What really bugs me about this year

[mkasten25]

I'm almost 30. I'm an adult. I love UK and I'm obviously on here so my fanatacism is up a notch (vs the casual fan). This team made me feel something different...and for the better part of a year. I bought expensive tickets to the championship 2 months in advance- even 2012 wouldn't have made me do that. This team made me feel and act like a kid again...all to have it come crashing down. I can remember the last team who did that to me. The 1995 Indians. They were SO good. Went 100-44. Had young talent, veterans, unstoppable all season, into the playoffs. Then ran into the Braves (basically Duke or Wisconsin) and like that, it was over. Baseball and sports have not been the same to me in 20 years (and I was 9!). This team made me feel like I was 9 again. Which is awesome and silly and frustrating all in one.


I think for the future I'll just have to temper my expectations, stay rational and definitely not be overconfident. Just remember that the 2014 was technically better than 2015 if you go by tourney results only. This year has been a fun ride, but also a good life lesson.

 

[Chuckinden]

I am 60 and listened to my first game in '65. I was all in with this team. No way, with all that came back and the new that came in, was anyone going to beat us....and they shouldn't have.

Like I said in another thread, Cal could bring in an NBA All Star team and I still wouldn't trust him to win it all.

 

[wcc31]

Originally posted by mkasten25:
I'm almost 30. I'm an adult. I love UK and I'm obviously on here so my fanatacism is up a notch (vs the casual fan). This team made me feel something different...and for the better part of a year. I bought expensive tickets to the championship 2 months in advance- even 2012 wouldn't have made me do that. This team made me feel and act like a kid again...all to have it come crashing down. I can remember the last team who did that to me. The 1995 Indians. They were SO good. Went 100-44. Had young talent, veterans, unstoppable all season, into the playoffs. Then ran into the Braves (basically Duke or Wisconsin) and like that, it was over. Baseball and sports have not been the same to me in 20 years (and I was 9!). This team made me feel like I was 9 again. Which is awesome and silly and frustrating all in one.


I think for the future I'll just have to temper my expectations, stay rational and definitely not be overconfident. Just remember that the 2014 was technically better than 2015 if you go by tourney results only. This year has been a fun ride, but also a good life lesson.

I loved this team and thought we were going to win it all, but for some reason I just never had the same level of confidence that I had in 1996 and 2012. I didn't want to admit it to myself but something was missing for me. I KNEW those teams would win it all. I merely thought this team would.

But yeah, it sucks. This one will haunt me for years. That's sports for you and that's the NCAA Tournament for you. The good thing is- our coach doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon and we're going to be a contender again next year.

 

[BlitzkriegBart]

This loss hurt. It hurt me as much as any in my lifetime.

Just remember, any team is beatable and the best team wins the tournament less than half of the time. Kentucky will win more titles and the pain you feel after this loss will turn to elation. As bad as it is now, it will be all that much better when we hang #9. You can't have the highs without the lows.

 

[JasonS.]

This was our team when I was nine. I hope never to relive that ...

(h/t Jon Scott)

 

[UKWildcatT]

Originally posted by Chuckinden:
I am 60 and listened to my first game in '65. I was all in with this team. No way, with all that came back and the new that came in, was anyone going to beat us....and they shouldn't have.

Like I said in another thread, Cal could bring in an NBA All Star team and I still wouldn't trust him to win it all.

Gosh damn people, you act like Cal should be Jesus Christ and make zero mistakes

 

[Ugoff]

For a fan, the higher the highs, the lower the lows. It's just the way it is and I'll take it. After some defeats I've thought I needed to tone down the fandom, but then I realized that would be like trying to cut down on breathing. It just isn't going to happen.

 

[Joneslab]

I didn't have the feeling I had in 2012 mostly because of the field.

The field was tougher. It was clear in '12 that North Carolina was our toughest competition, and when Marshall went down I pretty much knew.

This year I felt that we weren't that much better than Wisconsin, Arizona, or Duke. (I do think we matched up better against Duke.) Wisconsin in particular worried me partly because of their roster but also because they had that incentive to beat us.
But I do think we were the best team and would have won had we not gone to the stall with the late lead and/or gotten the shot clock violation. We just weren't that much better than Wisconsin and the margin for error we'd been working with all year got radically shrunk because of the pace of that game.

 

[ganner918_rivals60369]

Originally posted by JasonSpear:
I never had the same feeling with this team that I had with 2012. I knew in 2012 that no one was beating those guys in the NCAAT. I always had this sneaking feeling inside that UK wasn't winning the title this year, that they would run up against someone that could take em down and would. Never could shake it.

