Vicky Graff Photo
I have had a lot of thinking time since Wednesday. When you are stuck in bed for three days that is what you think. I have solved a few of the world’s problems, binged on a few Netflix shows but above all I have done a reality check on the Kentucky basketball program.
I have always tried to be positive in my posts. I do not promote negativity to get clicks. I just speak from the heart. So before you proceed in reading this please realize that I am a die-hard Kentucky basketball fan even through the darkest of times. I have always been supportive of the head coaches and although I didn’t always agree with decisions that were made I stayed positive. However, for the first time, I can honestly say I am disgusted with the direction this program has taken and the fall from grace we have all watched.
We are no longer the gold standard in college basketball. The definition of the gold standard: that is considered to be the best and that is used to judge the quality or level of other, similar things. This to me is self-explanatory. The lack of Elite Eight appearances, the lack of Final Four appearances, and one championship in the last 11 years is by no means the gold standard for college basketball.
The lack of being competitive in the SEC regular season and the SEC tournament only adds to my argument. In fact, give that gold standard to Alabama over the past four years.
Rupp Arena is no longer hallowed ground. Hallowed is used to describe something that is respected and admired, usually because it is old, important, or has a good reputation. For decades Rupp was one of the toughest venues to win in college basketball if you were the opposition. Now teams with losing records come into Rupp and kick the Cats in the mouth. Teams can now score 100 points against Kentucky on their home court. This is not okay.
I remember the days when Selection Sunday was the best day of the year. Were the Cats going to be a one or two seed and where would the committee send us? Hotel reservations were made, airline tickets were booked and time was taken off work. Now we sit with our fingers crossed that we get a 6 or 7 seed and won’t be sent out West. This is not Kentucky basketball.
I understand the past four years have been a time of change. There was COVID, NIL, and the transfer portal. The collapse cannot be blamed on these situations. They have affected all teams. Others have adjusted and thrived. We have failed on all systems.
The retirement of two legends at other Blue Blood programs did not cause their demise. They have adjusted and excelled. While watching in the background we step by step regress.
The common denominator is coach John Calipari. The wand has lost its magic and I am tired of defending him. Sometimes as a person, we just need to look in the mirror and realize that the problem might be us. At this point, the decision needs to be to walk away while the damage is still repairable.
I can only imagine that child Saturday night who attended his first game waiting patiently through the Volunteer beatdown to have Calipari sign his basketball. This would be the only highlight he would remember from this game. Yet, Cal decides not to do his postgame show. What do you think this child’s memory will be now?
His players don’t have the ability to opt out of postgame interviews but yet he exits … no questions asked.
Is there still time to turn this season around? I would like to say yes but looking at the schedule I think times will only get tougher.
I always thought one of my toughest nights as a Kentucky fan was the loss to Saint Peter’s in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. The drive home from Indianapolis seemed to take 24 hours. My range of emotions was from one extreme to the other.
Then I had this reality check and realized my toughest night being a UK fan was realizing we are no longer Kentucky basketball as I know it.
72 Responses
I have sworn off Kentucky basketball until
they play defense which will probably be
next year. Maybe Alabama has been better
but they haven’t won anything even with a
lottery pick they couldn’t make the final four.
I’ll believe Tennessee when I see it in March,
the fans call him Regular Season Rick for
a reason.
I am frustrated also, so I will not be watching
Tuesday Night and from here on in.
I still believe in Calipari, but I’ve given up on this
team, they will probably go on a run that I won’t see.
I’ll be a Kentucky fan until the day I die but I’m not going to another game this year.
I was going to buy a ticket for my 89 year old Dad in the handicapped section for the Gonzaga game. $170!?!? to watch the crap they play? Forget it!
I pondered buying 3 tix for sec tourney.. I think I’ll buy a car instead
Kentucky Tradition has been destroyed so much the last few years. I do not think it will ever be like it used to be. I wonder what Rupp and Joe B Hall would think about it now. We are not the Program that I grew up with. Some People say we are better because we have all these all Americans coming here. I say bull hockey. Every Kid in the State used to dream about playing for Kentucky. Now they don’t even recruit players from Kentucky. Money is a funny thing. It destroys a lot things. I think it has destroyed the one thing that People in this State really enjoyed. Now it’s all gone. Gone with the Wind.
