a likely lottery pick in your front court and a guy who broke the school record single game point total in your back court?
In a year when the SEC is widely regarded as being piss poor?
To lose games when your postseason life was on the line?? To a one-win(SEC) Georgia team??
I’m not being facetious when I say that a chimp probably could’ve coached this team to a better SEC record…or at least not lost to VMI (and Gardner Webb, and San Diego, and..).
PPat will, in all likelihood, bounce to the paycheck league. There is no way this team, without its bedrock in the paint next year, and with a coach that has clearly demonstrated an inability to coach and/or lead his players, does any better.
Please Mitch, PLEASE admit you were wrong and cut your losses.
I hear that Jamie Dixon fellow is pretty good.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Note to BCG: Look in the mirror my friend for the answer.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Clearly, these players don’t like this coach and the feeling is mutual.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Did UNC pass us in all-time wins yet? Will they tie us tomorrow? How about in the ACC tourney? They DEFINITELY pass us when they make it to the Final Four, right?
We had a 13-game lead entering this season, right? EMBARRASSING
March 7th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
30. My guess is we go through another year only slightly better before setting the world on fire in 2010-11.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
If BGC stays, he will have years where we wont have senior leadership. so does that mean we scrap the whole season since he can only coach one way.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
#37 you buying BCG a torch? what have you seen from him that makes you think he’ll lead a team that “sets the world on fire”
March 7th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
during his post-game, Gillispie accused one of the refs of kicking an out-of-bounds ball back in to Florida in route to a lay-up. Wonder if Slive dings him on it. Maybe he’ll take pity on us.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
maybe they dont respect him as a coach b/c they have played basketball longer than he’s been a head coach
March 7th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
19 and 20 i agree with everything you are saying.. i say at least one more year.. and then we can be so quick to jump to a conclusion and be critical. I agree he can seem to be a major dick at times. But for Christs sakes give him more than two years! I remember a bunch of people me included.. wanting Rich Brooks out.. now i couldn’t love the man anymore than my grandfather. You both have excellent points however. Just listen to the Guns n Roses song patience and have a stiff drink and man up.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Auburn is up big on LSU
March 7th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I’ll ask again, what’s UK’s lead in the W column?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
37) It ain’t happening! Sorry, to disagree. Kige could have coached this team to a spot in the NCAA. This man has no clue. I didn’t listen to the post-game conference and I turned the game off when Porter threw the ball away while Meeks wasn’t looking. I’ve never seen a team come out of time-outs we call and look so clueless and make the mistakes we make. Never!!
March 7th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
#6 - Miller Time - News Flash to Miller Time! Razor was injured a majority of the year. i guess you forgot.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
hasn’t ramon played most of the SEC
March 7th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Hey, does anybody know if Liggins made the trip?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I have a friend that works for ESPN. He has talks to Jimmy Dykes and Brad Nessler all the time. They say the same thing we hear-”The players hate Billy G.” That combined with the way he treated Jeanie Edawads, they think there is something going on outside of basketball with Billy G. There weren’t any specifics, and it was just a guess on their part.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Our defense would be a bear to deal with if we had some guards. On offensive the lack of a pg who can penetrate, and some players who can simply make and handle a pass, has completely buried us this year. Vilarino will help a bit - perhaps Galloway with another year working with the team. Liggins is gone - no doubt. Next year will be a struggle. 2010-11 will rid ourselves of the jr. class and Billy will have his players, then we roll.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
If I were the players, I wouln’t respect him either for not improving and playing the ones that gave you a chance to win. Porter, Harris and Stevenson starting every game. Give me a break. Was he afraid that the team might not do as well. News Flash Gillispie, you lost 7 of your last 10 games, four in a row to end the regular season and headed to the NIT outside a miracle run in the SEC tournament. How could it have been much worse? Terrible coaching and leadership. The message is simple, win and show progress or it will be time to severe the ties.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
everywhere BCG has coached he has sucked his 1st year and exploded his 2nd. this is his 1st coaching stop where he has failed to improve his team in year 2. hopefully he will learn from this and be a better coach for it. we can only hope…
March 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
#40 - Chris in Louisville - He didn’t accuse the ref. He said the ref kicked it. Which he did, inadvertantly.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
44) we were 16 ahead going into this season. They’ve won 7 more than us so far this year. So, they probably won’t pass us this year but not impossible.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
42 - i’m not saying fire him. i’m asking why people feel good about keeping him? to me there is a big difference in UK looking like irrational fools for firing a coach 2 years in and seeing ANYTHING that says BCG can develop players, game coach and fit into the unique role that a UK coach has to have with our fan base. i hope i’m wrong but i’m yet to hear anyone say why they feel confident about keeping him.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I’ve been one to blame the players for not being intense or playing with heart… I’m about to come around to the “Billy has to go” side.
I have more of my life invested in Kentucky basketball than Gillispie. And it seems he just doesn’t care. If he leaves/gets fired, he doesn’t have to work another day in his life. That’s why he’s always smirking.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Once again Matt Jones and you other clowns don’t get it.
