If the brackets were picked today, I would completely agree that Kentucky could be a 10 seed. What makes me think they'll be lower is that they still have 2 more games before the SEC Tournament and I wouldn't be surprised if they lose both of them. Sure, one is Florida, but if they DO lose both games, they'll end up 8-8 in the SEC, one space away from the basement.
Perhaps I'm being pessimistic. I just haven't seen must to be optimistic about over the past month.
BRM and jacket are right - 15 and 16 seeds are generally reserved for the obscure teams from minor conferences. The major schools either get in as a 12 or better or don't make it at all.
Point well-taken.Regarding assistant coaches, I believe it's very possible that the Wildcat's mediocre coaching staff could be the problem. Still, if the HEAD coach can't make changes necessary to improve the team, should he still be the head coach? Honestly, I don't know if I'm willing to give Tubby another year even if he were to announce a house-cleaning in regards to his assistants. Tubby lost control of this team back when Gerald Fitch was still playing. The off-court problems have disappeared, but the on-court ones are still front-and-center.
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky...printstory.jspBarnhart: Wait, then decide
As Smith's critics grouse, AD says post-season could change minds
By Jerry Tipton
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart acknowledged the disappointment of this basketball season yesterday, but cautioned fans to consider the possibility of a post-season turnaround.
In a statement released late in the afternoon, Barnhart noted the importance of waiting "until the most critical part of the season is complete before reviewing the program."
His statement did not mention by name UK Coach Tubby Smith, who has been the target of fan criticism. The statement implied that Smith's performance as coach would be part of a post-season evaluation.
"Our fans' lofty expectations for this program, which I share, have not changed," Barnhart was quoted as saying. "However, history tells us that the college basketball season can change quite a bit between February and March. If the close games we've lost in February become victories during the tournaments, then this team has a chance to play up to its potential, which is what all of us as Wildcat fans want."
During his turn on a Southeastern Conference coaches' teleconference, Smith was philosophical about his critics.
"Well, they're always out there," he said. "The only way to keep them out of the way is to win. Losing four of five games doesn't help."
Kentucky (19-9) missed a golden opportunity for a season-changing victory at Vanderbilt on Sunday. The Cats never trailed until the final 25 seconds. Then they lost 67-65 in a virtual repeat of six earlier losses in which a failure to execute at crunch time made the difference.
"We're finding ways to lose instead of finding ways to win," Smith said.
Barnhart's statement was not discussed on Smith's weekly radio show last night. The hourlong program included only two calls from listeners.
Heralded prospect Patrick Patterson, one of the most highly coveted recruits in UK basketball history, told the Herald-Leader that Smith was the "main reason" he was considering Kentucky. If UK were to dismiss Smith as coach, "I'd be very disappointed," Patterson said. "It'd affect my decision."
Asked whether he'd scratch UK from his list of six schools, Patterson said, "Probably."
Patterson, a 6-foot-8 power forward and McDonald's All-American from Huntington, W.Va., plans to narrow his list of schools to three by mid-March. He's also considering Duke, Florida, West Virginia, Wake Forest and Virginia. He plans to make his college choice April 3.
That's the same date UK is contractually obligated to pay Smith a $1,500,000 retention bonus.
Smith's contract runs through the 2010-11 season. His compensation through that period is $8.8 million.
If UK dismissed Smith as coach, the school would be obligated to pay him $1 million for each season remaining in the contract.
UK spokesman Scott Stricklin said rumors of boosters being approached to contribute to a buyout fund were "completely inaccurate."
Smith has been one of the most successful coaches in the history of the Southeastern Conference and college basketball. His 384 career victories rank fifth all-time for coaches in their first 16 seasons. His .700 winning percentage in the NCAA Tournament ranks sixth among active coaches.
In his 10 seasons for UK, Smith's teams have won or shared five regular-season league championships, seven divisional titles and five SEC Tournaments. The regular-season titles rank third all-time behind two former UK coaches, Adolph Rupp (27) and Joe B. Hall (eight). No SEC coach has won more divisional titles. Rick Pitino (UK) and Billy Donovan (Florida) are second with four each.
Smith's five SEC Tournament titles tie for second most with Pitino and Wimp Sanderson of Alabama. Rupp won 13 such championships.
