Fate of UK & the Squid

[DogMania]

I've been saying all along, that I don't want UK to win this game and give even more reason for the top one-and-doners to make their yearly pilgrimage to the NBA via Kentucky. But on the other hand, I keep on hearing that Cal is interested in the Knicks and that there might be some sort of part ownership deal to sweeten the attraction. Is that right?

If that were the case and all it would take is Cal it win his one NC and move on, then I could live with that. Programs like UK are bad for programs like UConn. UConn normally relies on getting a solid crop of talent led by a couple McD AA caliber type talent that usually mature by their 3rd year. Usually a team like this is able to knock off a very young team full of Burger AAs like they did in 99. But a team constructed like UK that has a bunch of top 5 and 10 ranked recruits that doesn't have to rely on any one or even two players will be very tough to beat year-in, year-0ut, not to mention recruit against. Roy at UNC has been a recruiting thorn in UConn's side, and now UK has been added to the mix. I'm okay with the top storied programs splitting the highest rated recruits, but UK cleaned up in 2011 and could clean up again in 2012 if a bunch of their best players bolt to the NBA leaving spots for the next crop of top 10 players.

Getting back to point here, is there more than rumor to Cal seriously considering the Knicks' job? IMO, I think that's really dumb if that's the case. Cal has the chance to keep One-and-done U going for a long, long time if we can win this one. It seems a lot of the top ranked seniors are willing to wait it out and see how the dust settles before picking a program. If that trend continues it simply feeds right into the Squid's sticky tentacles.

 

[phillionaire]

I just don't understand how the NCAA can call these players "student-athletes" if they're only taking a year's worth of classes if that. Just because they've taken basketweaving or whatever easy classes they take and do well in them shouldn't mean they're on track to graduate.

 

[HuskyFan32]

Some of them take only a semesters worth.

 

[Reno]

I don't see why he'd leave UK unless something was coming down the pipeline from an investigation. He's on a surefire path to the Hall of Fame and makes more money than any college coach in the country. The Knicks job can't offer him much more than that. I mean, D'Antoni only made $1 million more in annual salary than Calipari's current contract at UK.

 

[Scoe]

The Knicks would be idiots to hire Calipari, if they hire him I will burn the Dolans house down. Mike Woodson deserves to be the permanent head coach of the Knicks, he has them playing defense, they are playing together as a team despite the injuries to Amare and Lin.

As for Uconn, recruiting has never been a problem for us, we had 2 top 10 recruits this year in AD and DD, and Boat was a steal of a recruit around the 40s. We never had a problem beating UK this year.

 

[KEA42]

It would be nice to come to a UConn message board and see more threads about, I don't know, UConn hoops than Calipari. I'm usually just a lurker here, but this obsession with seeing Calipari get popped is unseemly. Can't we just focus on our program which has experienced more success than any ever run by that guy?

 

[Reno]

It would be nice to come to a UConn message board and see more threads about, I don't know, UConn hoops than Calipari. I'm usually just a lurker here, but this obsession with seeing Calipari get popped is unseemly. Can't we just focus on our program which has experienced more success than any ever run by that guy?

Not much to talk about right now in college basketball besides UK and Kansas.

 

[KEA42]

Understandable, but there's like six different threads relating to Calipari's recruiting practices, none of which is kicking over any new rocks. Allegations have and will continue to dog this guy his entire career. He personally has been the teflon don so far and sure, I'm sure most of us would like to see him get his comeuppance. It just seems like overkill to me. And FWIW, I don't really see anyone talking about Kansas around here. I think they put up a token fight tonight but I don't see how Kentucky doesn't just steamroll them. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[caw]

Understandable, but there's like six different threads relating to Calipari's recruiting practices, none of which is kicking over any new rocks. Allegations have and will continue to dog this guy his entire career. He personally has been the teflon don so far and sure, I'm sure most of us would like to see him get his comeuppance. It just seems like overkill to me. And FWIW, I don't really see anyone talking about Kansas around here. I think they put up a token fight tonight but I don't see how Kentucky doesn't just steamroll them. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Kansas has a shot if Robinson/Withey can get Davis in foul trouble. They need to attack the body and go strong to the rim against Davis. If not, it's going to be a long night.

 

[DogMania]

I just don't understand how the NCAA can call these players "student-athletes" if they're only taking a year's worth of classes if that. Just because they've taken basketweaving or whatever easy classes they take and do well in them shouldn't mean they're on track to graduate.

As someone pointed out there's really not that much to talk about UConn right now. You do have a point about the obsession with UK and Cal. I try not to get too wrapped up in those threads. But this one has more to do with being conflicted as to who to root for tonight. I've been all along taking the position to root against them for the reason's I posed in this thread, but if there is some feet to the idea he wants to jump to the NBA and winning an NC is the spring board for it, I'm inclined to change my thinking.

As a team, I like watching UK. When they're at the top of their game, they're very good and quite entertaining. I'm just not a big Cal fan and I find too many of their fans to be obnoxious, though most of them are among the most knowledgeable when it comes to college hoops. They were much more fun to converse with before they got inked by the Squid.

Bottom line, I think this is a relevant thread because they're one of the two teams that is battling for the NC tonight. This is a hoops board after all.

 

[KEA42]

No disrespect intended. I wasn't coming after you personally, this was just the thread I clicked into to vent about the amount of Cal threads I saw.

 

[tzznandrew]

As for Calipari and the HOF--don't count on it. Sutton isn't in with his 800 wins, and neither is Tarkanian with Final Fours and a title. The scandals kept them out. Vacating 2 Final Fours will likely keep Calipari out.

If Calipari leaves that throws all sorts of problems into the coaching carousel--who do they look for? Smart? Do they go after a high major like Sean Miller or Jamie Dixon? I'd like to see him leave just because of all the interest it would generate.

 

[prankster]

It would be nice to come to a UConn message board and see more threads about, I don't know, UConn hoops than Calipari. I'm usually just a lurker here, but this obsession with seeing Calipari get popped is unseemly. Can't we just focus on our program which has experienced more success than any ever run by that guy?

For many of us long-time UConn fans, the seething hatred for Calipari goes back to his days at UMass.

So threads ragging on Calipari is one of those things that never gets old...like threads about hating Dook, or who Fishy wants to punch in the throat today, or why Gottleib sucks...

It is too bad that it is getting under your skin....but seeing as how Calipari is one of only two coaches still standing...and seeing as how every other FF he has been in has already been vacated.... and seeing as how we hate him, anyway....and now we have the imminent prospect of Kentucky winning it all....

Well it is kind of like spinning out all of your "what-if-I-really-do-win--a-half-a-billion-dollars" fantasies, Friday night.

On the chance that Calipari (who we hate....did I mention that, already? Yes....Yes I did.) might win tonight....please allow us the opportunity to revel in our fantasies that his will be the first national championship to be vacated.

We appologize in advance for any discomfort or inconvenience this might cause you.

 

[DogMania]

No disrespect intended. I wasn't coming after you personally, this was just the thread I clicked into to vent about the amount of Cal threads I saw.

No disrespect taken. I understood where you were coming from. As someone pointed out, there's a long history of dislike for Calipari. I actually met him and along with some fellow Boneyarders had a good laugh. I think he had moved on from UMass at the time or it was near the end of his run there. Hooper remembers the conversation. I get it wrong all the time when I try to tell it. Maybe he can chime in. I'm not a big fan of his and Pitino's car salesman style. I kinda like the mean crusty Irishman approach.