My Theory on Cal's Decline

[Elliott Tim]

I really appreciate that Bluesbrother. And I agree, we are a passionate group of fans. That's why this program will be back to elite status at some point along the way. We're not going to accept for less than that. I definitely understand we have to let people have their say and even vent a bit. So long as folks are respectful and don't attack each other, we gotta give room for differing opinions. We all ultimately want the same thing- wins and success for this team and university, even if the path we want is different. Thanks again my friend.

It's called " pick your battles and stay in your lane".

 

[TortElvisII]

I see it differently. Since covid Cal has been done with showcasing his draft picks at the end of the regular season. He has gone full DePaul.

 

[katwest]

He can’t win big games in the SEC or NCAA tournaments. He gets beat by teams and coaches that have no business beating Kentucky way too much. His record at Kentucky the last 5 years pales in comparison to our other coaches in their last 5 years. His refusal to change anything about his coaching style and his stubborn ways are evident for all to see.

 

[jeffky]

We are beyond analogies we need this clown out of here he is killing Kentucky basketball

 

[deep3]

Cal is a dead man walking. Mitch has one year to find a list of replacements, put out feelers via back channels, etc.


Next year is going to be ugly. Lashing out in pressers, embarrasing losses. Tons of cliches about how we're young, my center is 17.






I agree with your theory. But I do think that the twins returning energized him. He was gone from here to re-take on the NBA. He had redeemed himself in the college game, and was gone to the lakers or cavs in 2014. Only thing left was to return to the NBA and go out on top with Lebron. When those guys came back it lit a fire under him to win a 2nd title. When he choked it, that fire was quickly gone, his NBA chance was also gone too. Couple in 2017, when he got hosed, he seemed to become bitter at the NCAA. Started pulling out of nike's tournaments, recruiting dipped in terms of getting top 5 elite guys, then after 2019's elite 8 loss? He completley fell apart, he shifted to mental health, I can't take their hearts, wanted to keep them engaged. I really believe Cal felt like he blew his chance at the NBA and is semi-depressed at himself for it. The 2015 title was supposed to be his mangum opus for passing on the NBA. It failed. 2017 he had another shot, it failed. He became bitter after that. 2019 finished him off, he shifted to let's just get these kids rich.

This is literally spot on, well done..

 

[gojvc]

I just can't even imagine what it would take for me to reinvest in UK under Cal at this point. If our best players returned (Reed would be at the top of that list) and we could find some real men in the transfer in to show some toughness, and maybe if Cal stopped worrying about hurting guys' feelings and all about winning again, and if I could actually SEE a real change, then maybe.

But look, we're losing 90% of this team and the only ones returning are probably the worst ones. And we've got 6 freshmen coming to take over, and 3 of them will probably start after Cal has made deals with their handlers. I'm so bitter right now, I just can't see any scenario that changes my attitude about it.

He needs to re-recruit Reed and Adou and then get four grown men out of the portal. And if any of the freshman or their handlers don’t like it then hit the highway. That goes for every single one of them.

 

[Wildcat Sheli]

I know that 2015 did something to me emotionally as a fan. To be denied a chance at the championship game was heartbreaking. Deep dives revealed inexcusable mistakes from the referees (in typical Higgins fashion) that left us all reeling over the “what ifs.”

2016-2017 was such a fun season. Yet it ended with more “what ifs” in typical Higgins fashion. We were so close. Again. And what ensued after Higgins’ missed calls riled the fan base in unprecedented ways.*

I think most everyone agrees that referees ever since 2017 (and even before, but moreso after) have animosity towards Cal. 2018 left some nagging questions.** Another deep dive into our 2019 matchup vs Auburn left fans wondering if we’d ever see another fairly called tournament game.*** I think these losses profoundly affected Cal and caused priorities to shift.

The sad thing is, UK has been gifted ideal brackets the last couple years but poor preparation hindered wins from happening. If ONLY the final tape of a season would be watched and analyzed, maybe those patterns we fans see so clearly could be fixed!

