At what precise point did Cal ruin the program?

[UK_born_b_bread]

I’m interested in everyone’s thoughts on what the turning point was where in your view Cal officially ruined the program. I have been having this debate all ninth at the bar and wanted to get the Board’s thoughts. There were a lot of differing viewpoints tonight.

Personally, my view is when he decided not to watch video against Wisconsin in 2015.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

Since 2019 college basketball has changed and prioritized shooting and floor spacing along with skill sets over athleticism. Cal still prioritizes athletic players over modern skill sets, combined with a early 2000s offensive scheme that gives you what Kentucky is know, I will give him 2019 some will say earlier, but 2019 was the last time I felt like a Kentucky team even had a small chance of winning a title

 

[gojvc]

I’m interested in everyone’s thoughts on what the turning point was where in your view Cal officially ruined the program. I have been having this debate all ninth at the bar and wanted to get the Board’s thoughts. There were a lot of differing viewpoints tonight.

Personally, my view is when he decided not to watch video against Wisconsin in 2015.

At least you can use being drunk as an excuse. So there’s that.

 

[kybassfan]

When the program is ruined, we can discuss. That discussion right now would be pointless.

Right now it’s probably more relevant to discuss when Kentucky fans started letting fans from other programs start savaging the team and program and applaud them in the process.

 

[Shadow1671]

I don't think Cal has ruined the program. However, I have found myself being disappointed in their performance since probably 2018 or so. We lost to Kansas State when we had the bracket completely open up to us. I don't have any ill will with 2017. I am not one to blame the refs but we really did get screwed that season by the roofaree. Eff that guy.

I did not witness the 2019 loss to Auburn. I was at a NASCAR race with my kids and a bunch of friends that day. I followed it on my phone and I was disappointed with the outcome. But I have been disappointed with the outcome of a lot of games over the course of my life.

We will never know about how the 2020 team would have performed since that season was cut short. But they were looking pretty damn good in the latter part of the season.

We all know what happened next. So I would say then. Cal "ruined" the program when he went 9-16.

 

[revcort]

He hasn't ruined the program. The current team is ranked in the top 15 in the nation and is moving in the right direction. Next season's recruiting class is ranked #1 by every service.

If you're looking for confirmation of your preferred bias, I'm sure you'll get it here. It's a matter of opinion and purely subjective to think the program is ruined. I guess you have to define the word "ruined" in this case.

Some have hated Calipari from the beginning, so for these folks the program was ruined the moment he was hired back in 2009. For others, it was ruined when the team failed to make the NCAA-T the year Nerlens Noel went down with a major injury. For others, it was when the 2014-15 team failed to win the title. For others, it was when the 2020-21 team went 9-16. For others, it was the loss to St Peter's in last season's NCAA-T. We've had 2 very tough seasons in a row without a doubt, one because the entire season was filled with losses (one of the worst in UK history) and the next because of a terrible loss in the NCAA-T. Things definitely need to improve this year. If they don't, Calipari will be feeling some real heat. Another early exit would be very bad.

 

[jedcat]

My personal frustration's roots would be the 2019 tournament, when we lost in the Elite Eight in a game we should have won (that's just two years removed from the Fox, Monk, Bam team that was very good and could have won the title if they got past NC). After that, with the 2020 postseason being canceled, the next year being terrible, and last year's early exit, my perspective has been that there has been a noticeable downward trend, though for awhile last season we played really well.

If the 2020 postseason had happened and we'd gone deep, I think at least for myself I'd not be as frustrated. I know there's nothing that can be done about that, but as a fan, it has just lengthened the time since we've had tournament success.

 

[SaltyCat22]

No offense but if I’m at a stock car race when UK is playing in the Elite Eight you all have permission to shoot on sight. Have my will ready to go!

 

[Wunky]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

 

[HagginHall1999]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

This is 100% fair. While I don't think the program is ruined the above is pretty much spot on. To be clear though, a program is ruined when it is irrelevant. You don't get #1 recruiting classes when you are irrelevant.

The above is an indictment on Calipari coaching blunders and team execution.

 

[know1]

It's not really the results that have ruined the program, though. It's pretty much everything about how he runs the program. Removing traditions, not coaching to win games, coddling players, lying about things. That's what has ruined the program. It's been a slow decline, but gets worse with every day he's still the coach.

 

[serdi]

When he said his # 1!priority was not winning championships for the University of Kentucky

 

[o_turkeywildturkey]

What an idiotic post. If you want to know what a ruined program looks like, look at UL. I’m sick and tired of you negative, fair weather fans who only want to ***** and whine. You’re an embarrassment to the BBN.

