Acceptable/Unacceptable Seasons Under Calipari (Interaction Requested)

[Eight_Banners_anon]

I'm starting this thread to understand what you all think are acceptable standards for UK basketball. I'm going to give details of Cal's fifteen seasons at UK. I will highlight in green if I think it's acceptable, red if it is unacceptable, and blue if it is a season worth discussing. If you feel so inclined, respond with any additional comments on the season and with your opinions as to whether each season was acceptable, unacceptable, or worth talking about.

2009-2010 (35-3, SEC: 1st, 14-2)
Notable Players: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson (Jr.), Eric Bledsoe, Darius Miller (So.), Darnell Dodson (So.), Daniel Orton (Fr.), DeAndre Liggins (So.)
NCAAT: Lost East Regional Final (73-66) versus #2 West Virginia

2010-2011 (29-9; SEC: 2nd 10-6)
Notable Players: Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller (Jr.), DeAndre Liggins (Jr.), Josh Harrellson (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (56-55) versus #3 Connecticut

2011-2012 (38-2, SEC: 1st 16-0)
Notable Players: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb (So.), Terrence Jones (So.), Marquis Teague, Darius Miller (Sr.), Kyle Wiltjer
NCAAT: National Champions

2012-2013 (21-12, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, Kyle Wiltjer, Julius Mays (Sr.), Ryan Harrow (So.), Willie Cauley-Stein
NCAAT: None. UK went to the NIT

2013-2014 (29-11, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle, James Young, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee
NCAAT: Lost National Final (60-54) versus #7 Connecticut

2014-2015 (38-1, SEC: 1st 18-0)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Karl Anthony-Towns, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Tyler Ulis, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Dominique Hawkins
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (71-64) versus #1 Wisconsin

2015-2016 (27-9, SEC: 1st 13-5)
Notable Players: Tyler Ulis (So.), Jamal Murray, Isaiah Briscoe, Alex Poythress (Sr.), Derek Willis (Jr.), Skal Labissiere, Marcus Lee (Jr.), Hawkins (Jr.), Charles Matthews
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (73-67) versus #5 Indiana

2016-2017 (32-6, SEC: 1st 16-2)
Notable Players: Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe (So.), Derek Willis (Sr.), Dominique Hawkins (Sr.), Wenyen Gabriel, Mychal Mulder (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Final (75-73) versus #1 North Carolina

2017-2018 (26-11, SEC: 4th 10-8)
Notable Players: Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PJ Washington, Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Wenyen Gabriel (So), Nick Richards, Sacha Killeya-Jones
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Semifinal (61-58) versus #9 Kansas State

2018-2019 (30-7, SEC: 2nd 15-3)
Notable Players: PJ Washington (So.), Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis (Sr.), Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards (So.), EJ Montgomery
NCAAT: Lost Midwest Regional Final (77-71) versus #5 Auburn

2019-2020 (25-6, SEC: 1st 15-3)
Notable Players: Immanuel Quickley (So.), Nick Richards (So.), Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans (So.), EJ Montgomery, Nate Sestina (Sr.), Keion Brooks, Johnny Juzang
NCAAT: COVID

2020-2021 (9-16, SEC: 8th 8-9)
Notable Players: Davion Mintz (Sr.), BJ Boston, Olivier Sarr (Sr.), Isaiah Jackson, Keion Brooks (So.), Devin Askew, Jacob Toppin (So.), Dontaie Allen, Terrence Clarke
NCAAT: Ha.

2021-2022 (26-8, SEC: 2nd 14-4)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Jr.), TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady (Sr.), Keion Brooks (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Jr.), Davion Mintz (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Jr.)
NCAAT: Lost East First Round (85-79) versus #15 Saint Peter's

2022-2023 (22-12 SEC: 3rd 12-6)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Sr.), Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Sr.), Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston, CJ Fredrick (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (75-69) versus #3 Kansas State

2023-2024 (23-10 SEC: 2nd 13-5)
Notable Players: Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Tre Mitchell (Sr.), DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero (So.), Aaron Bradshaw, Ugo Onyenso (So.), Zvonimir Ivisic
NCAAT: Lost South First Round (80-76) versus #14 Oakland

Comments below

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

I'm starting this thread to understand what you all think are acceptable standards for UK basketball. I'm going to give details of Cal's fifteen seasons at UK. I will highlight in green if I think it's acceptable, red if it is unacceptable, and blue if it is a season worth discussing. If you feel so inclined, respond with any additional comments on the season and with your opinions as to whether each season was acceptable, unacceptable, or worth talking about.

2009-2010 (35-3, SEC: 1st, 14-2)
Notable Players: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson (Jr.), Eric Bledsoe, Darius Miller (So.), Darnell Dodson (So.), Daniel Orton (Fr.), DeAndre Liggins (So.)
NCAAT: Lost East Regional Final (73-66) versus #2 West Virginia

2010-2011 (29-9; SEC: 2nd 10-6)
Notable Players: Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller (Jr.), DeAndre Liggins (Jr.), Josh Harrellson (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (56-55) versus #3 Connecticut

2011-2012 (38-2, SEC: 1st 16-0)
Notable Players: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb (So.), Terrence Jones (So.), Marquis Teague, Darius Miller (Sr.), Kyle Wiltjer
NCAAT: National Champions

2012-2013 (21-12, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, Kyle Wiltjer, Julius Mays (Sr.), Ryan Harrow (So.), Willie Cauley-Stein
NCAAT: None. UK went to the NIT

2013-2014 (29-11, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle, James Young, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee
NCAAT: Lost National Final (60-54) versus #7 Connecticut

2014-2015 (38-1, SEC: 1st 18-0)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Karl Anthony-Towns, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Tyler Ulis, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Dominique Hawkins
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (71-64) versus #1 Wisconsin

2015-2016 (27-9, SEC: 1st 13-5)
Notable Players: Tyler Ulis (So.), Jamal Murray, Isaiah Briscoe, Alex Poythress (Sr.), Derek Willis (Jr.), Skal Labissiere, Marcus Lee (Jr.), Hawkins (Jr.), Charles Matthews
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (73-67) versus #5 Indiana

2016-2017 (32-6, SEC: 1st 16-2)
Notable Players: Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe (So.), Derek Willis (Sr.), Dominique Hawkins (Sr.), Wenyen Gabriel, Mychal Mulder (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Final (75-73) versus #1 North Carolina

