Fire Tubby?

From John Clay’s blog:

Yes, said Tubby Smith, UK’s final shot was designed to go to Sheray Thomas down on the right block. Smith said he thought Thomas would be open because LSU would be keying on other UK players. Smith said he thought Thomas hesitated too much before taking the shot, which went over the rim.

I guess Tubby went with the John Paxon option. I understand the call, if Sheray makes the shot he looks like the hero, and Tubby makes what looks like a fantastic call because all the defensive pressure would be on Patrick/Randolph. That being said, I don’t agree with the call in the least. If Patrick takes the shot and misses you feel like you at least you had one of your better players with the ball in his hands. Patrick has proven in the past he can make the big shot why not give him the ball.

In the end it’s just a missed shot, I understand that. Sheray missing the shot is not what cost us this game. It’s the result of sloppy play coming down the stretch that put the team in that situation.

We gave this one away. Plain and simple. We. Gave. It. Away.

More later.

It’s go time for the Wildcats. Time to “man up”. Surprisingly the Cats are EVEN money against LSU. It looks like the current three-game win streak or the annihilation of Ole Miss impressed Vegas and the off-shore gambling houses enough to wipe the board for this vital game. I’m looking forward to this one.

There is nothing better than a feud between two local radio guys. John Clay’s blog has the story.

You’ve heard them all season long; the Tubby basher who is always pointing out that Tubby hasn’t been to a final four since he won with Pitino’s players. Then there is the Tubby supporter who won’t let you forget that Tubby has the best record of any coach in the nation the past three seasons. It’s been the same argument for months between those two factions.

Today is a crucial time for Tubby bashers and supporters alike. Today you will be able to tell if that Tubby basher has the team’s best interest at heart or if they really do have an ulterior motive. Through constant internet message board, talk radio, and conversation eavesdropping here are a couple tell-tale signs that will reveal the true nature of those “UK fans” around you.

• True UK fans couldn’t be happier today, even though they are cautiously aware of the tough road to finish out the season

• Tubby bashers are quick to point out that the current three game win streak was against SEC bottom feeders and won’t carry over against tougher competition

• True UK fans like the current starting lineup based on effort in practice and think it should continue down the home stretch

• Tubby bashers will say that the best athletes should be on the floor at all times and that Tubby is just using a gimmick to deflect the attention off of the “true conversation”; the horrible season we are having

—————–

• True UK fans realize that the Cats have peaked about two weeks to early the last three seasons and maybe Tubby got it just right this year (It’s called optimism people)

• Tubby bashers will point out that Tubby hasn’t finished the job the last three years (You guessed it, pessimists)

Come on Cats pull up your socks a little more and just get it done.
If you can think of anymore, comment away.

Thanks to just about each and every Wildcat last night, they were fun to watch for the whole 40 minutes. Now in a tie for second place in the SEC East, UK is in the best possible position that it could have hoped for coming out of the Vandy loss. Tubby has everyone playing together at the right time. Yes it was just Ole Miss, but this is the kind of game we’ve been missing regardless of opponent or their unfortunate situation. Kentucky now controls their own destiny. What more can you ask for?

Picture from ukathletics.com

So I just saw one of the commercials with Tubby from Kroger. I started thinking about when a new basketball or football coach comes to town, is there a university policy about which companies they can advertise for? When Rich Brooks came to town he almost immediately started advertising for Paul Miller Ford. Why not with Thoroughbred Chevrolet or Quantrell Cadillac? Did they make an offer? Was it less money? Would he be allowed to accept it? If I remember correctly, Guy Morriss also did commercials and billboards for Paul Miller.

Off the top of my head, Tubby promotes Kroger, Paul Miller, Raferty’s, and Dawhares among others. Is there a limit to the amount of deals, or the quality of the businesses?

I’m a sucker for a good jingle just as much as anyone else, so I think what Tubby needs is a commercial with a catchy jingle. It just so happens that I have one in mind. It’s not even really a jingle as much as it is a phone number. It would actually be a duet with WLXG 1300’s Chris Cross. The Lexington Hitch and Trailer commercial he does sticks in my head every time I hear it. You don’t want me to say it do you? It will be lodged in your head the rest of the day. Say it with me now.

Uh uhhh
two-five-two-four-two-five-eight
two-five-two-four-two-five-eight
Tell’em Chris Cross and Tubby Smith said geht ovahh heeeh!

Tonight at Rupp UK is -13.5. This should be an easy win for the cats. It would also be a good opportunity for them to build on some of the momentum from the second half of the last game. Also looks like Rod Barnes’ job could be on the line. A win in this game could save him from being fired. Let’s see if that gives his players some extra fire tonight. Go Cats!

After most UK games I’ll usually tune in to one of the am radio stations in town to listen to the call in shows. Win or loss they are almost always entertaining. One thing that always happens after a loss is that Louisville fans will call in and taunt or try to “rile-up” the UK fan base. Invariably this tactic always works. Granted, since Louisville isn’t having such a great season either I haven’t heard as many of these calls lately. Generally the callers give names such as Louisville Jim or Cardinal Bob. The names alone usually have you yelling at them to shut up before they even start talking.

Anyway, I’m getting away from my point which is, since I don’t listen to any Louisville post game shows, I have a question for those of you that might tune in. Do Kentucky fans call in and harass the cardinal fans? Do they use names like Catman Sam or True Blue Drew?

Finally a mystery solved. Everyone knows that when Tubby takes his jacket off it’s time to get serious. For the players it usually means that they need to ramp up that infamous Tubby Smith defense. For the fans it’s usually not so good because it typically means we are either down or in a close game. In case you have ever wondered what happens to Tubby’s jacket when he takes it off, wonder no more! As I mentioned before, I went to the Georgia vs UK game last week and actually saw where his jacket was taken.

Since I’m trying to suck as much content as possible out of a game I actually got to attend, I have pictures. With arrows. The first picture shows a close-up location of where it was taken by one of UK’s (I’m assuming student) managers. I’m not sure if there is a tunnel there, but it looked as if he was hanging it up. It is possible that he handed it off but I don’t think he did. As you can see, there are five uniformed officers standing guard at this location. At the next press conference, someone should ask Assistant AD/Media Relations Scott Stricklin if Dawhares compensates these officers or if Tubby himself pays to have his jacket guarded. True Wildcat fans need to know these things!

The second picture gives a little more perspective as to where exactly this location is.