Tony Bennett future UK coach?

Jan 29, 2003
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I went to the UofL/UVa game with a friend last night. The Virginia defense is something to behold - and from their beat writer, this team really isn't one of their best and is a year away. Just a treat to watch. I'm not gonna go all condescending and reference the word "purist" or some such, but great defense is just as interesting to see as great offense. Just great communication and teamwork, and expert use of body. They just know how to put a body on someone (everyone) without fouling. As opposed to UofL/Big East/rugby style defense - which is more like foul on every single play because you know the refs won't blow the whistle every 10 seconds so you take advantage of that.

So, not boring. Very well coached. But I wonder if it's a great philosophy for March play.

And, as far as coaching candidates go: i) we know now how important it is for someone to have the personality that fits, to be an extrovert, to not be swallowed by the job. Is that Bennet? And ii) when Cal leaves..........you don't want to be the guy that follows Cal, you want to be the guy that follows the guy that follows Cal.
 
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larry the cable guy

All-Conference
Apr 4, 2006
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I heard he has purchased a horse farm in the Lexington area.

On a serious side I hope not. Good Lord I don't think I could stand many of those games with a score of 52 to 38. :weary:
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,338
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113
It has begun......
LMAO, it looks like you ran around to the back of the house to snap this photo and post it. Well done.
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,338
72,188
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I heard he has purchased a horse farm in the Lexington area.

On a serious side I hope not. Good Lord I don't think I could stand many of those games with a score of 52 to 38. :weary:
Tail number on the plane: JS3-HELLNO-1598
 

mjj_2K

All-American
Jul 11, 2010
12,567
7,235
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I'd organize a protest movement.

He coaches stall-ball. As close to it as you can get with a 30 second clock. It's a wart on the *** of basketball. And I don't care that it's served him well in the regular season, that style can not win 6 games in a row in the tournament, rarely 4. Just like Wisconsin routinely got its *** handed to it in the 1st few rounds under Bo Ryan, before he managed to snag a couple of NBA level offensive talents (and picked up the pace a little bit), Virginia under Bennett will annually go down early.

You try to play a 40 possession game, someone will hit some shots against you, you'll fall behind, and then have no ability to pick up the pace to catch up.
 

Bungalow Bill

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2007
2,048
3,894
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By the time Cal's ready to retire there will be a whole new set of names to consider. Younger guys that can recruit, play an appealing style, can handle the spot light and thrive in it. No way Bennett fit's that description imo.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,338
72,188
113
So wait, remind me, what has TB won yet to put him at that level? A couple ACC regular season titles? Big whoop, my dog can lick his chongs, lets talk about this when he does something on the big stage.
I feel like this thread was started because UVA went in and dominated UL but Cal/UK didn't.
Why is this even a topic?
No UK fan want's to see games that end in the 50's.
 

mebeblue2

Heisman
Dec 20, 2009
98,152
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most of the BBN (me included) would not stand for the huge downgrade from Cal to Bennett
 

Tblue60

Redshirt
Jun 18, 2007
78
43
3
There is no answer after Cal, but will we look for the best coach possible or one who thinks he can follow Cal?
 

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
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UK basketball is entertainment.

There is NOTHING entertaining about watching games in the 50's...
 

Xception

Heisman
Apr 17, 2007
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That style is a blight on college basketball and a significant contributor to hurting the sports popularity . You play that way when you are at a disadvantage , no elite or respectful program should stall the game .
 
Nov 3, 2007
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I really don't care if we win 100-82 or 65-54, as long as we win. However, I tend to like scoring a lot. Also however, I love shutting someone down 'almost' as good.

A big caveat with Bennett:
1--You're not gonna get one and done talent, as a general rule, to play defense like his system requires. Defense like that is a blue collar dirty job. He could probably get good players, but not elite ones. I don't care either way. We win, I'm happy.

A lot of people will probably kill me for this, but do you know what kind of coach I'd like after Cal?
---Somebody like a young Bob Huggins who plays his current fanatic style. Similar to our '96 Cats, but even more so. I believe if somebody like that could have UK's resources it would be deadly.
 

