Everybody just face it

[TeleTubby]

These aren't your father's mid majors. Wofford won at UNC a couple seasons ago, and gave us a really good game last year. Virginia lost to UMBC in the first round with basically the same team that won a title the next year.

Losing to Evansville today, especially early in the season coming off a huge win the week before, isn't comparable to losing to Evansville in 2012 or 1996.

 

[Cal-4-Three]

No...Just no. We got our butt kicked due to lack of preparedness. We had more talent at every position on the floor.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

:flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush::flush: x100000000000000000000

 

[Usmcincy]

Evansville didn’t even play well lol

 

[LadyCaytIL]

Mid majors shooting in the 30% range should never knock off a UK team at home. If they were shooting in the 40% range..... sure... they went hot and we were cold but they didnt have a great game either... we were just that flipping awful

 

[CELTICAT]

 

[MarkPftw]

Evansville didn’t even play well lol

Very true and that's what worries me the most. It's not like they came in and hit 12-15 threes and shot out of their minds or had a guy go off for 30 or 40. They played better than we did, obviously, but they really didn't do anything special with how they beat us.

 

[John Henry]

These aren't your father's mid majors. Wofford won at UNC a couple seasons ago, and gave us a really good game last year. Virginia lost to UMBC in the first round with basically the same team that won a title the next year.

Losing to Evansville today, especially early in the season coming off a huge win the week before, isn't comparable to losing to Evansville in 2012 or 1996.

Stop it. And tell that to the selection committee in March.

 

[NoDef]

The difference between mid-major and top D-1 programs is size and skill in the post. Not a whole lot of difference between an NAIA guard and a guard at Arkansas just due to the simple fact that there is so many 5'10-6'2 people playing basketball. We just don't have a post player that is much better than mid-major post. It showed last night.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

I was shocking to lose , it was also HOW we lost . Eville didnt even play that well , and they controlled the entire game. They pretty much led from start to finish , we never challenged them .. my gosh , did I just really type that ????

 

[Cats_2010]

The difference between mid-major and top D-1 programs is size and skill in the post. Not a whole lot of difference between an NAIA guard and a guard at Arkansas just due to the simple fact that there is so many 5'10-6'2 people playing basketball. We just don't have a post player that is much better than mid-major post. It showed last night.

Much better, I’d say we don’t have a post player any better than most mid majors and maybe not as good.

 

[John Henry]

Much better, I’d say we don’t have a post player any better than most mid majors and maybe not as good.

Some players should not be given UK basketball scholarships and we have had more than our share lately

 

[UK90]

These aren't your father's mid majors. Wofford won at UNC a couple seasons ago, and gave us a really good game last year. Virginia lost to UMBC in the first round with basically the same team that won a title the next year.

Not really, considering that Virginia's best all around player, Deandre Hunter, missed the UMBC game with injury. Hunter would've made a huge difference in that game.

And, I'm sorry, but this Evansville team is nowhere remotely close to being as good as Wofford was last year. That's just a false comparison. Just because two teams are small mid majors doesn't mean they're the same thing.

Losing to Evansville today, especially early in the season coming off a huge win the week before, isn't comparable to losing to Evansville in 2012 or 1996.

Actually it's probably worse than losing to Evansville in 96, because at least in the 90s Evansville was a respected winning program that regularly went to the NCAA tournament. Whereas in the 21st century it's become known as a losing program that hasn't sniffed the tournament in decades. Losing to mid-90s UE would be far more understandable than to the 2019 version.

Sorry, my friend, but there's no way to sugar coat this loss. Going down on our own home court to lowly Evansville just plain sucks.

 

[TeleTubby]

Guys I'm not saying it wasn't a **** performance. It was. We were 25 point favorites. I'm just pointing out that we shouldn't be saying "How could we lose to Evansville?" It's arrogant. And it's not unprecedented. Maybe the 25-point spread was, but not an SEC team losing to a mid major.

 

[somersetcat]

These aren't your father's mid majors. Wofford won at UNC a couple seasons ago, and gave us a really good game last year. Virginia lost to UMBC in the first round with basically the same team that won a title the next year.

Losing to Evansville today, especially early in the season coming off a huge win the week before, isn't comparable to losing to Evansville in 2012 or 1996.

Hey buddy ! We’re talking about Evansville. Before last night I had never heard of Evansville. And EVANSVILLE waltzed into Rupp And handled the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
This should NEVER HAPPEN! And John Calamari and everyone on UK ‘s roster should be embarrassed! I am !

 

[JAC71]

For those people that are embarrassed and upset about the loss, why keep talking about it, move on already.
Some of these so called fans have agendas and I guarantee you UK could win a title and these so called fans would find something to whine about. It’s not entirely their fault though because it’s a kind of mental defect, the misery loves company kind of defect.
If you come across some of these folks just nod your head at them and try not to make eye contact for it may send them into a violent rage. Maybe pat them on the back and let them know everything will be okay.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I don't know if there's any real difference.. but as the elite programs keep racing for the 1AD's, the mid-majors are going into games with more experience.