I had a conversation about that going into the tournament. I said I was confident - I wasn't expecting a loss - but a loss wouldn't shock me like it would have in 2012. In 2012, we had the best player on the court every game. Hell, we probably had the TWO best players every game. That wasn't going to be the case this year. I knew it was possible that we could play games where the best player on the court was wearing a different jersey, and when that's the case, you can lose.

 

[FiveStarCat]

Originally posted by Chuckinden:

Like I said in another thread, Cal could bring in an NBA All Star team and I still wouldn't trust him to win it all.

C'mon man. Wisconsin returned just about everyone from a Final Four team that frankly had us beat if not for the stones on Aaron Harrison. They were just as much on a mission as Kentucky was and possibly even more so when you consider the revenge factor. Had we lost to another UCONN type team it would have been way tougher to swallow but that Wisconsin team had zero losses at full strength to any team not named Duke.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Originally posted by Chuckinden:
I am 60 and listened to my first game in '65. I was all in with this team. No way, with all that came back and the new that came in, was anyone going to beat us....and they shouldn't have.

Like I said in another thread, Cal could bring in an NBA All Star team and I still wouldn't trust him to win it all.

Who would you trust? Coach K? He only won two titles in his first batch of appearances. That was out of seven final fours and five title game appearances. If you look at the coaches ahead of Calipari in Final Four appearances all-time, they're about the same (excluding Wooden). Smith won two in eleven FFs, Izzo has one in seven FFs, Pitino has two in seven FFs, and Williams has two in seven FFs.

Point being, I don't care how good a team is, that doesn't guarantee them of anything. Depending on how Izzo, Pitino, and Williams do, Calipari has a chance to move into a tie for 4th most Final Four appearances all-time with his next Final Four.

And it's it's not unrealistic that he will retire as the coach with the third most appearances all-time. That is such elite company that I simply can't fathom your thought process.

 

[wcc31]

Originally posted by Joneslab:

I didn't have the feeling I had in 2012 mostly because of the field.

The field was tougher. It was clear in '12 that North Carolina was our toughest competition, and when Marshall went down I pretty much knew.

This year I felt that we weren't that much better than Wisconsin, Arizona, or Duke. (I do think we matched up better against Duke.) Wisconsin in particular worried me partly because of their roster but also because they had that incentive to beat us.
But I do think we were the best team and would have won had we not gone to the stall with the late lead and/or gotten the shot clock violation. We just weren't that much better than Wisconsin and the margin for error we'd been working with all year got radically shrunk because of the pace of that game.

I was about to make a similar post. It's rare these days to have THREE, and I'd even argue FOUR teams as good as UK, Duke, Wisconsin and Arizona in one season. I honestly couldn't believe more media members weren't picking Duke to win it all to start the tournament.

Plus, UK's draw wasn't great. For some reason, the stupid committee decided to put the two most highly regarded brackets on one side so that meant UK would have to play either Wisconsin/Arizona AND Duke to win it all. Add in a hot ND team in the E8 and that's a tough row to hoe no matter how good you are.

Compare that to 2012 when UK had to beat an offensively anemic Louisville team (4-seed) and a good-never-great Kansas team to win it all.

 

[Kyspringcat]

Originally posted by Joneslab:

I didn't have the feeling I had in 2012 mostly because of the field.

The field was tougher. It was clear in '12 that North Carolina was our toughest competition, and when Marshall went down I pretty much knew.

This year I felt that we weren't that much better than Wisconsin, Arizona, or Duke. (I do think we matched up better against Duke.) Wisconsin in particular worried me partly because of their roster but also because they had that incentive to beat us.
But I do think we were the best team and would have won had we not gone to the stall with the late lead and/or gotten the shot clock violation. We just weren't that much better than Wisconsin and the margin for error we'd been working with all year got radically shrunk because of the pace of that game.

In hindsight, I agree with this so much. My excitement clouded my perception during the season. As a team we weren't that much better than everyone else skill wise. We had great depth but we never had the clear cut best player on the floor like we did in 2012 with Davis. Some of our guys were prone to fade out of a game completely as well.

 

[YouKay]

I'm a die hard New England Patriots fan. This UK loss didn't hit me nearly as hard as 2007 when the undefeated Pats lost the Super Bowl to a crummy Giants team that barely made the playoffs. And they lost it on a total freak catch by an unknown receiver.

