Will beating #16 UCLA quiet the Cal hate?

[struggler]

YES! Yes it will... beating a lower ranked team that we should beat... on a neutral floor... yes that is ALL I could ever hope for!

Sheesh - lowered expectations are an illness.

Many don't hate Cal - but many see an over-compensated coach with well below acceptable results/adjustments/progressive improvements/necessary change. It actually IS possible to evaluate his job performance - even passionately so - without hating him.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I said before the Michigan game that he needs to win both. If he splits, then my feelings dont change, and if he lost both, then we were really in trouble.

So it was nice to see us best Michigan on a neutral site... we looked better, but still not great.. Same thing with Yale, we started to put the halfs together, but still not quite there yet.

I'd like to just see continued improvement. If we can see this improvement and get the win, we're likely going to be top10 come SEC play. I'm not overly thrilled with that,.. but it's "fine" more or less.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Uh, winning a regular season game in December against a team ranked 15-20 should be expected. Anyone who thinks that takes heat off Cal is beyond short-sighted.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

How about the rest of the people who aren’t Cal haters or Cal lovers, just UK fans who want the best for the program? Where do those weirdos fit in?

Status quo lol.

Which despite the "loud" minority on both sides I believe that most people here are in that middle category. I would venture to guess most people don't care who is coaching this team as long as we are consistently winning basketball games.

 

[wildcat111]

Will it take winning the SEC?
The SECT?
The NCAAT?

Whats it going to take?

So how would beating one top 16 team make up for 8 years of poor performance? This is UK you know....the premiere college basketball team on the planet....or it was until a few years ago.

 

[bigbluefitch]

Again with you.... winning one neutral court game in December means nothing.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Uh, winning a regular season game in December against a team ranked 15-20 should be expected. Anyone who thinks that takes heat off Cal is beyond short-sighted.

I agree it shouldn't take him off the hot-seat..

But why is a win over a ranked team "expected"? I don't think ANY team should just expect to beat a team that's ranked 15th.

 

[know1]

I said this before, but HH must be a moderator. That's the only way they let this non-fan troll get away with this crap.

And don't believe for a second that he has anyone on ignore. He's lying about that, too.

 

[SemperFiCat]

It isn't one single thing that will take the heat off. It'll take more than a FF run. Bottom line is Cal is failing to beat good teams at a high enough rate, not winning meaningful games, struggling to beat lesser teams at too high a rate, and racking up embarrassing losses that many find unacceptable by any Kentucky team. And it's happening because he flat out refuses to do little simple things that 99% of fans see, and that opposing coaches are now publicly stating. Sprinkle in taking shots at the fans and not even pretending or lying about winning games for Kentucky being his top priority... well, a FF run or even one banner (with a team that even he can't F up) just doesn't erase the fact that the man simply isn't good at coaching basketball in 2022.

 

[StubbornPenny]

Unless we blow out UCLA, no. If there’s a blowout and it’s for the right reasons (good defense not just them missing shots, better shot selection and substitution patterns for us), then I’ll raise an eyebrow.

The SEC looks tough this year but he must compete for a title.
Winning the SEC tournament would go a lot further than Cal thinks.

He needs to get to at least the second weekend and ideally the elite 8. A FF makes it worth the hassle.

 

[Jimerussell]

I said this before, but HH must be a moderator. That's the only way they let this non-fan troll get away with this crap.

And don't believe for a second that he has anyone on ignore. He's lying about that, too.

I've often thought that a moderator was HH/ed3232/kl4040/Bass and others. It's the only thing that makes sense.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Good question. The haters will attack you for asking it. I do not believe any amount of success by this team will stop the criticism of Cal from a small portion of this board.
I go into each season wanting to at least have a shot at a championship. I want to make the final four each year while knowing that we have only been to 17 FFs in our entire basketball history. I do believe that we have many more very good teams across the nation this year than in years past. There are at least 20 teams that could go on a roll in March, and we are one of those.

Three things I take issue with. 1) Do you know the OP is a troll and NOTHING he says is true. 2) Triple C is NOT getting criticism from a SMALL portion of this board. The numbers are high and growing every day. 3) Teams are down this year, not up.

 

[sk73]

Three things I take issue with. 1) Do you know the OP is a troll and NOTHING he says is true. 2) Triple C is NOT getting criticism from a SMALL portion of this board. The numbers are high and growing every day. 3) Teams are down this year, not up.

I do not know about #1. It seems that the word 'troll' is used very often on this board but I very seldom pay attention to that. #2 There has been critics of Cal for several years and, while I have noticed a few more, I have also noticed the same old critics are posting more and more of the same complaints. #3. I have watched more basketball this season than I have for several seasons and I have seen many good teams. Simply using the eye test, I do not think it is a down year at all.

