UK to Honor ‘96, ‘97, ‘98 Teams

[Joneslab]

So I used whatifsports.com to simulate 10 games between the 96 team and the 2012 team. For what it's worth, they gave the game to 1996 all 10 times, and only had 2012 within 10 points once. 1996's average margin of victory was 22 points, including a 39 point blowout in the 3rd game.

That's probably a little aggressive but maybe not as much as we'd think.

Think it would be closer than that in a series, but at their pinnacle '96 would probably beat all comers by double digits.

I'd love to see them play the really good UNLV team. That's the only team I can think of in the last 30 years who could challenge them if both teams were playing their A game.

[Dwight Schrute]

Think it would be closer than that in a series, but at their pinnacle '96 would probably beat all comers by double digits.

I'd love to see them play the really good UNLV team. That's the only team I can think of in the last 30 years who could challenge them if both teams were playing their A game.

That UNLV Team (90?) really is the only one I think that challenges the 96 Kentucky team from the past 40 years and likely all time. I mean that 96 team is used as one of the examples (along with 79 IU) to use as one of the all time greats.

I don't think the 96 team would beat an Anthony Davis team by 40 but I think at every other position the 96 team is a head and shoulders above.

[Matt Dillon]

No.

I know this may not be a popular opinion, I was deeply disappointed when coach Pitino left but I hold him no malice. In my opinion, he more so than anyone else is responsible for the success UK bb enjoyed in '96, '97 and, perhaps, even '98.

[KCKUKFan]

I know this may not be a popular opinion, I was deeply disappointed when coach Pitino left but I hold him no malice. In my opinion, he more so than anyone else is responsible for the success UK bb enjoyed in '96, '97 and, perhaps, even '98.

I don't think people held malice when he left, only disappointment.

They reserved the malice for when he took the Louisville job, and rightly so.

[Joneslab]

I liked him when he left and for a time was a Celtics fan because of him.

[Joneslab]

That UNLV Team (90?) really is the only one I think that challenges the 96 Kentucky team from the past 40 years and likely all time

That second Florida title team was pretty good. Not '96 Kentucky good, but solid because they'd already won one and then returned everybody. Historically rare in college basketball.

The worst title teams I can think of are 2003 Syracuse with Carmelo, 2011 Duke who backed into a title, and stupid Virginia three or four years ago. God that team was so lucky. It was almost like they had some sort of dark arts working in their favor or something.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't think people held malice when he left, only disappointment.

They reserved the malice for when he took the Louisville job, and rightly so.

UofL is just an afterthought with me, but even if he had taken a HC position with UT it would not have bothered me. I don't think I'll ever understand this line of thinking. He left for the Celtics, not UofL. He wanted to come back to Ky. and the Louisville job was the only one open. I guess he shouldn't have come back in order to not upset some of the UK fans.

[DA#23]

I'd be intrigued by the 2010 team playing the 2012 team. Same era, same approach, but it might help illustrate the importance of continuity in the roster.

2010 has the advantage in guard play...sometimes. 2012's guards were overall more consistent and they had more of a backup plan for when the shots weren't falling. 2012 has a big advantage at the SF position.

Each team had multiple generational college talents. Each team had size, strength, athleticism.

I'd go with 2012 65% of the time. Sometimes by a decent little margin.

[Joneslab]

2010 had a fatal flaw that 2012 didn't have with the way 2010 shot the ball.

I also don't think they played as hard. I've said this countless times but I had season tickets through that era. Cousins walked up and down the court. Like, constantly. All the time. Literally walked.

2012 had nobody like that. They weren't as dynamic at point guard for sure and sometimes that makes a difference, but they had the most solid and efficient guard in Lamb.

I think '12 beats 2010 7 out of 10 and there'd be at least one thumping in there.

[DA#23]

I guess he shouldn't have come back in order to not upset some of the UK fans.

Oh, come on. He did a few things while there that certainly were a little less than amicable.

I appreciated him coming to speak at the viewing for Mr. Keightley, but even with that he toed the line of making his speech as much about him as honoring Bill. There was also that time he walked out with his middle finger up (I acknowledge that was probably heavily provoked). He also managed to embarrass the whiz out of the state and his self on multiple, multiple occasions.

I'm a Pitino fan, but I fully admit that the guy did several things to make taking the UL job worse than it had to be.

[DA#23]

I also don't think they played as hard.

Definitely a good point. They had some guys that were never in shape and thusly drug down the whole. John Wall and Eric Bledsoe, as well as Patterson, played hard all of the time. Can't always say that for Cousins who enjoyed some breaks on the bench. Dodson didn't do the things necessary to help out...if he could have helped out. Miller was 2 years away developmentally.

[George]

Oh, come on. He did a few things while there that certainly were a little less than amicable.

I appreciated him coming to speak at the viewing for Mr. Keightley, but even with that he toed the line of making his speech as much about him as honoring Bill. There was also that time he walked out with his middle finger up (I acknowledge that was probably heavily provoked). He also managed to embarrass the whiz out of the state and his self on multiple, multiple occasions.

I'm a Pitino fan, but I fully admit that the guy did several things to make taking the UL job worse than it had to be.

Plus, you just don’t take a job with the rival.

[DA#23]

Plus, you just don’t take a job with the rival.

In fairness it would have been the best job available on many occasions and I could see wanting to be around Churchill Downs, Louisville, etc. So I don't see it being entirely wrong, but I do think he had a myriad of reasons for taking the job. Among them was the ability to win a title and return to the top of college basketball, and I try to tell myself that was the primary reason for taking it. The other items were just icing on a narcissist's cake.

[George]

In fairness it would have been the best job available on many occasions and I could see wanting to be around Churchill Downs, Louisville, etc. So I don't see it being entirely wrong, but I do think he had a myriad of reasons for taking the job. Among them was the ability to win a title and return to the top of college basketball, and I try to tell myself that was the primary reason for taking it. The other items were just icing on a narcissist's cake.

Let me rephrase: you can’t take the job at the rival school and expect your old fanbase to treat you like a friend.

[Joneslab]

I can't remember what book I read it in but I read one time that Bill Keightley couldn't stand it when Pitino took that job. Keitghley detested UofL more than satan. They eventually made up but it was hairy for awhile there.

I also found a quote once in a book Pitino wrote when he was at UK where he talked about UofL like it was a terrible place. And it wasn't really tongue in cheek.

Of course money talks and all that. Jim Host said once that he was surprised when Pitino took the UK job how thirsty he was for money. He and his agent reneged on a promise Pitino had made and asked for more money when the time came to sign the contract. Host wasn't really enamored with Pitino.

Also met a member of the 101 crew who hated Pitino's guts. Said that working around him was like working with the Devil Wears Prada lady. Everything had to be perfect and if it wasn't he'd scorch the earth.