Excellent article Tina, but I think Mitch Barnhart has to be mentioned as well. Any other coach in UK history would have been fired by now, but thanks to Cal’s absurd contract we are stuck with a coach who has led the Cats to their worst season ever, their worst NCAA loss ever and now their worst defense ever.
Yes, Cal has taken the top program in college basketball and made it mediocre, but it’s Mitch Barnhart who has allowed this to happen.
I 100% AGREE totally agree with that statement
I have so been wanting to throw the blame where it continues to flourish, Mitch Barnhardt.
Hate that these young men are taking the comments because they are all talented. I hate that calamari can’t hold players to four years so we have some seasoned players out on the floor helping the young. Two seasoned guys just aren’t enough. The others seasoned he keeps as bench warmers.
This is what happens when your coach’s top goal is to sit in the Green Room on NBA Draft Night. When the coach tells the fans their biggest night is Draft Night, you know he doesn’t care as much about the "team" as he does the Big Pay Day for individuals. Yes, this attitude helps him to get some of the top freshman talent in the country, but that does not necessarily equate to a good team. Cal has even stated he doesn’t care about conference championships and that puts him squarely at odds with the fans. Cal could not coach pros into winners in the NBA so what’s makes people think he could do it at the college level? I loved watching Cal’s teams at Memphis. They were hard nosed, played fast, and would get in your face. Yes, it’s a different time and players don’t stick around 3 or 4 years like they used to. But then again, Cal does not want players sticking around 3 or 4 years. Cal’s goal is to put players in the NBA, ASAP, and that is above all else. That may be fine for him and it is great for the kids, but it is not what makes a winning basketball program.
I have to agree. I now believe this guy should be assistant coach and kept for recruitment. After 10 years it’s obvious he can’t coach.
He has had plenty of talent that simply was wasted.
Class of 1976
Wish I knew the answer Randyl. But something has gone wrong the last few weeks
Things will never get better as long as Calipari is here. He recruits soft, entitled prima donnas who hog the ball and won’t rebound or play defense. He refuses to play zone or a post centered offense so he is very predictable. The kids know his bark is a whole lot worse than his bite, so they don’t listen to him. Its going to take having a half empty Rupp arena before any changes will be made.
Our next coach needs to focus on recruiting in Kentucky and its border states. He needs to look for kids who have solid fundamentals, love Kentucky basketball, and want to be coached. All of these 5 star NBA wannabes have got us nowhere. We are very much in danger of becoming the next Indiana. It’s time to make a change.
You can’t blame the kids. They are doing what they are coached.
Indiana is 13-9 & the Zags ain’t the Zags. Drew is in the G. Good thing on the schedule. I’ll say it again Oscar T would be lapping it up with these guards/play. He’s finding his way through the G for sure. Smashing rebound records & playing for a very fun team. The Mad Ants. I could have built 5 championship teams with all the talent piped out. Lexington needs a G for less watered down brand of basketball. It would be a good offset. No NBA exhibition bring a G and watch it nearly sellout.
Tina, best post l have read concerning UK Basketball. I also love UK Basketball and am
fed up with Calipari. Believe there are other coaches out there who could have done better.
Especially since the 2015 Wisconsin game. The lifetime contract was a terrible mistake.
I will always be a Wildcat fan, but, like many others, l am sick and tired of him, and want him
gone.
JAY WRIGHT
The guy who held up the "Please Go To Texas" sign last year said that he would give a kidney to have Jay Wright as Kentuckys coach.
Tina wrote from the heart on this and struggled with even doing it
GONE GONE
Tina….I do have to applaud you and Larry’s acknowledgement of same. I am also a long time BB follower and bleeder. I was in the dorm next door and a year behind Issel and Dampier and this coach may be the biggest fraudster currently in the coaching ranks. This has to be fertile ground for opposing coaches to use this against us and win more recruiting wars. I am also starting to worry about abnormal exits with current team members and recruits already committed for next year. This has to be the darkest time ever for the program!
