Would a multi game suspension of White have gotten the point across to players and coaches? Of course not, but unless someone does it (you hear that NCAA) the sport will continue to deteriorate. Don’t think the deterioration is going to happen? Watch the game and society in general for the next few years and we can sit around some day, listen to crappy music and drink a few beers while you tell me I’m right.

OK I’m making a bigger deal of it than it deserves, but even Custer was forced to make a stand. Unlike Custer’s stand, Johnson’s stand wouldn’t have been his last stand and might even have started a trend where coaches stand up for something they aren’t paid to do.

It is true that we UK fans are difficult to please.  We are contrary, demand discipline  and perfection that we ourselves can’t and haven’t obtained.  I think some of us drink acid for breakfast and chase it down with day old cold coffee. We know our basketball better than most any fan base and perhaps better than any simply because we eat and breathe basketball more than any other fan base not to mention there are seemingly more of us.

From the ending of the college basketball season until the start of the new basketball season we scour every avenue available for one morsel of information about the latest recruit(s) or for information that will help our team during the next season.  That devotion has earned us the scorn and envy of coaches, announcers, prognosticators and certainly competing fan bases (all of whom have their own agendas) for perhaps 70 or 80 years.  We teach our young about UK basketball as much as any preacher tries to teach us about their particular firebrand of religion.  In the event of conflict between that religion and a UK basketball game well……uh…u….know!  Let me put it this way church coffers lose anytime UK is playing basketball.

We work hard and deserve our billing as a fan base and to that end coaches want to coach at UK, players want to play at UK, but they also dread the scorn of the tongue if they don’t “bring it” every game.  That can be a good thing or a bad thing.  If I remember correctly one coach called it Camelot, another left town in the middle of the night on big bird, another wanted to go back to Texas as soon as he ran into expectations head on while another wanted to come here.  All that is because of tradition.  Tradition of what?  Tradition of winning, but more than anything else because fans care and they care a lot.  We are willing to place coach and players (even announcers) alike on a pedestal for their accomplishments.  All that comes with a price much like a young lady being wined and dined by a rich man until she says she will wear his ring.  Biscuits and gravy won’t do folks for that young lady and mediocrity won’t do for the UK fan either.

Cal, I felt you talked down to us for two games in a row and even after the latest win made a quick reference to the play of Mr. Teague.  Well, coach you were right he did play better, but he did have some turnovers early on in the game.  I know, I know, he is only a freshmen and will improve so much that we will forget the growing pains of playing at UK and for you.  In the long run if he is the player all of us thinks he can be, especially character wise,  the love relationship will put him back on a pedestal.

Cal, I feel that we have been upfront all along with whom and what we are so I rest my case in that regard.

Now to Mr. John Clay…..John, sometimes I like your writing, but often I don’t.  I like directness for the most part and I do agree with you that fans should yell and scream all game long every game, but it isn’t going to happen.  Older fans simply won’t and many can’t yell that much.  They definitely won’t stand very often, but I am telling you right now it is their right to be the fan they want to be the way they want to be.  If old ladies want to knit and talk about everything other than basketball let them knit and talk.  If they don’t want to stand then let them sit.  They paid for their tickets not you or me.  If you want to stand and yell then YOU stand and yell all game long.  Go ahead and make the person behind you angry because they can’t see around you.

Certainly, there is protocol for every fan to observe.  Sitting is absolute and standing part time is optional unless you are in the student section.  Now as for crowd noise that comes when the team plays well.  We, as noted, are spoiled and after a time of superlative play become immune to ordinary play and yesterday was ordinary play in the first half.  I know, I know, they won and the game was physical, but shooting was poor no matter how you cut it during the first half aside from a few 3′s tickling the nets so why scream at the top of your lungs.

Made baskets, made free throws, blocked shots, etc.  cause noise and we had few of those to yell about during the first half.  Therefore, your article is a little off base in my opinion.  Yes we are who we are!  We know where to go for the “it” thing and that is UK basketball.  We decide what to do when we get there and not some sports writer trying to fill space.

Just my not so humble opinion!

catfan4life

The last week to the football schedule was going to be a bummer. I mean (admit it) all of us thought UT was going to win the game especially when we found out our quarterback was hurt and Newton wasn’t back yet either. We thought things couldn’t get much worse than the season we had going than to lose at home against a lowly UT team with a dispirited fan base like ours. Think about it for a moment will you….here we sat thinking we can’t even get a break in a year that should be the year we break the string. Woe is me (us), but how things changed! Matt Roark (you know I always liked him, because he came to UK as a quarterback, but never had an opportunity to play as one and yet switched gears and stayed) played the game of his life in directing the unlikely win against the boys in yellow (er, orange). Yep they left town while Rocky Top was playing off key and totally out of tune. What a day it was in the bluegrass.