I will say that I have personally witnessed Cal seeking out “the least of these” in a room and giving them special attention, and that did cause me to respect him as a person in a way that I hadn’t before.

But regarding basketball, in Calipari’s own words, “Enough talking. Let’s ball.”

*https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/higgins-missed-calls-thread-2005-2017.232127/

**https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/jamie-luckie-and-kentucky.263353/page-2#post-6804184

***https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/no-fouls-on-auburn-in-the-last-9-18.294090/

 

[deep3]

Man, just tell me your real feelings. So, I'm not allowed to agree with you if I didn't agree with you 5 years ago? Should I send you a picture and some darts? Hey, that picture in my profile is me. Just give it a go. It might help your anger toward me personally.

So, here's the thing. I'm just being honest with what I think. That's what I've been doing all along. This is a UK message board. We're all UK fans. We all want to win. Hopefully, all of us are posting our genuine thoughts and feelings at any given point. So, my genuine thoughts are now in agreement with you. Why not be happy about that? Or tell me to shut up, I guess, which you have.

Happy Easter man. I'm on your side.

It’s funny you and I constantly disagreed for the last 4 years but as life works we are spot on with our beliefs

 

[Wildcats1st]

2015 was what broke cal. Period. He wanted that undefeated season he saw how hard it was and would never be back. That destroyed his ego. And while he was licking his wounds out ad was fully vested into our fb program and as letting cal do what he wanted.

 

[Blueaz]

I think Calipari's edge left after he won that 2012 title. He had accomplished his dream. His confidence was stolen when that 2014-15 team lost to Wisconsin. He was left with fear of losing. And any hunger he had to win left when he got that lifetime contract. He was left just trying to protect what he had been given.

So, all he's left is protecting his paycheck and his legacy. He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires. But he's wrong about how he will be remembered for putting guys in the NBA. Nobody will care except for those guys. So, his real legacy is losing to St Peter's, Kansas St, and Oakland in consecutive seasons. And so, what's left? Protecting his paycheck at all costs. That's where we are.

Can he recover from this? I thought this season was his best shot, but his lack of any edge, confidence, and hunger left his team floundering to an NAIA team. Next year, with 6 freshmen coming in to face teams of 4th, 5th, and 6th year seniors and grad students, there is zero chance of recovery.

IMO to be great
You can't fear losing, but you must hate losing; and that hate outweighs the love of winning
but that's just me

 

[rick64]

CCC’s problem is he still thinks you can out talent the opposition. If talent was always the deciding factor then he and UK would’ve won 4-5 more NCAAT titles.

 

[Bratkartoffeln]

I think Calipari's edge left after he won that 2012 title. He had accomplished his dream. His confidence was stolen when that 2014-15 team lost to Wisconsin. He was left with fear of losing. And any hunger he had to win left when he got that lifetime contract. He was left just trying to protect what he had been given.

So, all he's left is protecting his paycheck and his legacy. He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires. But he's wrong about how he will be remembered for putting guys in the NBA. Nobody will care except for those guys. So, his real legacy is losing to St Peter's, Kansas St, and Oakland in consecutive seasons. And so, what's left? Protecting his paycheck at all costs. That's where we are.

Can he recover from this? I thought this season was his best shot, but his lack of any edge, confidence, and hunger left his team floundering to an NAIA team. Next year, with 6 freshmen coming in to face teams of 4th, 5th, and 6th year seniors and grad students, there is zero chance of recovery.

All could well be true...hopefully he and whatever staff remains will see a more clear blueprint for success. A major issue now is how many return. We either will have plenty or we'll be worse than this year. He's got to have about four or five really good returnees and a couple in the portal to have any hope.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Yeah, for the next year, he’s essentially a dead man walking.

A 10 million dollar deadman.

 

[revcort]

All could well be true...hopefully he and whatever staff remains will see a more clear blueprint for success. A major issue now is how many return. We either will have plenty or we'll be worse than this year. He's got to have about four or five really good returnees and a couple in the portal to have any hope.