You do have far more upsets in the tournaments higher seeds than ever.

Aside from 14 seed upsets.. all other double digits upsets are a good deal more frequent over the last 10 years.

 

[Xception]

The top programs have dropped down closer to mid majors, not the other way around.

 

[Elliott Tim]

These aren't your father's mid majors. Wofford won at UNC a couple seasons ago, and gave us a really good game last year. Virginia lost to UMBC in the first round with basically the same team that won a title the next year.

Losing to Evansville today, especially early in the season coming off a huge win the week before, isn't comparable to losing to Evansville in 2012 or 1996.

Love your glass half full analogy!

 

[akaukswoosh]

These aren't your father's mid majors. Wofford won at UNC a couple seasons ago, and gave us a really good game last year. Virginia lost to UMBC in the first round with basically the same team that won a title the next year.

Losing to Evansville today, especially early in the season coming off a huge win the week before, isn't comparable to losing to Evansville in 2012 or 1996.

You can’t take anybody for granted. Our kids learned that in the harshest way last night and also got introduced to Doug Shows, who’s been the ref in 31 UK losses.[eyeroll]

 

[Bratkartoffeln]

These aren't your father's mid majors. Wofford won at UNC a couple seasons ago, and gave us a really good game last year. Virginia lost to UMBC in the first round with basically the same team that won a title the next year.

Losing to Evansville today, especially early in the season coming off a huge win the week before, isn't comparable to losing to Evansville in 2012 or 1996.

Very good points. We have seen Duke lose in recent years to--of all people--Mercer and Lehigh--so that's just two games our rival has lost that come to mind of many, Wofford being another like you say vs UNC. Kansas, Indiana, and other big name basketball schools have all fallen to the so-called peasantry in recent years. No one is immune! There are simply those who have (lost to mid-majors), and those who will.

That loss was stunning and was by all accounts disgusting, but in the grand scheme of things, what a great butt-whipping lesson for our very complacent kids (two of whom were hurt), by a well-coached, well-prepared team who had nothing to lose but had some nice players with good experience. "Cupcakes" have players 1-12 who are ALL MUCH BETTER by a long shot than the best you "Bennies" might see at the YMCA. Mid-majors are definitely better than ever before--hell, our population has increased from 275 million in 1998 to around 320 million now...more players to go around who are better than even just 20 years ago. Makes sense, right?

 

[CB3UK]

Look, it doesnt excuse the loss. This is UK. Not Cupcake State. And Evansville isnt Wichita State. But in the larger picture across the landscape, OP is right. The mid majors have stepped it up. Im just saying, to make the point UK specific, perhaps if wed been playing VCU or Xavier last night its hold water.

At least it was Walter. I am genuinely happy for him.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Evansville didn’t even play well lol

They played harder. I'm not making excuses for Cal, but he shouldn't have to coach effort. Our guys were standing upright on D and not getting down in a defense stance half the time. Plus giving offense rebound one after another to such a smaller team is effort. This team just beat Mich St. on a neutral court and pretty much took a beast-like Tillman out of the game. When you play with no heart and expect to show up and the other team forfeits this **** happens. Heart and effort shouldn't have to be taught to any division 1 athlete.

 

[CB3UK]

I was shocking to lose , it was also HOW we lost . Eville didnt even play that well , and they controlled the entire game. They pretty much led from start to finish , we never challenged them .. my gosh , did I just really type that ????

This is the part that seems to be lost on some of the fans who are blind. UE didn't come in and play the game of the century. They shot 39%. We lost due to piss poor effort. I have no doubt Cal wont have a problem like that again after the practices they run this week [laughing]

 

[TheOtherGreatOne]

No...Just no. We got our butt kicked due to lack of preparedness. We had more talent at every position on the floor.

Maybe so but Evansville knows how to best use the tallent they have and we apparently don't

 

[dcw62]

Maybe so but Evansville knows how to best use the tallent they have and we apparently don't

This plus losing to an ex player who is a Pitino clone

 

[UK90]

This is the part that seems to be lost on some of the fans who are blind. UE didn't come in and play the game of the century. They shot 39%. We lost due to piss poor effort. I have no doubt Cal wont have a problem like that again after the practices they run this week [laughing]

Yep. The truth is Evansville is not even good by lowly mid-major standards. They were a 21 loss team last year that finished in last place in the MVC. And, as you noted, they didn't even play that well against us, shot only a measly 39 per cent in the game.

So it was not a case of a mid-major having the game of their lives ...as some here have tried to frame it ...instead it was a bad mid major playing poorly ..but still winning because we played even worse.

Our boys just did not show up at all for that one. Guess they were still too busy basking in the spotlight of that No. 1 ranking to think they needed to show up for a home date with lowly UE. That game will rightfully be remembered as one of the worst ever in UK history.

