This season was like banging a fat girl. Sure you scored, but it’s nothing to brag about.
"This season was undoubtedly a success"
- Thread starter CatsnRoses
- Start date
Always disappointing to see us lose 10 or more games! This team was young but talented enough to have done some better — and certainly better than losing to a much inferior K St team that was really without their best player. That loss left me feeling like sailing along and hit a brick wall. Just really hurts to have lost that game — and should’ve won it despite missing double digit FT’s!! That game was lost in the first 5 minutes when K St played more focused, energetic and confident than our team!
I think too many here are forgetting this is Kentucky basketball, not Florida, Tenn, or Auburn.
Before the SEC tournament I posted my disagreement with Cal (that the SEC tournament was for fans only) because up until then the season clearly was a disappointment. I certainly remember all the negativity here. I felt winning the SEC tourney was very important because I did not see a Natl Championship level team and given we came in 4th in the regular season, what was it that might be accomplished that our team and fans could look back on proudly? We looked super for 1 1/2 games in the SEC (I say the second half of the Tenn. game was a bit dicey although fortunately we won). Yes, Vanderbilt out also gave us some hope that if we could win the SEC without him, hopefully he would play in the big tourney and we might make a respectable showing.
No way did I believe our team would beat Virginia and I still don't think we matched up well with them at all. So, the huge upset gave us a real opportunity. Then, when more upsets occurred, it seemed even though we can't say this was a great Kentucky team, there was the easiest appearing path that I can recall for a number of years. The loss and lousy defense, lack of aggression, letting K-State dictate tempo and run their offense without pressure for me was beyond disappointing. Again, we might point to Vanderbilt being out, but then K-State's best player was relatively out and they had several other players in severe foul trouble with no real bench support. We had a Final Four handled to us on a silver platter and it was blown. It was of no surprise to me that K-State would lose their next game simply by pressure defense on their guards.
I can't say this was a great season. Yes, the SEC tourney, as I already repeated, was a great accomplishment so the entire season was not all bad. Right now, for the future a lot will depend upon who stays and who returns.
Before the SEC tournament I posted my disagreement with Cal (that the SEC tournament was for fans only) because up until then the season clearly was a disappointment. I certainly remember all the negativity here. I felt winning the SEC tourney was very important because I did not see a Natl Championship level team and given we came in 4th in the regular season, what was it that might be accomplished that our team and fans could look back on proudly? We looked super for 1 1/2 games in the SEC (I say the second half of the Tenn. game was a bit dicey although fortunately we won). Yes, Vanderbilt out also gave us some hope that if we could win the SEC without him, hopefully he would play in the big tourney and we might make a respectable showing.
No way did I believe our team would beat Virginia and I still don't think we matched up well with them at all. So, the huge upset gave us a real opportunity. Then, when more upsets occurred, it seemed even though we can't say this was a great Kentucky team, there was the easiest appearing path that I can recall for a number of years. The loss and lousy defense, lack of aggression, letting K-State dictate tempo and run their offense without pressure for me was beyond disappointing. Again, we might point to Vanderbilt being out, but then K-State's best player was relatively out and they had several other players in severe foul trouble with no real bench support. We had a Final Four handled to us on a silver platter and it was blown. It was of no surprise to me that K-State would lose their next game simply by pressure defense on their guards.
I can't say this was a great season. Yes, the SEC tourney, as I already repeated, was a great accomplishment so the entire season was not all bad. Right now, for the future a lot will depend upon who stays and who returns.
Not even close to a successful season. When you start saying seasons like this are a success, then you end up with Tubby like years. When you start lowering standards/expectations, you end up with a society of overly sensitive individuals who get offended with everything.
Our players did not meet expectations. Our players did not meet the standards. Our players failed this season. We aren’t hanging a final four banner or anything else. If they need to believe they have had a successful season here in order to feel less guilty? about moving on as a one and done, then I’m sorry to say, but this was not a successful season. Kentucky gained nothing and some of the players are going to move on to millions. That should help them feel less guilty. Either way, expectations and standards remain high here at Kentucky and our players didn’t meet the bar.
