No, of course not. Yes it is disappointing that we are having such a bad year. Yes, I know we haven’t won a championship since 1998. It was with Pitino’s players huh? Ok, so wasn’t Roy Williams’ championship at UNC more or less with Matt Doherty’s players? Of course it was. Would Carolina have won the championship with Doherty still at the helm? No one can say for sure. Not to belabor the point but if Pitino get’s the credit for Tubby’s first year success then Buzz Peterson should get credit for everything that Bruce Pearl accomplishes this year.
Now that that’s out of the way, let me say that I by no means agree with everything that Tubby has done, is doing, and will do. His style is slow and monotonous occasionally but I can also admit that it is thrilling basketball when the defensive pressure gets cranked up and the 3’s start to fly.
Tubby isn’t going anywhere right now unless he decides to act on some of the rumors of previous years and leave because of all the pressure/expectations. Other than that, it would be insane for UK, Mitch Barnhart, or most importantly for the fans with some sort of agenda besides winning to try to run him out of town. I think most people understand that this is simply a blip on the radar screen of Kentucky basketball and not a trend. Go Cats!
February 14th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Didnt get lofton…got beat by tennessee at Rupp and lofton had 31….Took back Morris after he abandoned them….has not brought a national championship to kentucky in 7 years the second longest period without a NCAA championship only 3 more years and it will be….Tubby has a lucerative contract which is crazy for a coach to have a 10 year contract with only 3 years experience bad decision by the board even if he led the cats to a national championship with Pitinos boys…now on to that subject you cant say that Buzz Peterson should recieve credit for Bruce Pearls success this year because Bruce Pearl has that Volunteer team playing like none other and after beating the Cats impressivley at Rupp i feel that in the coming years Lofton will light up that building and put it in Tubby boys face. Pitino had a championship with that 98 team 2 years before that team was made by Pitino…and you cant say that this wasnt written by a kentucky boy because im proud of it but not of the defence tubby is getting from these fans that think he is god….
February 15th, 2006 at 9:17 am
Hey man thanks for checking out the site. You made some good points, no denying that. I’m really not trying to be a Tubby apologist; I just don’t think it’s time to write Tubby off at this point. I’m right there with you yelling at the TV every week when Rondo is taking yet another 3 and even earlier this year when Patrick wasn’t taking that same shot. At least when Patrick puts up that shot I feel like it has a chance to go in. I think everyone regrets not getting Lofton. Man was that a huge mistake by everyone in the state. It would be awesome to have someone so Tayshaun or Delkesque.
By no stretch of the imagination do I see Barnhart or the board allowing Tubby to have two consecutive “bad” seasons at this point. Tubby has had the 10 loss seasons before but I think that was too early in his tenure for the AD to do anything at that point. It would have reflected negatively on the University of Kentucky.
I was just trying to prove a point with the Buzz/Bruce comparison. Buzz didn’t have the history of winning that Pearl has shown this year, but it is tiring to hear people give Tubby zero credit for that championship. I by no means think that Tubby is God but he isn’t the devil either. Go Cats!
February 15th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Thanks for supporting your team and your coach. It’s nice to see someone take a positive approach to UK hoops. There are too many gloom-and-doom naysayers. I think this team will get better. I think they’ll be even better next year. I think every program (yes, EVERY program and every coach) has periods where they aren’t on top of the heap. The parity in college basketball is such these days that competing for a national championship year-after-year is going to take a toll. To have been a top-seed in the Big Dance every year he’s been here and to have won pretty much every SEC title every year is mighty impressive. Give him a break. Now, if this happens again next year, or if they get worse…it may be time to take a look at that contract. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be held accountable…but there are a LOT of unreasonable expectations out there. Only one team in the last ten years has won more than one championship–Connecticut. The last team to do it before them–Kentucky. Let’s look at the big picture, folks. I have a lot of pride and don’t want to lose our foothold as the winningest program of all time and all that goes with that…but that just isn’t going to happen. Nobody, including Tubby Smith, will let that happen. Imagine the frustration of Indiana right now. And has anyone see Louisville play? They’re terrible. They’ve got talent, too. It must be their coach, right? Tubby cares about his players and is foremost concerned about them becoming better men, and he has more integrity than any other coach out there. We should be honored to have Tubby Smith leading our program. Basketball is only a part of these players’ lives…and Tubby teaches them that. If only we fans could learn a lesson or two from him, we’d probably lose a lot less sleep over our beloved Cats. GO BLUE!
February 15th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Exactly.
February 15th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Well if you cat fans are having fun now , just wait till next year! its going to be a blast without no shot Rondo and too slow Sparks. Also consider Morris being taken by a team needing a big man. With another stellar recruiting class coming in we could be looking at the cellar. But hey isnt that where the good wine is stored? I guess the cat fans can get drunk and party..
February 15th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
I don’t think it is fun at all right now. Actually it’s quite painful to watch at this point. By no means should failure be tolerated with Tubby at the helm. No matter what happens this year, I would say even if the whole thing implodes and we lose every game from here on out will Tubby be fired. In my opinion that is just the way it would work out. Barnhart would give him one more year to turn it around. Tubby has a history of making players overachieve and correcting attitude problems (if there are any). Rashaad Carruth comes to mind although I can’t point out any one player with an attitude that bad. I do expect to see some players “transferring” after this year. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Shagari transfer given his lack of playing time and difficulty with academics.
February 15th, 2006 at 11:43 pm
You my friends are idiots. The man is no more than Gerry Faust,Bob Davies, Bill Callahan, Joey Meyer or the man nobody knows that succeeded Al McQuire at Marquette. It is a fact that he has never coached a player in the Final Four that he has recruited and effective next year he will tie the longest UK drought from the Final Four in my lifetime.
February 16th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
I do belive it would be nice to see a coaching change. I just dont belive that Tubby Smith is the right man fore the job expectations are way to hi and it seems to me there is no recruiting. All Americans that have been recruited have not lifed up to expectations. I miss the days of run and gun Kentucky basketball whene it was fun to watch not falling asleep ball where your team looks more like high school kids scared and not knowing what to do but I am and always will be a Kentucky fan and no matter I will stand behind my cats even thru the bad times. Go Big Blue
February 16th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
Waynecat thanks for the comment, it makes a lot of sense. I completely understand what you are saying. But I still do have to point out last year’s recruiting class. I think just about any other coach in the nation would have traded classes with Tubby before the start of last year. It isn’t necessarily all Tubby’s fault for the problems that those three are having. Joe Crawford was being selfish and left because of a lack of playing time when it comes right down to it. Some of that pressure probably came from his family though. Maybe Rondo isn’t playing in the right system. But when he does “take over” the game he isn’t quite ready to do that yet. He can slash and score but he doesn’t have the clock management, jump shooting, and free throw skills yet. And yet is the key word there. And Randolph, he just made a bad decision, plain and simple.
Not to go to much longer in the comment, but I also agree that Pitino and Tubby’s offensive mindset couldn’t be further from each other. It’s not quite Dean Smith’s college basketball destroying four-corners either though.
February 17th, 2006 at 12:11 am
Whats killing Kentucky right now is Tubby’s inability to develop his talent.. He never has been able to. It’s killing recruiting too because other coaches have to be using this against him. His players simply dont improve from year to year. Prince has been his only player to flourish in the NBA and honestly it surpised a lot of us. We never really saw NBA level play from him at UK. Regardless; you cant tell me that if Tubby got players like Magliore and Naz Muhammed in the condition that Pitino got them that Tubby would get them in the NBA in 3-4 years. Nor do I hear former players singing his praises either.
I don’t think his assistants are doing him proper service. Where are the Tubby coaching protege’s? Tubby can coach defense no doubt, but if he can’t coach offense, or positions other than forward; ie guard and big men, then why does’t he hire some assistants who can. I’ll leave the slow ball boredome for another day
February 17th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
I was excited when I learned Tubby was hired, although I hadn’t watched many Tubby coached games, all I could think was Pitino assistant. After that 98 season it all went down hill, his offense reminds me of a pick up game at an old folks home (no offense to old people) and I cant stand watching the games. I am a true blue fan through and through and will never miss a game, but by halftime I am asleep. I agree that he can’t develope his recruits, and I see Rondo, Morris and Crawford all leaving at years end, you think this season is bad, wait till next. The worse it gets, the harder recruiting is going to be for a new coach, or even for Tubby for that matter. Our programs prestige isn’t enough to attract big name recruits anymore, how often to you see a Kentucky highlight on Sports Center anymore? Thats right, you don’t!
February 18th, 2006 at 10:10 am
This site is a nice idea and I hope it succeeds in calming some of the Tubby bashers. Tubby does a good job and deserves more respect than he gets from some of the UK nation.
Fans should remember to focus on the positive….
February 19th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
Nice website. I am glad to see that some Cats fans have a little perspective cnd choose not to dwell on the negative. Go Cats and Go Coach Smith!
February 20th, 2006 at 4:12 am
Get off of Tubby’s back. Everyone talks Rick Pitino. Look at the season Louisville is having. Rick Pitino is no better than Tubby Smith. I am sick and tired of hearing all the whining. People just want a white head coach at Kentucky. It has been that way ever since Tubby got hired.
February 20th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
I have read alot of different things on here and there is alot of good info. I think Tubby has one of the best basketball minds in the country, but he just doesn’t have that something special to make players want to eat nails for him. I am also curious to see what you all think in regards to these topics?
1) Recruiting- Is it just me or does he have something against in-state recruits? Is Bradley any better than Lofton? Is Perry and better than that white kid at Xavier from Northern Kentucky?
2) Player Development- It was mentioned in a previous message, but has anyone really gotten any better? I know that Prince was mentioned, but he was considered a Top 5 recruit and fell to a late first round pick in his Sr year. I have question, how many top 5 recruits out of HS have even made it to their Sr year before moving on to the NBA as a top 15 pick? I would like to see that stat.
3) Motivation- How many times in Tubby’s tenure have you seen a team look like they have something better to do? I have been a fan for 31yrs and have seen alot of Kentucky Basketball and I know that I have never seen teams quit like I have with Tubby. That is what frustrates me more than anything. I can take losses and even losing records if the effort is there. Another thing, have there ever been as many players at Ky that just don’t want to be there? Crawford- Left team, Rondo- Wanted to go to Louisville, and Morris- Well you all know that one.
I think Tubby is nothing better than a Sweet 16 or Final 8 coach on his best day. He has been riding the NAME of Kentucky for too long and now it is catching up. As someone else pointed out, other coaches are using the above mentioned comments against him and we are getting leftovers. Why would a 7′6 center not be considered for the NBA out of HS? The answer- He is horrible!!
February 20th, 2006 at 10:16 pm
Tubby should not be fired. He should step down.
Tubby is a very smart man. He has to realize that the stars are not in alignment. Rupp Arena rocks like the local library. Players are not responding. Recruiting is marginal at best. Die hards are breaking away from the game to spy American Idol at record numbers. It’s just not right, people.
I agree with other comments that Tubby is a perennial Sweet 16 / Elite 8 coach. If we were Mississippi State or Bucknell, that would be great. We’re not. On that same note, it’s ridiculous for sports commentators to reduce UK fans to a pack of starved in-breds who can’t handle not winning a championship. That is not the issue. KY, overall, has embraced Tubby since his arrival. It has nothing to do with “Pitiner.” We don’t have to win a championship every year…let alone the SEC every year. But we better compete, play hard every night, and make clear that wearing the blue and white means something special. If you didn’t know any better, you would think this year’s team (exception of Ravi Moss, Brandon Stockton, etc) is playing for Alcorn State or Northeastern Southern University A & T.
Maybe Tubby can right the ship. I hope so. Would I bet on it? Abolutely not. We have no mo jo. Tubby can either hand the program off and stand proud of his accomplishments (which I believe are many), or he can ignore the stars and delay rebuilding for another year.
February 21st, 2006 at 9:51 am
If we have to play in the N.I.T., I then think it is time for a change. At this point we would so far down that we would be in reconstruction of the program anyway. So with that being said seems like a good time to clean the slate and get it right. Hey this is not personal and I am not prejudice.
Our students at UK have to pass their classes to succeed. Our basketball team is riding on a 2.0 grade average. In essence, I am glad for the talented folks at th UK who feed off of being way above average. They are a great representation of our college. Unfortunately, the basketball team does not share into that same committment. Ask the students and faculty what happens if you don’t make the grade. You are out.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:15 am
Just to respond to a couple of random points of the last few comments.
Does he have something against in-state recruits?
By my calculations 40% of this team is from KY. That wouldn’t say to me that he has “something against” in-state recruits. So he missed Lofton. So did Louisville, Duke, and North Carolina.
Rupp Arena rocks like the local library.
Blame that on the people in the lower arena that refuse to stand regardless or what is happening on the court. The next time you go to a game, you might want to take a look around at some of the other sections. Most of the upper arena behind UK’s bench stands for the entire game.
Players are not responding.
I think most of the players are responding. Players are excited on the bench. They cheer for the team when good things happen. For instance, when Patrick made the 3 close to then bench in the South Carolina game, he was getting hi-fives running back up the court. There is a player or two that feel they should be handed their minutes and they don’t have to earn them. They are not responding.
“Pitiner”
Ok, now that is funny. I haven’t heard or even thought of that before, but it does make perfect sense.
If we have to play in the N.I.T., I think it is time for a change.
We will be in the NCAA tournament.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Most of the fans in lower arena are 60 something long time season ticket holders, who by the time they cheer for a play the play is 3 plays old. They golf clap when good things happen. The real fans are the student section and the entire upper arena. With that said move the rich old folk to upper arena and let us real true blue fans get down close to the action and give the players something to play for!
February 21st, 2006 at 4:55 pm
At this point we are a solid 8-9 seed and I dont see us missing the NCAA tournament unless we lose every game from here on out. In the 8-9 spot we could very easily upset a #1 seeing we make it out of the first round. Seeing Kentucky lower than a 2-3 seed just blows my mind, our talent isn’t that bad
February 22nd, 2006 at 11:37 am
My problem is that Tubby has players on the team who contribute little to nothing to the team. In addition to those players he can’t get those that have talent to play for him. If Tubby is proving a point by playing many of his claiming horses instead of his Kentucky Derby studs then he needs to look at the end result to the Kentucky program. A coach is suppose to be able to motivate and he’s done a very poor job with Rondo and Morris, might as well include a few others. If one keeps seeing the same result one must focus on the problem as being Tubby. 50% of the time Tubby has been at Kentucky it’s been like watching paint dry. If the product is great the support will be great. Maybe that’s the opinion of a frontrunner but I would have killed to watch Kentucky for many years, now I have to check the schedule to see if they’re playing.
February 23rd, 2006 at 4:06 am
Please, Tubby haters, get a grip!
1 - Pitino was a good college coach once, but seriously, he has lost whatever touch he had by proving to be horrible at Boston. Maybe Tubby’s championship was with Pitino’s recruits, but remember, those same recruits got beat by Arizona with Mike (part time student) Bibby in 97, at which point your beloved Ricky bailed on us for kelly-greener pastures, then had the audacity to return to that southern Indiana town just south of the Ohio river.
2 - Tubby has done a great job in consistently winning the SEC regular season and championships, what other coach in the SEC has been as successful? For that matter, what other coach period has? Billy Donovan is a choke artist, who, on the 2 occasions when his gators were fortunate enough to get a #1 ranking, promptly got their heads handed to them by…who? That’s right, Tubby Smith’s Wildcats. Tubby has not been able to recruit all the cachet players, but perhaps that is because of the inherent (or perceived) racism of way too many Cat fans, and because Tubby doesn’t put up with all the prima donna BS that other coaches do (ask Carruth and Jason Parker, or for that matter, Joe Crawford). I also believe that Coach can get this team in shape by SEC tournament time. He knows what needs to be done, it’s just a matter of getting his team to believe in themselves, and continue to play solid defense.
3 - Talk about boring basketball? Am I the only one who remembers Eddie Sutton’s “pass the ball 15 times, and then turn it over” philosophy of coaching? The only thing he did while he was here was teach Rob “floor burn” Lock to flop on the court any time an opposing player got within 5 feet of him.
4 - Tubby is one of the best Coaches in the game. He out-coached Kroo-sha-woo-ski, and Rick Majur-artery blockage and gave us one of the most unforgettable seasons we’ve ever had.
5 - Who do you think could replace him? Name one coach who would take on the pressure cooker atmosphere of Kentucky basketball and be anywhere near as successful as Coach Smith. And if you say Pity-no, Coach K or Roy “crybaby” Williams, I will find you and kick you in the crotch.
6 - Finally…it’s my fault. Yes, I am to blame for the cat’s recent downturn. You see, I was at the Florida state fair last year and bought a UK cap at one of the vendors; I know I shouldn’t have done it, I mean, it’s not like I didn’t already own 6, but I liked it and the price was right…needless to say, not long after that, we lost to the gators in the regular season, and then in the SEC tournament. I hoped it was just a fleeting thing, and that the evil Florida vibe would soon wear off, but, alas, to no avail. Fear not though, for I am destroying said cap on the eve of the LSU game, and will send the ashes (UPS, not Emery) to the UK athletics dept. to be flushed down the commode in the Memorial Coliseum locker room. That should do the trick…and I am very, very sorry.
6 - Did I say (5) was finally? Oops. After the 97 season, I sent a basketball to UK for Pitino to sign. As we all know, Rick was too busy checking out the housing market in Massachusetts to sign it, but when Tubby got there, he signed it right away and sent it back to me. It holds a place of honor in my family room, a monument to a great coach and a truly Good human being. If my wife and I ever have kids, I would hope he or she would grow up to be as honest, forthright and hardworking a person as Coach Smith. If I had my druthers, I’d give him a lifetime contract. He knows there is more to life than basketball, even in Kentucky, and he strives to give his players a full and rich collegiate experience (while boasting among the best, if not the best, winning percentage in Division 1 men’s basketball) Go Cats!
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:33 am
I wasn’t saying that Tubby should be fired. He’s an excellent defensive coach and his players have not lived up to their billing. However, do you think we can win the NCAA or be competitive in the tournament, if we get there, with the players he’s been playing. If he gets the real stars going by doing what he has done, then he has been successful. I haven’t seen any signs that Rondo or Morris has given into Tubby’s game plan. Every reporter close to the team is saying that they don’t expect Rondo or Morris back next year. I don’t doubt that it’s Rondo and Morris’ fault but if KY is to win Tubby has to find away to get them to buy into what he wants. Otherwise, we’re going to be out.
February 24th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Who would replace Tubby? Billy Donovan? Mark Few? Bruce Pearl?
February 24th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Travis Ford
February 26th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
I think Tubby has done a good job in the past couple of years. From the 2002-2003 season Kentucky has an overall record of 95-25, that is including this horrible season. Two years ago he had one of the best recruiting classes in the nation in Rajon Rondo, Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris. Then, this past off-season he picks up Adam Williams and Jared Carter who have combined for just 1.9 points and 1.8 rebounds. But on the brightside if Rondo, Crawford and Morris do stay with the team I think they have a great chance of possibly winning a ntional title in the next two years. It’s a shame he couldn’t have gotten Patrick Sparks three years ago when he left my despicable county to go play college basketball and it’s also a shame that he couldn’t have gotten Chris Lofton who will be the best guard in the nation one day. To all UK fans look to the future because UK basketball has a bright future.
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:57 pm
TO ALL YOU SO CALLED FANS WHO WANT TUBBY FIRED.”HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?” REPLACE HIM WITH WHO? RUPP IS NOT COMMING BACK” BESIDE THE GAME HAS PASSED HIM BY”, YOU HAVE TO BE THE SAME FOLKS WHO HATED JOE B. SO HE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. EDDIE HAS SOME PROBLEMS, BUT HIS SON MAY BE AVAILABLE. RICK IS DOING SO WELL AT LOUISVILLE, I DON’T THINK HE IS READY TO COME BACK. OH THATS RIGHT HE’S NOT DOING ALL THAT WELL. TRAVIS MAYBE WE SHOULD SEE IF HE CAN WIN IN THE A-10 BEFORE WE GIVE HIM A CALL. BILLY IS HAPPY IN THW SUNSHINE STATE, AND THEY DON’T CARE IF HE WINS THE BIG ONE, OR ANY GAME THAT REALLY COUNTS. SO WHO? IF WE FIRE TUBBY WE CAN ONLY GO DOWN.
March 5th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
I have supported Tubby through the tough times but I have come to the point where there is no excuse for this team to be as bad as they are. So you ask yourself what is it if we have the talent it must be the coach. Or maybe Tubby should do his own recruiting because things are not looking any better for next year. We are Kentucky basketball all of a sudden were not getting the proper talent to play at Kentucky. So we bring in 3 Mcdonalds all americans again what good could it do if we get the best class every year if there is no leadership to follow. I think that the real problem isn’t Tubby with the recruites I think its more Tubby’s style no one want to play this style ball. Either Tubby changes or he has got to go.
Destrot Kentucky fan
March 10th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Tubby should step down. Things that he did not accomplished while he is at UK (not to forget the $ he is getting):
1) The results, missing from NCAA tourment final 4 or even 8
2) Can’t recruit any good players. Look at UNC or Duke or UCon for instance
3) Though he has a good winning records but who they play against? Crappy team like Ole Miss? LOL and lost all the big games
4) Yes, He did won the NCAA title but from whatever Pitino built upon. So technically he did not win it
March 10th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
I think hes a sorry coach nothing persanol i just dont like his coaching style thank god for Jeff Sheperd in 98 or we would have lost that one he kept them together i quit ky in 98 and will not watch them again till tubby hall leaves sorry he sucks.
March 10th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
To bad Steve, you missed a hell of a game today.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
And im glad and whats the deal with these wackos playing the race card i dont care what anybodys skin color is im not a hatemonger if you suck as a coach you suck bar none i dont care if you are pink and purple pockadots.
March 11th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Hey webmaster im glad once again i missed a hell of a game today.
March 13th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
I can’t believe the die hard idiots that stil love tubby. Thye have to be the same idiots that believe that radical muslims won’t hurt you. I bet they are all George Clooney lovers.
This program is toxic. Tubby can’t coach. He can’t recruit. He can destroy this tradition rich school. He must go in order to save this program.
North Carolina is right at our heels.
March 13th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Ahhh there we go. Thanks Mark Dodds. There’s the good old fashioned hate-mongering this site has been missing.
March 13th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
I am a long time KY Wildcat. My grandfather was the Athletic Director and Head Basketball coach for Henderson and then Owensboro. He had many dealings with Adolph Rupp including many recruiting trips and even dinners with Adolf’s family. Needless to say, Wildcat tradition runs extremely deep in my family. That said, there is more to coaching that many people realize. It’s not just about court strategy or how hard you work in practice. A college coach’s responsibility is to develop talented kids mentally more than anything else. Granted, there is much more pressure at Kentucky than any other school (at least in my opinion), but if Tubby needs to do anything, it’s get his kids mentally prepared for every game and I don’t believe that he’s done that. Too many times our guys come out playing scared on the offensive end. As a KY fan, I don’t know how you can’t feel it. You can smell it in the air. The guys on the court with ice water running through their veins have been few and far between and “Defense Wins Games” is a term used describing football…not basketball. I think that Tubby sees himself as a revolutionary…he thinks that a strong defense is all you need and in this day and age it is simply untrue. KY has absolutely no balance on the offensive end of the court. You just can’t win championships that way. The ‘98 guys were winners on and off the court. It was their character that won that championship. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen guys with the type of character that guys like Shephard, Delk, Mills, and Padgett have/had. Quality of character is important in recruiting and developing winners. I just don’t think Tubby has it in him in that regard.