2017-2018 (26-11, SEC: 4th 10-8)
Notable Players: Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PJ Washington, Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Wenyen Gabriel (So), Nick Richards, Sacha Killeya-Jones
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Semifinal (61-58) versus #9 Kansas State

2018-2019 (30-7, SEC: 2nd 15-3)
Notable Players: PJ Washington (So.), Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis (Sr.), Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards (So.), EJ Montgomery
NCAAT: Lost Midwest Regional Final (77-71) versus #5 Auburn

2019-2020 (25-6, SEC: 1st 15-3)
Notable Players: Immanuel Quickley (So.), Nick Richards (So.), Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans (So.), EJ Montgomery, Nate Sestina (Sr.), Keion Brooks, Johnny Juzang
NCAAT: COVID

2020-2021 (9-16, SEC: 8th 8-9)
Notable Players: Davion Mintz (Sr.), BJ Boston, Olivier Sarr (Sr.), Isaiah Jackson, Keion Brooks (So.), Devin Askew, Jacob Toppin (So.), Dontaie Allen, Terrence Clarke
NCAAT: Ha.

2021-2022 (26-8, SEC: 2nd 14-4)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Jr.), TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady (Sr.), Keion Brooks (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Jr.), Davion Mintz (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Jr.)
NCAAT: Lost East First Round (85-79) versus #15 Saint Peter's

2022-2023 (22-12 SEC: 3rd 12-6)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Sr.), Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Sr.), Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston, CJ Fredrick (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (75-69) versus #3 Kansas State

2023-2024 (23-10 SEC: 2nd 13-5)
Notable Players: Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Tre Mitchell (Sr.), DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero (So.), Aaron Bradshaw, Ugo Onyenso (So.), Zvonimir Ivisic
NCAAT: Lost South First Round (80-76) versus #14 Oakland

Comments below

2009-2010

*Looking back, this season was acceptable because of the excitement that was generated around the program with the addition of Calipari and freshmen studs Wall and Cousins. If this season happened next year, it would not be acceptable. The West Virginia game was the moment I became concerned about Cal's ability to out-coach other top-tier coaches. Huggins owned Cal that night.
2010-2011
*This was probably Cal's best year of coaching, based on the fact that UK returned only 18.4% of its minutes played and scoring from 2010, and that he made the Final Four. Again, however, he got outcoached by Jim Calhoun.
2011-2012
*No explanation needed.

2012-2013
*Kentucky lost 92.9% of its minutes played from 2012 and 93.3% of its scoring. I would be interested to see if another team has lost the equivalent to that and finished 2nd in its conference the following year, or made the NCAA tournament. Along with that, and the fact that Nerlens Noel tore his ACL in game 24, I would call this an acceptable season. I'm not saying that NIT appearances are acceptable UK standards, but given the circumstances, following a championship year where the roster was depleted, Cal actually put together something close to an NCAAT caliber team.
2013-2014

*This one might be surprising to some, but were it not for Aaron Harrison, this was a team that would have lost in the Sweet 16 to Louisville, and probably earlier. From a coaching perspective, this may have been Cal's worse season. He returned 32% of his minutes played (nearly 5x what was returned in 2013), 31% of his scoring (6x what he returned in 2013), and still lost eleven games, and got absolutely crushed by Kevin Ollie in the championship game. All he had to do was stay in zone defense and we would have won the championship game. Aside from Kansas State, that was the easiest win in the tournament, and Calipari absolutely dropped the ball.

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

I'm starting this thread to understand what you all think are acceptable standards for UK basketball. I'm going to give details of Cal's fifteen seasons at UK. I will highlight in green if I think it's acceptable, red if it is unacceptable, and blue if it is a season worth discussing. If you feel so inclined, respond with any additional comments on the season and with your opinions as to whether each season was acceptable, unacceptable, or worth talking about.

2009-2010 (35-3, SEC: 1st, 14-2)
Notable Players: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson (Jr.), Eric Bledsoe, Darius Miller (So.), Darnell Dodson (So.), Daniel Orton (Fr.), DeAndre Liggins (So.)
NCAAT: Lost East Regional Final (73-66) versus #2 West Virginia

2010-2011 (29-9; SEC: 2nd 10-6)
Notable Players: Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller (Jr.), DeAndre Liggins (Jr.), Josh Harrellson (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (56-55) versus #3 Connecticut

2011-2012 (38-2, SEC: 1st 16-0)
Notable Players: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb (So.), Terrence Jones (So.), Marquis Teague, Darius Miller (Sr.), Kyle Wiltjer
NCAAT: National Champions

2012-2013 (21-12, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, Kyle Wiltjer, Julius Mays (Sr.), Ryan Harrow (So.), Willie Cauley-Stein
NCAAT: None. UK went to the NIT

2013-2014 (29-11, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle, James Young, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee
NCAAT: Lost National Final (60-54) versus #7 Connecticut

2014-2015 (38-1, SEC: 1st 18-0)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Karl Anthony-Towns, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Tyler Ulis, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Dominique Hawkins
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (71-64) versus #1 Wisconsin

2015-2016 (27-9, SEC: 1st 13-5)
Notable Players: Tyler Ulis (So.), Jamal Murray, Isaiah Briscoe, Alex Poythress (Sr.), Derek Willis (Jr.), Skal Labissiere, Marcus Lee (Jr.), Hawkins (Jr.), Charles Matthews
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (73-67) versus #5 Indiana

2016-2017 (32-6, SEC: 1st 16-2)
Notable Players: Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe (So.), Derek Willis (Sr.), Dominique Hawkins (Sr.), Wenyen Gabriel, Mychal Mulder (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Final (75-73) versus #1 North Carolina

2017-2018 (26-11, SEC: 4th 10-8)
Notable Players: Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PJ Washington, Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Wenyen Gabriel (So), Nick Richards, Sacha Killeya-Jones
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Semifinal (61-58) versus #9 Kansas State

2018-2019 (30-7, SEC: 2nd 15-3)
Notable Players: PJ Washington (So.), Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis (Sr.), Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards (So.), EJ Montgomery
NCAAT: Lost Midwest Regional Final (77-71) versus #5 Auburn

2019-2020 (25-6, SEC: 1st 15-3)
Notable Players: Immanuel Quickley (So.), Nick Richards (So.), Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans (So.), EJ Montgomery, Nate Sestina (Sr.), Keion Brooks, Johnny Juzang
NCAAT: COVID

2020-2021 (9-16, SEC: 8th 8-9)
Notable Players: Davion Mintz (Sr.), BJ Boston, Olivier Sarr (Sr.), Isaiah Jackson, Keion Brooks (So.), Devin Askew, Jacob Toppin (So.), Dontaie Allen, Terrence Clarke
NCAAT: Ha.