 

[ScrooDook92]

For those people that are embarrassed and upset about the loss, why keep talking about it, move on already.
Some of these so called fans have agendas and I guarantee you UK could win a title and these so called fans would find something to whine about. It’s not entirely their fault though because it’s a kind of mental defect, the misery loves company kind of defect.
If you come across some of these folks just nod your head at them and try not to make eye contact for it may send them into a violent rage. Maybe pat them on the back and let them know everything will be okay.

This "agenda" labelling is getting old. It's called fans not being happy with the product. If you don't like others being unhappy with the product and voicing their opinions on it, then either join the staff at UK and help the program get better, or ignore the opinions you don't like and move on!

 

[ScrooDook92]

Yep. The truth is Evansville is not even good by lowly mid-major standards. They were a 21 loss team last year, and were not expected to be much better this year. And, as you noted, they didn't even play that well against us, shot only a measly 39 per cent in the game.

So it was not a case of a mid-major having the game of their lives ...as some here have tried to frame it ...instead it was a bad mid major playing poorly ..but still winning because we played even worse.

Our boys just did not show up at all for that one. Guess they were still too busy basking in the spotlight of that No. 1 ranking to think they needed to show up for a home date with lowly UE. That game will rightfully be remembered as one of the worst ever in UK history.

It has almost nothing to do with the kids "basking in glory" or anything like that. Cal told us what it was: he did not have the team prepared. He hasn't done his job this season, yet. It's also lack of talent.

 

[CB3UK]

Yep. The truth is Evansville is not even good by lowly mid-major standards. They were a 21 loss team last year, and were not expected to be much better this year. And, as you noted, they didn't even play that well against us, shot only a measly 39 per cent in the game.

So it was not a case of a mid-major having the game of their lives ...as some here have tried to frame it ...instead it was a bad mid major playing poorly ..but still winning because we played even worse.

Our boys just did not show up at all for that one. Guess they were still too busy basking in the spotlight of that No. 1 ranking to think they needed to show up for a home date with lowly UE. That game will rightfully be remembered as one of the worst ever in UK history.

I almost feel bad for Utah Valley State. We are going to hit those poor bastards like a freight train Monday night.

 

[Hutchkycat]

I thought the same thing going into the game against Evansville Tuesday night.

 

[jackcarlson]

I tho

You can’t take anybody for granted. Our kids learned that in the harshest way last night and also got introduced to Doug Shows, who’s been the ref in 31 UK losses.[eyeroll]

I thought that was Shows. I knew we were in trouble....

 

[jackcarlson]

They played harder. I'm not making excuses for Cal, but he shouldn't have to coach effort. Our guys were standing upright on D and not getting down in a defense stance half the time. Plus giving offense rebound one after another to such a smaller team is effort. This team just beat Mich St. on a neutral court and pretty much took a beast-like Tillman out of the game. When you play with no heart and expect to show up and the other team forfeits this **** happens. Heart and effort shouldn't have to be taught to any division 1 athlete.

our guys were out-hustled time after time. there would be 3 white jerseys surrounding a loose ball, and the solitary guy in the purple shirt would come up with it!! this happened over and over and over. No excuse for this.

 

[KyFaninNC]

The top programs have dropped down closer to mid majors, not the other way around.

Thanks to the OAD.

 

[Xception]

Thanks to the OAD.

If you eliminate OAD the product gets even worse because lesser talent will stay longer but still be lesser talent. It’s been getting worse since players started leaving as juniors back in the 80’s. This slow drain of talent is decades in the process, OAD elimination is the final drain of talent. When OAD is gone the game won’t suddenly be better, the college games heyday is over and has been for awhile.

 

[Cal-4-Three]

Maybe so but Evansville knows how to best use the tallent they have and we apparently don't

I am going to save this and I will be back in touch during the tournament. We will see who knows how to best use their talent when it really matters.

 

[TeleTubby]

This "agenda" labelling is getting old. It's called fans not being happy with the product. If you don't like others being unhappy with the product and voicing their opinions on it, then either join the staff at UK and help the program get better, or ignore the opinions you don't like and move on!

It's called adults living vicariously through athletes. They're kids. They played their asses off against Michigan State and took Evansville completely for granted. For those of us who enjoy...key word enjoy....watching UK basketball, the phrase "when you lose, don't lose the lesson" gives us hope that this will make our team much, much better. For those of us who can't enjoy it....each loss hurts their self esteem....maybe they should reconsider why they're giving so much power to a bunch of kids they don't even know.

 

[TortElvisII]

Hey buddy ! We’re talking about Evansville. Before last night I had never heard of Evansville. And EVANSVILLE waltzed into Rupp And handled the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
This should NEVER HAPPEN! And John Calamari and everyone on UK ‘s roster should be embarrassed! I am !

You're from Kentucky and you've never heard of Evansville?

 

[Pete391]

Were was maybe a zone or a pressing defense thrown in there to maybe give UK a spark they never got during the game...A couple steals and baskets off a high pressing defense can turn a game around fast..