Cal: "Allen had to earn this"

[TankedCat]

Diallo?

 

[Trinity45]

Funny how your 5 star busts like Vanderbilt, Gabriel, Skal and Brooks never had to go through that, huh Cal? Why was Allen playing the same minutes your son, Mr. "Earned Not Given", the guy as skilled in playing as you are in coaching, had? Is it because he's not a five star and he doesn't want to use Lexington as a 6 month pit stop on his way to G-league, so you can promote your one & done crap?

But 5 stars don't have to earn anything because you most likely promised them their minutes

 

[Kentuckiddy]

But 5 stars don't have to earn anything because you most likely promised them their minutes

Bingo

 

[Jumpercat]

Quotes from this week aye? Thats awesome should I go back and show the asshat Cal has been in weeks earlier? Do they not exist?

Something around "I cant play a player I didn't play in the 1st half in the 2nd half"
"The fans are crazy for making me wanting to play this schedule!" in a very funny accent
"Ive got to let the guy in the top of the rotations miss shots"

All paraphrasing but ******* man you defend that type of coach especially when he intends to talk down to a fan base. I cant. Difference between you and I suppose

Great post!!!

 

[HagginHall1999]

I agree, but Boston and Clarke have been so bad, that trying to get them going has cost us several games.
All those close games would have been wins if he put the best lineups in to win games. You can do both, but Cal doesn't feel that way.
I'm stunned at how bad Boston and Clarke are. They look like walk ons.

You an me both. I wasn't sold on TC because I didn't see him play. I watched Boston play and am shocked.

Honestly pulling for both of them. They both were up cheering for Allen tonight. Team chemisty doesn't seem to be an issue.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Was talking about Vanderbilt.

My mistake

 

[kyjeff1]

You an me both. I wasn't sold on TC because I didn't see him play. I watched Boston play and am shocked.

Honestly pulling for both of them. They both were up cheering for Allen tonight. Team chemisty doesn't seem to be an issue.

I don't understand why both players are struggling thevway they are. I mean Boston might be one of the worst shooters I have ever seen.
It would he okay if we even thought both players would be back for a couple more years, but we know that no matter what happens, they are leaving after this season. Which really sucks, because we could miss the NCAAT in an effort to get these two guys going.
IMO, Cal could drop their minutes, win games and still get them going, but he's playing them well over 30mpg and clearly they are not the best options if you want to win games now and possibly in the future. I don't see these guys improving to the point where they are going to dominate their positions against solid veteran players.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Cal had to get tossed from a game before Allen got an opportunity to "earn this".

What? People on here act like he wouldn't have played if Cal didn't get tossed but he played early on and shot 5-6 times before Cal got tossed. He even hit a 3 right before Cal got tossed and Cal said he hit 6-7 out of 10 3s against Transy and in a scrimmage, we only have 5 out there at a time so Cal must have had him out there a good bit to take 10 3s. It looks like Cal planned on him playing and played him a lot against Transy.

Also, I have been with the group saying Allen needed to play for weeks, but let's not be ridiculous.

 

[DelkBowl]

What? People on here act like he wouldn't have played if Cal didn't get tossed but he played early on and shot 5-6 times before Cal got tossed. He even hit a 3 right before Cal got tossed and Cal said he hit 6-7 out of 10 3s against Transy and in a scrimmage, we only have 5 out there at a time so Cal must have had him out there a good bit to take 10 3s. It looks like Cal planned on him playing and played him a lot against Transy.

Also, I have been with the group saying Allen needed to play for weeks, but let's not be ridiculous.

This season is driving people into delirium.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

This season is driving people into delirium.

Tell me about it. Common sense has no place here. I mean people can still hate Cal without sounding like complete loons.

 

[jimmybuffet123]

Im tired of this arrogant pos. He needs humble pie

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Not that I disagree but we both know that isn't going to happen and I'm all for Boston playing far less minutes than he has been. When you gamble your season on recruits like Boston and Clarke I think you force yourself into giving them bigger chances.

I have heard Cal say that the best players will play. We'll see if he means it after tonight.
Boston nor Clarke should be starting. Just about guarantee Boston startes next game and so will Calrke if he's healthy.

 

[westerncat]

Cal did at least make one wise comment tonight. He said post-game that after Allen's performance, he has no choice now but to play him more. He went on to say that other players who were playing ahead of Allen now should be playing behind him. I can only hope he's finally seen the light and will give Allen a ton of Boston's minutes and some of Clarke's as well. If he had to prove to Cal that he could play, I think he's now done that.

You are right but i would not hold my breath on Cal changing.

 

[TankedCat]

he had a choice before

tonight didn't change anything

 

[kyjeff1]

You are right but i would not hold my breath on Cal changing.