2021-2022 (26-8, SEC: 2nd 14-4)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Jr.), TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady (Sr.), Keion Brooks (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Jr.), Davion Mintz (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Jr.)
NCAAT: Lost East First Round (85-79) versus #15 Saint Peter's

2022-2023 (22-12 SEC: 3rd 12-6)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Sr.), Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Sr.), Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston, CJ Fredrick (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (75-69) versus #3 Kansas State

2023-2024 (23-10 SEC: 2nd 13-5)
Notable Players: Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Tre Mitchell (Sr.), DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero (So.), Aaron Bradshaw, Ugo Onyenso (So.), Zvonimir Ivisic
NCAAT: Lost South First Round (80-76) versus #14 Oakland

Comments below

2014-2015

*Honestly, any other opponent than 2014-15 Wisconsin, who has the best offensive efficiency of any team in the KenPom ratings era (2002-2024), and this would have been considered, in my opinion, a failure of a season. Along with that Wisconsin team, and the worst officiating I've ever seen, and it was too much for that team to overcome. This team was too good not to win the national championship, but I can't consider 38-1 a failure, based on the aforementioned reasons.

2015-2016

*UK lost 78% of its minutes played and 86% of its scoring and still finished first in the SEC. None of the starters from 2014-15 returned, and apart from Murray and Ulis, this team really didn't have much. Losing in the 2nd round is not acceptable, generally, but compare this with 2013-14, and this was actually the better season, and Cal's better coaching job.

2016-2017

*This is what I would hope the average fan sees as just at or above normal. Return 1/3 of your minutes played or more each year, 1/4 or more of your scoring, and win between 28-32 games, depending on the tournament run. First place in the SEC is a bonus, especially with how much better the conference is. We were a UNC shot away from another Final Four, and again, the officiating in that game was atrocious, though not as bad as the Wisconsin game.

2017-2018

*UK returned only 12% of its minutes played and 7% of its scoring. I think it's a toss-up between this season and 2010-11 for Cal's best seasons of coaching. Again, the year before was a shot away from another Final Four and with the players that left, there was a lot of roster space to fill, and we were still in the talks for a Final Four run. If PJ Washington just hit his season average from the free-throw line against Kansas State, we win by 4, with a chance to play Loyola for a Final Four spot.

2018-2019
*Again, a shot or two away from the Final Four. Again, returning players who played significant minutes (33%) and score significant points (32%). To me, this is the biggest problem with Cal's system, and we all see it, is that you cannot start close to brand new every year. There cannot be roster turnover and success throughout the season or in the tournament. You can't rely on freshmen to win. It has to be a mix, and this team was close to that, and just fell a couple shots short of a Final Four.

2019-2020

*This was a team built to win in March. Nearly 37% of minutes played returned, 27% of scoring returned, and star freshman Maxey with transfer experience in Sestina. This is a huge what could have been.

2020-2021

*Cal failed in every respect this season. The loss of Kenny Payne, along with COVID, certainly played a role - even Duke, UNC, and Auburn were down this season, but 9-16 should probably get you fired. If it weren't for the previous eleven successful seasons and his lifetime contract, Cal wouldn't have survived this. This season shows that 2012-2013 was actually decent, given that UK returned close to the same amount of roster production in those two seasons.

2021-2022
*Six of the eight losses this season were to teams ranked #21 or higher. UK went into Phog Allen Fieldhouse and absolutely whipped the would-be champions Kansas. Losing in the first round to St. Peter's was awful, but a season cannot be judged based on a single game in the NCAA tournament. Yeah, we laugh when it happens to Kansas or Duke or UNC, but that doesn't erase the fact that the season was good. My biggest complaint for this season is being 3-6 against top-25 opponents. I'm not ready to call this season acceptable or unacceptable. Thoughts?

2022-2023
*UK returned 43% of the minutes played from 2021-22 and 44% of its scoring. There is absolutely no reason that this team should have lost 12 games, finished 3rd in the conference, and been a #6 seed. UK was 2-5 against top-25, and lost to Michigan State in the Champions Classic. They lost to a South Carolina team that finished 4-14 in conference, 11-21 overall, along with losses to Arkansas (22-14, 8-10), Georgia (16-16, 6-12), and Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament (22-15, 11-7). This was Cal's worst year of coaching.

2023-2024
*Again, I don't judge a season based on the NCAAT alone. If I did, the 2013-2014 season was better than 2014-2015. For whatever reason, this team couldn't play defense. This team was 5-2 versus top-25 teams, was 6-3 in true road games, and had the #2 scoring offense in the nation. The crazy thing is, this team only returned 19% of its minutes played and 23% of its scoring from 2022-23. Comparable seasons to those numbers would be 2010-11 and 2015-16. Honestly, this season was about the same as 2013-14 without the title run. This season was actually a little better, given that the competition, in my opinion, is much better now than ten years ago. I would accept this season if we were to only lose Reeves, Mitchell, and Dillingham. I know that won't happen.


Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Lempface]

I really only have a problem with the last 4 years. Nerlens year we had a big inujury, but the rest we were competitive. Probably coulda gotten 1 or 2 more championships with a few better bounces and ref calls or different game management but it was good times.

 

[jeffky]

 

[WeWant9_rivals]

I’m having a hard time seeing 14 as unacceptable, but 18 being acceptable. 18 was when I really started to question Cal’s overall methods and strategy.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

I'm starting this thread to understand what you all think are acceptable standards for UK basketball. I'm going to give details of Cal's fifteen seasons at UK. I will highlight in green if I think it's acceptable, red if it is unacceptable, and blue if it is a season worth discussing. If you feel so inclined, respond with any additional comments on the season and with your opinions as to whether each season was acceptable, unacceptable, or worth talking about.