Totally agree. Reeves is gone. Mitchell is gone. I think it's nearly a forgone conclusion that Dillingham is gone. I think Reed might consider a return IF the right guys come back. We've also got 6 freshmen coming. We really don't know what we're getting there. Last year, the 3 guys who were all considered elite all turned out to be average or worse, namely Edwards, Wagner, and Bradshaw. Will those 3 come back knowing they're not first round picks? I don't see that, personally. I think they all either declare to test the NBA waters or hit the transfer portal. We already know Thiero is likely gone. What about Ivisic? I've thought he was only committed to one season anyway. He can't test the waters- he's already tested twice. So, he's like gone. If all of those leave, I don't see Sheppard returning, especially given that he's a likely lottery pick.

I think Calipari's top job this very minute is to re-recruit the best guys on the team right now, especially Reed Sheppard. He doesn't need to go after another high school senior in this class. He needs to focus every other available roster spot on the transfer portal, and he needs to bring in guys with experience. We need some beef in the paint. Do I have confidence Calipari can change his m.o. on these matters? He says he will but an old dog learning new tricks is unlikely to me. I think he just said what he felt he needed to say to keep his job. He'll be "destroying generational poverty" and coaching "the youngest team in the nation" again next season, and we'll look good at times and lose when it matters most to the 21-24 year olds we'll be facing at crunch time.

 

[EvanCampbell]

He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires.

He doesn't even make them. They'd go pro no matter where they played a year of college.

Does Cal develop them & increase their draft stock? Maybe someone more knowledgeable can say, but to me he's a middleman taking credit for the kids hard work & ability

 

[fastpaste101]

seems people forget we had the best team in 2017 with Fox, Monk and Bam. Just got roofereed out of a title. Since 2020 he has mailed it in it seems

I remember that but it is not enough. Are you actually happy with the last few terrible post seasons?

 

[Sportspm]

I remember that but it is not enough. Are you actually happy with the last few terrible post seasons?

Ofcourse not, did you read the last part?

 

[know1]

None of this matters. NONE OF IT. If Cal isn't putting the success of the program way above everything else, then I'll say it one more time - NONE OF IT MATTERS.

He can recruit whoever, get whoever to come back, get whoever in the portal, fire and hire whoever as coaches, etc., but if he's not prioritizing winning above all else than none of it matters. I don't know why people waste their time following recruiting and speculating on transfers and coaching changes.

 

[preacherfan]

I think Calipari's edge left after he won that 2012 title. He had accomplished his dream. His confidence was stolen when that 2014-15 team lost to Wisconsin. He was left with fear of losing. And any hunger he had to win left when he got that lifetime contract. He was left just trying to protect what he had been given.

So, all he's left is protecting his paycheck and his legacy. He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires. But he's wrong about how he will be remembered for putting guys in the NBA. Nobody will care except for those guys. So, his real legacy is losing to St Peter's, Kansas St, and Oakland in consecutive seasons. And so, what's left? Protecting his paycheck at all costs. That's where we are.

Can he recover from this? I thought this season was his best shot, but his lack of any edge, confidence, and hunger left his team floundering to an NAIA team. Next year, with 6 freshmen coming in to face teams of 4th, 5th, and 6th year seniors and grad students, there is zero chance of recovery.

I have to wonder if some of this is related to a change over in assistants? To fall as far as we have is just too strange for me. Maybe you are 100% right. But, I will always wonder if maybe we lost one or two coaches who made the difference.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost_rivals]

Cal is 65 some guys work just as hard as they ever did,some do not. IMO Cal still likes being a big shot but is no longer willing g to put in the work it took to get him there. I also honestly think he really believes his model will work despite evidence to the contrary. He also doesn't focus on winning as he once did IMO because it's just too hard. So much easier to get a couple of 5 stars drafted and go sit in the green room than actually trying to win a championship.

 

[Soupbean]

I think Calipari's edge left after he won that 2012 title. He had accomplished his dream. His confidence was stolen when that 2014-15 team lost to Wisconsin. He was left with fear of losing. And any hunger he had to win left when he got that lifetime contract. He was left just trying to protect what he had been given.