March 14th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
I would like to know which team the first commentator in this thread has been watching. Kentucky went from 1978 to 1996 without a national title. Even a Kentucky public school graduate should be able to figure out that is eighteen years!
March 18th, 2006 at 8:54 am
I don’t think there is a better x’s & o’s coach in the country. I believe the problem lies in getting the players to execute, and play for the name on the front of the jersey. With Pitino, you either played hard, or you were let go. (see Roderick Rhodes)
A lot of KY fans ( me included) wanted McD’s All Americans. Well, now we have three, and Bradley. Worst seeding in 19 years. Talent does not necessarily win games…teamwork, execution and knowing your role on the TEAM wins games.
Tubby made some mistakes recruiting…There are 5 scholarship players who are good, but not KY good. They didn’t turn into what the coaches believed they could be. Maybe they were supposed to be the role players and we didn’t get the “Blue Chippers”. Who knows.
The “buck” stops at the head coach. But, the assistant coaches have a lot to do with individual workouts, scouting, preperation, and running practices. One thing Pitino had were GREAT assistants. I think this is where our problem is. However, the head coach is responsible for hiring them, so, the problem now belongs to him.
I believe that Tubby pulls the players too quickly after a mistake. Last night I watched him yank Bradley, put in Moss, then watch Moss do something careless as well. While I don’t agree, we as fans do not know what goes on in practice, and whether or not this is something that has been a recurring problem.
Coaches have down years too. They are human. The track record here ( on paper) is a gradual decline. But, what if Bogans didn’t sprain his ankle? What if Morris didn’t listen to whatever drug induced dream he was having when he entered the draft? What if Azibuke was back? Some things coaches have no control over.
Coaches will come and go. Players will come and go, make mistakes, underachieve, overachieve, be loved and hated. The one constant is that KY basketball is what we love.
March 19th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
tubby is a good coach, “assistant coach”. he has not lived up to the high standards that the kentucky fans have set. He can not bring in the big talent we are used to getting. history repeates itself, I don’t want to see another season or past seasons since tubby recruited his own team. Sometimes change is good. Lets find out.
March 20th, 2006 at 8:08 am
Tubby Smith is a fool, and he needs to leave UK NOW! He is driving away many long-time UK fans and alumni (including me). He is worse than that drunk Eddie Sutton. Bring back the pride and tradition of Big Blue Basketball. SINK THE TUB!
March 20th, 2006 at 10:04 am
Ok first and for most about the tubby smith roy williams comparison not so good bud. Doherty’s recruited those players however was a failing coach at NC. That is why they got rid of him, they brought someone in to do the job and he did it. Doherty was a great recruiter but not a winner. It is a whole differnt situation. The team went from nobody’s to somebodys when williams took over because he was a great coach. The tubby situation hes not horriable coach but hes not a Kentucky coach either. The best program in college history deserves the best and we have mediocre. Tubby inherited a amazing team, any youth coach in America could have won a title with them. Pitino was already winning before tubby got there. You see the differnce, if we get a new coach at Uk Gonzagas coach would be fine actually any good coach would be fine. We need a change we went from champs to chumps. In college basketball it truly all lies on the coach. He recruits he coachs thats all basketball is. Given the fact that Uk alone will attract a few players. Its time get rid of them I am tired of losing. I can’t think of one person who generally likes him. So why do we wait to fire him. One more season, one more dissappointment lets get rid of him so we get another championship banner!!!!!!!!!!
March 21st, 2006 at 4:33 pm
since im a big LOUISVILLE fan, i think they should give him a LIFETIME contract! first we got PITINO who is the BEST TEACHER OF THE GAME IN THE COUNTRY, WE ARE NOW IN A BETTER LEAGUE(THE BIG EAST) !! AND RICKY IS BUILDING A MONSTER IN LOUISVILLE!!! by contrast Tubby can’t coach i agree with some other posters here that his players don’t get any better. Look he got REAL LUCKY WITH THE 1998 TEAM !!! i dont’ see any full court pressure from UK anymore, that went out when tubby came in. I also agree that the program is headed downward!!! Now if you are a recruit and it’s either UofL or Uk who do YOU WANT TO PLAY FOR? IT’S GOT TO BE RICK PITINO, NOT TUBBY SMITH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 21st, 2006 at 4:45 pm
This year you couldn’t spell NIT without Pitino.
March 21st, 2006 at 5:06 pm
that may be true but UK should not even have made the NCAA tourney this year, maybe tubby and mitch should call and see if they can still get into the nit. you might win one game with that “genius” coach of yours !!!!!
March 21st, 2006 at 5:50 pm
for all of you Joe hall former bashers. Joe has a better record in his tenure than tubby does in his first 9 years at the helm joe went to a final four title game (1975) won an NIT(1976) , won the national championship 1978. by contrast Tubby has 1 national title (with the players recruited and DEVELOPED BY RICK PITINO) tubby IS LEFTY DRISELL ,with a little luck !!!!!!! go cards baby!!!!!!!!!!!
March 21st, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Im a lifetime uk fan and all my ky sports wear is still hanging in the closet since 97 and will remain there until we scrub the Tub. And anybody with common basketball sense knows full well we won with Rick Patinos team in 98 you can plainly look back and see it all as a silk curtain. If the players did not take control then we would have lost then to. I give credit were credit is due Rick has allready forgot more than Tubby will ever know about coaching and thats just the facts and let me tell you if you remember it took Rick awile when he first took over ky to. I will tell you not that im drooling over Rick but he will be as dangerous as a cocked cannon count on it.
March 21st, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Whey fire Tubby when he’s great coach.
March 21st, 2006 at 10:03 pm
UofL vs UK: the breakdown, First, conference affiliation, big edge LOUISVILLE. Recruiting edge louisville,(ricky has done a great job in this dept).Facilities-edgeLOUISVILLE,a new arena will soon go up as well as a new practice facility as well,Rupp arena needs to be either overhauled or build anew place. COACHING: AS dick Vitale would say “an NC er baby noooooooo contest”! PITINO is THE BEST COACH IN AMERICA BA-BY” . TUBBY CANNOT CARRY HIS CLIPBOARD!!!!!
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:18 pm
There is only one coach that I would like to see come to Kentucky, and I would have no qualms seeing Tubby go if we could get him:
Thad Matta
Career Record
2000-01 Butler 24-8 (.750)
2001-02 Xavier 26-6 (.813)
2002-03 Xavier 26-6 (.813)
2003-04 Xavier 26-11 (.703)
2004-05 Ohio State 20-12 (.625)
2005-06 Ohio State 26-6 (.813)
Totals 148-49 (.751)
The man is clearly a proven winner whereever he goes. But of course, his recruiting class at OSU next year is stellar, and it would be surprising to see him leave a program that he has worked so diligently to build. However, everybody has their price and I’m sure if he got a Tubby pay rate, he would be on I-71 with a moving van in tow.
In fact, with all the talk of Pitino, Ricky himself said just the other day on the Dan Patrick Show that he thought the best coach in the country right now is Thad Matta. To think of Roy Williams, Coach K, Tubby, Billy Donovan and of all the others, he picked Matta. If you respect Pitino for his coaching ability and his tenure at UK, then it would be agreeable that his statement speaks volumes.
Furthermore, for anyone thinking that Tubby will be fired, go ahead and get over that. His severance pay alone would be enough to prevent that from happening. I don’t know if Tubby will leave, and I kind of doubt he will, but should he, I hope Mitch Barnhardt gives serious consideration to Mr. Matta. I also think that any number of great programs would be lucky to get him, and he has reportedly said he has no interest in the Indiana job, but can still talk to schools through mid-April, per his contract.
Just thought I would offer my two cents.
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Thad Matta is a great coach, but I don’t see him leaving Ohio St with the recruiting class he has coming in next year.
March 22nd, 2006 at 6:08 pm
the only way i see tubby leaving is for an nba job or the only other thing is they get a group fo boosters together and buy him out. Uof L bought out denny crum, if they have another bad year, or a debacle like 2002 it could happen. before you sink the TUB your gonna have to DITCH MITCH.
March 24th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Thanks to Jerm for all that info on Thad Matta. I had no idea his record was so sterling. I know he is a great recruiter-just look in the back pages of this year’s Cat’s Pause. I guess I can consider adding him to my list of Donovan, Izzo, Calipari, and Pitino.
I am not one of these people who want to burn Tubby at the stake. I think he is a great coach and I truly believe he is an upstanding human being, but I think his vision for Kentucky and the tradition of Kentucky are not the same. There have been too many scholarships squandered on 7 footers with bad hands and “Princes” who want to be a one man show.
Rondo coming here was an accident-thanks Rick and Sebastian. Imagine what could have been; Rondo dishing to Lofton. Those two working in tandem would have combined for 35 or 40 a game. But we will never know. I have some classes with Chris Lofton’s cousin. He tells me it was Chris’s life long ambition to play at Kentucky. What a tragedy.
There is a good chance Tubby will move on to the NBA this year. As much as he is not a recruiter he is great with a clipboard. I can see him winning an NBA title with an organization that will go after the players.
I am willing to wager that when Tubby does leave Rick Pitino will be on ESPN once again moaning about how he “Gave up Camelot”. Yeah, we would have him back.
March 29th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
if i were Rondo and i can go in the first round, i leave immediatly, Tubby has shown he is NOT VERY GOOD at developing players, and maybe with the right nba coach he will develop. He should have gone and played for THE BEST COACH IN AMERICA, the one, the only RICK PITINO!!!!!!
March 31st, 2006 at 12:58 am
I think Tubby Smith will go the same route as Joe B. Hall and retire in a couple of years. If he does not improve the team’s performance before then, yes then consider a change. The history alone should be enough to bring high profile players to UK. But somehow Tubby can’t seem to bring them in on his own. I’m 66 and would like to see Kentucky and or Louisville bring another championship to my home state before I go to the big court in the sky.
Ed Harper
Mesa, Az.
April 1st, 2006 at 5:57 pm
Why keep a loser? I say Tubby needs to go. Should have never been there to start with.
April 4th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Well Billy Donavan done it on his own to we should have fished harder for this guy instead we have a loser. That will shush his critics chirp chirp.
April 4th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
I said it when Ky hired him and nothing has happened to change my mind, people said oh look what he’s done at Tulsa and Georgia and my response was and is ,Yep Ky will be playing right down there on their level! and guess what we are!
It’s time for Tubby to step down and Ky to get a Billy Donovan who by the way we sould have gotten in the first place.
April 4th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
Steve Man You Hit The Nail On The Head. You To Ky Bob
April 6th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Billy donovan SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE JOB!!! i agree UK now plays on the level of Tulsa and Georgia !!!!!! plus look at all the players that have left, marvin stone (who never got any better) desmond allison,rajon rondo probaly left because tubby has not developed him either,compare UK’s 2004 recruiting to Florida’s and billy donovan has done A MUCH BETTER JOB OF DEVELOPING HIS PLAYERS AND GETTING THEM TO PLAY AS A TEAM. A COACH HAS TO 1) RECRUIT GOOD PLAYERS AND 2) DEVELOP THIER SKILLS TUBBY DOES NOT DO THAT. IF I AM A RECRUIT I EITHER PLAY FOR PITINO OR BILLY DONOVAN NOT TUBBY!!!!!!!!!!
April 6th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
l have loved the wildcats for over 50 years but my heart has just been torn out as the years past. i know tubby is a good man but i hate to say he is the wrong coach for uk. if fl can recruit nat champ players then surely you can at uk - look at the results and scores the last two years between uk-fl. we are falling farther behind each year now . like others i worry that next year could see us fall all the way to the bottom of the east. i for one would vote for a house cleaning - mitch then must go also.
April 9th, 2006 at 10:20 am
I think tubby is still trying to figure out who his starting five should be for
2005-2006.tubby cant recruit because a great player does not want to play for uk if he is going to set the bench. I think he is about crazzy because as soon as some body starts to get hot he sets them on the bench.
April 9th, 2006 at 9:14 pm
something needs to be done yesterday, let’s get rid of Mitch fast, and right behind him Tubby, Ky. basketball program is going down hill faster then a rubber ball can! since i no longer care about KY. BASKETBALL, my team won the NCAA! would love to have a team from UK. again to be proud of, Uof L is ok, they have a great coach! but it is still RED U of L, not my favorite color~~~BLUE! Hey, how great it would be to see some good old KY BOYS on the court again?? Rem the unforgetable team? what a time we had then, fast ball moving up and down the court! now you can take a bathroom break, and uk is still slow poke up toward goal! TUB. does not seem to like our Ky. born and bred boys!!!
April 10th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
You go Madeline!! YEP, Ky is really sucking right now it is time for Tubby to GO!!!!
April 15th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
I’m going to throw something out here for people to think about. I have seen on this forum and several others people claiming that UK has gone the longest period of years without a title under Tubby Smith. In truth, they went from 1978 to 1996, 18 years , without a title. Before that they went from 1958 to 1978, 20 years. 14 of those years they were coached by Adolph Rupp. Were people calling for his head on a platter?
April 16th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
Thats exactly right andy thats the reason we see it for what he is and we are not waiting another 20 years he still sucks.
April 17th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
You didn’t answer my question. I didn’t give my opinion about Tubby Smith one way or the other. I was just curious if some of the older fans remembered if people were calling for Rupp’s resignation when he went 14 years without a title. Jeez you people are so quick to show your ignorance.
April 17th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Its not ignorance we have been there and done that sorry Andy. We are the older peaple if i wait another 20 years ill be dead lol.
April 17th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
My point is this. You could say Tubby Smith is not a good fit at UK and should leave. That’s a reasonable statement that you have a good chance of convincing people to agree with. However, to make the statement that he “sucks” is pure ignorance. The man has consistently won at every school he coached, including UK. That’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. Deal with it! You’re not being a fan, you’re being a fanatic. There’s a big difference.
April 18th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
he sucks i dont care what you say he sucks im not the fanatic you can lick his ass if you want im not.
April 18th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Oh yea those scools are not uk he might be good at eku or morehead face it dude he cant coach. I fall asleep every time i watch a game good greif wake up!
April 19th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
That’s right, resort to badly spelled name calling. That really helps you get your point across!
April 19th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Once again I feel the need to point out that I haven’t given my opinion of Tubby Smith one way or the other. Yet this idiot attacks me and calls me names when I was just trying to show him that there are better ways to get a point across than name calling. If you would keep the inbred fans mouths shut you might get something done about getting Tubby to leave, they don’t help your cause one bit.
April 19th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Madeline,
I remember the Unforgettables very well. I remeber that the were gutsy, hard-working Kentucky boys. I also remember that they lost more games than any of Tubby’s teams.
April 19th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Andy, you say Tubby is a winner, sure he can go 20-10 every year and have winning records, but thats not KENTUCKY basketball!!!!! He has settled in and got comfortable with his job and thats all he is going to give us!
April 19th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Hey dude you called me a fanatic first back up and look facts are facts. And all so i am not a inbred thank you i”m just a fan thats forgot more basketball than you will ever know my freind have a gooday.
April 19th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Why don’t you back up and read? Not once have I said I’m a Tubby Smith fan. But just because I refuse to join the name calling chorus you attack and call me names. You say look at the facts, everything I have said is true. Tubby Smith has consistently won every place he’s coached. I agree he doesn’t belong at UK. He should go somewhere he is appreciated. I am a bigger college basketball fan than you’ll ever be but I don’t just fanatically follow one team. You certainly express yourself like an inbred idiot. Since that’s the only thing you understand:
WHY DON”T YOU GO BRUSH YOUR TOOTH!
May 17th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
let’s see now there’s LSU which went to the Final four,FLORIDA,WHICH WON IT ALL, Tennessee which is on the way up.Now is tubby as good a coach as any of these schools coaches? THE ANSWER IS…………NO !!!!!!!!!! A BAD COACH AND A MUCH TOUGHER LEAGUE !!!!!!!!!! TIME TO TELL TUBBY TO ……….. HIT THE BRICKS !!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2006 at 1:17 pm
a lot has gone down hill for the wildcats since 1998. tubby has failed to keep UK at the top of the basketball world. a down year is understandable but a downward spiral is not. The recruiting has been terrible. orbzut and alleyene?? thomas and perry?? stockton and moss?? these guys are merely role players and are far from the dominant players UK routinely signed in the 90`s. i am a very patient person and can also handle a few bad years but when you see a escalating problem, why not fix it? He cant recruit, recruits dont want to play for him, why would you go to UK and score 50pts a game(team total)when you can go to UL and run up and down and score 90pts??? His substituting and line-ups make no sense, and in my opinion is routinely outcoached. and how about all of the troubled players and the transfers that have happened under Tubby? that definitely cant have a positive impact on recruiting! ask bradley, hogan, parker, carruth, chiles, etc. if they would recommend a player to play for UK. Im one of the biggest UK supporters out there and im not sure if i would recommend my own son, to play for Tubby, thats sad!
May 23rd, 2006 at 9:05 pm
I agree Nate,Richard,Steve and Madeline, Tubby needs to step down. Do we have to get as bad as Indiana before any changes are made?
Money talks! so I say stay home until they get a new coach, nothing spells disapointment like empty seats at the games.
May 24th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
another lost recruit, forward tyler smith from tennessee opts to play for Steve Alford and Iowa, even though UK was offering a richer tradition, closer to home and more playing time, whats the problem?
June 1st, 2006 at 9:22 am
UK has now lost eight players since the season ended, four of whom still had eligibility remaining. Interestingly, more players have left the team this year than when former coach Eddie Sutton was forced to resign and players left due to the NCAA sanctions in the late 1980’s.
June 7th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
FIRE TUBBY
1. HE DOESNT PLAY ARE TRADITIONAL BLOW THEM OUT STYLE. FULL COURT D, AND RUN AND GUN!
2. HE IS SO SCARY WITH THOSE BIG BROWN BABY EYES!!! PLEASE
3. HE IS THE ONLY COACH I KNOW THAT MAKES MILLIONS TO COACH THE LAST MINUTE OF THE GAME, OR PICK YOUR NOSE IF YOUR 5 POINTS AHEAD AND DRIBBLE.
4. WE WILL ALWAYS LOSE TO FLORIDA NOW, I WILL BET ON THAT ONE! HE CANT DEFEAT THEM.
5. HE HAS GREAT MORALS, HE JUST CANT TAKE CARE OF HIS 12 CHILDREN IN KETUCKY JERSEYS AT THE CLUBS.
6. HIS OVERALL RECORD ALL YEARS BUT ONE, KEEPS SAGGING LOWER.
7. THERES PROBALLY A BETTER COACH IN OUR FAN BASE ALONE LIKE: SAM BOWIE, MRS. SMITH, WILDCAT MASCOT, ASHLY JUDD, JANITOR, SOMEBODY LIKE THAT.
8. HE TAKE US OUT AND KEEPS US OUT OF THE TOP 25. INFACT, WE ARE NOT A POWERHOUSE ANY MORE, WE ARE A PLAY HOUSE FOR OTHER TEAMS.
9. 100 REASONS BELOW I DONT HAVE TIME TO TYPE OUT.
10. BECAUSE FANS LIKE ME THAT WENT TO THE GAMES, KNOWS WHAT UK BALL IS LIKE BEFORE TUBBY, ARE SO SICK OF LOSING WITH A DIVISON F (FAILURE) COACH. ARE NOW TRANSFERING FANS TO LOUISIVILLE, AND DUKE!!!
June 8th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Why do all fo Tubby’s players do so well when they get away fuom him? Bogans Prince and just about everybody does much better when out of the oppressive hand of Smith
July 5th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
IF RONDO EXCELS IN THE NBA IT’S GONNA MAKE TUBBY LOOK PRETTY BAD. SOME SCOUTING REPORTS I READ WROTE” DID TUBBY SMITH HOLD HIM BACK? RONDO WAS SMART TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE BEFORE TUBBY RUINED HIM!!!!!!!! ( LIKE HE’S RUINING THE UK PROGRAM) YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT TUBBY WOULD HAVE TAUGHT RONDO HOW TO SHOOT. HE PLAYED FOR THE WRONG COACH! RICK PITINO WOULD HAVE TAUGHT HIM HOW TO SHOOT BECAUSE HE’S THE BEST TEACHER OF THE GAME IN THE BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 1st, 2006 at 4:26 pm
1. Anybody noticed Rhono is scoring 13-16 points a game in the pros???
2. Anybody noticed there was more female basketball coverage at midnite madness?
3. Anybody noticed UK has the most pitiful dunking contest there is, even with 7′0’s and just ask Bobby Perry.
4. Anbody noticed Bobby Perry is Uk’s Man now (Go to guy-team leader), that gives me alot of hope of still being Kentucky’s own Michael Jordan one day even though I have only a 24″ vertical.
5. Anybody John L. Smith is fired, wow Brooks must be a great coach to keep his job. I got it lets lose all football games now which wont be hard and maybe we can talk our idiot atheletic director to hire John L. Smith. Infact he mite not be a bad basketball coach.
6. Anybody noticed Uk basketball and football really SUCKS!
7. Anybody noticed Tubby is hated more than our President? Thanks pretty bad!!!!!
November 1st, 2006 at 4:27 pm
1. Anybody noticed Rhono is scoring 13-16 points a game in the pros???
2. Anybody noticed there was more female basketball coverage at midnite madness?
3. Anybody noticed UK has the most pitiful dunking contest there is, even with 7′0’s and just ask Bobby Perry..
4. Anbody noticed Bobby Perry is Uk’s Man now (Go to guy-team leader), that gives me alot of hope of still being Kentucky’s own Michael Jordan one day even though I have only a 24″ vertical.
5. Anybody John L. Smith is fired, wow Brooks must be a great coach to keep his job. I got it lets lose all football games now which wont be hard and maybe we can talk our idiot atheletic director to hire John L. Smith. Infact he mite not be a bad basketball coach.
6. Anybody noticed Uk basketball and football really SUCKS!
7. Anybody noticed Tubby is hated more than our President? Thanks pretty bad!!!!!
November 14th, 2006 at 11:44 am
Well let me see, there is so much to say and so little space to say it in. Ok, there seems to be plenty of Tubby Bashers and very few supporters. First let me qualify myselfe. I am born and raised “Big Blue” I can think of a better time of the year than college basketball season. No, i’m not happy with the teams play, however from a former player and coach’s standpoint, when are you guys going to put the blame where it should be, squarely on the players heads. Rondo (can’t shoot), Sparks (inconsistant, and slow), Morris (out of shape), Perry (lack of motivation), Crawford (shot selection), i could go on and on. I don’t care how much coaching you have, if you don’t have it straight between the ears, then you’re in a no win situation.
