**OFFICIAL NCAA TOURNEY THREAD**

[Mill]

I've also got to say that UAB had control of this game 35 minutes out of 40. Kentucky never lead by more than 6, and they barely led at all before that. UAB put huge points on them to get leads several times, and even in foul trouble we pulled it out. Had UAB had to go to overtime it would have been much closer. Cardell had 4 and so did Mo, so we might have been in trouble. Either way Kentucky played a good game too, but I am just happy for my team. I think Tubby Smith is a good coach, but there is a lot of parity these days.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach.

~Disgruntled UK fan.

Marquette is a joke? LOL. UAB is joke? HAHA. They are both great Conference USA teams. There is getting to be more parity in the NCAA, and the days of Kentucky dominating are over.

Correct. Because the days of Syracuse dominating just began last year. Back to back Baby!

 

[jcwagers]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach.

~Disgruntled UK fan.

Marquette is a joke? LOL. UAB is joke? HAHA. They are both great Conference USA teams. There is getting to be more parity in the NCAA, and the days of Kentucky dominating are over.

Tubby Smith is a FINE coach. There is nothing wrong with how he coaches. He has had excellent teams every year. People get too caught up in the years when UK has won the title and had WAY more talent than a lot of teams out there. That's not to say that we didn't have talent.....as we have a LOT of talent. It's just saying that the other teams have just as much talent. Any team can beat any other team on any given day. UAB played the smarter game today and they won. That doesn't mean jack-squat about Tubby Smith as a coach. You can't be prepared for everybody and KY has never played as well as a number 1 seed as they have when they are a lower seed. I don't know if it's the pressure or what but we never play well when we're on top. And....as far as the "days of Kentucky dominating are over".....I don't see us as "dominating". We play good solid basketball. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Sometimes we eek out the tough games and sometime we don't. You can't call us "dominating" anymore than you can call Duke or anyone else "dominating" every year. Every team has years when they falter and sometimes in the years where they don't falter, they're looked on as "dominating" possibly due to excessive talent.
Fans have the tendency to think that because their team won it in 1998 that they should be able to win it every year. That is, of course, not the case. You have different talent levels, different players, and a lot of other factors that play into that. Just because a team doesn't "win it all" every year doesn't mean that they don't play the best that they can. I think all coaches face this problem and it's unfair to the players who have tried so hard all year to have fans gripe and complain about how they didn't measure up. I'm not here to flame anyone but I'm not about to let someone bad mouth a team that I think played as good as they could on the "given" day that they were playing. I'm a KY fan.....win or lose.

jc

 

[jcwagers]

Originally posted by: Mill
I've also got to say that UAB had control of this game 35 minutes out of 40. Kentucky never lead by more than 6, and they barely led at all before that. UAB put huge points on them to get leads several times, and even in foul trouble we pulled it out. Had UAB had to go to overtime it would have been much closer. Cardell had 4 and so did Mo, so we might have been in trouble. Either way Kentucky played a good game too, but I am just happy for my team. I think Tubby Smith is a good coach, but there is a lot of parity these days.

Well said. I agree wholeheartedly. It was so close at the end it could literally have gone either way. You guys made the big shot when it was crunchtime and you won. Kudos to you! I hope that UAB does well in the Sweet 16 against whoever they face. They are definitely a good team and are very deserving of where they're at.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach.

~Disgruntled UK fan.

Marquette is a joke? LOL. UAB is joke? HAHA. They are both great Conference USA teams. There is getting to be more parity in the NCAA, and the days of Kentucky dominating are over.

Correct. Because the days of Syracuse dominating just began last year. Back to back Baby!

But they are going to lose to Alabama...

 

[TC2181]

GO UAB! Woot! I'd rather have Kansas play UAB than UK. Elite Eight, here we come! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach.

~Disgruntled UK fan.

Marquette is a joke? LOL. UAB is joke? HAHA. They are both great Conference USA teams. There is getting to be more parity in the NCAA, and the days of Kentucky dominating are over.

Correct. Because the days of Syracuse dominating just began last year. Back to back Baby!

But they are going to lose to Alabama...