So, all he's left is protecting his paycheck and his legacy. He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires. But he's wrong about how he will be remembered for putting guys in the NBA. Nobody will care except for those guys. So, his real legacy is losing to St Peter's, Kansas St, and Oakland in consecutive seasons. And so, what's left? Protecting his paycheck at all costs. That's where we are.

Can he recover from this? I thought this season was his best shot, but his lack of any edge, confidence, and hunger left his team floundering to an NAIA team. Next year, with 6 freshmen coming in to face teams of 4th, 5th, and 6th year seniors and grad students, there is zero chance of recovery.

You're not wrong in any of that but its much simpler to me. He still wants to win as much as he always did but th game has changed and he's just struggling to keep up as a COACH. He alwasy had shortcomings as a strategic coach and game coach but they were covered up up with some insane talent back then that coverered up some of his shortcomings. Now those things are being exposed.

This year was a perfect example of that. People say we used to be better defensively and its true statistically but we never guarded the ball well even then. We only came out statisctially better for two reasons.

1. We has generational rim protectors back then that could cover up for being beat off the dribble
2. The game had not yet changed to where the floor was spread for the three point shot as much

I think Cal thought he had the pieces this year to get back to that because he had some quickness at guard and three 7 footers to protect the rim. But our guards couldnt guard the ball and the bigs couldnt protect the rim. Cal would say its because we just werent physical enough. Thats part of it but the rest is becuase we didnt have good fundmental defensive skillls to break down and guard, and never did.

The teams and coaches that ar thriving now have really good sound fundamental defensive pressure on the ball and protect the rim on defense, and they space the floor and work you inside and out on offense.

Todays game has changed and Cal just has to get better at simpy COACHING his team. Until he himself starts making a 6-8 point difference in games NOTHING is going to change.

 

[ThatUKguy]

Here's the main reason for Cal's decline. His contract stated that the only way for him to lose his $9M/yr paycheck would be an NCAA violation. Kansas, Duke, and everyone else was flat-out paying top players thru Nike/Adidas. However, there was no evidence found of UK paying anyone. Mitch hamstrung Cal by requiring him to run a squeaky clean program. Prior to 2015, Cal would get away with much more on the recruiting trail. That all went away after his new contract.

 

[Skyguyb27]

There has been so much said and a lot of speculation about what Mitch has said in the meeting, plus the unhappiness with the boosters when it comes to Cal. If any of it is true that this is the make or break year, any reasonable coach would feel the fire lit under their *** with their job on the line. I believe Cal has lost his edge and the game has past him by. Just don't have the faith in him to surround himself with the people on his staff to make up for where he lacks as a coach. He has never shown that he wants to listen to anyone. Frankly, I think the meeting was no different than the annual end of season meeting and just a bunch of smoke blown up our asses as to any real changes that would make a difference here under CCC.

I thought he had 1 year left to get it right till Mitch said something along the lines of being surprised fans are upset. Now I don’t think his seat is anywhere as hot as we all thought.

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

John robic left

Next question

 

[akaukswoosh]

Not getting it right now.

 

[UKSouthpaw_rivals101518]

I agree with you. I will say this- Cal looked comfortable coaching at times this season. Going into Auburn and Tennessee and winning those games shows he was coaching pretty well. But man, once post-season hit, he tightened up and seemed scared to me. I can't explain it. How can the team that beat Tennessee in Knoxville, when they were on a roll, lose to freaking Oakland? He was wound so tight and so was the team. They could feel his fear of losing and they played the same way. That's my best explanation. I wish I had a solution...

I love to watch body language during the games and what you say is also what I believe. The players feed off Cal's fear and they tighten up. The UT and AU road games were "nothing to lose" games and they played loose and great!

 

[Crawfords Corner]

This ending part of his tenure is crazy when you consider that he's actually right in line with what UK has done throughout it's history- on average that is.



When Cal got here UK averaged a title every 10 seasons. 7 in 70 tournaments. They've now won 8 in 85 tournaments. So, to stay on UK's title average he has 5 more seasons to hit that.