 

[ck-2]

It’s not ruined he’s just worn out his welcome. He had a run where he was able to recruit nba all star caliber players that greatly hid his coaching deficiencies. He’s of the belief that a season isn’t long enough to implement various defenses, set plays etc
The game has passed him by and we’re stuck waiting on him to decide to leave. Mitch doesn’t have the balls to pressure him nor the ability to hire a competent replacement.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

The minute you imagined he did in your goofy head.

 

[TFCat11]

The moment he signed Mitch’s brain dead lifetime contract.

 

[wildcatdon]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

Great post. Nailed it.

 

[kyjeff1]

Since 2019 college basketball has changed and prioritized shooting and floor spacing along with skill sets over athleticism. Cal still prioritizes athletic players over modern skill sets, combined with a early 2000s offensive scheme that gives you what Kentucky is know, I will give him 2019 some will say earlier, but 2019 was the last time I felt like a Kentucky team even had a small chance of winning a title

You're spot on, only, I think the change happened in 2016. That's when Jay Wright's system started working. Skill over athletesism and it's still going.
As long as Cal keeps flipping rosters, he's never going to win.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

Pretty much the exact same rundown I give people who ask why I have "turned on Cal" .... it's been a long time since that 2012 title (which he ALSO tried to blow late and almost did but for MKG's heroic block).

 

[blackcat714]

I don't think Cal has ruined the program. However, I have found myself being disappointed in their performance since probably 2018 or so. We lost to Kansas State when we had the bracket completely open up to us. I don't have any ill will with 2017. I am not one to blame the refs but we really did get screwed that season by the roofaree. Eff that guy.

I did not witness the 2019 loss to Auburn. I was at a NASCAR race with my kids and a bunch of friends that day. I followed it on my phone and I was disappointed with the outcome. But I have been disappointed with the outcome of a lot of games over the course of my life.

We will never know about how the 2020 team would have performed since that season was cut short. But they were looking pretty damn good in the latter part of the season.

We all know what happened next. So I would say then. Cal "ruined" the program when he went 9-16.

I agree with this post the worst record in Ky history 9-16 did me in.

 

[kyjeff1]

I agree with most in here, the program is not "ruined", but I think Cal is worn out and is coasting. That started as soon as he got his lifetime deal.

I think he thought he could put it on cruise control, but it went sideways on him. He's trying to get it back, but he's refusing to adapt, he still prioritizes draft picks over UK and that just isn't going to work.

Next years class is great, if you like recruiting class banners, but it's a team full of freshmen playing in a mans league. That team has 10 losses written all over it. Maybe sweet 16.

This 22/23 team is the one he needs to do something with. He has all the pieces, but even the biggest Cal fan has to admit that this team is way behind and Cal is playing lineups that make no sense. It's like he'd rather get Collins to the draft, then win games, but the entire team has looked broken and uncoached to this point. That's on Cal, there is no excuse for this.

Again, the program isn't broken, but Calipari is.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

Ther

The moment he signed Mitch’s brain dead lifetime contract.

The moment he signed Mitch’s brain dead lifetime contract.

A lot of good responses in this thread but this is the most accurate short answer.

 

[BlueThunderstruck]

The program isn’t ruined, but there’s no doubt it has fallen. It’s just not where it was 6 or so years ago. If you don’t think so, you’re simply biased.

 

[anon1751545683]

I’m interested in everyone’s thoughts on what the turning point was where in your view Cal officially ruined the program. I have been having this debate all ninth at the bar and wanted to get the Board’s thoughts. There were a lot of differing viewpoints tonight.

Personally, my view is when he decided not to watch video against Wisconsin in 2015.

To answer the question one would have to feel that the program is in ruins. It is not. The program is in fine hands and thriving. . Only here and one other site do I hear these rumblings. Just this calendar year when we were in Tampa, the Bahamas and England I heard nary a thought of UK basketball being ruined. In fact, it's quite the opposite from fans putting their money where their mouth is.

As for the '15 game against Wisc. I sat there in very expensive seats and stayed mad at Cal for a couple years over it. But never to the point of wanting a different coach.

Since '15 seems to be the tipping point for many then how about '17? Entering the tourney we were the best team in the country. We got hosed in the E8 game. And not one to normally blast officials.

How about '19. Again entered the tourney as one of the best teams in the country. Overtime loss in the E8 to a team we had beaten twice.

How about '20? That team was poised for a FF run. They had that taken away.

How about '22? 2 man team is a 2 seed. Blew out the 2 teams that played for the title plus UT. Yes, we got upset in the first game.

Right now we have a great team in the making. I expect this team to be in the FF. I already have my room in Houston. Along with my room in Nashville for the SEC. Which I expect we win. I was seriously considering going to NY this Sat. But that's not working out.

