Worst coaching job ever

[mac4lyfe]

I keep hearing this and although Noel was their best player by far, they struggled even when he was on the court??? Were they getting better down the stretch? Maybe a little but not enough to make a huge difference. Even with Noel, I think they were still a reach for the tourney.

Originally Posted by Colin

Noel getting hurt changed their season. Still, only convinced Cal is a great recruiter, not necessarily a great coach. A lot of coaches would have great seasons with the talent UK is getting.

[austingtr]

And I bet he will win COY if they are FF material next year.
SMH

[Swampmaster]

when you recruit one and done players, with no allegiance to the school, looking to head to the NBA the moment the season ends, you will have problems if one or two players aren't buying what the coach is saying.

[REM08]

Originally Posted by kellgator

For our Cat fans: any idea who Cal was talking about when he mentioned a couple of players hijacking the team?

As for UK's dismal season, I've consistently heard Cal take blame for doing a poor coaching job this season. I'm sure it wasn't for lack of trying, he just never found the right buttons to push with this team. Personally, I blame Cal and Harrow. Cal for not recruiting a better PG and Harrow for being a train wreck. So much of Cal's system is based on having a top shelf PG that breaks down a defense, gets his own shot, and gets easy shots for others. Harrow isn't close to what they've had over the past few years. The problem was magnified because they didn't have anyone else who could fill that role from one of the other off guard spots with the exception of Goodwin. But Goodwin was either really good or really wild. We saw both Goodwins last night. So then they were left trying to manufacture offense within a system that is designed for players more talented than what they had. It just didn't work. The contrast between Billy's system and Cal's system couldn't have been more stark than it was this year. Billy's system is designed for scoring opportunities to come from precise execution of the plays that are run. While Cal's system, much like the NBA, is designed for elite players to create scoring opportunities. Which is great when you have the players, not so much when you don't.

Without question Harrow. The player that, surprisingly IMO, most assume is the other is actually Wiltjer. I know one is Harrow though. I just don't know anything specific about Wiltjer. There were several guys Cal was frustrated with throughout the year, but Harrow was always by far on the top of that list.

[dailydoublecat]

Kellgator--the hijackers are Harrow and Wiltjer--I expect them both to be gone.

Jeff

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by rtgator

By his own admission, he didn't do his best.

He was quoted as saying that he'll never have a team "hijacked by a couple players again." Apparently, he allowed that to happen this year.

How is that doing his damndest?

RT--if you followed Kentucky and read Coachcal.com, listened to his press conference, twitter etc you know he did all kinds of things to make this team work harder--he had each player wear heart monitors, he had numerous people talk to the team. he changed his demeanor, he played dodgeball to make them have some fun.

The bottom line is his system isnt going to work every year. I really believe that you need some veteran players to stick around, so I think we agree more than you think. He will tweak his recruiting a bit IMHO.

Jeff

[GatorLurker]

How does a player or players hijack a team? Throw them off the squad and not let them back on until they apologize and "get their minds right" to fix that problem. Billy has done that several times. Why couldn't Cal?

[phideltdj]

Playing time is the great equalizer...if you have a problem child you have to have the cajones to bench them even if it costs you games. You never know it might work...but if you keep rewarding bad behavior usually you keep getting bad behavior. Parenting 101.

[qwghlmgator]

Originally Posted by dailydoublecat

Kellgator--the hijackers are Harrow and Wiltjer--I expect them both to be gone.

The two least talented guys on the team? That seems a little too easy Jeff.

I'm not doubting you, it just seems that body language and performance-wise I certainly didn't see Goodwin or Poythress as very positive forces out there. Cauley-Stein and Polson looked like the only guys who gave a crap late.

Now Cal's gotta move some guys out that may be thinking about wanting to stay when the system was predicated on them leaving after a year (due to a good-to-great year showcasing them for the NBA). He's found himself in a very Nick Saban position (oversiging comes to basketball!). And the clearout is gonna start at the bottom of the talent barrel? Not surprising. Very Nick Saban, but not surprising.

[REM08]

Originally Posted by qwghlmgator

The two least talented guys on the team? That seems a little too easy Jeff.

I'm not doubting you, it just seems that body language and performance-wise I certainly didn't see Goodwin or Poythress as very positive forces out there. Cauley-Stein and Polson looked like the only guys who gave a crap late.