2009-2010 (35-3, SEC: 1st, 14-2)
Notable Players: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson (Jr.), Eric Bledsoe, Darius Miller (So.), Darnell Dodson (So.), Daniel Orton (Fr.), DeAndre Liggins (So.)
NCAAT: Lost East Regional Final (73-66) versus #2 West Virginia

2010-2011 (29-9; SEC: 2nd 10-6)
Notable Players: Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller (Jr.), DeAndre Liggins (Jr.), Josh Harrellson (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (56-55) versus #3 Connecticut

2011-2012 (38-2, SEC: 1st 16-0)
Notable Players: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb (So.), Terrence Jones (So.), Marquis Teague, Darius Miller (Sr.), Kyle Wiltjer
NCAAT: National Champions

2012-2013 (21-12, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, Kyle Wiltjer, Julius Mays (Sr.), Ryan Harrow (So.), Willie Cauley-Stein
NCAAT: None. UK went to the NIT

2013-2014 (29-11, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle, James Young, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee
NCAAT: Lost National Final (60-54) versus #7 Connecticut

2014-2015 (38-1, SEC: 1st 18-0)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Karl Anthony-Towns, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Tyler Ulis, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Dominique Hawkins
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (71-64) versus #1 Wisconsin

2015-2016 (27-9, SEC: 1st 13-5)
Notable Players: Tyler Ulis (So.), Jamal Murray, Isaiah Briscoe, Alex Poythress (Sr.), Derek Willis (Jr.), Skal Labissiere, Marcus Lee (Jr.), Hawkins (Jr.), Charles Matthews
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (73-67) versus #5 Indiana

2016-2017 (32-6, SEC: 1st 16-2)
Notable Players: Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe (So.), Derek Willis (Sr.), Dominique Hawkins (Sr.), Wenyen Gabriel, Mychal Mulder (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Final (75-73) versus #1 North Carolina

2017-2018 (26-11, SEC: 4th 10-8)
Notable Players: Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PJ Washington, Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Wenyen Gabriel (So), Nick Richards, Sacha Killeya-Jones
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Semifinal (61-58) versus #9 Kansas State

2018-2019 (30-7, SEC: 2nd 15-3)
Notable Players: PJ Washington (So.), Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis (Sr.), Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards (So.), EJ Montgomery
NCAAT: Lost Midwest Regional Final (77-71) versus #5 Auburn

2019-2020 (25-6, SEC: 1st 15-3)
Notable Players: Immanuel Quickley (So.), Nick Richards (So.), Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans (So.), EJ Montgomery, Nate Sestina (Sr.), Keion Brooks, Johnny Juzang
NCAAT: COVID

2020-2021 (9-16, SEC: 8th 8-9)
Notable Players: Davion Mintz (Sr.), BJ Boston, Olivier Sarr (Sr.), Isaiah Jackson, Keion Brooks (So.), Devin Askew, Jacob Toppin (So.), Dontaie Allen, Terrence Clarke
NCAAT: Ha.

2021-2022 (26-8, SEC: 2nd 14-4)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Jr.), TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady (Sr.), Keion Brooks (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Jr.), Davion Mintz (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Jr.)
NCAAT: Lost East First Round (85-79) versus #15 Saint Peter's

2022-2023 (22-12 SEC: 3rd 12-6)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Sr.), Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Sr.), Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston, CJ Fredrick (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (75-69) versus #3 Kansas State

2023-2024 (23-10 SEC: 2nd 13-5)
Notable Players: Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Tre Mitchell (Sr.), DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero (So.), Aaron Bradshaw, Ugo Onyenso (So.), Zvonimir Ivisic
NCAAT: Lost South First Round (80-76) versus #14 Oakland

Comments below

Too much green, not enough red.
12/13: double digit losses; NIT. Unacceptable
17/18: double digit losses; bounced in tourney by lower seed. Unacceptable
21/22: bounced in 1st round by 15 seed. Unacceptable
23/24: double digit losses; bounced in 1st round (of ncaa and sec); no sec reg. season/tournament title; Unacceptable

So, 7/15 seasons have yielded unacceptable results by my count. Dude's barely batting .500 and he's the highest paid coach in the game...

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

Not always black & white, there are often gray areas. I am not basing my comments on "what talent he had" because he is the one who was to get the talent there (so different than a pro coach).
I'll give them a 1-10 score, 7-10 are acceptable, 1-4 are NOT, and 5-6 are in gray area. But if I had to put a cut-off line, I guess it would be at 6.5 (above that is acceptable).
Also, while the NCAA-T is a factor, it is not the only factor.

9-10: 9, I know 1 game short of F4, but 10 months earlier we would have all said no way an E8
11-12: 8, season was good not great, but run to the F4 was not expected
11-12: 10
12-13: 6, I would say lower if not for the Noel injury, that team was starting to rock&roll winning 5 in a row & 13 of 15, had he not gotten hurt I think we would have gotten in as a 4-5 seed and played in 2nd weekend
13-14: 7, disappointing season, but the tournament bumped up
14-15: 9.5, probably a 10 if Poythress not injured
15-16: 5
16-17: 9, should have gotten a 1 seed, cheated out of F4 by ref w/ agenda
17-18: 6
18-19: 7
19-20: 8, tempted to put 7 because of the Haggans drama
20-21: 1, maybe the Covid excuse moves up to a 1.5
21-22: 6, would have been an 8 if had made it to S16 game, but historic 2v15 loss drops it, however the injury factor is also considered here
22-23: 6
23-24: 6, would have been an 8 if had made it to S16 game, but 3v14 loss drops it

Even though 22 & 24 got 6's for the whole season, those 2 tournaments definitely left sour taste.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

I'm starting this thread to understand what you all think are acceptable standards for UK basketball. I'm going to give details of Cal's fifteen seasons at UK. I will highlight in green if I think it's acceptable, red if it is unacceptable, and blue if it is a season worth discussing. If you feel so inclined, respond with any additional comments on the season and with your opinions as to whether each season was acceptable, unacceptable, or worth talking about.