If we are talking title game appearances, Kentucky averaged one of those every 7 years. Calipari has 2 title game appearances in 14 NCAA tournaments which is right in line with UK's average.



Kentucky has made 17 FF in 85 tournaments. That's 1 FF for every 5 tournaments. Calipari has made 4 FF in 14 NCAA tournaments. That's well beyond 1 every 5 seasons. Unfortunately for him his time at Kentucky is front-loaded so this current drought makes it look worse than it actually is. Which isn't to excuse it. You still have to win.

Don't want to use the FF barometer. That's fine. The Elite Eight is actually more indicative of how impressive UK's tradition is. Kentucky has made 38 Elite Eight rounds in 85 NCAA tournaments. It's 9 more than North Carolina, 14 more than Duke, 15 more than Kansas, and 16 more than UCLA. 24 more than Louisville and 27 more than Indiana.

Calipari has made half of the Elite Eights in his time here. That's actually slightly better than UK's average before he got here.



He set an unbelievable pace for himself. Then did a complete 180. It's actually a pretty fascinating, yet discouraging for a lack of a better word, turn of events.

 

[wildcat111]

I think Calipari's edge left after he won that 2012 title. He had accomplished his dream. His confidence was stolen when that 2014-15 team lost to Wisconsin. He was left with fear of losing. And any hunger he had to win left when he got that lifetime contract. He was left just trying to protect what he had been given.

So, all he's left is protecting his paycheck and his legacy. He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires. But he's wrong about how he will be remembered for putting guys in the NBA. Nobody will care except for those guys. So, his real legacy is losing to St Peter's, Kansas St, and Oakland in consecutive seasons. And so, what's left? Protecting his paycheck at all costs. That's where we are.

Can he recover from this? I thought this season was his best shot, but his lack of any edge, confidence, and hunger left his team floundering to an NAIA team. Next year, with 6 freshmen coming in to face teams of 4th, 5th, and 6th year seniors and grad students, there is zero chance of recovery.

The only thing that is going to recover is his bank account.

 

[James Arington]

I think Calipari's edge left after he won that 2012 title. He had accomplished his dream. His confidence was stolen when that 2014-15 team lost to Wisconsin. He was left with fear of losing. And any hunger he had to win left when he got that lifetime contract. He was left just trying to protect what he had been given.

So, all he's left is protecting his paycheck and his legacy. He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires. But he's wrong about how he will be remembered for putting guys in the NBA. Nobody will care except for those guys. So, his real legacy is losing to St Peter's, Kansas St, and Oakland in consecutive seasons. And so, what's left? Protecting his paycheck at all costs. That's where we are.

Can he recover from this? I thought this season was his best shot, but his lack of any edge, confidence, and hunger left his team floundering to an NAIA team. Next year, with 6 freshmen coming in to face teams of 4th, 5th, and 6th year seniors and grad students, there is zero chance of recovery.

We do care about your theory. Loose some weight.

 

[revcort]

We do care about your theory. Loose some weight.

I actually have lost some weight since that picture was taken. Still need to let "loose" of some more, though. Thanks for the advice.

 

[pastorbob_rivals379927]

Here's the main reason for Cal's decline. His contract stated that the only way for him to lose his $9M/yr paycheck would be an NCAA violation. Kansas, Duke, and everyone else was flat-out paying top players thru Nike/Adidas. However, there was no evidence found of UK paying anyone. Mitch hamstrung Cal by requiring him to run a squeaky clean program. Prior to 2015, Cal would get away with much more on the recruiting trail. That all went away after his new contract.

THIS!

 

[tls]

You're not wrong in any of that but its much simpler to me. He still wants to win as much as he always did but th game has changed and he's just struggling to keep up as a COACH. He alwasy had shortcomings as a strategic coach and game coach but they were covered up up with some insane talent back then that coverered up some of his shortcomings. Now those things are being exposed.

This year was a perfect example of that. People say we used to be better defensively and its true statistically but we never guarded the ball well even then. We only came out statisctially better for two reasons.

