Kentucky wants to win and keep having fun. (Vicky Graff Photo)
The changing of expectations.
Kentucky was ranked fourth in the nation in the pre-season poll and expectations from the BBN were high. I am positive if everyone told the truth some hotel rooms were reserved in Houston for championship weekend.
Then November and December happened. There was something not right with the team. Was it in the locker room? Was it on the coaching staff? Was coach John Calipari losing his touch?
The BBN wanted answers and there were none given. Calipari did not do pregame pressers and there were three-minute post game interviews. During the game the bench looked like the players would rather be anywhere but where they were. It was not a fun time for anyone.
There were the losses at Rupp to South Carolina and Vandy and there were improbable wins at Tennessee and Arkansas. It was determined, this team could beat anyone but yet could lose to anyone.
Six weeks ago most thought the Cats were NIT Bound. Today they will play for a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in the big dance. This Kentucky team is unpredictable.
Is the Sweet Sixteen enough for the BBN? Have expectations been tempered due to the roller coaster ride of a year this team has had? The question will be answered against Kansas State.
The odds of a for sale sign popping up in Calipari’s yard decrease with every win. The constant “get rid of Cal” tweets and Facebook posts will appear but only after a loss.
Here’s hoping for another week of happiness!
5 Responses
Well my expectations have been the same all year. I believed sooner or later the Cats would get it together. I have believed that every season for 60 years. The fair weather fans are trying to get a foot back on the train. Let there be no doubt the crybabies will pounce with a lose tonight. No matter what happens tonight or any night, there will be no "for sale" sign in Cal’s yard. Go Cats!!
I wonder if Painter has a for sale sign in his yard this morning? He lost to St. Peter’s last year as a #2seed, and lost this year as a #1 seed in the first round. Maybe Bennett of Virginia too. Lost twice in the first round in the last five years. Once as the #1 seed and this year as a #4 seed. Throw Lloyd of Arizona in there for good measure.
It definitely puts things more in perspective when you see 1 seeds fall no doubt.. On the flip side , right or wrong those other schools aren’t Kentucky either..
Even if the Cats win it all, which they won’t; it’s still time for Calipari to leave and Kentucky to go in a different direction with our basketball program. There is nothing fair weathered about my love for Kentucky basketball. I have bled blue all of my life and always will. Calipari has taken our once proud program to a place of mediocrity and non relevance. It’s time for him to go and all of you Calipari lovers can go with him.
You know not to get off on another path here.. I agree to some extent with you.. I am a pittsburgh steeler fan.. and here’s my example. Super Bowls are expected or were. Making the playoffs was a given, in my lifetime anyway as I was born in 1972. It has gotten so watered down in pittsburgh , now 8 and 8 is ok as long as the coach doesn’t have his first losing season.. thats where it’s at..
So Cal should go whether the Cats win or lose? A title would mean mediocrity? Cal’s not going anywhere. The Cal haters are going to be so miserable and they deserve to be. That’s ashame to be miserable when the Cats are winning. Go Big Blue!