Will Cal have another dominant team at Kentucky?

[DA#23]

This place used to be held in reverence, a key location for so many special moments in the program's history...and in the history of college basketball. I was amazed when they removed the court and placed it in dumpsters out front.

It's just another building on campus now, purposeful but likely not much beyond serving a present need for space. I doubt it still embodies a sense of pride or inspires inquiry about prior greatness for the current team.

[bigbluebob]

Was it just me, or did anyone else think when Sarr was deemed eligible to play for UK that we were going to be dominant this season?
I really do think COVID is a factor to us having such a bad season, plus Brooks missing the beginning of the season sure didn't help, nor did the departure of KP.
I do think Cal wants to win more that anyone, don't you?
With that being said I think he will change his recruiting strategy, and recruit some pure shooters and 4 year players.
If we can keep Allen, Toppin and Askew around and add our class next year I think that's a pretty good foundation.
So my answer is yes , I think we will be back on top again.......but I'm always a glass half full kind of guy.

[Dwight Schrute]

This place used to be held in reverence, a key location for so many special moments in the program's history...and in the history of college basketball. I was amazed when they removed the court and placed it in dumpsters out front.

It's just another building on campus now, purposeful but likely not much beyond serving a present need for space. I doubt it still embodies a sense of pride or inspires inquiry about prior greatness for the current team.

I remember the first semester at UK and going to Big Blur Madness. Just getting to see what the inside was like and see the court was pretty freaking sweet.

I keep hearing they’re having trouble getting students to show up now which is...sad.

[KCKUKFan]

Probably not, but I think he can still win another title, so that's really what matters.

[Joneslab]

You know, I have wondered about the longterm prospects of it, especially if this G-League experiment is successful.

If they start putting real marketing money behind it and getting ESPN buy-in, I think college basketball is gonna go by the wayside.

No way.

College basketball has history. Built-in fanbases. Tradition, both alumni- and fan-driven.

Do you know anyone who has ever watched a G-League game? There is absolutely no hope for that model to be sustainable if their goal is entertainment.

As a platform to teach and develop? Sure. But the ceiling for the G-League is about like the ceiling of the XFL.

[Joneslab]

And also just in terms of viewership, college basketball outperforms the NBA.

How would the G-League be able to compete with either?

[lilproUK98]

This place used to be held in reverence, a key location for so many special moments in the program's history...and in the history of college basketball. I was amazed when they removed the court and placed it in dumpsters out front.

It's just another building on campus now, purposeful but likely not much beyond serving a present need for space. I doubt it still embodies a sense of pride or inspires inquiry about prior greatness for the current team.

There is a large renovation planned for it.

[DA#23]

^ I would like to read about any proposals if they have been made public. The Joe Craft Center was a huge renovation and change which left the core alone. I hope they leave the actual gym aspect as well as the front facade intact as they are significant.

[Lighthouse]

I agree with the OP as the main factor. Cal won't change and the game has.

Also, our DOMINANT teams have had good combinations of experience AND a transcendent player. Between Cal, the competition, and the chance to go to the G league the odds of us getting talent to stay and develop PLUS a transcendent player or two on the same team is unlikely.

College basketball is dying...

It really is and I believe rule changes coupled with a lack of good coaching starting in Middle School is a major part of the problem. There are several rule changes I feel have negatively affected the game. For instance the shot clock, and the elimination of the 5 second closely guarded count. Trying to speed up the game was the reason for changes, but I don't think the game is over any faster. Defense has been hurt by the NCAA teaching officials to not call walking as written, to only call very obvious illegal screens, and allowing a dribbler to hold the ball for a split second in their hand at the top of a dribble to make an effective move.

Fundamentals are not being taught in the lower levels mainly because coaches are paid very little and really don't have the time or training to teach them properly. When I go to a middle school to grade the officials, in most schools during warm-ups, after they run the lay up line, kids are heaving up 3 pointers instead of practicing a jump shot from 8-10 feet, and even though HS coaches try to correct some of the flaws, the damage has been done and kids are not prepared for competition when they get to college. They are not taught how to properly shoot the ball because coaches allow them to use their athleticism, and kids don't have the discipline kids in the past had.

[lilproUK98]

^ I would like to read about any proposals if they have been made public. The Joe Craft Center was a huge renovation and change which left the core alone. I hope they leave the actual gym aspect as well as the front facade intact as they are significant.

https://www.kentucky.com/sports/coll...219305645.html

https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/PH...494823881.html

http://www.kykernel.com/news/renovat...6a9b58a35.html

https://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/look-early-memorial-coliseum-renovation-renderings-look-incredible/

[Dwight Schrute]

No way.

College basketball has history. Built-in fanbases. Tradition, both alumni- and fan-driven.

Do you know anyone who has ever watched a G-League game? There is absolutely no hope for that model to be sustainable if their goal is entertainment.

As a platform to teach and develop? Sure. But the ceiling for the G-League is about like the ceiling of the XFL.

I think you’re vastly overestimating how many people give a rip outside of Kentucky and a few other places. And I think it’s vastly underestimated the sea change were on the precipice of seeing regarding amateurism and players ability to profit off their likeness.

You can see a phenom kid starting a YouTube channel or becoming an Instagram influencer then taking a $125,000 contract or something in the G league and having an instant fan base.

[Dwight Schrute]

And also just in terms of viewership, college basketball outperforms the NBA.

How would the G-League be able to compete with either?

Is this true outside of March madness?

[DA#23]

Thank you lilproUK98

[Westtncat]

No way.

College basketball has history. Built-in fanbases. Tradition, both alumni- and fan-driven.

Do you know anyone who has ever watched a G-League game? There is absolutely no hope for that model to be sustainable if their goal is entertainment.

As a platform to teach and develop? Sure. But the ceiling for the G-League is about like the ceiling of the XFL.

completely agree'with this. Even if every so called elite player goes pro the college game will take on it's own personality. To be honest it would probably get better. We need to remember college and pro don't have to be so interconnected. They didn't used to be. You start keeping kids around four 3 and 4'years and you will see a better game all around if you ask me. Even now I would rather pull for a team I know. The last few years has felt like watching mercenaries.

[Catsrock]

I’m down on Cal’s system and don’t look for this to happen...but a formula looks pretty clear for Cal to go out with a bang. Imagine in 3 years if nothing screws up Wagner to UK—that level recruit could probably bring an elite big (or more) along with him. So what if we could hold onto a couple of this year’s group to be experienced seniors, a couple from next year to be juniors and a couple after that to be sophomores. Cal could waltz out of here with another title and UK legend status—and maybe not even leave the cupboard bare for his successor.

Pipe dream?