2009-2010 (35-3, SEC: 1st, 14-2)
Notable Players: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson (Jr.), Eric Bledsoe, Darius Miller (So.), Darnell Dodson (So.), Daniel Orton (Fr.), DeAndre Liggins (So.)
NCAAT: Lost East Regional Final (73-66) versus #2 West Virginia

2010-2011 (29-9; SEC: 2nd 10-6)
Notable Players: Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller (Jr.), DeAndre Liggins (Jr.), Josh Harrellson (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (56-55) versus #3 Connecticut

2011-2012 (38-2, SEC: 1st 16-0)
Notable Players: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb (So.), Terrence Jones (So.), Marquis Teague, Darius Miller (Sr.), Kyle Wiltjer
NCAAT: National Champions

2012-2013 (21-12, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, Kyle Wiltjer, Julius Mays (Sr.), Ryan Harrow (So.), Willie Cauley-Stein
NCAAT: None. UK went to the NIT

2013-2014 (29-11, SEC: 2nd 12-6)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle, James Young, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee
NCAAT: Lost National Final (60-54) versus #7 Connecticut

2014-2015 (38-1, SEC: 1st 18-0)
Notable Players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Karl Anthony-Towns, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Tyler Ulis, Willie Cauley-Stein (So.), Alex Poythress (So.), Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Dominique Hawkins
NCAAT: Lost National Semifinal (71-64) versus #1 Wisconsin

2015-2016 (27-9, SEC: 1st 13-5)
Notable Players: Tyler Ulis (So.), Jamal Murray, Isaiah Briscoe, Alex Poythress (Sr.), Derek Willis (Jr.), Skal Labissiere, Marcus Lee (Jr.), Hawkins (Jr.), Charles Matthews
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (73-67) versus #5 Indiana

2016-2017 (32-6, SEC: 1st 16-2)
Notable Players: Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe (So.), Derek Willis (Sr.), Dominique Hawkins (Sr.), Wenyen Gabriel, Mychal Mulder (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Final (75-73) versus #1 North Carolina

2017-2018 (26-11, SEC: 4th 10-8)
Notable Players: Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PJ Washington, Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Wenyen Gabriel (So), Nick Richards, Sacha Killeya-Jones
NCAAT: Lost South Regional Semifinal (61-58) versus #9 Kansas State

2018-2019 (30-7, SEC: 2nd 15-3)
Notable Players: PJ Washington (So.), Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis (Sr.), Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards (So.), EJ Montgomery
NCAAT: Lost Midwest Regional Final (77-71) versus #5 Auburn

2019-2020 (25-6, SEC: 1st 15-3)
Notable Players: Immanuel Quickley (So.), Nick Richards (So.), Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans (So.), EJ Montgomery, Nate Sestina (Sr.), Keion Brooks, Johnny Juzang
NCAAT: COVID

2020-2021 (9-16, SEC: 8th 8-9)
Notable Players: Davion Mintz (Sr.), BJ Boston, Olivier Sarr (Sr.), Isaiah Jackson, Keion Brooks (So.), Devin Askew, Jacob Toppin (So.), Dontaie Allen, Terrence Clarke
NCAAT: Ha.

2021-2022 (26-8, SEC: 2nd 14-4)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Jr.), TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady (Sr.), Keion Brooks (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Jr.), Davion Mintz (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Jr.)
NCAAT: Lost East First Round (85-79) versus #15 Saint Peter's

2022-2023 (22-12 SEC: 3rd 12-6)
Notable Players: Oscar Tshiebwe (Sr.), Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Jacob Toppin (Sr.), Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston, CJ Fredrick (Sr.), Sahvir Wheeler (Sr.)
NCAAT: Lost East Second Round (75-69) versus #3 Kansas State

2023-2024 (23-10 SEC: 2nd 13-5)
Notable Players: Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves (Sr.), Tre Mitchell (Sr.), DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero (So.), Aaron Bradshaw, Ugo Onyenso (So.), Zvonimir Ivisic
NCAAT: Lost South First Round (80-76) versus #14 Oakland

Comments below

2018-2019 season are intolerable. Those years included bad losses

to 17-16 South Carolina
to 25-12 (6 seed) K-State as 4 seed in NCAAT
to Duke (blow out)
to 18-16 Alabama

2020 season was completely intolerable with bad losses

to 9-23 Evansville at home
to 16-15 Utah
to 16-15 South Carolina
to 17-14 Tennessee at home
*Hagans drama

2021 season was intolerable (9-16 is self explanatory.)

2022 season was intolerable with bad losses

to 24-11 Notre Dame
to 22-12 (5 seed) Saint Peter’s in NCAAT

2023 season was intolerable with losses

to 11-21 South Carolina at home
to 16-16 Georgia
to 22-15 Vanderbilt at home
to 22-15 Vanderbilt in SECT
*Shaedon Sharpe Drama

 

[AllBall]

Let me sum this up easily. Every season after Covid have been unacceptable at some level. That's a bad stretch and a pattern has been established.
Cal must have received a vaccine that altered his basketball DNA and moxie.

 

[chroix]

This past season was unacceptable. Massive collection of talent squandered.

 

[chroix]

Losing to St Peters also a big old load of unacceptable ********.

 

[NociHTTP]

 

[chroix]

This one’s fancier.

 

[Panthur]

Good thoughts on 2013–2014. I loved that team and I loved that ride but looking back I can’t really argue with what you wrote here. I guess it just means that we lived that wild, wonderful, over-too-soon dream as much despite our head man as because of him.

To be fair though, I would say the Cal Ending of that season is at least balanced out, in my mind, by the fact that the NCAA had to do some seriously unethical **** to Enes Kanter in 2010–11 to bust our title chances down to a point where even Cal could mess them up.

WV was obviously a trash game and sadly a clear sign of things to come. Otherwise 2010–2015 still looks pretty amazing to me as an achievement, even given what I know now about the man’s actual personality and his limitations without certain very special people and circumstances around him.

To my mind though, every single season since 2015 has been overshadowed by some sort of major lapse or flaw. Every single one of them. This is why I was so far ahead of the pack in losing my **** instantly when Mitch gave Cal that deal in 2019. I have no personal hatred towards Cal at all. It just is and always has been very very obvious to me that ever since Fall 2016 we have been dealing with a man who just cannot get his stuff together as far as basketball.

 

[TucsonCat]

2018 was awful.
Lost 6 out of 9.
A 3 way tie for 4th place in the SEC.
Boring pre conference.
Didn't beat a good team till like February.
Had to go to Boise as a 5 seed.
Ahead of Davidson by only 2 points under 3 minutes to play in first round.
Lost to Kansas State with a wide open bracket in first game in Atlanta.

 

[bbnkat02]

Let me sum this up easily. Every season after Covid have been unacceptable at some level. That's a bad stretch and a pattern has been established.
Cal must have received a vaccine that altered his basketball DNA and moxie.