Now some of you will say that it’s the coaches job to get all that straight, well when you put up a mental block, all the teaching/coaching in the world can’t get through.
For those of you that praise Petino or what ever his name is, just take a moment to remember who was on his staff (Tubby). One last thing, some of you act as though we don’t need coaches, i mean to say that Tubby won with other players is rediculous. If that were the case, we wouldn’t be having this discussion, it wouldn’t be about the coach. So don’t contradict yourself and make the rest of us Kentuckians look stupid. I know i said one last thing but i have something else to add. You know what really hurts the recruiting? It’s statemements found on sites like this, that bash the coach. Just think if you had any skills and could play the game, instead of set back and critisize, and you were thinking about going to a school that had the prestiege and history of KY, but you constantly heard that the fans were idiots and were always calling for the coaches head, what would you do? Let’s grow up, be positive and maybe, just maybe Mr. Smith, will continue to do the outstanding job that he is doing with the talent and attitudes that he has.
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:44 pm
IF TUBBY AND RICH AND MITCH STAY I CANT SEE BEING INTERRESRED IN ANYTHING UK ATHLETICS DO NOT BECAUSE I HATE UK I GREW UP A HUGE UK FAN BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TAKEN SOMETHING OUT OF BEING A UK FAN ITS JUST NOT THE SAME CANT EXSPLAIN WHY JUST DIFFERNT, AND HEY ANDY YAY IM PROBLEY A HILL BILLIE AND YAY PROBLEY SOME WHERE IN MY FAMILY I HAVE A COUSIN MARRIED TO A COUSIN, OWE BY THE WAY I BET IN YOUR FAMILY YOUR BRANCHES ARE STRAIGHT SOMEWERE ALSO, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR THE ONLY PERSON JUDGING AND CALLING NAMES (INBREED IDIOT) WRIGHT ISANT THAT WHAT YOUR GOING TO CALL ME YOU SELF CENTERED FAKE INSENSITIVE SELF WORTHLESS LOW LIFE. YOU HIDE BEHIND WORDS ON A COMPUTER SCREEN AND TRIED TO INTISE PEOPLE INTO A NO WIN CONVERSATION WITH YOU. GET A LIFE YOU LOOSER, NOW HOW UNEDUCATED AND IDIOTIC IS THAT STATEMENT YAY WELL I CAN LIVE WITH THAT. LET PEOPLE FEEL HOW THEY FEEL. DONT TRY TO TELL THEM WHY THERE WRONG FOR FEELING THAT WAY YOU CLOSET LIBERAL NO IT ALL. YOU PROBLEY STILL LIVE WITH YOUR MOTHER, HUH ARE YOU TYPEING IN HER BASEMENT WRIGHT NOW. YAY SHES PROBLEY DEAD HANGING IN YOUR CLOSET YOU FREAK.
November 24th, 2006 at 9:03 am
SURE YOU CAN SAY TUBBY HAS INCONSITENT. SLOW ,UNMOTIVATED PLAYERS, BUT WHO RECRUITED THESE TYPE OF PLAYERS, ORLANDO TUBBY SMITH HIM SELF. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BASKETBALL SHOULD HAVE NO LESS THAN A TOP 25 RECRUITING CLASS YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT. BUT OTHER THAN 3 McDONALDS ALL AMERICANS IN 05(OF WHICH 2 PRETTY MUCH WAS COMING TO U.K. ANYWAY) WHAT THE HELL ELSE HAS HE DONE TO MAKE ANYONE THINK HE CAN RECRIUT OR EVEN PUTS FORTH MORE THAN A HALF ASSED EFFORT AT IT .HE’S NOT EVEN HAD TALKS WITH PLAYERS THAT NOW DOMINATE US WHEN WE FACE THEM,YET HE’S RECRUITED PLAYERS AND ALSO USED SCOLORSHIPS ON PLAYERS THAT WENT UN-RECRUITED BY ANYONE ELSE.HE ONLY RECRUITED JARED CARTER BECAUSE HE FELT AS IF HE SHOULDENT HAVE, SO WHEN TUBBY’S LACK OF ABILITY TO DEVELOP TALENT COST JERED A POSSIBLE SPOT IN THE N.B.A ONE DAY TUBBY CAN TELL HIMSELF THAT HE ONLY RECRUITED HIM BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE FROM THE LOCAL YOCAL’S TO RECRIUT HIM.AND I RAISE ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT TUBBTY COACHING DOS’E HE KNOW HOW AND WHEN TO CALL A TIME OUT TAKE MAUI AGAINST U.C.L.A WE WERE BEING DOMINATED,WE LOOKED CONFUSED,UNORGINIZED AND OUT OF CONDITION AND DESPERATE AND DOWN BY I BELEIVE 14 OR SO TUBBY’S STILL BUGGING HIS EYE’S AT THOSE POOR PLAYERS LIKE THEY HAVE AUCTUALLY BEED GIVEN A CHANCE WITH TUBBY AS A COACH.INSTEAD OF CALLING A TIME OUT AND EVEN IF HE HAD NOTHING PRODUSTIVE TO SAY AS A COACH HE COULD HAVE GOT OUR BOYS A BREAK. TUBBY LET ME BE THE ONE TO SAY NOT ONLY DOE’S THE FACT THAT U BUG YOUR EYES OUT IN AN EFFORT TO INTEMIDATE YOUR PLAYERS NOT WORK BUT YOU LOOK REALLY SILLY!!!!IF THIS GUY WASE’NT AT A SCHOOL THAT DIDEN’T HAVE SUCH A GREAT HISTORY AND GREAT ALUMNI AND AN AUTOMATIC RECRUTING EDGE BECAUSE OF THAT HE WOULD BE A JOKE. IN CLOSING I SAY TO TUBBY. EVEN THOUGH U CAN’T SEE ME I’M BUGGING MY EYES OUT AT YOU,BECAUSE I HATE WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO THE GREATEST COLLEGE BASKETBALL PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY(MY UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY WILDCATS) AND I FOR ONE WISH DAILY YOU WOULD DESIDE TO RETIRE
November 26th, 2006 at 10:02 am
I have been a true Ky Wildcat fan since 1975. Tubby has been the most disappointing head coach in history. He has more player- coach conflicts than Bobby Knight, his abrasive arrogance causes most the problems I am told by an in-house employee with the university. Why doesnt UK Alumni stand up and do something. I am tired of being embarassed on national tv by teams that normally could not even compete. Thank you just had to let off some steam.
November 27th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Look guys, Did anyone watch the Kansas/Florida game? I love UK basketball and have forever, so I hate to bash our program, but our talent level is so far from those top programs. We have one fourstar player coming in and another seven footer. Look on these recruiting websites and you see the teams bringing in 2 or 3 fivestar players a year. We cannot win with slow 6′8 guys like Sherry Thomas going against Noah from Florida or even any of our terrible 7 footers. We do not have the talent to compete nationally. I think Tubby is a great defensive coach but his recruiting and offensive schemes are terrible. We simplay do not have the players to compete with these top programs. I think Tubby is a class act and I wish him the best, but it is time to go. He’s had 10 years to do something with the most storied program in history and it has slowly declined. We need talent, we need offense, we need a change.
December 4th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Tubby needs to leave because he doesn’t know Kentucky basketball. He says he does, but he doesn’t. Look at what Stan Van Gundy did, he left the Miami Heat because he knew he wasn’t a great coach and then look what happened. We missed out on Loften and a bunch of other guys that could shoot the ball, something we don’t have. Tubby’s style of ball isn’t going anywhere and his ball on line defense stinks because you leave wide open threes all day long. Why waste scholarships on Bobby Perry, Sheray Thomas, and Orbuzt. Those guys are division 2 players. Perry is from Duke land and he didn’t get a scholarship from Duke or UNc, or all those Acc schools because he can’t play ball. So why did Tubby recruit him? Those guys that we are suppose to have next season are waiting to see if those Florida guys will go pro so they can start, and not sit on the bench because they’re freshman. Why play Thomas when Steveson is 10 times better? That is dumb. Tubby can’t recruit and can’t coach. That is why the great players don’t want to come and play for Tubby, because his style is boring. That is why Chris Duhon didn’t come because he didn’t want to battle Saul Smith for the starting pg. Get Tubby out of the state of Kentucky. I would take Travis Ford right now.
December 12th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Of course Tubby should be fired. But he won’t be. Obviously UK has become comfortable with mediocrity. Oh for the days when we knew we would have an entertaining team, to say the least of a great team. These TubbyKats are booooooring and bad!!!
December 16th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
Yes! Fire Tubby!!! I’m watching the game against Louisville right now and I was screaming to take Crawford out, why is he even in and mind you I am new at watching basketball and after three games I can even tell that Tubby is a weak coach. Crawford is a horrible player!! Meeks is the one that got us ahead of Louisville for the first time and that is after Tubby took Crawford out- where he needs to stay. I don’t understand why we give Tubby SO many chances to give us his best???
I’ve heard bad things about Tubby, but now seeing them for myself, I know now why I never bothered to watch UK basketball after Patino left.
December 19th, 2006 at 11:13 am
GET OVER IT , YOU BUNCH OF TUBBY BASHERS!!! HE’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE. AT LEAST WE’RE NOT LISTENING TO PITINO’S BORRRRING
SONG & DANCE..EVERY TEAM IS THE TOUGHEST, BEST PLAYER HE EVER COACHED, BEST WE’VE LOOKED ALL YEAR. COME ON AT LEAST TUBBY
IS GENIUNE IN WHAT IS DOING. IF YOU WERE A COACH LOOKING AT RECRUITS YOU WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE 3 ALL-AMERICANS OVER LOFTON TOO!!! YOU CAN’T WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVERY YEAR. IT’S NOT LIKE ANOTHER SCHOOL IS DOING IT EITHER.
December 19th, 2006 at 11:32 am
Vicki, you are a Tubby lover. Tubby sucks and that’s a fact. If it was up to me I would fire Tubby and Barnhart in a heartbeat. WE haven’t made the Final four in 8 years. Kentucky is about getting to the title game ever year and playing your guts out and not playing like a bunch of pussies!!! Tubby is a soft and weak coach. You don’t have to be in shape period to be in the Tubby program. Tubby is not a genius. He is a laid back dork. If Pitino had Azibuike as a player he would had been the next Jamal Mashburn. But look who coached him? Tubby. I don’t care if we won every game, when the tournament came, Tubby and his wuss players would fall back. You allsports people better post this post
December 19th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
Vicki, after reading all this negativity, it was nice to read something from somebody that has a clue. I see why recruits that hear about or even read this crap, don’t want to attend UK. When you have a genuine passion for a game, you don’t continuously complain and bitch 24/7. Paridy is in the Collage game and it’s here to stay. I read pages like this one and i don’t know what to make of the comments. I’m not sure if it’s basketball knowledge that is speaking, passion and loyalty, or pure hatred. I could go on and on about how statistically Mr. Smith is better than any coach KY has had, but i don’t think some of you really want to hear anything but “lets fire Tubby”, you have those blinders on and for some reason wont take a moment to look at the numbers. That leaves me to believe that you have a hidden agenda, a more troublesome reason why you want the Coach gone. Only you know what that reason is. You know it’s bad when radio stations, TV stations and other Media outlets say that the UK coaching job is the worse job in Collage B’Ball. They’re not saying it because of the players, the geographic location or even the pay. They’re saying it because of the overzeolous fans, the crazy fans, the dreamers that think UK should/could win a championship every year, and the fans that may have an hidden motive why they don’t want Mr Smith at the helm of the most storied program in History. Mr Smith the coach with better numbers than there beloved RP, the same Mr. Smith that has given everything for UK and got in return (the money is good) no loyalty and some fake McDonald’s All Americans (the Big Man excluded). One person spoke of the players playin like P******, man you confuce me, is it the coach or the player? Stick with one problem and get off the fence, it’s one thing to say they need a better coach, but if you look at the players playin and the ones on the bench. I don’t care who’s coaching, they aren’t good enough to win a championship.
December 20th, 2006 at 5:34 am
Hello Stephon, Lets answer some of your Questions, Rupp would be turning in his grave at the basketball team right now! First Smith had three 10 loss seasons in a roll at one point , would have been four but he was one loss shy in 1999 and lost 13 last season. What if Rupp had come to KY in 1930 without a winning attude, what kind of attude do you think KY basketball fans would have today. Also Pitino had a better winning percentage than smith and YES smith is coaching these second class players that he RECRUITED, that is not good enough to win a CHAMPIONSHIP.
December 20th, 2006 at 8:56 am
I’m glad we finally got down to what’s really bothering you about Tubby Smith. You know as well as i know why Rupp would be as you put it “turning in his grave” and it has nothing to do with the state of Kentucky basketball, and now that you have the boldness to side with a man like Rupp, it’s clear what’s really bothering you about Mr. Smith.
The bad thing about you and many others that want Mr. Smith to go, is that you are just like Rupp.
December 20th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
Stephon you are watching to many movies, Lets stay with the FACTS, ITS all in the RECORD BOOK.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I believe that Tubby Smith is one fine person; that he is a man with a belief in his system of basketball; has the leadership skills to handle many college head basketball coaching jobs; is not the person to bring UK basketball back to national prominance; is not capable of creating the excitment in UK basketball we all knew in the past.
Bottom line he is a good person, has coaching ability, just not able to lead a program like UK over the long haul. It’s too bad but I believe that it is true. Eventually UK alumni and athletic administrators will get tired of being average and do something about it. My hope is that before that happens that the Tubby Smith that I admire will show up and save the University the turmoil of his eventual firing.
January 8th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Well for one thing…i think UK is the best ball team to ever walk out on the court…with or without a wining season only for the past years. Kentucky is known for a winning team….and that is starting to change…and i dont want to see that or neither does any other UK fan. I think Tubby is the reason for all this…Kentucky can get good recruits all thought tubby smith is having a hard time getting them i believe i could do a better job that him….in the past years Univerity of Kentucky has made alot of bad move for starters..not making billy Donavan head coach…second not geting Chris lofton and last but not least talking Randolf morris back altough he is scoring atleast 12 pts a game…so i geus what im getting to is…YES!! FIRE TUBBY!! i think any coach would be better than him.
January 8th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Tubby Sucks fuckin dick…and i hate him
January 8th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
FIRE TUBBY SMITH!!!
January 8th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
BILLY DONAVAN IS THE MAN FOR UK….AS YOU CAN SEE HE HAS ALWAYS BLEED BLUE…DIDNT GO VERY FAR AS FLORIDA GATORS…COLORS ARE BLUE ALSO…SO IF I HAD 3 WISHES ONE WOULD TO BE FIRE TUBBY 2 WOULD BE TO GET BILLY.D TO COME TO KENTUCKY AND 3 WOULD BE WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPOIONSHIP!!!
January 8th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
WEBMASTER CAN SUCK MY COCKINS!! and fire tuby while he does it Y REAl it in robert real it in come on you can do it come on robert real him in….do it robert real him in you can do it robert come on you can dooooo it…real him in and suck my fuckin dick you cod muncher s.o.b…
TUBBY SUCKS….TUBBY SUXS….TUBBY SUXS…..TUBBY SUCKS AND ALWAYS WILL.!!!
January 8th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
THER IS SO SENCE THAT ACTING LIKE THAT IT IS JUST A GAME….YOU FUCKIN ROD MO SHITTER!
January 10th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
you all are crazy….and yes i do think tubby should be fired
January 11th, 2007 at 2:15 am
UK Basketball……….are we all ready for a second round exit again! I can’t wait……..oh the excitement!
January 11th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Wow firetubby.com. I hate to disappoint the faithful Tubby-bashers on this web site by not feeding into the poisonous venom that most of you are spewing. I think the problem is that UK fans have been spoiled to the point of just being plain unreasonable. Let’s see the previous coach it took four years to make it to the final four and seven years to win the national championship. Before 1996 it was 18 years since you’ve won the previous one remember 1978 by Joe B. oh you guys ran him off too. Boy it’s amazing how many arm chair coaches that’s on this website. Maybe some of you stiffs can apply for the UK coaching position then have your former coach who took the money from the Boston Celtics and left town give you a strong recommendation. Not only that every year you had to wonder if Slick Rick was even coming back the next year to coach the CATS. Yeah Tubby should leave because he’s too good for most (not all) UK fans. Since Tubby’s been at UK he’s NEVER went to the NIT while Slick Rick has been to the small dance two out of his five years at UofL. Tubby has won at least 20 games every year at UK, winning more than 30 twice, for two years in a row had the longest winning streak in the nation, has produced more NBA players than any other school besides North Carolina and Duke, and has turned down more NBA jobs than ANY NCAA coach, but he’s a bad coach. I mean some UK fans are amazing!!! Oh by the way didn’t he win the NCAA TITLE HIS FIRST YEAR at UK? Even if it was with Slick Rick’s players SOMEBODY HAD TO COACH THEM. Yeah by the way he did something that the Great Pitino COULD NOT DO. HE BEAT DUKE IN A REGIONAL FINAL, but you want to fire Tubby!!!!! Wow TRULY AMAZING!!!! Hey I have an Ideal. Instead of wasting your time bashing Tubby, Put together a resume’ and APPLY FOR THE COACHING POSITION, I’m sure you’re qualified. Good Luck in finding another coach with half the class that Tubby has!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Smith wins 20 games every year, but losses 9 to 13 games in the process. Also Pitino coached his first two seasons when Ky was in Violation by the NCAA, The only player he was able to recruit during that bad time was Mashburn. Smith has not recruited a player with that much talent in the 10 years he has been at UK. Also Smith has a hard time with top 25 teams. If tubby does not coach his RECRUITS in beating teams that are ranked or the SEC Powerhouses this year like Florida, Tenn, LSU. Yes I would FIRE TUBBY SMITH!
January 16th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Oh okay so you say that Keith Bogans and Tayshawn Prince didn’t have that type of talent. Keith Bogans was a top 25 player coming out of high school along with his teammate Joe Forte. Guess who’s still in the NBA and Tayshawn Prince was a top 15 recruit coming out of high school and correct me if I’m wrong Tim, he has a NBA Championship ring with the Pistons doesn’t he Please you and your cronies got to come up with something better than 9-13 losses how about this 8 SEC Regular and Conference titles out of the 10 years he’s been at UK, better than your beloved Pitino and his son Billy Donovan. Tennessee being a powerhouse, PLEASE!!!! They are a good team but hardly a powerhouse. We will see this year that Tubby once again will have his boys ready by the tournament. I understand the points each of you make but it doesn’t justify Firing Tubby Smith. Keep Tubby around!!!!!
January 16th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
tubby smith needs to leave uk if he plans on making the program on the level of tulsa and georgia. we are noe about the fifth best team in the sec. hes got us rolling right along boys. u sure do know a good coach when u see one!
January 16th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
run for the hills, the real tubby smith just stood up! billy is starting the takeover. guess barnhardt will have to give ole’ rick a call to fix this program to what we in the bluegrass call an elite program.
January 17th, 2007 at 1:56 am
I have always been a Big Blue Fan Frank, Smith has yet to convince me he can recruit players and keep them. As for the 8 SEC Titles in 10 years that is good, But Pitino did it 7 out of 8 years one still in the probation period for the best record in the SEC, and the year he did not win was his first year at UK, picking up trash from Sutton. I noticed you did not mention NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS, Pitino and Donovan put together championship teams, Smith has yet to keep his boys long enough. As for Tournament Time, I hope you are right on this one because we have not beat a top 50 team this year, WE are 0 and 3.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Tim I appreciate a good response and you have done your homework. So to answer the NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS. Rick Pitino has ONE (1) NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP, Billy Donovan has ONE (1) NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP and Tubby Smith has “you guessed it” ONE (1) NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP now keep in mind to support your point Slick Rick is 1-1, “Billy the Kid” is the same 1-1 and Tubby is 1-0. I’ll give you this Tubby has yet to return to “The Big Game” but tell me the truth Tim if he makes it and lose you all would really want him GONE!!! Out of the two coaches Slick Rick and “Billy the kid” and compare them to Tubby only Rick Pitino has done a SLIGHTLY BETTER JOB than Tubby but until two years ago Tubby Smith had a better tournament record percentage wise than Rick Pitino and Billy Donovan. Tubby has been to three elite eights, four sweet sixteens, was defeated only twice in the second round and NEVER lost a opening round game. Oh yes he has ONE (1) NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP. I understand about the recruits but look at the state of college basketball any McDonalds All-American nowadays is one and done (see Randolph Morris) but to Randolph’s credit he hung in there and is one of the best centers in college basketball. The cats are going to be okay Tim don’t worry be happy.
January 19th, 2007 at 12:30 am
I still can not see why you think pitino is only slightly better than smith frank, and here is my side of the story, Pitino coached Ky for only 8 years and only 6 years count because of the probation period. Pitino has better numbers in those 6 years than Smith does in 10 years, Pitinos teams made the tournament all 6 years, his teams played in 5 sweet 16 games, 4 elite 8 games, 3 final 4 games, and 2 Championship Games , and do not forget that awsome 1996 team. Pitino is also close to Rupp in win percentage, He had a 81% to Rupp,s 82% , Smith has a 77%
January 19th, 2007 at 1:15 am
Besides the first year, None of Rick Pitino,s teams were ranked below the AP top 10!!!!!!
January 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Great points Tim, but look at what’s going on right now and the comparisons of the coaching records that Rick, Tubby, and Billy Donovan has. Over the last five years that Tubby has been at UK, he has a better record than Rick has at UofL, Billy D. has at Florida, as a matter of fact Tubby has the best record of all SEC coaches over the last five years. As much as UofL fans wish that they have the UK Pitino it’s not going to happen. Now Tim look at how kids are jumping to the NBA and UofL has been the biggest victims over the last 4 years of kids jumping to the league after high school. You right the 96 UK team in my opinion was the best of ALL TIME!!!!!!! No one would have defeated that team, but just think of all of that talent, would any one of those kids come to UK if the times were 2005-06 when a record 12 high school kids were taken in the first round. Those kids could not have came close to Derek Anderson, Tony Delk, Ron Mercer, Antoine Walker need I say more. So what I’m saying is that the times are different and it’s good that now the NBA has a age limit so you don’t get so many kids jumping to the NBA. This years team is a beneficiary of the new rule. Joe Crawford is playing his best since he’s been at UK. Bradley is turning into a player and we know that Morris is one of the 3 best Centers in college basketball and has turned into a sure first rounder. Who does UofL have? Who has UofL had besides Francisco Garcia? As a matter of fact Tubby has put more players in the NBA than Rick and Billy combined. Go figure. Like I said Tim you have some outstanding points and I enjoy reading your posts. Keep the faith the cats will be fine!!!!!
January 19th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Frank you make a strong case, and I do agree with how kids today think of the dollar now and education later theory, Its bad on the college game, Also I still think Pitino,s style was more exciting and not boring to watch , If you watch U of L when this teams healthy you can see hints of Ky in the 90,s. Pitino has had injury problems with his team also the last 2 years. { Padgett- knee surgery. } But I am not upholding the cards , I am not a fan, What I am saying is smith,s teams are boring to watch , They lose more games, they do not go as far in the tournment, We are not feared by teams anymore. Frank if the times has changed that much, How come the times did not change from 1930 to 2000 ?
