My Theory on Cal's Decline

[revcort]

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

You have no idea how much I want all of that to be true my friend, seriously. I do see the potential for next year's team to be very good. I also saw it THIS season. I saw it last year and the year before that, too. But yes, if a couple of the right guys come back (Reed Sheppard would be way up there, and maybe Onyenso and Thiero) and if we might find 2 or 3 portal players who could contribute right away at a high level, the talent is there. Several of those freshmen are legitimately talented. I do not discount that it's possible a couple of those guys could be very good. My problem, and I'm sure you feel the same, is that I've seen potential for the last 3 years but we haven't been seeing any of that potential actually realized in real games- not in postseason games that really matter. That's the frustration we're all feeling.

 

[mdupchurch]

You have no idea how much I want all of that to be true my friend, seriously. I do see the potential for next year's team to be very good. I also saw it THIS season. I saw it last year and the year before that, too. But yes, if a couple of the right guys come back (Reed Sheppard would be way up there, and maybe Onyenso and Thiero) and if we might find 2 or 3 portal players who could contribute right away at a high level, the talent is there. Several of those freshmen are legitimately talented. I do not discount that it's possible a couple of those guys could be very good. My problem, and I'm sure you feel the same, is that I've seen potential for the last 3 years but we haven't been seeing any of that potential actually realized in real games- not in postseason games that really matter. That's the frustration we're all feeling.

And I'm sure it's a collection of issues not just "youth" or "inexperience" or "toughness" - it's a collection of these - but it's also WILD to me that there won't be any staff changes (allegedly) going into next season. I wish the staff was more transparent and I wish there could be more access - Behind the Scenes videos, YouTube content like UCONN, etc - but to me the likes of Bruiser seem to be underperforming. I know Chin has issues as well running the defense, but to be honest, some of that might depend on how much time Cal gives him in practice, or how much Cal dictates/overrules Chin's assessment

 

[yoshukai]

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

It’s going to be very hard to “get older “ with 6 freshman coming in (and still recruiting 1 more ) imo. I’m thinking portal transfers will be hesitant to come here knowing how much Cal loves playing with his prized freshman. I honestly don’t think it matters either way as this version of Calipari is the head coach.

 

[yoshukai]

You have no idea how much I want all of that to be true my friend, seriously. I do see the potential for next year's team to be very good. I also saw it THIS season. I saw it last year and the year before that, too. But yes, if a couple of the right guys come back (Reed Sheppard would be way up there, and maybe Onyenso and Thiero) and if we might find 2 or 3 portal players who could contribute right away at a high level, the talent is there. Several of those freshmen are legitimately talented. I do not discount that it's possible a couple of those guys could be very good. My problem, and I'm sure you feel the same, is that I've seen potential for the last 3 years but we haven't been seeing any of that potential actually realized in real games- not in postseason games that really matter. That's the frustration we're all feeling.

It’s fools gold .

 

[yoshukai]

And I'm sure it's a collection of issues not just "youth" or "inexperience" or "toughness" - it's a collection of these - but it's also WILD to me that there won't be any staff changes (allegedly) going into next season. I wish the staff was more transparent and I wish there could be more access - Behind the Scenes videos, YouTube content like UCONN, etc - but to me the likes of Bruiser seem to be underperforming. I know Chin has issues as well running the defense, but to be honest, some of that might depend on how much time Cal gives him in practice, or how much Cal dictates/overrules Chin's assessment

It’s a pretty common opinion throughout basketball circles that Calipari is a lame duck coach. What quality assistant would leave a job for one year on a sinking ship anyway? I’d say if Calipari doesn’t make changes it’s because he’s come to terms that next year is his swan song so why bother firing his friends?

 

[FrankUnderwood2.0]

We do care about your theory. Loose some weight.

Seriously?

 

[true-blue1]

I really don’t think Cal or his staff knows what it takes to build a roster now.

 

[mdupchurch]

It’s a pretty common opinion throughout basketball circles that Calipari is a lame duck coach. What quality assistant would leave a job for one year on a sinking ship anyway? I’d say if Calipari doesn’t make changes it’s because he’s come to terms that next year is his swan song so why bother firing his friends?

I think there would be a long, long, long list of quality assistant coaches willing to come to UK. If you disagree, that's fine. But UK is presitigious, UK carries a ton of weight in the brand/marketing world, UK has recruiting connections and piplelines that other places don't, and UK pays their assistants more than any other university.

We've been miserable in the post-season the last several years. But if you don't think high quality assistants would jump at the chance to come here, boy that's a foolish take

 

[wildcatwelder_rivals]

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.

How do you reinstill passion, hunger, and an edge to a 65 year old coach with a lifetime contract and a certainty of putting $33 million in the bank over the next 3 years? It can't come from external sources. It can only come from within himself. For his sake, I'd love to see him reclaim his heart and passion for winning, but I have zero confidence he can do it. I refuse to invest myself in another season under Cal. I just can't do it anymore. I'll probably record games and watch wins. I won't go or take family to any games or spend anything on UK. I'm done cheering and being emotionally invested. Not gonna let Cal ruin my day anymore. Expecting losses. Not getting upset about the team's losses. Just biding my time at this point.

This is exactly where I was at at the start of this past season; I would only watch the wins, I just couldn't bear to watch them live, I just can't do it.

Cal HAS to go.

 

[thebluestripes]

Theories abound, but one thing we should all agree on is cal is no longer the coach he aspired to be when he got here. He should've hung it up more than a few years ago and left a good legacy, and parted on good terms with the fanbase.
I go back to a quote from the dark knight, you either die a hero, or you live long enough to become the villain. Of course no one wants anyone to die here, but the meaning behind that quote seems very applicable to the current situation.

