Really !!!

[Cbbcrazy2]

I have read some hammering post against Cal on here this morning and yesterday. I have a question for those that think they can coach and recruit better than Cal.

If going to the final four and competing 4 of the last 5 years has turned you into this kind of fan, what will you be like when we try and replace this Hall of Fame coach? These shoes will be very hard to fill when he decides to retire or move on, I will bet you will really be happy with the next coach that tries to do it here.

I am proud of this team and its accomplishments, I have witnessed one of the best runs in college basketball and we owe it to the recruits and coaching of Coach Cal.
Say what you will but I wouldn't trade Cal for any other coach in basketball, none.

Can't wait to watch the boys again next year.

 

[jc2010]

So I guess Cal is above criticism and second guessing on message boards. Getting to the FF is the end all, be all and it shouldn't matter to us as fans if we win or lose once we get there.

 

[CoachR35]

I'm a huge Coach Cal fan and think he is a perfect fit for UK. I dread the day he leaves because there is currently nobody in college basketball that can do what he does on a consistent basis.

With all that being said, I do feel Cal was outcoached by Bo Ryan Saturday night. I hate to admit it because I am not a Bo Ryan fan, but he had a game plan and his team executed it to perfection. Plus the Badgers hit some big shots down the stretch - Dekker is a baller.

I'm disappointed at how the season ended, but you win some (38) and you lose one

. All in all, a damn good season.
Regardless of the outcome of any of our games, I bleed blue and always will. I'm very proud of these young men and what they've been able to accomplish the past two seasons. I wish them the best with whatever they decide to do next year.

 

[katman55]

I hope he stays for years, but I wish he would hire an offensive coordinator.

 

[3rex]

I also have read lots of people criticizing some things Cal did or didn't do.

I haven't read a single person who said they could coach or recruit better than Cal.

 

[KYSailCat]

Originally posted by CBBCrazy:

I have read some hammering post against Cal on here this morning and yesterday. I have a question for those that think they can coach and recruit better than Cal.

If going to the final four and competing 4 of the last 5 years has turned you into this kind of fan, what will you be like when we try and replace this Hall of Fame coach? These shoes will be very hard to fill when he decides to retire or move on, I will bet you will really be happy with the next coach that tries to do it here.

I am proud of this team and its accomplishments, I have witnessed one of the best runs in college basketball and we owe it to the recruits and coaching of Coach Cal.
Say what you will but I wouldn't trade Cal for any other coach in basketball, none.

Can't wait to watch the boys again next year.

I love Cal but with that being said here are some FACTS for you. Before Cal UK had been to 13 final fours and had 7 championships.That is around 55% of the time that UK wins the whole thing when we make to the FF> Cal on the other hand has been to 7 SEVEN final fours and has won one. If you merely flipped a coin you would win 1/4 times. So for me who cares if we make the FF if the odds are roughly 15% for him to win the whole thing.Kind of like getting teased over and over and no results. This team will go down as the one who lost one game not the one that won 38.He had a WEEK to get ready for this game and he showed them NO film of Wisconsin.Do I think he did his best job coaching in that game .... prob not and I'll bet in private he would tell you the same.

 

[phantompain]

Yeah, I'm not sure why anyone would have a problem with someone criticizing Cal. Unless you are flat out saying he sucks and you want a different coach. Which while you would have a right to your opinion, it would be a dumb opinion nonetheless.

But Cal is not above criticism. If your team is up by 4 with like 3-4 minutes to go, and they have 3 straight shot clock violations, something that hasn't happened too many times even once in a game let along 3 times in a row, I would think calling a timeout might be in your best interest. Calm the team down that was clearly panicking for the first time all year. Run a play that gives them a good chance at an easy 2 points.

Cal is a great coach and there is no one better than him for UK IMO. But he can and should be criticized when necessary. I mean, if its always roses, what the heck would sports fans have to talk about?

 

[Cats_2010]

And your nuts if you think cal is perfect and beyond reproach. He has taken two very talented teams and come up short of winning the title. Like it or not his coaching or lack of will be criticized when his teams lose on a big stage as a result. Getting out coached at this stage has become a common theme. We certainly are not getting out talented that is for sure. As I stated in another thread I would like for us to set the tempo just once instead of playing how the other team wants to play. It rarely happens as we just go along and play and hope talent prevails. Coach cal is an amazing recruiter, the best the game has seen, but there is definite room for improvement in his coaching tactics. It's great to always be in the hunt but also frustrating when we get so close only to fall short due to coaching decisions.

 

[Bank Cat]

Fans of teams criticize their coaches. Criticism is one thing - spewing venom is another. I don't mind the first one but the second one is unwarranted.