Funny, that's what people have said the last 8 tournament games Syracuse has played.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: TC2181
GO UAB! Woot! I'd rather have Kansas play UAB than UK. Elite Eight, here we come! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Uhh..why? UAB obviously is a good team.

 

[TC2181]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: TC2181
GO UAB! Woot! I'd rather have Kansas play UAB than UK. Elite Eight, here we come! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Uhh..why? UAB obviously is a good team.

They are a good team, but they are streaking right now. I think UK looked past them.

I'd rather be playing UAB in St Louis (where the Jayhawk faithful will be in masses, 4-5 hours away from Lawrence) than playing UK.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach.

~Disgruntled UK fan.

Marquette is a joke? LOL. UAB is joke? HAHA. They are both great Conference USA teams. There is getting to be more parity in the NCAA, and the days of Kentucky dominating are over.

Correct. Because the days of Syracuse dominating just began last year. Back to back Baby!

But they are going to lose to Alabama...

Funny, that's what people have said the last 8 tournament games Syracuse has played.

They've played Alabama 8 times in the tournament?

 

[larciel]

it'd be really funny if Kansas and Cuse meet in finals again!! LOL

of course, it'd really be 'madness' if that were to happen

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach.

~Disgruntled UK fan.

Marquette is a joke? LOL. UAB is joke? HAHA. They are both great Conference USA teams. There is getting to be more parity in the NCAA, and the days of Kentucky dominating are over.

Correct. Because the days of Syracuse dominating just began last year. Back to back Baby!

But they are going to lose to Alabama...

Funny, that's what people have said the last 8 tournament games Syracuse has played.

They've played Alabama 8 times in the tournament?

huh? How did you misinterpret that? Where did I say anything about Alabama?

I said "Funny, that's what people have said the last 8 tournament games Syracuse has played." referring back to the last 8 tournament games played by the Orangemen (2 this year so far and 6 last year), people have said Syracuse was going to lose everyone of those games.

 

[ErmanC]

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach. ~Disgruntled UK fan.

Reluctantly rescinded...After stewing on it for a few hours, I'm still gravely disappointed, but you guys are right in that Tubby and the guys did great with what they had. At the start of this season I said they'd lose 10 games or more and they obviously proved me wrong in that regard. Marquette in the Elite 8 last year isn't as hard to live with I guess. It's just so painful to see them squander opportunities again and again. They peaked just at the right time, cruised through the SEC tourney, and got a perfect draw in the dance. They just couldn't capitalize. I saw them win in 96', lose in 97' when they should have won, and win again in 98' when they shouldn't have won, so I guess I should just shut up and be satisfied huh? As long as it isn't Duke, I'll make it.

Congrats to both UAB and FL A&M. Both teams played excellent games.

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: ErmanC

Reluctantly rescinded...After stewing on it for a few hours, I'm still gravely disappointed, but you guys are right in that Tubby and the guys did great with what they had. At the start of this season I said they'd lose 10 games or more and they obviously proved me wrong in that regard. Marquette in the Elite 8 last year isn't as hard to live with I guess. It's just so painful to see them squander opportunities again and again. They peaked just at the right time, cruised through the SEC tourney, and got a perfect draw in the dance. They just couldn't capitalize. I saw them win in 96', lose in 97' when they should have won, and win again in 98' when they shouldn't have won, so I guess I should just shut up and be satisfied huh? As long as it isn't Duke, I'll make it.

Congrats to both UAB and FL A&M. Both teams played excellent games.

Well, I can relate to all of what you say.

There was a major "Fire Tubby" movement that began during the 99-00 season. The movement gained momentum after our 3rd 10-loss season in a row in 01-02. Some argue that Coach Smith has never made it to a Final Four with his own players.

By and large, I think he does an excellent job. Losing Parker and Carruth, along with Estill really hurt us as far as a deep run into the tourney this year. What he and the coaching staff (Hobbs, Hanson and Rigot) was able to accomplish this season with Hawkins, Fitch, Daniels, Hayes and Azubuike was amazing. We won the SEC tourney. We beat Miss St. at the Hump. We pounded on UF twice and beat them three times.