Now Cal's gotta move some guys out that may be thinking about wanting to stay when the system was predicated on them leaving after a year (due to a good-to-great year showcasing them for the NBA). He's found himself in a very Nick Saban position (oversiging comes to basketball!). And the clearout is gonna start at the bottom of the talent barrel? Not surprising. Very Nick Saban, but not surprising.

There is zero evidence of any of this. And for you to suggest that it seems convinient for Harrow to be one of the two hi-jackers shows you weren't paying attention to this team at all this year. Not that you should be, you're a gator fan. Just try and not have an opinion about something you've obviously not followed.

You also don't seem to understand the scholarship situation at Kentucky to liken it to Saban at Bama.

0 for 2...

[bakaduin]

Originally Posted by REM08

There is zero evidence of any of this. And for you to suggest that it seems convinient for Harrow to be one of the two hi-jackers shows you weren't paying attention to this team at all this year. Not that you should be, you're a gator fan. Just try and not have an opinion about something you've obviously not followed.

You also don't seem to understand the scholarship situation at Kentucky to liken it to Saban at Bama.

0 for 2...

I agree that Harrow is likely a cause but Wiltjer? All I heard all year was that Goodwin was "uncoachable". How is he not one of the two?

[allig8ralli]

It's come to where UK needs the players more than the players need UK.

[gottapanda]

Is Wiltjer even any good? I haven't followed Kentucky all that much, but he comes off the bench and his stats aren't all that impressive. DraftExpress doesn't have him as a top-100 prospect or being taken in the 2013 or 2014 drafts.

Jeff, when you say he is gone, do you mean he's going to transfer?

[phideltdj]

If Wiltjer wants to transfer to UF we would take him!

[REM08]

Originally Posted by bakaduin

I agree that Harrow is likely a cause but Wiltjer? All I heard all year was that Goodwin was "uncoachable". How is he not one of the two?

I know nothing of Wiltjer's behavior or how he'd be the cause of this. I certainly dont know everything though. I said that Wiltjer's name surprises me.

The difference with Goodwin is effort. He always gave 100% effort and was a team player. Sounds weird when he's been called selfish and uncoachable, but those were basketball statements, not personal ones. He was a good teammate but had trouble following Cal's orders with execution. I can picture that being pretty much a standard issue that coaches face, especially with freshmen.

[kellgator]

I doubt Goodwin is one of the highjacker's. His problems seem to come from trying to do too much, over aggressive to a fault. I can't see that being a big issue for Cal given that he is a freshman. Personally, I like Goodwin's upside more than anyone else that finished the season for UK. When the game slows down for him I think he'll be a monster player. Might be the only starter from this years team that starts next year besides WCS (maybe).

[themistocles]

Well, first of all, they lost Noel midway through the SEC season, so, that leaves a mere 3 likely first round prospects.

Also, all were freshmen, and you really can't depend on freshmen in any sport. Last year's team had key players who stuck around, and I doubt seriously if a team can win a national championship without some experienced players in the mix. Even Michigan's famed Fab 5 didn't accomplish that, of course, they were playing in the days before everyone jumped to the NBA, so they were competing against a lot of teams with high quality juniors and seniors.

Cali has always been a successful coach, and I think, a very good coach. I don't like the way he is recruiting at Kentucky like with Knight and the $125,000 dollar a year job for his mother. I question the ethics of such behavior, but, it is a common tool to draw young athletes in a country that is driven by simplistic things like profit and victory rather than important things like humanity and compassion.

[GatorLurker]

I really don't get this "players hijacked" the team excuse. The only way that a coach could have that happen is if he is in a weak position with respect to the players. If that is the real case (which I doubt), then the whole program will soon go up in flames. And by that I mean "Death Penalty with the scorched ground covered in salt". It would be people other than the players pulling all the strings in that scenario.

Instead I think that deflecting blame is very self-serving. Who really is to blame for the pathetic result for UK this year? I say it is the coach. He recruited those guys and coached them. And if he can't coach them it is his fault for either being a poor coach or a poor recruiter.

[wci347]

Harrow and Goodwin started getting with the program near the end of the season. The problem is at least for Goodwin is that he will be riding the pine next year if he stays. That will undoubtedly test his resolve, his esteem, and his patience.

[Gator_Joe]

Originally Posted by phideltdj

If Wiltjer wants to transfer to UF we would take him!

I don't want this kid on our team! Biggest defensive liability in college basketball. I guarantee he has gave up more points than he's put up in his career.