1. We has generational rim protectors back then that could cover up for being beat off the dribble
2. The game had not yet changed to where the floor was spread for the three point shot as much

I think Cal thought he had the pieces this year to get back to that because he had some quickness at guard and three 7 footers to protect the rim. But our guards couldnt guard the ball and the bigs couldnt protect the rim. Cal would say its because we just werent physical enough. Thats part of it but the rest is becuase we didnt have good fundmental defensive skillls to break down and guard, and never did.

The teams and coaches that ar thriving now have really good sound fundamental defensive pressure on the ball and protect the rim on defense, and they space the floor and work you inside and out on offense.

Todays game has changed and Cal just has to get better at simpy COACHING his team. Until he himself starts making a 6-8 point difference in games NOTHING is going to change.

Good post but this team certainly DID NOT have quickness at the guard position. Dilly yes but couldn’t stay in front of anybody on defense.

Reed and DJ … quick describes neither. Not even above average. Just middling. At least Reed is deadly on offense.

Just chime in on the main thrust of this here.

Cal is not a good coach strategically in planning or when the game is on the line.

Other than Aaron hitting three game winners, he’s lost every game that came down to the wire. He even let KU get close in 2012 but MKG and Teague bailed him out.

You can complain about reffing or whatever but he always loses. He had the ball for the last shot against Auburn but couldn’t draw up a winning play.

2015 started the disaster but he still had recruits in the pipeline. But after 2017 that mostly dried up as far as getting the talent he needs to just roll out the ball which in the end is basically what he does. He has his system and is not going to change it. That’s why you see all the comments about other coaches knowing how to prepare against his teams.

CBS. Always has and always will be. But hey there are still some who want to hang on to those recruiting class wins. It is what it is.

 

[mdupchurch]

I think Calipari's edge left after he won that 2012 title. He had accomplished his dream. His confidence was stolen when that 2014-15 team lost to Wisconsin. He was left with fear of losing. And any hunger he had to win left when he got that lifetime contract. He was left just trying to protect what he had been given.

So, all he's left is protecting his paycheck and his legacy. He thinks his primary legacy is about making millionaires. But he's wrong about how he will be remembered for putting guys in the NBA. Nobody will care except for those guys. So, his real legacy is losing to St Peter's, Kansas St, and Oakland in consecutive seasons. And so, what's left? Protecting his paycheck at all costs. That's where we are.

Can he recover from this? I thought this season was his best shot, but his lack of any edge, confidence, and hunger left his team floundering to an NAIA team. Next year, with 6 freshmen coming in to face teams of 4th, 5th, and 6th year seniors and grad students, there is zero chance of recovery.

It's probably just hyperbole, but saying "zero chance of recovery" is a bit foolish, right?
UCONN starters: Soph, soph, fresh, senior, transfer senior. So they're the most dominant team in basketball and start a freshman and 2 sophs, along with a portal senior. UK can do that, IF they get a couple of these guys to return. However, underlooked by UCONN, they bring really just 3 players off the bench: senior, junior, freshman

Now, to your point: pretty much each of the other Final 4 teams are upper-class dominant. But for Bama, most of those kids are via the portal. UCONN and Purdue each have a starter from the portal as well.

 

[Montana81]

The Wisconsin loss sucked the soul from his body and crushed a lot of BBN to the point of having a "Why bother, we're just going to lose anyway." attitude going forward. Cal put on weight, acted old, became lazy and content, and his boss awarded him with an insane extension. If we had beaten Wisconsin, then beat Duke and actually went 40-0, had a ninth title and Cal's second, I don't know if he retires then and there or if he gets even more energetic, tap dances all over college basketball, and screams to the masses "Don't like it? Stop us!" Think Swaggy Cal on steroids. I doubt he hangs around and talks about watching The Waltons and going to bed at 9pm like a granny.

I don’t think it was the wisconsin loss. I think it was eituer the UNC loss when Higgins jobbed us (you know seeing DeAaron and Bam break down in the locker room after being robbed had to have effect him) or the Auburn loss when we got screwed again (Auburn going the final 9 minutes of regulation without picking up a foul was also a joke).