I actually felt worse last year watching UK lose to UConn. First of all, it was the championship, not the semifinals. Second, it was to UConn, AGAIN. The team that seems to be our Kryptonite. Third, UConn was a garbage team except for Shabazz. After UK had beaten such excellent teams as Wichita State, UL, Michigan, and Wisconsin, it was almost incomprehensible they could lose to UConn. Fourth, I really wanted that bunch of freshmen to prove they were the best class ever. It would have rivaled and even beat 1998 for the most improbable and thrilling championship run ever by a UK team. I'm still sad that this didn't happen.

This year's team just brought me so much joy all season that it isn't as bad to me that they didn't win it all. Everyone knew Wisconsin was going to be the best team UK played this year. They had everything necessary to beat UK. I'm still bummed at how UK lost the game and always will be. But that was a fabulous Wisconsin team and there is no shame in losing to a team like that.

 

[anon_kxlrmusn5ugsm]

Originally posted by mkasten25:
I'm almost 30. I'm an adult. I love UK and I'm obviously on here so my fanatacism is up a notch (vs the casual fan). This team made me feel something different...and for the better part of a year. I bought expensive tickets to the championship 2 months in advance- even 2012 wouldn't have made me do that. This team made me feel and act like a kid again...all to have it come crashing down. I can remember the last team who did that to me. The 1995 Indians. They were SO good. Went 100-44. Had young talent, veterans, unstoppable all season, into the playoffs. Then ran into the Braves (basically Duke or Wisconsin) and like that, it was over. Baseball and sports have not been the same to me in 20 years (and I was 9!). This team made me feel like I was 9 again. Which is awesome and silly and frustrating all in one.


I think for the future I'll just have to temper my expectations, stay rational and definitely not be overconfident. Just remember that the 2014 was technically better than 2015 if you go by tourney results only. This year has been a fun ride, but also a good life lesson.

Dude, you were just on KSR.

 

[mkasten25]

Originally posted by BlueinTex:

Originally posted by mkasten25:
I'm almost 30. I'm an adult. I love UK and I'm obviously on here so my fanatacism is up a notch (vs the casual fan). This team made me feel something different...and for the better part of a year. I bought expensive tickets to the championship 2 months in advance- even 2012 wouldn't have made me do that. This team made me feel and act like a kid again...all to have it come crashing down. I can remember the last team who did that to me. The 1995 Indians. They were SO good. Went 100-44. Had young talent, veterans, unstoppable all season, into the playoffs. Then ran into the Braves (basically Duke or Wisconsin) and like that, it was over. Baseball and sports have not been the same to me in 20 years (and I was 9!). This team made me feel like I was 9 again. Which is awesome and silly and frustrating all in one.


I think for the future I'll just have to temper my expectations, stay rational and definitely not be overconfident. Just remember that the 2014 was technically better than 2015 if you go by tourney results only. This year has been a fun ride, but also a good life lesson.

Dude, you were just on KSR.

Yep I'm bored

 

[.S&C.]

What Wildcatchad said is 100% my stance. I always felt this team wasn't the best. I never voiced it, and I knew we were really good, but I didn't have the feeling I had in 2012. Not even close.

 

[JasonS.]

Originally posted by YouKay:

I actually felt worse last year watching UK lose to UConn. First of all, it was the championship, not the semifinals. Second, it was to UConn, AGAIN. The team that seems to be our Kryptonite. Third, UConn was a garbage team except for Shabazz. After UK had beaten such excellent teams as Wichita State, UL, Michigan, and Wisconsin, it was almost incomprehensible they could lose to UConn. Fourth, I really wanted that bunch of freshmen to prove they were the best class ever. It would have rivaled and even beat 1998 for the most improbable and thrilling championship run ever by a UK team. I'm still sad that this didn't happen.

Agree 100%.

Last year's UConn loss was worse for me, I think because 1.) it was such a sudden, unsatisfying end to a magical tourney run and 2.) we'll never again have a national title more easily teed up than we did that night.

 

[IYAOYAS1]

I'm a little less enthused and this sport will never be the same and I'm skeptical.

I finally made it back home from my first Final Four and I have to tell you that I didn't realize how naïve I was about the NCAA and all the scumbags in the business. I dropped 3k to watch a Kentucky team and by all accounts should have won it all, but for some reason this group decided to fold the last four minutes.

I knew we would lose some of these guys, but after that last performance I'm a little confused on what we're doing or creating at UK. I come home to hear we're completely reloading due to yet another mass exodus and it's just a little hard for me to take right now.

I personally need a long break from CCB, scumbag profiteers, media, referees and other fan bases.