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:44 am
Once again Tim you have made a great point and after watching Saturdays game against Vandy I also wonder about the style of play and why they did not push the ball. UK has better players and more talent than Vanderbilt and to tell you the truth UK should have beaten Vandy by at least 8-10 points. It almost seems like Tubby coaches to his opponents if that makes any sense. It’s like a player playing up to his opponents level instead of treating every opponent the same, I think Tubby does the same thing. He wins the games he supposed to lose and lose the games he’s supposed to win. It was really frustrating to watch the game on Saturday because the cats just couldn’t pull away. I don’t know if it was coaching or the players inability to hit clutch shots in “crunch time” but it was disheartening to see. You right Tim at times you can see a little of the past UK teams in UofL but to tell you the truth Tim, Rick is no where near the coach he was at UK. I think that 9/11 has a little something to do with it because he unfortunately lost Billy Minardi who was not only his Brother-in-law but his best friend. He seems a little more content on what’s going on at UofL. If the same thing was going on at UK you as well as I know he would not stand for it. He seems to be more tolerant than he was in the past so that is why I say that he has a slight edge over Tubby. I hope that Tubby will have the cats ready for the next game. Keep up the good post!!!!
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Tim, you are a typical critical UK fan.. Tubby Smith is touted by man basketball analysts as one of the best college basketball coaches in the nation. He has won 20 games every year since hes been there.. if my memory serves me correct, he has beaten your boy rick pitino the past 3 years.. and 4 out of the 6 years since hes been at louisville. Some argue that we should have recruited Chris lofton.. you say that without thinking.. that was the year we had the #1 recruiting class.. with 3 McDonalds all-americans.. including point guard rajon rondo. If you want to blame somebody for not getting lofton.. why not blame Rick Pitino.. he had the perfect opportunity. Kentucky just recently won 11 straight ..but yet people still come on here and talk bad about tubby smith.. you need to cut him some slack.. he is one of the top coaches in ncaa basketball.. but yet because kentucky isnt winning a national title every year.. he should be fired.. thats not right. oh and frank l. porter.. you say vanderbilt isnt talented.. they have beaten 4 out of 5 top 25 teams.. i think there is some talent there.. Tim when it comes down to it its about winning championships.. Tubby has won 1.. Rick has won 1.. and i also hate it when people say that tubby won with ricks team.. for 1.. thats one of the hardest things to do in college basketball is taking over a new program and winning a championship.. another argument is that he won with ricks team.. well if my memory serves me correct again.. i believe the year before that in ‘97 rick lost in the championship.. but the next year.. tubby won.. you need to give credit where credit is due.. tubby is a great coach.. and he should not be fired.. and mitch barnhardt is smart enough to realize that.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:00 pm
another thing tim.. if kentucky won a championship this year or next year.. you would say that tubby smith was the best thing that ever happened to UK basketball.. your just a typical uk fan
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:31 am
Chad I didn’t say that Vandy isn’t talented I simply said that UK has more talent than Vandy and THEY DO!!! How many NBA players will Vandy have from this team one maybe two. I know that basketball is a team sport and Vandy has done well. They have defeated actually 5 out of 6 top 25 teams but I’m sticking to what I said UK should have defeated them by 8-10 points. Point number 1. It’s in Rupp Arena so home court should matter. 2. Once again the talent factor. Chad like it or not UK has more talent than Vandy, but Vandy played a better game than the cats. Is that’s Tubby’s fault? I’m not going to say that because Tubby didn’t shoot one jump shot or free throw, nor played defense. I’m one of the biggest Tubby Smith fans out there and agree the fans give Tubby some unjust comments and treat him unfairly, but the fact of the matter is UK SHOULD HAVE DEFEATED VANDERBILT. That’s not a knock against Tubby it’s just the truth. So Chad do me a favor before you give me a rebuttal please read the quote correctly. Quote: UK has better players and more talent than Vandy. End of Quote. Now where in that quote did you see that I said that Vandy isn’t talented? When you come up with an answer then please let me know. Other than that Chad I agree with you 100%. UK should keep Tubby Smith and that’s the truth!!!!!
January 24th, 2007 at 3:01 am
Chad , We could flip that around and say Pitino beat Smith all four times they played in 1995 thur 1997, When smith was with Georga bye a margin of 15 points, But Pitino had the name KENTUCKY helping him in his recruiting, like Smith does now. Also its not the championships that I am concerned about , Its the FACT that smith has not proven he can recruit players, Bring out the talent in them or keep them long enough to get back to the final four, After all Kentucky is due; Sure Tubby coached that 1998 team, But can HE bring the right combination of guys to Kentucky and do it again ? Thats what Kentucky fans are wanting to see, Until then alot of fans are going to look at it that way { Pitino,s Boys }. And for the 97 team , Anderson tore his ACL. Pitino RECRUITED all the players for the 96 thur 98 teams.
January 24th, 2007 at 3:39 am
Another thing for you chad, Winning is what it,s all about , That is the goal of the game, Also since 1930, Ky has won more games and has the best FANS in the NCAA. But that { IF Tubby won } is yet to be seen.
January 24th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
i get very tired of know nothing uk fans who have not caught up with reality. The talent is spread over many schools over the nation. no one seems to have acknowledged this. anyone hear of George Mason? There are many schools in which all the good talent available can go to instead of places like Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, etc. The bottom line is as much as i could wish for Kentucky every single game they play and NEVER lose, it is not realistic. hey KY fans, the days of automatic wins has been over since before Rupp stopped coaching at UK
January 24th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Some people cannot or to young to remember the rich Ky history of basketball and why we have won more games than any other school, They have always been other schools in this country that took players. Also I hate to burst some peoples bubble, but it happened right here in Ky just about 10 years ago, Not 35 years ago. Another thing is, I don,t care how much talent you think a team has, If the team does not get coached the right game plan or get coached to the players talent level you are going to be unsuccessful with ranked teams! This university did not get where they are today bye being a average JOE !
January 25th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Tim as good as your posts are I have to disagree with you on this one. The problem is not only talent it’s ATTITUDE!!!! Look at todays High School All-Americans until this year they were coming out of high school going straight to the NBA. You’re right Tim this happened about 10-12 years ago. Look at UK’s 1996 National Championship team UK lost Antione Walker (Sophomore) 1997 National Runner-Up Ron Mercer (Sophomore) 1998 National Champions Nazr Mohammed (Junior) my point Tim is the reason why UK is not in the running for these so called McDonalds All-Americans is because they are one and done now that the new rule comes to effect and Tubby makes these kids WORK AND PLAY DEFENSE. Why do you think over the last SIX years Pitino has not been able to keep anybody at UofL (prime example: Derrick Caracter and Earl Clark) these guys would have never came to UofL if they had a chance to go to the league. Pitino makes his players work and play solid DEFENSE. Tim why do you think that Tyler Hansborough and Branden Wright went to North Carolina? Not because Roy Williams is a better coach than Tubby. It’s because Roy Williams let those kids run up and down and score. Not saying that Roy is a bad coach, but Tubby makes these kids play defense and keeps their egos in check. All I’m saying is fans act like Tubby record is 8-24 every year at UK and it’s not. Besides Tim UK has won SEVEN TITLES since 1930 so if you look at the average it’s one title every 10 years. Like I said before UK has went 18 years (1978-1996) without a title and I didn’t hear this much complaining that I’ve heard since Tubby took over. Yes last night’s game was very frustrating because the cats GAVE the game away to Georgia, but UK is FAR from being an “average Joe” Keep the faith Tim. History has it that UK is due another NCAA championship in 2008 after that then you can start worrying and I’m not too young to remember the history I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s so I know a little history about the cats and just to remind you Tim UK also went almost 20 years before the 1978 NCAA Championship although they were NCAA National Runner-Up twice in 1966 and 1975. Was this because they lost to a better team or were they out-coached? Hmm something to think about Tim. It’s going to be okay really it is Tim.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
-Comment deleted-
No racism allowed. Please continue.
January 25th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Frank, You also have good posts, and it has been a real pleasure talking to someone that really knows basketball, Even if I do not agree with you 100%, It has been a real pleasure. I did like tubby up to about 3 years ago, thinking it takes time getting a good team together, But in my opinion it has not gotten better, or as good as the past UK teams, Like you said the heart or attitude is not there anymore, And in my opinion also UK needs a face lift { coaching change } to get that heart back to the bluegrass. Look back at the 1992 team a team built like Rupp did it , Eastern Kentucky boys with not as much so called talent as todays 2007 team has, But they had HEART and a great coach to believe in and almost pulled it off. Today to me you do not always need the big name players, It takes five men working together and a coach making them believe in the system or coaching the right system.
January 26th, 2007 at 8:06 am
That’s what I’m talking about Tim. You are 100% on point. The 1992 team to me had more HEART than any team at UK in recent years. Reason being is because they knew they wasn’t the most talented bunch of kids, but they had a basketball IQ that was uncanny. That’s why that whole starting five is successful outside of playing basketball. Richie Farmer (politics) Jamal Mashborn (ESPN basketball commentator) John Pelphrey (Head Coach) and the list goes on. My point Tim is guess who was the Assistant Coach and Recruiter on that team? That’s right Tubby Smith. He helped recruit most of those guys with Slick Rick closing the deal. Tubby knows how to recruit and he knows how to coach. I think (and this is my opinion) he needs to change his system to fit his teams strengths so you got me on that one Tim. I don’t know what it’s going to take but I do know Tubby has to coach to his teams strengths and he’s not doing that, but I will say this Tim we both agree that this years team has talent and some promise for the future. Tubby HAS to light a fire under this team like Rick did with the 1992 team or this years team will be known as “underachievers” and unfortunately Tim this does fall under the coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith!!!
January 26th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
what was racist about my comment’s i said tubby was a racist.
January 26th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
What?!!! Mike please validate your ridiculous claim!! I need to see proof of this one and if you can’t provide proof then “PUT THAT BOTTLE DOWN”!!!!!!
January 30th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
I agree Frank that Tubby needs to change his system, But he has been there 10 years and nothing has changed yet. Last year on a TV enterview Rondo stated on live TV , That he did not know what his role was on the 05-06 team. Now does that make Rondo look like a bad player, or does it look bad on the COACH ? Sure the 07 team has talent, But something tells me from past history that this team will be no more after the season, MARK IT DOWN.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:29 am
Tim I hope you’re wrong, but something tells me that you may not be. I watched the UK-Tennessee game and Tennessee kept it close the whole first half and part of the second half before mistakes by UT allowed the cats to pull away. This team has some athletes on it and you can tell that they want to run, but then all of a sudden they will STOP and run the motion high-low offense. One thing that I did see is that when Randolph Morris runs the floor then they are very effective because he beats the other teams big man down the floor. I think the problem is that they are really missing the power forward and a capable back up center, so Tubby tries to conserve his big men’s energy and slow the tempo down i.e. Vanderbilt and Georgia, instead of them opening the game up with an up tempo pace. You’re right Tim if you look at Rajon Rondo in Boston he is at his best when he’s pushing the ball up court. I reaaly belived if Tubby would have let Rajon run the point guard like it supposed to have been ran last year Rajon might have returned for his Junior season. Anyway I hope he will allow them to play to their potential for the rest of this season and the SEC and NCAA tournament. I guess we will have to wait and see Tim.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:06 am
hey firetubbians wanna start tubbyneedsaraise.com…
February 5th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Tim, I was wondering if you seen the game against Arkansas on Saturday? The first thing that I noticed was that the cats did not panic when they got behind by 14 points to the razorbacks. The second thing that I notice was the adjustments that Tubby made when he put Jodie Meeks in and left him and Bradley in at the guard spots. Sherray Thomas also had a solid game and not only that he left the kids in even after they made a mistake in the game. The last thing that I seen was the reaction on the bench every time that UK scored a basket. They are finally starting to play as a TEAM and Tim I think that in spite of all the inconsistency’s that we’ve seen this season I think that this win was Huge because they finally stepped up and came together as a TEAM and if you seen how they played, they made the extra pass and looked for the open man. Like I said before Randolph Morris had constantly beat Hill up and down the court and you can tell when Hill fouled out at the end of the game. He is one of the best big men in the country when he’s hot. He does need to improve on his lateral foot work but that will come with time. Other than Joakim Noah I think he is the best big man in the SEC. Let me know what you think Tim. Just giving my opinion. This was a total Team effort and a great piece of coaching from Tubby as well.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Come on frankie, you can not come up with all this after one game…I liked the way that morris played, but there is no way he is the second best big man in the sec…Noah’s teammate, horford for one is better, and you can never count out big baby even though he was not stepped up lately…I admired the way they came back but you have to be a little worried about how they got 14 down in the first place…I mean their best player is a juco, sonny weems…all i am saying Porty is that timothy has a point, mark it down cuz its already in the books…
February 6th, 2007 at 11:30 am
I forgot about Hortford “Spoonie Gee” and Big Baby he tends to get into foul trouble when playing against a tall big man i.e. Noah, and Hortford. The reason I’m high on Morris is because he can play with his back to the basket as well as facing the basket. Noah plays at his best facing the basket and Hortford plays more effective with his back to the basket. Neither can do both, now big baby can do both but you as well as I know he will play power forward in the league. Great point about Arkansas best player being a JC transfer but you have to admit spoonie gee Meeks and Bradley makes a dangerous guard tandem with Crawford on the wing. Too bad Stephenson don’t weigh 235-245 the cats are a power forward away from the National Title!!!!! Remember I said that!!!!
February 6th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Frank, Best played game of the year for the cats, But Spooner is right that one game does not make the season. In the first half, Tubby had to sit Morris down to get the lazyness out of him and make him play harder, Good move on Tubby,s part. If the Cats play ball as a team like they did in the Arkansas game, They will be hard to beat in March, But you do have to be concerned about them getting down bye 14 in this game after having a good lead, Also it,s a repeat from the Georgia game. Something Smith has to fix before Tournment time.
February 6th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
True Tim and Spoonie Gee. So true.
February 6th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Frank, I know what your saying, This game got me excited also, Because it,s the first time we have seen KY play as a team in about 2 years, But I will really get into it if they keep this up. I also like to see us play Florida close and not get blowed out.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:11 am
frank, i bet you love playing your back to the “basket”, eh…
February 11th, 2007 at 12:14 am
What’s going on at Kentucky is not a blip. Tubby done nothing with any other team he has coached and will do nothing at Kentucky. How many championships has he won. ONE!!!! How many times has he ever been to the Final Four? ONCE. Coincidence? I think not. He is not a good coach. You can talk about his defense but he gives up 70-80 pts agme. He has nobody to shoot the ball so why do you try to play a half court offense that requires hitting outside shots. By outside I mean anything outside 10 feet. He has nobody that can cosistently do that. Is it the players? I agree that players don’t spend enough time shooting anymore but as a coach you have to adopt a game style to fit the kind of players you have. Is Orlando “TUBBY” Smith a good coach? Absolutley NOT.
February 11th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
shane i dont know what crawled up your butt but is bringing all of us down…his team barely lost to florida, yes im talking about ten times better florida…i too thought that tubby should be gone but he has opened my eyes ever since he, well who am i kidding he never opened my eyes to anything…if tubby is fired, who do you hire becuase everyone else is a down grade…pitino, no way, roy williams, impossible, billy donovan, are you kidding me…the only people left are travis ford or maybe rex chapman…and one last thing, i guess tubby didnt get the memo yesterday, coaches were supposed to look casual, what was up witht he suit and tie…what a homo, just like ole danny boy
February 12th, 2007 at 9:34 am
If you’re tying to be funny greengiant, you need to keep your day job if you have one. Please you’ve got to be kidding me. That was about as pathetic as UK’s three point shooting. Spoonie Gee you’re right UK should have beaten Florida and who would UK hire if they got rid of Tubby. I will say this: If Tubby does get fired he would not be unemployed for long mark that down. greengiant I’m not done with you. With a comment like that you need to ask yourself what your preference is or if you a Wildcat or a Ladycat? Get a life!!!!!!!!
February 12th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
well its about time you write back…i have been waiting but any way frankie boy you need to lighten up…that comeback about ladycat was very lame…im sure mcdonalds is glad to have ya
February 13th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Look minigiant if you can’t talk basketball then don’t put up lame posts. We supposed to be talking about the cats and it’s a wonder you can spell McDonalds (you probably had to look up the spelling) anyway I do have a sense of humor, I’m responding to you aren’t I. Anyway the cats better bring their A-game tonight because UT has some payback in mind. Hey Spooner I told you that Morris is the best big man in the SEC look how he outplayed Noah and Hortford (15 points combined) and the only reason UK lost to Florida was because of the poor shooting. Cat fans can’t blame this loss on Tubby because he did not shoot one three pointer nor miss all of those free throws. Well pinkgiant if you can come up with an basketball post I’ll be willing to hear you take on tonights game. If you can’t then “PUT DOWN THAT BOTTLE”!!!!!!!!!!
February 13th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
haha good one frank, well actually if you look on the front page with the article with the star wars picutre, i said the same thing a couple of days ago…kentucky should have beaten florida, and florida almost beat themselves…it is not tubby’s fault his players shot so bad, but at the same time florida killed themselves with foul trouble…UT may be a tough game since its in Tenn…UT is horrible on the road, but at home they are very good…Kentucky needs to win this one, because they need a statement against someone, i know they already beat them but without loften…it should be a good one, nice to hear you got a sense of humor frank
February 13th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
That is true greengiant Florida did everything they could do to give the game away to UK and the Cats did not take advantage of it. Tubby needs to STRESS that they need this game. This would be a signature win because UT is very tough at home and like you said they won without Lofton. I personally think they need to run a box in one chaser with the chaser on Lofton. He does not go to the rim alot and if you put Jasper on him being that he’s four inches taller than Lofton and just as quick then the pressure will be on the rest of the team to beat UK. UK actually matches well with the Vols with the exception of the four spot at power forward but UK has a advantage with speed and I think if Bobby Perry finds his shooting (unlikely to happen) then the Cats will win going away. Great Post Giant keep it up!!
February 14th, 2007 at 6:57 am
FIRE TUBBY!!!!!!!!
February 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Hey guys, Its like I have been saying, Smith cannot beat a ranked or quality team. It has been almost two years since we have! Yes do not blame Tubby for the bad shooting, He did not shoot the shots, Afterall he just gave these guys SCHOLARSHIPS to come to Kentucky in the first place. THIS COACH HAS A GREAT EYE FOR TALENT, HELL KEEP UP THE GREAT SEASON TUBBY MAYBE WE WILL GET TWO MORE GREAT SEASON,S FOR THE BIG BLUE FAITHFUL!
February 14th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Tim I understand your frustrations because just two years ago this was the number one recruiting class in the nation. UK had three McDonalds All Americans (Randolph Morris, Joe Crawford, and Rajon Rondo) plus honorable mention Bradley. This team has NO CHEMISTRY at all and it’s hard to put a finger on it, but Tubby has got to do something because the “natives are getting restless” and I think without a significant run in the NCAA Tournament then it may be (emphasis on May Be) time to reevaluate. There’s some talent on this team just NO CHEMISTRY!!! Come on Coach Tubby I know you can do it!!!!!!!
February 14th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Frank, All do respect, I have already put my finger on it, It,s the COACHING STAFF. Yes we had some good recruits, but if you do not know how to coach these guys, what good are they. Rondo was know better than Bobby Perry while playing for Smith.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Also Frank we had these 3 guys last year and lost 13 games [ Crawford, Rondo, Morris ]. What was Tubby,s excuse NO CHEMISTRY, Rondo stated he did not know what his role was. This year with new players what is wrong NO CHEMISTRY, What is tubby,s excuse? Well I am sure he will come up with one . Players out of highschool are not going to play or when they find out after getting there, Tubby,s style of coaching. Maybe if Smith stays another 10 years of NO CHEMISTRY playing, Alot of UK fans are going to realize we screwed up.
February 15th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Tim it’s no excuse and you’re right but also look at these players. None of them are leaders, and they have No DESIRE!!!!!! Tim you as well as I know you can’t coach desire. I’m not taking the blame away from Tubby because he shares the majority (70-75%) of the blame, but some of the blame has to go to the players. Just look at this team. You have to have on the court leadership and it starts with your point guard. Jasper will be a good player but he’s a freshman, Bradley, well don’t get me started on Bradley. I never liked him as a player because all he’s concerned about is himself and how many shots he’s going to force up. Crawford same problem. Morris if he doesn’t get the ball he’s whining and he stops trying. They need a floor leader that will get in the other players face and challenge them. The coach can do that but that’s what they expect. My point: With the elite eight team of 2005. Chuck Hayes and Patrick Sparks got in those players face when they messed up. Tim why do you think Joe Crawford was trying to transfer to Michigan State, it wasn’t because of Tubby ball it was because Chuck Hayes and Patrick Sparks held those guys accountable for “stupid mistakes”. These guys don’t care about losing they care about their stats and how THEY look. I like this teams talent but once again you have to HATE LOSING before you get better and yes Tim it starts with the Coach but also it ends with the players on that court. The UT game they made 2 or 3 VERY CRITICAL mistakes and Bradley (6 turnovers) c’mon he supposed to be your leader but he’s once again taking ill advised shots did Tubby take those shots or make those turnovers? NO!!!!!! Some changes do need to be made, but not with the coaching staff YET!!!!!!! I respect your opinion Tim I really do, but lets start holding these players accountable too.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Frank, It just isn,t Tubby,s coaching, It,s his recruiting. Smith can not recruit enough players to have depth on the bench, to set players down when not playing team ball, That is way Smith is in the mess he is in. Yes it is [ in my opinion ] Smith,s fault, Because RECRUITING and COACHING are all the same package, A coach cannot do one without the other and the players know this.
February 16th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Hey Tim I don’t know what part of the United States you’re in but I can tell that you obviously care about the well being of UK and you are a passionate basketball fan. There is an article in the Louisville Courier Journal that you will find very interesting about the leadership or lack of leadership on the Cats basketball team. A couple of days prior I had sent a fan posts on line and it was like the author took what I had and made it his own. Not really but if you look at the article alot of the same things that we were talking about is in the article. The website is:
www.courier-journal.com if you get to read it let me know what you think. It’s fans like you that obviously knows the game of basketball and at the same time keep everything in perspective that keeps me watching the Cats on TV. I don’t mind the negative posts of some of the fans just have some statistics to validate your claim, and Tim you bring substance behind every post. KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!
February 16th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Frank, I read the article, But it,s something that me and you already have known. I would like to ask you a question ? My fire has already burned out on this coaching staff and the excuses are getting old, How much longer will you stand behind this coach and the performances we are seeing year in and year out before you have had enough ? [ Just asking ] , Because your tolerance is much higher than alot of fan,s. The name Kentucky is not as Mighty as in the past, and we are or have not been the talent of the NCAA or SEC in a long time. In another year or two it will be the longest drought in Kentucky basketball History not making it to the final four, But yet we let this coach keep giving off the wall excuses, Promising it will get better next year and we giving Smith the benefit of the dought until the last of the fans wake up and discover we went into a drought that UCLA did when Wooden retired ?