Next up was UNC. This truly was a great, great game full of expectations for the highly heralded and highly regarded boys dressed in baby blue. They deserved the billing they received. Let us face it they are a good team with almost unheard of talent at every position yet UK won the battle with our highly talented and youthful players.

Battle it was, volley after volley, block and block, knock for knock, plan for plan, inspire and perspire from both teams, coaches and benches until the final second was gone from the game clock. When the clock stopped UK had won. Fans could hold their collective heads high, but the players had the satisfaction of a game well played. Theirs would be a memory nobody could erase from their minds when they tell their grandchildren in the yet to come years of memory. They will be able to look back at some of the great NBA players and say they played against that guy.

The only burp to the fantastic finish of 2011 was a last second shot for a loss at hated IU. Yes, I feel UK should have won the game and I just hope they get the opportunity in the tourney, but for now it is a little bitter pill to swallow.

However, in the end of it all if I had to choose which game to win all year against any other single loss (during the season not tourney) it would be the Louisville game. I don’t care where it is played I want that game in the win column come New Years day.

Little Brother tries to usurp his authority all year long until a smack down happens and it happened yesterday on December 31st. I am told that after the game Rick wouldn’t even come to the press conference. Perhaps somebody should have offered him a lollipop if he would come out, but perhaps he was too upset even for a lollipop. Folks, I don’t know about you, but if you turn down a lollipop you are upset. Perhaps ashamed is a better word, or maybe embarrassed that you got your lunch eaten again and this time it had your best marbles in it. Shame for shame Ricky, you should have have taken your medicine. I know, I know, your soft question buddies from Loserville wouldn’t get all the questions, but perhaps that UK hating guy from the local Lexington paper would have asked a couple of questions to let you take shots at UK. I mean, come on Rick that should have been lollipop enough for you (maybe a pacifier would work better).

I hate it that I feel that way for and about Rick, but he shouldn’t have taken that job with little brother. He knew it too, but somehow convinced himself (for whatever reason) it would be OK.

Rick found out something 9 years ago that he should have already known. UK fans hate UL! It hasn’t always been that way. We used to live in a little harmony knowing they were there as long as they kept their mouth shut, but like little brothers often do they started running their collective mouths. Rick knew that as well. He had talked to the powers that be so Rick even though I feel sorry that you have come to this end in my mind you made your own bed. One day Rick (and I hope it is next season) you will have left UL and given me the opportunity to begin the forgiveness stage. I want to really bad because of #6. I don’t want to hate you forever because of that, but until you leave that job you are on my list.

I digressed didn’t I, but it was worth it, ha!

Now the question has to be asked again….we received a great belated present as UK fans so now what Cal? Yes we are incessant aren’t we Cal, but you knew that when you took the job, didn’t you!? Great expectations lie ahead for all of us giddy fans.

All of us went to bed last evening dreaming of #8 all night long. Seems fitting somehow after the finish to the year just ended. Insatiable fans we are, but that is what makes UK so special.

Fans teaching their children, great-grandchildren about the folklore of UK and living vicariously through the fine, talented young men keep UK #1 in the hearts of the Big Blue Nation.  I feel safe in saying that as long as Cal is coach at UK the school will be well represented in the big dance in March which only adds to the mystique of UK basketball.

Yes sir #8 is possible as early as this year! These young Cat’s are a joy to watch.  Thanks guys and Cal for the ride!  Go Cat’s!

Now South Carolina has basically admitted that 10 football players took improper benefits, playing played 4 ineligible players in 2009 and other assorted no no’s. Today they self imposed penalties on themselves before they visit the NCAA to discuss there fate. For playing ineligible players alone they should get games forfeited, if the NCAA is honest.
http://www.gogamecocks.com/2011/12/14/183812/ggf-usc-acknowledges-ncaa-violations.html

Just by looking at the numbers, 10 to 1, it seems like the old balls coach is 10 times dirtier than coach Calipari. It also looks like he was no more involved in what happened at South Carolina than coach Calipari was at U Mass and Memphis.