 

[jrm693]

Originally posted by mkasten25:
I'm almost 30. I'm an adult. I love UK and I'm obviously on here so my fanatacism is up a notch (vs the casual fan). This team made me feel something different...and for the better part of a year. I bought expensive tickets to the championship 2 months in advance- even 2012 wouldn't have made me do that. This team made me feel and act like a kid again...all to have it come crashing down. I can remember the last team who did that to me. The 1995 Indians. They were SO good. Went 100-44. Had young talent, veterans, unstoppable all season, into the playoffs. Then ran into the Braves (basically Duke or Wisconsin) and like that, it was over. Baseball and sports have not been the same to me in 20 years (and I was 9!). This team made me feel like I was 9 again. Which is awesome and silly and frustrating all in one.


I think for the future I'll just have to temper my expectations, stay rational and definitely not be overconfident. Just remember that the 2014 was technically better than 2015 if you go by tourney results only. This year has been a fun ride, but also a good life lesson.

You are not alone, I also bought high priced tickets to final four and also spent several bucks sitting lower level in 10 other games... thinking about sending Cal a bill!!!!!! I don't know why but I was not devasted by this loss those guys gave us a season for the ages... done have my hotel booked for Houston 2016

 

[Burly]

I never once thought this team would win it. We were not strong enough at starting guards and WCS forced you to play 4 on 5.

You need quick guards who can score and create and the ability to score from all 5 positions

 

[UKWildcatT]

Originally posted by Kerry Kat:
I'm a little less enthused and this sport will never be the same and I'm skeptical.

I finally made it back home from my first Final Four and I have to tell you that I didn't realize how naïve I was about the NCAA and all the scumbags in the business. I dropped 3k to watch a Kentucky team and by all accounts should have won it all, but for some reason this group decided to fold the last four minutes.

I knew we would lose some of these guys, but after that last performance I'm a little confused on what we're doing or creating at UK. I come home to hear we're completely reloading due to yet another mass exodus and it's just a little hard for me to take right now.

I personally need a long break from CCB, scumbag profiteers, media, referees and other fan bases.

Good Lord you big effing cry baby. Heaven forbid they lost one game and didnt play to expectations to the second best team in the nation.

 

[mkasten25]

Originally posted by rolaid:
I never once thought this team would win it. We were not strong enough at starting guards and WCS forced you to play 4 on 5.

You need quick guards who can score and create and the ability to score from all 5 positions

Never once? Really? REAAALLLY? At no point this season you thought this team would win it all? This team was 4 minutes and a toss up game away from being in the discussion for best team all time (or at least current era)

 

[barryn2000]

Dear Lord....some of you people need therapy....or an education on what being a fan is.

Sorry some of you lost on the sports stock market...perhaps you should expand your college basketball fan portfolio to include all the elite teams and reduce your end of season losses.

Send Cal a bill? Really?

 

[IYAOYAS1]

Originally posted by UKWildcatT:

Originally posted by Kerry Kat:
I'm a little less enthused and this sport will never be the same and I'm skeptical.

I finally made it back home from my first Final Four and I have to tell you that I didn't realize how naïve I was about the NCAA and all the scumbags in the business. I dropped 3k to watch a Kentucky team and by all accounts should have won it all, but for some reason this group decided to fold the last four minutes.

I knew we would lose some of these guys, but after that last performance I'm a little confused on what we're doing or creating at UK. I come home to hear we're completely reloading due to yet another mass exodus and it's just a little hard for me to take right now.

I personally need a long break from CCB, scumbag profiteers, media, referees and other fan bases.

Good Lord you big effing cry baby. Heaven forbid they lost one game and didnt play to expectations to the second best team in the nation.

Name calling really necessary? You don't know me

 

[wildcat1973_rivals160373]

If you felt that way about this team and not 2012, then you need to learn being a fan.

 

[Joneslab]

Originally posted by rolaid:
I never once thought this team would win it. We were not strong enough at starting guards and WCS forced you to play 4 on 5.

You need quick guards who can score and create and the ability to score from all 5 positions

LOL.

 

[UKWildcatT]

Originally posted by Kerry Kat:

Originally posted by UKWildcatT:

Originally posted by Kerry Kat:
I'm a little less enthused and this sport will never be the same and I'm skeptical.

I finally made it back home from my first Final Four and I have to tell you that I didn't realize how naïve I was about the NCAA and all the scumbags in the business. I dropped 3k to watch a Kentucky team and by all accounts should have won it all, but for some reason this group decided to fold the last four minutes.

I knew we would lose some of these guys, but after that last performance I'm a little confused on what we're doing or creating at UK. I come home to hear we're completely reloading due to yet another mass exodus and it's just a little hard for me to take right now.

I personally need a long break from CCB, scumbag profiteers, media, referees and other fan bases.

Good Lord you big effing cry baby. Heaven forbid they lost one game and didnt play to expectations to the second best team in the nation.