This. The Nerlens year sucked but we had just won a title and our best dude went down. And everyone from the title team left (which most of them should’ve). That’s sucked but every coach has had one bad year with a major injury.

Losing to Auburn sucked but we made the E8 and had a good season. Still was the first time major time was like…..why Cal why?

Everything after 20q9 minus Reeves, Oscar, Reed and Dilly has been awful.

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

I’m having a hard time seeing 14 as unacceptable, but 18 being acceptable. 18 was when I really started to question Cal’s overall methods and strategy.

This was Cal's first season where the team ran primarily on Freshmen. I understand the argument that, as the coach, Cal is responsible for his roster. However, I would love to see comparative seasons when a coach loses 88% of the minutes played and 93% of their scoring from the previous roster. It is the coach's responsibility to fill the roster with players, but there were also some unnecessary departures from the previous year (Isaiah Briscoe, Isaac Humphries), that could have added experience to the 2018 team.

Plus, had PJ Washington simply shot 60% FT against Kansas State, we probably get another Final Four that year. Some of the responsibility in Cal's NCAAT failure has to fall on the players. When it comes down to scores of less than 5 points, we have to look at what important individual players did in the game. The exception to this would be 2011 UConn and 2014 UConn. Cal got out-coached in those games. Even then, in 2011, I could argue Brandon Knight shooting 26% FG cost us that game. The 2014 UConn game didn't really have any aberrations from the players' performances, Cal just got out-coached.

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

Let me sum this up easily. Every season after Covid have been unacceptable at some level. That's a bad stretch and a pattern has been established.
Cal must have received a vaccine that altered his basketball DNA and moxie.

What if we reversed Bill Self's time at Kansas, starting with 2003-04 as 2023-24 and 2006-07 was 2020-21. It would look like this

2020-2021 (33-5, 1st in Big 12): Lost in the Elite Eight to #2 UCLA (as a #1 seed)
2021-2022 (25-8, 2nd in Big 12) : Lost to #13 Bradley in the First Round (#4 seed)
2022-2023 (23-7, 2nd in Big 12): Lost to #14 Bucknell in the First Round (#3 seed)
2023-2024 (24-9, 3rd in Big 12): Lost in the Elite Eight to #3 Georgia Tech (#4 seed)

Are we talking about firing Bill Self?

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

Too much green, not enough red.
12/13: double digit losses; NIT. Unacceptable
17/18: double digit losses; bounced in tourney by lower seed. Unacceptable
21/22: bounced in 2nd round by 15 seed. Unacceptable
23/24: double digit losses; bounced in 1st round (of ncaa and sec); no sec reg. season/tournament title; Unacceptable

So, 7/15 seasons have yielded unacceptable results by my count. Dude's barely batting .500 and he's the highest paid coach in the game...

I think you underestimate how difficult it is to win without a significant amount of returning players. In 2013, UK returned less than 8% of minutes played and 7% of scoring. In 2018, UK returned 12% of minutes played and 7% scoring.

I've looked, and I can't find any teams in CBB history that have returned such low numbers and been anywhere close to competing for anything of note. For example, 2008 Florida Gators returned 18% minutes played and 15% scoring, and finished 24-12, 8-8 in the SEC, and missed the tournament. In 2009, Kansas returned 18% MP and 17% scoring, and they finished 27-8, 14-2 in Big 12, and lost in the Sweet 16 to #2 Mich. St. This is probably the best result from a team that returned low numbers that I can find. That Kansas team, however, had five future NBA players on it, in Sherron Collins (JR), Cole Aldrich (SO), Tyshawn Taylor (FR), Marcus and Markieff Morris (FR).

I think 2018 is one of Cal's better coaching jobs considering the fact that he was primarily using Freshmen, and had zero returning starters from 2017.

 

[entropy13]

I think you underestimate how difficult it is to win without a significant amount of returning players.

I think 2018 is one of Cal's better coaching jobs considering the fact that he was primarily using Freshmen, and had zero returning starters from 2017.

The lack of returning players is a feature, not a bug, of Cal's system. That is also on him, and it shouldn't be used to excuse away poor results.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

I think you underestimate how difficult it is to win without a significant amount of returning players. In 2013, UK returned less than 8% of minutes played and 7% of scoring. In 2018, UK returned 12% of minutes played and 7% scoring.

I've looked, and I can't find any teams in CBB history that have returned such low numbers and been anywhere close to competing for anything of note. For example, 2008 Florida Gators returned 18% minutes played and 15% scoring, and finished 24-12, 8-8 in the SEC, and missed the tournament. In 2009, Kansas returned 18% MP and 17% scoring, and they finished 27-8, 14-2 in Big 12, and lost in the Sweet 16 to #2 Mich. St. This is probably the best result from a team that returned low numbers that I can find. That Kansas team, however, had five future NBA players on it, in Sherron Collins (JR), Cole Aldrich (SO), Tyshawn Taylor (FR), Marcus and Markieff Morris (FR).

I think 2018 is one of Cal's better coaching jobs considering the fact that he was primarily using Freshmen, and had zero returning starters from 2017.

I don't underestimate the importance of returning players, at all. I place the responsibility of ensuring returning players w/ which to build the team around on the shoulders of the coach. Regardless of the reason for the underwhelming season (i.e. no returnees), the season remains substandard, imo of course.

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

The lack of returning players is a feature, not a bug, of Cal's system. That is also on him, and it shouldn't be used to excuse away poor results.

I'm not excusing poor results but point to the fact that returning players is key to seasonal success. I absolutely think that Cal's system is to blame for the extreme roster turnover every year. I don't know that he pushes players out, but the combination of UK and Calipari has turned the players' thought processes into, "If I don't go to the NBA after year one, I'm a failure." There are dozens of UK players that wouldn't have even sniffed a mock draft at another school. That's one of the reasons Cal is able to pull in these talented freshmen (some not-so-talented) year after year, because they know they're going to get their fair share of opportunities to shine before NBA execs. The problem is, they don't even have to show out in order to go to the next level, just show up and put on the UK uniform. It's what upsets me most, that UK gets used by the system Cal has built.

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

I don't underestimate the importance of returning players, at all. I place the responsibility of ensuring returning players w/ which to build the team around on the shoulders of the coach. Regardless of the reason for the underwhelming season (i.e. no returnees), the season remains substandard, imo of course.