What gameplan do you want Billy to try against a zone? Do you know the best way to beat a zone? Dribble penetration. Try to penetrate a zone with these ball handlers and you get more turnovers. So what is he trying to do? Get the ball inside with passes and they can’t even do that because of poor passes and guys who have no hands at all…Stevenson is pathetic. They look so bad against a zone because there is nothing they could do to effectively beat it. Try the above mentioned plans and you have more turnovers and more idiots complaining about the preperation and gameplaning.
20) You fix turnovers in practice? Are you retarded? How can you fix players who cannot handle the ball or make smart passes. How can you put a player not being able to improve ballhandling on the coach? You think they do not work on it practice? You are clueless. And you effectively get through a press dribbling the ball. Watch Billy when they get pressed urge Porter or whoever to get it up the floor but they can’t, they suck. Putting the turnover problem on the coach is unbelievable and shows your ignorance.
19) You wanna know what I see that I like out of Gillispie? I like the fact that is defensive strategy is very hard to score against when you have the players that can execute it. His offensive high/low philosophy works with athletes. Watch Kansas execute it to perfection. He wants the ball pushed up the floor and he demands toughness and players to be in great condition. That being said you need the players to be able to function in that system.
Watch the UCONN/Pitt game before Kentucky’s. That is what basketball players are supposed to look like. That is what talent looks like. And if you look at what those teams run and the defense they play it is not much different than UK’s with the exception they can play the game. Look at the ballhandling, look at how they can make plays off the dribble, the crisp passing, the good hands with the ball and with passes. It’s amazing at the difference in that game and the UK/Florida game.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
46) Bullshit!
March 7th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
shit
shit.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
of course there is something going with BCG…its called the pressure of being a UK coach and failing at it. hopefully he will learn to deal with players and media better this offseason
March 7th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
SEC tourney predictions?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
We don’t have smart players. They don’t remember yesterday. You can see it on their faces.
“What, yesterday?”
Then when you’d expect them to realize they don’t remember yesterday they’d say, “What happened, I don’t remember?”
But they don’t. They not only don’t remember yesterday, but aren’t concerned with finding out what they forgot.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Hopefully we lose the 1st game and don’t receive an NIT bid.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Tony Greene has helped lose atleast 4 games this year.
Anyway, looking back on the season its a wonder we won as many games as we did with The Triumvirate of Terrible (Stevenson, Harris, and Porter) taking the majority of the minutes.
I honestly think Meeks scoring 54 points was the worst thing that could have happen to this team. Meeks was/is a streaky shooter at best without being the focal point of the defence, now hes just plain terrible, no one else on the team outside of Patterson even looks at the basket
I don’t like BCG all that much but he needs atleast one more year. He was given a shit-sandwhich for a team. I mean Carter, Harris, Stevenson, Porter, Stewart, That is 5 wasted schollies right there! John Woodens ghost couldn’t coach those guys to a win over the Jackson County school of the blind.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Does anybody know if Liggins made the trip?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
45. Stop being a panty waist and man up like The Eastern Kentucky Heartbreaker (42).
March 7th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
We don’t have ball handlers
We don’t have play makers
We have 1 shooter
We have 1 rebounder
Go get em BCG. MAKE them win! lol
March 7th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
49) Sounds like Dykes and Nessler are speculating like we are so be careful about the big turds you’re throwing out there. I doubt they have actually heard a player say that or else it would have been public a long time ago.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
at this point, the only concern is getting Ppat and Meeks to stay another year. I think Mitch needs to go to these players and do whatever is necessary to assure that our 2 superstars return to the Cats next year.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
62) They remembered to go 5-0 to start the SEC.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
64 not trying to start anything but can you defend bcg’s coaching in the georgia game?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
#65- I thought I saw him on the bench. If he didn’t travel and given Glides logic, Billy Liggins will probably play him 40 mins the next game.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
70 meeksuniversity is just mad because he likes billy and realized he really cant coach
he likes to blame the players JUST LIKE BILLY
March 7th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
# 57 - yatesrp22 - Your right on.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
thanks chuck, I couldn’t remember if I saw him or not. I know he didn’t play.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
#68- I think Matt will tell you that it’s pretty much common knowledge that the players hate him.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
57 - how do you beat UGA by 25 on the road and then not show up at home. he has lost the players on this team. if i was saying i’m pissed that we are competing for a number 1 seed your reference to pitt/conn makes sense. i’m talking about a coach that can’t win a CRITICAL game against one of the worst SEC teams in recent history. you wanna talk tallent, watch the junk that travis ford coached to a 4 point loss on the road at number 5 OU…with OU’s full roster on senior day.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
#70 - Miller Time - Yea, “TheUniversityofJodieMeeks” went 5-0. Once 5 man teams began to play us with some consistent defense we crumbled because we weren’t 5 strong.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
66) take your Jergen’s lotion bottle and continue your BCG love-fest at 10, 2 & 4.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
78 you probably think meeks is a better player than patterson dont you?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
79. I bet your favorite song is “Fall to Pieces”….Anybody can hang when it’s goin good, but it’s not goin good. That’s when we’re needed most to be there in support.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I think the biggest downfall of the season was Meeks game at Tenn and Gillespies inability to make adjustments. Ever since Meeks had that big game he has been a little shot happy and makes some bad decisions.
