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Posted by blue hoot (Member # 398) on 03-15-2026, 12:11 PM:

Recently, I’ve noticed many UK fans on social media and the University of Kentucky accepting mediocrity. Will this be the new norm? I mean, after all, we haven’t won, but one national championship in the last 25 years and that’s embarrassing. And they haven’t won the SEC tournament in eight years, which is also embarrassing given that it’s been referred to as the Kentucky Invitational. And if you think this year was bad next year will be a disaster because we don’t have any recruits coming in so unless we kill it in the transfer portal it’s gonna be a long year in 2026-2027.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 03-15-2026, 03:12 PM:

Blue Hoot,

I am afraid so. I said it earlier in the year. UK is irrelevant on the National Scene. Heck, I even only watched 11 Kentucky games this year just because I get no enjoyment from watching them and it was just easier to not watch than to be frustrated by the product on the floor.

Crazy that a fanbase can run off a Hall of Fame coach, but that happened with Cal. I said it when Cal left for Arkansas that he would win a National Championship there before UK would win one.

Those same fans wanted 3 and 4 year players, but now complain because UK has a lack talent and they complain that Jasper Johnson is no good. Johnson is good, he just is not a one and done Freshman. He will be very good aa a junior and senior but more than likely at another school not named Kentucky.

The internet is the worst thing for UK basketball because the deranged section of the fanbase have a platform that they didn't have before and they are relentless and you cannot make them happy.

You load a roster with NBA talent and they want veteran roster. You get a veteran roster, which generally means they are not NBA talented, and they complain there is no talent.

Did I complain about Cal? Sure, I felt like he needed to open up his offense because you have to score 75 points a game against Elite competition to win and his offense at UK did not due that towards the end. Except, he did that his last year so I was excited to see what was to come and the the Oakland loss happened, the deranged portion piled on, and Cal said I am out of here.

[ 03-15-2026, 03:31 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 03-15-2026, 04:08 PM:

I watched the Hogs and Cal win the SEC and I heard St John’s won the big east. I believe Uk beat them both in the regular season. That doesn’t mean I think Pope’s a better coach that either Cal or Pitino.

I believe Pope will get at least one more year if not more. I think he deserves that regardless of what happens in the Tournament.

[ 03-15-2026, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 03-15-2026, 06:22 PM:

Cal, and Arkansas, got a lucky draw this year in the SEC tournament. They beat a very average OU team, then didn't have to play Alabama but instead Ole Miss, and then lucked out by not playing Fla in the championship. They have a very talented team, but we'll see how far they go. The issue with Cal was having all that talent and not doing anything with it. I also 100% believe that one of the main reasons Cal left is because he knew about this JMI deal. I mean NO ONE thought he was going to leave and then out of the blue he's going to Arkansas. I would love to have the talent, and experience, as that what most of the top teams have; but I'm afraid we are going to be missing out on the talent until this JMI deal is done. Which, if it doesn't get changed by 2040 we are going to be completely irrelevant. Mitch killed this program with that deal. We have the money, but the top players do not want to be limited by JMI on what they can do in NIL, and who with. If that deal is not changed, we are in big big trouble.

Posted by blue hoot (Member # 398) on 03-15-2026, 11:36 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Trey Ball:
Blue Hoot,

Did I complain about Cal? Sure, I felt like he needed to open up his offense because you have to score 75 points a game against Elite competition to win and his offense at UK did not due that towards the end. Except, he did that his last year so I was excited to see what was to come and the the Oakland loss happened, the deranged portion piled on, and Cal said I am out of here.

Trey Ball,

In your opinion, do you think Cal's system is different at Arkansas than when he coached at Kentucky or it's the same outdated style?

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 03-16-2026, 08:51 AM:

Calipari will never win another National Championship. All the talent he's had in his thirty years of coaching and he only has one title? He'll retire with his one championship.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 03-16-2026, 09:03 AM:

Blue hoot,

I think Cal changed his offense his last year at Kentucky. He has more movement and has spaced the floor more at Arkansas. Does he still rely on dribble drive? Yes he does, but it is much more efficient offense with better spacing now. He is utilizing Brazille as a stretch 4 like he did with Terrance Jones.

It also could just be that Acuff is so good as well. That kid is a stud. I think NBA execs are foolish if they don’t pick him #1 overall.

[ 03-16-2026, 04:43 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by Bigcatdaddy (Member # 21) on 03-17-2026, 10:23 AM:

I think Trey hit the nail on the head in regards to the internet giving voice to a radical fan base. While not solely the issue, it did raise the hurdles that must be cleared.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 03-17-2026, 11:28 AM:

ukman,

You are probably onto something with the JMI deal and Cal.