We actually didn’t have a terrible season after 2015 all things considered. I mean we lost 7 of our top 8 to the draft, whiffed on multiple major recruiting targets (zimmerman, newman, cheick diallo, jaylen brown) and STILL tied for the sec regular season, won the sec tournament and got a 4 seed.

A 4 seed and double conference winner after a mass exodus is honestly a hell of a coaching job.

2018 is when the wheels really started to fall off imo.

 

[Tapemaster8]

It’s always the refs fault……

Not always but in 17 it was!

 

[TortElvisII]

Cal leaned heavily on having the best players. He didn't need to know x's and o's. Then he no longer had that.

 

[revcort]

It's probably just hyperbole, but saying "zero chance of recovery" is a bit foolish, right?
UCONN starters: Soph, soph, fresh, senior, transfer senior. So they're the most dominant team in basketball and start a freshman and 2 sophs, along with a portal senior. UK can do that, IF they get a couple of these guys to return. However, underlooked by UCONN, they bring really just 3 players off the bench: senior, junior, freshman

Now, to your point: pretty much each of the other Final 4 teams are upper-class dominant. But for Bama, most of those kids are via the portal. UCONN and Purdue each have a starter from the portal as well.

Well, "zero chance of recovery" is a bit of an exaggeration, sure. The chance is not 0% but my point was this- if Calipari couldn't get a single win in either the SEC-T or beat a mid-major and unknown Oakland (not California, Michigan) in the NCAA-T with THIS group of freshmen, what are the chances next year's group (from a weaker class, by all accounts) will do any better? Chances are very slim. Not ZERO, but not much. And yes, I'm very angry and bitter right now. If this had been Cal's first time to lose a double-digit seed, then I might attempt to call it a fluke, though there is no question that loss to St Peter's from 2 seasons ago was no fluke. They flat out beat us- we had to come back to stay in the game. Same with Oakland- they led pretty much start to finish. We had to scratch and claw to keep it a game late. Fact is, 0 SECT wins and 1 NCAA-T win since 2019 (and yes, I know 2020 was lost) is completely unacceptable. It is a slap in the face to UK fans. Rupp would roll over in his grave- probably already has. We are a joke.

So, I revise my original statement to this- considering we couldn't manage a SINGLE win in the postseason this season, with arguably the MOST talented team in the nation, the chances are very slim (less than 25%) next season's team will fare any better, since we're definitely losing Dillingham, Reeves, and Tre Mitchell and replacing most of the team with 6 freshmen (3 of which will likely be starters, whether they deserve it or not)- and not getting a better coach to get them ready. 3 straight first weekend exits. I would LOVE to have ANY amount of confidence next season will be different. Seriously. If you can convince me, please do. That's not sarcasm. All of the excitement and anticipation for UK basketball has been sucked out of me.

 

[UKGrad24]

Well, "zero chance of recovery" is a bit of an exaggeration, sure. The chance is not 0% but my point was this- if Calipari couldn't get a single win in either the SEC-T or beat a mid-major and unknown Oakland (not California, Michigan) in the NCAA-T with THIS group of freshmen, what are the chances next year's group (from a weaker class, by all accounts) will do any better? Chances are very slim. Not ZERO, but not much. And yes, I'm very angry and bitter right now. If this had been Cal's first time to lose a double-digit seed, then I might attempt to call it a fluke, though there is no question that loss to St Peter's from 2 seasons ago was no fluke. They flat out beat us- we had to come back to stay in the game. Same with Oakland- they led pretty much start to finish. We had to scratch and claw to keep it a game late. Fact is, 0 SECT wins and 1 NCAA-T win since 2019 (and yes, I know 2020 was lost) is completely unacceptable. It is a slap in the face to UK fans. Rupp would roll over in his grave- probably already has. We are a joke.