I’m not looking forward to Meeks and Patt leaving for the pros, Liggins transferring, and watching another season of Porter and Stevenson in the starting lineup.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
76) It’s not common knowledge if the sources are not quoted. I’m not saying it’s not true b/c the way they have played in the last 11 games is indicative of a broader problem. I would like for someone who is an insider to come out with some facts, quotes or something so that the fans can have real evidence of a deeper issue with Coach. Instead, BCG haters want to make personal attacks, blame ball protection on coaching and dismiss the severe talent gap, especially at the guard position, which is where championships are won.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
BCG is trying to be Bob Knight. He’s got the personality down, but he can’t quite get the whole coaching thing down.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
(71.) Well he did a horrible job, but I mean I was one of those guys wondering why Harrellson and Galloway weren’t getting any playing time eariler in the year so I can’t really get mad at G for that. I was wrong. He was wrong to pull the starter, errr just Patterson and Meeks.
To be so good at defense according to the media, this team hasn’t learned how to guard the 3-point shot all year, and about every game we lost that is the main reason. That falls on Coach G and the players. I mean if I was out there and getting my eye poked out every game I would say f*** it and extend the defense anyway, this kids don’t. I don’t know if thats there fault or G’s fault or a mixture of both.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
84, thats just dumb. not adjusting your offense & defense during a game is why BCG is up against a shit storm. Alcohol is just an excuse to get people to hate him.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
55 i agree with ya bro on so many of your points and its real damn hard for me to say this.. but lets take our medicine back this team.. give it one more year. I will go ahead and say that i thought Coach G was a bad hire from the get go but i will go down with the ship if i have to.. cause this has been my team since as long as i can remember. I have a feeling things will get better.. why… because they can’t get much worse. I look for a solid year next year, with the recruiting class coming in.. and Coach learning more about what is expected out of him here at the University of Kentucky. Regardless of all that.. i feel ya bro its tought times. Imagine this… i have been a Bungals <<< Bengals fan all 29 years of my life. Its been a ruff year sports and economy wise.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I was not posting much after the Georgia “game” because I was waiting for a cooler head to prevail. That’s not going to happen, apparently, so here I go:
Yes watching UConn-Pitt was like watching a different sport, and that is player talent, but I am not asking to be top 5 this year -only to make the freaking tourney and maybe coach and play like it means something to represent Big Blue.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
89.
It is a fact that the current coach of UK Basketball is not well-liked by the current players of UK Basketball - per players currently on the team.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Do over!?!
March 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=96
today’s behind the scenes from gameday if you missed it
March 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
The 1996 team….it wouldn’t have mattered if fans stood with them…of course it’s easy to support a winner. The 14-14 team 89-90….They needed us, and there was none of this negative blog business either, just support from us. We helped…now not so much.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
95) EVERYONE is now saying that this is common knowledge but no one will deliver a quote or reveal sources. Until then, it’s purely speculative just like all of the other personal attacks.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
87) Actually, It’s “Every Rose has it’s Thorn”, BCG being the thorn.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
UK sucks. Louisville doesn’t. That hurts to think about.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Our program has been Kragthroped.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
98.
Our program has been Doherty’d up.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Somebody call Matt’s favorite AD, his football coach is moon-lighting as our basketball coach.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I just wish the education system in the state of Kentucky was better the last 40 years.
Swatting negative flies instead of supporting the rebuilding of this team is getting old.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I was excited about BCG when we first hired him because of his miracle turn-arounds at non-traditional basketball schools. I figured he would do even better with the benefits of a place like UK. I watch him and his team now and can’t figure out how on earth his previous teams did well. This team looks so poorly coached that it’s difficult to even know where to start with the observations.
I’ve been dying to write a bunch of rants on here about BCG after these crushing losses, but I have largely stayed away because I know he doesn’t have the best players in the world. However, from my recliner, the evidence I see on the court points mostly to BCG. And it would be a heck of a lot easier to be patient with the guy if he wasn’t such an arrogant jerk.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
#98 - Jonah Hex - Overexaggerating sheep.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Full Circle! From VMI and UNC, to looking good, to this. This is the lowest I’ve EVER been on our b’ball program.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
This team has thrown in the towel for sure. Too bad….I want this season over with NOW!
March 7th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
This program is as relevant as Notre Dame in football……….so sad…….
March 7th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
MILLER TIME… NICE TWIST! HA
March 7th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
#106 - Kentucky fought to the bitter end. No one threw in a towel.
Porter threw up an airball and a pass to a lady in the audience, but I didn’t see any towels get thrown.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
104- What is the positive? What can we possibly put up right now that is positive (and honest)?
March 7th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
107.
We’re about as relevent as Vandy… oh wait, we’re actually now less relevent than Vandy
March 7th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
#99 - lexslamman -
Anyone referring to BCG as our Matt Doherty is a fool.
If you don’t know what your talking about it’s better to keep your mouth shut to prevent people from humiliating you with facts.
Matt Doherty’s as coach at North Carolina drove them in the ground with his final 2 seasons:
North Carolina 2001-02 8-20 (4-12 in ACC conference)
North Carolina 2002-03 19-16 (6-10 in ACC conference)
Kentucky 2007-2008 is 18-13 (12-4 in SEC) - NCAA Appearance - BCG SEC Co-Coach of the Year
Kentucky 2008-2009 is 19-12 (8-7 in SEC) - ?