Our players did not meet expectations. Our players did not meet the standards. Our players failed this season. We aren’t hanging a final four banner or anything else. If they need to believe they have had a successful season here in order to feel less guilty? about moving on as a one and done, then I’m sorry to say, but this was not a successful season. Kentucky gained nothing and some of the players are going to move on to millions. That should help them feel less guilty. Either way, expectations and standards remain high here at Kentucky and our players didn’t meet the bar.
What is the bar? Don’t say NCAA titles because UK has won exactly 8 since 1903. Don’t say final fours, since UK has only been to 17 in the same time period. What exactly is the bar?
"I know it when I see it."
4th place in the SEC, 11 losses and a dreadful loss to one of the worst at-large teams in the field ain't it.
Name me one top program that hasn’t suffered the same type of year. Just one.
It's fine to have occasional years like this. It's not fine to label them as success stories. That was the point of my initial post.
It is obvious the ending was bitterly disappointing. One can’t put lipstick on that pig of a game. But considering where UK was in February, to win the SEC tournament and get to the sweet 16, the UK basketball Twitter and it’s other social media accounts are going to paint the half glass full picture. And if you look at every other top college athlete program, they do the exact same thing.
I just wish fans wouldn't use the Baker injury as an excuse. If you follow Cal's approach close enough you would realize he likes a tight rotation of 7, sometimes 8 guys. Baker would not have been one of them. He could've helped when Green got hurt because we were forced to play Brad some but other than that he wouldn't have played much.
Cal has to assume Shai and Diallo are leaving. Also, if Hagan wants to come to UK, you make room for such a talent. It doesn’t matter who is on the roster, including Diallo.
I’m going to say this once and you all can laugh and bash all you want
We lost because of officiating. Period.
Not that they called more fouls on us, but the type of game they called is what did it. There was no game flow at all (for either team). Kentucky was not allowed to get into any type of rhythm whatsoever. Every single time a run was eminent a volley of fouls were called to disrupt it
That is something we saw time and again this season and you can bet your *** “they” knew it. The whole thing was set up too sweet...we had a clear path. The powers that be gave KState the only chance they could and it worked.
Look at how all the other games in the Sweet 16 were called.
You won’t convince me otherwise
We lost because of officiating. Period.
Not that they called more fouls on us, but the type of game they called is what did it. There was no game flow at all (for either team). Kentucky was not allowed to get into any type of rhythm whatsoever. Every single time a run was eminent a volley of fouls were called to disrupt it
That is something we saw time and again this season and you can bet your *** “they” knew it. The whole thing was set up too sweet...we had a clear path. The powers that be gave KState the only chance they could and it worked.
Look at how all the other games in the Sweet 16 were called.
You won’t convince me otherwise
Pretty forgettable season imo, great SEC tourney but rough Reg season and a train wreck NCAA tourney.
Is it fair to say that you disagree with the decision to honor the Unforgettables by placing their names in the rafters?
The FBI won’t be sniffing at UK! Wishful thinking you troll
Agreed. It was fun to watch at times (UL game and SEC tournament) it was also very frustrating to watch (4 losses in a row) but it`s over. Life goes on and next season will be here before you know it.
Yeah, we had a nice finish to the regular season, BUT the question is whether this qualifies as "a successful season" overall. Not just whether it had any good parts, but how we regard the season as a whole.
This team began the season ranked Top 5 in the nation. Instead of living up to those pre-season expectations, it ended up as as an 11 loss team, that only finished fourth in its own conference, and got eliminated from the tourney by one of the worst teams to ever knock us out, playing without its best player.
Does that qualify as a "successful" for UK? I guess the answer is subjective, depending on one's personal standards. But our fans sure did NOT think that sort of season successful in prior eras. Our fans acted like a 10 loss season was a mortal sin when Tubby was here.
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Just because the team got better as the year went on doesn’t make it successful. They should of improved. They are all freshmen. They didn’t improve enough. You tout that SEC tournament like a big prize. Where’s the banner at for any of those. This isn’t Kansas.
This team failed. This team did not live up to expectations nor the standard. Don’t use the all freshmen excuse. Don’t need use the officials as an excuse. They sucked both ways. Shai couldn’t figure out how to score and Cal didn’t adjust to their defense on Shai which is why PJ was allowed to post up and miss his shots or his free throws.