I say good riddance to most current team members.
The first one can be Bradshaw. He’s playing against grown men. He’s not scaring anybody with his skinny legs and bouncing ponytail. If everyone would’ve stood back and let the Tennessee player that he shoved in the back have a go at him, he would have killed Bradshaw and Dillingham at the same time.
Please don’t call out on the players. Cal yes , but don’t do it on the players.
Agreed. Any way you slice it, these are still young men and have a lot to learn in all phases of their life. No point in any of us making it harder on them. If my child was involved, I would not like someone picking out my kid. It’s still just a game!!!!
Tina,
Great summation of many fan’s sentiments with the current state of our program. Cal is NOT the center of UK basketball! The players, previous coaches, student body, alumni, and fans etc are! I am 64 years old and used to sit with my transistor radio and listen to Cawood while keeping score. Always cried when we lost, but didn’t cry much!!
We have an ego inflated coach who wants us to worship him when winning but not say anything when things are not going well. His declaration at the NBA draft 10 years or so ago about that night being the greatest night in UK basketball history is where I lost all respect for him. Regardless of the success during his tenure it will be a happy day for me when he retires, resigns, or gets fired.
I want a head coach who would crawl to Lexington on his hands and knees for the privilege to coach at the greatest program in the history of college basketball. Sadly, as Tina stated, we are no longer the gold standard. If/when we get a coach who understands the significance of UK basketball in the state and around college basketball, then the glory days as Coach Rupp proclaimed will return, IMHO.
Barney just called me to ask my advice. I told him that he had my approval to send Cal and Kyra both thru the same door at the same time. He was ok with that but seemed a little disgruntled that I suggested that he entertain following them out same door.
Tina, this is the best article that I have read on here. Excellent job.
Glad you finally see what Cal has done to our once great program. Well I think you seen it before but was just in denial.
Totally agree with everything you said. But I do think Barnhart needs gone and Cal needs to step up HIS game!
Good post. I could actually live with the freshmen struggles this year if it meant we got some of these guys back for next year and made a serious run then. Problem is, unlike other programs who are regularly in the top 10 or top 25 even, we don’t get back our fringe NBA level talents. It’s hard to build something when you have a mass exodus almost every year. Other coaches care about what happens in March, Cal only cares about what happens in June.
And all the talent plays in the G or from over seas. Right Wemby? Watch the top players again. They will beat college players out of a better draft #. Maybe the nCaa needs to put a larger price tag on the Natl. Championship.
When we have another banner & Louisville has an NBA team, all will be rosey in the bluegrass.
Can you all imagine a few state home boys on pro team right here in ole Kentuck?
Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas now take turns assuming the once dominant role that Kentucky played in the SEC. Florida and South Carolina have stepped up their level of play a notch above us without any 5 star NBA wannabes. A&M and Georgia are right there with us this year, with Miss State and Ole Miss breathing down our necks. Even Vanderbilt, LSU, and Missouri pull out occasional wins against us. We are no longer a feared opponent in our league. Add Texas and Oklahoma next year and we will be a middle of the pack team at best in our own conference. Calipari’s balleyhooed recruiting is nothing more than fool’s gold. Today Kentucky is more relevant in football, but we will never win any titles there either. We have 2 overpaid coaches who are under producing and Mitch Barnhart is the biggest gold brick of them all. It’s time for Caliputo to clean house in UK athletics’ and give the university a fresh start. Maybe one day down the road, UK athletics will be respectable again…MAYBE.
I have zero doubts that this team can & will turn it around.
We will be THE team that nobody wants to play come March.
Remember I said that.
GO BIG BLUE 💪 GO CATS 💪 💙!
Do you have more of what you’re smoking?
It must be infused Jet Fuel OG
That would be a big turnaround Chrstopher. Right now, teams look on their schedule and say YEAAAA!!! We get to play Kentucky next! Napoleon was convinced that he was invincible until he got to Waterloo.