February 16th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
It would be 9 years this year and yes next year would be the longest drought if the Cats don’t make it, but because I know there was an eight year drought 58-66 and a nine year drought 66-75 and another nine year drought 84-93 so this is why I’m a little more tolerant of Tubby. In these nine years Tubby has went to the elite eight three times final four one time and one national title. In the years 66-75 Uk had went to elite eight once losing to Western Kentucky the final four once losing to UCLA in the NCAA title game in 1975. From 1984-1993 UK went to the elite eight three times losing to Georgetown in 84, LSU in 1986 and who can forget the GREATEST COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME OF ALL TIME Duke in 1992 before making it to the final four in 1993 under three different coaches (Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, and Rick Pitino) I did post earlier that it’s not time to put on the panic button until next year and I would be in 200% agreement with you Tim that anything less than a final four this year and next year then there’s time for a change and it should start with the coach.
February 16th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Tubby is not a poor coach, he is very simply a stubborn one.Blue chip players these days feel the best thing for them is to showcase their talents.These kids need to get out and run, shoot, and dunk..all things Tubby seems to have deemed unneeded.If you you watch the top teams in the country, you will see an uptempo offensive style of play.The coaches of these teams seem to have harnessed the raw talent of their young players, and coached beyond that.Reality is, Tubby can take good young players and turn them into statues without the ability to showcase their skills in big games.The name Kentucky still has the ability to bring in top recruits, but only if Tubby changes his stubborn ways and adapts to todays game.”Ball line” defense will get you on local news, but not on E.S.P.N.
February 16th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
So you do see things like I do Frank, But upholding this coach is like [ Living on a prayer ] It is not going to happen. Do not get me wrong Tubby is a good defense coach and a average one for a small school, But he needed to stay an assistant under Pitino another 4 to 5 more years before going prime time, He just was not ready. I think his age and late coaching start had alot to do with it. There are alot of fine young coaches out there that would love to get a pay check like Tubby is getting for nothing, Maybe Travis Ford, John Pelphrey, Billy Donvon, there are also alot of young assistant coaches waiting to get there chance at the big time , So what does UK have to lose, We can not get much worse right now. If Lucus or Paterson do not come to UK next year, Tubby is going to be in alot of trouble for next season.
February 17th, 2007 at 11:05 am
TODAY @ 3:00 WATCH OLE BUG EYED ORLANDO,STICK YET ANOTHER DAGGER IN THE RICH,DOMINATING,HISTORY OF UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BASKETBALL.WITH ANOTHER PITYFULL EFFORT BY HIM, AND HIS LAZY ASS RECRUITS, (THAT HE HAS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CREATING).HEY TRY THIS TUBBY ,STAND ALL 5 OF THE PLAYERS AT ONE END OT THE COURT IN A ZONE AND LET THEM BULGE THEIR EYES OUT AT THE OFFENCE AND MAYBE THEY WILL BE INTIMIDATED INTO SUBMISSION, NO , BAD IDEA IT DOSENT WORK FOR YOU IN COACHING SO I GUESS IT WONT HELP. SORRY YOU JUST SUCK RETIRE PLEASE OR GO TO THE NBA SOMETHING JUST GO AWAY. AND AS FOR YOU FOOLS TAKING UP FOR THIS IDIOT GET A LIFE HOW CAN YOU BE SO LONLEY THAT YOU CAN WRITE ON THIS BLOG EVERY SINGLE FRIGGING DAY TAKING UP FOR THIS POOR EXCUSE FOR A COACH AS HE DESTROYS THIS PROGRAM, YOU SHOULD ALL BE POLITICIANS ESPECIALLY FRANK. AND AS FOR YOU WANTING AN EXPLANATION FRANK AS TO WHY I THINK TUBBY IS RACIST,LETS PUT IT THIS WAY.LOOK AT HIS HISTORY OF RECRUITING AND PLAYING TIME, YOU LOOK AT THE PLAYERS HE’S PASSED ON LOOK AT THE PLAYERS THAT RIDE THE BENCH NOW,FOR THE MOST PART THEY HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON, NOT ALL BUT 98%. YOU DONT THINK MICHAEL PORTER WOULD START AT STANFORD,WEST VIRGINIA OR GONZAGA, OR GET PLAYING TIME @ FLORIDA OR DUKE, HELL YEA HE WOULD. HOW ABOUT JARED CARTER HE’S GAVE ALL HIS OTHER CLUMSEY ASS 7 FOOT RECRUITS THAT NOBODY ELSE WANTED AMPLE PLAYING TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS,(HAH!!!)AND CARTER HAD MORE POTENTIAL THAN ANY OF THEM. GO TO HELL TUBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 17th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Also Tubby will lose at least 10 games again this year, This marks the 5th time in 10 years Tubby has caused UK to lose double digits in a season, [ would have been six, But one lose shy in 1999 ] This big blue fans is another terrible record that this coach has burdened us with [ A UK RECORD FOR COACHES ], Smith breaks Joe B Halls record of 4 in 13 years.
February 17th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Thank you Tim and mike for the responses. Now I know the difference between intelligence and rambling. First Tim: Like you and I had said earlier Tubby do need to change some things and maybe he has ran his course at UK, but let me say this: Billy Donovan is not leaving Florida because he just signed a multi-million dollar extension and the pressure to win at Florida is nowhere near the pressure at UK, you said that Tubby is not ready for the prime-time well neither is Pelphrey. He’s having trouble winning at South Alabama, now Travis Ford I could see because he’s doing a great job at UMass plus he’s young and the kid can recruit. Now for you mike that post was the most idiotic, assinine, rediculous post that I have EVER seen in my life on the internet. At NO POINT THROUGH ALL OF YOUR INCOHERENT RAMBLING DID YOU COME EVEN CLOSE TO RESEMBLING A RATIONAL THOUGHT AND FOR THIS ANYBODY THAT HAS READ THIS POST HAS JUST BECOME A LITTLE DUMBER. Racist please. Tubby has offered scholarships to Aaron Gray (Pitt), Tyler Hansborough(UNC), Josh McRoberts(DUKE) and Ed Devendorf(Syracuse) I can go on since you’re dropping names. The ONE thing you’re right about is Michael Porter had NO business being at UK he should have went somewhere else, but to say that Smith is a racist is just plain STUPID. Now since you put it out there you should maybe call the parents of these recruits RACIST!!!!!!! Why don’t you call McRoberts’, Hansborough’s, heck let’s go back to Michael Bradley’s parents since he left UK after winning the national championship let’s call their parents out. But you have absolutely NO substance behind this rediculous claim!!! If ANYBODY who’s racists is some (not all) heck most of the UK fans that want to call Tubby a N+gg+r go ahead mike you I know you want to say it too. Fans like you will complain if Tubby went to the final four every year, so don’t even try to say I’m politicing for Tubby because if Tubby needs to go I will be the first to say it. Unlike Tim who shows class and intelligence you just want to find a forum to spit all of your poison and hatred out. As far as Jared Carter if you would ever read the paper mike he has a medical redshirt dumb @$$!!!! mike why don’t you keep your mouth shut and have people think you’re an IDIOT rather than opening it to remove all doubt!!!!!
February 17th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Oh yeah mike let’s call slick Rick a racist too!!! If memory serves me Ricky P. Started Derek Anderson, Walter McCarthy, Tony Delk, Anthony Epps and Antione Walker in the 1996 National Championship against Syracuse I wonder what color are they? Oh and guess what two players he redshirted that year genius? Scott Padgett and Jeff Shepphard who are what color Einstein?!!!!!! Son you got to do a little better than this to prove your point!
February 17th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Wow am I glad to have found this site. My eyes lit up when I found it. First of all I wanna say much love and respect to all UK basketball fans around this great state and the nation. To be very blount and to the point, Orlando Tubby Smith is everything that is wrong with Kentucky Basketball in this point and time. Tub does not have the hunger and the fire that you gotta have to lead the ky program. He cannot recruit, He cant coach(the kinda ball that is needed for the cats) , and he sure as hell cannot motivate the players and get their full potential. Now with that being said I love kentucky I have lived here my whole life and it is so sad to me to see us go away from everything that has put our name above all the rest in college basketball.
We do not press, we do not run and gun, and we do not have the desire to put teams away. Crawford is selfish, Bradley is selfish, Morris is good down low but is to lazy or just dosent care about playing har nosed dfense, perry wouldnt be on my roster , Thomas would be my water boy, and the players with the most raw talent like porter and meeks dont see enough time. I dont care who plays as long as the play their guts out and come ready to go to battle for the white and blue. Its time to get fired up and it has to start somewhere.
One thing I truly beleive that hurts kentucky is that they dont recruit enuff shooters. We havent had a guy that you just knew was going to shoot the lights out on a consistant basis to open up the inside. It really dosent matter to me Tubster you can start pressing , playing run and gun ball, and firing up your players or get the hell out of lexington and bring on someone who is a leader!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 17th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
tubby should go!never has our program been in the shape it is now.at least last time we were this bad we were on probation ,we had lost all our star players.tubby keeps on setting one record after another ,trouble is they are negitive records.fla. beats us 4 times in a row then vanderbilt beats us 3 times,VANDERBILT!we have more losses under tubby at rupp arena than all the other coaches combined.our home court used to be almost an automatic win but not with tubby.we’ll be lucky if we make it to the ncaa instead of the nit.tubby must GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 17th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
After watching today’s game left me really frustrated and also searching for what is going to take to get this team motivated. Tubby do need to play the freshmen more and it is too late to try to send a message to the upperclassmen. Stephen you are right on point. Bradley and Crawford are selfish players and Thomas doesn’t have a clue how to play basketball. I wrote on some earlier posts that we should be patient with Tubby and to tell you the truth I just don’t know anymore. I do think that Meeks should play more, I would even go as far as saying the he should start over Bradley. At least if Meeks make a turnover it would be because he’s a freshman instead of being a “ball hog”!!! I’m still not sold on Porter because he’s a defensive liability, lets face it HE CAN’T PLAY D!!! Anyway I’ve decided that if the Cats are an early exit in the NCAA or doesn’t get in at all to cast my lots for asking for a change. I hope I’m wrong!!!!!!!!
February 18th, 2007 at 1:55 am
I think we need to get tubbs the Hell outta here. We should be done with him every year he dissappoints on winning and recruiting. GO back to georgia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
3 in row. now that used to mean that kentucky had just started there season and had won the first three games, but no, once again we are on a consecative losing streak. I didnt even get to watch the game yesterday against alabama but when somethings broken and you already know whats wrong with it , you dont have to watch it to remind you that its broken. Tubby continues to lead our program to the shits slowly but surely he destroying this program. So what if he has a 77% winning percentage its what have you done for me lately at program with the prestige of kentucky. I really wish tubby read this stuff and realize that he has to press, and that his stand around half ass offense dosent cut it no matter where your at if you want to compete. Until we get a coach who has fire and brimstone maybe like a bob knight or maybe beilein from west virgina we are in trouble. Its like a general taking his troops to war and then being like well guys I dont really know what the hell to do here i guess were all gonna die. Smith coaching style brings nothing but setbacks , and its a shame cause some of these players if they had there head out of there ass and played with heart could be phenomanal.
February 18th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
That is what I am talking about Frank , You are finally seeing the light, But Tubby is not done yet, As bad as it pains me UK is going to lose at least two more times before the season ends, At Vandy and Florida. Smith has not beat any ranked or quality teams again this year,So it would not surprise me if we do not get a vote to place in the tournament, But the name of the school may help again this year like it did last year as a 8th to 12th seed, Or some Miracle happens and Tubby pays someone off at Florida or Vandy HA HA [ joke ] , But really Rupp would be turning in his grave right now at this ball club and the 42 years worth he put in to building this Universitys reputation up are being washed away bye this coach . SMITH IT IS TIME TO LEAVE UK, BEFORE YOU TARNISH YOUR OWN REPUTATION OF BRINGING DOWN THE #1 SCHOOL IN WINS, BRING ON TRAVIS FORD !
February 18th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Also Frank you was misinformed on John Pelphrey, He is doing a great job at South Alabama, With a 13 and 2 Sun Conf. record, No team in that conf. is hotter! He also got that team to the NCAA last year and got beat bye Florida. He also would make UK a great coach.
February 18th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
You got me on Pelphrey Tim. I’m not saying he’s a bad coach but c’mon UK is alot different from South Alabama; not a put down just the truth. If I was to pick a coach it would be Travis Ford. If you look at how UMass is playing right now, those guys mirror Ford’s personality they play with a lot of “fire in their belly” and that’s what’s lacking at UK right now. If Barnhart is smart I would go after Ford. Now if Donovan is interested then the tables of course would turn to Donovan. Donovan would be the number one choice then Ford after that I would consider Marquette’s coach Tom Crean, then Belein from WV. I just don’t think that Pelphrey would be ready right now for UK. If that’s the case then UK is not doing much better than what they did by hiring Tubby, remember Tim (and I just making a point) Tubby took Tulsa and Georgia to the sweet 16 before being hired at UK.
February 18th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Tubby knows the game and knows how to coach and at this point in time should be retained, however I feel as many do, that the biggest problem in in his recruiting. He should begin looking more closly at home and in the future make every effort not to miss on players like Chris Loften for example. Also, I do not understand why he does not look harder for what I call big raw-boned players who rebound, move the ball faster in the half-court and work, work, work on free throw shooting as well as players who can hit the shorter jump shots. Guards like Rondo and now to a great degree Bradley don’t need to show off their dribbling skills. Also. and I hate to say it, but does Tubby ever anymore go after some white boys?
February 18th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Over the last 3 games obvious outplayed losses, it seems tv announcers are making announcements like “tubby looks perplexed” (during the tennessee game) and “tubby seems bewildered” (during the alabama game). I think they are truly talking indirectly about how uk fans are feeling right not. Now, I realize that i’m beating a dead horse. But, I have a couple of questions, and I hope they’re not too rhetorical…
Question #1 - Where is the team chemistry that tubby is known for “developing”? It’s been awhile since any of our teams developed chemistry, gained “steam” through the season and actually progressed.
Question #2 - What exactly is tubby’s team “concept”? I.E. - How many non-shooting, non-rebounding and all-around non-playing small forward types can you have on a college team? It’s like tubby is looking for the next walter mccarty and hoping for antoine walker.
Question #2a - In terms of his “concept”, how has he plugged the players he has recruited into his system (or is there one)?
Anyway, like most people on this board, I think tubby’s time is done at uk. I do not think that uk can fire him, but I think they can put enough pressure on him to resign. I think this will happen after this season ends. I think the last straw will be when they lose 4 of their last 5 regular season and make an early exit from the tourney (again). So long, tubs…
February 18th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
tobyt thanks for posting how you feel. Thanks to everyone that likes to bring up interesting points. We really appreciate it. Like I said in my Losing Pattern post I thought Tubby looked “done”. This may be the year he has had enough and tries out that perpetually rumored NBA job.
February 19th, 2007 at 10:36 am
FRANK, SURE CARTER IS A REDSHIRT BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 15 OR SO GAMES THAT HE AVERAGED 1.3 MIN PER GAME OR SO. ALL THE NAMES YOU MENTIONED ALL SOUND FAMILAR TO ME, BUT YOU FORGET THAT THEY WERE FOR THE MOST PART OFFERED SCOLARSHIPS WITH NO FUTURE, ARTER ORLANDO HAD NAMED STATRERS AND PRETTY MUCH COMMITED HIM SELF SUCH AS HE DID WITH GOOD OLE SAUL WHEN HE LOST TWO OF THE TOP POING GUARDS IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAD KENTUCKY ON A VERY SHORT LIST BY NAMING HIM( ON NATIONAL TELEVISION )HIS POINT GUARD FOR THREE YEARS.ITS A MATTER OF INTELEGENT RECRUTING EVERY PLAYER HAS TO FEEL AS IF THAY ARE GOING TO HAVE A OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR A STARTING POSITION AS THEY SHOULD. YOU INSULT THE KIDS PARENTS THAT CHOSE NOT TO COME TO KENTUCKY,IN MY OPINON THEY HAD GOOD REASON, THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PLAY BOTTOM LINE, YOUR GOOD WITH NAMES AND STATS,YOU SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME ON YOUR HANDS TO COMMIT TO THIS,SO LOOK THIS ONE UP, NAME 1 WHITE PLAYER THAT GOT MEANINGFUL PLAYING TIME UNDER TUBBY (WITH INCIDENT)AS A MATTER OF A FACT GO BACK TO GEORGIA AND TULSA.AS FOR MICHAEL BRADLEY YOU COMFIRM MY POINT HE EVEN TRIED TO BURY HIM ON THE BENCH IN FAVOR OF A BLACK PLAYER.ALL IM TRYING TO SAY IS IN TODAYS WORLD IF ANY COACH SEEMED TO SHOW THE FAVORTISIM TOWARDS THEIR RACE AS TUBBY DOES, IT WOULD BE RACIST IN MY MIND AS WELL, I DONT CARE WHAT COLOR TUBBY IS,IM SAYING THAT THE BEST PLAYER SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY. AND THAT DOSENT HAPPEN AT KENTUCKY. AS FOR YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT PITINO, HE RECRUITS THE BEST PLAYERS AND PUTS THE BEST PLAYERS ON THE FLOOR HE HAS AVAILABLE,REGARDLESS OF RACE AND THATS THE WAY ITS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.
February 19th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Okay Mike I give you this, you’ve done your homework. The reason why I have this so called time to do this is because I have been blessed with a position at a fortune 500 company to where I work in front of a computer everyday and I get paid good money to do guess what? Research!!! May not be UK research but the reason why I know so much about UK is because I’m a fan and I go back to the early 70’s when guys like Jimmy Dan Conner, Kevin Grevey, Truman Claytor, Mike Phillips and I think you get the picture. You are 200% right when you said that UK lost two top point guards when they had Saul Smith (a very big mistake on Tubby’s part) but to say the Micheal Bradley was attempted to be buried on the bench he had to play behind Jamal Magliore and Bradley was the first player off the bench. Now correct me if I’m wrong Mike, Magliore is still in the NBA and Bradley isn’t. He played for about 4-5 years and did what? Sat on the bench. Mike your point is Well Taken it really is. I don’t favor Tubby because he’s black, I favored Tubby because he’s a good coach. I still believe he’s a good coach. I just think he probably ran his course at UK because the pressure to win is so tremendous and some fans at all schools may have unreal expectations to win. I do believe this Mike on the 1998 Championship team three white players (Padgett, Cameron Mills and Jeff Sheppard) played significant minutes with Sheppard being most outstanding player. I was being facetious about calling and asking the parents if they are racist, but I don’t believe Tubby is a racist! Point blank I question his style of play as well as his recruiting, but I don’t question his integrity. You have a right to believe what you want and that’s what makes this country so great is the freedom of speech. Mike one more thing. You are also right to state that no matter what the color of a coach is racism or favortism should not be tolorated, I just hope the next coach that comes to UK will be treated fairly by the fans no matter what his or her color is.
February 19th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Nice guy, so I would do the right thing and give him the opportunity to resign, if not FIRE his ass!! I’ve gotten to the point where I’m doing good to watch a half a game each time they play. I’ve grown tired of their style, I’m bored to tears when I do watch. I say go after the “Kid”. We’re paying Tubby an awful lot of money that we cold throw at Billy. If not, then I’m sure any one of us on this site would be happy to coach the Cats to 10 loss seasons for a couple hundred G’s. It doesn’t look to be too tough, and it doesn’t require much of an offense or defense.
February 20th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
POINT TAKEN AND RESPECTED FRANK,BUT WITH RESPEST TO MY POSITION WITH PADGETT,MILLS AND SHEPHERD IF I AM CORRECT IN MY ASSESSMENT HIS HANDS WERE PRETTY MUCH TIED IN THAT SITUATION,SITTING THOSE GUYS WOULD HAVE BURRIED HIM FROM THE START, AND YOUR PERFECTLEY RIGHT ABOUT BRADLEY TO A POINT BUT WERE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PROS IN THE BEGINNING WHEN ALL THE CONFLICT STARTED BRADLEY SHOWED MUCH MORE PROMISE THAN MAGLIORE YET MAGLIORE WAS AFFORDED THE PLAYING TIME AND HE DEVELOPED NICELY EVEN MORE SO IN THE PROS.IF THE SITUATION WAS REVERSED THEN EVERYONE WOULD SAY THE COACH,COLLEGE,ALUM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FANS AND SO ON WAS RACIST, I GIVE YOU ADOLPH RUPP A SHINNING EXAMPLE.I HAVE MENT TUBBY TWICE AND HE IS A SUPER NICE GUY BUT I STILL SEE HIS HISTORY AND IT BOTHERS ME,(BELEIVE IT OR NOT)
February 20th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
New to this site. Just thought I’d say a few words that have been on my mind for a couple of years.. Last year in March I was doing a medical rotation in Hilton Head, SC. I was sitting in a small bar by a local marina which is actually owned by a UK graduate. My friend and I were setting there with our UK hats on watching UK lose to SC in the SEC tourny when a few guys with UNC hats come walking in. To make a long story short, we begin to have a conversation with these UNC fans.. I come to find out one of thier son’s actually signed to play with UNC (he never actually told us his name or his son’s name but i’m thinking his son will be a freshman next year because he was still in early high school at this time). He told me that his son had thought of coming to UK but didn’t want to play for Tubby. He told me how nice tubby was and what a great man he was. But, he told me that he and his son both thought Tubby could do nothing for him. And by that he meant that Tubby would be of no help in turning him into a NBA prospect. He then told me that he thought that tubby was a great coach but that his time had passed. He wasn’t willing to do what it takes to recruit the top players like Roy WIlliams and so on. After this conversation i began to think about the past few years. I’m a loyal UK fan and honestly just want what’s best for the program. I’ve defended Tubby for a long time now and honeslty think that for a few years Tubby has had the best team but fell victum to some bad luck (bogans getting hurt in the NCAA tourny and things of that nature). But, I do feel now that its time for a change. Do i want pitino back?? No, i honestly think he would do no better at this point. Do I want billy donavan?? No, this is a fluke. Wait and see. In a few years once this junior class leaves, it will be back to the same ole underacheiving Gators. I don’t know what would be best for UK at this point. But, I’m willing to go through a complete revamp of the program if thats what it takes. Everytime UK loses it hurts me.. Some people may find that silly but I also know many of you know exactly what I’m talking about. I just want to be proud of UK basketball. We don’t have the win the championship every year. What would make me happy is to watch a game and thing “wow, look how hard these guys want to win.” Instead all i see is a group of young men who look like they aren’t sure of what they want.. Ok, i’m done now. Just felt the need to get this off my chest.. Thanks for listening..