Those records AREN’T EVEN CLOSE TO COMPARABLE. Also, our current season is not yet over.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
For all those saying that BCG will produce results in two years, I still don’t see it happening. I mean, the only reason last season had a turnaround to make the NCAA was because BCG got out of Joe and Ramel’s way, and let them dictate. That is not good coaching.
This year there are many talent and experience deficiencies, but I don’t see good coaching this time around either canceling any of those deficiencies out. The results speak for themselves.
I wanted BCG to come to UK, but I am not paid to make those types of decisions. Stop the bleeding now. If that involves BCG leaving, then so be it.
However, I would go to an NIT game if given the chance, and think you in the area are only hurting the kids by saying you wouldn’t go. I haven’t been able to see UK play live since the ‘99 tourney and would jump at the chance to see them play in March. Still a kid at heart in awe of these guys.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
104-crickets chirping.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
To answer the question on why I think Billy G should not be fired is because of his coaching history (even though it is short). At UTEP he made them better in two seasons. With A&M he took them to the sweet sixteen in his third year. With UK his first year it started bad but got progressively better. He took two player like Bradley and Crawford (that were liabilties at best for their first three years) and made them fan favorites. That brings us to this year. What is different this year compared to the other years? He does not have a true point guard. I really like Porter because of the effort that he puts into every game but his ceiling is much lower than the guards he has had in the past. That is why I think he should get a full four years and if we are not a top 15 team by then he should go.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
you gotta give him 2 more yeasr. when we got hood, orton and furgesson then we can tell what BCG can do. all three of them are top 35. if we fire him this year or next year, we wont be able to get another player ever. Do you all realize what will be said on the recruiting trips? ” they cant keep a coach for 2 years why would you go to UK kid?” “they scream shoot at their players.” No we got BCG He looked good at A&M, he looked good when he whipped Pitinos Ass at Rupp. Give him a chance. If you think we should have gotten some Kentucky boy and try to make some epic story for mike caseyy to enjoy then bitch at barnhart for not having the sack. If you think we should have got flashy jay wright, or calipari, bitch at barnhart for being a cheapsket. but im tired of hating on BCG these players are ragedy somebody name me one player on this team that starts anywhere in the sec other then Pat and Jodie. God i hope im right. i know Oklahoma state wanted bcg more then ford. I understnd my fellow fans frustration, i just think the blame should be spread. If BCG fails 2 moor years he will be gone. so will barnhart cause he wont fire him, its gonna take the alumni to stop donating then todd will step up. keep your heads up.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
#98 - Jonah Hex -
Steve Kragthorpe’s record at Louisville:
2007 Louisville 6–6 (3–4 in Big East)
2008 Louisville 5–7 (1–6 in Big East)
Kentucky 2007-2008 is 18-13 (12-4 in SEC) - NCAA Appearance - BCG SEC Co-Coach of the Year
Kentucky 2008-2009 is 19-12 (8-7 in SEC) - ?
Foolish comments.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
115 dont bother arguing with him he is the smartest person ever (not)
March 7th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
And yes I am willing to admit if we go on an unlikely run in the SEC and NCAA tourneys then a lot of what I am saying about BCG now will sound stupid.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
119 we’re 8-8 in sec did you not watch today?
March 7th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I hate to take away from all this negativity but Jodie Meeks confirmed in the postgame that he is returning for next season. You may now go back to insulting BCG and each other.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
121 i would not worry too much
March 7th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Gillispie gets 1 more year. If at least one of our two players comes back, we’ll have a better roster next year than this one and one with more experience taboot.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
121- No it will not. Yes college basketball is all about peeking for the tourney, but you have to get there. He has now gotten us to the point of having to win four games in four days just to get in. And don’t forget that Georgia won it last year, but Felton still deserved to get fired.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
127. Why don’t you move to Minnesota, you TUBBYLICKING PIECE OF SH*T?
March 7th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Matt do the players really hate BCG? Is there any facts behind this? Joe and Ramel loved him. I guess I’m confused. Maybe its the players that he clashes with, Liggins I would think would be one.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
So Sad!
March 7th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
134-There are a lot of things that are similar. Dont forget that Doherty got UNC to number one in the country his first year and recruited very well. Actually he recruited a championship team. There are things in common.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
lexslamman you are in rare form today. kudos. please keep me laughing. imisspitino, you are not so bad yourself.
*AlohaStateWildcat licks Tubby
March 7th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
does anyone know where to find the post game presser comments?(other than ukathletics, they’re not up yet)
March 7th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
116 imisspitino) every year except the last two years or 20% of the time….um, uh (throat clearing sound effects).
March 7th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
145.
You can pretty much look up the post game comments from our last 3 games…
(Got whipped, tough, etcetcetc)
March 7th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
146- No he got us past the first round every year.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
we got whipped, #145
March 7th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
146.
We lost in the 2nd round in 2007 to Kansas. We lost in the 2nd round in 2006 to UCONN.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
#143 - jon in jeff - A lot of things similar? You say that like it’s overwhealmingly the case.
