In defense of.....

[Joneslab]

I'm perfectly calm.

I just know what will happen if we lose this game today, and it absolutely will not be from 40bill.

But I also have absolutely seen the OP post this quite a few times over the years. And you're right: God knows I've posted the same thing over and over. But basically I should have made some sort of argument against it instead of knocking it for being tired.

My argument against it is, basically, how could one look at Cal and be surprised that the man can actually coach? After all these years?

[George]

This year the argument gets an additional pro-Cal wrinkle in the form of losses for Izzy and K: two HOFer media darlings who found that the one-and-done experiment isn't so easy after all, and maybe, just maybe, you have to know what you're doing in addition to being a recruiter.

[DA#23]

Does Roy Williams not receive the same criticism?

[Joneslab]

This year the argument gets an additional pro-Cal wrinkle in the form of losses for Izzy and K: two HOFer media darlings who found that the one-and-done experiment isn't so easy after all, and maybe, just maybe, you have to know what you're doing in addition to being a recruiter.

Exactly.

The "I guess Cal doesn't just roll the ball out" take is one that has really been punched in the face repeatedly over the years, and especially this year.

[Joneslab]

Does Roy Williams not receive the same criticism?

Exact same. IMO Roy Williams is criminally underrated as a coach.

[DA#23]

What will be interesting for Coach K is whether or not Harry Giles has any effect of his future efforts. That might be an opportunity for Cal to make up a little ground.

I've maintained though that one of the best side effects of the One and Done Era for K is that it helps negate his age. It's no longer a concern whether he will coach for three or four more years.

[George]

Exact same. IMO Roy Williams is criminally underrated as a coach.

I dunno. There's underrated, then there's received so much praise over the years that the compliments are becoming redundant.

[DA#23]

He might be underrated but I can promise you that if we win today, I'll be sending out the deputy dog/awe shucks sarcastic remarks to some coworkers and friends who inexplicably root for the Tarheels.

[DA#23]

I dunno. There's underrated, then there's received so much praise over the years that the compliments are becoming redundant.

Be careful, Lavender will start chastising those people lol

[Joneslab]

I dunno. There's underrated, then there's received so much praise over the years that the compliments are becoming redundant.

Generally the compliments I see about Williams are like this: "He sucks."

[Blue Heaven]

My argument against it is, basically, how could one look at Cal and be surprised that the man can actually coach? After all these years?

Exactly. I hear it from my UL buddies every season. When we go further than them, they really can't say anything but he sucks. Since 2013 it has been "Who has the last Title?" crap. Even this season, after they lost in the ROUND OF 32, all they say is "Who has the last Title?" and "Cal sucks as a coach". The guy has been winning since his UMass days. I'd say he is a pretty damn good coach.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Exactly. I hear it from my UL buddies every season. When we go further than them, they really can't say anything but he sucks. Since 2013 it has been "Who has the last Title?" crap. Even this season, after they lost in the ROUND OF 32, all they say is "Who has the last Title?" and "Cal sucks as a coach". The guy has been winning since his UMass days. I'd say he is a pretty damn good coach.

I hear this all the time......but think about this..is we win today it will be our 5th FF in 7 years.....what other coach has done this...NOT PITINO

[Lighthouse]

I'm getting a kick out of Will and Matt in this thread. You guys are a hoot.

[40bill]

Lol....Not exactly the response I had expected, perhaps one that was deserved. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Congrats coach Calipari and team on a job well done this season, and hopefully more steps this season.

[CatfaninTN]

Actually, with the way this team had played coming down the stretch - even though they won - I was highly surprised we made it to the Elite 8 (within a couple of points of the Final 4). Still frustrates me to no end, though, that NC had such experienced players, who the fanbase can get to know and love, and we every year have to rely on Freshmen to carry us - then reboot our minds before the next season and the next crop. One thing at 59 years old that I'll likely never get used to.