 

[kyjeff1]

It will be like every other time on here.

If we win, it'll quiet down a bit until our next defeat.
If we lose, it'll be blast Cal

There's no surprises here lol. People that like Cal will continue to like Cal and people that hate Cal will continue to hate Cal.

The bolded sentence is not true. More and more people are jumping from that Calipari ship with every disappointing loss.

 

[liveblue92]

26-30 WOOF! Wonder how the Cal danglers will spin that with their mental gymnastics.

Yeah there is no defense for this. Beating UCLA would be a good start, but it’ll be best for all involved if the man moves on after the 2023-2024 season regardless of the outcome. Whether he goes out favorably or the same way Tubby went out is completely up to him based on the team’s performance in the next 1.5 seasons.

 

[bbnkat02]

Yeah there is no defense for this. Beating UCLA would be a good start, but it’ll be best for all involved if the man moves on after the 2023-2024 season regardless of the outcome. Whether he goes out favorably or the same way Tubby went out is completely up to him based on the team’s performance in the next 1.5 seasons.

If Cal some how pulls a title out of his backside plus another F4 I’m fine with him having a year after next. If he winning he’s the man for the job.

 

[kennyskywalker34]

Lololol here we go again

How is your husband doing?

 

[know1]

I do not know about #1. It seems that the word 'troll' is used very often on this board but I very seldom pay attention to that. #2 There has been critics of Cal for several years and, while I have noticed a few more, I have also noticed the same old critics are posting more and more of the same complaints. #3. I have watched more basketball this season than I have for several seasons and I have seen many good teams. Simply using the eye test, I do not think it is a down year at all.

Troll does get thrown around way too often these days, but in this case it is 100% accurate. He is not a fan of UK. His whole reason for living, it seems, is to attempt to make UK fans look bad.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

The bolded sentence is not true. More and more people are jumping from that Calipari ship with every disappointing loss.

I mean sure when Evansville St. Peter’s type losses happen.

But UCLA ? On a neutral court? I mean most reasonable people would be upset with a loss but I don’t really think the Cal lovers are really jumping off this game. I think most realize this is basically a 50/50 game. Without seeing a line I’d venture to guess the line is pretty low.

 

[STL_Cat]

OPs goal is to be the most cited poster on message board geniuses

 

[jwheat]

I just don’t understand why some fans aren’t tired of losing. I swear my chemical balance is off from it. I’ve spent the last two months of March depressed and trying to avoid any interaction. March is supposed to a Kentucky fans time of the year. I remember being a kid and begging my parents to sign me out so I could watch the tournament games by myself without being aggravated by the bennies in my class.

A Kentucky basketball fan that accepts losing. couldn’t ever be me

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

I just don’t understand why some fans aren’t tired of losing. I swear my chemical balance is off from it. I’ve spent the last two months of March depressed and trying to avoid any interaction. March is supposed to a Kentucky fans time of the year. I remember being a kid and begging my parents to sign me out so I could watch the tournament games by myself without being aggravated by the bennies in my class.

A Kentucky basketball fan that accepts losing. couldn’t ever be me

Before 2016 I went out of my way to watch the game. And say I couldn't make it home in time I would watch it illegally on my iphone. 2015 and 2026 were a one-two-punch to the gut. My enthusiasm for basketball dampened significantly. I continued watching, 2018, 2019, 2020 were underwhelming seasons. 2021 almost killed my love of basketball entirely. Cal is destroying my love of basketball one year at a time.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I just don’t understand why some fans aren’t tired of losing. I swear my chemical balance is off from it. I’ve spent the last two months of March depressed and trying to avoid any interaction. March is supposed to a Kentucky fans time of the year. I remember being a kid and begging my parents to sign me out so I could watch the tournament games by myself without being aggravated by the bennies in my class.

A Kentucky basketball fan that accepts losing. couldn’t ever be me

I mean, it's not like "March" was all that great the 10 years before Cal got here. I get what you mean, but I think we have to realize that sustained success in this sport is very difficult. No matter who our coach is, it's not like they are gonna give us 7 Final4s and 5 titles in a decade. I also think this sport is far more wide-open than it was back in say, the 90's. The transfer portal is going to gut teams, and I just don't see sustained success as something that's realistic.

 

[kyjeff1]

I mean sure when Evansville St. Peter’s type losses happen.

But UCLA ? On a neutral court? I mean most reasonable people would be upset with a loss but I don’t really think the Cal lovers are really jumping off this game. I think most realize this is basically a 50/50 game. Without seeing a line I’d venture to guess the line is pretty low.