Gillispie is being referred to Doherty as a failure based on losing. That’s reflective in record. Their records when compared are miles apart. See above.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
149- That was good.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
haha #147 beat me to the punch
March 7th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Imagine if Tubby had stuck around - this team would have Patterson AND Jai Lucas on it.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
for those who love bcg a quote from his post game press conference “I thought we used the shot clock well in the first half.” are you freaking kidding me? run it down to 3 seconds and let jodie jack from 25 AT LEAST 3 times. clearly someone got to him because his tone was MUCH more supportive of the players, polite when he disagreed with the reporters (which was frequently) but seriously “I thought we used the shot clock well…”
i never put much into what coaches say in public because they may be using it for various purposes so let’s hope he really doesn’t believe that.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Despite the lack of preparation, I still don’t believe that Billy G. tells his players to randomly throw the ball out of bounds. Turnovers killed us and the blame for that has to fall mostly on the players. But,
Did anyone else hear Billy G tell Jodie Meeks to shoot that crazy three at one point? Someone else was had to have heard it. There was a mic somewhere close by that picked it up. It was when Porter was on the bend and Meeks was kind of our point gaurd of sorts. Word for word, this is what he said.
“Jodie, Jodie,” Meeks then looks over at coach. “Go over there and shoot it.” Meeks then goes over and launches one from about half court (brick).
It is interesting to know that coach thought that was our best offense at that point in the game.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
^^ (153) Porter was on the ‘bench’
March 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
another quote “at this point in the season it really isn’t about x’s and o’s.” those of you that support him really need to listen to this stuff…it explains alot about why some of us question him.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
148) yeah, you’re right. just seemed less futile.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
#151 - where are those posted?
March 7th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Someone during the chat for this game or the last said that we suck at playing against a zone, and that the reaon for this is that our players aren’t taught to play a zone, and therefore rarely see a zone in practice, if ever. This is dead on, IMHO. Maybe Gillispie should start teaching a zone, not necessarily to compromise his ideals and play one in a game, but to, you know, prepare our players? Isn’t that supposed to be part of his job description?
March 7th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
sorry, now 137
March 7th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
#148……….. Kentucky basketball is not about getting past the first round…. THAT IS A PROBLEM IN THE WAY YOU ARE THINKING….. Am i pissed about the season???? Damn right, however i know alot goes back on the coach and it should… But as some have said already.. watch Uconn and Pitt…… If you cannot see a difference in talent from what is on the Kentucky roster compared to those teams and countless others there is a problem. We have to give Coach a couple of more years.. Now i will say, if PP and Meeks both come back and we struggle next year even close to the way we have this year.. His ass will be on the hot seat bad. We all need to take a chill pill and we can all wait to see how it pans out in the next couple of years.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Hello all, my wife who has a passing interest in UK basketball pointed out what most of us already know. That UK’s slide began when BCG was rude to Ms. Edwards. Perhaps, if he sends her flowers and chocolates maybe the curse could be lifted before the SEC tournament. Maybe even a billboard on New Circle??
March 7th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
151- they’re are headed in the same direction. I’m not saying that its for sure, and I realize that its possible that he could bring great things to UK. But from what i’ve seen with his game coaching and motivation, I’m leaning toward the negative. And I’ll be completely honest, I wasn’t ready to fire Tubby. He was on the hot-seat with me, but not ready to fire him. So for me to be this down on BCG, its taken a lot.
and UofJM, you have to admit that there are problems and descions that are very puzzling and troubling.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Why do some of you insist of including cuss words and vulgar insults on here when it will get deleted and screw up the numbering?
It’s as unproductive as a turnover in basketball.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
why are the #’s different?
March 7th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
148.
Because some of them are f*cking P.O’d that UK basketball sucks so much.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
145 - completely agree. there is significant gap in talent when looking at UK vs teams that we can’t compete with. we have considerably MORE than VMI, Vandy, UGA, ole miss (yes even with them missing 3 starters when they beat us). stop giving him a pass for going 3 and 8 our last 11 games in a very down SEC.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
#147 - jon in jeff - I honestly think I was more puzzled with some of the things that Tubby did when things started going down hill from 2006 on.
That was a nightmare and it was ALL on him since it was his players with his system.
This is a coach in transistion. It can’t be graded the same. Once BCG has all his players in his system then we can grade it straight up and compare.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
#151… I understand what you are saying.. yes he does not deserve a pass for finishing the season so badly… However I do think he should have at least a couple of more years before we cast him away.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
152- he has more of his players this year than he did last year and we are worse. And 3 of his 4 best players are from Tubby’s recruiting. Are you kidding me? That is a terrible excuse.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
just face it, Gillespie isn’t a good coach. whenever you have a team that may be a little deficiant talent-wise, then it’s up to the coach to put the players in a position to make up for the lack of talent and win with heady play. there are teams with less talent than ours that play smart and win. BGC’s performance can’t be touted as being sufficient to not get blamed for this debacle. i don’t care what anybody says, Liggins does have talent and should have been given to reigns to the team ant the beginning of the year, then he would’ve had the chance to improve along with Galloway. i don’t blame them if they want to leave becasuse BGC has played an inferior player to them both all year in Porter and i don’t blame Porter because he was never a point guard in the first place. What is also frustrating is that there is no example of any adjustments on either side of the ball during the games. we all know Meeks is not a create his own shot type of player, but yet you don’t run any plays for him and he is one of the most lethal shooters in the nation! everything he gets, he has to do it for himself, so i don’t fault him for feeling like he has to do something and throws up bad shots in the meanwhile, Gillespie doesn’t do anything that makes the game easier for his players, therefore they don’t win!!!!!!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
COACH TAKES A TEAM WITH NO BASKETBALL HISTORY TO THE SWEET 16 THEN GETS HIRED BY UK CAN YOU NAME THAT COACH I CAN TUBBY AND BILLY THE ONLY THING THAT IS DIFFERENT IS BILLY DIDNT HAVE TALENT LEFT FOR HIM LIKE TUBBY DID IF YOU REMEMBER TUBBY WAS GREAT FOR THE FIRST 3 TO 4 YEARS AND DOWN HILL AFTER BECAUSE ALL PITINOS PLAYERS FINALLY LEFT I NOT A BIG FAN OF BCG DIDNT AGREE WITH THE HIRE BUT HE NEEDS TO A LEAST HAVE ANOTHER YEAR
March 7th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
156.
