Does UK have to win it all to avoid a "season without celebration"?

[Kampus Korner_rivals164031]

Our team just completed its regular season undefeated, its first in 61 years. This, by itself, is an incredible accomplishment. While fans of most teams would be ecstatic with an undefeated regular season, UK fans are pleased but by no means satisfied. Likewise, should UK win the SEC tournament next week, Kentucky fans will be happy but most of us have an expectation that our team will win it. After all, over the last two months, we beat every SEC team and beat some of them twice.

UK fans will be very disappointed if UK loses in the SEC tournament because it will eliminate the prospect of what could have been an historic accomplishment, being the first team to go undefeated, win 40 games and win the NCAA tournament. As UK fans we would like to see this Kentucky team be recognized as one of the best in collegiate basketball history. I love all the nationwide attention UK is receiving as a result of being undefeated. I enjoy seeing ESPN's and CBS's national advertisements about the next UK game, "the quest for perfection". I really want this magical ride to continue but what happens if it doesn't? What if UK doesn't win the NCAA tournament? Will the disappointment of losing overshadow all that this team and its coaches accomplished between November and March? Will message boards like this and radio call in programs blow up with criticisms of Coach Calipari and/or his players? Are certain sportswriters in the national media who hate Cal waiting with bated breath for UK to lose in the NCAA tournament so that they can unleash their predictable venom?

Myron Medcalf of ESPN suggests in the linked article that members of Big Blue Nation can only be truly satisfied if UK wins the NCAA tournament and goes undefeated. What about you? Will this be "a season without celebration" if UK doesn't win it all?"








This post was edited on 3/8 1:30 PM by Kampus Korner

Do we have to win it all?

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Wasn't there a similar take on the 1978 team... needing to win it all?


I'll admit it: We need to win it all.

 

[MO_Blue]

No. I've already celebrated a lot, so it's too late for me to have a season without celebration.

 

[Ugoff]

Only if you let others define your happiness. I've enjoyed the hell out of this season already.

 

[BlueBomb]

Yeah, we need to win it.

 

[whsparks]

I think there is enough already to celebrate. But Big Blue fans want it all and who wouldn't ?

 

[uk78_rivals88018]

If we lose in the big tourney this site will go ballistic. And, absolutely there will be depression and disappointment. Count on see ing posts about the refs, why we didn't play this guy or that guy more, why no zone, why we didn't take it inside more, why we didn't shoot more 3's, why why why.

P.S. Same thing happened when we lost to West Virginia and it is still depressing. Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, Patterson, and we lost!

 

[brianpoe]

This team has given us lots of joy this season, they owe us nothing. Some idiots take this stuff way too personal.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Originally posted by whsparks:


I think there is enough already to celebrate. But Big Blue fans want it all and who wouldn't ?

Yes. I have enjoyed everything up to this point... but now I absolutely want the Top Prize.

I had a blast last year... but the loss in the title game hurt. Took me a while to get past it, and look back again at the great run we had. 2013-2014 will still rank as a favorite team-that-didn't-win-it-all like 1992, 1997 and 2003. Just would've preferred losing to a worthy team, if we had to lose... not the effin' conns.

 

[PayMeNoMind]

Originally posted by uk78:
If we lose in the big tourney this site will go ballistic. And, absolutely there will be depression and disappointment. Count on see ing posts about the refs, why we didn't play this guy or that guy more, why no zone, why we didn't take it inside more, why we didn't shoot more 3's, why why why.

P.S. Same thing happened when we lost to West Virginia and it is still depressing. Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, Patterson, and we lost!

Sure the WVA game with Wall and company was hugely disappointing when you consider the talent difference in the teams and the way in which KY kept bombing and missing 3s, playing like an underdog. A lot went WVA's way that day in made shots and KYs continual missed shots. But that team had already lost at least once. This KY team already has a big celebration day due to the undefeated season. Another celebration could come winning the SECT, and another celebration could come winning the NCAAT, with yet another celebration of being 40-0. Pick your milestones and start celebrating, there is no time like the present.

 

[Blueisbest]

We, as UK fans, are used to being fans of the best. Losing in the SEC tourney would not be the end of the world. I, like most of you, would hate to see our potential perfect season go down the drain, but we would just have to regroup and pick them back up in the NCAA tourney.

Now, if we stumbled in the NCAA tourney, I would be highly disappointed but after it was all over I would still consider this season a great ride.

 

[fs-ripcord65]

Yes.

