The SEC has caved already

[Beatle Bum]

The NCAA had the COVID decision to give more playing time to a unique situation thrown back into its face as evidence they should let ‘22 seniors play another year. The SEC is protecting its rule to avoid such things in the future. While in both circumstances people can debate what is “fair,” enforcing rules makes sense.

 

[CRZ4UK]

I can't either, my friend.

It's like the SEC tournament restarting in 1979. They've all wanted (SEC schools and the league office itself) to get Kentucky out of the tournament as fast as possible ( because they have always known UK will get a bid to the "big dance" - as opposed to this little one that they decided to throw) when they reinstituted prima-nocta otherwise known as ... bringing back the SEC tournament.

Throw a big shindig, hopefully get someone OTHER than Kentucky in the NCAA tournament. It was true in 1979, as it is now.

But when Kentucky is out of the SEC tournament, whichever host city is throwing the party in, they universally ***** and moan if Kentucky gets beat early. Businesses suffer. Fewer SEC basketball fans to fill the stands. It don't look good for the league.

I started going to the SECT in 1979 and remember how the atmosphere was then. In Birmingham, Kentucky fans brought everything. Big Blue Mist. The rest of the league combined was a drop in the bucket. Sure, it's changed a lot since then, but the league and the other schools universally want to keep Kentucky down.

They need to realize the league is much better off when Kentucky basketball ( and Big Blue Nation) is strong, present at the table, and the rest of the league rasies their game up to be included in that national discussion.

THEN you've got a story!

You would think but I’ve been called a conspiracy theorist for years believing Sankey wants a 10 loss UK.
When he took over the SEC basketball interest was almost nonexistent outside Kentucky. We were ruling the conference and conference tournament. Other teams would have 100 people in the arena for a Tuesday game against anybody other than UK.
When Mitchell to UK was announced I have 30 posts saying it will never happen and Sankey would fight this to the end. He made it clear to Mitchell he didn’t care if he went back to Mizzou, but he wasn’t going to allow him at UK. Ever.
Intrest has definitely picked up in SEC basketball with Sankeys plan . That means we will continue to get a terrible whistle, zero home court advantage like most blue bloods and continue to have trouble getting anyone eligible if there is some rules he can find. Foreign players are everywhere now. Our last two had an incredible amount of trouble. One missing half the season, one arriving the last day possible. Big Z brother had no trouble getting to Illinois.
Sankey blocks a strong UK basketball team any way he can. It keeps other football schools interested.