Agreed. One more year, then we can pile it on.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
157. TUBBYLICKER?
March 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
158.
Corky, I’m glad you found something to do after ‘The Facts of Life’ was cancelled.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
The only thing I can see saving our season next year- is Meeks/Patterson staying or landing John Wall.
I fully expect Meeks and Patterson to jump.
Both will get spots. I see issues with both of their games- but the NBA will take the chance on them. I remember seeing issues with Rondo and Buike’s game -as well as Prince’s game- but all have fixed what they needed to and have turned into good players in the NBA. Honestly, a lot of Meeks’ issues will be fixed by the lackadaisical defense played in the NBA.
So the miracle of John Wall may be the only chance this coach has of keeping his job.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
#154 - jon in jeff - What you fail to understand is experience is huge in college basketball.
2 seniors starters last year (one which finally opened up and played up to his potential - Joe C).
0 senior starters this year.
And the Juniors Tubby left us for this year:
Michael Porter
Perry Stevenson
Dwight Perry
Ramon Harris
1 of those players was ranked coming out of high school and he has been extremely inconsistent (Perry S).
Jon in Jeff, that’s not an excuse. It is terrrible, but it’s not an excuse. It’s facts.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
57 . not retarded, and yes you better fix turnovers in practice because game time is not the best time to consider it… That’s like saying because the ball doesn’t go in the hole during a game you don’t waste time shooting in practice, or if you can’t stop dribble penetration in a game you don’t waste time addressing it in practice. When I played in high school, in order to practice against a press the coach would put extra players on the defensive end. It works. Maybe coach G is trying that, but obviously if you don’t have the players or talent to handle the ball well at the beginning of the year, and you don’t have talent coming in during the season, then you address the problem in practice. You fix mistakes and get better in practice and through a coaching staff that explains to you what you are doing wrong (bad timing on passes, court vision, how to meet passes, not pick up your dribble, make the easy pass and not the difficult one) and drills it into you in practice, about how to do it right. If the one huge problem that everyone complains about is turnovers all through the season-of course you fix them in practice or at least attempt to improve the situation.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
159. Move to Minnesota, you TUBSUCKING IDIOT.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
So how many seasons do we need to suck to satisfy the Billy G supporters? 3-4-5-8? I want to know. I want them to point to a player he brought in completely by himself who has proven the talent will get better.
And Patterson doesn’t count. I think Matt had talked to him 25 times before Billy was even hired.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
163.
Hell no. I don’t want to have to thaw out my testicles every time I want to have a romp with the misses.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
#164 - voiceofreason - It doesn’t have anything to do with being a BCG supporter.
I backed Tubby even when I saw the recruiting falling.
The issue is you can’t bitch about just BCG as our problem. Anyone who does that is not sane.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
For all of you haters that still blame Tubby, you really need to get a lifge. True Tubby was left a nice team when Pitino went to Boston, but none of you and I mean none of you thought that team was a championship caliber team, hell even Rick didn’t that is probably part of the reason he left. That team didn’t have any superstars on it unlike the better team Pitino lost with the year before. Maybe you people don’t remember the comeback against Duke when Tubby outcoached coach K. Now ask yourself do you ever see Billy Clyde doing the same. Also, I’m tired of the Tubby couldn’t recruit spill because I seem to remember Prince, Bogans, Hayes, Fitch, Daniels, Buike, Hawkins, Morriss, Crawford, Rondo, and Bradley to name a few. Then you people don’t even talk about players such as Jason Parker, he would’ve been a beast, the Rashaad Carruth kid would’ve been effective also. Estill left earlier than he was supposed to and Buike left early also and would’ve had a helluva year had he decided on a senior season. I do believe Tubby went undefeated in the SEC and would’ve went to the Final Four had they called the foul when Sparks hit the shot at the end of the Mich. St. game. ONe year he lost to Maryland in a helluva game and they went on to win the championship. Say what you want, but Tubby would not have lost to VMI, Georgia, along with a couple of more games we should’ve won, Ole Miss comes to mind with a depleted roster. Gillespie couldn’t hold Tubby’s jock on a bad day when it comes to coaching.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
166.
I think the biggest problem (and the greatest asset, actually) to this basketball program is its fans.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
#168 - lexslamman - When did “cussing and talk behind the back of” make someone a fan?