Definitely tough games coming up after this week Barry
This did not age well
So now you guys are beginning to see Cal as the pied-piper he is. The players have no respect for him because they see through eyes that witness lies, blow-hearted nonsense with lack of authority. Although I had given up on him after the Wisconsin debacle I respect your giving him a longer leash. But the emperor has no clothes. He is bufoonish to say the least. Try making sense out of anything he says. Just full of himself and bull droppings. Let’s all hope he takes the money and leaves. Good dog- gone riddance pal. 75% of the fan base want you out. Shall we draw you a picture like a stubborn mule saying in the wind. Ridiculous dude!!! PLEASE GO NOW!!!!
Well said, it’s sad to think we’ve sank this low. It’s not about the NBA, they aren’t paying Cal. It’s about winning and he’s paid to make that happen. Barnhart is to blame also, he should never have given him a lifetime contact.
Caligari has done less with more than any coach in history. We’ve had the best team at least 5 times and get upset every year by far inferior teams. It’s growing old. This team we have has the most talent in the nation and somehow he can’t coach them up. I don’t understand it. How could we be that bad on out of bounds plays. And how do opposing players have career games against us every game? It’s not because they get up to play Kentucky, it’s because we’re soft and have mental lapses. This team better get it together or it could go downhill fast. If we don’t get past the first weekend I think he should be fired.
I’m just about done with how many all stars were produced by Cal, and how many players will go in the first two rounds of the nba draft, and how much money ex-kentuckians make per year. All I really want now is for my beloved Wildcats to win a few games in March!
Tina. I think you said what I’ve been thinking only you did it so eloquently! You are Right on the money(no pun intended) except for Calipari to do the right thing and step aside. UK has given him carte blanc with his lifelong contract.
Who is worth that truly?
He ain’t leaving that kind of money and prestige behind. Who would?
I don’t understand why fans want to bash the kids for. If calipari would make them or better yet SOMEONE teach them how to play defense they would actually be the #1 team in the nation. And who would want to come and play for a team that bashes the players so bad no matter who the coach is. And the ones saying they keep running to the NBA keep yapping. If it was your kid he would go to after his first year. If you say no he wouldn’t you are an idiot. What if you supposedly made your kid stay in school and he blows a knee out or any other type of career ending injury. Now your kid could have gotten paid and still got their degree but no know he not only can’t play basketball anymore he’s also gonna have a 9 to 5 job working his ass off. People amaze me. Rant over
Well I Love reading all the comments they are spot on to bad his ego deflects them.He knew what he was doing the minute he pulled out of Memphis come to the Greatest basketball state! Storied history and all that to feed his appetite for attention to bad it has all went backwards for all the BBN agreed by all go on people are sick of you and your non coaching ways as for Stoops he can go to its funny he got shot down by the fans saying he’s not welcome here the problem I have with that is trying the sneaky factor come UK!
These 5 Star players are just hyped up agent clients. How can a 5 star recruit participate thru middle school, high school and AAU ball and not be taught how to play defense, blocking technique for rebounding, guarding against an inbound play. Example, Aaron Bradshaw. Can’t score, can’t rebound, can’t play defense and is ranked a 5 Star and NBA lottery pick. There is no way that is going to happen. What is even worse is the previous coaches for the 5 star recruits who failed to teach any of the fundementals I listed above. There are people deliberately hyping these players for monetary gain. They are not real 5 Star players!!!
Could you imagine any of our UK guards trying to guard DeAaron Fox? He would have 80 points in a game. Justin Edwards #1 5 Star recruit out of High School, can’t shoot, can’t rebound, can’t defend, another rating service hype product. Shady people, doing shady things.
I’m sick of Calipari and his whole schtick. I’m done until he’s gone. We’re paying 9 million a year for this? Time for a new start.