KState gave us the post because we weren’t good enough to beat them with it and we played right into their game plan.
I like them all, truly, as good young men and as ball players, BUT, none of them showed me anything that would make me use a top 20 pick on them unless the draft is weak. None of them are going to receive a max contract. All of them better get an education. JMO.
Cal has had only 3 10+ loss teams. We lost 11 this year 11 in 2014 and 12 in 2013. Over Cals time here our overall record trumps UNC and Kansas. In that same span UNC has lost 10+ 5 times. 17 losses in 2010, 11 losses in 2013, 10 losses in 2014, 12 losses and 2015, and 11 losses in 2018.
So please tell me again how Cals way of building a roster is inferior to Self or Williams again lol.
Failed. Lol As if your *** is perfect in everything you do. Top programs have seasons and games like UK had. Quit living vicariously through others. Cal is ahead of the curve at UK in both historical success and has had outstanding success compared to his contemporary competition since he has been at UK.
Tubby had one final four at UK. His last four seasons at UK- 3 second round flameouts and an Elite 8. He isn’t fit to hold Cal’s jock in comparing success at UK.
I don’t even include UNC. Their systematic cheating for decades precludes their “success” from being considered.
If you read my whole post when I said Cal had 5 10+ loss seasons, I said two of those seasons had 9 losses (but you get the point). UNC has won two titles in the past 9 years. KU has been a 1 or 2 seed every year in that time frame so they have kicked our tails in the regular season. Cal had two super teams his first three years but has tailed off the last few years compared to those seasons and others have joined in recruiting the best players. 9 losses two years ago, 11 this year. Lost 3 in a row to Self, the last 3 regular season meetings with UCLA, 2 of the last 3 to Tom Crean. These are guys we love to make fun of but they have won the head to head's the last few years. Go ahead and say the regular seasons don't count but part of what makes us the top program is because we own the overall series to all the blue bloods except UNCheat. Those tides are starting to turn unfortunately. If Nova wins this year that will be 2 titles in 3 years. Kind of what I thought we would be doing with Cal's recruiting.
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If our coach is going to call us the gold standard, then why shouldn't the fanbase have high expectations? If we were indiana then this was a good season, but dangit this is kentucky basketball! We played like crap most of the year finally putting a run together then crapped the bed against
weaker than usual competition, all the while being given the easiest road to a final 4 than anyone could ever ask for.
Hopefully we'll get some guys back and make a better run of things, but this last season was more frustrating than anything.
I guess I look at it like this, if Alabama finishes the year playing in the music city bowl, is it considered a success?
weaker than usual competition, all the while being given the easiest road to a final 4 than anyone could ever ask for.
Hopefully we'll get some guys back and make a better run of things, but this last season was more frustrating than anything.
I guess I look at it like this, if Alabama finishes the year playing in the music city bowl, is it considered a success?
Nova had one Elite 8 in Wright’s first 12 years. And 13-18 record in his tenth year. Kansas has been to 3 final fours in close to 20 years under Self. We beat UCLA in the sweet 16 last year. If you want to cherry pick stats, so can anyone else. Cal’s success has been unequalled at UK except by Coach K.
I don't think it says anything. In a one and gone six game tournament, anything can happen. Likely one of the reasons baseball does a double elimination.
Of course, for that to be feasible, someone has to convince the money guys it's worth it.
Season wasn't a tremendous success. But, not a disaster either. Definitely below what we expected from the #2 recruiting class and having SKJ/Wenyen back.
We had momentum and the easiest track to a FF that Kentucky basketball will EVER have but, we wasted it.
Just seemed like a struggle all year. Still think Cal has to change his recruiting to prevent so much dependence on freshmen. He and staff also need to do better getting the 'right' players for our needs. Stop trying to force square pegs into round holes. Still can't believe we got bounced by a totally garbage KSU squad. No excuse for that.
We had momentum and the easiest track to a FF that Kentucky basketball will EVER have but, we wasted it.
