How Do We Combat Duke?

[Catsrock]

I hate Duke but come on! A Tarheel blog about dirty play?! Just because you own the NCAA doesn't mean the entire country was blind to the biggest scandal in college sports history!

[George]

I'm not sure this is fair, Downes.

Can't be that unfair. Cal's said himself (mostly of his bigs) that he wants his guys to work on facets of their game that need attention for pro appeal. I'd rather they do what they do best at the college level for the sake of their college team.

[BobS]

I think we would be shocked in how many fans want Cal gone. Seems silly but they are out there. Know 2-3 myself.

[boomdaddy]

Please.

How many people said the same of us over the last few years? Never heard you levy these accusations at Cal.

Scoff all you want, but a star recruiter for Duke was in a scandal at his previous school, and when he got to Duke, the one and dones started pouring in. Maybe its just coincidence., like the scenario in statistics class that correlating rape with the sale of ice cream is ludicrous and that it is really warm weather that provides more opportunity. I am sure it is just a statistical anomaly.

[J.Jennings]

I will say this, i overheard Harry Giles talking a few times last week while i was in New Orleans and i would bet the farm he can't even spell his name, how does he pass a exam to even get into college??? I don't want to judge anyone but if I didn't know who he was, a first impression from another total stranger would totally fool someone if you told them he went to Duke and now plays in theNBA. There is dumb, then there's dumb and dumber!!!!!!!!! It's a good thing i am not a sports agent because if i was his agent, i would rob him blind................

[Lighthouse]

I will say this, i overheard Harry Giles talking a few times last week while i was in New Orleans and i would bet the farm he can't even spell his name, how does he pass a exam to even get into college??? I don't want to judge anyone but if I didn't know who he was, a first impression from another total stranger would totally fool someone if you told them he went to Duke and now plays in theNBA. There is dumb, then there's dumb and dumber!!!!!!!!! It's a good thing i am not a sports agent because if i was his agent, i would rob him blind................

I doubt that, because you're a better man than that. But, it happens to these kids more than we know. After all, if they can't pass a math 101, how do they know.

[J.Jennings]

I doubt that, because you're a better man than that. But, it happens to these kids more than we know. After all, if they can't pass a math 101, how do they know.

Your right and i appreciate that but the point is, this kid was just clueless in the real world by the way he presented himself....

[Jload]

I’ve been called worse names than an idiot, so fire away. I wish Cal would retire, move on, I don’t care. Don’t like the culture he has brought to UK, don’t like crap basketball most years for the month of Dec and Jan and sometimes Feb. Don’t like having a new team EVERY year, don’t like a program that pressures a kid to go after a year( don’t kid yourself that’s what’s happening), I could go on but I will stop. I didn’t say by the way that Cal doesn’t work hard,he does, nor I am I saying he hasn’t won a lot of games,he has, I don’t like his style nor where he has taken our program.

[Joneslab]

The problem when you look out at the potential coaches who would replace Cal is that the "crap basketball" thing isn't happening. The basketball almost every program plays "for the month of Dec and Jan and sometimes Feb." is significantly worse than what Cal's teams usually play.

I've posted the record. Multiple times.

The only thing you can concede about Cal is the one-and-done thing. If you're bothered by that, and many are, then you could go out and find many coaches who don't push the NBA.

But the wins and Final Fours and all of that very likely would not improve--and would very likely get worse, because Cal has out-performed historical Kentucky levels after Rupp.

I think it very much might be a "careful what you wish for" kind of thing. But I do get the frustration about the roster turnover.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I think we would be shocked in how many fans want Cal gone. Seems silly but they are out there. Know 2-3 myself.

Yes and they are out there....I know many myself.....

[Joneslab]

The telling thing about Cal will not be this season. You can't lose hope in a guy because he's had two down years in nine seasons. That's absurd.

BUT next year will tell the tale. If the team loses guys and then comes back next year looking very similar to this, that's when I think you could see Cal lose a large part of the fanbase.

There's a certain kind of fan that gets down on coaches sometimes after single losses. I posted about the South Carolina loss in Cal's first year: we had fans, real live UK fans, proclaiming Cal would never win at UK after that game. It's harsh to say, but some fans have no idea what they're talking about at any given time about really anything.

But it's definitely the case that when you start stringing bad seasons together, and when you get farther away from your last Final Four appearance or title, then you're not going to even keep the rational folks happy.

[Spiritof96]

This thread should be re-named, “How do we combat Tennessee?”

[Westtncat]

The telling thing about Cal will not be this season. You can't lose hope in a guy because he's had two down years in nine seasons. That's absurd.

BUT next year will tell the tale. If the team loses guys and then comes back next year looking very similar to this, that's when I think you could see Cal lose a large part of the fanbase.

There's a certain kind of fan that gets down on coaches sometimes after single losses. I posted about the South Carolina loss in Cal's first year: we had fans, real live UK fans, proclaiming Cal would never win at UK after that game. It's harsh to say, but some fans have no idea what they're talking about at any given time about really anything.

But it's definitely the case that when you start stringing bad seasons together, and when you get farther away from your last Final Four appearance or title, then you're not going to even keep the rational folks happy.

#1 I completely agree with this. If you look at the big picture Cal has been a good coach. I do agree with Jload about the culture here at UK. Im not sure it didnt get away from Cal a bit but then again when your locker room has as much NBA stuff as it does UK stuff you kinda ask for it. I want these kids to be more about UK, I dont think it will happen. The one and done is not a Cal creation but he has fed the monster to the point were UK basketball has taken a back seat. Im really not sure how to balance it out to be honest.

[Blue Heaven]

I think we would be shocked in how many fans want Cal gone. Seems silly but they are out there. Know 2-3 myself.

I am NOT in that camp, but Cal won't be here much longer IMO. Hopefully Stevens doesn't make a run for a Title in the next few seasons. THROW THE BANK AT HIM!

[Blue Heaven]

The telling thing about Cal will not be this season. You can't lose hope in a guy because he's had two down years in nine seasons. That's absurd.

BUT next year will tell the tale. If the team loses guys and then comes back next year looking very similar to this, that's when I think you could see Cal lose a large part of the fanbase.

There's a certain kind of fan that gets down on coaches sometimes after single losses. I posted about the South Carolina loss in Cal's first year: we had fans, real live UK fans, proclaiming Cal would never win at UK after that game. It's harsh to say, but some fans have no idea what they're talking about at any given time about really anything.

But it's definitely the case that when you start stringing bad seasons together, and when you get farther away from your last Final Four appearance or title, then you're not going to even keep the rational folks happy.

Outside of last nights game which I did not watch, we have been in every single game this season. All this with BAD defense and fundamentals. What does that say about the rest of the teams in the country? IMO, It's 'Nova and then there is everybody else. Purdue MIGHT be there and you can't ever count out dUKe. Everyone else is playing catch up.