This is the quietest I've seen this board

[xtra12]

at the start of a basketball season...

I'm so used to getting on RR at the beginning of the season several times a day and trying to keep up with the posts.

Well, I didn't like how 2015 ended with being favored throughout the year. This year, I'm hoping the underdog role will make the players and the fans catch fire.... (Trying to get myself pumped up)

 

[STL_Cat]

I think everyone is a little deflated at this point. I know I am. Obviously there’s plenty of time for this start to the season to be nothing but a blip on the radar, but everyone had really high expectations for this team coming into the season. Probably the highest expectations since 14-15. Then we start out getting crushed by Duke, and follow that up by laying an egg against Southern Illinois. Not a lot to say right now I guess.

 

[Random UK Fan]

We’re licking our wounds.

 

[anon1763419335]

fan base is checked out.

losing to wisky in the final four. getting bounced on the last second shot by unc in the elite 8. have a gift path last year only to lose to a terrible ksu team. can only take so many gut punches. this year, this team was supposed be the year to break through. maybe not win a title, but be really good, get to a final four. people wanted that so bad they looked past certain glaring issues with the roster. after getting boat raced by duke and a blah performance against SIU, i doubt the fan base comes back. the crowds at rupp are going to be at an all time worst.

only thing that will bring it back is a title really. until then we will be stuck in this malaise.

 

[STL_Cat]

fan base is checked out.

losing to wisky in the final four. getting bounced on the last second shot by unc in the elite 8. have a gift path last year only to lose to a terrible ksu team. can only take so many gut punches. this year, this team was supposed be the year to break through. maybe not win a title, but be really good, get to a final four. people wanted that so bad they looked past certain glaring issues with the roster. after getting boat raced by duke and a blah performance against SIU, i doubt the fan base comes back. the crowds at rupp are going to be at an all time worst.

only thing that will bring it back is a title really. until then we will be stuck in this malaise.

I think to say the fan base is checked out is a little extreme. I’m just watching now with baited breath, just waiting to see something that gets me excited. I won’t miss a game, but I’m cautious about too much optimism right now that’s for sure.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Wait till we beat someone of relevance.

 

[KyFaninNC]

Not a lot to be said till we see something positive. No one knows when or if that will happen

 

[Bluesnky]

I hope some of you people are spending your time away from RR getting some fresh air. You could use it.

 

[musrat59]

I think the Duke game took a little air out of some of us as no one expected such an A$$ kicking.

 

[kevcat]

at the start of a basketball season...

I'm so used to getting on RR at the beginning of the season several times a day and trying to keep up with the posts.

Well, I didn't like how 2015 ended with being favored throughout the year. This year, I'm hoping the underdog role will make the players and the fans catch fire.... (Trying to get myself pumped up)

I think some of it has to do with getting embarrassed by Duke. I also believe the constant turnover and draft and NBA crap is also wearing thin on some fans. Yeah, I know Richards and Washington came back, but let’s not kid ourselves, it wasn’t because they wanted to help Kentucky win a title. They came back because they weren’t going to be drafted high or at all.

The FBI and Addidas nonsense doesn’t help either.

All of this being said, I’ve just decided I’m going to enjoy it no matter what. I still have season tickets, and I go to basically every home game and just enjoy for what it is. There’s usually one or two games’s a year I just can’t get to and I give the tickets to someone who I know wouldn’t be able to afford lower level seats.

I’ve been blessed in life, I try to pass that around as much as possible.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

I think the Duke game was a humbling experience for all of us. Losing Zion to them and then seeing how great their freshman are and the talent disparity between the two teams was alarming. It has taken away any hope of number 9. To have that happen the first week of November was tough.