Yeah, I get that, and I agree. I think 2013 and 2018 are the exceptions, because we won it all in 2012 and had mass departures, as was expected. In 2017, we were a shot away from the Final Four, and probably a championship, but lost Monk, Fox, Adebayo, Briscoe and Humphries (both shouldn't have left) to the draft. We lost Willis, Hawkins, and Mulder to graduation. Cal should not have fought to keep Monk, Fox, or Adebayo, and had no control over Willis, Hawkins and Mulder. Who knows about Briscoe and Humphries?

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

This was Cal's first season where the team ran primarily on Freshmen. I understand the argument that, as the coach, Cal is responsible for his roster. However, I would love to see comparative seasons when a coach loses 88% of the minutes played and 93% of their scoring from the previous roster. It is the coach's responsibility to fill the roster with players, but there were also some unnecessary departures from the previous year (Isaiah Briscoe, Isaac Humphries), that could have added experience to the 2018 team.

Plus, had PJ Washington simply shot 60% FT against Kansas State, we probably get another Final Four that year. Some of the responsibility in Cal's NCAAT failure has to fall on the players. When it comes down to scores of less than 5 points, we have to look at what important individual players did in the game. The exception to this would be 2011 UConn and 2014 UConn. Cal got out-coached in those games. Even then, in 2011, I could argue Brandon Knight shooting 26% FG cost us that game. The 2014 UConn game didn't really have any aberrations from the players' performances, Cal just got out-coached.

Outcoached by Kevin Freaking Ollie.

 

[Bleedin Blue in Ohio]

Yet my biggest problem with Cal is the unacceptable loss of players to the NBA that should have stayed. Tyler Ulis should have been a 4-year player. The Harrison twins. The list goes on and on and on of players that should have stayed and developed. Would have made the Cats a better team in the process and left. A few years ago, I made the comment I have never been envious of North Carolina even in the 1980's. But I have been the last 10 years because they had players stay and develop and reaped the benefit of those players staying 3 to 4 years. Had a few players stuck around there would have been more acceptable years in all of our eyes than there have been.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Covid killed Cal and he was replaced by whatever this is. I liked the 2020 team and most before, but that Covid year killed Cal and he's gone and has been since 2020.

He ain't coming back. RIP

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Kentucky standard seasons: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020.

Unacceptable seasons: 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

Middle of the pack: 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Yes, the postseason matters most.

 

[Wildcats1st]

2018 was awful.
Lost 6 out of 9.
A 3 way tie for 4th place in the SEC.
Boring pre conference.
Didn't beat a good team till like February.
Had to go to Boise as a 5 seed.
Ahead of Davidson by only 2 points under 3 minutes to play in first round.
Lost to Kansas State with a wide open bracket in first game in Atlanta.

How many nba guys though????

 

[BStockfan01]

2010-2017- great
2018-2020- meh
2020- current- god awful

Really all you need to know and its trending one way.

 

[cats#1again]

2009-2010

*Looking back, this season was acceptable because of the excitement that was generated around the program with the addition of Calipari and freshmen studs Wall and Cousins. If this season happened next year, it would not be acceptable. The West Virginia game was the moment I became concerned about Cal's ability to out-coach other top-tier coaches. Huggins owned Cal that night.
2010-2011
*This was probably Cal's best year of coaching, based on the fact that UK returned only 18.4% of its minutes played and scoring from 2010, and that he made the Final Four. Again, however, he got outcoached by Jim Calhoun.
2011-2012
*No explanation needed.

2012-2013
*Kentucky lost 92.9% of its minutes played from 2012 and 93.3% of its scoring. I would be interested to see if another team has lost the equivalent to that and finished 2nd in its conference the following year, or made the NCAA tournament. Along with that, and the fact that Nerlens Noel tore his ACL in game 24, I would call this an acceptable season. I'm not saying that NIT appearances are acceptable UK standards, but given the circumstances, following a championship year where the roster was depleted, Cal actually put together something close to an NCAAT caliber team.
2013-2014

*This one might be surprising to some, but were it not for Aaron Harrison, this was a team that would have lost in the Sweet 16 to Louisville, and probably earlier. From a coaching perspective, this may have been Cal's worse season. He returned 32% of his minutes played (nearly 5x what was returned in 2013), 31% of his scoring (6x what he returned in 2013), and still lost eleven games, and got absolutely crushed by Kevin Ollie in the championship game. All he had to do was stay in zone defense and we would have won the championship game. Aside from Kansas State, that was the easiest win in the tournament, and Calipari absolutely dropped the ball.

Good God. If not for Harrison shot..... How bout if not for a shot against UNC we hang another banner.

 

[cats#1again]

2014-2015

*Honestly, any other opponent than 2014-15 Wisconsin, who has the best offensive efficiency of any team in the KenPom ratings era (2002-2024), and this would have been considered, in my opinion, a failure of a season. Along with that Wisconsin team, and the worst officiating I've ever seen, and it was too much for that team to overcome. This team was too good not to win the national championship, but I can't consider 38-1 a failure, based on the aforementioned reasons.

2015-2016

*UK lost 78% of its minutes played and 86% of its scoring and still finished first in the SEC. None of the starters from 2014-15 returned, and apart from Murray and Ulis, this team really didn't have much. Losing in the 2nd round is not acceptable, generally, but compare this with 2013-14, and this was actually the better season, and Cal's better coaching job.

2016-2017

*This is what I would hope the average fan sees as just at or above normal. Return 1/3 of your minutes played or more each year, 1/4 or more of your scoring, and win between 28-32 games, depending on the tournament run. First place in the SEC is a bonus, especially with how much better the conference is. We were a UNC shot away from another Final Four, and again, the officiating in that game was atrocious, though not as bad as the Wisconsin game.

2017-2018

*UK returned only 12% of its minutes played and 7% of its scoring. I think it's a toss-up between this season and 2010-11 for Cal's best seasons of coaching. Again, the year before was a shot away from another Final Four and with the players that left, there was a lot of roster space to fill, and we were still in the talks for a Final Four run. If PJ Washington just hit his season average from the free-throw line against Kansas State, we win by 4, with a chance to play Loyola for a Final Four spot.

