The Back Alley Archives

At least now, we don't have to submit two entries for our March madness pools - one with the Gators going all the way and a more realistic one. With all due respect to the boys, even if they had gotten in, I doubt they would have gone all the way.

They would haven't made it through the first weekend.

I gotta say, I think a young team gains more from going three games deep in the NITs than it does from getting killed as an 11 or 12 seed in the NCAA. Your seniors, yeah, they want the big stage. But when you're in the lower half of the seeding, you know, chances are 90% that you're toast.

Play some teams on your level, run for the NIT final four, and learn something.

This team will not go deep in the NIT IMO.

Then they damn sure don't deserve to complain about not making the NCAAs. Final Four in the NIT means you had a shadow of a chance at the NCAAs. First- or second-game exit means STFU.

I don't think I heard them complain about not making it. Anyone complaining about this team not making it hasn't watched this team without O&B glasses on. This years team, and last years, was probably the worst team that has played for BD while at UF.

I disagree with you, Toothy....clearly...they didn't learn shit last year.

I think it's better to at least feel the atmosphere of the big stage. If we're going to be an improved team next year (which I suspect we will with the additions of Macklin and Boynton), then it's probably good to feel the excitement and pressure of the NCAA Tournament.

So WTF happened to them this year? I admit that I haven't been following them as closely now as in the past few years. Are they just not playing as a team, or has Billy D not been doing something? I suspect that it is the team as Billy D knows what it takes to get it done. Some of the seniors were on that last 2007 team - did they forget what it takes?

Just asking.

Lack of inside presence. If UF had Speights they could have had a much better season. Tyus is a great player but he just doesn't have the size to bang down low. Calathes would disappear in big games and situations. I found it pretty odd that Walker would be the one to step up down the stretch in games. All of these are problems that can be fixed and I wish UK only had these problems.

slider, it really is an issue of talent, IMO - which I suppose you could put on Billy for his recruiting. However, it's the price you pay for going back-to-back. Returning all those guys cost us a recruiting class. (worth the price, IMO.)

That said, Macklin should give us an inside presence next year that would allow us to move Tyus to the 4. With walker, calathes, and boynton next year our perimeter play should be much improved and we can finally move Werner to an 8-10 minute a game bench player. (Parsons as well).

Joe, in your opinion, what is the problem with UK? Gillispie?

fwiw - we have friends who's kids go to christ the king in middle village, NY

with erving walker now at UF, the greater part of the school are fans...not crazed mind you...just fans by association.

UK has a lot of problems. Tubby didn't leave much really with Porter,Stevenson and Harris but that is really no excuse to lose to a VMI or Georgia at home. I am starting to think that Gillispie might just be a bad match. He is stubborn as hell, wont adapt to the players he has like a Porter or Harris. He is an even bigger prick to the media which isn't making him many friends. Billy claims he doesn't have the players he needs but he won't play the players he recruited. The players he does play are slow so you would think he would play a zone but nope strictly man to man so when they play a team like LSU or South Carolina with quick guards UK's guards get eaten up. I am starting to think we are headed to a Matt Dougherty (UNC) situation where they are changing coach's after 2 years. Billy also claims our schedule is too tough which is a joke when you look at it. So far is at a .593 winning %. He has lost more games at home this year than Rick or Tubby lost the entire time they were here. Rupp isn't as intimidating as it once was. Lots of problems indeed.

Werner will be the starter at the 3 spot IMO next year. Macklin at the 5, Tyus at the 4 with Walker as the PG and Calathes as the SG.

I'd prefer to see Shipman in there over Werner...or anyone over Werner, really.

You must have not watched the last few games on the season. It really looks like Werner is starting to play better. I think if they can put him at the 3 regularly he will be better for it. I don't see Shipman taking a starting position from Werner next year but I do see them splitting time on the court.

Werner played well against Arkansas...I don't know that I'd give him credit for the others...at least not Auburn.

Besides, even if I was to give him credit for playing well in those last 3 games, you'd understand my trepidation based upon his entire body of work, thus far.

I certainly do.