Face the facts.

[Soupbean]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

What does any of that have to his inability to make strategic coaching moves himself that would make a difference regardless of talent level?

 

[RunninRichie]

Because he basically had no choice. A lot of top tier recruits were lost to other teams the past few years.

Should have fired Justus and Barbee sooner then.

 

[Woodrow24]

Omg you are completely lost. I couldn’t imagine trying to navigate anything with your brain.

Yesterday he got mad and told someone they needed to kill their self and then today he’s telling people to “stfu”. SMH… the Cal guys on this board are hands down the most combative

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

Dude what the hell are you even talking about? Some of you are completely losing it trying to find ways to excuse this mess. Stop.

You guys are now, because there’s no where left to go, throwing players that CALIPARI brought into the program under the bus because you need something to defend the guy against. Remember when we would laugh at how guys like Self and K would throw their players under the bus? Well y’all are way, WAY worse than they ever were.

And when it’s brought to your attention that **NEWS FLASH** Calipari RECRUITED these guys, you find an even worse excuse (hard to top your first one but alas) that it’s still not his fault because he missed on other recruits?

Do not take this personal. Are you stupid?

In your world, and you’re literally saying this, coaches should not be fired because of their rosters underperformance. Think about that.

This is HIS team. He is the GENERAL MANAGER. He is the COACH of a legendary program and he SUCKS.

To HELL with your excuses and the Calipari Cult’s excuses.

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

Should have fired Justus and Barbee sooner then.

Ding dong!!!

Im not being personal when I say these Cult boys are stupid.

 

[wldktz1]

Everything you’ve said is on Coach Cal, he put this team together and ultimately the overall and complete responsibility starts and ends with him.

Yes, and he did exactly what all the couch potato coaches wanted. He recruited 3-4 year guys along with recruiting 3-4 year portal guys. The other contributing factor is the fanbase running players and recruits off. We could have used Brooks this year.

 

[KyCPA2000]

Hahaha!!! You said that like Tubby could coach?

Ok, what did Tubby do anywhere else?

And Cal owns Pitino.

Pitino had a similar roster at Iona this year. What did he do?

No one is doing better with this team that can’t guard.

Because they are not playing a scheme that fits the players. It's really not hard to see, but whatever. Some minds can't be informed and changed because a wall has been put up. I was in school when both Pitino and Tubby were there and both were great coaches. Tubby could not recruit players later in his tenure, but absolutely could coach. In fact, his team with Patrick sparks had less talent than this team and made it to Elite Eight.

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

Yesterday he got mad and told someone they needed to kill their self and then today he’s telling people to “stfu”. SMH… the Cal guys on this board are hands down the most combative

I just think it’s the bottom element of the fan base. They defended Gillispie the same way. It’s the same crowd. They see a coach on TV talking and go upside down. Easily duped by a charlatan’s charisma like Calipari. In reality he thinks they’re dumber than I do, but they don’t have it upstairs to realize what’s going on.

 

[SDcatfan13]

The roster is poorly constructed and that's directly on Cal.

UK fans need to watch more basketball on a regular basis to see the actual talent other teams have. Watching random games late at night, on weekends, you name it, it was so easy to see this group lacked the talent to compete for a title right away. Wallace and Livingston would have had to be Knight and MKG caliber for a title run. Toppin needed to become 1st team all SEC in addition to Oscar being steady and consistent. The preseason rankings, which are stupid, are just going to keep happening when Cal lands 5-star recruits. Doesn't mean they're legit.

Not buying this. I see teams like Kansas and Purdue and I don't see more talent than Kentucky. For example, Kansas is really strong at 2-4 spots but just OK at PG and C.

I think bigger issue is coaching and adjustments/lack thereof. Also think players need to shoulder some of blame in not being mentally tough and losing focus.

 

[Woodrow24]

I just think it’s the bottom element of the fan base. They defended Gillispie the same way. It’s the same crowd. They see a coach on TV talking and go upside down. Easily duped by a charlatan’s charisma like Calipari. In reality he thinks they’re dumber than I do, but they don’t have it upstairs to realize what’s going on.

One of the cult admitted today he grew up in Ohio and is a buckeye football fan. He’s been defending Calipari like crazy and then when I make him mad by pointing that out, Leadbelly magically shows up out of the blue begging for me to get banned. Smh

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

Btw, where is @MdWIldcat55 ?

 

[UKNothinButNet]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

The Force is strong with this one!

 

[Woodrow24]

Hell I’ve been trying to get along with Leadbelly I don’t understand what made him mad at me today lol

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

One of the cult admitted today he grew up in Ohio and is a buckeye football fan. He’s been defending Calipari like crazy and then when I make him mad by pointing that out, Leadbelly magically shows up out of the blue begging for me to get banned. Smh

Several trolls around here that are not UK fans, and what do you know? They always like the Cal Cult’s post. That should tell them something but, alas, they don’t have it upstairs.

 

[Woodrow24]

Several trolls around here that are not UK fans, and what do you know? They always like the Cal Cult’s post. That should tell them something but, alas, they don’t have it upstairs.