In the future when national media writers talk about Steve Spurrier, will they add a little comment about having had games forfeited, probably. Will they mean any thing by it, probably not. After all you can’t sully a honest mans name, unless its spelled Calipari. Now how do you spell Spurrier?

I do want to give credit to a good IU team.  I am surprised how good they are and that Zeller kid is the best of the Zeller kids.  I just hope he will be gone after this year, ha!

Having said that, IU had some extra friends in the game especially in the first half.  Pundits say bad officiating doesn’t win games for the other team, but that is a farce.  First of all every no call or bad call gives the other team a chance to score more points, but the larger thing is that it gives a club impetus to impose their will on the opponent.  Those same calls or lack of them allows the surging team to be loose.  They feel they can do no wrong and can’t miss shots.  That scene unfolded before our eyes today.  During the entire game especially in the first half officials allowed IU to mug UK on both ends of the court.  The lack of calls in UK’s favor were basically absent and IU got loose real loose so they win.  During the 2nd half the calls were better, but IU pushed the UK players with their free hand on every drive and were never called for it.

Now to tell the truth Jones forgot to show up for this game.  For some reason he just wasn’t there.  Miller was tentative and passed up some open shots to drive and miss.  During the 2nd half he improved and I feel if he makes the three with 2 minutes left UK wins that game.  It was obvious Wiltjer was really nervous and unsure of himself.  He passed up shots that he should have been ready to take.  He definitely will not be a one-and-done.  I like him and he will be a good player at UK.  Davis absence for most of the game was probably the deciding factor in the loss, but that will change.  I know that Teague will improve greatly and I was proud of the way he picked himself up and played a heady 2nd half.  If we have that same player in the 1st half UK wins the game.  Finally, if Doron Lamb doesn’t show up and play a hard game UK loses by 20.  Gillie-the-Kidd played well as usual and it is unreal how he plays so mature at his young age.

The good part is all of those things that went wrong today can make the team even better so like Ricky said in ’96 perhaps the loss will propel this team to a championship.  They won’t be #1 next week and don’t deserve it yet anyway, but I feel they will be there again.

My reasoning is that they will not face a more hostile crowd that they faced today.  They now know they have to listen to coach and that every shot won’t always go in for them.  I think UK may not lose another game this year.  I mean that because they will improve so much from that loss.  Let us understand those are young players starting for the Cat’s.  Three freshmen and two sophomores take the floor.  They have so much to learn and they will.  By the time March rolls around this team will be awesome.

Don’t get me wrong, because I am severely disappointed in the loss.  I never want UK lose, but sometimes every team loses a game they should win (yes UK should have won) and goes on to greatness.

Will this be one of those teams that rise from defeat determined to be the very best or will they fall into mediocrity?  They will become great, because of their youth, their drive to be better, their individual superb talent level, their learning how to win as a team and finally because of one of the best coaches in the land.

Revel in the win IU while you can.  You deserve the win, but in the end you are going to get run over by a superior team in March.  Hope to see you there in our bracket.

1. Kentucky. No way the Cats drop from this spot all year.

2. Florida. Good guards but could use some depth around the rim.

3. Alabama. A tough, tough team that will be hard to beat at home.

4. Vanderbilt. Same old Vanderbilt. Looks to be a tad overrated.

5. Mississippi State. Their wheels are sure to fall off but for now might switch positions with Vandy soon.

6. Tennessee. If Pearl could only have gotten his teams to play this hard. Still not enough talent on the floor but it looks like Tenn got a good coach.

7. Mississippi. Not sure if they are better or just luckier than Georgia. One of those teams that will go up and down the bottom of the SEC rankings.

8. Georgia. They lost to much talent from last year. With Mark Fox as a coach expect them to improve but not win to much.

9. Arkansas. Lot of talent there but still looks like a Arkansas team.

10. Auburn. Might surprise some people when conference play starts.

11. LSU. Their offense smells like a fish market. Enough said.

12. South Carolina. Even beating Clemson can’t get them out of the cellar, only LSU can.

It has been a great season, and looking forward to all of the Bowls now, but looking more forward to some UK Basketball GO BIG BLUE

To top this wonderful morning off, not one spammer tried to register last night. The fear of being blocked by Davis is working. He’s now our official spam blocker.

A team shoots what 60 some % from 3 pt. land and we prevail? What’s that tell ya? I know what it tells me…..poor guarding or virtually non-existent and we still pull out the W? Holy Smokes Batman—-this team won’t be a beast ….it already is a BEAST. Can some Cat please please tell me why we didn’t get a hand up in those mugs? Anyway……..