 

[Buck Creek Cat]

It’s always the refs fault……

It definitely was in that game. That’s not even debatable.

 

[yoshukai]

I think there would be a long, long, long list of quality assistant coaches willing to come to UK. If you disagree, that's fine. But UK is presitigious, UK carries a ton of weight in the brand/marketing world, UK has recruiting connections and piplelines that other places don't, and UK pays their assistants more than any other university.

We've been miserable in the post-season the last several years. But if you don't think high quality assistants would jump at the chance to come here, boy that's a foolish take

My apologies. I mistook you for someone that could have a sensible, intelligent conversation without being rude and insulting. I should have checked your posting history. Carry on . I’m not interested in anything you have to say now .

 

[CapnBlubs]

UK is not improving under Cal going forward, period. Mitch is too scared and we are too financially poor to deal with the hole that Mitch dug for us. It's wonderful, right?

 

[mdupchurch]

My apologies. I mistook you for someone that could have a sensible, intelligent conversation without being rude and insulting. I should have checked your posting history. Carry on . I’m not interested in anything you have to say now .

Good luck trying to point out ANYTHING in my post that wasn't sensible or intelligent. Thanks for taking the time to check out my posting history though!

 

[yoshukai]

Good luck trying to point out ANYTHING in my post that wasn't sensible or intelligent. Thanks for taking the time to check out my posting history though!

Learn some reading comprehension skills. I didn’t say anything was not sensible and intelligent. I said you couldn’t carry on a sensible intelligent conversation WITHOUT being insulting and rude .

 

[fs-ripcord65]

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.

This is, IMHO, a much more realistic post.

 

[WeWant9]

I really think Covid did something to Cal, that’s when I feel we completely feel off the cliff. 2015 sucked no doubt, but afterwards we were still were winning the SEC and SECT at a decent clip, plus actually getting into the second weekend of the NCAAT. 2017 and 2019 both should’ve made a FF, but I wouldn’t call either of those seasons a failure.

I don’t know, there’s lots of dips you can point to but Covid was when it went off the rails and we haven’t recovered from it. Maybe it the was the combo of getting that lifetime contract + the world shutting down that clocked him out. Just wild we went from Cal calling T. Jones a “selfish mf’er” during a game to inviting BJ Boston over for a sleepover.

 

[revcort]

I really think Covid did something to Cal, that’s when I feel we completely feel off the cliff. 2015 sucked no doubt, but afterwards we were still were winning the SEC and SECT at a decent clip, plus actually getting into the second weekend of the NCAAT. 2017 and 2019 both should’ve made a FF, but I wouldn’t call either of those seasons a failure.

I don’t know, there’s lots of dips you can point to but Covid was when it went off the rails and we haven’t recovered from it. Maybe it the was the combo of getting that lifetime contract + the world shutting down that clocked him out. Just wild we went from Cal calling T. Jones a “selfish mf’er” during a game to inviting BJ Boston over for a sleepover.

Yeah, I think you're right. I don't exactly how to put it into words, but I'll give it a shot. Covid made Cal start to worry more about health, safety, and feelings of players and their families. So, the guy who called Jones a selfish mf'er left the farm when covid hit. No more tough love. No more working more for the university of Kentucky than for handlers and parents. Now he's worried more about hurting feelings and confidence than he is in instilling toughness and discipline, more worried about making guys look appealing to NBA scouts than winning games with your best players on the floor.

There you go... poetry. Ha!

 

[CincyUKFan]

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.

Reed would do himself a terrible disservice to return. First, it's perhaps the weakest draft in history. So of course you go now if you're a small guard with defensive limitations. Second, the surrounding cast will not measure up. No Reeves is walking through the door, nor a Dillingham. There would potentially be times where Reed would be the only shooter on the floor. Third, even with a good supporting cast, it would be quite difficult if not impossible to repeat the shooting splits. His PPG would go up, but not his percentages. Fourth, his return along with this incoming class is not going to make next year's Cats title contenders. A couple portal guys aren't going to change that either. Especially with Cal at the helm.

Thiero is re-recruitable, but I don't believe Reed is. And it certainly wouldn't benefit him in the long run.

 

[revcort]

Reed would do himself a terrible disservice to return. First, it's perhaps the weakest draft in history. So of course you go now if you're a small guard with defensive limitations. Second, the surrounding cast will not measure up. No Reeves is walking through the door, nor a Dillingham. There would potentially be times where Reed would be the only shooter on the floor. Third, even with a good supporting cast, it would be quite difficult if not impossible to repeat the shooting splits. His PPG would go up, but not his percentages. Fourth, his return along with this incoming class is not going to make next year's Cats title contenders. A couple portal guys aren't going to change that either. Especially with Cal at the helm.

Thiero is re-recruitable, but I don't believe Reed is. And it certainly wouldn't benefit him in the long run.

You're probably right Cincy. I wouldn't hold it against him if he were to go. I would hate it for UK, but the chances next season's team will fare better are slim.

 

[mdupchurch]

Learn some reading comprehension skills. I didn’t say anything was not sensible and intelligent. I said you couldn’t carry on a sensible intelligent conversation WITHOUT being insulting and rude .

Lol, but "learn some reading comprehension skills" isn't insulting and rude? So you're just totally good with being hypocritical? Got it, I'll look forward to ignorning you moving forward

 

[yoshukai]

Lol, but "learn some reading comprehension skills" isn't insulting and rude? So you're just totally good with being hypocritical? Got it, I'll look forward to ignorning you moving forward

Good. And I was respectful until you showed what a jerk you were.