Go over to the "Team" thread started by @HagginHall1999 . you'll be surprised at what Cal said in the locker room. It raised my eyebrows.

 

[SandyBell'sFaxMachine]

Funny how your 5 star busts like Vanderbilt, Gabriel, Skal and Brooks never had to go through that, huh Cal? Why was Allen playing the same minutes your son, Mr. "Earned Not Given", the guy as skilled in playing as you are in coaching, had? Is it because he's not a five star and he doesn't want to use Lexington as a 6 month pit stop on his way to G-league, so you can promote your one & done crap?

Vanderbilt averaged 8 rebounds a game in less than 20 minutes as a small forward. And played a 3rd of the season. He wasn't stealing minutes from anyone. He was averaging almost 19 rebounds per 40 minutes while here and he wasn't a center. I think people have a misconstrued memory of his time here because of the injuries

 

[hoopsdave]

I hope Boston and Clarke soon have to earn it.
Funny in Cals post game talk to the team, he was already trying to smooth things over with the ‘chosen ones’, telling them if Allen plays, someone’s minutes have to go down.
laying the groundwork in case he actually has to act like a coach and really play the guys that earn it.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

It’s odd to hear Cal discussing “earning” and hear him even utter the words “earn” anymore these days considering he himself as attributed all of his success to “white privilege” and believes he hasn’t earned any of the success he’s garnered over his illustrious career.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

It’s odd to hear Cal discussing “earning” and hear him even utter the words “earn” anymore these days considering he himself as attributed all of his success to “white privilege” and believes he hasn’t earned any of the success he’s garnered over his illustrious career.

Great post!

 

[Cats_2010]

This 1 million times. Absolutely NO WAY he gets those minutes w Cal in there. He wouldn’t recognize that Allen was a) was the best player on the floor and b) was in the zone

clueless coaching

allen was seeing minutes, played about 15 of the 31 minutes cal was on the bench but you are right about the clueless coaching. I’ve lost all confidence in cals ability as a pure basketball coach, I think he sucks now honestly.

 

[Bobio]

He was so bad the last time he played that UK's radio crew had they been able would have drug him off the floor themselves. I've never heard the radio crew be that hard on a player before. They were pissed and questioning why he wasn't taken out of the game sooner so yes he's turned it around. Good players can do that.

Make no mistake, Cal is the one that played him tonight, he didn't come into the game once Cal left, he was already playing him in both halves. I wouldn't bet on the exact same minutes but Cal was true to his word that Allen was getting his chance tonight just like Cal had said all week. I think Boston would have played more had Cal not gotten tossed but that doesn't mean Allen would have played less. They played together after Cal left.

So he was as bad as Boston is virtually every game? Why does Boston get minutes since he clearly hasn't earned it?

 

[Bobio]

They are trying to defend him for the same reason Cal is going on with his nonsense, trying to save face and not admit they’re savior was wrong and they were wrong for defending every breathe he breathes.

Yup. When you make a god out of a man, Penn State and Paterno happens.

 

[Tapemaster8]

Honest question, are you seeing black helicopters outside, or wearing a tinfoil hat?

You know what they say about assumptions.... Fact is he said was going to play all week and he did. No providing cover, you act scared of the truth.

That’s because Cal knew Clarke wasn’t going to play tonight.

 

[Tapemaster8]

Cal did at least make one wise comment tonight. He said post-game that after Allen's performance, he has no choice now but to play him more. He went on to say that other players who were playing ahead of Allen now should be playing behind him. I can only hope he's finally seen the light and will give Allen a ton of Boston's minutes and some of Clarke's as well. If he had to prove to Cal that he could play, I think he's now done that.

I didn’t hear cal say anyone would be playing behind Allen, but he did say that some players would play less minutes because Allen would need to play more. One point I would like to make is that Boston can be a much better player, but it’s not going to happen until he let’s the game come to him and quits trying to do it on his own!

 

[kyjeff1]

allen was seeing minutes, played about 15 of the 31 minutes cal was on the bench but you are right about the clueless coaching. I’ve lost all confidence in cals ability as a pure basketball coach, I think he sucks now honestly.

You realize Allen got those minutes because Clarke was injured right?
How nice of Cal to give an elite shooter his shot. Yeah right.
What did Clarke & Boston do to earn their minutes?

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

What? People on here act like he wouldn't have played if Cal didn't get tossed but he played early on and shot 5-6 times before Cal got tossed. He even hit a 3 right before Cal got tossed and Cal said he hit 6-7 out of 10 3s against Transy and in a scrimmage, we only have 5 out there at a time so Cal must have had him out there a good bit to take 10 3s. It looks like Cal planned on him playing and played him a lot against Transy.

Also, I have been with the group saying Allen needed to play for weeks, but let's not be ridiculous.

