Kyle Wiltjer
- Thread starter MbergCat
- Start date
Coming off a national championship at UK, I find it hard to believe that even fan support could compare.
He was speaking to a Spokane station so likely just playing to the audience.
Here's the article if anyone wants to read it. I can see that from him. He was a square peg in a round hole here at UK and wasn't as beloved overall from the fan base as he was at Gonzaga. Also, Gonzaga compared to UK is a guppy vs a shark when it comes to the amount of fans so support at the FF was probably pretty overwhelming in that sense. If anyone takes offense to this, you're being goofy.
http://www.slipperstillfits.com/201...-bulldogs-fans-better-than-kentucky-true-fact
http://www.slipperstillfits.com/201...-bulldogs-fans-better-than-kentucky-true-fact
Kyle has played it straight since he left. Has been very complimentary of the UK experience. So that's the filter here. He wasn't insulting us. Just talking about the love he's received in Zags territory. Good for him. He's a great kid.
Not really a surprise coming from a kid that wanted to transfer out of UK because of playing time, or lack thereof.
I'm guessing that the OP read that the same place I did, where it clearly said that he thought the UK fanbase was also very strong.
What's he supposed to say when talking to Zag reporters? "Nope, BBN is by far a better fanbase!"?
Much to do about nothing.
What's he supposed to say when talking to Zag reporters? "Nope, BBN is by far a better fanbase!"?
Much to do about nothing.
It's neither unless you misinterpret his point. Heck...I could easily say that the fans around Wake Forest are better than UK. But better how? Better in loving their team when they lose!
"That was probably the biggest surprise going to Gonzaga," Wiltjer said. "I knew how crazy the Kentucky fan base was, and going to Gonzaga, I knew how great the system was. I knew how great it was going to be for my redshirt year. But I didn't really know -- I knew they were crazy out in the Northwest -- I just didn't know how crazy. This last year when I went to the Final Four, really showed me that, man, Gonzaga is like, in my opinion, the best fan base in the country, and I'm not exaggerating at all. The amount of love that they showed me, Domas (Sabonis) and seeing the support down there at the Final Four, it was pretty unbelievable. And to see that, it really shows a lot to the city, and the city should be proud of that because it was crazy."
I tried to support Wiltjer when he transferred. "Once a Cat... Always a Cat."
No... shouldn't have bit the hand that fed you. Hell hath no fury like a UK Fan scorned!
I tried to support Wiltjer when he transferred. "Once a Cat... Always a Cat."
No... shouldn't have bit the hand that fed you. Hell hath no fury like a UK Fan scorned!
I am not saying anything against Kyle. I think he is a great kid, who always is complimentary toward UK. But, if he thinks Gonzaga's fan base is better than UK's, he is incorrect. Plain and simple, no matter what criteria you use. He may personally like it better, since he is a west coast guy, and they have shown him some love, but, his interpretation and personal feelings does not make it so.
Quite possibly the Zags fan base has a lower percentage of irrational wingnuts.
Fan base is so good at Gonzaga, that he came back to Kentucky to do an autograph tour after he graduated...lol!
Like Cal always says us Cat fans are CRAZY.. There's no fan base in the country that can compare to us but there's a small portion of our fan base that's just plain nuts & meltdown on a game to game basis.. Gonzaga fans probably showed him 100% unconditional love his whole time there, while at UK he was loved but also picked apart about every flaw in his game so I can see why he'd say this
It don't mean he don't still love UK and it's fans he just loves Gonzaga fans too & was probably treated better there
It don't mean he don't still love UK and it's fans he just loves Gonzaga fans too & was probably treated better there
That is a very true statement
the vast majority of people on this board know absolutely nothing about the Gonzaga program, or any of their players.
They don't rant and rave about how every other team in the country is awful and doesn't play anyone. As far as class they have this board beat all to hell. This is coming from a huge Kentucky fan, who actually watches Gonzaga and knows about the program and knows about their players. They run a class organization and Wiltjer is a classy young man, who has had nothing but good things to say about the Cats since he left, but a bunch on here can't wait to run him down every chance they get. That is what I mean about class or I mean the lack of.
He's just upset with BBN because we wouldn't ignore the fact he either would not, or could not, play any defense whatsoever. That's all this is.
Probably a higher percentage of people who believe in homeopathic medicine, himalayan salt lamps, and that humans are magically the only higher animal without innate gender differences.
So it evens out.
Keep in mind that when Kyle went to the Final Four with UK he was insulated by the team and didn't really have an opportunity to see the fanbase. He went to the Zags final four as a fan and got to be out among the other fans much more. That probably makes a difference.
Also, Gonzaga's fans travel pretty well. I work with a couple of Gonzaga grads and one that travels to a lot of the games. For a small school in the northwest they have a pretty strong fanbase. Nothing compared to the 24/7/365 obsession we have with UK basketball. But still strong compared to the rest of the region.
Also, Gonzaga's fans travel pretty well. I work with a couple of Gonzaga grads and one that travels to a lot of the games. For a small school in the northwest they have a pretty strong fanbase. Nothing compared to the 24/7/365 obsession we have with UK basketball. But still strong compared to the rest of the region.
That's why he came back to Kentucky after he finished at Gonzaga to sign autographs, I guess.[winking]
The people complaining about something this minor is probably the reason he said Gonzaga fans are the best.
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His NBA career (if he ever has one) will be short if at all. He needs to keep them happy there so he can come back a get a good job.:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
Beat me to it. If you're mad about this, know that you're the reason people believe this to be true.
He graduated from gonzaga and left UK for them...do you all expect him to just crap all over them because he went here once too. Its okay if he wants to have loyalty there too. In other words, who cares
Not mad at all chief.
Just not a smart thing to say.
If this embarrasses you, then you have some issues.
It's called a message board. People give opinions on Message Boards.
From hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee. Ye damned whale.