No Kentucky fan can make me believe that he or she won't be disappointed if the 'Cats don't win it all. And "disappointment" is the definition of "a season without celebration."

We were all elated last season because the run in the NCAA Tournament exceeded all expectations after the dismal (by U.K. standards) regular season. We celebrated because the 'Cats exceeded expectations last year.

The answer to the OP's question lies in the answer to this question: What are your expectations this year? Not your "hopes" ... you "expectations" ??

 

[mailman85_rivals376684]

Yes

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Yes...1978 and 1996 were the same way.

 

[kghighroller]

This seasons accomplishment of going undefeated so far has been something to behold. A season I have never experienced as a UK fan. Our goal every year is to win every game and the NC. Would a loss in the SECT be disappointing? Of course. Would a loss in the NCAA tournament be disappointing? Absolutely. A loss at any point will be tuff to handle but won't deminish the joy I've taken from watching this team this year. They did something that never happens in basketball. At least not very often. The team doesn't owe us anything. I would hope the fans would be appreciative of whT they have accomplished even if they don't win it all. I know some fans will look at it as a failure if we don't win it all and I am positive some media people as well. For me regardless of what happens this UK team is one of the best and most special group of kids to come through UK and I will be happy with whatever the outcome at the end of the year.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

UK and Coach Cal need this title. It would be Cal's 2nd title, and UK's 2nd in 4 years...if they fall short again the question starts to become was 2012 just a one time thing in terms of closing the deal in the era of NCAA basketball we are watching.

 

[JumperJack]

Absolutely yes. So, you know, no pressure.

As in 78, which I believe is when the phrase was coined, this team is too good to do otherwise. Contrast that to 98 when the title was a surprise for most.

It's ok. Hungry dogs hunt best. Cal will keep 'em hungry.

 

[bluedog79]

The pain from losing now would be 10 times worse than losing the title game. Win all 9 or keep a horribly sad memory in your head for your entire lifetime. Losing now will be worse than 92' duke for me.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

It's a one and done tournament.

Anything can happen.

Should we lose, IMO it doesn't diminish the massive accomplishment we already have done.

I think if your the type of sports fan that is only gonna be happy with titles, sports is gonna have a negative impact on your life lol. Only one team wins it all in all sports. The rest end in losses.

I'll be sad, but this season has already brought me so much joy.

 

[UKEE93]

Originally posted by uk78:
If we lose in the big tourney this site will go ballistic. And, absolutely there will be depression and disappointment. Count on see ing posts about the refs, why we didn't play this guy or that guy more, why no zone, why we didn't take it inside more, why we didn't shoot more 3's, why why why.

P.S. Same thing happened when we lost to West Virginia and it is still depressing. Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, Patterson, and we lost!

Count on seeing a 10,000% increase in other fan bases running to CI and posting about it too.

 

[KingOfBBN]

It is championship or bust with this squad. Anything less is a failure.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

It's a shame but if we don't win it all this site would melt down like never before. Hopefully we get #9 and don't have to worry about it.

 

[jameslee32]

Only a good season at Kentucky. Here's hoping for a great one.

 

[thecatsareback#8]

Originally posted by HeismanWildcat85:
It is championship or bust with this squad. Anything less is a failure.

It truly is. I will always remember this team and the historic accomplishment they have done so far, but no one will truly remember them unless they get the fabric hanging from the rafters. Thats why the shirts said "not done yet". They arent. They know it, Cal knows it, and we as fans know it as well.


I will not however resort to bashing these guys in anyway.

 

[jrm693]

The nation has it eyes turned to Lexington, Ky many with high hopes that our young men lose for a variety of reasons, but mostly because of jealousy. I can honestly say if they do not win another game I have already stored up a lifetime of memories as my granddaughter and I have got to see this great team 5 times and although it has cost me a staggering sum as I have no inside contacts and am not going to sit anywhere but side court lower level, it is forever etched in her and my memory. I have also got tickets lower level row c for SEC tourney, but that will end it for me and her unless we get to the championship game and then I will bite the bullet and go again. I know this board will go bonkers if we do hit a team that shoots out of the wad zoo and eliminates our men, but to me thats just the thing no team in the country playing normal game can beat us unless we go stone cold and I don't se that happening with all the players we have. You can write my name down I will be on here singing their praises win or lose.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

Like you I've thoroughly enjoyed this season. This is my 50th one following the Cat's. Man, that's hard for me to believe. I've never seen a season like this, or a team quite like this. We may not have an Anthony Davis, but we've got such tremendous depth, and a bunch of guys who despite the skeptic's have played extremely well together as a team. Every single one of them has sacrificed themselves for the good of the team. Most all of them could have been stars anywhere else.

