Rupp Rafters Meltdown

[ousdahl]

Cheddar, Gouda or Swiss?

Versus AP Top 25: 2010-15 Cal Was 41-14; 2016-21 He’s 22-19

Toppin charge call

With Keion Brooks, likely 3-0

What did Dontae do wrong?

Went down to the wire against #7 team and you would think we lost to Evansville

Is something happening to the competitiveness of the UK basketball fan base

This is a poorly coached team.

Anyone still not worried and actually excited?

Poll: Should the Champions Classic change?

It’s time to accept the system is broken

Time To Take A Hard Look and Address Things

Is Askew worst "PG" of Cal era?

What do we do in practice?

Since 2015 UK’s 14-18 Vs Rivals; 1-4 Vs KU, 5-7 Vs Tenn, 1-3 Vs UCLA, 0-1 Vs IU

When does the opting out start?

Next Win?

Bad Problem We Have

[pdub]

"1-4 Vs KU"

Nice.

[jfish26]

I did not realize UK has literally zero rotation players with any experience at UK.

[NewtonHawk11]

I did not realize UK has literally zero rotation players with any experience at UK.

And it's different than any other year, how? I know they usually have some upperclassmen who are rotation guys. But they have all freshmen and then all transfers. Crazy.

That formula is not working like it did 8-10 years ago.

[Sparko]

The formula used to include perimeter shooters. Defense is nice, but you have to hit threes. The years UK manhandled KU, they were good defenders with real outside threats. Truth is, outside threats are better served where they aren’t lost in Cal’s circus rotation.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Sparko is right about the lack of shooters. I mean, I guess you go ahead and draft Boston Top 5-10, but the other guys looked like they are on a Bam Adebayo dream: just be tall and athletic but not a lot of ball skill. But no Anthony Davis's, John Wall's, etc.

And that PG was bad. Cal's worst teams at UK have always been in years like this where everyone leaves and the two freshmen stars went to other schools (Cade, Suggs).

UK is also finding out that transfers should be brought in for a specific role, not to star.

[jfish26]

UK fans are getting worn out on it, which is totally understandable. It's one thing to deal with turnover when there's continuity in terms of results. It's quite another when you don't know the players, and you can't count on the results.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Thing is, I don't think you can just reverse course now. This is who he and the program are. Unless you want to go through a couple of bubble seasons.

Definitely part of the reason that Cal is big on NLI.

[Sparko]

A lot of new wingspans without much personality every year.

[NewtonHawk11]

Thing is, I don't think you can just reverse course now. This is who he and the program are. Unless you want to go through a couple of bubble seasons.

Definitely part of the reason that Cal is big on NLI.

You and Fish are right. UK fans are tired of it. But you can't change it. It's who Cal is. It's who he has been for 20+ years and it is who he will always be.

[jfish26]

Thing is, I don't think you can just reverse course now. This is who he and the program are. Unless you want to go through a couple of bubble seasons.

Definitely part of the reason that Cal is big on NLI.

Sure, absolutely. We're starting to see what college basketball will look like when more and more guys with NBA size, athleticism and skill play where they can get something closer to what they're worth.

College basketball comprised entirely of "pick two" players is a bad outcome.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Thing is, I don't think you can just reverse course now. This is who he and the program are. Unless you want to go through a couple of bubble seasons.

Definitely part of the reason that Cal is big on NLI.

You and Fish are right. UK fans are tired of it. But you can't change it. It's who Cal is. It's who he has been for 20+ years and it is who he will always be.

Of course, all a little relative, especially coming from either KU or duke fans. UK was 55-13 in '19 and '20.

They just expect those years where they lose 0-2 games in the regular season every year.

[jfish26]

A lot of new wingspans without much personality every year.

And zero interest in developing guys like Mason and Graham from barely-playable into established stars.

[Sparko]

We are spoiled. A little of everything, and kids we get to know and really be proud of.

[CrimsonNBlue]

It's also worth mentioning that K has adopted the same strategy. Since they won the title in 2015 (UK was 38-1 and Final Four that year):

duke: 0 Final Fours.

Loss numbers per season:
11
9
8
6
6

UK: 0 Final Fours

Loss numbers per season:
9
6
11
7
6

KU: 1 Final Four

Loss numbers per season:
5
5
8
10
3

[NewtonHawk11]

Which even furthers my assertion that I would like to have more Graham and Mason types then the Wiggins and Oubre types.

[Cascadia]

Got to have both types if you want success.

[NewtonHawk11]

Do you though? I mean I get having a guy so talented that they leave after 1 or 2 years, but I also think Self does much better with those types and he does the OAD.

I mean KU is always going to have success regardless of who they get. You get less of a rollercoaster with the older team and little to none OAD types.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Yes, need both.

And, it really is a lot more rare to get a Graham/Mason than a Wiggins/Jackson/Embiid.

Self has really been the most successful in the 15-50 range. Low 5*, high 4* that stick around for 3-4 seasons.

[NewtonHawk11]

Yeah that is Self's range. You're right.