 

[KY-WILDCAT-1977]

Until Calipari coaches the team for the benefit of the university instead of the future of the student, we will face the same outcome.
2012 and Davis isn't walking in the door anytime soon. That jug of kool-aid is gone. We see that every year now.
I want all of our players to succeed in life but damnit, all they care about is making fast money (NBA) by using the university as a stepping stone.
I'd rather Cal recruit players that want to play for Kentucky for 3 to 4 years with the goal of becoming a better man and winning championships instead of this crappy buffet.
Rome wasn't built overnight and Cal has tried his best way to do that every year. His game plan has failed and soon he will have to change his ways or his front yard will be covered with for sale signs.

 

[Yahtzee43]

at the start of a basketball season...

I'm so used to getting on RR at the beginning of the season several times a day and trying to keep up with the posts.

Well, I didn't like how 2015 ended with being favored throughout the year. This year, I'm hoping the underdog role will make the players and the fans catch fire.... (Trying to get myself pumped up)

at the start of a basketball season...

I'm so used to getting on RR at the beginning of the season several times a day and trying to keep up with the posts.

Well, I didn't like how 2015 ended with being favored throughout the year. This year, I'm hoping the underdog role will make the players and the fans catch fire.... (Trying to get myself pumped up)

Personally, I think we have a lot to be thankful and upbeat about. Things could be a lot worse.

None of our coahes or players have been implicated with facts that they were involved with any of the "pay to play" saga.
Our football team is Top 25 for the first time in 40 years
Our basketball team is Top 10, with a Top 5 recruiting class for 8th straight season
Our baseball is projected to be Top 10 this year
We are building like crazy on the campus with new infrastructure and re-inforcing the flagship university for Kentucky
Our academics are improving and more and more applicants want to come to UK v. other in-state schools

Meanwhile, our rival university is in complete turmoil financially, academically and athletically.
They just fired their best football coach, basketball coach and AD that they ever had at UofL
They are not even in the Top 50 in basketball or football. There is always turmoil and controversy.

In a week or so, we will likely beat them by 3-4 TDs at their stadium. Imagine being them and put things in perspective.

Since this is the Thanksgiving time of the year, we should all be grateful and thankful for our blessings.

 

[Blueaz]

I think some of it has to do with getting embarrassed by Duke. I also believe the constant turnover and draft and NBA crap is also wearing thin on some fans. Yeah, I know Richards and Washington came back, but let’s not kid ourselves, it wasn’t because they wanted to help Kentucky win a title. They came back because they weren’t going to be drafted high or at all.

The FBI and Addidas nonsense doesn’t help either.

and football was also kinda keeping us occupied, for once....but then, 'UK football' final showed itself

 

[blubo]

fan base is checked out.

losing to wisky in the final four. getting bounced on the last second shot by unc in the elite 8. have a gift path last year only to lose to a terrible ksu team. can only take so many gut punches. this year, this team was supposed be the year to break through. maybe not win a title, but be really good, get to a final four. people wanted that so bad they looked past certain glaring issues with the roster. after getting boat raced by duke and a blah performance against SIU, i doubt the fan base comes back. the crowds at rupp are going to be at an all time worst.

only thing that will bring it back is a title really. until then we will be stuck in this malaise.

Did you see “glaring issues” with our roster when we played in the bahamas? be honest.

 

[Lovebaskelball]

Just waiting for the next game.

 

[kybassfan]

The Pakleds convinced themselves we had a free natty coming. They found out we are actually going to have to play basketball to win it. Now they are quiet while they try to find some to blame for the collapsed fantasy.

 

[RamHard]

Still think Kentucky will have good season, lot of talent.

 

[KyFaninNC]

The Pakleds convinced themselves we had a free natty coming. They found out we are actually going to have to play basketball to win it. Now they are quiet while they try to find some to blame for the collapsed fantasy.

This [poop] post is not even worthy of :flush:..

 

[EliteBlue]

Did you see “glaring issues” with our roster when we played in the bahamas? be honest.

I don't think we really have any obvious roster deficiencies from a "how the pieces fit" standpoint.