February 20th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
What UK needs to do is think long and hard on their next chose for coach,[ FOR THE LONG HAUL ] A young coach with good skills and does not mind pressure [ A PERFECTIONEST ] , Travis Ford, John Pelphrey, Billy Donovan, and Rick Pitino. Now this is the reason I named these guys, Ford and Pelphrey played for the cats in the early 90,s , They played with alot of HEART, Ford is doing a great job at Umass you can see his talent and skills in coaching also Pelphrey is a Kentucky boy, He knows how people in this state loves UK, He knows the rich history and would know what would be expected of him as coach, John has been a player under Pitino, an assistent under Donovan. Billy Donovan,s skills speak for itself and he was a assistent for Pitino in the 90,s. Also the reason I said Rick Pitino is he has already proven hisself for the job, Look at his stats for UK, Remember the excitment we had in the 90,s, He stated back in 2001 he should had stayed put at UK. Pitino goes where the money is and if the right offer presented itself , I think he would come back.
February 20th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
tubby sucks he has a player Rameal Bradley that should be playing for MOREHEAD STATE but startes for KENTUCKY thats like a slap in the face he can’t recruit or decide who should play. he should actully be coaching 2nd graders. fire his ASS………………………
February 20th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I used to love Kentucky basketball now I can’t even stand to watch it. I graduated from UK, my wife did as well, my son is going there now, but I will not watch another minute of this God awful stuff that they are trying to pass off as UK basketball. Tubby has lowered our tradition to a second tier program who can no longer compete for top recruits, or create any excitement at all. This guy is being paid top bucks and we are getting severely gipped. We need to bring in Donald Trump as the athletic coordinator to do the job that Mitch doesn’t have the umphh to do, and that’s to state the glorious statement: Tubby you’re Fired.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:35 am
Tim why would you take Pitino back after he left UK for THE MONEY? He’s proven that he cannot be trusted. I’m not a Pitino basher but you know the old saying “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me” besides I don’t think that most UK fans would even want him back because he left Boston to coach at UofL. I think if he would have coached anywhere else besides UofL then UK would be handing him a blank check. Besides that college basketball is so different now you don’t know when you get a prized recruit if he will be “one year and done” or if he would stay for at least two years. That’s why college basketball this year is up in the air. There is no clear cut number one team. Take Duke seven losses, UNC four losses even Michigan State who’s won two NCAA titles in this decade has 8 losses, it’s because of atrition every freshman or sophomore thinks he’s the next Lebron. This affects the overall game and there are no more dynasty’s!!! Steve UK is always going to be one of the top programs in the country. The Cats could have three straight 20 loss seasons and it will still be in the upper echelon of college basketball. There may be need for change but don’t think that when or if Tubby leaves UK, Barnhart will have so many resume’s faxed to him his fax machine will break!!! This is still the premier coaching job in the country thanks to the tradition that even Tubby helped build (like it or not he has one NCAA Championship) so you have to put him up there with the great coaches. He may just need to go somewhere else. Mark this down I think that Travis Ford will be UK’s next coach!!!! Billy D’s got it too good down in Florida, and Travis too is a Kentuckian that knows tradition of playing at UK (Final Four 1993) he’s been there and knows what it takes to get there. His teams attitude is that of him relentless, in your face, don’t back down, fast break and three point basketball. He will be the next UK coach.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:57 am
Tubby should be fired a long with the entire staff. He can’t recruit and it is a they are a shame to watch on tv. I quit watching or listening to them.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Here’s an idea for a new drinking game. One shot for eveytime Tubby makes a lineup change during the game. Two shots for everytime Tubby takes out a player when they’re getting in a groove. Three shots eveytime a T.V. commentator says Tubby told him Obrzut is the best screener on the team. Kill a beer everytime Ramon Harris, Mark Coury or Sheray Thomas enters the game. Whoever is left standing has to spell Shagari Alleyne to win.
February 22nd, 2007 at 11:51 am
he cant recruit? doesnt three star, late 150 range, aj stewart ring a bell!
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Wow greengiant you’ve truly done your homework. You’ve got a point though. Other than the class three years ago (ranked number 1) he hasn’t done much.
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Let’s face it guys…Tubby cannot get these guys to beieve and hustle anymore…Recruits that he lands jus can’t be all athletism…..they have to have the basketball mentality to react without thinking…I’ve almost thrown and kicked the tv screen when I watch them sometimes….no cutting through the lanes…when and/or if they reverse the ball it’s in slow motion…set picks that any defense can read if they set picks at all…no authority when attacking the basket or going for the rebound….Joe Crawford is open 6 to 8 times a game on the end line if he would jus take off and dunk with authority like I’ve seen him do on rare occasions…he should be scoring 6 to 8 points off dunks on this move a game…Bradley needs to forget the playground NOW and remember he’s playing DIV> 1 ball which means team ball….how many times I’ve seen him stand and dribble when penetration is wide open or try to penetrate when 3 defenders in the middle are watching for it…instead he’ll force a shot up knowing that your double teamed and someone has got to be open…or at least once again gets a charging call…Morris kills me too …he gets double and triple team that leaves 1 or 2 people open…but he doesn’t ever see anybody partly because no one is cutting towards the basket….all I’m talking about is basketball I learned in 7th grade basketball practice….If Tubby can’t get these high school all americans to do simple basketball actions I have to say it’s the coaching…..I know to work hard doing all these things plus what Tubby wants on defense can be exhuasting but that’s where the heart and hustle comes in and it’s very rare to see them like this or if u do it NEVER stays the whole game…I think thats a coaches responsibility too…..so playing and making the mistakes that 12 and 13 year olds do….questionable recruiting…..starting to have some of the worst seasons since probation……This is Kentucky ball and we need and demand results…jus like Brooks would have been gone if he didn’t have a good season with a bowl win….it’s been overtime for KY basketball and we need a Donovan (that would never leave a dynasty he’s started), I like Glavin if he control the boosters. my favorite for the job is Calipari…it’s jus the right move for him and he’s recruiting at Memphis where they can’t hold a candle to what KY basketball can offer a recruit….theres 2 KY young men who’s showing progress right now Pelphry and Ford but I think they need a few more years before they’re ready although ford is closer to being a complete coach then we think (look at his recruiting)….and my fantasy coach would be to see Pat Riley come back to his alma mater and coach out his last years until retirement…….Pitino…..good coach….I’ll always appreciate what he did for KY basketball but he left us for pride and greed and if he’d leave L-ville for KY…….well….I would never trust him………but u see Coach Smith has got to go and it’s got to be a new era for KY. basketball
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Most fans do not even count that #1 recruiting class three years ago Frank, Because we are yet to get inside the top 20 with them. Anyway the so called experts that rank high school players are just trying to earn a paycheck anyway! We talked a few post back about the 1992 team that would beat this so called 2007 #1 recruiting class players. I just wonder except for Mashburn, How many players on the 92 team were highly ranked bye these experts. [ THE COACH IS THE GUIDE FOR A TEAM ].
February 25th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
How much more losing must we uk fans have to take? The stats speak for themselves, tons of them at that, Tubby has just got to go. I do not care who the next coach is, just try someone else. Tubby’s way just does not even come close to what we need.
February 26th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Can we fire him now after another obviously disappointing season? I mite not bleed blue ne more if this trend continues GL UofK kinda hard 2 win w/out a coach of the true kentucky basketball team…. tubby is merely a mediocre coach trying to be a big time but of course the only reason kentucky is mediocre is the tradition of kentucky basketball and the their coaches go along w/ it tubby doesnt fit the standards. Tubby the guys you do recruit that do sign with you is only to say that they played for kentucky
February 27th, 2007 at 12:54 am
He’s your man, well keep him and his 10 loss brand of basketball. Its all down hill from here. Burt
February 27th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Hey Tim you’re right you can’t put much into the so called recruiting guru’s. Anyway look at todays article in the Louisville Courier Jounal and even the media has gotten in on the get rid of Tubby. I think it’s a very interesting article. It brings up alot of points you were saying and it looks kind of like he went to this web site and “stole your thunder”. Just kidding but alot of concerns by UK fans he’s bringing out. Barnhart is even looking a little concerned now. UK fans may get their wish but both sides (Tubby and Barnhart) has to do what’s best for the University.
February 27th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
should we fire tubby? well like every one else in ky, i say yes but the question is who do u get to replace the man that is unfireable…..I mean of the coaches that are going to really want this job after the disgrace that he has brought to our progam is short and sweet, until we hire the best coach in america and I mean” john pelphrey” we are never going to be uk again, not until we get back to someone who would love to be and bring kids that would give there soul to wear the real color of blue……………….
February 27th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Chris: Disgrace nope, maybe program slipping yes but disgrace? Nope! not nope but heck no!!!! Eddie Sutton made UK a DISGRACE not Tubby!!!! Like I said Tubby has brought the progam down, but to have a winning season (above 500 is a winning season okay) every year he’s been at UK is not bringing the program to a disgrace. That’s going too far Chris. Does Tubby need to leave? Yes but I think some fans are delusional to say he’s disgraced the program. I think that the fans that has done that by this bickering about how he (Tubby) has disgrace the program. You need to read the Sports Illustrated article “KENTUCKY SHAME” and if Tubby has done worse than Eddie Sutton amid the “NCAA DEATH PENALTY” then you can say Tubby’s disgraced the program. I mean please UK will go to the NCAA for the 18th consecutive year and “boy I can see where that’s a disgrace” ha ha ha really funny Chris.
February 27th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
OK i have read a ton of the posts from the last couple of weeks and am discouraged with Kentucky basketball as much as the rest of you. HOWEVER, while play is slow, boring, and quite often angering under Tubby Smith there aren’t many coaches in America who can almost guarantee you a Sweet 16 every year. The face of college basketball has changed and all the big name schools will go through cycles of greatness and mediocrity. (Ex. Duke, Syracuse, Michigan State) I’ll admit losses have become much easier to swallow the last couple of years, which is not a good sign for the direction our program is heading, but if the only possible replacements are John Pelfrey and Travis Ford then I say keep Tubby. They coach in weak leagues and are unproven in major conferences. They will lose as many or more games in SEC play than under Tubby. Unless Bruce Pearl or maybe a Calipari is going to be the replacement then Tubby needs to remain and be supported because if the fans keep bashing the coach after every loss then Kentucky will not be able to get any decent coach to come here.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
1. If you think tuby should stay your a dumbass.
2 Kentucky had 2 good of a reputation for the loses they are getting…
3. has any one been watching the news…dont look like im the only one feels this way…
4 so wut im geting 2 if fuck you all who thinks he should stay!
February 27th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Let me ask everyone this question… Think real hard and give me some good answers… What GREAT (hell, even good) coaches could we get to leave the program they are already at and come to Kentucky??? And don’t say Billy cause he’s not leaving Florida, or coaches like Roy Williams.. I mean people we could actually GET to leave thier current progam….
February 27th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Tubby needs to leave. He won a championship here with Pitino’s players. I used to think that was a dumb comment but now i think it is true. I probably could have coached that team to a National title. Who has Tubbs recruited besides Prince….No Body.(Maybe you could say Rondo or maybe even meeks or morris. Crawford is a bust i could go on and on but i don’t feel like it. All I know is that I have been to more home loses in the past few years than the rest of my life combined. We cannot even beat VANDY ridiculous. I am starting to not be exited about the games these days almost expecting to loose. You can almost expect that we will get crushed by Florida. 22-13 sucks ass. 19-9 blows. COME the hell on tubbs leave already.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
We can expect to be the laughing stock of the SEC from now on. I wish they wouldn’t broadcast our games anymore its tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo embarising.
February 28th, 2007 at 8:07 am
To the person that wants to drop the F-Bomb to open a comment is either:
1. Losing money on UK games.
2. Taking Fanatic to another level.
3. Has some anger issues and need counseling.
4. Their vocabulary is very limited.
5. All of the above.
Hey people can post what they want to post. But show some class already!!!!! I was one at the beginning saying that Tubby should stay, but since have changed my opinion because of the consistency of having sub-par seasons, but to drop some F-Bombs is that really necessary? Maybe in your mind it is, but hey you can say what you want and show your intelligence or lack of anyway you want as well.
Matt to say that Tayshaun Prince is a nobody: All he’s done is PLAY IN TWO NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS WINNING ONE!!!!!! Good point Matt he’s a nobody!!!! How many NBA championship rings do you have? Here’s another question. How many NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS HAVE YOU WON? Like I said Tubby should leave but to say he hasn’t done ANYTHING is flat out rediculous. Yes he did it with Pitino’s players but like I said before Tubby has done what PITINO couldn’t do he BEAT DUKE!!!!!!!! Home losses you must have forgotten about Pitino’s first year at UK 14-14. Oh well Tubby has to go!!!!
February 28th, 2007 at 8:47 am
We all need to see that it is time for tubby smith to go and step down or either be fired as the head basketball coach at kentucky.He has shown that he cannot get the job done anymore.Tubby smith has shown that he cannot recruit the top players to come play at uk.Tubby smith no longer has the drive to coach at a college like uk.It time for tubby smith to either be fired or for him to do the right thing and step down as the head basketball coach at the uk wildcats basketball program.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Frank L. Porter (2 comments above) said, “Home losses you must have forgotten about Pitino’s first year at UK 14-14.”
UK was undefeated at home that year! Plus they were on probation and had nobody!
February 28th, 2007 at 10:38 am
True Chris: I don’t argue the point that Tubby needs to go. This sounds repetitve, but some fans react as if Tubby is the worst coach in America. He’s not even close. UK needs Travis Ford!!!!!!!!!!! He should be the next UK coach. He’s young, and bleeds UK Blue. Hey Chris good point you made but also remember that besides Mashburn these were the same nobody’s that were called “the unforgetables” remember?
February 28th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Chris, Actually they lost to Louisville that year at home, On Dec. 30 , 86 to 79.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Also guys , Mashburn was not there the first year of Pitino, It was the second year when they went 22 and 6 on the year and they had the best record in the SEC at 14 and 4. That year they went undefeated at home.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Thanks Tim.
March 1st, 2007 at 8:42 am
LOL (dont get rid of tubby) ya bs..he’s boring to watch..when their on offense they just stand around not doing anything how can you win like that? how about we kick tubby out the door and get JOHN CALIPARI (memphis) now that man knows how to coach he’s got the attitude the recruiting skills and is a long time freind to patino so he knows the importance
March 1st, 2007 at 11:19 am
Calipari can recruit but he can’t coach. Look at all of the talent that he’s had around him at Memphis and what was the farthest he went? Elite 8. He went to the Final Four at Umass and went nowhere except probation. Then he decides to leave Umass after the damage, so if you want Calipari who has controversy following him wherever he goes then cast your lot for him. Like I said before Travis Ford is your man of the future.
March 1st, 2007 at 11:32 am
one problem porty, ford cant recruit…travis ford, complete with his mullet, walks into a recruits room…the players reaction, “who are you and what are you doing in my living room.”…point is we need someone huge, im thinking from the nba…how about rex chapmen
March 1st, 2007 at 12:49 pm
travis would and could recruit given the tools he would have to work with at u.k he’s a hustler ask the boys that played 4 him @ campbesville, the kids love him and love playing 4 him.Calipari is a great coach and a great recruiter frank, he builds teams like pitino look at what he did at umass and memphis maybe he has a ploblem winning the big one but if we were lucky enough to get him at kentucky,the talent he’s able to attract because of his style and the allure of playing 4 the wildcats would put him and us there. I’d love travis but i’d not snub calipari eaither.
March 1st, 2007 at 12:59 pm
spooner, if you don’t think that these kids from kentucky that orlando has been overlooking or more likley ignoring would know travis ford your crazy,he’s also got some national attention at umass now. you bet your boots he’d recruit and those that dont know him soon would.
March 1st, 2007 at 4:11 pm
I hear you Tim, I just don’t know that Calipari would be good for UK. He can recruit, but I’m not sold on his coaching plus he whines too much. I know every coach has to work the refs but I’m just not sold on Calipari. Great Great recruiter average coach for UK. Ford on the other hand is HUNGRY!!!!! Look at the kids on Umass. They have his personality and you know Tim that would carry over to UK.
March 1st, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Frank, I agree with you on Calipari, Me myself would rather go for someone that has blue in their veins. A few post back I wrote about Travis Ford or John Pelprey, These guys know Kentucky history and Kentucky people, even though John is coaching in a weaker conf. I think he would be great. I played in high school against John, He was not the most talented player I ever played against but he was Larry Bird court smart, and burned me alot of times that still gives me nightmares to this day. Anyway both of these guys would be my chose for the next UK coach.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I agree… travis would be a good choice thing is we’re not sure how it would go…calipari spells the word winning when you think of it and it shows that he can coach if he has the TALENT to coach. And at kentucky the sky is the limit for recruiting…look at Hall when he coached kentucky…not a good coach but he could recruit and bingo a championship.
March 4th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
another 10 loss season…
March 5th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
oh well the best thing that can happen to kentucky is they loose the first round of the SEC tourney then loose first round of the NCAA tourney (if they make it) then maybe we will see somone else coaching next season…..we want kentucky to loose now guys as much as soon as possible we can change the rest of the seasons by loosing miserably this season
March 5th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
anyone got any predictions for the SEC tourny and the big dance for the CATS???
March 5th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Tuby is the best damn assistant coach out there right now being paid to be a head coach!
March 5th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
DOES IT REALLY COST MONEY TO POST ON CATSPAUSE?
March 7th, 2007 at 8:23 am
well ryan my hopes are….loose the first round of th sec tournement then dont make it to the ncaa tournement and have john calipari here next season.
March 7th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Why are so many people so enamored with Calipari? He’s a good coach but how many championships has he won? Zero. He has ALL OF THAT TALENT in Memphis and cannot even make it to the final four. What do you think he will do at UK? NOTHING. People think that Tubby’s bad. Calipari Will not win a NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP. He will be like Jim Boehiem until he won his after 25 years of coaching and I KNOW CAT NATION WILL NOT PUT UP WITH THAT!!!!!!!!! Get TRAVIS FORD, John Pelphrey or Tom Crean at Marquette. I would even go after Bill Self. UK basketball is like Notre Dame football. It doesn’t matter how many down years the school has it is still the “DREAM JOB” of college basketball. Once you coached at UK you have been to the mountain top of college basketball coaching. Get Travis Ford!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 7th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
OK CALIPARI HASNT WON A CHAMPIONSHIP BUT LOOK WHERE HES COACHED. HAD ANYONE HEARD OF UMASS BEFORE HE GOT THERE…. NO. HAD ANYONE EVER HEARD OF MEMPHIS BEFORE HE GOT THERE…. NO. HERES THE TRUTH, CALIPARI TAKES BAD TEAMS AND RECRUITS GREAT PLAYERS AND WINS. HERES THE TRUTH ABOUT TUBBY. HE TOOK A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AND HAS RUN IT IN THE GROUND WITH HIS MEDIOCORE TALENT HE RECRUITS AND HIS BORING STYLE OF BALL. HE NEEDS TO GO PERIOD. HES A GOOD COACH BUT HES STAYED TOO LONG HERE. KENTUCKY ISNT EVEN WORTH WATCHING ANYMORE. I REMEMBER WHEN I COULDNT WAIT TO WATCH UK PLAY NOW I FIND IT HARD TO STAY AWAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 9th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
this has to end. its embarrassing and not right. have some pride. this is the most winningest program in college basketball and none of you are demanding more championships. if we dont fire tubby, we should get him an assistant who knows how to and what to recruit. he recruits bumbs like 7′2″ jumbos from poland and we pass that off as a uk program. reality check. just lost our 11th game of the season to mississippi state. we actually are struggling with mississippi state?? i dont know what but something has to be done. one thing that is positive is our freshman this year: meeks, jasper, and stevenson look really good and that says something about tubby’s recruiting. but….we lost the sec tournament again. this is the tournament that used to be called the wildcat invitational. it has to be that again or we are selling ourselves short.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
hey give Tubby some credit and to say he can’t recruit is ludacris. remeber the class of rando, crawford, morris and bradley. Just cause rondo isn’t here doesn’t mean anything. I’m 26 and grew up to bleed blue and i watched the duke uk game and cried and to say that this team is terrible is not fair. there young and inexperienced. Tubby will bring in Jai Lucas and hopefully patterson and then what will you guys say next oh tubby is a great coach. come on kentucky basketball is still the best program and seasons to come will be delightful. and uk is here to stay don’t be suprised if we upset a #1 seed in the tournament, tubby will have them ready.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
i have watched kentucky since moving here from kansas city 10 years ago. i decided to follow kentucky because of the history an winning tradition, also because i got tired of cheering kansas an losing in the first round every year. watching over these past few years has been a painful. im tired of watching the constant struggle this team is going thru. something has got to change. i thought Rick p. was a great recruiter but not really much of a coach, hell he didnt have to be with the talent he had. Tubby doesnt have the sense to pick a good player when he sees one. uhm loften comes to mind….sure hes got some good ones but not what he should hell this is kentucky. great kids wanna come to a great program even if that means tubby, but he over looks them. my oppinon hes gotta go or atleast get him an asst that will do his recruiting for him.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Personally I’d like nothing better than to see Tubby go! I never wanted him at Kentucky in the first place. But Barnhardt doesn’t have the guts to fire him or ask him for his resignation. I would love to see Travis Ford or John Pelphrey as Head coach, but Barnhardt doesn’t have the vision needed for this kind of decision. Travis Ford has proven himself at UMass . I love the way Travis coaches and with him at Kentuckys helm I can see more banners flying in Rupp Arena. Sadly though, we will have to suffer through more tubby(boring)ball, and mediocrity. I’m sick and tired of people thinking a 20 win season is o.k. Maybe at other schools this would fly, but not at Kentucky. To get back to the top we need a complete overhaul. Tubby needs to go!!!!!!!!
March 10th, 2007 at 10:59 am
This has to stop. After watching the game against msu yesterday, I thought they got screwed. I thought the call against sheray was a bad call and “may have” cost them the game. But, then I started thinking about the whole situation. That and a little Sportscenter slow-mo replay of the incident have caused me to rethink the whole deal. In the replay, as the ref is set to deliver the ball to jodie meeks, tubby gets sheray’s attention and motions for him to move off the line. BAD DECISION #1.
After the lane violation, we don’t 1) guard the guy inbounding the ball to try to force a turnover and we also don’t foul to make them shoot 2 free throws (they were down 3). BAD DECISION #2.
We lose all momentum going into the OT, but quickly regain it on a Morris 3 point play. Back and forth during the OT, but then a crucial time (to me) was our last possession. We have 1 timeout and have the ball with around 20 sec left. We go into our stagnant offensive set, then inexplicably, we don’t call timeout to set up our offense? Instead, we get off a horrible shot (possible foul on the play), msu closes out for the win. BAD DECISIONS ALL AROUND.
But, I’m not a coach. I’m just a fan with opinions on how a game should be played. With that being said, if Tubby can recruit Jai Lucas and Patterson, I’ll think more highly of him. At least he’ll bring in some new blood to a stagnant program. If not, for any reason, he needs to pack his bags and hit the road…because it’s only going to get worse.