I'll be disappointed if we lose in the SECT, and I'll be crushed if we lose in the NCAA, even the title game, but regardless of what happens it can't take away these last 4 months. The reality though is that the NCAA tournament is largely what defines a team's success, not only at UK, but anywhere else. Except perhaps KU, lol. So I'm going to relish this 31-0 for the next 5 days, and then prepare to be very nervous about every game UK plays from here on.

 

[jrm693]

Originally posted by BoulderCat:

Like you I've thoroughly enjoyed this season. This is my 50th one following the Cat's. Man, that's hard for me to believe. I've never seen a season like this, or a team quite like this. We may not have an Anthony Davis, but we've got such tremendous depth, and a bunch of guys who despite the skeptic's have played extremely well together as a team. Every single one of them has sacrificed themselves for the good of the team. Most all of them could have been stars anywhere else.

I'll be disappointed if we lose in the SECT, and I'll be crushed if we lose in the NCAA, even the title game, but regardless of what happens it can't take away these last 4 months. The reality though is that the NCAA tournament is largely what defines a team's success, not only at UK, but anywhere else. Except perhaps KU, lol. So I'm going to relish this 31-0 for the next 5 days, and then prepare to be very nervous about every game UK plays from here on.

Well said I have been on the bandwagon myself since 1963.

 

[Chuckinden]

Yes and no. What this team had accomplished already is worthy of celebration, but with the talent we have and then running the table, it would be a disappointment if we don't win it all.

 

[CELTICAT]

Every true UK fan wants the feather in the cap 40-0 season. However, we will talk about this team regardless of how they finish forever.

 

[rmattox]

iMO, nothing in college bball matters other than ncaa tournament. If we remain undefeated until the tournament but lose, everyone will say being undefeated was due to lack of competition. Personally, I'm not much of a bball fan until March. As far as the SEC tourn....I could not care less. As for the real tournament, Win it all and all is good. Lose and this season is no different than any of the other 53 less than successful seasons they've played in my lifetime.

 

[Catzilla_]

a loss this year would definitely hurt more than most.....or any other....but they all hurt. the season has been a celebration....it's been fun...exciting. 31-0...wow....pretty cool. that said...we all know the nature of the tourney/beast...."THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE"(good movie). ruthless and unpredictable....season on the line for every team....it's madness...literally. only one team/ fan base will celebrate the championship. the majority of fans understand what this team has accomplished. i'm sure rupp will be there to welcome them home win or lose....preferably win.

 

[Moss04]

As a favorite to win the tournament, anything less than a championship is a disappointment. Anything less than a final four is a failure. I expected the '96, '03, '10, and '12 teams to win it all, and those losses in '03 and '10 were devastating.

 

[mdlUK.1]

No! Yes we will be disappointed but it will still be a successful and GREAT season. Show me another fanbase that wouldn't be disappointed. In fact, show me another fanbase that isn't disappointed when they lose in the tournament. even the last place teams fans are disappointed.

Yes, I do want to win it all and it will hurt like hell if we don't but that does not totally spoil this great season.

and yes, this board will be a mess if we lose. But 90% if not more, will be trolls and posers from other schools trying to stir the pot. Sure, there will be a FEW actual UK fans that are over the top but I repeat, it will be a FEW! The vast majority of UK fans will be disappointed but will be sane about.

You can already sense the trolls from a few in this thread that have already started bashing UK fans before the fact. Anyone with a brain or a shred of honesty will admit that most of the trouble will come from trolls and posers.

 

[DDS62]

I think we have too, KK. There will be no public display of
disappointment, but deep inside I think most fans will be dissapointed. I personally
will be, but only because we must - because we are so close, and the
goal is so high. We must get the brass ring this time around, because it
likely will never be available again. I do not, however see this team as the
best ever. I see weaknesses and an imaginary future team that could be
better. We shouldn't because we have the best team ever or ever could be
- but because we must. One loss may be tolerable, IF we win it all, but
if that loss is in the final game I will bleed.

