Cal Trending Down

[CincyUKFan]

On December 19, 2019, I created this thread and wrote what’s below.

I’m curious as to how those who railed against this feel now, a year later?


Dec 19, 2019

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There was a time in the Tubby era where the majority of fans knew we needed to move on. We appreciated his winning the title with Pitino’s players and all the success he had after that, but we collectively knew his days were numbered.

Am I alone in wondering if we’re not seeing the same thing with Cal? This team has absolutely no shot at being special. Next year there’s going to be a logjam, meaning more transfers and disgruntled players. It really is, and has been for the past three seasons, a hot mess.

We can all remember how, at Memphis, he assembled athletes, but not many basketball players. He’s gotten back to that, and it just doesn’t work in 2019.

We are witnessing the beginning of the end.

Blast away.

 

[Myron Gaines]

I remember that thread.

 

[CB3UK]

I still do not understand the fans who genuinely believe last year's team was going to run to the title game. How much off court drama there was, some stinkers of games too.

I've said since the beginning this stuff was going to happen. Haven't been on board with OAD since the start. But fans will tolerate it as long as the ends justify the means.

 

[CincyUKFan]

I remember that thread.

I feel like there are some who were attacking me and others in that thread that have seen the light.

But I also feel like there are some who just never will.

 

[Blue Wildcat]

He recruited a different type of kid also-they were from the inner city and were tough. You take the ball from them, they’ll meet you at the rim on the other end. We lack toughness now and have for a while.

 

[CincyUKFan]

I still do not understand the fans who genuinely believe last year's team was going to run to the title game. How much off court drama there was, some stinkers of games too.

I've said since the beginning this stuff was going to happen. Haven't been on board with OAD since the start. But fans will tolerate it as long as the ends justify the means.

And they keep moving the goalposts on what acceptable “ends” are.

 

[RunninRichie]

And they keep moving the goalposts on what acceptable “ends” are.

Pretty soon we will be making sweet 16 rings

 

[The Real Hatfield]

Cal lost the reigns for sure. Unacceptable.

 

[CincyUKFan]

He recruited a different type of kid also-they were from the inner city and were tough. You take the ball from them, they’ll meet you at the rim on the other end. We lack toughness now and have for a while.

Toughness can help make up for lack up shooting. When you have neither shooting nor toughness, that’s not good.

 

[CROCAT]

He recruited a different type of kid also-they were from the inner city and were tough. You take the ball from them, they’ll meet you at the rim on the other end. We lack toughness now and have for a while.

Yeah those Memphis teams were tough. Chris-Douglas Roberts, Antonio Anderson, Joey Dorsey...All 4-star, 4-year recruits. Then you add a superstar OAD to that ( Derrick Rose ), you got yourself a hell of a team. Much better than Cal's horrendous roster building these days

 

[CincyUKFan]

Just a reminder. Many of us have seen the downward trend for quite some time. Happy to welcome you if you’re just waking up.

 

[Yardeth]

I feel like there are some who were attacking me and others in that thread that have seen the light.

But I also feel like there are some who just never will.

People attacking someone for what they think or feel? Not happening on Rafters, we are a close knit group that except and respect everyone’s feelings and thoughts!

 

[Montana81]

Just a reminder. Many of us have seen the downward trend for quite some time. Happy to welcome you if you’re just waking up.

the worst offenders will NEVER admit they were wrong. they’ll go in hiding, stop posting, change their screen name etc.

 

[CincyUKFan]

Nothing has changed. Mods, can we unlock the original thread from 2019 and continue the discussion there?

Would love to know why the thread was locked to begin with.

 

[Mdnerd]

OP nailed it.

 

[BAsil2Tyler]

You nailed it back then CincyUKFan.

Whether Cal lovers or Cal haters, it is he who has overseen the worst five year performance of any UK coach since Coach Rupp took over in 1930. Coach Hall knew when it was time to step aside. Rick's last five years were the greatest last five years for any coach in the program's history. Tubby couldn't take it anymore because the BBN couldn't take his last five years and left. Of course Eddie and BCG had demons that prevented them from lasting five years, yet Eddie had an SEC title, tourney title and more NCAA wins than Cal's last five years. Coach Rupp was forced to retire, and as a 70 year old diabetic with his foot resting on a chair during games, he won five straight SEC titles, more NCAA games than Cal - so clearly, his last five were better.

