Words: Jon Thompson
Kentucky holds the record for the most all-time victories in the history of college basketball with a balance sheet of 1988-635-1. Kentucky also leads the NCAA in tournament appearances and tournament games, while ranking only second to UCLA in NCAA championships with 7, and second to UNC in NCAA tournament wins with 98.
Kentucky holds the record for the most all-time victories in the history of college basketball with a balance sheet of 1988-635-1. Kentucky also leads the NCAA in tournament appearances and tournament games, while ranking only second to UCLA in NCAA championships with 7, and second to UNC in NCAA tournament wins with 98.
From 1930, when Adolph Rupp took over as the Wildcats’ coach, to 1998 when Tubby Smith led Kentucky to its second national championship in three years, Lexington had only seen five head coaches.
If you knew nothing about Kentucky hoops prior to reading the aforementioned accomplishments, you would probably think I was joking if I told you that the Wildcats last championship and Final Four appearance came in 1998, and the team has seen three different head coaches this decade alone.
Kentucky has always been one of those elite schools with a high profile, controversy-free coach who seemed to win a national championship every four or five years, or at least make it to a Final Four (With the exception of Eddie Sutton’s 1985-1989 term that ended in probation and a forced resignation).We all know the best way to market a team is to win games, and Kentucky has traditionally done that; but recently the program has been in a drought for national championships. Tubby Smith, who coached UK from 1997 to 2007 and reached 100 wins quicker than any of his predecessors, resigned after succumbing to the pressure of not winning a title in his last nine seasons in Lexington.
After the 2008-2009 season, (Billy Gillispie’s second as UK head coach, and a season that ended in the team missing the Big Dance for the first time in 18 years), the Big Blue Nation knew change, albeit a big one, was necessary to forever alter the image of UK basketball. UK fans had run out of patience, and there was no time left to wait for that high profile, drama free coach with previous ties to Kentucky that they've always secured in the past. Instead, they landed the next best thing; a high profile, very outspoken coach with multiple NCAA violations.
With the hiring of John Calipari in March, Kentucky immediately became a serious national title contender again and UK fans are okay with the image change that comes along with that. Kentucky has come to terms with the fact that having “one and done” players is the only way they can return to the top of college basketball again, and they chose the man who has more success with these players than any other coach.
Calipari didn’t take long to show off his larger than life personality when he came out at Big Blue Madness to rapper Drake’s hit song “Forever,” and gave a near-17 minute speech. After the longwinded introduction, Calipari stood on the court with Drake and watched his team put on a dunk contest for rejuvenated fans in Rupp Arena. The John Calipari show had begun.
Calipari didn’t take long to show off his larger than life personality when he came out at Big Blue Madness to rapper Drake’s hit song “Forever,” and gave a near-17 minute speech. After the longwinded introduction, Calipari stood on the court with Drake and watched his team put on a dunk contest for rejuvenated fans in Rupp Arena. The John Calipari show had begun.
Speaking of celebrities, maybe actress Ashley Judd will become a regular again at Kentucky home games. The Kentucky alumnna has been absent in recent years at games that would normally be considered must-see for UK fans. Judd seems to like the hiring of Calipari; on the Dan Patrick Show she said Calipari is just the big personality that UK needs.
No one has ever questioned Calipari’s ability to recruit and win games. It was only a matter of time before college basketball’s Twitter king made an impact in Lexington, signing NBA potentials John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe shortly after his arrival. UK’s five freshmen, along with the talented 6’7” transfer, Darnell Dodson, make up the best recruiting class of 2009, and perhaps the best "one and done" contingent since the rule's inception.
One of the few issues that may cause some problems along the way is the baggage that sometimes comes with players whose talent far exceeds their maturity level. We’ve already seen this with John Wall, having to sit out two games for a minor amateurism violation. UK fans also hope Calipari can tame Wall like he has star guards in the past, but it’s going to be a task considering he’s never had a college player with this much skill and showmanship.
There is no question that Kentucky needs Calipari to help them return to the top of college basketball, but Calipari needs Kentucky just as much. Although he is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball, in the end he will be remembered for the amount of national titles he has, or doesn’t have. Calipari has had teams with super freshman guards, experienced forwards, and the fan support; but he has yet to win a National Championship. Maybe an elite program like Kentucky is the last piece to the puzzle?
What do you say?
No one has ever questioned Calipari’s ability to recruit and win games. It was only a matter of time before college basketball’s Twitter king made an impact in Lexington, signing NBA potentials John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe shortly after his arrival. UK’s five freshmen, along with the talented 6’7” transfer, Darnell Dodson, make up the best recruiting class of 2009, and perhaps the best "one and done" contingent since the rule's inception.
One of the few issues that may cause some problems along the way is the baggage that sometimes comes with players whose talent far exceeds their maturity level. We’ve already seen this with John Wall, having to sit out two games for a minor amateurism violation. UK fans also hope Calipari can tame Wall like he has star guards in the past, but it’s going to be a task considering he’s never had a college player with this much skill and showmanship.
There is no question that Kentucky needs Calipari to help them return to the top of college basketball, but Calipari needs Kentucky just as much. Although he is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball, in the end he will be remembered for the amount of national titles he has, or doesn’t have. Calipari has had teams with super freshman guards, experienced forwards, and the fan support; but he has yet to win a National Championship. Maybe an elite program like Kentucky is the last piece to the puzzle?
What do you say?