I wasn't really referring to a potential loss to UCLA, just in general.

I think a large percentage of this fanbase has either jumped, or are very close.

It takes a very patient and/or a very non-competitive person to still be hanging on that Cal train.

 

[kyjeff1]

I mean, it's not like "March" was all that great the 10 years before Cal got here. I get what you mean, but I think we have to realize that sustained success in this sport is very difficult. No matter who our coach is, it's not like they are gonna give us 7 Final4s and 5 titles in a decade. I also think this sport is far more wide-open than it was back in say, the 90's. The transfer portal is going to gut teams, and I just don't see sustained success as something that's realistic.

All we want, is to be a threat every year. I get it, sometimes injuries happen, or you get upset, but when you're at UK, you should be a legit threat every year. Having a new roster every year and not developing players, pretty much guatantees that will never be the case.

1 seeds, conference titles here and there and a final 4 threat, should be the expectations.

Cal is not fulfilling those expectations, but he's being compensated like he's winning titles at Nick Saban's pace.

What's worse is, he doesn't care.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

All we want, is to be a threat every year. I get it, sometimes injuries happen, or you get upset, but when you're at UK, you should be a legit threat every year. Having a new roster every year and not developing players, pretty much guatantees that will never be the case.

1 seeds, conference titles here and there and a final 4 threat, should be the expectations.

Cal is not fulfilling those expectations, but he's being compensated like he's winning titles at Nick Saban's pace.

What's worse is, he doesn't care.

Funny thing about Saban.. even he's showing that success doesn't last forever. I saw a video of him the other night doing the Cupid Slide dance to attract recruits. He's a great coach, but it seems his days of being at the top might also be over.

 

[kyjeff1]

Funny thing about Saban.. even he's showing that success doesn't last forever. I saw a video of him the other night doing the Cupid Slide dance to attract recruits. He's a great coach, but it seems his days of being at the top might also be over.

Well yeah, the guy is in his 70's, but damn, what does he have… .8 national titles? If he did that here, we would cart him around on a golden chariot, carried by 4 muscular beasts, one at each corner. I'd personally hire a dozen princesses sucki… .I mean "caring for him" at all hours of the day

As far as I'm concerned, he could sleepwalk through his last 10 years like Denny Crum did.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Well yeah, the guy is in his 70's, but damn, what does he have… .8 national titles? If he did that here, we would cart him around on a golden chariot, carried by 4 muscular beasts, one at each corner. I'd personally hire a dozen princesses sucki… .I mean "caring for him" at all hours of the day

As far as I'm concerned, he could sleepwalk through his last 10 years like Denny Crum did.

Maybe, but I've always said that we really shouldn't compare the two sports. In NCAAF, a coach can come in garner a lot of the top talent, keep said talent for 3-4 years and roll through a schedule with 1-2 tough games and the rest being teams that just don't have a chance to beat you (unlike in basketball where any team can lose to anyone else, more or less).

I think Cals 2009 to 2015 is something you'll never see done again. It was a different time for sure. Not sure where that Calipari went.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Well yeah, the guy is in his 70's, but damn, what does he have… .8 national titles? If he did that here, we would cart him around on a golden chariot, carried by 4 muscular beasts, one at each corner. I'd personally hire a dozen princesses sucki… .I mean "caring for him" at all hours of the day

As far as I'm concerned, he could sleepwalk through his last 10 years like Denny Crum did.

Imagine having another Rupp tier coach here at UK that is what Saban is to Bama. Saban is another Bryant. 2010-15 really felt like Cal could reach something close to Saban’s dynasty.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

If Cal had won in 2015, he’d easily be the 2nd greatest coach in UK history. He decided to mail it in instead of continuing to work his *** off like Saban.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

2010 to 2015 is the closest any coach will get in modern day basketball. I'm willing to bet on it, that you'll never see another coach rattle off 4 final4s and two title games in 6 years.

I could be wrong.. maybe one of these younger guys is one of the next greats in the waiting. But I think this sport has become even more volatile with transfers, 1AD recruiting, expanded tournament, NIL, etc. Don't think we're going to see blue-blood dominance (whether it's us/UNC/Duke or some other crop) dominate for decades like they did (more or less).

 

[kyjeff1]

Maybe, but I've always said that we really shouldn't compare the two sports. In NCAAF, a coach can come in garner a lot of the top talent, keep said talent for 3-4 years and roll through a schedule with 1-2 tough games and the rest being teams that just don't have a chance to beat you (unlike in basketball where any team can lose to anyone else, more or less).

I think Cals 2009 to 2015 is something you'll never see done again. It was a different time for sure. Not sure where that Calipari went.

