Out of everything that’s happened this season — and last season as well — I am most saddened by the disappearance of the Second Half Adjustment™.
Remember when the Wildcats came out of the locker room after halftime, and would rattle off an 8 or 10 point run while playing stifling defense? It was almost guaranteed that the opposing coach would have to burn a timeout 4 minutes into the second half. It would always put control of the game back into the Wildcats’ hands.
I think the key of the Second Half Adjustment™ was the defense. Defensive assignments were either reemphasized or reassigned. The players’ mindset was set on making plays on D, and going all out to make those plays. Our scoring runs were always sparked by shutting down the team on the other end. The opposing team would always need to adjust their offensive sets around Kentucky’s efforts.
In his Florida post-game comments on the UK Radio Network, Tubby explicitly said he reminded his players that the first 5 minutes after halftime was crucial. However (I’m paraphrasing Tubby’s comments here), the foul situation prevented some players from being aggressive on D (*cough cough RANDOLPH AND WOO cough*), and through the whole game, the defensive effort overall was lackluster.
Is this because our personnel is unable to play Tubby’s D, or unwilling? Whatever the reason, the defensive effort coming out of the half has been uneven. Of course, you can say that the Cats’ play all season long has been uneven at best.
March 4th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
The second half adjustment is alive and well, ask Billy Donovan
March 4th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
It’s hard to get a run going when you are playing 4 on 5. Any time Sheray is on the court, the other team might as well rest a player to make things even.
Putting Sheray in at center against Horford was brilliant coaching, BTW.
Scrub the Tubb!
March 4th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
What second half adjustment???? When Thomas and Jasper are on the floor, the other team can concentrate on the other 3 because Jasper and Thomas are absolutely no offensive threat. What I can’t figure out is why Bradely as good a ball playe he is, keeps making silly turnovers? I’m not sure if Tubby is the problem or if he isn’t sure how to get the most out of this team.
March 4th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Aaron with both centers having 4 fouls a piece with plenty of time left what would you do???????????
March 4th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
I think putting Stevenson in earlier would have been a far better coaching move. Even the announcers couldn’t believe he wasn’t playing Stevenson.
In the small number of minutes that Stevenson has gotten, he’s blows Thomas away in stats. Next to Stevenson, I’d rather see Coury go in then Thomas…at least he’s not completely afraid to shoot the ball.
I’d even go beyond what Ramy says and say that Tubby might actually make some of the good offensive players worse over their career. It seems to me that he has the guys “thinking” too much and not playing to their natural skills and abilities.
March 4th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Aaron I agree. Tubby does know defense. A good defense isn’t worth a hoot unless you can score points.
Stevenson could be an NBA prospect given the chance to hone his skills. Thomas is not. Since Stevenson is going to be there 3 more years, I would definately play him more to help me for the future, cause this year looks lost….
March 4th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Anyone ever listen to the Tubby Smith call in show? Its no wonder the players don’t know what to do I can’t even understand what he is saying half the time. Babble uh babble uh babble uh! He doesn’t even belong in Division 1 basketball he didn’t do anything at Georiga to deserve to come to Kentucky why we haven’t sent him packing is a mystery. It time to Scrubb the Tubb and David Hobbs the whole staff and Mitch Barnhart needs to go. Tubb was handed the best program in the nation in 98 and now we are just another team we are not even a contender we suck! At least it doesn’t hurt to lose anymore I’ve grown used to it. John you ask what would you do the answer is the Tubb could do nothing he has recruited players that are no where near talented enough to be at UK especially at the 4 position who do we have that can guard either Horford or Noah the answer is nobody. Who do we have that can guard Brewer the answer is nobody, Green nobody we can’t even guard Humpfrey. Florida’s backups are better than our starters. I thought Tubb was supposed to be a defensive specialist how many wide open 3’s did we give up. This team directly reflects Tubb’s leadership they go out there with no emotion no desire to get tuff they look like they just smoked a big joint. It is embarssing I can’t stand it.
March 5th, 2007 at 12:48 am
The one half wonders strike again!
Why can’t Tubby ever have a team that is well-conditioned and can play 40 minutes instead of only 20?
Why are 19 & 20 year old boys “Winded” and need “Rest” every 2-3 minutes?
Why would any high school player come to KY to sit on the bench if had any other offer?
Why does Tubby always take out his best scorers when they are in the middle of a hot streak?
Why can’t Randolph Morris speak the English language?
Why does KY routinely have long stretches in which they average 1 point or less per minute? In the Fla. 2nd half, after 15 mintes, they had scored a whopping 14 points.
Why do KY “Ballhandlers” routinely make bad passes, shots, and dribble it out of bounds?
Why is the March Ball Team not any better than the Team that started the season?
Why are all Ky ball games like this: Play well…Play Stinky…Try to catch up with a late run…Panic and break down into chaos…get beaten?
Why have Tubby’s teams never had smart players, and team discipline?
Why do we pay Tubby so much?
Why do good players get worse the longer Tubby coaches them?
March 5th, 2007 at 9:36 am
I live near Gainesville, Florida…..and I am a UK fan (2000 alum) as well as a former UK Cheerleader. I bleed blue and love wildcat basketball….however, gradually and every so slowly over the past 10 years, my vigor in cheering on the Wildcats has been slowly dying away as have Tubby’s coaching abilities. I had high hopes for Orlando and even though that infamous championship that “he” won his rookie year was wonderful for the team…..it wasn’t “his” win and we all know where I’m going with that one. Anyway, the excitement of UK BBALL has left the building and moved to the University of Florida with Billy D….. PLEASE, MITCH….you’re a smart man! Do what you know has to be done, 2-3 years early, and find a coach with an exciting and captivating personality that is active on the sideline and acts like he cares for the team he is coaching while he is coaching…….. HELP US FANS AND FORMER UK GRADS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT OUR BELOVED TEAM AGAIN!!!!