The problem though, was our out-of-conference schedule. CUSA owns us. Sure, we beat UCLA, Mich St., IU and UNC. But we also got owned by a different style of basketball courtesy of CUSA twice (UofL and UAB). The end of this game will probably be analyzed for years to come. 3 TOs in 1:30 near end of game is downright depressing, especially with 3 experienced seniors on the floor.

I look forward to next season. We have a good recruiting class coming in (Rondo, Crawford, Bradley and Williams). We may still get Morris at the 5. Sparks will start at the 1 next season. Kaz and Hayes will return. Perry and Thomas both proved that they can play in the SEC. We'll be alright.

Congrats to UAB. You played us hard and deserved the W.

 

[hdeck]

*sigh* to think i was looking forward to seeing ashley judd for a few games. you disappointed me UK

 

[Nitemare]

double post

 

[Nitemare]

Tubby Smith is an excellent coach. He overachieved this year. Noone expected Kentucky to win the regular season SEC crown, as someone else said they were predicted to finish 3rd. Both Kentucky and Mississippi State had excellent albeit unexpectant years. They just happened upon 2 teams that were streaking. Hats off to both UAB and Xavier, I wish you well in the tournament against everyone but the remaining ACC teams

 

[jcwagers]

Originally posted by: ErmanC

Originally posted by: ErmanC
I'm ready for them to fire Tubby Smith right now. I can't believe that! 2 tournaments in a row where we've dropped out the second round to relatively unheard of teams. Marquette last year and UAB this year. What a joke. Tubby can't win outside the SEC. There's just no excuse for that lack-luster performance and I blame the coach. ~Disgruntled UK fan.

Reluctantly rescinded...After stewing on it for a few hours, I'm still gravely disappointed, but you guys are right in that Tubby and the guys did great with what they had. At the start of this season I said they'd lose 10 games or more and they obviously proved me wrong in that regard. Marquette in the Elite 8 last year isn't as hard to live with I guess. It's just so painful to see them squander opportunities again and again. They peaked just at the right time, cruised through the SEC tourney, and got a perfect draw in the dance. They just couldn't capitalize. I saw them win in 96', lose in 97' when they should have won, and win again in 98' when they shouldn't have won, so I guess I should just shut up and be satisfied huh? As long as it isn't Duke, I'll make it.

Congrats to both UAB and FL A&M. Both teams played excellent games.

Hey, I understand exactly what you mean. I love watching our Cats win and I know it's hard to be satisfied. I won't say that we "looked past" UAB (although I think I probably did) but we simply struggled when it counted. I've noticed, in my opinion, that KY tends to play better in the tourney when we get a tough loss right before the tourney. I think it was 1996 when we lost to Miss St. in the finals of the SEC tournament. I think that it is an "eye-opening" game when you lose right before the NCAA tournament. It forces the team to concentrate harder and they tend to play a little better overall. I guess I just consider it to be a motivator....so they realize that it only takes one game to make them go home. It's harder to keep that mentality when you're ranked #1 and you manage to beat everybody in your conference. I know that some other teams manage to keep that mentality regardless but I've never felt that we were a team that did. This is just speculation on my part.....but that's just my opinion.

jc

 

[jcwagers]

Hey Nitemare, as far as using your bracket for TP......I think there will be quite a few people doing that......myself included. Wipe in peace man!

jc

 

[Lyfer]

Go nevada!

 

[rival]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Go nevada!

wow, a nevada fan good to see

hope they do well vs GTech, nevada has been playin really well in the tourney but stunk it up in the WAC championship vs utep and barely beat them

 

[TC2181]

I want a Kansas vs Nevada rematch.

 

[SpecialEd]

Originally posted by: larciel
it'd be really funny if Kansas and Cuse meet in finals again!! LOL

of course, it'd really be 'madness' if that were to happen

That would be awesome! however not likely. It looks like the Big East have had serious presence these past few years. We could see a Big East tournament rematch this year in the finals!!!


Go CUSE! Stayin alive!

 

[xcalibir]

still alive got 1/2 of the 16 games right this round
duke pitts and uconn are still alive only kentucky is dead in my final 4

 

[jcwagers]

*bump* for games in the Sweet 16