Now that UK basketball is rising from the funk it has been in for the past several years, UK fans can now get the swagger back that has been absent for so long. This being said, I would like to pose one question. Who or what is the single largest factor in the downfall of UK basketball over the past six to seven years?
While the title to this blog hints at placing the blame on Rick Pitino, I truly do not blame him for the downfall. I was basically just poking fun at the fact that if he hadn't left to coach the Boston Celtics we would not be having this conversation. This could possibly be true, but the blame can't be placed on him due to the fact he was following his heart at the time.
I believe the blame lies with the hiring of Orlando "Tubby" Smith. Yes, I know he won a national title for UK in 1998. But, if a look is taken at the 1998 team compared to the teams he was responsible for placing on the court the following years, there is no comparison in one regard, TALENT LEVEL!
The style of play that Tubby stressed just wasn't the style that attracted top level talent. Year in and year out we kept hearing that Tubby was going to stress a faster style of play, but this never happened because (with the exception of a couple of years) UK just didn't have the talent pool to play that style. Instead, UK constantly set up a half court offense and constantly struggled to produce an easy look at the bucket. Many times the shot clock would dwindle down before getting a shot off. The teams Tubby coached relied heavily on defense to make up for the huge lack of offensive scoring. I have no doubt that Tubby Smith is a great human being, but I feel that the past UK downfall lies squarely on his shoulders.
ISN'T IT NICE NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE TALENT LEVEL AT UK NOW?
POST WHAT YOU BELIEVE WAS THE REASON FOR THE DOWNFALL!
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Brent,
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with you that Tubby is the reason that UK was in the shape they were in, I also believe that Mitch Barnhart has to shoulder some of the blame. Let's not forget he set us back a few years by hiring that wacko Billy G. Keep up the good work I enjoy your insights into UK Sports.