A fan supports their team.
Support - Like a mother or father to a child. Always there. Always encouraging. Accepting mistakes and individual weaknesses.
One problem with some people is they don’t know what real support is since they never had it from their parents. So they don’t see the world from stable eyes because they are always out to blame someone for their problems.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Hell, even Bobby Perry turned out to be decent
March 7th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
#166 - What you fail to understand is COACHING is the biggest thing in college basketball. That is why Pitino can put take Feldhaus, Pelphrey and Farmer and have a great season and Kansas can lose all 5 starters and be ranked in the top 10 the very next year. You are a complete idiot and I look forward to hearing what you have to say in 2 years when we are still not making the tournament with BCG as our coach.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
when can we start FIREBILLYCLYDE.COM?
March 7th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
171 you made a helluva point, look at Kansas and what they’re doing, they only have two quality players in Collins and Aldrich and I think you would have a hard time saying they’re a better combo than Patterson & Meeks
March 7th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
#171 - dk96 - Why didn’t Pitino win the championship in his first year at UK?
Why did it take him 7 years?
Being called an idiot by you is a real honor. I know how well your brain works. I guess you couldn’t make a point so you sling names. Did you know some people stopped doing that in the 2nd grade?
March 7th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
167. Are you really as stupid as your post shows? 98 team not talented?
Mohammed, Magloire, Padgett, and Bradley all played in the NBA. Sheppard, Evans, and Turner had short stints in the NBA and Evans was great in Europe. And Allen Edwards was a pretty good player also.
No talent? Get your head examined!!!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
19 - I like that we’re #1 in league in fg% and fg% defense. I think it’s our turnovers that have killed. I think the turnovers are the result of players that can’t handle the ball (Meeks - 3, Galloway - 4, Miller - 6, Stevenson - 4). I loved how hard the team played in the SEC last year. I was very impressed with how they played after Patterson got hurt.
57 - You rule.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Read it right idiot, they weren’t a favorite that year, they had talent, but not like the two teams before them. I didn’t say no talent did I? Nobody thought that was a championship caliber team at the beginning of the 98 season and if you say you did then you’re lying.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
177. They had a lot more talent than this team, you IDIOT!
March 7th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
no superstar on that team
March 7th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
yes they did have more talent than this team you idiot, but you would have to say that they were well coached, even if you are a Tubby hater. that’s the problem, credit is never given where it’s due.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
You’re definitly the idiot if you think this team should be where they are now because a lack of talent. You’re also an idiot if you think this team should’ve los the Georgia game with Meeks, Patterson, any player you can think of along with you and I.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
179. Jamaal Magloire made the NBA All-Star. Not bad for no talent. And he is still playing.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
181. Well, you are a TUBBYLICKING TUBSUCKING IDIOT. And I can’t stand TUBSUCKING IDIOTS like you
March 7th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Name two other quality centers in his conference the year Magloire made the All-Star team and was he ever All-Star quality at UK, did he even make the All Conference team and how much does he average this year or any other year in his illustrious NBA career.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
181. 3rd grade education? It’s “with you and me”, IDIOT. And I wouldn’t be caught dead with a TUBBYLICKER like you.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
And I hate BillyLicking Idiots even more!!!!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
you surely showed how backwards you are, it is you and I idiot, now I see why this state is always last in education, it’s backward rednecks like you who bring the rate down.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
no wonder all of America looks at us like we’re on the Hills Have Eyes
March 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
187. “With” is a preposition, DUMB*ss, which makes “me” the proper word.
Did you graduate from high school–yet?
March 7th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I am just not a Gillespie fan, I want UK to win every game and will cheer for them regardless, but I don’t see any improvement because to be a good coach, you have to do just that, COACH!
March 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
University of Jody Meeks - Actually you started the 2nd grade name calling by calling people fools in #109. Compare Pitno’s year 2 to this one and tell me if you are excited in the direction we are headed.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
176 - thanks for an honest response to the question without all of the mudslinging that seems to occupy this site. i agree turnovers are problem #1. imho the % numbers are a little misleadig because PP feasted on smaller teams pre conference and we shoot so few 3s (10 of 12 teams) and give up so many (not so sure of the stat but seems like a lot). at 50% more points per shot, that quicky erases a few % points in FG%. rebounding also hurts us.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
U of Jody Meeks - Let me help you. In Pitino’s second year we finished AP #9 and had the best record in the SEC. Let’s hope there is no 7th year with BG!
March 7th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
162) The point was and still is you can practice until you are blue in the face to fix turnovers, but when you do not have the ballhandlers to handle it then it won’t help. This isn’t high school basketball. They are facing very athletic players who are defending them. That’s the point. Watch the teams with good ball handlers and good point guards. You need to be able to dribble through a press not pass through it. Besides the biggest problem in the turnover department is not beating a press for this team. It is in the half court because of bad passing, guys who do not have any hands, and bad ball handlers. You can have players double team and pick Porter’s pocket all day long in practice, but he is still gonna make the mistakes in the game.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
#191 - dk96 - I called them fools for a reason. I pointed out specifically why they were fools.
The difference is you just called me an idiot, yet didn’t point out specifically why you felt I was one. You just threw a name.
Big difference.