Nobody’s buying what you’re selling. No way DA gets the minutes he got without Cal’s expulsion

 

[Anon1723990757]

Good grief! Stop the hired gun crap and bring some more Kentucky kids on board. They will usually stay and pay huge dividends in games like these. Continue recruiting nationally.

now maybe Boston or Clarke will have to earn something. they sure haven’t so far.

 

[Skyguyb27]

I can’t believe he would say that publicly but it doesn’t really surprise me. Does he know what even says or is he that full of himself? Cal needs to change his attitude or he’s going to lose the entire fan base.

I wouldn’t say he has lost the entire fanbase (nor did you) but it is definitely becoming a possibility with the current trend. Cal has the gift of tongue for sure.
The problem for Cal is he has been here to long and has a history. BBN remembers most of what is said So when Cal starts contradicting himself or pulling excuses out of his arse it’s easy to call BS on him. It’s gonna be hard for him to get back to where he was with the BBN.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Nobody’s buying what you’re selling. No way DA gets the minutes he got without Cal’s expulsion

Sure common sense and facts aren't any good here, I get it. Allen went 2 of 5 before Cal got ejected. He came in the game early and played throughout. Cal had said this week Allen would play and he played enough in the scrimmage to get 10 3s off. He made 2 3s before Cal got tossed and was heating up. He went 3 of 5 in regulation after Cal got tossed. Almost identical, but ok, sure. Now he did kill it in OT. SO I guess you are basing your opinion on Cal not playing a hot Allen in OT even though he played him throughout the game and had seen him get a block and a 3 just 40 seconds before he got tossed.

I have said for weeks that Allen needed to play more so it's not like I am defending the entire situation. I'm just using common sense and looking how it played out. Either way, Allen got his shot and did great so I'm happy. Plus we won. That to me is better than I told you so or whatever it is people on here sometimes celebrate above wins.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

 

[Cowtown Cat]

He did, partially. Said did I screw up the season not playing him more? Maybe I did. Something along those lines

Did he say that? That makes things a little different, if so. He’s still wrong on the quote that the OP posted, though, regardless.

 

[UKNC89]

Cal is the biggest piece of **** for saying this? Yes because all your self entitled he/she boys have earned it??? Cal grow the **** up

 

[revcort]

Not to interrupt the hate fest or anything here. By all means, you guys keep it going. But perhaps some of you folks need to go back and watch a couple of those early games where Allen was a total liability defensively, was afraid to shoot, and threw up a bunch of line drive bricks when he did let one go. He had zero confidence and it showed. The other guys were outplaying him and that's why he got buried.

Now, if you want to say the kid would have been given more of a chance if he had been more highly rated, maybe so. But apparently something clicked for this kid against Bellarmine, because he looked like a different player.

Some of you guys are Kentucky player homers too, just for the record, and rightfully so. We want the home state kid to get his shot and do well. We all love the home town kid. But look, sometimes when things aren't going well, the common solution is more about emotion than performance. That's the case with some here.

And some of you folks have decided Cal is enemy. So, he can do nothing right. So, we can't enjoy a win. We have to spin this against the guy we hate in this 10 minutes of our Iives. Sometimes you answer a fool according to his folly and other times you just walk away. Take this for what it's worth.

Here you go...
Wow! We caught a couple breaks, we made a few shots, and we broke the losing streak! Yay! I'm happy for this team. Maybe our fans will stop harassing them now and they can enjoy social media again. And hey, a hometown Kentucky kid was the hero tonight. That's awesome! I hope this performance carries him to more success and the team to more wins. We still have a ways to go and need to win a bunch more games to even get back in the conversation, but it sure feels good to win again. Let's enjoy this road win and hope for more.

Looky there friends. You can actually be happy about a win without throwing shade against everyone you want to attack. Shocking, I know.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

At the end of the day the goal of basketball is to ultimately put the ball through the hoop more times than your opponent. In order to accomplish this goal you need players who can actually shoot.
Until tonight I haven't seen very many players on the current team that can hit the broad side of a barn. Now, I don't know if Allen can repeat Sat's performance but, he should be given the chance to try. It will be interesting to see how long Cal leaves him in the Vandy game if the guy he is guarding, scores.

Another thing to consider is how Allen will respond if opposing teams start putting their best defender on him. As we know Cal doesn't run specific plays for certain players. He runs "action" designed to create mismatches so that his supposedly superior players can create their own shot.

So, there is much that remains to be seen. Can Allen replicate Sat's performance? Will Calipari leave him in the game long enough to find out? Can Allen create his own shot in a offense that isn't designed to get him a wide open look?
Should be interesting.

 

[revcort]

At the end of the day the goal of basketball is to ultimately put the ball through the hoop more times than your opponent. In order to accomplish this goal you need players who can actually shoot.
Until tonight I haven't seen very many players on the current team that can hit the broad side of a barn. Now, I don't know if Allen can repeat Sat's performance but, he should be given the chance to try. It will be interesting to see how long Cal leaves him in the Vandy game if the guy he is guarding, scores.

