Finally a UK post that is POSITIVE
OK I have not posted anything about UK in a while. Mainly because there wasn't anything positive to post about.
Don't get me wrong I liked Tubby, a lot. I think he is one classy guy and he represented the University better than maybe anyone.
Yet there was obvious things about him that weren't working. Recruiting, defense and a good motion offense that attracts kids.
He had some really good teams and I give him all the credit in the world for coaching the 98' team to a title. Even though he only had one player that was his. Literally it was his, Saul his son.
Other than that Tubby has never recruited a player that made it to a Final Four. Yet he had 3 teams that came close. His last team led by Chuck Hayes was soooo close. Yet lost in OT to MSU.
Listen Tubby seemed to have lost his fire after that game. He never seemed to be the same. And when you look back on his career he is like us all as we get older. You know as you get older you gain a couple of pounds or so each year and before you know it, it has been ten years and you are nothing like you were.
Tubby was the same way. There isn't a year that you can say, well there is where it went south. It was little things here and there that lead us to where we were this season. Rashad Carruth, Gerald Fitch, Marvin Stone, Rajon Rondo, Morris. All those guys he brought in with big expectations and they didn't seem to pan out. They all either left early or were serious problems. One or two here and there is one thing but when you look back there are several which is telling.
The thing about now is suddenly with the hire of Billy G the Big Blue Nation is back. They are excited. They are talking B-ball and smiling. They wanting to know what is happening with recruiting with a positive outlook rather than a, 'Don't matter he won't come'.
Billy G in one week has created more positives in that department than Tubby has done in 3 years. He had begun talking to local kids and looking down the road. I mean he already has a verbal from a kid for 2009! And it just so happens that he is one of the top 15 soph's in the country.
UK may or may not win more games next year, but one thing is for sure.....Billy G is certainly heading us towards the right direction, UP!