The goal is so high. We must now likely face Florida for the third
time and likely LSU the second. It
is so difficult to beat any team three times and this LSU team twice.
And if we get out of SECT 34-0 the pressure will only increase then, again,
to pass the 36 win mark and become the winningest single season team.
Recall about this time last year Wichita State came at us with a 35-0
record, holding the winningest season record and we put a brutal loss in
their basket and sent them home with tears in there eyes. What pressure
it will be on Kentucky, even in the early rounds to get past that 36
win mark. And if we do that - think about those Wichita tears that will
flow again realizing they have just had their single claim to fame
snatched away by the Cat's - once again! It will be more and more
pressure on a team that isn't perfect. And if we get to 36-0 just think
of the pressure of those next 4 games. On a team full of freshmen and
sophomores. It is just such a high goal, we are so close, we must, but the pressure will be as high as the goal.

 

[mebeblue2]

i want to win the NCAAT undefeated
but if we lose in the SECT or if we don't win the NCAAT, this has been one of my favorite teams
this team has been such a joy to watch

2010 never won the NCAAT, that is one of my favorite teams of all time
this team will go down as one of my favorites

my answer would be NO
this whole season has been a celebration

 

[catfaninsc_rivals377375]

The Kentucky fan base pretty much celebrates every team every year. It is an annual celebration of the program. That is the magical part of Kentucky Basketball. And yes, what an accomplishment to have an undefeated season. But that is not the prize and the euphoria that comes with it. That can only be one thing. A national championship. We define our program by a long list of records and parameters, but that is at the top of the list. If we win it with 39-1 or 40-0 matters not. As long as they get the prize. A perfect season ending with a NC is a want, not a need. We need the euphoria. So, yes the NC is what matters. Especially with this particular team because of the abundance of talent on it.

 

[Ugoff]

I wonder if there is a UK fan alive that didn't celebrate yesterday's win, in one way or another. A season without celebration? Hardly.

 

[Kampus Korner_rivals164031]

Originally posted by DDS62:
I think we have too, KK. There will be no public display of
disappointment, but deep inside I think most fans will be dissapointed. I personally
will be, but only because we must - because we are so close, and the
goal is so high. We must get the brass ring this time around, because it
likely will never be available again. I do not, however see this team as the
best ever. I see weaknesses and an imaginary future team that could be
better. We shouldn't because we have the best team ever or ever could be
- but because we must. One loss may be tolerable, IF we win it all, but
if that loss is in the final game I will bleed.

The goal is so high. We must now likely face Florida for the third
time and likely LSU the second. It
is so difficult to beat any team three times and this LSU team twice.
And if we get out of SECT 34-0 the pressure will only increase then, again,
to pass the 36 win mark and become the winningest single season team.
Recall about this time last year Wichita State came at us with a 35-0
record, holding the winningest season record and we put a brutal loss in
their basket and sent them home with tears in there eyes. What pressure
it will be on Kentucky, even in the early rounds to get past that 36
win mark. And if we do that - think about those Wichita tears that will
flow again realizing they have just had their single claim to fame
snatched away by the Cat's - once again! It will be more and more
pressure on a team that isn't perfect. And if we get to 36-0 just think
of the pressure of those next 4 games. On a team full of freshmen and
sophomores. It is just such a high goal, we are so close, we must, but the pressure will be as high as the goal.

DD, you express the reason that many of us UK fans find our anxiety level increasing with each game. No prior UK team, in my lifetime, has had greater nationwide expectations of them to win the NCAA tournament than this year's UK team. Except for the 1954 team which did not participate in the NCAA tournament, no other UK team has been ranked No. 1 the entire season and also remained undefeated. Additionally, because of the technology and media explosion which has taken place over the last 20 years, no other UK team has been the subject of more intense national discussion than this team.

Indeed the young men who comprise this year's undefeated, season long No. 1 ranked team (5th youngest team in the country), have demonstrated remarkable poise under the most heightened scrutiny and expectations. How they do what they do under these circumstances is amazing. Winning the NCAA tournament is extremely difficult to do even with exceptional talent. On any given day, any team is capable of losing. No team is unbeatable. Eventually, every team will lose. My hope is that if our young team doesn't win it all that my fellow members in Big Blue Nation will let them know how much we appreciated their sacrifice, selflessness, dedication, effort, accomplishments and good citizenship. Win or lose from here on out these young men have been an exemplary success.













This post was edited on 3/8 9:37 PM by Kampus Korner

 

[3rex]

I think if we lose there was still much to celebrate this year but it wouldn't be a successful season. Any team that enters the Big Dance as the #1 overall seed & doesn't win it all didn't succeed in my opinion.