Another thing to consider is how Allen will respond if opposing teams start putting their best defender on him. As we know Cal doesn't run specific plays for certain players. He runs "action" designed to create mismatches so that his supposedly superior players can create their own shot.

So, there is much that remains to be seen. Can Allen replicate Sat's performance? Will Calipari leave him in the game long enough to find out? Can Allen create his own shot in a offense that isn't designed to get him a wide open look?
Should be interesting.

Good post. Allen seemed to get better getting open as the game progressed. Even after Miss St adjusted their defense to keep him from getting open looks, he still got open and made shots. That's a good sign. The one play, where he caught the pass, faked to his right, and then stepped back to his left for the clean look (which he drained) was a thing of beauty! His shooting changed the entire dynamic of the offense. Just other teams having to prepare to defend him will help our offense. Tonight could be one of those moments that turn the season around if they can build on it. I think they just needed a break and needed a win to get the monkey off their backs. I guess we'll see.

 

[JohnBlue]

So he was as bad as Boston is virtually every game? Why does Boston get minutes since he clearly hasn't earned it?

Because like it or not we are all on the Boston - Clarke train, if they fail the season gets a lot harder. They are the supposed stars of the team, they still have the most potential if you can get it out of them. Even with as much as I haven't been pleased with Boston's play he's still the teams leading scorer.

 

[carolinacat]

Not to interrupt the hate fest or anything here. By all means, you guys keep it going. But perhaps some of you folks need to go back and watch a couple of those early games where Allen was a total liability defensively, was afraid to shoot, and threw up a bunch of line drive bricks when he did let one go. He had zero confidence and it showed. The other guys were outplaying him and that's why he got buried.

Now, if you want to say the kid would have been given more of a chance if he had been more highly rated, maybe so. But apparently something clicked for this kid against Bellarmine, because he looked like a different player.

Some of you guys are Kentucky player homers too, just for the record, and rightfully so. We want the home state kid to get his shot and do well. We all love the home town kid. But look, sometimes when things aren't going well, the common solution is more about emotion than performance. That's the case with some here.

And some of you folks have decided Cal is enemy. So, he can do nothing right. So, we can't enjoy a win. We have to spin this against the guy we hate in this 10 minutes of our Iives. Sometimes you answer a fool according to his folly and other times you just walk away. Take this for what it's worth.

Here you go...
Wow! We caught a couple breaks, we made a few shots, and we broke the losing streak! Yay! I'm happy for this team. Maybe our fans will stop harassing them now and they can enjoy social media again. And hey, a hometown Kentucky kid was the hero tonight. That's awesome! I hope this performance carries him to more success and the team to more wins. We still have a ways to go and need to win a bunch more games to even get back in the conversation, but it sure feels good to win again. Let's enjoy this road win and hope for more.

Looky there friends. You can actually be happy about a win without throwing shade against everyone you want to attack. Shocking, I know.

I can't let this go.
1. Line drive bricks? Before last night Allen was 2-6 from the field (all threes). What I have seen is Boston and Clarke brick three pointers for the entirety of the season (15% and 23% respectively). Their shot selection has been atrocious.
2. Defense? We've been beaten off the dribble consistently all season. The guy played 14 freaking minutes in our six consecutive losses. Please.
3. It's hard to have confidence when your coach pulls YOU immediately after a mistake, yet let's our unproductive five stars "play through" their multiple failures.
4. You're trying to tell me a scrub scrimmage against Transy (not Bellarmine) caused the "light to go on" for Allen? Suddenly, he became a shooter? Come on.

 

[UK90]

Even with as much as I haven't been pleased with Boston's play he's still the teams leading scorer.

He’s our “leading scorer” only because Cal gives him the longest leash and he forks up by far the most shots. But a leading scorer who shoots a hideous 15% on threes and 36% from the field is plainly a liability hurting your offense more than helping.

Any team with a leading score shooting those awful percentages has not been playing the right way.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

Let’s correct the record here. Wenyen was getting the majority of the minutes until it was clear Willis was the better option. Only THEN did DW wind up with more minutes.

thanks NN .. Derek was hung out to dry just like Allen has been . Only because WG was so entirely inept as a player most of the time here did DW get a chance . But there was a ton of leash ( PT ) given to WG that he never ever “ earned “

 

[Wildcat Sheli]

After watching his post-game presser, I now know in context, he was answering a question if SEC play was still preparation for March, and if Cal thought March was still in play for us. But the comment itself just makes us all go “what?” because we know Allen couldn’t take himself off the bench and insert himself in the game.

Happy for Allen and hopefully his role going forward.