Personally, I wish he had just called a timeout early during the first or second 'clock violation' possession. Regroup, remind them to attack and run a play. (Hell, if he did call one I forgot!)

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

How many football fans yell and scream at the TV when THEIR team is up by 1 or 2 points with the clock running out and THEIR team goes into a prevent defense? Fast forward over to basketball....and that's all anybody was saying. And still saying.

 

[Chuckinden]

Originally posted by katman55:
I hope he stays for years, but I wish he would hire an offensive coordinator.

I agree. I have been saying this for a long time.

Cal is the perfect fit for UK, but he isn't flawless. No one is....

 

[jc2010]

I wonder why we have a 7 ft jr with no offensive skills. I wonder why he is not an offensive rebounding machine since he doesn't have anything to do while we run our offense.

I wonder why we only take five 3's and two of our best don't take any

 

[BusStopD]

You should see how many 'Bama fans criticize Saban. Being critical doesn't mean outright rejection. It doesn't mean we resent him. We can still respect the person and respectfully ask, "why?"

 

[SLONER67]

Originally posted by CBBCrazy:

I have read some hammering post against Cal on here this morning and yesterday. I have a question for those that think they can coach and recruit better than Cal.

If going to the final four and competing 4 of the last 5 years has turned you into this kind of fan, what will you be like when we try and replace this Hall of Fame coach? These shoes will be very hard to fill when he decides to retire or move on, I will bet you will really be happy with the next coach that tries to do it here.

I am proud of this team and its accomplishments, I have witnessed one of the best runs in college basketball and we owe it to the recruits and coaching of Coach Cal.
Say what you will but I wouldn't trade Cal for any other coach in basketball, none.

Can't wait to watch the boys again next year.

Amen, brother!!! This era is very Rupp-like and has a chance to be even better. I can't imagine Kentucky without Cal right now. Anyone who would even think of running Cal out of Lexington should have their BBN identity revoked!!! There will be a day when Cal decides to hang it up and either move onto the NBA or retire. I just hope neither come anytime soon. If Cal wants to stay 20 more years...he certainly has my support!!!

Thank you coach Cal for everything you have done for our beloved program!

 

[SLONER67]

Originally posted by crestcat:

So I guess Cal is above criticism and second guessing on message boards. Getting to the FF is the end all, be all and it shouldn't matter to us as fans if we win or lose once we get there.

Right now? Yes he is above criticism from those of us who certainly couldn't do any better. 4 Final Fours in 5 years is ridiculous. He deserves some MAJOR slack!

 

[SLONER67]

Originally posted by Bank Cat:
Fans of teams criticize their coaches. Criticism is one thing - spewing venom is another. I don't mind the first one but the second one is unwarranted.

Personally, I wish he had just called a timeout early during the first or second 'clock violation' possession. Regroup, remind them to attack and run a play. (Hell, if he did call one I forgot!)

This is really what I'm getting at. I agree that no coach is above some criticism, but I'm afraid that some fans are going to go too far. Sure there are a number of things Cal could have done better to prepare for this game and to manage the game once underway but there isn't a coach in history that this couldn't be said of. What about Coach K losing to LeHigh and Mercer the last couple of years? Do you think Duke fans were looking to have him run out? I highly doubt it.

Like many others have said...there is no better fit for HC at UK than Cal himself. I hope he is here for a very, very long time.

 

[KYSailCat]

Originally posted by 3rex:
I also have read lots of people criticizing some things Cal did or didn't do.

I haven't read a single person who said they could coach or recruit better than Cal.

Dont know of anyone on this board getting 8 mil a year to do so.

 

[Graves51]

No doubt Cal is the best recruiter the NCAA has ever seen! There is also a reason why he has only won one championship if it makes you upset when people criticize his coaching then you better get used to it! He has been outcoached several times, badly in the loss to Wisconsin!

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

No one . Zero . Nada . Goose Egg .. Thats the number of people including all the different opinions ( 10,000's) that suggest we want someone else other than Coach Cal . But its STUPID to think fans cant point out the freaking obvious . WE NEED A OFFENSIVE mind on the staff to help him out . IF that person is already there and Cal and his ego ( he earned one ! we have one ) wont adjust because its his way or else then we have a real issue . The bottom line is he the best recruiter in the world . Bar None . But he isnt the best in game coach . NOT saying he isnt good , but there is a reason for the high level of disappointment at the highest levels when our Big Blue doesnt have that huge talent advantage . Its the truth and we just have to deal with and hope he continues to grow as a coach.