They love the direction our program is going. Some of these guys are willing to turn our program into Indiana for their hero Cal

 

[jc2010]

Because he basically had no choice. A lot of top tier recruits were lost to other teams the past few years.

Isn’t that on Cow also?

 

[lj bulldog]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

Good and accurate post.

 

[VaxxedObamaCat]

I just think it’s the bottom element of the fan base. They defended Gillispie the same way. It’s the same crowd. They see a coach on TV talking and go upside down. Easily duped by a charlatan’s charisma like Calipari. In reality he thinks they’re dumber than I do, but they don’t have it upstairs to realize what’s going on.

Yeah, you see the same mentality with some at churches who worship/idolize pastors. It’s bizarre.

And yeah, I absolutely remember the Gillispie defenders.

 

[Bluesbrother]

If everything was coached perfectly this team is still not championship material.

... the coaching, recent recruiting and program management is not championship caliber. It hasn't been for too many years now. Cal's salary hasn't changed, ticket prices have gone up but Cal's accomplishments aren't worthy by OVC standards. The UK Program is being burned to the ground and Cal says he's tired ... in March.

 

[Panthur]

Cocaine is a powerful drug.

 

[Blue Wildcat]

F Cal. He has destroyed any resemblance of UK Basketball.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Imagine, after all this ********, still being a Cal defender.

I'm starting to really believe they have marching orders . It's the exact same M.O. every time. New accounts show up, and

1. Blame the fan base.
2. Blame the players.
3. But under no circumstance ever blame the $10 million a year head of the program.

 

[willievic]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

Buc, who in the hell recruited these players. I've said for 14 years that Cal cannot judge talent. He just relies on getting 5 Stars. Going along with not judging talent, he also can't coach. I can tell you what he can do. Cal can PI$$ in your ear, tell you it's raining, and sell you an umbrella.

 

[kywildcats8]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

Can't argue with anything you said- I really thought we would be 30-2 this year- IMO the main issue is Cal just does not adjust and is not a X and O coach

 

[willievic]

To be fair, Cal didn't have much to choose from as we lost out on some great recruits the past few years. Next year is the first time in a long while that our recruiting class is legit and reminiscent of the early days when he took over. No excuses next year. We have to make at least the final eight.

In other words, Cal can't judge talent. You're right, and he can't coach. Do you think every coach gets all 5 Star recruits.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

How many years since UK made a final four? How many years since UK won an SEC tournament? How many terrible losses has UK racked up the meantime? Count them.

The UK men’s basketball team has played beneath its fine tradition for five seasons. After running 9-16 in 2021, after losing in the first round last season, Cal should have coached this team as if every damn game was its last. But he hasn’t. He doesn’t respect the fans, he’s way too comfortable with losses, and he refuses to budge off a coaching strategy that has only been successful when he’s had dominant talent.

I understand that Cal is most likely to return next season. But short of a deep-*** run and convincing evidence of UK’s return to form, it’ll be time for him to step down.

 

[John Henry]

The roster is poorly constructed and that's directly on Cal.

UK fans need to watch more basketball on a regular basis to see the actual talent other teams have. Watching random games late at night, on weekends, you name it, it was so easy to see this group lacked the talent to compete for a title right away. Wallace and Livingston would have had to be Knight and MKG caliber for a title run. Toppin needed to become 1st team all SEC in addition to Oscar being steady and consistent. The preseason rankings, which are stupid, are just going to keep happening when Cal lands 5-star recruits. Doesn't mean they're legit.

This is spot on. I am watching Kansas - Texas now and both teams would smoke UK. . UK can not keep up with the elite teams and is just an also ran. UK will get in the tournament, bring a nice crowd of people and go home when they play a good team. UK has a lot of work to do to get back to being relevant.

 

[Bluesbrother]

Can't argue with anything you said- I really thought we would be 30-2 this year- IMO the main issue is Cal just does not adjust and is not a X and O coach

That "main issue" you mention ... isn't that the essence of what a coach is paid to do?

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

What many don’t realize is Calipari does lose on purpose in a sense. He’s safe from being fired as of right now. He’s got a horrible personality that likes to go to war. He loves that he can lose and Barnhart can’t fire him. He loves the fans seeing us lose and there’s nothing they can do. He’s above consequences and loves it.

He loves it way more than winning. He doesn’t care anymore about winning. His own players have told you that.

What he now does is sleepwalk, not giving a ****. He’s not going to adjust. He’s not going to put time in. Show up, perform to what he wants, if you don’t he probably prefers the loss to throw it in the players faces for not doing what he said.

Then he, and his band of misfit followers, just throw the players in the trash, call them talentless hacks, and we move on to repeat this next year.

 

[wildcat111]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

You are conveniently overlooking one glaring fact. Just who do you think is solely responsible for building the roster at UK??? If you don't like the talent of the players, the assistant coaches, etc. the person in charge is accountable and I think you know who that is.