My last comment. Cal’s bench coaches are what is required on a college basketball. These coaches need assigned tasks that contribute to the success of the player and team. Much like football, you need your respected figure head coach, an offensive guru to teach the offense, a defensive coach that teaches how to play defense. It’s evident no coach on this team has the skill. How about someone to assist on situational offense and defensive strategy like inbound plays. There is no one on this coaching staff performing that function, very obvious over the past 3 games. Cal should not be coaching his assistants, his assistants should be displaying their talents to acquire a future higher tier job. Stop passing out participation trophies to these coaches. It’s time to grow this into a well oiled enterprise instead of a G League Team
CALIPARI will probably hire Pat McAfee to help him.
Now that would be something Dan
Someone should give Jimmy Dykes a reality check and tell him to quit gushing and slobbering over UK… Geeze he’s too much . We were getting beat and he’s talking UK up like we were winning. Ease up on the butt kissing
Can’t stand that asshole.
Few recall the time when freshmen did not play in varsity games. In those days, players stayed for 4 years. Did not play till soph. Those UK teams were ‘seasoned’. Today’s game is far different. Cannot compare fresh apples to mature oranges ( pun not intended) .
Anyone recall how the fans wanted Hall to leave because he was not Rupp? Note too, his 78 team was seasoned.
Moral: players are seeking the NBA; have ability to portal wherever; and it is rare to have those that stay the course. In my view, it is not Cal rather the state of the game. In any case, let’s give ‘em time.
Have you all noticed that Cal looks the same for every interview he has? It is just that smug, condescending look of "hey I got this…what are you worrying about..we are a young team, and we have some injuries. We will get it worked out" Speaking of injuries, are there any other teams out there that contend with the real, soft, or even mysterious injuries like we have under this fraudster? I am in the camp of feel more are manufactured than actual. This gives me cover for his blundering coaching and losses.
Yes, and now add Bruiser to that list as well–he did the Monday press conf for the man behind the curtain, but it might as well have been the man behind the curtain that came out–he has all his assistants now talking and sounding just like him, and blabbering out the same incoherent drivel and B.S., same arrogant, condescending, sh***y attitude, "yea we got this, we’re gonna b just fine, we’re not down, we aint 6-15, we’re 15-6"–sorry dude, 15-6 at the first of FEB at KY is not up to our standard–remember where u are, dude–im over it–its one thing to see CAL go thru all of that, we’re used to that, but it’s another to see his assistants come out and leave u saying it might as well have been CAL! I have no respect for any of them, CAL’S assistants are all his little "yes-men", they don’t give a damn one Abt KY bball or the fans or about coaching here, they’re just all here to make the KING look good and feel good! Whatever he needs to feel better, that’s what they’re in charge of. He probably gives them a pre-scripted list of certain things to say, and certain ways to answer questions. It’s also interesting how Kenny Payne alot of times sounds very similar to this as well in his pressers–its that CAL effect, man. The guy is pure poison and toxicity, and he has brought about and spread that all thruout our fan base, and he knows it too. And I think that’s what things like the kneeling was all about, and other things that have happened since COVID–deep inside he has never had any respect for this fan base, and ever since COVID, he has taken many opportunities to "throw daggers", to use his term, at us, and to do or say certain things that he knows will be a middle finger to us. I love how he always says he "doesn’t listen to or pay attn to the noise or the clutter" right at the very times the noise and the clutter are at their peak! LOL well CAL, how do u know, buddy? How do u know there is noise and clutter that u don’t want to listen to? Classic narcissist sociopathic maniac–im with another commenter I saw this weekend that said CAL’s narcissism and demeaning attitude may be as a result of like mental illness–i agree he may be slipping– he has been in this UNTOUCHABLE KING role for so long that it has consumed him. I honestly don’t see him going on much longer here. Alot of it is wishful thinking, yes, but when u look at the whole picture objectively, and look at him, he doesn’t look well, and doesn’t sound well–and idk that he is. Like how fun can this be for him anymore? How can he possibly be happy? He knows people are over him, he knows ppl want him out. It’s not the same CAL as 10 yrs ago, or as pre-COVID, y’all–its just not. This is a completely different man than the one who originally took the job. I do think it’s possible that maybe he has been ready to end it, but that he privately decided in advance that this would be his last season because he had promised the Wagner family, due to the relationship he has with them, that he would make sure to get DJ to the league, get him drafted, and make sure to get him the money he needs, and that that was his last "promise" he felt he had to fulfill. I mean u know he’s not going to go anywhere until that happens, for sure. But its something I thought about like over the summer, and for now is just a personal theory, but it’s something to keep in mind and keep an eye on.