I do believe we have very solid players but no true Great/Generational Players. I never understoof KJ being built up to being some MKG or better clone. He is very solid and a future pro, but he isn't the guy you build a team around.

Our roster makeup is fantastic for a Villanova style system (off ball screens, ball movement via the pass, spread the court and exploit gaps in a shifting defense) but we aren't really built for the "attack your man 1on1 to get the D moving, On-Ball Screens, Etc" system that depends on having the best athletes on the floor. That is the system Cal has been able to dominate with since the Evans/Rose days.

Our roster is also a great makeup if they would be in the system until they all saw a soph year at least and most of them a Jr year.....But that wont happen because of how the NBA drafts now. Gone are the days that the NBA only took the Kobe/Davis/Carter/Wall/KG types early and didn't punish guys for being 3-4 year players.

 

[shutzhund]

I think to say the fan base is checked out is a little extreme. I’m just watching now with baited breath, just waiting to see something that gets me excited. I won’t miss a game, but I’m cautious about too much optimism right now that’s for sure.

That's the way I feel and I consider that to be the first warning symptom of being "checked out".

 

[Stenchymouse]

Holding our breath every year, hoping that we get recruits that can compete at the highest level as freshmen wears on ya.

Playing a style that doesn't look very structured and depends on kids making individual plays, is frustrating.

Struggling to guard people off the dribble, while not having a true rim protector, is painful.

Being relieved after wins because our young players actually showed up to play isn't enjoyable.

Seeing corruption rewarded and the rules NOT being applied equally is probably what's taken the wind out of my sails the most.

Congrats NCAA on your getting away with letting Duke and UNC skate.

Other than that, I'm really excited about this years team! lol

 

[wentzel25]

Speaking only for myself here, but I'm completely down from the Duke blowout here. Honestly, I don't see anything short of beating Duke in March bringing me back to my preseason excitement level.
As part of the pessimistic spiral that set me on, I also can't help but think a lot of blue chip recruits looking at us feel similarly. That high-to-low swing from tipoff to the final buzzer may be the biggest I've experienced, and it sucks.

 

[Jkwo_rivals113955]

fan base is checked out.

losing to wisky in the final four. getting bounced on the last second shot by unc in the elite 8. have a gift path last year only to lose to a terrible ksu team. can only take so many gut punches. this year, this team was supposed be the year to break through. maybe not win a title, but be really good, get to a final four. people wanted that so bad they looked past certain glaring issues with the roster. after getting boat raced by duke and a blah performance against SIU, i doubt the fan base comes back. the crowds at rupp are going to be at an all time worst.

only thing that will bring it back is a title really. until then we will be stuck in this malaise.

Completely and totally disagree with this.

On paper, this roster should be as good as anybody in the country.

It is one of the more balanced rosters Cal has ever had, and while it doesn't have a crazy amount of experience, he has done more with far less experience.

If this season goes poorly overall and people have this cool cat attitude, it's tantamount to someone saying "I told you so" after the US/Russia hockey game in 1980. You called that? Really?

If you had performed some kind of level-headed analysis that pegged this team as mediocre, then good for you, but that definitely wasn't most people.

 

[TheBricklayer]

As someone else touched on, the constant turnover is a big part of it. Yes the fan base will still cheer anytime the team is on tv, but it’s hard to feel any sort of connection when the entire starting five changes every single year. Frankly it sucks not to build those connections to players over four years like we did as a kid. I can’t imagine many young grade school kids these days will be able to name many “favorite players” during this era of Kentucky basketball.

 

[anon1763419335]

Did you see “glaring issues” with our roster when we played in the bahamas? be honest.

i've stated several times i wanted maxey to reclass and join this team. but was laughed at and told we were LOADED at guard.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

34 point drubbing at the hands of the worse possible team and then a meh performance against SIU has taken the wind out of some (me included)

Recruiting has hit a sour note with the bigs as well. Just not the start most were expecting. I think the Bahamas trip and games had a lot of people excited, but it turned out to be Fool's gold.