March 10th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Watched KY basketball since the early 60’s and still a fan. But Tubby’s not getting it done. Either replace him, or get him a recruiter. KY’s pull for recruits is going to disappear if this losing record continues–the school is simply going to fall into second tier status and stay there. Can you say Cadillac?
March 12th, 2007 at 6:54 am
I have been a UK fan since the early 60’s and the last 8 years have been the most frustrating of all the 40+ years I’ve been watching and listening to UK basketball. My brother-in-law put it best when he said during the 99 season: “I’d rather watch paint dry than watch this game”!! Some of the Joe Hall years were frustrating but not 8 in a row. Anyway, here’s what I say about firing Tubby: I think Tubby is a good coach but we need a change. The 20-10 one win and out in the NCAA is getting old and personally I don’t see that changing as long as Tubby hangs around. We need a new perspective, even if it is 20-10, one win and out in the NCAA at least there is hope for the next year with a new coach. My suggestion is Travis Ford, look what he did with EKU and UMass. Let’s get a coach that is not afraid to coach offense. Anyone that has been watching UK basketball and knows some of the history knows the best teams ever have lived on offense, run and gun. We have had 10 years of defense and with the exception of Tubby’s NCAA win with Rick’s recruiting, we’ve done very little. My hope was to see UK overtake UCLA with 13 NCAA titles before I die but with Tubby there it will never happen.
One other comment: Randolph Morris is one of the most talented offensive centers that has ever attended UK. I did not see Spivey but I don’t see how his offensive skills could have been much better than Morris’. He will make it in the NBA because the NBA coaches will not put up with his somewhat lackadaisical attitude toward rebounding and defense (at best he is off and on on rebounding and defense).
I leave you with a question (actually this is for Tubby), who is the leader of this team? If he doesn’t know, we need a change and based on his comments about “nobody stepping up”, he doesn’t know!!!!!
March 12th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Darren: I will give you UMass for Calipari, but Memphis has been a good team way before Calipari arrived. They went to the final four in the 70’s and the 80’s and went to the elite 8 in the 90’s. You cannot convince me that Calipari is a better coach than Tubby. Heck Tubby’s got a better winning percentage than Calipari and you want to replace Tubby with him. The only person right now that would even think of coming to UK and has a better winning percentage than Tubby would be Billy Donovan and rememer Darren he has it really good at Florida. Darren and all Donovan supporters mark this down Donovan’s run is about to end after this year. He will lose his entire starting line up either to graduation or early entry to the NBA. He will then go back to mediocrity. I think Tubby should go or gut his whole coaching staff and bring someone that can recruit quality players. But to keep mentioning Calipari that’s an insult to UK and to Tubby. Besides Calipari hasn’t WON ANYTHING maybe a few C-USA titles but he hasn’t won anything like let’s say a NCAA TITLE, and he’s doesn’t know the importance of UK basketball history. I still say grab Travis Ford whose UMass team got “hosed” by being left out of the NCAA tournament. I got a question for those Calipari supporters. What if Calipari misses the final four yet again this year with all of this talent he has and Tubby can get past Kansas with “in UK fans opinion” no talent? Just a little question.
By the way I’ve been around UK basketball since the 70’s maybe it’s not 40 years but I forgot more UK basketball history then some of these so-called UK supporters will ever know.
March 13th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Frank, you’ve been given your praise by myself and others for your ability, achicements or lack of personal intrest, which ever may apply that enables you to spend so much time storing knowledge only to post it on this blog.Now its time to tell you your a frigging idiot (fortune 500 company desk jockey or not)if you think Calipari is not a great coach, he’s exciting,he coaches a great game he controls his players and everyone knows who’s in charge of his team,YES HIM.His players play for him they respect his opinion,ability and authourity. All unlike Orlando. Not only that he develops tallent, not all his players come in nearley as highley touted as he would have at Kentucky they definatley dident at Umass.Sure you heve a valid point about his inability to go deep consitlentley in the tournament or win the big one,but with the extra unph the allure of the University of Kentucky would give his already GREAT recruiting and player development i think that would put him as well as us over the top AND AT THE VERY LEAST WE WOULD HAVE AN EXCITING SEASON OF TRADITIONAL KENTUCKY BASKETBALL THAT WE CAN STOMACH, AND A COACH THAT HAS PROVEN HIS DEVOTION TO HIS JOB INSTEAD OF THIS SAME OLE BORING LAZY ASS CRAP FROM THE SAME OLE UNDER ACHIVING COACH THAT REFUSES TO LISTEN TO HIS FANS THAT PAY HIS SALARY,AND REFUSES TO DEVOTE THE TIME AND EFFORT(IF HE EVEN HAS THE KNOWLEDGE OR ABILITY)INTO PUTTING A TEAM ON THE FLOOR THAT THAT UNDERSTANDS WHERE THEIR PLAYING AND WHAT IT MEANS.Orlando has never shoWn he has the ability to control college players the thought of him in the NBA is where the joke is now that would be funny.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Wow thanks for the compliment Mike. I appreciate the compliments and I appreciate the passion you have for the cats. I guess I deserve that one didn’t I? I never said that Calipari was a bad coach I simply said that he’s not the coach that fits UK. You have your opinion and I have mine, but other than the great team he (Calipari) had at UMass tell me what has he done at Memphis? If you can give me some kind of achievement then I owe you an ENGRAVED apology. Look you and everybody else has made a criteria for who should be the next UK basketball coach and I’m sorry I don’t think that Calipari is the one that can get the job done. Like I said he’s a heck of a recruiter but he’s also proven that he can do LESS WITH MORE TALENT more than Tubby has. Like I said if I’m wrong I’m a stand up guy that will gladly give you kudos for proving your point. I enjoy your passion. I wish Tubby would show the same passion coaching this team as fans for loving UK and it’s tradition. Anyway Mike I don’t make any apologies for who I work for and as stated before I appreciate the above mentioned credits you have given. It’s not about personal stabs at each other and I apologize to you and other fans for a earlier posts that I made towards some of the fans including you Mike. I just feel that the next UK coach should be a former player (Travis Ford or John Pelphrey) who knows first hand the passion of UK basketball. In my opinion Calipari just doesn’t appeal to me. There’s just more coaches that has done more than him.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Frank, I don’t appreciate your reference to forgetting more UK basketball than I know. However, I agree with you on Calipari. He coached UMass with supreme talent and didn’t make it, he coached in the NBA and didn’t make it, now he’s trying Memphis and I bet he doesn’t make it. Billy Donovan isn’t going anywhere even if he looses his whole team this year. I say if we get a different coach make it new blood and again I agree with Frank an ex-UK player. Pelphrey would be a great assistant but I don’t think he has the charisma to coach Kentucky. On the other hand, I think Travis Ford has plenty of national recognition and a natural feeling for the game. He took Campbellsville to 28-3, EKU from 7-19 to 22-9 and the NCAA in five years and had a good initial season at UMass. Travis was a coach on the floor when he played, he’s a natural and I think we’re missing an opportunity if we don’t get him because he may wind up at another SEC school, kicking our butts every year (like Billy Donovan) or worse yet an ACC school.
By the way FRANK, here’s a test for your UK knowledge talents, who was the player recruited from Elizabethtown in 1966-67 but wound up at Vanderbilt? Here’s an easier one, who is a member of the 1000 point club and was the principal of Fort Knox High School (he only played 2 years at UK but still made the 1000 point club)? OK, I’ll make it easier, which player starred for Kentucky that played for Owensboro High School in 1949? This is the last question and if you don’t get this one, I think I have forgotten more KY basketball than you know. Name the 5 starters known as Rupp’s Runts and the leading scorer of the team.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
OK fireing tubby then hireing travis would the dumbest thing they could do….calipari hasnt wont a championship because he hasnt coached a championship team…you cant get GOOD players at memphis….he does good with what he has…think if he acctually had GOOd players
March 13th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
travis sucks. it would be a tubby all over again loosing and loosing and loosing till his contract finnaly ran up
March 13th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
tubby has a better winning %? who has ky upset the last two years? wow we beat santa clara, umass, eastern, ole miss, wow tubby is god Lol go make me a sammich, conference usa is by no means a great conference but atleast memphis has some upsets in them.
March 13th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Uh Roy, which Travis are you referring to when you say he will keep loosing and loosing? Check the record, Campbellsville 28-3, EKU 22-9, when he played at UK 86-18 in three years, Academic All-SEC every year, All SEC as a player, Final Four one year (he was the second leading scorer on the team that got beat by Michigan in the final four, Mashburn was the leading scorer). I don’t believe Calipari was all-anything. He has a good record as a coach but he obviously doesn’t have the “gray matter” needed to get to the top. That’s where Travis Ford is way ahead.
I agree with you on one point, we need to get rid of Tubby.
March 13th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I have followed Kentucky Basketball For over 30yrs, this istuation with Tubby is unacceptable. He has zero charisma and poor teaching methods. Please fire Tubby!
March 13th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
OK KYCAT52, I love Quizes on BBall, So let me try some of your questions here goes, First I thick it was Bobby Watson that played 2 years and scored a little more than 1,000 points, Also he played for Owensboro High School. And you have to be kidding on the rosters of the 1966 team? Anybody that watches the cats should know this, Pat Riley 22 points per game was the leading scorer and the others were Dampier, Jaracz, Conley,Kron.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
The fire Tubby debate is a mute point. Truth is, he has to many wins to justify his firing. He has not missed the big dance in his tenure. He has won regular season and tournament titles. He has a national title under his belt. He is perceived as one of the most respected coaches in the country. The above points are what all of the national talking heads are using to tell the rest of the country that U.K. fans are a bunch of brain dead hicks for wanting this man fired. I have been 20 yrs. a U.K. fan, and am as uninterested in Tubby,s teams as anyone. I am also smart enough to know Orlando will leave, when ORLANDO is ready. There is not an athletic director in the country with big enough BALLS to fire Tubby. They know, they have raised tuition and tickets prices to pay for his big ass salary, they’re sure as hell not going to pay him 4 mil. to leave. Besides that they’ed have every Jesse Jackson and Rev, Al Sharpton in the country knocking down the door the next morning. Tubby will leave when he is good and ready kids, we better live with it.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Just an attachment to the above statement, if we do fire Tubby…………………………………………………………….Frank L. Porter is the only logical choice.(psss. he’s fortune 500 ya’ know)
March 14th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Chris you are the man. I know I couldn’t handle being a UK coach, but thanks for your recommendation. Can I use you for a reference when I update my resume’? Anyway Kycat52 I shouldn’t have said that comment about forgetting more about UK basketball history than most know that was obviously a poor choice of words but I’m always up for a challenge as far as knowledge about basketball is concerned, but I’m not going to get into that right now. Tim thanks for coming to my rescue because Kycat52 actually had me on some of those test questions with the exception of Rupps Runts 1966 NCAA runner-up team and of course Bobby Watson who in my opinion has to be one of the top ten players to have played at UK given the points he scored in the two years he played for the cats. If UK wants Tubby to leave they can afford to pay him off. UofL paid Denny Crum a little over $15 million to leave, and all the boosters will find a way to come up with the money to pay Tubby off and besides if the Cats were to hire Travis Ford I think he would almost coach UK for free (just kidding) but this would be the dream job for Travis and did you see the late game coaching job he did beating Alabama last night. Travis has a great basketball IQ and knows the game inside and out. He prepares his team well and besides having UK on his record as a player he would be the logical choice to be the next coach oh and Roy the kid can recruit like heck. He would have every kid in KY and America wanting to come to UK. Mark that down. Hire Travis Ford. Kycat52 is absolutely right Ford was a court general when he played for the Cats. By the way Roy Calipari had a total of 5 McDonalds All-Americans or All-Americans at Memphis. Darius Washington, Arthur Barclay, Rodney Carney, Shaun Williams and Joey Dorsey. As I said in posts before Calipari has done LESS with MORE.
March 14th, 2007 at 7:50 am
I definatley agree travis should be the next choice for head coach at u.k. hopefully sooner than later. I know kids that played for him and they love and respect him and his history and passion for the game. My point with Calipari is that all he seems to be missing is a big name school and all the perks for the recruits that come with the name, he always seems to be one player, call or possession away at the very least thats exciting basketball once again in kentucky.Championships happen once a year and its unrealistic to think anyone can win them all, but anybody that feels as if Calipari coaching at U.K. wouldent put him closer (at the least) then your not giving the allure of playing for U.K. the credit it deserves, with his recruting, coaching style and the University of Kentucky draw i think we would for sure be just fine
March 14th, 2007 at 8:10 am
WE PLAY NOBODY!!!! BECAUSE TUBBY IS SCARED TO LOOSE!
March 14th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Tubby should be fired but if he would get a grip he could win on
March 14th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I just read an article on Yahoo sports about UK’s problems (Tubby’s problems). I believe Barnhardt is planning to hire a “general manager” so Tubby can “just coach, not recruit”. It is a change but Tubby still needs to go. Can anyone here tell me why Sheray Thomas plays 20 minutes a game while Perry Stevenson sits on the bench? It’s easy to be an armchair coach but Sheray couldn’t score 20 points in 10 games and Stevenson could do it in one if he was given a chance. Also, when Joe Crawford or Bradley get in one of those dirbble moods, put somebody else in, there’s plenty of guards on the bench. I guess I’m just frustrated with 21-11 going to 21-12.
Frank, the article referred to above said that UK would have to pay $5M to buy Tubby out and a booster was interviewed and said they could come up with it in 48 hours.
By the way the E-town grad that was recruited and went to Vandy was Les Yates. The 2-year 1000 point club member that was the Fort Knox principal was Bob Burrow. He transferred from a JR. college in the 50’s and scored over 1000 in 2 years. He was about 6-9 and in the 50’s that was big. You did get the one about Rupp’s Runts, though.
March 14th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
KyCat52 , I read that to, But Barnhardt would not say if Tubby was going to be here more than one year. I think he will hire a general manager and try it that way for a year or two, that way Tubby will not have any excuses for not winning. Tubby wants Stevenson to build up his body, Everyone knows that Tubby thinks he cannot have a team without his signature big man in the middle, Look at all the built Tubby teams, Half court offence with the big guy. It would take 4 Million to buy Tubby out, If Tubby is here after April 3rd it will be 5 Million.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Tim, good point, Barnhardt is hiring the GM to give Tubby no excuses and thanks for the correction $4M until April 3rd and $5M after that. I think either way the boosters would come up with it. Bottom line that bothers me is another year of “Tubby-Ball”, 20-10, 1st or 2nd round of the NCAA and no SEC championships. Surely if that happens in ‘08, people will come to their senses. Also, I hope it won’t be too late for Travis Ford by then. I really have a good feeling about Travis and the chemstry that would develop between him and his players plus the fans here. He’s young enough to try different things unlike Tubby who is stuck on defense and half court offense. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with defense but check the winning programs over the years. How many averaged less than 70 points a game vs. 80 or more? I think you’ll find the vast majority averaged 80 or more if they had a great season. North Carolina and their “slow down” offense before the shot clock is of course an exception. Dean Smith utilized defense and the “four corner” offense to the maximum extent possible in the 50’s and 60’s. Since the advent of the 3-point arc and the shot clock, most great teams have used good defense and lots of scoring as their method of winning.
About Stevenson, I know you’re right Tim but you have to admit it is frustrating to see him on the bench when you know he could help the team now.
I never thought I’d see the day where football and baseball would creep up on basketball as far as fan interest is concerned at the University of Kentucky. But hey, baseball season is underway and it looks like we’ll get another SEC Championship there and possibly the NCAA Title (barring injuries).
March 15th, 2007 at 7:47 am
omg…LOL travis ford would not make a difference he knows what uk is about yes but just because he teaches a sucky school with a sucky conference doesnt make him the number 1 pick for coaching..he would be a kid with an ant far, unreliable and inconsistent
March 15th, 2007 at 7:47 am
ant farm^^^
March 15th, 2007 at 8:21 am
KyCat52, only 3 of the last 8 NCAA champion’s have averaged more than 80 points. This years high powered Florida team hasn’t even averaged 80 (close though).
March 15th, 2007 at 9:43 am
OK, webmaster, thanks. I just guessed but I believe everyone will agree with me when I say, Kentucky over the years plays much better with the “run and gun” style as opposed to the conservative half court (Tubby Ball) offense.
Roy, I guess we have to agree to disagree. By the way, it took Billy Donovan a few years to turn Florida around but he was young and willing to experiment. Now look where he is…….
March 15th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Roy, How about this (excerpts from other web-sites) for a coach that would “loose and loose”:
“Travis Ford will look at more game tapes Tuesday before the game in order to make the final preparations for the Minutemen’s first playoff game since 2000.
Chris Lowe’s pull-up jumper with 1.6 seconds left in overtime gave Massachusetts an 89-87 victory over Alabama in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday night.
The Minutemen (24-8) advanced to play at West Virginia in the second round Thursday night. The Mountaineers, the No. 1 seed in the East Region, defeated eighth-seeded Delaware State 70-54.”
March 15th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Roy, a little more about Travis Ford and UMass, they scored over 100 points 3 times this year and they averaged over 80 points a game, they were 23-8 and 13-3 in the conference and they’re making their first post conference tourney appearence in 7 years. You’re dead wrong about Travis Ford, he’s a winner and would bring the excitement back to UK basketball.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:20 am
KyCat52, The reason UK fans like the fast paced offence [ including me ] is that Rupp is the one that invented that style of play back in the 1930,s, That is way he was so successful. Also Pitino used that same offence in the 1990,s and both Rupp and Pitino had 82 , 81 winning percentages. I agree with you 100% , That the run and gun was used bye the two best coaches in UK history and the true UK fans are use to seeing it. Also it would not matter where Travis Ford is coaching at the time UK needs a coach, I think he would come back to Uk if they called. UK is one of the top 5 coaching jobs in America and one of the best paid. Me myself do not think Tubby will get the job done here, Most of the younger fans has only watched this style of play and do not remember the good UK teams and they make excuses for Smith [ Like the SEC is stronger or There is other schools to get these players] When in truth if you look at Pitino,s and Tubby,s stats, The best Smith team only had stats as good as Pitino,s average teams. Bottom line Smith is not UK materal and never will be, but I think Ford would.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:43 am
kykitten your missing the point, do you think ford could bring people to uk, he is a no body to the recruits now adays…we need a big name…a retired nba coach would be key…hubie brown, rudie tomrodovich(how ever you spell it), or how about bill walton, ha jk
March 16th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Think as u shall greengoblin but your dead wrong about Ford. his name would be regonized by every kid that was interested in ky basketball,which would now be the young men he’d be recruiting . This guy has heart,intensity and coaches as he played with commitment to winning.i’d feel privledged to get him,he’s not trying to reinvent the wheel like orlando.As far as the tallent level he’s got at umass, well he’s winning that should say something and more so he’s winning when he’s supposed to as a rule and you cant say that for orlando. Everyone against Travis need’s to do their homework because if we wait for orlando to totally destroy this program Travis will be like Donavon he’ll locked into a program and we’ll never touch him WRITETHIS DOWN SOONER THAN LATER HE’LL BE ONE OF THE GREATS.
March 17th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
right this down mikey mike, ford is not known by todays kid, 18 year olds only really know basketball in the 00’s…ford played in the early ninety’s, these kids today were only about 3 or 4 back then…dont get me wrong every one knows of glen rice, larry johnson, nick van exel, and of course the fab five but you cant put ford in that category…dont get me wrong ford is a great coach, but to say he will bring in guys based on his basketball years at kentucky is ludicris…he was a good player, but come on son…tubby is a big name, and if were gonna get rid of him, its gotta be for another big name…you were right when you said that kentucky fans will know who he is, well unfortuanately, the state of kentucky is not the best place to field a team…there are only about 3 d1 high school players a year…right this down, and dont forget it, your as clueless as dickie v
March 18th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Well i just sat through another early exit from the ncaa tournament again!!!. I have heard about this web site several times but never thought it actually existed. I have looked at most of the comments above and i agree with everyone that thinks tubby should go, this isn’t gonna get it though. The football team brings in more $$$$$$$ than the basketball team because they own the arena they play in.I’ve heard the rent in rupp arena is high. What will raise more eyebrows than a hugh drop in ticket sales? I say hit them where it hurts (pocketbook).The sad part will be, trying to get the lazy alumni (that don’t stand up and cheer) sitting in lower arena seats to quit coming to games.I’m tired of seeing all of our records,(most games won),(most tournament apearances),etc………..dwindle away at the hands of an incompetent basketball coach and athletic director. Yeah i said it, mitch barnhardt is part of the problem also, he (mb) needs to step in and issue a couple of demands instead of beating around the bush in the newspaper about what could or couldn’t happen.Until UK sees a drop in revenue from the basketball games or the athletic director grows a set and makes something happen, nothing is gonna change.
March 19th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Sat through another early exit!!! I’m so sick of tubbyball. no excitement. Packer was saying that the talent level of Kansas was so superior to Kentucky. And he was right. Used to be Kentucky would have the advantage in that department. But the talented kids don’t want to play for tubby. And the ones that do (Lofton, Byars, and Brewer) tubbo passes on. It’s time for a change, top to bottom. From the gutless athletic director to the non producing coaches. BRING ON TRAVIS FORD!!!!! At least with him there will be excitement again. But don’t bring on that gutless Calipari. He had a chance to move Memphis but wanted to stay in conf. usa so he could dominate it and get a high seed every year. Get rid of tubby now!!!
March 19th, 2007 at 7:30 am
yah travis is a good player but his coaching sucks penis their not getting him anyway there’s rumor uk is looking at villanova coach which might work his style is much better since he full court presses the whole game and some other coach at some virginia team that has brought them along he played for pitino at uk i dont remember his name tho.
March 19th, 2007 at 7:31 am
oh and it took billy donovan a few years to make florida good? you stay some where long enough you will have a good team lol has donovan always had a good team…no but every dog has their day dont they
March 19th, 2007 at 7:54 am
Well greenthumd lets see, who the hell knew tubby, he coached at tulsa and georgia.(WTF) Ford is good and will be great anyway their gonna keep the BUGEYED FOOL so theres no sense debating who would be best for the job. So much for the so called great defensive mind of Orlando look at what Kansas did to their press,look at what every team does with a real coach HE SUCKS.
March 19th, 2007 at 10:55 am
I have traveled this whole web site and I am very glad to find that not one comment was found regarding Tubby Smith’s race! The issues that UK fans have with Tubby are strictly basketball related as they should be.
Who are the idiots who keep saying that the calls for him to leave UK are racist????? Those people are the bigots, not the UK fans who know basketball better than any other fans in the game!!!!!!!!!!
March 19th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I guess i’m of the minority in that i don’t think Coach Smith has done anything deserving of being fired. His numbers are comprable to if not better than the top Collage Basketball coaches today. I however, do wish Coach Smith would resign from coaching UK. He deserves so much more than what the fanatical UK fans are giving him. I also believe that the Tubby Bashers are in the minority as it pertains to true UK fans. I try hard to understand why real UK fans would write some of the things that they write on sites like this one, knowing that it’s only hurting recruiting. It beats me. Ok, back to my original thougt. Tubby is a great coach and person, and if he chooses to tell those few maniac fans (that don’t really understand basketball but live in some twilightzone, thinking that a program in todays b’ball era, can make it to the final four every year), to take this job and shove it, i would first applaud him for a job well done but then i would home that the university would look at some really good replacements such as John Thompson Jr, or Paul Hewitt.
