2024 Roster (Enter Antonio Reeves & Tre Mitchell)

[Joneslab]

My bad Will - I took your post the opposite way.

No problem. Bad wording on my part.

The great irony of that Cal comment is that there was a plan behind it. I always saw it as a very coordinated, and definitely controversial, way to get more NBA talent to UK. Something so many of us pined for during the Tubby years.

Now, a decade-plus on, he seems to have no plan at all.

[George]

That big of a split with Wagner and Edwards still currently on the roster and available?

I’m skeptical of Wagner. Likely a fine college player, especially on a strong team, but I won’t be surprised if by season’s end people are saying things like “good at a lot, not great at anything.”

[KCKUKFan]

Bradshaw was 50% of our NBA talent.

Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham will all be in the NBA, and I know you've never been a fan, but don't be surprised if and when Dillingham ends up being the second go-to behind Edwards.

[George]

Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham will all be in the NBA, and I know you've never been a fan, but don't be surprised if and when Dillingham ends up being the second go-to behind Edwards.

Edwards is the only one I truly believe in. Wagner will be fine, albeit limited by the pitiful roster, but no, I have no faith in Dillingham whatsoever.

He may very well become a go-to player, but what kind of honor is that on this roster? We’re barely going to have enough players to field a D1 starting lineup.

[George]

Would anyone be surprised if Edwards bailed before the start of the season? He’s a Klutch guy, like Bradshaw, and none of the incoming players can be feeling good about what’s unfolding.

[lilproUK98]

Same

[justafan]

You're welcome. I thought the program was in the dumps when Kentucky Shame was circulating or when Billy Clyde was out there chasing college gals with a Bud Light Lime or two in hand, but I have to admit the current status is painfully irritating.

By next spring all 30 or so WCN members will be chasing each other around with 2x4's in hand. I might not be the toughest on here, but I am pretty sure I'm the youngest so I can probably outrun a few of ya.

Its all relative. I like to view "intent" sometimes and here is mine: I think Cal's intent was to out-recruiting everyone and everything he did or said was an attempt to improve his chances with recruits. His belief that would result in NCs had some merit. High risk, high reward. We're in the the risk phase now. I don't have an issue with that, in principle, but there have been some comments like the one I referenced that make you cringe as a UK fan. As Will alluded, he did have success, but its been downhill for "a while". The fans can handle a minor dip here and there and be disappointed, but a missed tourney, a 1st round loss, a 2nd round loss, etc. Am I mad? Nope. Its a game played by 18-22ish yr olds.

Back to "relative" - Tubby was maligned by a large vocal portion of the fans. No one disagrees that his lack of top-flight recruits was a problem and that lands squarely on him. People speculate he lost interest in the recruitment BS, etc. That's on him. But, he never missed the tourney altogether, and he never lost in the 1st round. He read "the room" and left. Some are still unhappy, but ultimately it was best for both sides. Now the program is "stuck" with Cal for a while longer - lots of fans would be happy if he left for Minnesota . See, its all relative.

BCG - well all we can do is

Someone mentioned Joe B - and no one likes to talk about Pitino's flaws (winning hides a lot of warts!)

[justafan]

No problem. Bad wording on my part.

The great irony of that Cal comment is that there was a plan behind it. I always saw it as a very coordinated, and definitely controversial, way to get more NBA talent to UK. Something so many of us pined for during the Tubby years.

Now, a decade-plus on, he seems to have no plan at all.

Thanks, Will - and of like mind, I posted a somewhat longer and more convoluted similar sentiment about Cal apparently while you were as well.

[justafan]

At this point I don't see how anyone can be surprised by anything w.r.t recruits showing up and/or not playing.

[Joneslab]

Regarding freshmen talent, the thing about most freshmen, even if they’re really good, need at least some semblance of veteran help.

I think it’s very possible that we don’t get an accurate read of any of the freshmen simply because so much responsibility is going to be foisted on them. I think it’s a near certainty UK fans will be “they aren’t that good”…only to see three or four of them be completely different players in the NBA.

[Matt Dillon]

Question everyone: say the season is less than (no better than Elite Eight)​ most were hoping for. Does a very young team, and the injury to Bradshaw, buy Cal another season and, if so, does he even want another one at UK?

[George]

Question everyone: say the season is less than (no better than Elite Eight)​ most were hoping for. Does a very young team, and the injury to Bradshaw, buy Cal another season and, if so, does he even want another one at UK?

This season has been F4 or BUST for a long, long time, and no series of unfortunate events can or should change that. Cal spent the last of his grace, and he either needs to make it happen or leave.

Now, will he think that way? Probably not. He gets $9mil/year no matter what.

[Joneslab]

Cal put the young team together. He also whiffed on so many other options that the Bradshaw injury could decimate us.

So no, no leeway given. None.

[KCKUKFan]

Would anyone be surprised if Edwards bailed before the start of the season? He’s a Klutch guy, like Bradshaw, and none of the incoming players can be feeling good about what’s unfolding.

No. Those kids are stoked to be here, like one another, and aren't concerned about the roster. Certainly not to the extent that we all are.

Kids do NOT view this like we do.

[George]

No. Those kids are stoked to be here, like one another, and aren't concerned about the roster. Certainly not to the extent that we all are.

Kids do NOT view this like we do.

They may like one another, but we have two recent examples of teams that very much seemed to not want to be there. I’ve seen nothing to suggest Cal’s made any culture changes that will keep that from happening again — especially with things looking as bleak as they are right now.

And if they have a competitive bone in their bodies, how could they not be a little concerned about the way this roster is shaping up?