 

[Kats23]

Just because you're pointing out what you think are mistakes doesn't mean you are saying you can do better. Doesn't mean you want him replaced. It means they are mistakes. If I make a mistake at work, my boss points it out to me. Doesn't mean he can do my job, bc he can't, or that he wants to fire me but he still points it out. Technically, BBN is the boss. The program isn't what it is w/o the fan and financial support that comes from the fans. Nothing wring with a little hindsight as long as it doesn't go overboard. I've seen a post here or there but the large majority is just natural criticism that comes with the job.

Here's my thing. I wish he would learn from his mistakes. Saturday wasn't the first time stall ball hasn't worked in Cal's favor. For years he didn't care about free throws. Assisted in him losing a title in Memphis. Hurt him the first couple of years at UK. But the last few years his teams have been good at the stripe. If he admits it or not, he concentrates on free throws more than he used to. Just wish he would change his mind about milking the clock.

 

[3rex]

Personally, Ive never heard of any coach at any level, other than Cal, who refuses to even have a zone defense in his teams arsenal. May never use it, but the other team certainly doesn't have to worry about you ever playing one if it isn't even an option for you.

Same thing for a full court press. We don't teach it, don't use it, so don't have that option in a game.

Many say Cal doesn't really make too many in-game adjustments. Not sure how many he can make if we eliminate them before the season even begins.

 

[Randy Bob]

Yes right now with his record I do not see how anyone could complain about coach Cal. he not perfect but as a college BB coach he way ahead of most.

 

[reignof cats]

People saying that Cal needs to hire an offensive coach need to stop. The greatest coach in the game could call a time out and set up a play. When the kids go back in, many times they don't execute the play. Cal ran plays for Booker coming off a curl on the elbow to shoot or get to the basket. He ran plays to get it to KAT.( Being doubled they did not need to guard WCS).

We got beat in matchups. WCS did not guard Dekker or Tank as good as I thought. He did not rebound like we needed him to.

Booker was getting switched on a big and getting scored on. Booker missed an open bunny down the lane.

Ulis was being driven to the basket.

Trey lyles did not rebound.

Aaron was not tearing it up shooting wise.

Marcus Lee can not shoot FT's. Cant use him in a close game.

Dakari has been missing bunnies and not rebounding like he did last year down the stretch. He got 7 rebounds last year for us against Whisky.

Why did Andrew stop shooting from mid range? He was tearing it up early and often. This was there for him all game.

Cant play zone against Whisky or anyone else cause kids come out of nowhere and shoot the lights out against us. It was a bad matchup and we still had our chances to win. We overcame the ND hurdle but came up a little short against Whisky.
I do not think Bo out coached Cal. He spread the floor to force matchups. No one could help because all 5 of their kids can score. The executed and put our kids in bad situations.

The defense adjusted to stop Whisky. We did not execute down the stretch on the offensive end. Missed shots 2 or 3 times even after getting an offensive rebound. Failure to do nothing for shot clock violations. Andrew's mid range game would have been better than driving to the hoop.

We got hosed on a couple of calls but so did Whisky. Refs were terrible everywhere this year unless you are dook.

Great year just a little short and GBB.

 

[3rex]

But how many times this season did you see us run a play?

We got into a set most of the time, but it was pretty much freelance & drive the ball to the basket, or feed the post.

We don't really seem to run too many plays.

 

[reignof cats]

Originally posted by 3rex:

But how many times this season did you see us run a play?

We got into a set most of the time, but it was pretty much freelance & drive the ball to the basket, or feed the post.

We don't really seem to run too many plays.

KAT post game was not there for most of the year. KAT was a man coming down the stretch.
WCS is not an offensive threat.
Trey Lyles was sick for 3 weeks.
AP was out for the whole year.
DJ back to the basket game was hit or miss.
Booker even went through slumps.
Marcus lee can not shoot FT's. Cant use him in tight spots.
Tyler was pass first pg.

Who could you run a play for at the beginning of the year? Platoon system was scrapped when Alex went down. This did wear the opposition out.

Cal was learning his team on the FLY. Adjusted many times during a game to put the ones who were playing better out there. Whisky and ND had an experienced talented group of kids. Played with each other for a couple of years. At the end of the year with 38 games of tape and weekly specials on how to beat Ky. finally caught up with us. Defense is what won so many games for us this year and led to easy offense.

We need a Newman or Brown who can get us 20 plus a night. Plays can be set then. GBB

 

[SueD]

Great posts, reignof cats. I think you've pretty much nailed the "perfect storm" of Kentucky's weaknesses against Wisconsin's strengths that led to Saturday night's loss. We can blame the refs all we want (and, IMO, it's just bad form to do so ... especially considering that Wisconsin got some bad calls/no-calls, too), but if our guys hadn't been in such a vulnerable position, none of that would have mattered.