When all is said and done more is said than done.
I think landing Patterson would turn our program around. *prays*
I would hope that he would make a huge difference. Even so, he's just one player and I believe most of us agree that this team's problems go deeper than missing one huge freshman recruit.Originally Posted by TeamSelig
A few years ago, the problem was bad team chemistry and off-court antics. Last year, the problem was that Tubby's players didn't want to follow his system. This year, Tubby says the problem is the "personnel."
At some point, the coach has GOT to take responsibility for these many shortcomings. Landing a key recruit won't mean much if the coaching staff can't make the team as a whole work.
I apologize. I know I sound very pessimistic and I really don't want to be. Tubby has a good win/loss record here and he's done good things while coach. It's just hard to endure the low-lights coming one after another over the past couple of years. It's time for a new attitude with this program and I believe the best way to get it may be to start over with a whole new staff.
No single player, Patterson, Lucas, whoever, is going to make a difference with what's been wrong with UK basketball the last few years. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better incoming class at UK in quite a spell than we had a few years ago with Morris, Bradley, Rondo and Crawford (not to mention Sparks' transfer) and that didn't exactly turn out roses.
Well that article at least doesn't make it sound like Barnyard's head is totally in the sand.
In the "for what it's worth" department: UK just played down here, and after touching base with his buddies covering UK, a local radio host, George Plaster, told his audience yesterday afternoon that Barnhart's been running his mouth a little too freely (not to the media, but around town) about Smith, and Tubby's aware of it. The perceived weakness of the assistants is a primary issue, as is the team's malaise in general. Furthermore, Barnhart has the backing of the "right boosters" should it come to a showdown. Barring an unexpectedly deep run in the NCAAs, the situation could very well come to a head following the season.
None of that is probably a surprise to anyone around Lexington but I wasn't aware things were that strained.
Reading comprehension is not just an ability, it's a choice
Kind of putting the cart way before the horse here, but who would be a realistic candidate to be the new coach if Tubby decides to pursue his craft elsewhere after the season? I don't think that Billy the Kid would leave Florida even for Kentucky. John Beilein from West Virginia plays a style that the fans at UK would love. John Calipari from Memphi, Mark Few Gonzaga, Billy Gillispie Texas A&M, or who else. I really can't think of anyone who jumps out as a no doubt about it lets take him choice (under the assumption of course that Billy Donovan won't leave Florida)
I heard Mike D'Antoni's name being bandied about... he's from WV... tired of the NBA?
That's going to make me listen to Plaster on the way home today. (I usually avoid it because his show seems it's 99.9% football.)
I believe Barnhart has GOT to feel the pressure to see improvement for 2 reasons: (1) Ticket prices at Rupp will go up next year. If people are complaining now, think of how they'll complain then. And (2) Tubby is due for a $1.5 million dollar bonus next year. It's going to be VERY hard to justify that amount of cash going to a coach who is watching this program lose it's elite status.
D'Antoni is being mentioned a lot primarily because of his WV roots and the word that his wife has been wanting to move closer to home. That, and he is a professed UK fan, his all-time favorite teams were the Rupp's Runts teams.
I doubt he would leave though, while having the success that he has had.
I see what you're saying about one player won't fix all of the problems, but Patterson is a top notch player. Aside from being an amazing player, he's a good team player as well.
Anyone think that if Tubby doesn't land Patterson that he will be fired?
I repeat: The way his contract is structured, Tubby Smith is not going anywhere unless he decides that it is time to move on.
I found this other bit of info this morning in John Clay's column on Kentucky.com:
"Consider this: Kentucky's current 17-13 conference record is the second worst two-year stretch of SEC basketball in school history. The worst? Eddie Sutton's final year coupled with Rick Pitino's first season, when UK was on probation. Those two combined for an 18-18 SEC mark."
It's all about the trend. The team is simply going in the wrong direction.
I haven't read the contract. What makes it so difficult for UK to let Tubby go? I did read somewhere that Kentucky would have to pay him $1 million for each year remaining on his contract (4 years, I believe) if they were to fire him. A huge amount of money, to be sure, but that doesn't seem enough of a reason to keep him for 4 more years. What else is in there?
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