The contract is one thing, but an ego is another. My real wondering is if Cal can't see how his career is in a horrible tailspin?

As fans, we want our 'Cats to have a deep, deep run this year. If that happens, does it embolden Cal or...

 

[Jamal Mercer]

Man…..here we are 4-5 years later. Same people defending Cal (under different names).

I remember asking people “How long are we gonna hang onto 2010-2015?” They’re still hanging on.

 

[CincyUKFan]

I

Man…..here we are 4-5 years later. Same people defending Cal (under different names).

I remember asking people “How long are we gonna hang onto 2010-2015?” They’re still hanging on.

They have to be Cal fans and not UK fans. Or they’re just wired differently. Or they’re trolling.

 

[Wally2000_rivals]

I

They have to be Cal fans and not UK fans. Or they’re just wired differently. Or they’re trolling.

Some are same ones who defended Tubby till the end.

 

[anon1751545683]

Here we are 5 years after that whine and we are one of the best 3 or 4 teams in the country and the same haters still hating and being miserable.

I’m sure none of them were in Nashville.

But they are still hoping we lose while being innerweb warriors.

 

[Kybluedude]

Let’s let the post season play out

 

[tls]

Some are same ones who defended Tubby till the end.

Doubt this. I defended Tubby to the end and still defend him. I’ve wanted Cal gone for 5 years.

 

[tls]

Here we are 5 years after that whine and we are one of the best 3 or 4 teams in the country and the same haters still hating and being miserable.

I’m sure none of them were in Nashville.

But they are still hoping we lose while being innerweb warriors.

Lol. One of the 3 or 4 best teams in the country that will be a 4 seed later today.

 

[NociHTTP]

Let’s let the post season play out

It already is. Nothing's changed.

 

[NociHTTP]

I

They have to be Cal fans and not UK fans. Or they’re just wired differently. Or they’re trolling.

Contrarians. They love the notoriety of taking the opposite point of view, even if their position makes zero sense. And then when they are out of excuses and exhausted from the mental gymnastics, it's "I normally don't post much, but I hate Cal. Anyone else feel the same?"

 

[Jamal Mercer]

Here we are 5 years after that whine and we are one of the best 3 or 4 teams in the country and the same haters still hating and being miserable.

I’m sure none of them were in Nashville.

But they are still hoping we lose while being innerweb warriors.

Here you are, 5 accounts later.

I hear you were in Nashville. How do you watch the game with your head up Cal’s ***??

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

Let’s let the post season play out

And when we flame out in the 1st or 2nd round again, the saying will be, "let's wait until we see what this next class can do." Rinse and repeat. Literal insanity.

 

[Kybluedude]

It already is. Nothing's changed.

Not yet. We weren’t the tourney favorite. And look around at the other conference favorites. UT Arz UNC Duke Houston Purdue etc all went home early.

Sure disappointing but hope getting away from the in conference opponents and refs will be a big positive.

Hope UK gets a good draw. Not ready to throw in the towel on this group. Like the team. Gonna stick with them. They deserve it. Good guys.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Here we are 5 years after that whine and we are one of the best 3 or 4 teams in the country and the same haters still hating and being miserable.

I’m sure none of them were in Nashville.

But they are still hoping we lose while being innerweb warriors.

What a big mouth know nothing.

 

[NociHTTP]

Not yet. We weren’t the tourney favorite. And look around at the other conference favorites. UT Arz UNC Duke Houston Purdue etc all went home early.

Sure disappointing but hope getting away from the in conference opponents and refs will be a big positive.

Hope UK gets a good draw. Not ready to throw in the towel on this group. Like the team. Gonna stick with them. They deserve it. Good guys.

Good guys? This isn't a charity. UK fans expect Elite Eights, Final Fours and Championships. This is what UK used to be about. They deserve it? With defense like that? No, they don't. No one can tell me with a straight face (as much as I can't stand Cal) that the coaching staff hasn't been telling the kids how important it is to OWN your role and play good defense. When it comes to defense, they have not been putting the forth effort. When it comes to offense, they have not been fighting for the loose balls or rebounds. I am a believer that you rest in the bed you make. It's an excuse to say we weren't the tourney favorite. How often does the tourney favorite win it all? What it's about is that we didn't put ourselves in position for a great seed, and we still don't have much of an offense (as in running sets) and our defense is God-awful. I don't care about what the other teams are doing, or the what the refs are doing. I care about MY TEAM. And MY TEAM has been underachieving for quite some time (years).

