Guys, we had UT beat and from all angles the game was over when our team started fussing with each other and Hagans started pouting. The UT coaches and players saw what was happening and they saw an opportunity and simply took advantage of it. Even with all the noise from a large crowd, you hear players talking and it was very obvious our players were into something other than winning a game. It was a shame and I sure hope they work it out. I guess we'll see Saturday.
-
John 3:3
-
Or it could be troubling. Listening to Matt Jones this morning there are other even more troubling reports coming out. One stated that the team was confused not only because of Hagans actions, but also bewildered that the staff did not address it specifically by pulling him.
anything is possible. This Florida game is important not so much as a win or loss, but more how this team responds to whatever in the green earth is going on.
Last couple years it's been injuries. Now discord at tourney time? I'm not a huge believer in being snake bit, but I'm starting to change my mind.Comment
-
I'm not sure a top 10 team in the country with one of the top winning percentages over the last decade is snake bit. A lot of fans of opposing teams would roll their eyes at that.
The timing of this whole blow-up is definitely bad, but it makes sense given what an uneven season Hagans has had. I just have to imagine that he sees his dropping draft stock and what we saw Tuesday was a reaction to that.
There've been a bunch of players who butted heads with Cal in the past. Most of the time that stuff is ironed out. John Wall did. Terrence Jones did. Julius Randle did. I saw where Roger Harden of all people got on the radio yesterday and said that he had refused to enter a game at one point.
So this sort of stuff happens. It's the timing that's horrible.Comment
-
John Calipariâ€Verified account @UKCoachCalipari 7m7 minutes agoJust so everyone knows, when I walked off that court at half I thought, we’ve got a Final Four team. When I walked off after the game I thought, what the heck just happened? My mindset is focused on that first half & how we maintain that effort, that execution & that playmaking.
John Calipariâ€Verified account @UKCoachCalipari 6m6 minutes ago Time to get back work!!!
Comment
-
^ On cue, Calipari makes a statement...but not about the bench dust-up.Comment
-
Maybe the timing was everything. They didn't want to go into tourney time on a long winning streak. So they trough the game on purpose. Now we run off 10 in a row!Comment
-
Cal at halftime:
"Okay, Ashton--where's Ashton at? There you are. Here's what you do, Ashton: you're going to go out and pick up your third foul. Then what I want you to immediately do--and I mean immediately, none of this wait-until-the-media's-surrounding-you-after-the-game crap--is pout. Just come over to the bench and sulk. Know what would be even better: just pull your hood up over your eyes like a boxer and sit there and stare into the middle distance. That would be awesome. Now you, Nick, you just act like you've never played basketball before. Can you do that for me? Of course you can. Just jump at the wrong time, have the ball bounce around off your fingertips, play as if you're a toddler on a Nerf goal...you know, do the stuff you did before this season. Oh, and I just thought of this. You know what would be great, if you and Ashton got in a huge fight right out on the court. Oh, and speaking of that: Ashton, I need you to talk back to me on the bench when I try to put you back in the game so we can really sell this thing. Also, you know that Fulkerson guy out there? Right, Fulky. He needs to just go crazy. I mean don't even guard him, basically. Also it would be awesome if you let them shoot 70% from three in the second half. Alright, team on three..."Comment
-
Sometimes with younger players we dont know how they will react. Correction....we seldom know how they will react. Calipari has had a lot of great results with high maintenance kids....likely why a couple he doesnt really stand out. Harrow was one. Goodwin was kinda hard to figure....but a lot of that could have been the team. I dont think Poythress responded as had been hoped. Labissiere. Maybe Hagans.
let's be honest....if Ashton starts playing that lights out style he has on occasion and this team ends up great 8/ final 4, this will fade away a whole lot.
And the fact we are even talking 2 seed, final four compared to what this team was at one point shows a lot to what they've already overcome.Comment
-
Ready for the Hagans experiment to be over after this season NBA ready or not. I really dont care for a guard who cant shoot in today's basketball. Good news is there are plenty of kids who can pass dribble and shoot the ball..Comment
-
Cal was asked today about the Hagans thing.
He pretty much acknowledged Hagans refused to go back in the game, but went on to say it didn't bother him. He's emotional during games, so it wouldn't be fair to get on players for being emotional.Comment
-
Extremism is so easy. You've got your position, and that's it. It doesn't take much thought. And when you go far enough to the right you meet the same idiots coming around from the left.
Clint EastwoodComment
Comment