So, I revise my original statement to this- considering we couldn't manage a SINGLE win in the postseason this season, with arguably the MOST talented team in the nation, the chances are very slim (less than 25%) next season's team will fare any better, since we're definitely losing Dillingham, Reeves, and Tre Mitchell and replacing most of the team with 6 freshmen (3 of which will likely be starters, whether they deserve it or not)- and not getting a better coach to get them ready. 3 straight first weekend exits. I would LOVE to have ANY amount of confidence next season will be different. Seriously. If you can convince me, please do. That's not sarcasm. All of the excitement and anticipation for UK basketball has been sucked out of me.

Don’t let it happen, keep in it. I do think it’s time the fans made the university feel it in the wallet, and we need to alter the perception that we’ll support anyway, but people have to continue to care. And this fanbase finally woke up, which is a good thing. There’s only a few left (trolls mainly) and plants that post here supporting everything Calipari is doing.

This issue is between Cal, the boosters, and the administration. They aren’t on the same page it’s clear as day. We’ve got an administration that wants to be clean in an era where they is going to get you beat, Calipari has a contract he cares about first, and I think he’s also intentionally doing things to force whatever way he wants.

Another poster said a few days ago, Calipari didn’t just suddenly forget how to beat 15 seeds. He didn’t just suddenly forget how to win a tournament game. There is way more going on here than what we know and the contract and and stipulations in it might be the issue. For this reason, I’m beginning to believe Barnhart has to go too. He’s keeping us from competing at the highest level. They both have to go soon and I think they will.

I don’t see Calipari here past a max of 24 months and that’s whether he wins or not.

 

[mdupchurch]

Well, "zero chance of recovery" is a bit of an exaggeration, sure. The chance is not 0% but my point was this- if Calipari couldn't get a single win in either the SEC-T or beat a mid-major and unknown Oakland (not California, Michigan) in the NCAA-T with THIS group of freshmen, what are the chances next year's group (from a weaker class, by all accounts) will do any better? Chances are very slim. Not ZERO, but not much. And yes, I'm very angry and bitter right now. If this had been Cal's first time to lose a double-digit seed, then I might attempt to call it a fluke, though there is no question that loss to St Peter's from 2 seasons ago was no fluke. They flat out beat us- we had to come back to stay in the game. Same with Oakland- they led pretty much start to finish. We had to scratch and claw to keep it a game late. Fact is, 0 SECT wins and 1 NCAA-T win since 2019 (and yes, I know 2020 was lost) is completely unacceptable. It is a slap in the face to UK fans. Rupp would roll over in his grave- probably already has. We are a joke.

So, I revise my original statement to this- considering we couldn't manage a SINGLE win in the postseason this season, with arguably the MOST talented team in the nation, the chances are very slim (less than 25%) next season's team will fare any better, since we're definitely losing Dillingham, Reeves, and Tre Mitchell and replacing most of the team with 6 freshmen (3 of which will likely be starters, whether they deserve it or not)- and not getting a better coach to get them ready. 3 straight first weekend exits. I would LOVE to have ANY amount of confidence next season will be different. Seriously. If you can convince me, please do. That's not sarcasm. All of the excitement and anticipation for UK basketball has been sucked out of me.

Like I originally said, I'm sure it was hyperbole on your part. And I agree with your premise, I don't think you're out of line in the slightest. But if you look at UCONN, who it seems everyone just thinks is full of seniors, they start a freshman and 2 sophs. So IF IF IF we return a couple of these freshmen and they can make strides, there's 2 starters. I'm not sure if it's Billy Richmond or JQ, but you'll certainly have 1 or 2 freshmen legit competing for a starting job (LEGIT competing, not just showing up). Now comes the need for Ugo to return OR a true Center from the portal.

UCONN's coaching staff is much better than UK's, that's just how I see it. Their offensive actions, their defensive gameplan, their skill development - they're just top-notch. But UK certainly CAN create an older roster next year and still provide a pathway for some of these freshmen. I don't know if Cal will do it or not, but time will tell

 

[know1]

I'm going to keep saying it. Until Cal decides to actually coach the team like any college basketball coach should - development, game planning, adjustments, etc. - then it really doesn't matter who the lineup is.

He hasn't forgotten how to coach. He CHOOSES not to.