 

[kennyskywalker34]

Here we are 5 years after that whine and we are one of the best 3 or 4 teams in the country and the same haters still hating and being miserable.

I’m sure none of them were in Nashville.

But they are still hoping we lose while being innerweb warriors.

BEGOT

 

[Kybluedude]

Good guys? This isn't a charity. UK fans expect Elite Eights, Final Fours and Championships. This is what UK used to be about. They deserve it? With defense like that? No, they don't. No one can tell me with a straight face (as much as I can't stand Cal) that the coaching staff hasn't been telling the kids how important it is to OWN your role and play good defense. When it comes to defense, they have not been putting the forth effort. When it comes to offense, they have not been fighting for the loose balls or rebounds. I am a believer that you rest in the bed you make. It's an excuse to say we weren't the tourney favorite. How often does the tourney favorite win it all? What it's about is that we didn't put ourselves in position for a great seed, and we still don't have much of an offense (as in running sets) and our defense is God-awful. I don't care about what the other teams are doing, or the what the refs are doing. I care about MY TEAM. And MY TEAM has been underachieving for quite some time (years).

My point being the season isn’t already over as you alluded.

#3 seed. Not a good seed? Good draw. And yes this is a team of good guys which is important to many of us and they do deserve support.

Sit on the sideline for this tourney. Find a hobby to occupy yourself until the tourney is actually over. Save yourself. Be healthy.

Let’s just see how it plays out. I like what is in front of us.

Do I think Cal has reached his shelf life… yes. Frustrated …yes. Beyond belief. Want a new culture and direction… yes.

But the UK team comes first for me and I’m behind them.

 

[CincyUKFan]

My point being the season isn’t already over as you alluded.

#3 seed. Not a good seed? Good draw. And yes this is a team of good guys which is important to many of us and they do deserve support.

Sit on the sideline for this tourney. Find a hobby to occupy yourself until the tourney is actually over. Save yourself. Be healthy.

Let’s just see how it plays out. I like what is in front of us.

Do I think Cal has reached his shelf life… yes. Frustrated …yes. Beyond belief. Want a new culture and direction… yes.

But the UK team comes first for me and I’m behind them.

How does one come into a thread about the coach and start yapping about supporting the team? Threads like this exist precisely because we love the Cats and want them to do well. With Cal at the helm, that is not happening and has not happened for a long time. Sure, all of us will be watching until they are officially bounced. But sadly, any realistic fan knows they will likely get bounced prematurely even with an easy bracket. If Cal does win the games that any other coach in this tournament would win with his roster, he has no chance at beating the better teams in the bracket.

 

[NociHTTP]

My point being the season isn’t already over as you alluded.

#3 seed. Not a good seed? Good draw. And yes this is a team of good guys which is important to many of us and they do deserve support.

Sit on the sideline for this tourney. Find a hobby to occupy yourself until the tourney is actually over. Save yourself. Be healthy.

Let’s just see how it plays out. I like what is in front of us.

Do I think Cal has reached his shelf life… yes. Frustrated …yes. Beyond belief. Want a new culture and direction… yes.

But the UK team comes first for me and I’m behind them.

I never said the season was over, I'm implying the excuses for why we're in the position we're in are nauseating. You never tell a fan to sit out the tournament, and at this point there is no way anyone can feel confident that a Cal-led team is going to do something great in the tournament. We have a cake walk compared to what many of us expected, but remember what Cal did the last time he had a cakewalk in the tournament? I don't think any of us want Cal or his team to not get #9, and no you didn't imply that.

 

[phyrekat]

Let’s let the post season play out

You mean like losing another first round SEC tournament game? That's post season, right?

 

[CincyUKFan]

Cal cult, come forward. We will forgive you and embrace you. No hard feelings.

 

[AFKY_Blue_RedsBengals]

CCC is a disgrace. The Cal Boys can all go to hell tonight. They aren't Kentucky Basketball fans. Real Kentucky fans don't accept the mediocrity that Cal has brought to the UK Basketball program.

 

[bbb2021]

CCC is a disgrace. The Cal Boys can all go to hell tonight. They aren't Kentucky Basketball fans. Real Kentucky fans don't accept the mediocrity that Cal has brought to the UK Basketball program.

What's that a-hole's buyout? I'll donate