March 5th, 2007 at 10:38 am
The problem I have is with Tubbs ability to realize he doesn’t have the team that he used to have and those can’t make the same old choices he might have made. Case in point, Morris picks up his “3rd” foul early in the second half. What does Tubbs do? He takes Morris out and Florida goes on a 13-2 run. As a coach I understand this move, but in a game that you are overmatched at almost every position and are still in the game you have to let him play! It was his 3rd not 4th and if you are going to set him for the next 8 mins you are forfeiting any chance to stay in the game just so you can keep him in the game at the end. You have to play to “Win the Game!” Tubby was playing “not to lose”. Keep him on the court stay in the game and when he picks up his 4th then make an adjustment. It is time to overhaul the team as far as minutes go. How many people think it is odd that rumors swirl about Porter leaving and out of the blue he starts getting more playing time? Let the young guys play! Let recruits see that there is a chance for playing time. I conclude with the fact there is no recruit out there (including Patterson and Lucas) that can save this program, we are 4 years away from making a serious run at a title.
Coach J
P.S. It has come to my attention that UK is now recruiting Rusher from Kashmere H.S. here in Houston. I have seen Rusher play and coached against him over the last 3 years and he is a quality LOW 3 STAR, HIGH 2 STAR Talent. However is this the kid we want to recruit? He was dismissed from Bellaire H.S. for pulling a knife on a kid and just being an overvall problem at that school. So much for recruiting Character at our school.
March 5th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Rusher was previously rated higher than patterson before his off the court troubles… Since switching schools he has produced and stayed clean, i’ll take the chance on rusher, character of UL had problems too but now he’s got his head straight and he’s carrying the birds on his back when it counts, MARCH… I would love for UK to land rusher, and see him dominate Patterson next year at Florida… Also Rusher has played with Lucas before and I have a good feeling about Jai Lucas even if Pat goes to Florida
March 5th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Shooter your right. What would I know. I just teach and coach 3 miles away from him and see him play probably 15 times a season. COME ON! GET REAL! You have a good feeling about a 5′9 guard who a Local Division 1 Head Coach said “he couldn’t even star in our conference”. This team just finished in 6th place in their conference and they don’t like his chances. COME ON!
March 5th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Cool it Jay, I don’t remember Shoot ever saying that he was right, or that you were wrong… Just some facts here, I don’t know how much you know about P-Pat but he is not really dominate on either side of the ball, his offensive game is basically non existant and his defense is above average but not really any better than stevenson, he just has a bigger body… after this offseason I’m not really sure that stevenson isn’t better than Patterson… As for Lucas I have a good feeling about him, he can put the ball in the hoop and that’s what is missing from this UK squad, i’m pretty sure he can execute the offense eg.) Drew Lavender who I watched in high school many times, and whom many doubted although he was also a McDonald’s All-American just like Lucas… Rusher is far from a project and Tubby has actually been after him since he was a top prospect in the nation, Tubby screwed up with the Highly Touted 04 class, but he is starting to recruit the type of players that are needed such as meeks, jasper, lucas, patterson, rusher, stewart thats a good mix of all americans and kids with potential just like the Estills, daniels, fitches, blevins, etc… If getting rid of tubby meant losing meeks and fellow frosh to other schools via transfer and also losing the recruits that we still have a chance for now and in the future I thinks it would be stupid to fire him… Once this stuck up ball hog group of juniors is gone I feel Tubby will be able to teach and run the type of team that he likes to run, tubby learned from this junior class and is now recruiting the hard working 4 year type players like Meeks and Jasper even though they are both having up and down years, they will lead this program next year and so on…
Frosy Boner
P.S. sorry I had to ramble on for son long but I bleed the BIG BLUE and this is what I feel in my heart… the best move is too keep tubby or else end up like UC and recruit JUCOS…
March 6th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Thanks FB very knowledgable post… I know you have a very busy job but you should post more often, Frosty is a recruiting guru Coach J, so basically what I’m saying is your opinion don’t matter!!!
March 6th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
tubby doesn’t know the basketball is suppossed to be fun. that is why Patterson (a prized tubby recruit) is at the florida game doing the gator chomp) . Nobody wants to play for Tubby. rex chapman said that if he was choosing schools he would not go to kentucky to play for tubby. Why? No fun in that. tubby has had a history of not being able to get his players on his page. Because his page is the back cover of a cooking magazine. Face Tubby lovers. Boring basketball leads to players like sheray thomas and project center after project center. when will you just face it. why wait until Florida beats UK 6 more times. If you like tubby you are not really a Kentucky fan. You are a UL fan posing as a UK fan just to try to get UK to keep Tubby.
March 6th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
easy there andy, think before you write anything…tubbs is not a cook, so why would he be on the back for a cook book…believe it or not, there are tubby supporters out there…frosty was right in saying tubbs learned from the 04 class…tubby thought that talent alone would bring him success, but he did not take into account how much their ego would affect the team…meeks and especially jasper are very good players to build on…if uk can get lucas, this team will be loaded next year…this guy in my opinion is better than mike conley of osu…and i too have seen rusher play, this kid is a stud…i remember he just kept pouring it on in one game, and because of it the opposing coach went on a furious rampage…at one point the coach broke down and cried, and then scampered out of the gym…the refs ruled a technical foul for the coaches mistrief…who knows, this rusher kid could of destroyed this coaches dream to be hired in the college ranks…i forget the couches name but it was in houston, come to think of it i think his name started with a j