 

[KyFaninNC]

That's the way I feel and I consider that to be the first warning symptom of being "checked out".

Very close indeed. Kinda where I am as well.

 

[oldsports_]

Just waiting for draft day baby!

 

[awf]

The Pakleds convinced themselves we had a free natty coming. They found out we are actually going to have to play basketball to win it. Now they are quiet while they try to find some to blame for the collapsed fantasy.

 

[Anon1704802562]

I think that the board got dominated by the Negative Nancys. It's just too painful for me to read posts bashing Cal and a bunch of great teenagers. I can get my news elsewhere for now. If we start winning big, I'll come back more often.

 

[Elliott Tim]

at the start of a basketball season...

I'm so used to getting on RR at the beginning of the season several times a day and trying to keep up with the posts.

Well, I didn't like how 2015 ended with being favored throughout the year. This year, I'm hoping the underdog role will make the players and the fans catch fire.... (Trying to get myself pumped up)

at the start of a basketball season...

I'm so used to getting on RR at the beginning of the season several times a day and trying to keep up with the posts.

Well, I didn't like how 2015 ended with being favored throughout the year. This year, I'm hoping the underdog role will make the players and the fans catch fire.... (Trying to get myself pumped up)

Be patient. It's just a matter of time!

 

[Lovebaskelball]

But the board is hopping with 2 post newbies.

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

It was a one-two-three punch for UK basketball.

1. Losing out on elite recruits the last several years to of all teams Duke and then watching those elite recruits hammer a UK team most thought would be more than up for the challenge.
2. Hoping for a big, redeeming turnaround against an inferior team only to see a lackluster, disjointed, underwhelming performance.
3. Dealing with the uncertainty of what this UK team's identity is, what it is capable of, and facing the unexpected reality that we're in for another long, drawn out maturation process.

I'm still all-in with this team but now am regretfully adjusting to the reality of having to deal with many more ups and downs than I was prepared to endure.

 

[*CatinIL*]

 

[kybassfan]

Ha!! Priceless!

 

[Robcatt24]

 

[LadyCaytIL]

I think the Duke game was a humbling experience for all of us. Losing Zion to them and then seeing how great their freshman are and the talent disparity between the two teams was alarming. It has taken away any hope of number 9. To have that happen the first week of November was tough.

But so many people were saying basketball doesn’t start until January ??? Ugh. People taking basketball for granted deserved that embarrassment unfortunately.. just wish those of us that love basketball the whole season didn’t get caught in the crossfire

 

[MegaBlue05]

fan base is checked out.

losing to wisky in the final four. getting bounced on the last second shot by unc in the elite 8. have a gift path last year only to lose to a terrible ksu team. can only take so many gut punches. this year, this team was supposed be the year to break through. maybe not win a title, but be really good, get to a final four. people wanted that so bad they looked past certain glaring issues with the roster. after getting boat raced by duke and a blah performance against SIU, i doubt the fan base comes back. the crowds at rupp are going to be at an all time worst.

only thing that will bring it back is a title really. until then we will be stuck in this malaise.

So we’re weak *** fair weather fans?

I’m gonna support my team win or lose.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Duke game was Gettysburg. Hope died on that battlefield. For months, BBN was proclaiming how Cal had regained his swag and was launching an invasion on Duke after landing Montgomery, Hagans, and Travis in the early summer. Then we got waxed by a bunch of guys we couldn't land in the recruiting arms race. K not only beat Cal at his own game; he obliterated and embarrassed him and all of BBN.

Second-class citizenship to Duke on the recruiting field has only compounded the issue. Most of our fans realize that even mediocre play at UK warrants entry into the NBA, so there's a feeling we won't return many of these guys from what looks to be a good, but not great team.


There's little to be excited about unless you're one of those schmoes who likes to compare UK to other SEC teams.