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,867
31,594
113
Holding teams in the 40's and only needing 50 to win won't get it done here. I might give up on watching basketball if he is our next coach. You won't sign top recruiting classes very often playing that style and the Kentucky players in the NBA won't be there to sell under him. Virginia is averaging 69.1 points a game (242nd in Division 1). I like defense, but not that much. I prefer more of an attacking defense that will still give up around 60 something, but allow the offense to score 80+.
 
Nov 3, 2007
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It's true, defense wins championships. Bennett hasn't won any championships, but where do his players fall on the rivals chart? Down pretty low I'd imagine. Would he have any titles if he had a notch better talent? Wouldn't have to be 3 notches up, but only 1 or so.

Look at the final scores of championship games from the last 20 years and you won't see many 90+ games if any. Defense eventually takes center stage and that's why you have to keep that thought pretty close at hand. That's why Cal emphasizes defense so much. He knows it.
 

UKCAT5FAN

All-Conference
May 9, 2010
5,277
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If he can win, get to FFs and win a championship in a 8-9 year frame on average, while playing an appealing style of play, I'm for it with him or anyone.


He doesn't really play an appealing style of play but he definitely puts focus on recruiting shooters, so at least that will make the peanut gallery happy here.
 

TortElvisII

Heisman
May 7, 2010
51,700
96,942
66
I'd organize a protest movement.

He coaches stall-ball. As close to it as you can get with a 30 second clock. It's a wart on the *** of basketball. And I don't care that it's served him well in the regular season, that style can not win 6 games in a row in the tournament, rarely 4. Just like Wisconsin routinely got its *** handed to it in the 1st few rounds under Bo Ryan, before he managed to snag a couple of NBA level offensive talents (and picked up the pace a little bit), Virginia under Bennett will annually go down early.

You try to play a 40 possession game, someone will hit some shots against you, you'll fall behind, and then have no ability to pick up the pace to catch up.

People forget this every January and February.
 

Burly

All-American
Sep 3, 2002
17,145
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Why would I want to watch kids block out...Big guys hedge screens...Players take good shots

No interest in that crap...I want street ball and ooops
 

TheOtherGreatOne

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
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If we hired Bennett as coach with his style and the type players he recruits 3/4 of the people on this board would have a stroke.
 

buckkiller

All-Conference
Nov 6, 2003
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You got to hire someone that can keep the recruiting momentum that understands program. I am goi g yo say it again . After Cal leaves it will be Billy Donovan after he does his 5-7 years in NBA . Billy will have the NBA backgroud with the 2 titles in UF. He recruited pretty well at UF and his recruiting would only get better at UK. I still think we will see Billy D on UK 'S sidelines before he retires from coaching. I will call it Kentucky basketball prophecy!
 

Tblue60

Redshirt
Jun 18, 2007
78
43
3
You know Cal's philosophy gets great players and we win a lot of games. He has won one championship. One and done has gotten us wins, but how many of those players who left after one year are tasting the NBA?Several of those guys are true NBA guys (that's what we recruit), but many have found the "D"league as their destination. I'm not sure I'm in love with the system.
 

wildcat1515

All-Conference
Feb 7, 2006
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I know many may not be a fan because of UVA's style of play. But the dude wins. Still relatively young for a coach too. What say you?

So is Cal leaving for the NBA again or something? I thought he was still our coach. Worry about it when the time comes.
 

mjj_2K

All-American
Jul 11, 2010
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Why would I want to watch kids block out...Big guys hedge screens...Players take good shots

No interest in that crap...I want street ball and ooops
Like Adolph Rupp coached?

Because on a yearly basis, his teams played at a pace that makes this year's UK team look kind of middling.

UK has a fast-break tradition. And every coach who's strayed significantly from that, BTW, has failed. I guess 14-15 was more of a slow-paced, halfcourt monster, but that was a one year thing.
 

MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
11,129
22,614
66
Yawn.

I'd rather watch paint dry than a UVA game. Taking the air out of the ball and struggling to score 60 points is not good basketball.
 
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Blueworld_3.0

Heisman
Sep 23, 2008
14,127
11,256
113
Not sure Bennett would ever be considered for the UK job but, it wouldn't be because of his style of play. Just not sure if he is dynamic enough to lead a program with the intense spotlight that is own UK.
He is a helluva coach though. His players play hard and defend like their lives depend on it. Nothing "boring" about good defense.