Comments on: Is Billy Gillispie tough enough?

By: Mark Liptak

Mark Liptak — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:55:59 +0000

BClam:

You won’t find a better person then Tubby and he is an excellent coach. But the fact is that even his biggest defenders openly wondered about, why UK recruiting was always in a scramble / panic mode and why they stopped getting the top players.

Tubby lost his “edge” in the lifeblood for any program at any level. He compounded that by hiring basically incompetent assistant coaches and then when told by the A.D. to let them go, refused.

I appreciate his loyalty but the fact is University of Kentucky basketball is much bigger then any single individual or a coaching staff.

Tubby had to go, pure and simple, since he was not going to change.

Ultimately (and now perhaps sooner rather then later) the same fate may befall Billy.

The mark of a great coach is one who adapts to the talent he has, not tries to hammer every square peg into a round hole. (Think asking Porter to guard anybody in the man to man…)

Mark Liptak

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:45:34 +0000

John,
Have listened to Colin Cowherd the past week talk about why teams in some markets are always good. He claims it’s because the media outlets set a very high standard for the team. I’m glad you are starting to take them on. They need a voice to hold them accountable for the horrible job being done over there. It’s nice to hear an objective voice instead of the homer network (WLAP), which won’t say a negative word. Keep up the good work.

As far as the team. It’s obious they have quit on BCG and he has quit on them. The players know who should be on the floor. Porter and Harris have stolen valuable minutes all year long that could have been used getting the first year players ready. Too bad for a wasted season.

By: TheBClam

TheBClam — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:52:37 +0000

John, you’re right on target. We’ve been saying it for a long time on the messageboards. Folks just won’t listen. Regardless of the talent issues does anyone really think there isn’t enough talent on this team to show better than they have ?

I’m not sure what’s next with this team but with Florida coming up on the road one has to assume a loss and a trip to the NIT. An SEC run seems pretty unlikely at this point.

You have to hand it to Tubby though. He’s getting a lot out of a much less talented team in a much tougher conference and giving three freshman, Iverson, Sampson, Joseph, major minutes.

Mistake getting rid of Tubby or hiring Gillispie ?

Will be debated for many, many, years to come.

By: Mark Liptak

Mark Liptak — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:25:44 +0000

At this point in time Billy has made the players afraid to just play the game, to play to win games.

They are playing not to make mistakes and get jerked to the bench.

Big, big difference…and it shows.

Mark Liptak

By: Around The SEC East - 3/5/09 | MrSEC.com

Around The SEC East - 3/5/09 | MrSEC.com — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:10:39 +0000

[...] in sight.”UK: With the barrage of heat that’s about to be thrown at Gillispie, we’ll soon know if he’s tough enough to handle being Kentucky’s head basketball coach. A very good read.UF: Florida’s [...]

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:31:40 +0000

John, I think you’re column is right on target. I know a reporters job is to be objective, but its nice to have someone sympathize with the frustration that the fan-base is feeling. I don’t know if this frustration will even reach/phase Billy or Mitch Barnhart, but knowing that its out there makes me feel a little better.

By: John Clay

John Clay — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:07:17 +0000

To me, that’s the disappointing part. This team is going backwards. Lost seven of its last 10.

By: B

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:01:15 +0000

The striking thing to me isn’t just the loss, it’s like you said in your column – we’re crashing. Teams usually get better over the season, right? Even if just a little.

By: S.Smith

S.Smith — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:17:07 +0000

John: I think the display of choice words between Patterson and Coach Gillispie when Patterson took too much time?? to foul Jackson, who missed both free throws, says thousands of words. Patterson waves away the coach and heads down to the lane with Jackson. This display will not help Billy Clyde Gillispie land five star recruits. The last three games have hurt Meeks and Patterson with first round NBA draft. Meeeks and Patterson have been to easily shut down by inferior talent. Booing the Players and Coach by so-called UK Fans does not help recruitment in the long run.If Mike Casey and Kenny Skywalker can do a better job, bring them on now. Billy Clyde Gillispie took this coaching challenge when every decent coach in America turned it down, including “It’s a done deal Billy Donovan”.