March 7th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
we are getting ready to steam roll some teams. We have cleverly” thrown” these games in order to be cinderella.
March 7th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
but it’s 12:01am
March 7th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
192 -2ndTo2000 - Good analysis. I am eager to deal with anyone interested in making arguments based on reason and facts, not emotion. Of course, we’re all upset.
I agree that those numbers are somewhat inflated. Note that those numbers were SEC numbers, not full season stats. So Patterson’s destruction of the pre-conference schedule doesn’t factor in. You are right - we give up a lot of threes. I tend to think that if we could stop dribble penetration better or were more experience, we’d have better numbers or numbers not slanted by the three point shot.
I’m not thrilled with BCG as most people probably assume I am. I think he is stubborn and that it has cost us some this year. However, I tend to think that in the long run his stubborness will transmit into how the team plays. If we had more talent, I think the defense would be stubborn like the coach and terrifying to opposing teams.
I don’t buy the “he makes no adjustments” or “he runs no offensive plays” that I hear so much. First, of all I don’t think it matters if he adjusts or insists on his players following the game plan. What matters is wins. I also think he makes adjustments. He doesn’t play zone defense, but to say he doesn’t make adjustments is to my eyes just wrong. I also think this team is constantly running plays on offense. Unfortunately, most of the time they don’t work. Often Porter and others don’t / can’t make the passes needed. That said, would anyone care about a lack of adjustments if we were winning? If true, a lack of adjustments would be a cause of problems potentially, but it’s not especially helpful in deciding whether or not BCG can coach, imo.
To properly judge BCG I think you have to decide for yourself what the level of talent is. Is there talent to do more than we’ve done? Probably. We did just barely lose games against Louisville, LSU, and USC. We were also in quite a few more games at the end. I think the difference between people hating BCG as they are or praising him for a great season is actually quite small. But I think the talent just isn’t there to do much more than we have. Patterson and Meeks are very good. But the rest of the team just isn’t enough. They’re either too young, untalented, or talented with major problems (Stevenson can shoot the jumper, block shots, but his hands are non-existent, his footwork is awful, e.g.). The big problem as we’ve known all year is point guard. IMO, Porter, as much as I hate to say it, has been the best option most games. That’s where we suffer. We all saw Calathes create easy shots for his team. Our point guards struggle to make anything but the simplest passes and cannot create their own shots.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
good point 197 its a sad state of affairs.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
156. good point
March 7th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I didn’t read all the posts above so I may be repeating something that has already been said. I went to the game today. Both teams were terrible and we got beat by 10, 11? I left with 10 minutes left in the game. Yes I am a Kentucky fan most importantly but I am also a basketball fan and what was happening on that floor was not basketball as we know it. I have never been embarrassed wearing the blue and white until today. I need pride and I need coaching.
March 7th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
“To properly judge BCG I think you have to decide for yourself what the level of talent is”
What is the level of talent at SC or LSU???? Please
March 7th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
#198 Porter is not a starting point gaurd at a D1 school. We have talent, we need to turn it lose.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Porter is the worst GD basketball player to ever wear the KY jersey. I though I’d never say it but I would rather have Saul Smith run this team than to see Porter ever come out of the locker room. Yea he has his spurts, but it’s more like a 1 and 10 chance of scoring over 4 points. 29 min 0 pts couple TO’s and 3 assists sound familiar?? Yea thats our point guard at the BEST COLLEGE program in America. I haven’t lost hope in Billy (although I’ve cussed his ass up and down here recently) but I still cannot understand why a man in his position is so stubborn to do the obvious. PUT THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE GAME. Stevenson continues to start and plays like he’s a 5′4 scrub. We must be so good this year that Liggins(only a Fresh people), Stewart(best athlete on the team and until of late Miller (will be a beast) aren’t good enough to get some PT when the players on the floor look like D-III players. Porter is not the BEST point guard on the team and if billy truly thinks that, then he really is a dumbass. He doesn’t play D, sure as hell can’t shoot (except when he’s wide the hell open b/c the opposing team treats him like a center), and is anything but a floor general. HOW ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH DOES KY LOSE 11 GAMES WITH PLAYERS OF MEEKS AND PATTERSON’S CALIBER?? It’s pretty hard to win a game 2 vs. 5. Galloway played like crap today but I would bet my bank account that he could dominate Porter in every aspect of the game. The only time he enters the game is when Billy hits the “oh shit button”. The OH SHIT BUTTON referencing to Meeks game winning against FLA, Galloway coming in to play D with 1:30 remaining, and Stewart scoring 11 and never playing again, except after the game when he got in billy’s shit after the SC loss. Rupp has lost a lot of luster under Billy, including embarrassments in Gardner Webb, VMI, and San Diego. I’m truly worried my friends, we have lost of intimidation factor, and since the ‘91 season, we might miss the tourney. We have sucked so bad this year that Nike should take away some of our player’s shoes away. Hopefully Nike will not seize our apparel and have to look like girls wearing Adidas (et. Loserville, Tenn).
March 8th, 2009 at 3:50 am
204 - I wish Stewart could play even an ounce of defense. He’s got some offensive skills that this team could really use. But his defense is awful. Worst on the team. I can remember seeing a player be that out of position so often.
March 8th, 2009 at 10:57 am
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March 8th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
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