Name calling really necessary? You don't know me

I know you're a ridiculous crybaby.

 

[barryn2000]

Originally posted by Chuckinden:
I am 60 and listened to my first game in '65. I was all in with this team. No way, with all that came back and the new that came in, was anyone going to beat us....and they shouldn't have.

Like I said in another thread, Cal could bring in an NBA All Star team and I still wouldn't trust him to win it all.

You seem like a man that lives by the "what have you done for me lately" school of thought.

Perhaps you should keep your options open?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Duke-Basketball-Fan-Club/106325029397937
http://www.facebook.com/uncfans4life?fref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/KansasJayhawkFansForLife?fref=ts

Fair weather, that away ------------->

 

[Burly]

Originally posted by Joneslab:

Originally posted by rolaid:
I never once thought this team would win it. We were not strong enough at starting guards and WCS forced you to play 4 on 5.

You need quick guards who can score and create and the ability to score from all 5 positions

LOL.

Reason I say that...the twins shot below 40% but thought they shot 58%. They wouldn't dig 50/50balls and were poor Rebounder's for there size. If Ulis runs the team in last 6 minutes against Wisconsin we win IMO. They especially Andrew went hero ball the last 6 minutes but lacked the skill set to finish when getting all the way to rim was taken away

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Originally posted by JasonSpear:
I never had the same feeling with this team that I had with 2012. I knew in 2012 that no one was beating those guys in the NCAAT. I always had this sneaking feeling inside that UK wasn't winning the title this year, that they would run up against someone that could take em down and would. Never could shake it.

I could not agree more. I had the same nagging doubt that was never there with 2012. Strange....

 

[IYAOYAS1]

Originally posted by UKWildcatT:

Originally posted by Kerry Kat:

Originally posted by UKWildcatT:

Originally posted by Kerry Kat:
I'm a little less enthused and this sport will never be the same and I'm skeptical.

I finally made it back home from my first Final Four and I have to tell you that I didn't realize how naïve I was about the NCAA and all the scumbags in the business. I dropped 3k to watch a Kentucky team and by all accounts should have won it all, but for some reason this group decided to fold the last four minutes.

I knew we would lose some of these guys, but after that last performance I'm a little confused on what we're doing or creating at UK. I come home to hear we're completely reloading due to yet another mass exodus and it's just a little hard for me to take right now.

I personally need a long break from CCB, scumbag profiteers, media, referees and other fan bases.

Good Lord you big effing cry baby. Heaven forbid they lost one game and didnt play to expectations to the second best team in the nation.

Name calling really necessary? You don't know me

I know you're a ridiculous crybaby.

You have gone around the last two days and berated UK fans, and interestingly enough, the MODS have allowed it. You have issues!




April 9, 2015

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April 9, 2015

Re: What really bugs me about this year



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Re: Dakari Johnson declares for the draft



April 9, 2015

Re: UK Fanbase...the most subjective, irrational fanbase?

 

[KYSailCat]

Originally posted by UKWildcatT:

Originally posted by Chuckinden:
I am 60 and listened to my first game in '65. I was all in with this team. No way, with all that came back and the new that came in, was anyone going to beat us....and they shouldn't have.

Like I said in another thread, Cal could bring in an NBA All Star team and I still wouldn't trust him to win it all.

Gosh damn people, you act like Cal should be Jesus Christ and make zero mistakes

Never in the history of vegas betting has ateam been such a lock to win that if you bet 100 dollars and we won you would only get back 70 dollars. Vegas makes a living doing this and they were totally in that UK was going to win easily yet Cal found a way to F this up. Nate silver reran the final 6 min on computer 100,000 times and we won 82% of the time. I have family that are UNC fans Duke NC state and Wake and Louisville colleagues and they all tell me 'how did UK not win".THE WHOLE WORLD KNEW this was UK's to lose and give him credit Cal found a way.

 

[KYSailCat]

Originally posted by Joneslab:


I didn't have the feeling I had in 2012 mostly because of the field.

The field was tougher. It was clear in '12 that North Carolina was our toughest competition, and when Marshall went down I pretty much knew.

This year I felt that we weren't that much better than Wisconsin, Arizona, or Duke. (I do think we matched up better against Duke.) Wisconsin in particular worried me partly because of their roster but also because they had that incentive to beat us.
But I do think we were the best team and would have won had we not gone to the stall with the late lead and/or gotten the shot clock violation. We just weren't that much better than Wisconsin and the margin for error we'd been working with all year got radically shrunk because of the pace of that game.

vegas the professionals knew we were that much better and they make a living doing this.