Well yeah, Saban getting 7 titles at Bama would be like Cal getting 3 in his time at UK. If Cal had three titles here, he would be praised more than Jesus Christ in Lexington, but he doesn't have 3 titles, but he acts like he does.

 

[Bkocats]

How is your husband doing?

Much better !
We have the blood sugars under control..and in the process have come up with some quite tasty recipes that the whole family enjoys..and they’re healthy
His heart seems to be doing fine..has a grand total of 7 stents now.
Thank you for caring and asking

 

[Bkocats]

Here is my question
Why does dissatisfaction with the way our program is run automatically equal hatred of the coach?
I don’t hate Calipari..most don’t
Just want him to change or leave

And he’s not changing

 

[Cbbcrazy2]

To quiet down folks like myself, him getting on the next plane out would keep me quiet. I will not ever be a Cal fan period.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Well yeah, Saban getting 7 titles at Bama would be like Cal getting 3 in his time at UK. If Cal had three titles here, he would be praised more than Jesus Christ in Lexington, but he doesn't have 3 titles, but he acts like he does.

Some of those were before the playoff, and some others were "shared" titles, and he was also at Alabama for practically an extra decade. Look, Saban is a great coach, but if he doesn't exist, I think it's feasible another coach is getting a handful of those titles. Like, does Dabo Sweeny now have 4 titles in just a few short years? Where as if Cal doesn't exist, it's not like 2009 to 2015 just goes to the next best coach.. those Final4s are likely split up all over the place. Because pulling off 4 Final4's in 6 year is just not easy to do, and probably doesn't happen again.

College football is much more of a "Haves and the have-nots". Realistically there are 2-3 teams every year that just won't lose to anyone outside of that grouping, because of the sheer talent.

 

[fs-ripcord65]

Save your time and energy posting these hypotheticals.

The *ONLY* act that will take the heat off Cal is hanging a banner. Period. End of story. The coach-fan relationship is almost beyond repair.

Syrus ... you and I are undoubtedly on the same page about Calipari, so I don't want to seem contentious with this post. But with that said ... it seems to me that "the coach-fan relationship" (I like that characterization, by the way) is totally and irretrievably beyond repair ... except for the OP and a couple of other deluded posters on this board.
I suspect that you've heard the old saying, "A blind hog will find an acorn." If U.K. ever again wins a national championship while John Calipari is the head coach, then that old saying will be ringing from Black Mountain to the Mississippi River, and from the Ohio River at Newport to Middleton's Notch in Simpson County (you can look it up) ... because that occurrence, if it were to happen, would be no less an accident of fate than a blind hog rooting around and finding an acorn through no capability of its own.

 

[WallMash]

If cal won a NC he's got to go.
If cal gave me my diabetes shot every morning and night, he gotta go.
If cal nailed himself to the cross for my sins he gotta go.
If cal stepped in front of the bullet I was shootin myself in my head with, he gotta go.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Here is my question
Why does dissatisfaction with the way our program is run automatically equal hatred of the coach?
I don’t hate Calipari..most don’t
Just want him to change or leave

And he’s not changing

It doesn’t. I think there’s varying levels.

Some are just dissatisfied which is understandable. Some take it a bit too far

 

[kyjeff1]

Some of those were before the playoff, and some others were "shared" titles, and he was also at Alabama for practically an extra decade. Look, Saban is a great coach, but if he doesn't exist, I think it's feasible another coach is getting a handful of those titles. Like, does Dabo Sweeny now have 4 titles in just a few short years? Where as if Cal doesn't exist, it's not like 2009 to 2015 just goes to the next best coach.. those Final4s are likely split up all over the place. Because pulling off 4 Final4's in 6 year is just not easy to do, and probably doesn't happen again.

College football is much more of a "Haves and the have-nots". Realistically there are 2-3 teams every year that just won't lose to anyone outside of that grouping, because of the sheer talent.

You totally lost me there, what titles did NS share? What titles somehow aren't the same because they were before the playoff?

There's a lot of ifs and buts there, but it simply boils down to this, no other coach has come close to equaling what Saban has done.

He won a title at LSU, he went to the NFL, came back to college and has been on a tear.

He also plays in, by far, the toughest conference, so the titles he won before the playoff started, are just as legit and the fact he has won most of the titles in the playoff era, proves even more that Alabama has been the best program because of him.

When Saban leaves, Alabama will fall off the mountain top and since nobody else has shown the ability to even come close to what Saban is doing, I think it's fair to say he's the greatest to ever coach college football.

Cal has had every opportunity, every advantage and he pissed it all away.

He's literally stated "they want me to win titles in this state, but my mission is bigger than that… ". That was a big F you to the fans.