Just seemed like a struggle all year. Still think Cal has to change his recruiting to prevent so much dependence on freshmen. He and staff also need to do better getting the 'right' players for our needs. Stop trying to force square pegs into round holes. Still can't believe we got bounced by a totally garbage KSU squad. No excuse for that.
Top 10??? UK beat two bad teams in the tournament and got handled by the first mediocre team they played.
[QUOTE="irishcat1965, post: 6815763, member: 10928"]Nova had one Elite 8 in Wright’s first 12 years. And 13-18 record in his tenth year. Kansas has been to 3 final fours in close to 20 years under Self. We beat UCLA in the sweet 16 last year. If you want to cherry pick stats, so can anyone else. Cal’s success has been unequalled at UK except by Coach K.[/QUOTE]
Wrong. He started in 2001. 05-06 E8. 08-09 F4. He also had two Sweet Sixteens in that time frame and this was before they were a power. And if he wins Monday night he will have more Titles than Cal and he's at Villanova. Not saying I don't think Cal is a good coach but the game has changed since he came here and he needs to adjust. He doesn't control the OAD's anymore and the game has changed to a more open court style with shooters everywhere, something his teams generally struggle with. Look at the last 4 Title games (Duke vs Wisky, UNC vs Nova, UNC vs Zags and looks like Michigan vs Nova). All of those teams have shooters galore. And we have missed the F4 the last three years. Probably not a coincidence. And Self has been at KU for 15 years, not close to 20.
Wrong. He started in 2001. 05-06 E8. 08-09 F4. He also had two Sweet Sixteens in that time frame and this was before they were a power. And if he wins Monday night he will have more Titles than Cal and he's at Villanova. Not saying I don't think Cal is a good coach but the game has changed since he came here and he needs to adjust. He doesn't control the OAD's anymore and the game has changed to a more open court style with shooters everywhere, something his teams generally struggle with. Look at the last 4 Title games (Duke vs Wisky, UNC vs Nova, UNC vs Zags and looks like Michigan vs Nova). All of those teams have shooters galore. And we have missed the F4 the last three years. Probably not a coincidence. And Self has been at KU for 15 years, not close to 20.
You count 9 loss season and UNC has 7 since 2009. Once again your argument is mute. If cal lost 17 games in a season UK fans heads would explode.
In a single elimination tournament anything can happen. 2015 we win the tournament 8-9 times out of 10. But even a heavy favorite can lose a single game a fair percentage of the time. It happens. But nothing is broken, our results since cal has been here are as good or better than any decade in the modern era of basketball.
Every year can’t be a world beater team. Nova has had plenty of down years as well. Villanova lost 14, 19 and 13 losses from 2011-2013. So yea Nova isn’t some world beater either. Good 3 year run big deal. But 46 losses in a 3 year span before that run, call me when Cal has a 3 year span anything like that. It’ll never happen!
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When I look back on the season what we needed to be a title contender was for Vanderbilt to be healthy from the beginning and to stay healthy for the entire season. We needed more outside shooting and Baker was out for the year. And as always we needed to be a great free throw shooting team, especially in the tournament. None of that happened. I think next year we will have all three things in our favor. I like our chances to have a great season. As far as this year I am not going to give it a grade!
Wrong. He started in 2001. 05-06 E8. 08-09 F4. He also had two Sweet Sixteens in that time frame and this was before they were a power. And if he wins Monday night he will have more Titles than Cal and he's at Villanova. Not saying I don't think Cal is a good coach but the game has changed since he came here. He doesn't control the OAD's anymore and the game has changed to a more open court style with shooters everywhere, something his teams generally struggle with. Look at the last 4 Title games (Duke vs Wisky, UNC vs Nova, UNC vs Zags and looks like Michigan vs Nova). All of those teams have shooters galore. and we have missed the F4 the last three years. Probably not a coincidence. And Self has been at KU for 15 years, not close to 20.[/QUOTE]
3 final fours in 15 years then. And Jay wright- in his first twelve years, one Elite 8 and one final four. During those twelve years, he didn’t make the tournament 4 times. He also didn’t get out of the first weekend when he did make tournament 4 times. That’s absolutely terrible and he would have been fired after he went 13-18 in 2012.