NCAA Tournament Thread

[Joneslab]

Of course one possibility is that players are reading the signs and will wait to announce transfers until Cal’s status this week is determined. If UK and Cal parts ways, they could wait for the new coach to be announced 🤷‍♂️

I just assume they'll put their name in the portal regardless. They could always get out and stay at UK if we make a good hire for them.

But just as a rule: I would expect hardly any players Kentucky currently has to return, nor would I expect any of the recruits to play here with the exception of Perry. I think this will be a near-complete, 100% ground up rebuild.

[Catsrock]

I just assume they'll put their name in the portal regardless. They could always get out and stay at UK if we make a good hire for them.

But just as a rule: I would expect hardly any players Kentucky currently has to return, nor would I expect any of the recruits to play here with the exception of Perry. I think this will be a near-complete, 100% ground up rebuild.

I’m confident that would be the case. And I think it would be OK next year and an upgrade by the following year. It’s time. But it’s doubtful to happen. Thanks Mitch.

Edit—maybe not doubtful, but I’m still not betting on it. But if he stays there will be the least amount of excitement for the amount of talent coming in in the history of the sport. Who could possibly expect him to do more with next year’s bunch than any of the last several? Everyone knows it’s over.

[Joneslab]

The sloughing-away of the roster every off-season will likely be one of the chips Barnhart uses to fire him if it happens.

We take it for granted at this point, but the fact that he's put himself in a position where he has to build an entirely new team year after year is the first thing I would say when I pink slipped the guy. There's no reason he should be doing that, no reason it's happening, except by Calipari's own design.

It's the most obvious symbol at this point of how the program moved from fan-driven to NBA-driven.

[KCKUKFan]

Does anyone truly believe that, left to his own devices, Mitch Barnhart will make a good hire?

[KCKUKFan]

the first thing I would say when I pink slipped the guy.

..well, that, and losing to Oakland and St. Peter's in the first round, going 9-16, and winning 1 SEC tourney game in five years.

[Joneslab]

Does anyone truly believe that, left to his own devices, Mitch Barnhart will make a good hire?

He hired Gillispie BUT a pretty substantial part of the fanbase wanted him to hire Gillispie.

I did. He was the coach I wanted even before Tubby Smith was fired.

[Joneslab]

..well, that, and losing to Oakland and St. Peter's in the first round, going 9-16, and winning 1 SEC tourney game in five years.

I think all that is a byproduct of having to build the roster from veritable scratch.

Young, eager coaches can do that far better than aging coaches who want to play with their dogs and go to bed at dusk every night.

By allowing and/or pushing players out to make room for new players, you're essentially putting yourself in a position of insane work and necessary energy. I made a post a few years back on this board about how Kentucky shouldn't be building teams like they were in the summers. He has dodged the brunt of it a bit by getting more of the freshmen he's after, but he's still going to have to put some portal pieces around those guys. That's hard...and Cal has been in that scramble mode every summer for about seven straight years.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Kansas-Gonzaga game is really good right now

[Lighthouse]

Of course one possibility is that players are reading the signs and will wait to announce transfers until Cal’s status this week is determined. If UK and Cal parts ways, they could wait for the new coach to be announced 🤷‍♂️

I would like that.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Said I was done watching this weekend but can't help myself, good games today.

Still irritates me Kentucky is out..

[KentuckyWild2020]

Gonzaga doesn't have the big names this year but coach has them ready to play.

[justford]

If we make a big name hire, maybe his recruits will follow him to UK🤞

[TrueblueCATfan]

Gonzaga doesn't have the big names this year but coach has them ready to play.

I'm hoping they blow Kansas out

[KentuckyWild2020]

I'm hoping they blow Kansas out

Me too, I am silent Gonzaga fan from Adam Morrison days..

[Lighthouse]

I'm hoping they blow Kansas out

Me too! Don't like Kansas, Dickinson or Bill Self.