 

[KyLegacyBBN]

To everyone wanting Cal gone and thinking we'd be a championship team with a different coach needs to check themselves. Take a serious look at the talent on this team and ask yourself this. Are we really capable of winning a title? What was Oscar before he came to UK? He was an average basketball player with limited skills and athletic ability. Our two 5 star freshmen are far from capable of taking over games, Reeves is a good shooter who has exceeded expectations, Toppin has improved every year he has been here, but was hardly a player to lead this team, Collins is a 5 star recruit with zero basketball skills and solely relies on athletic ability, Frederick was a great shooter with no athletic ability fighting injuries ever since he's been here, Ware has never been good, Wheeler is too small and can't shoot or go to his right, Thiero has room to grow, but isn't ready, and Onyenso is very raw with tons of potential, but will take a few years to fully develop. Add to that the fact that this team can't seem to hit critical free throws and you have a recipe for being exactly what they are. If they get hot they can do some damage, but don't count on it because the overall talent isn't there. Next year is a critical year for Cal though, so if he sucks next year I might start to side with you critics.

Okay, I didn’t read every reply to this thread so I apologize if it’s been said. Your whole argument is about to roster construction and management , guess who is responsible for that. The head coach. Crazy I know but that’s a fact.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Everything you’ve said is on Coach Cal, he put this team together and ultimately the overall and complete responsibility starts and ends with him.

Just need 1-2 more years to see the exact same things and then maybe I’ll concede Cal has some problems .

 

[Jont0805]

Much like Tom Crean he just needs more time. Once he gets his players in things will be different. You can’t expect a coach to have the team and players he wants in year 14, next year he finally has a roster he recruited entirely and things will be different! Lmao

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Not buying this. I see teams like Kansas and Purdue and I don't see more talent than Kentucky. For example, Kansas is really strong at 2-4 spots but just OK at PG and C.

I think bigger issue is coaching and adjustments/lack thereof. Also think players need to shoulder some of blame in not being mentally tough and losing focus.

Every single team this year has multiple flaws, none are really that much above the rest. We should absolutely be competing for a final 4 this year. The only difference is the coach and the way teams play to their strengths.

 

[TomTraubertsBlues]

Who says anyone who wants Cal thinks we'd win a title soon without him? I am sick of watching the product he puts on the floor. Anyone else would do.

 

[bnewt]

To be fair, Cal didn't have much to choose from as we lost out on some great recruits the past few years. Next year is the first time in a long while that our recruiting class is legit and reminiscent of the early days when he took over. No excuses next year. We have to make at least the final eight.

Total bs
Plenty of good talent in the portal and this clown of a coach never looked at them.
Two good point guards for Texas, hunter and Carr were both transfers, but ccc took Wheeler instead. He has no concept of talent

 

[Bluesbrother]

What many don’t realize is Calipari does lose on purpose in a sense. He’s safe from being fired as of right now. He’s got a horrible personality that likes to go to war. He loves that he can lose and Barnhart can’t fire him. He loves the fans seeing us lose and there’s nothing they can do. He’s above consequences and loves it.

He loves it way more than winning. He doesn’t care anymore about winning. His own players have told you that.

What he now does is sleepwalk, not giving a ****. He’s not going to adjust. He’s not going to put time in. Show up, perform to what he wants, if you don’t he probably prefers the loss to throw it in the players faces for not doing what he said.

Then he, and his band of misfit followers, just throw the players in the trash, call them talentless hacks, and we move on to repeat this next year.

I would say you are very close to the truth and that's kinda scary. When it ends, it could be very ugly. I hope not. He's done enough damage and needs to go.

 

[Pickle_Rick]

It’s correct that we have a talent and fit problem.































But it’s also correct to blame Cal for this roster.































Another coach would not do better than Cal with this roster.































But there’s no way another coach puts this team together.















Blanket statements such as this are just opinion. We will never know because another coach will not coach this team. But another coach could install a modern offense, teach zone AND man to man defense, run set plays for guys who have run set plays for their careers (why I think shooters do so poorly under Cal), defend the inbounds, design an inbounds ( Cal has actually run one a few times this season) fill the scholarship roster, watch film of opposing teams, utilize the bench, etc., etc., etc. To think none of these things wouldn't improve our team is naivete, and Cal adulation.

 

[bnewt]

Not buying this. I see teams like Kansas and Purdue and I don't see more talent than Kentucky. For example, Kansas is really strong at 2-4 spots but just OK at PG and C.

I think bigger issue is coaching and adjustments/lack thereof. Also think players need to shoulder some of blame in not being mentally tough and losing focus.

Purdue is nearly all local kids not any 5 stars yet they win
It is all coaching and schemes, neither of which uk has

 

[Bluesbrother]

Total bs
Plenty of good talent in the portal and this clown of a coach never looked at them.
Two good point guards for Texas, hunter and Carr were both transfers, but ccc took Wheeler instead. He has no concept of talent

Cal probably can't get these players. Cal's brand is faded and kids aren't buying into it. Add to that ... he can't coach and why would anyone waste their time here?