[-STAT-]

Statistically, Tubby Smith is a great coach. He is 241-71 with UK. He's won a National Title, 1 Final Four, 4 Elite Eights, and 8 Sweet Sixteens. He's captured 5 SEC Conference Championships and 5 SEC Tournament Championships. He's been named National Coach of the Year 3 times, and had the #1 Recruiting Class of 2004. All of this is great! But there are a few problems...UK fans don't want Elite Eights and Sweet Sixteens, we want Final Fours and National Championships! We haven't had either since 1998, nearly 10 years. The recruiting has been sub-par lately, and even with Rondo, Morris, Crawford, and Bradley, UK still can't do anything on the court. I'm as big a UK fan as anyone on here, and no, I'm not satisfied with the performance recently. The shooting against Florida was horrible, and the defense against Tennessee was horrible. I understand that Tubby can't go out on the court and play, but he's the guy who brings in the players who do play. I agree, there is no reason we can't land Jai Lucas or Patrick Patterson, or BOTH. We lost Thaddeus Young last year, and Chris Lofton and Corey Brewer a few years ago. I'm still optimistic about this season. They've lost 2 in a row, but there is still time to get things straight before the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. If things end this season like they did last season, then yes, Tubby should be gone. We can't keep having seasons like we've been having...2nd Round exits from the NCAA Tournament and Quarterfinal and Semifinal exits from the SEC Tournament. UK fans are too loyal and UK basketball means to much to us for the team not produce.

Very good post. Kentucky Wildcat basketball isnt just basketball, it is a way of life around here and around the state. And to see them not even get past the 2nd round of the NC2A tourney and in the q'tr finals of the SEC is not right at all and not the Kentucky Wildcat basketball everyone is used to seeing. Hopefully times change around here, and if they do, they need to chance quickly. I am a UK fan at heart and one of the most loyal andf faithful fans on here and always will be no matter how bad they are. These last few years have been rebuilding years, every team has them, but fans like us on here and around the rest of the state have hardly ever seen a rebuilding year at UK, and its making them really impatient b/c they more than anyone want the SEC Titles, elite 8's, the final 4's and the National Titles. Just think if Rick Pitino would have stayed there, UK would have a dynasty and we would all be saying UCLA WHO? And I agree with Alfus that if UK gets past the 2nd round, gets Patterson and Lucas, I think he will still be gone but thats MO. This isnt traditional UK basketball, we need to get that tradition back, and IMO the first thing they need to do is get rid of Smith!