Doesn't look anything like ruins to me. Looks like excitement to me. Go Cats!!

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

I don't think Cal has ruined the program. However, I have found myself being disappointed in their performance since probably 2018 or so. We lost to Kansas State when we had the bracket completely open up to us. I don't have any ill will with 2017. I am not one to blame the refs but we really did get screwed that season by the roofaree. Eff that guy.

I did not witness the 2019 loss to Auburn. I was at a NASCAR race with my kids and a bunch of friends that day. I followed it on my phone and I was disappointed with the outcome. But I have been disappointed with the outcome of a lot of games over the course of my life.

We will never know about how the 2020 team would have performed since that season was cut short. But they were looking pretty damn good in the latter part of the season.

We all know what happened next. So I would say then. Cal "ruined" the program when he went 9-16.

I agree, that he has not ruined the program, just like he did not create it either. UK basketball is much bigger than that, than any one player or coach!
But has it gone down hill? Yes, absolutely.

Up till end of 2015 all was good.
2016- disappointing season
2017- good season , but frustrating ending being hosed by the rooferee
2018- an “eh” season, could have been better, then we get the easiest ncaa path we ever had and laid an egg
2019- good season, capped by an OT loss to team had already beaten where refs swallowed whistle last 10min
2020- good season, but we will never know since tourneys canceled
2021- worst season in history
2022- good season, but stumbled at end with injuries, capped by worst loss in history

All above does not say “ruined program”!
Significant moments that may be where have turned downhill are:
-Wisc loss when Cal put the brakes on with 4-5min to go
-refusing to play to Skal’s strengths rather than expect him to be KAT
- allowing Hagans situation to develop (and worst season followed that)

Has he gotten even more set in his ways, more resistant to change than before? Maybe so

 

[Catman100]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

Excellent reply, and I believe totally spot on.

And regarding the refs, I believe this one as well. I believe Cal has burned so many bridges with refs that there is no way he wins 6 games in March ever again. I really believe this.

 

[dc513]

I think it was after the Life time contract.. He had achieved his dreams and was hungry no more. He now had the money, the NC and the Hall of Fame, could not be fired. That set-up would take the fight out of most. The blame goes on the AD.

 

[Cbbcrazy2]

There are over 350 d1 teams. The game changed, cal still playing d drive and good teams playing 4 or 5 out with shooters. Have you noticed no other coaches are playing d drive? Only offense cal knows and can't win the big one with it. It only works if your pg can shoot. Ours not so much.

 

[JimmyWa11]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

We need to pin this post to the top of RR and just refer people to it when they try to defend Cal.

And this doesn’t even include all his elitist, snarky off the court stuff putting down the fans…”haven’t seen him” etc.

 

[dickieVIII]

Can we change the title of this thread to “click here to beat the dead horse”

 

[deep3]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

nailed it!

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

For me it's the double whammy of playing BJ Boston 30+ minutes a game and refusing to bench him, regardless of how bad he sucked it up, followed up by the shaedon sharpe fiasco. There were already cracks in the foundation, but these 2 incidents are what brought the house down.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

I don't think Cal has ruined the program. However, I have found myself being disappointed in their performance since probably 2018 or so. We lost to Kansas State when we had the bracket completely open up to us. I don't have any ill will with 2017. I am not one to blame the refs but we really did get screwed that season by the roofaree. Eff that guy.

I did not witness the 2019 loss to Auburn. I was at a NASCAR race with my kids and a bunch of friends that day. I followed it on my phone and I was disappointed with the outcome. But I have been disappointed with the outcome of a lot of games over the course of my life.

We will never know about how the 2020 team would have performed since that season was cut short. But they were looking pretty damn good in the latter part of the season.

We all know what happened next. So I would say then. Cal "ruined" the program when he went 9-16.

I agree that he hasn't (completely) "ruined" the program; but his legacy is shot all to hell

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I don't agree with it, but I'm 100% shocked that nobody has mentioned Cal kneeling with the team. There was a VERY vocal minority who felt that he ruined the program at that very snapshot in time.

 

[bigsmoothie]

I don't agree with it, but I'm 100% shocked that nobody has mentioned Cal kneeling with the team. There was a VERY vocal minority who felt that he ruined the program at that very snapshot in time.

Good lord let it go.

 

[JRS_SC]

I’m interested in everyone’s thoughts on what the turning point was where in your view Cal officially ruined the program. I have been having this debate all ninth at the bar and wanted to get the Board’s thoughts. There were a lot of differing viewpoints tonight.

Personally, my view is when he decided not to watch video against Wisconsin in 2015.

I’m sorry life is so hard for you.