GO, TUBBY
March 19th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I’m still confused how tubby can have people defend him. What exactly do you want and/or expect from the university of kentucky basketball program? Mediocrity? 10-12 losses per season EVERY year? Struggling to bring in players who want to play their heart out night in and night out?
I’m not saying that tubby is behind the “slump” that kentucky is currently in. I’m not saying that he can fix it, either. The dilemma we, as fans, are left with is this: do we accept the shortcomings of our current program or do we make a move? The problem we are faced with by firing tubby is not just a monetary fix. It normally takes a program 3 full seasons for the coach to implement his program and recruit his type of players to run it.
I truly believe we should not have to listen to the constant barrage of “weeping” support from the television big mouths on espn and cbs. You don’t see the same thing in college football. It’s a much more cutthroat business. Win, and win now. And, with the new rules governing player age (with true players like greg oden and kevin durant), there is no reason to expect anything less from our proud tradition of a program. Tubby’s time has come and now it’s time for him to move on to the NBA. He deserves respect for his records, but the truth is: Drain the tub and move forward.
March 19th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Stephon, YOU must be in a twilight zone. While I may agree with you that Tubby is a great person, he’s an average coach. He’d make a great head coach at High Point, Tulsa, or Lindsey Wilson. Just not at Kentucky. I’m not bashing Tubby, it’s his style of ball that makes me sick. And that style is what is hurting recruiting, not us Kentucky fans saying bad things about Tubby. The kids today want to play basketball not slo-ball. Also your “original” thought is nothing more than what the talking heads in the media are saying. Here is the truth, in ‘98 Tubby took Pitinos players and won himself a national championship. A couple of coach of the year awards, a perfect season in the sec, a couple of #1 seeds in the NCAA coupled with a couple of flame outs , a top ranked recruiting class that in only a FEW games have shown what they are capable of. But the last 2 years have been miserable. Like I said before, 20 win seasons might fly at other schools but not at Kentucky. Tubby needs to go!!
March 20th, 2007 at 7:22 am
I’D LOVE TO HAVE ORLANDO AS A NEIGHBOR,FRIEND AND SO ON, BUT U HAVE TO BE FRIGGING KIDDING ME THAT SOME OF YOU STILL CONSIDER HIM TO BE A GREAT COACH.LOOK AT WHAT SELF DID TO HIM,HE COACHED HIM UNDER THE TABLE.TUBBYS POORLEY RECRUITED TEAMS ARE UN-CONDITIONED, UN-PREPARED, UNDERACHIVING, LAZY AND UN-MOTIVATED.THE REVERSE OF ALL THOSE FAULTS IS WHERE COACHING COMES INTO PLAY.I DONT SEE ALL THIS GREAT DEFENSE TUBBY TEACHES EAITHER LOOK AT WHAT KANSAS DID TO THEM.EVERY TIME THEY PLAYED A AVERAE OR BETTER TEAM THEY GOT THEIR ASSES HANDED TO THEM,EVEN IF THEY WON THEY STILL LOOKED POORLEY CONDITIONED AND UNORGINIZED
March 20th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Stephon: I seen your post and if or when Tubby leaves UK he will not be replaced by another African American coach. Is that playing the race card? Only the ones involved in the hiring process knows. I personally think that it’s the “nature of the beast” so to speak. Neither UK or about 85-90% of the major NCAA institutions would replace one African American coach with another. Is that fair? No but this is not about the race issue of Tubby Smith it’s more about results and unfortunately according to the standards of the UK faithful Tubby’s not getting it done so UK needs to bring someone else in the picture that:
1. Has UK ties.
2. Knows the winning tradition of Kentucky basketball.
3. Someone that can recruit quality players to bring the program back to National prominence.
Right now Travis Ford would be my Number one choice followed by John Pelphrey. As I said in earlier posts I would perhaps look for Tom Crean or even Jamie Dixon of Pittsburgh and my last choice would be Mike Brey from Notre Dame. Although there are some qualified African American coaches that could coach at UK the reason why I did not mention their names is because unfortunately UK or most of the institutions again would not replace one African American coach with another. If I’m wrong then I stand to be corrected. GO CATS!!!!!!!
March 20th, 2007 at 11:52 am
his number are comprable stephon? lmao his numbers are good against who? eastern kentucky? santa clara? your kind of like mitch barnheart (however you spell it) doesnt know suck when he see’s it and cant take a hint.
March 20th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
so sorry to hear OTS will be retained tubby is a good coach,,just not the coach for UK. a tubby smith recruit has never been to a final 4,he does not recruit KY high school players who would come if offered,& if lucas or patterson were concerned if smith was goig to be there IF they were to come,,why didn’t either or both show tubby some love & say WERE COMING COACH we will miss out on both,, next year looks to be worse kiddo’s so yes tubby must go.. i knew we were in trouble when saul smith started at the point (thats all i got to say about thaaaat)
March 20th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Stephen, There is nothing wrong with wanting this team to keep what they have been doing for over 70 years, Winning is what got this team where they are today, That is why we are being looked at right now all over the country because UK just does not lose games like they have the last 2 years. You think that the fans should have a say in this, Afterall the fans are the ones that buy the tickets to support this team every year ? Also you do not pay a coach 2 million a year to be a nice guy, You pay him to keep a dynasty going. Tubby took over a team that was already built and it has had a steady decline, Look at the players that have left or would not come because of Tubby [ I have a list of 19 players with there true comments ] , Look at all the bad stats and bad records Tubby has set for UK coaches. GIVE ME SOME STATS FROM THE LAST 2 YEARS THAT SHOW TUBBY IS ONE OF THE BEST COACHES. If Tubby or any other coach that comes to UK , It still is going to be 2 or 3 more years getting this team back to where they were, because of bad recruiting!
March 21st, 2007 at 7:39 am
Amen Tim, i always generally relate with your post.I know its asking alot but could you please list a few if not all of the comments (at least name and position)of players orlando has ran away from our program.I’ve heard them all and have been beating that issue up. but my memory wont allow me to be as specific enough in explaining it to these jug head’s that dont mind this rapid decline in our tallent level and refuse to see the reason behind it has happened. Thanks in advance
March 21st, 2007 at 12:07 pm
….tubby sucks…the penis…..at coaching…. nice guy….but… killing kentucky tradition…and god knows its the only one we have.
March 21st, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Mike , If I write all the data I have I would be here for days, But I will give you mostly names. Derrick Anderson was quoted in 1998 how he felt about Smith taking the team to the final 4……, He said the team took Smith to the final 4. As for some of the players that has left, Michael Bradley was the first and a first round pick in the NBA, Ryan Hogan was the nephew of UK great Kevin Grevey, Marvin Stone wanted the up tempo style of Pitino, Jason Parker, Myron Anthony- Another wasted talent,Corey Sears, Adam Chiles, Nate Knight, Shagari Alleyne- wasted potential, Rajon Rondo- was quoted of saying he did not know what his role was[ just to fast for the slow thinking Tubby], Randolph Morris and Joe Crawford both have tryed to leave since seeing the Tubby ball, Did you know that Tubby recruited Adam Williams in front of Chris Lofton. Mike there is some of the names that Tubby has ran out of Lexington or did not use there talent wisely.
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:17 am
Tim, you have a wealth of knowledge and I always enjoy your posts because you are fair across the board, but as far as the names that Tubby has ran off. You only gave two names of significance and that was Michael Bradley(no longer in the NBA) and Rajon Rondo. All the others that has came and gone from UK probably didn’t need or deserve to be at UK in the first place. Now Tim you are right on him passing on Chris Lofton which has pretty much sealed his fate on him needing to leave UK, but as far as NBA players (like it or not he has eight players in the league right now) and believe it or not that is the most players currently in the NBA than any other coach. Don’t get me wrong Tubby does need to leave UK but to say that he hasn’t developed talent is wrong. Some of those names you mentioned like Parker (went to another school and left the team), Chiles (same thing and got into legal trouble), Myron Anthony (never should have stepped foot on UK) and so on. Tim and Mike you guys are right, the players that Tubby has recruited is not the McDonalds All-Americans and should not be at UK but the ones that has listen are receiving nice paychecks from the NBA.
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:17 am
Thanks alot Tim all of those sound familar and correct,Frank i guess my point wasent if the players had made a big splash in the NBA or not, many great college players never even get as little as a free-agent workout.(UNFORGETABLES)It was more that orlando dosent have the chrisma or style to keep these kids interesred and motivated so he recruites less talanted kids to try to develop them,which he also dosent do very well.Tim i have to disagree with you for the first time i think, Alleyne needed tallent in order for it to be wasted i feel as if the only two thing’s that was wasted on him was a schlorship and gatorade well and maybe a seat on the bench and a dry towel as well.As far as Stone goes orlando was quoted as saying(within his first few weeks at U.K. that) that he was the best big man he had ever coached, all i got to say as i did then is WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!! Anyway i’ve got to say it because i feel it so here it goes,what was the race of most of those players that had U.K. on an automatic short list their whole high school career that orlando eaither dident recruit or they dropped Kentucky ,then add that to the players that he has burried on the bench that are the same race. Hum thats going to be a pretty substancial number.And Frank, before you throw out a couple of African American names he dident go after that wanted to come to Kentucky i’ve already said that orlando seems to be steering his recruiting away from the more talanted All American types. Just try the whole equation.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:02 am
Frank, please give me the names of the 8 names that orlando has put in the NBA unless i’m off 5 of those 8 were eaither on the 98 team or had already signed a letter of intent prior to 98 which in that case Pitino should get the credit for recruiting potintial NBA calibar tallent. During Pitino’s tenior at Kentucky he was untouchable in that area, of course you know that though.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:08 am
Frank, Think on this question, DO you think Tubby was the reason those 8 players went to the NBA? Yes, but not how you are thinking, None of those players were actually on the floor for Smith longer than 2 seasons? Did you know that Rondo left because he could not play Tubby ball? Most of those players went to the NBA because it was a nice way and polite way to get away from the TUB. If Mitch does not do something in this off season it is going to get worse, The Tub cannot even get Guys like that to sign now because they have caught on to Smith? But these Tubby lovers try to say it,s the fans writing on post like this, [ bull s— ! ] Tubby would not know talent if it slaped him in the face, Josh Carrier,Preston Lemaster, both great shooters never given a chance, Cliff Hawkins was made to sit behind Saul Smith [ Are you kidding me ]. I seen a nice piece on the net last year that I thought was interesting It said compare the number of weeks UK was in the top 10 and the number of weeks they was not in the top 10 in the coaches era.. Pitino - 104- 22 [ 83%], Smith- 87-74 [54%] If you subtract Tubby,s first two years where all the players were Pitino,s recruits, Tubby,s record is a abysmal 53-72 [ 42% ], Even Joe B Hall had a 60%, Tubby Smith has the lowest percentage of all time in the top 10 in UK history! So Tubby has had talent in his hands , Did he develop these players talent [ NO OF COURSE NOT ] , The players that stay with Tubby gets told to play his way, not to their talent and they get wasted and some get smart and leave. Players that are not getting developed right now are Porter- could be a great ball handlier and shooter, Carter- A year wasted by Tubby should have redshirted. This coach is highly over paid and ruines alot of young men,s talent and confidence level,s.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:47 am
O.k let me try this orlando inhetited eaither current or short thim NBA players(i’ve already said my memory sucks but im gonna give it a shot) Mohamed,Bradley,Evans,and Magloire. I beleive he currentley has Prince and Azubuike playing now which he recruited and i think Bogans played a short while. Now on top of the players Pitino left orlando (listed above), he sent Delk, McCarty,Padgett,Mashburn,Walker,Mercer,Anderson,Pope,Dent and Prickett for a short stay.Im sure i missed a few on both sides of the arguement but orlando has put very few of HIS players in the NBA considering what we were acustom to.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:55 am
I odviousley forgot Rondo 1 more 4 orlando
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Mike this is not a rebuttal I was simply stating the number of players and here it goes:
1. Jamal Magloire (Portland Trailblazers)
2. Keith Bogans (Orlando Magic)
3. Chuck Hayes (Houston Rockets)
4. Tayshaun Prince (Detriot Pistons)
5. Kelenna Azubuike (Golden State Warriors)
6. Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)
Okay I said eight but it was six. I would say seven because Padgett played for Tubby for three years to Pitino’s one. But he does have six ACTIVE members in the NBA and that’s pretty good. Look guys, I said before that Tubby needs to leave and I’m sticking by that but to say that Tubby didn’t have anything to do with these guys going to the next level is CRAZY!!!!!! As far as Pitino is concerned: He has put more people on that 96 team alone in the NBA than anybody has in their whole career, but besides that team he had ONLY Mashburn that went to the NBA and had a successful career so his records for putting guys in the league is no better than Tubby. Like I said before this is NOT a rebuttal just pointing out facts. Tim you are absolutely ON POINT that Cliff Hawkins had to play behind Saul Smith. That was crime in the worst way and Tubby should have been fired on that mistake alone!!!!! I think if Tubby does stay he needs to fire his WHOLE COACHING STAFF and if that doesn’t work then he needs to be on the next thing “smoking” out of LEXINGTON. Tim like I said I love your posts and passion but the every player with the exception of Rondo and Azubuike(had to pay for his father’s legal bills) stayed all four years at UK.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Frank , I will give you 3 names on that list. But Scott Padgett played for Smith 2 years 98 and 1999, Jamal Magloire started only 2 years for Smith 99, 2000, tried to do what Morris did last year of going to the NBA and was forced to come back. Did you know that Tayshawn Prince wanted to leave early?
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:07 pm
O.k this is also not a rebuttal also but i feel as if Magloire should go to Pitino. Azubukie and Bogans needed considerable further development inorder to even see playing time,and make it to the NBA,saying that they should have developed further in college and would have under a different coach so i feel as if orlando dosent deserve the credit for their hard work.So that narrows it to Hayes,Prince and Rondo all of which except Hayes were a mortal lock to go and went in as underachivers and trouble makers .I believe both considered going straight out of high school. So were left with Hayes and and i’m not about to give his credit away,his heart put him there .So as hard headed as you’ll find it i give orlando a big fat 0.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Tubby is gone!!!!! There are reports that Orlando “Tubby” Smith is LEAVING UK.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
The reports are that he will be paid $2.5 million to coach at Minnesota. If it is true GOD BLESS YOU TUBBY!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Frank, That is true! GOOD BYE TUBBY AND DO NOT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE ASS LEAVING !
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Tim: I understand your desire for him to leave like the rest of the Big Blue faithful but he did bring UK a national championship whether if it was with Rick’s players or not HE DID WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. He deserves some type of honor. Now it’s time to us to see who’s going to be the next UK coach. Tom Crean is the leading candidate. What do all of Big Blue Nation think? I’m waiting to hear who you would pick.
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Like Anderson said Kentucky brought him a championship,and that was his crowning achivement .He should have ran with it instead he squandered it .He was lofted from a $900.000 a year coach (at georgia)to a $2.500.000 a year coach (at minnesota) as far as i’m concerned the honor’s been given. IDIOS ORLANDO
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I am so happy for Tubby Smith. Some Uk fans are jerks and he deserves better. As for T. Prince wanting to leave UK, don’t fool yourself. He is what he is today because he stayed and worked hard. I hope UK hires one of your pets and makes them coach. So, when you loose 15 games a year and get beat in the first round of the NIT, you’ll look back on this day and ralized what a foolish move this was. I guess i shouldn’t be surprised by your way of thinking, i need just to look at the demographics for Kentucky. One other thing, get it right, he’s not making 2.5 million a year. Pat yourselves on the back, there goes Patterson and Lucas, now you can welcome 6 years of mediocracy. Sometimes i wish i wasn’t born in UK, specially when they do and say stupid stuff like the majority of you do.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Stephon,
You’re an idiot. Mediacracy is where we’ve been the last 7 or 8 years. To quote Martin Luther King….. Free at last, free at last, thank god almighty ( and minnesota) we’re free at last. Hey webmaster you can sell this website to the golden gophers now!!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Stephon, Who are you kidding ? You must like what is being said on this site because you keep coming back for more info ? A person that does not like what is being said quits reading the materal [ You think ] ? In the USA you have your right for free speech and especally where you live? Maybe you can try West Virginia, Tenn , Ohio, Indiana or just one of the joining states because you just missed Tubby,s plane headed North .
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Id rather them not get the marquette coach….Texas a&m, Texas, Gonzaga coaches fine……..oh and calipari…ESPN said calipari would be in kentucky in 30 minutes if he had to so he could take the job LMAO
March 23rd, 2007 at 7:55 am
Sephon, ur an idiot,move to minnesota dumb ass. And yes his contract at minnesota will be worth 2.5 million including incentives in which he’ll have no problem making with his cheesecake out of conference schedules he’ll set up. If any of the names that are being thrown around come to Ky we’ll be back to SEC U.K. BASKETBALL although i’d rather win. but at the least we’ll be back to excitment instead of trying to sleep thru games so we dont feel the pain and avoiding the TV and radio so we don’t hear and see the colapse of a dynasty at one stuborn mans hands.The one bright spot for minnesota is he has no sons left to play.
March 23rd, 2007 at 10:11 am
It really seems like a lot of fans are upset that Tubby left before he gave a chance for UK to fire him. Tubby doesn’t owe UK a thing except thank you for giving me a chance to coach at the winniest progam ever. He gave UK ten years, some good, some okay and some bad, but he did a decent job. Not great but decent. He did have a average record of 26-8 over the ten years he was at Lexington. He’s gone, so let’s move on!!!!!!!!! All of the negative posts has got to stop. Show some class like I know you’re capable of doing. I know people are glad Tubby’s gone, we got our wish so once again IT’S OVER LET’S MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Frank , It was great talking bball with you, even though we did not agree 100% on some things, We and everyone on this site have one thing in common, We are fans of the greatest basketball program that ever dribbled a basketball .
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Tubby’s officially gone. I just watched the press conference from Minnesota. He looks like a man who’s just been let out of prison.
He did a good job. Tubby Smith is an excellent game coach, but he is merely okay as a recruiter. He graduated players and ran a clean program with never a hint of NCAA problems, and that’s good. But good isn’t good enough for the UK faithful. They ate Joe Hall alive, who was the opposite of Tubby - a great recruiter and a sorry bench coach. They drove Eddie Sutton to drink, lose control of Rex Chapman, and ultimately lose control of the boosters and coaching staff and allow disaster to happen. Pitino is a hero for resurrecting the program, but he was feeling the pressure of ‘what have you done lately” when he left for the NBA.
Then Tubby.
Tubby will be loved in Minnesota. He’ll get them, perennially, to the dance. He might win one, if he can recruit some players. Minnesota has a lot to offer, as a university, and he could market it the way K markets Duke - attract top students who also want to play ball.
I suspect the UK faithful, a couple of years from now, may want Tubby back, depending on who they hire. Eddie Sutton looked like a perfect choice to replace Hall, after all. I would say that the pressure on a UK coach is higher than the pressure on the President - an extremely high pressure gig. Crean and Calipari seem the top picks, assuming Billy Donovan won’t leave Florida (would you? I wouldn’t.). We know both of them can coach. Calipari left UMass in NCAA trouble. I don’t want him at UK, or anyone else with a history of NCAA problems. Can Crean take the pressure of UK? Does anyone know? There are too many top programs today, and no program is going to go to the Final 4 every single year. Not even John Wooden could do that anymore. The best you can do is be consistantly good - make the dance every year, advance every year, and every few years, you will hopefully recruit a couple of star players who can lift you the rest of the way to the Final 4. Nobody can be in the Final 4 every single year. It can’t happen anymore, not honestly.
I will remind the UK faithful of Jerry Claiborne. A real quality man, a man of unquestioned integrity. His teams were competitive nearly every year - not top level, but at least 500. Went to many bowl games, but never contended for a national or SEC championship. His players graduated, attended class, never had NCAA issues, never even got in any legal trouble. But that wasn’t good enough. So he was chased off. UK didn’t win again, until Hal Mumme cheated to do it, then Guy Morris fixed it and was chased away for his trouble. And Rich Brooks would have been gone if UK fans had had their way, prior to last season - but they didn’t, and UK went to a bowl. A lesson to remember when hiring this time. Sure you got your wish, Tubby’s gone. Hope Barnhart doesn’t hire someone who will make matters worse.
AC
March 23rd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
I kinda agree with AGC. Maybe Barnhart needs to go next?
March 26th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Great points AGC. There are some lessons to be learned here.
1. The dynasty days of college basketball is OVER.
2. Remember Florida’s reign is going to end either March 31 or April 2.
3. Donovan will lose his whole starting 5 either to the NBA or graduation.
3. As long as the NBA has the “one and done” rule it will be hard to recruit for long haul unless you’re Florida and have some special players.
4. Too much parity in college basketball today.
5. Fans expectations should be attainable not unrealistic.
6. When is the last time Duke seen the final four?
7. Fans should treat their coach like they want to be treated.
8. Hope it doesn’t happen but “what comes around goes around”.
9. UK fans will be known by the last deeds (how Tubby was treated)
10. Even though Tubby needed to leave was his treatment justified?
11. How would we have felt if we were treated like Tubby?
Just a few points and questions sometimes the grass is greener on the other side and that being said I hope the best for Tubby and the UK basketball program. I think in the long run everything will be alright. Tim it was certainly a pleasure talking basketball with you. Mike although we were harsh to each other sometimes I appreciate your passion you are a true fan. Chris: Can I use you as a reference please? Kycat52 you know more about the Cats than I would ever know maybe we can pick each others brain about the history of the Cats. Greengiant: Keep up the sense of humor. Roy Whithers keep up the love for UK. Stephon keep your integrity and it’s nothing wrong with defending your coach. AGC Amen on everything you said. Well it’s been sometimes a pleasure and sometimes annoying (mostly a pleasure) being on this website. There are truly NO more passionate fans than that of UK BASKETBALL. I’m out and just wanted to say to everybody even the fan that drops the F-Bomb on Tubby Peace, Love, GOD BLESS and GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m out of here. Take care,
Frank L. Porter
March 26th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Let’s start the chant “Bring Pitino Back”, “Bring Pitino Back”! I would love to watch the old UK Wildcats style basketball again. As it stands now, I have to watch Louisville to see fast pace basketball and a press. Why did we change what Adolph Rupp established, “let’s run them to death”, none stop, intense 40 minute basketball. Rick said leaving UK was a mistake. I think it would be another mistake if UK doesn’t do their best to “Bring Pitino Back” “HOME”!
This is one UK Wildcats fans opinion.
March 28th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
i love these rumors,,,,,,,,,pitino is coming back with derek anderson & rex chapman as assist’ coaches…
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:50 am
Thanks to everyone that participated in this post. I think it’s safe to assume it has all been said, so I’m going to close the comments on this one.