I played on sprained ankles. 1. Ice it for 3 or 4 days. 2. Tape it up. 3. Go play. It doesn’t take a month to get over a sprained ankle.
This has been a long recovery
That is not really anything new from most of the time he has been here Mike
Great article and full of truth! Lay off the kids! Every year has had the same common denominator….Calipari! How many times can you watch a dunk on the inbounds play game after game and not come up with a fix? How many layups before you figure out…it isn’t working! Now the older guys are laying down! That’s all Coaching! You don’t lose at home if you are UK! KU doesn’t, Duke doesn’t! UCONN doesnt! UK…all year long! Enough is enough, the man cannot Coach!
This is a slap in the face to beloved coach rupp and his arena
Tina, you are right. We no longer are the Kentucky basketball that we all grew up with. We have become the next Indiana. Maybe the Commondores will have mercy on us tonight….maybe.
Recruit Kentucky players who want to be here and want to play for all the fans of Kentucky basketball. A team I loved was the young men who stayed and took down to last minute shot. They played with heart, passion, and Kentucky. Cal has won with lottery picks, who can’t win with AD? I’ll take Kentucky high school players coach them up and watch heart and loyalty win
I just wanted to add that I will not let the athletic director nor the coach keep me from watching my KY Wildcats Mens Basketball team. I’ve kept out of the debate of Calipari, truly waiting to see if we can even beat Vandy. We should with or without Wagner or Mitchell. We have enough to win. Same changes in the players occurred on last year’s team. Wish we had the inside scoop on that. Why we lost Lance is beyond my comprehension.
One of the largest mistakes Cal makes is talking down to the Kentucky fans as if we’re idiots. He has in numerous occasions chastised BBN. After all this time, he still doesn’t get it. Most Kentucky fans could give a flip about the NBA. One of the poorest states in the country, people would save to go to maybe one game in a lifetime. Families would plan their day around every game. Some would say get a life, but in Kentucky basketball was life. It’s all that many had to look forward to. There was once pride in being the Gold Standard, having the most wins, watching teams fear Rupp Arena. Not anymore. He just doesn’t get it.
No defense, constantly out coached by relatively young coaches which is extremely embarrassing, the man will NOT play zone which is mind boggling and idiotic. Can’t adjust defensively to save his life. How many guys have lit us up and we can’t adjust. Clayton Jr. from Florida single handily beat us. What does Calimari do, NOTHING.
When we win a national championship you all will be wow I love this team and all the negativity you are putting out is going to be for nothing so cry me a River I am sticking with them through it all good bad what ever.
Got to believe Craig
Why can’t you idiots support these kids and coaches, enjoy the experience that is college basketball. You spend so much time analyzing and critiquing 17 year old kids and the men who are teaching them the game of basketball you forget to enjoy the experience. Today’s SEC is not the same SEC I grew up with. The days of UK or anybody else winning the conference with 1 to 2 losses is over. The league has too many talented coaches and players. My advice to you is learn to enjoy the experience. If not find another team that “MEETS THE GOLD STANDARD”, whatever that is‼️
If Rick had stayed at UK I think we would have had a few more championships hanging from the banners. Hate what happened at Louisville, but he was one hell of a coach. You would think after what South Carolina did to UK this year, Cal would have made some adjustments, but he didn’t. He always talks about if you play here you will play defense. Maybe he needs to coach on how to play defense, maybe he doesn’t know how!
Rick Pitino won’t you please come home!!!!!
Heard at the Vanderbilt game the NBA all-star game has 7 players from Kentucky. The most ever by any program. And yet the Wildcats haven’t won since 2012. You can’t blame it on lack of talent.
Ok now that most of you know more about coaching that Cal who would you want to replace him. Look at J’s record I would not want him.
Excited for the new era! Let’s Go CATS!!