2018-2019
*Again, a shot or two away from the Final Four. Again, returning players who played significant minutes (33%) and score significant points (32%). To me, this is the biggest problem with Cal's system, and we all see it, is that you cannot start close to brand new every year. There cannot be roster turnover and success throughout the season or in the tournament. You can't rely on freshmen to win. It has to be a mix, and this team was close to that, and just fell a couple shots short of a Final Four.

2019-2020

*This was a team built to win in March. Nearly 37% of minutes played returned, 27% of scoring returned, and star freshman Maxey with transfer experience in Sestina. This is a huge what could have been.

2020-2021

*Cal failed in every respect this season. The loss of Kenny Payne, along with COVID, certainly played a role - even Duke, UNC, and Auburn were down this season, but 9-16 should probably get you fired. If it weren't for the previous eleven successful seasons and his lifetime contract, Cal wouldn't have survived this. This season shows that 2012-2013 was actually decent, given that UK returned close to the same amount of roster production in those two seasons.

2021-2022
*Six of the eight losses this season were to teams ranked #21 or higher. UK went into Phog Allen Fieldhouse and absolutely whipped the would-be champions Kansas. Losing in the first round to St. Peter's was awful, but a season cannot be judged based on a single game in the NCAA tournament. Yeah, we laugh when it happens to Kansas or Duke or UNC, but that doesn't erase the fact that the season was good. My biggest complaint for this season is being 3-6 against top-25 opponents. I'm not ready to call this season acceptable or unacceptable. Thoughts?

2022-2023
*UK returned 43% of the minutes played from 2021-22 and 44% of its scoring. There is absolutely no reason that this team should have lost 12 games, finished 3rd in the conference, and been a #6 seed. UK was 2-5 against top-25, and lost to Michigan State in the Champions Classic. They lost to a South Carolina team that finished 4-14 in conference, 11-21 overall, along with losses to Arkansas (22-14, 8-10), Georgia (16-16, 6-12), and Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament (22-15, 11-7). This was Cal's worst year of coaching.

2023-2024
*Again, I don't judge a season based on the NCAAT alone. If I did, the 2013-2014 season was better than 2014-2015. For whatever reason, this team couldn't play defense. This team was 5-2 versus top-25 teams, was 6-3 in true road games, and had the #2 scoring offense in the nation. The crazy thing is, this team only returned 19% of its minutes played and 23% of its scoring from 2022-23. Comparable seasons to those numbers would be 2010-11 and 2015-16. Honestly, this season was about the same as 2013-14 without the title run. This season was actually a little better, given that the competition, in my opinion, is much better now than ten years ago. I would accept this season if we were to only lose Reeves, Mitchell, and Dillingham. I know that won't happen.


Let me know your thoughts.

We were a 2 seed in 2022. If that's not acceptable you are wasting your time being a fan. Same for this season as a 3.

 

[CincyUKFan]

Not always black & white, there are often gray areas. I am not basing my comments on "what talent he had" because he is the one who was to get the talent there (so different than a pro coach).
I'll give them a 1-10 score, 7-10 are acceptable, 1-4 are NOT, and 5-6 are in gray area. But if I had to put a cut-off line, I guess it would be at 6.5 (above that is acceptable).
Also, while the NCAA-T is a factor, it is not the only factor.

9-10: 9, I know 1 game short of F4, but 10 months earlier we would have all said no way an E8
11-12: 8, season was good not great, but run to the F4 was not expected
11-12: 10
12-13: 6, I would say lower if not for the Noel injury, that team was starting to rock&roll winning 5 in a row & 13 of 15, had he not gotten hurt I think we would have gotten in as a 4-5 seed and played in 2nd weekend
13-14: 7, disappointing season, but the tournament bumped up
14-15: 9.5, probably a 10 if Poythress not injured
15-16: 5
16-17: 9, should have gotten a 1 seed, cheated out of F4 by ref w/ agenda
17-18: 6
18-19: 7
19-20: 8, tempted to put 7 because of the Haggans drama
20-21: 1, maybe the Covid excuse moves up to a 1.5
21-22: 6, would have been an 8 if had made it to S16 game, but historic 2v15 loss drops it, however the injury factor is also considered here
22-23: 6
23-24: 6, would have been an 8 if had made it to S16 game, but 3v14 loss drops it

Even though 22 & 24 got 6's for the whole season, those 2 tournaments definitely left sour taste.

Only one unacceptable year for you? Haven't put you on ignore to this point. But it's time. GTFO

 

[cats#1again]

I really only have a problem with the last 4 years. Nerlens year we had a big inujury, but the rest we were competitive. Probably coulda gotten 1 or 2 more championships with a few better bounces and ref calls or different game management but it was good times.

That's the only years you should have a problem with. Some of our fans think you should make the final 4 every season and anything less is unacceptable.

 

[CincyUKFan]

OP has 295 posts. OP is a troll or a pathetic Cal fan. And other pathetic Cal fans are chiming in.

 

[cats#1again]

Only one unacceptable year for you? Haven't put you on ignore to this point. But it's time. GTFO

That 2019 team was a really good team. Strange that you have it lower than the 20 team

 

[BStockfan01]

We were a 2 seed in 2022. If that's not acceptable you are wasting your time being a fan. Same for this season as a 3.

Wheeler being the PG for 2 seasons will always be unacceptable to me. Youll never change my mind.

 

[cats#1again]

Yet my biggest problem with Cal is the unacceptable loss of players to the NBA that should have stayed. Tyler Ulis should have been a 4-year player. The Harrison twins. The list goes on and on and on of players that should have stayed and developed. Would have made the Cats a better team in the process and left. A few years ago, I made the comment I have never been envious of North Carolina even in the 1980's. But I have been the last 10 years because they had players stay and develop and reaped the benefit of those players staying 3 to 4 years. Had a few players stuck around there would have been more acceptable years in all of our eyes than there have been.

So how was he supposed to get those players to come back here and make you happy? Players want to leave and get paid, very little of that is on the coach

 

[Bleedin Blue in Ohio]

How does North Carolina get so many players to stay? I have seen quite a few players stay 2-3-4 years over the past decade. They won the 2017 National Title because key players came back. Yes, they split with a young UK team that year and only beat the Cats on a buzzer beater in the elite 8 but had juniors and seniors all over that team. Then a number of those players came back and almost won another Natty in 2018 but lost to Villanova. If that program can do it so could UK.

 

[KyLegacyBBN]

Kentucky is 2-8 in its last 10 postseason games in SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament play. Last Final four 2015! That's unacceptable