LAMB—- TALKED THE TALKED & WALKED THE WALK!

HEY HEY—— How bout Eloy’s quality minutes?! He is being forgotten by most——— so SHOWIN ELOY SOME LOVE HERE!!!

Patience and Poise was TopKnotch! It wasn’t in my house, but on the court it was exemplified! I thought we would NEVER get over that 7 pt. hump <------- on paper that was more like a 15 pt. mountain to climb! I will say it gave me confidence that only once unc increased it to 9. Battle of the heavyweights??? Every time we'd punch (see the LOB that was SUPPOSED to be non-existent) they had a CLUBBER LANG counter. D*mn! No, I would define this as the 2 RIGHTFUL POWERHOUSES of basketball demonstrating why we will be remembered in History while the others (including ucla, YES I believe it) are merely a footnote. It don't get much better than this folks.

I rarely say this--- but honestly, there was no winner. Of course the W has to be logged somewhere and it's PURRFECT that sits in OUR Column not theirs!

Newfound respect for Roy Williams. The Tipton jab will forever live on in UK lore. WTG Roy--- you have a much nicer way of sayin Jerry, you're an a**hole than we do!

Semi Kudos to Rupp---- the bluehairs show that they can indeed do their job, but there's a lot of work to do.... huh beavis you don't let up when we have the ball <---- YOU DO THIS EVERY POSSESSION. I know if I would've spent that kind of money for those tickets......I wouldn't have needed a seat, I would've needed a new pr. of vocal chords! Potential is there, but I have the better solution------ THANK RUPP a reno is coming---- move them blue hairs up into some luxury seating w/their full bar and stock monitors. (after all they pay the bills) and let the OBSESSED, MENTALLY QUESTIONABLE, Louder Loonies down around the court. Problem solved and everybody WINS! YAY!!!!

Team effort but hands down w/no question Kid-Gilchrist..... saved this game! Love me some Kid-Gilchrist!!!
Cal~ was savy in having Teague hug Davis (Can you imagine if that block hadn't happened......it would've set Teague back a good 5-6 games in confidence) Kid has heart and talent but he's got a LOT to learn yet. Patience is an optimal word here........ we have gotten spoiled here over the last couple of years and you know what........he's not bad, he's an excellent point guard -----just on a normal level than what we have been accustomed to. WALL KNIGHT and then there was Teague <------ Let's all show him some love. He will come along quite nicely. He is a great 2-3 yr. player but if Orton can get drafted....... I REALLY LOVE Teague's chances. I think it benefits us & him to stick around a couple of years.

Carolina played spectacular ---- us, great but Man <---- the weaknesses were exposed. That lack of offensive rebounding throughout the 1st half liked to destroyed my house. And here's the kicker that we all know........ WE STILL WON!

How wild that game totally flip flopped from what we were all calling?????!!!! GOD, I love college basketball! You never know what you're gonna get!

Prepare yourselves for part 2 in March/April ......the ncaa took notice yesterday and will go above and beyond to make sure we have another epic encounter. I just hope they have the commonsense to set it up for all the marbles. <---- I'm not holding my breath though and look for it to occur in the elite 8. TYPICAL nazi's at their best ------> we’ve all witnessed their hypocrisy and idiocy when it comes to putting those brackets together. Any takers that puke will once again get a high seed and the easiest road???????

Hey, Ohio St. still think your decimation of duke is relevant or worthy?! Take notes you jackasses there was a clinic in Lexington yesterday that you all should have attended. I promise you….. you ain’t hangin no double deficit loss on either powerhouse—- so get over yourselves—- no better yet, keep buyin that b.s. the media is sellin you—– it’s job security for someone and validates your BIG 10 Basketball as being Beast (laughing as I typed that!) But I’m here to be your DebbieDowner—– YOU AREN’T AS SCARY AS YOU LOOKED……… duke is NOT a top 5 team by no stretch of the imagination and there RANKED opponent wins came at the expense of Tennessee and Michigan——- still think you’re special. Oh you’re good, but you ain’t beast!

ONE STEP CLOSER TO EIGHT MY FELLOW FELINES, ONE STEP CLOSER!
WE WILL NOT BE DENIED!!!

& of course it’s fitting to end this ramble with…………………………………….

BOW TO THE BROW!