1998's Comeback Cats were remarkable, but also very unique. Granted, this year's team wasn't 17 points down (like '98 was against Duke), or 10 points down (like '98 was against Utah). Talk about digging yourself into a hole! But a deficit is a deficit, and you have to spend precious time and energy just catching up. Even though Kentucky managed to squeak by Notre Dame, I didn't feel confident that they had the wherewithal to pull that off again.

 

[westerncat]

Originally posted by reignof cats:

Originally posted by 3rex:

But how many times this season did you see us run a play?

We got into a set most of the time, but it was pretty much freelance & drive the ball to the basket, or feed the post.

We don't really seem to run too many plays.

KAT post game was not there for most of the year. KAT was a man coming down the stretch.
WCS is not an offensive threat.
Trey Lyles was sick for 3 weeks.
AP was out for the whole year.
DJ back to the basket game was hit or miss.
Booker even went through slumps.
Marcus lee can not shoot FT's. Cant use him in tight spots.
Tyler was pass first pg.

Who could you run a play for at the beginning of the year? Platoon system was scrapped when Alex went down. This did wear the opposition out.

Cal was learning his team on the FLY. Adjusted many times during a game to put the ones who were playing better out there. Whisky and ND had an experienced talented group of kids. Played with each other for a couple of years. At the end of the year with 38 games of tape and weekly specials on how to beat Ky. finally caught up with us. Defense is what won so many games for us this year and led to easy offense.

We need a Newman or Brown who can get us 20 plus a night. Plays can be set then. GBB

Thanks for posting this reignof cats there is so much truth with what you said. I have said all year that it was going to be very hard to go undefeated. I am so proud of these young men and Cal for the season they had. I bet UL and IU fans are having a field day reading the melt down on here.

 

[stoneycat_20]

I don't want to see anyone hammering Cal..Thank God we have him ..If you don't see that you're a fool and not a real fan...want 10 loss tubby or the drunk back??...so in the words of Doug Heffernan "Shut it"

 

[revcort]

I don't have problems with offering criticism of Calipari. The problem I have is with illogical and unwarranted criticisms. Most of the things I've read are thoughtless and based on ignorance.

The Cats had the advantage with that 4 point lead and Calipari did exactly what he's done all season. He put the ball in the hands of his point guard, told him to milk the clock, and then make a play. That's what happened. Andrew airballed shots and another never drew rim, so it's shot clock violations. How many times has that happened down the stretch of a game this year? Never. But it happened. Irrational people draw irrational conclusions, especially when they're angry. I'm just glad Cal already knows We're Crazy!

 

[jc2010]

Originally posted by SLONER67:

Originally posted by crestcat:

So I guess Cal is above criticism and second guessing on message boards. Getting to the FF is the end all, be all and it shouldn't matter to us as fans if we win or lose once we get there.

Right now? Yes he is above criticism from those of us who certainly couldn't do any better. 4 Final Fours in 5 years is ridiculous. He deserves some MAJOR slack!

Nonsense. You don't have to be a chef to be a food critic and you don't have to have Oscars to be a movie critic. No coach is ever above criticism because they are human and humans make mistakes. A ball game is a fluid thing that is changing all of the time and coaches make wrong decisions during the games, EVEN CAL.

Now, lets round up all of the ones that want to FARR CAL and shoot them. I haven't seen any on this board.

 

[anewfanatic_rivals378140]

I'm sorry but what is your criticism going to accomplish? Cal isn't on these message boards taking notes. If you want to vent, talk to a wall.

 

[ZZBlueComet]

I like Cal, he's our coach, he's done a great, great, great job here - wouldn't want to go back to the Tubby and Billy days for anything.

But the man isn't above criticism - he pulled the air out too early and allowed our teams to get into their offense way too late in the shot clock (after a huge run).

 

[WildMoon]

Lol @ people criticizing coach cal. Hahahah

Keep typing, I could use a good laugh.

 

[jc2010]

Originally posted by anewfanatic:
I'm sorry but what is your criticism going to accomplish? Cal isn't on these message boards taking notes. If you want to vent, talk to a wall.

Its going to accomplish as much as what you have just posted. Since Cal is not reading these boards then it is not hurting a thing and is probably a little therapeutic for the fans, its what they do after ball games, especially loses. Anyone who gets their feeling hurt by reading them, or are offended should just stay off the message boards after losses or just don't open these threads.

 

[3rex]

Originally posted by anewfanatic:
I'm sorry but what is your criticism going to accomplish? Cal isn't on these message boards taking notes. If you want to vent, talk to a wall.

its a message board for fans. by the way, what do you foresee your post accomplishing?