 

[jc2010]

2010 WVU was the beginning. A team with 5 first-round draft picks, and 3 more guys who would eventually play in the NBA, was beaten by a simple zone defense. Looked clueless the entire game.

2014, lost to inferior talent, inferior depth, and an inferior coach. Were essentially beaten by two midget guards.

2015 ran into a very good team, but one that was outmatched from an athletic standpoint. All game long I watched as Wisconsin methodically moved the ball until they got the matchup they wanted, then exploited it. Meanwhile Kentucky struggled to get good looks and instead settled for low percentage, contested shots late in the clock. Sound familiar? Cal’s failure to prepare for his opponent was inexcusable. Cal also took the air out of the ball under 4 minutes, which resulted in the shot clock violations. We didn’t have a big enough lead to play that way.

2017, as poorly as that game was officiated, we had a 5-point lead late. Then Roy went to a zone and Kentucky had no answer for it. I mean no idea what to do at all. This is also the game when I realized that even if Cal could coach, he is universally hated by the officials and that will always be too much to overcome.

2018 lost to a crappy K-state team without their best player after getting a gift bracket. No excuse for that.

2019 Auburn was playing better late in the year, but was still outmatched, and were missing their best NBA prospect. Again we let a midget guard dominate us. Look at the careers Herro, Keldon, and PJ are having now. Not to mention we had a former All-Pac10 player in Travis. Where is ANYBODY from that Auburn team now?

Evansville.

Getting destroyed by Duke in front of the whole world.

9-16.

Saint Peter’s.

Losing the all-time wins lead.

Continuing to lose to mediocre teams in the same fashion year after year with no adjustments. Total refusal to play zone when it could have won us games, and by extension our team also has no idea how to score against a zone.

So as you can see it isn’t just one moment. It’s been a gradual thing. A snowball.

The 2010 thing, losing like that and then on draft night telling us it was the greatest day in UK BB history

 

[yabbadabbadoo_rivals213851]

It’s like looking at the Himalayan mountain range. Peaks everywhere. Just too many to mention. Unfortunately, it’s all the valleys between those peaks that have devastated this great program. I don’t even wear my UK stuff anymore. Someday I will, but I can’t pull it out of the closet at this time.

Any team now feels they can play hard and beat UK. The fear is no longer there. CCC created this by being inept, stubborn, and downright bad.

 

[Uk2k4]

Wisconsin killed the Cal we once knew. Higgins made sure of it in 2017.

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

He hasn't ruined the program. The current team is ranked in the top 15 in the nation and is moving in the right direction. Next season's recruiting class is ranked #1 by every service.

If you're looking for confirmation of your preferred bias, I'm sure you'll get it here. It's a matter of opinion and purely subjective to think the program is ruined. I guess you have to define the word "ruined" in this case.

Some have hated Calipari from the beginning, so for these folks the program was ruined the moment he was hired back in 2009. For others, it was ruined when the team failed to make the NCAA-T the year Nerlens Noel went down with a major injury. For others, it was when the 2014-15 team failed to win the title. For others, it was when the 2020-21 team went 9-16. For others, it was the loss to St Peter's in last season's NCAA-T. We've had 2 very tough seasons in a row without a doubt, one because the entire season was filled with losses (one of the worst in UK history) and the next because of a terrible loss in the NCAA-T. Things definitely need to improve this year. If they don't, Calipari will be feeling some real heat. Another early exit would be very bad.

Not so much only directed at you, but there is a huge pet peeve of mine in this post. Very few, if any, we’re anti-Calipari in 2009. When he came on board the excitement was off the charts. I can only remember 1 single poster, Cut, that didn’t like him from the jump. Now if some didn’t trust him they didn’t really say it. From 2009-2015 no one really disliked Calipari. This seems to be a talking point by guys like look to prop up Calipari and not look at the reality of his record. They want to simply pretend he’s been “hated” for no reason it’s verifiably false.

Calipari has a lot of people against him because he began losing at the university of Kentucky. Winning cures all, and he doesn’t win. So people can continue to pretend he was hated even when he was winning but they’re either lying or they’ve worker themsleves over because the truth is too difficult.

Now having said that I never fully trusted Calipari because he’s not a trustworthy individual, but I was fully in support of the hire and fully supportive of him until around 4 years ago. The last 3 I’ve been eyeing him up as fireable, the last 2 I’ve wanted him gone.

But it is a total falsehood that there was any sizeable portion of this fan base that “hated “ Calipari when we were in final fours and winning. And you absolutely cannot find threads from back then where anyone disapproved of Calipari. Just accept this is about wins and losses and he’s losing. There’s no need in deceiving to make him look like a victim of bad fans and not a victim of his own losses on the court.

1-11 / 23-25.

^^^ that is fireable at this program.