Minnesota Star-Tribune columnist claims Tubby Smith had verbal commitments from both Patrick Patterson and Jai Lucas before he left UK[Star-Tribune- December 19]
Minnesota Star-Tribune columnist claims Tubby Smith had verbal commitments from both Patrick Patterson and Jai Lucas before he left UK
3 comments:
Mr. Reusse,
I have been a UK fan for the 48 years that I have been on this earth. I resent being characterized as "crazed", a "bozo", and a "Wildcat wacko". Your anti-Kentucky article is just another in a long-line of such articles based on half-truths, biases, and devoid of facts that we fans have endured since Adolph Rupp was coach. I am sure this makes for a good story in Minnesota given the lovefest that the state seems to be having with Tubby. Most UK fans, contrary to the picture you portray us, wish Tubby well in his new job.
I believe that UM is a hockey power much in the same manner as UK is a basketball power. We have the most wins and winning percentage in all of college basketball history. During the past 77 seasons (Adolph's first was in 1930), we have endured tough seasons although they have been few and far between. Coincidentally, these seasons have mostly occured during changes in head coaches.
Let me point out some inaccuracies in your article.
1. The lack of facts on which your article is based. I am not a journalist but would think that in Journalism 101 you were told to stick to facts. Do not rely on "fan boards", opinions, and sterotypes on which to base your articles. The facts are that the present UK roster, save Patrick Patterson, are Tubby recruits. I would stack our strength of schedule against UM's given that we have played Gardner and Texas Southern among others. I know UM's schedule and don't see anyone near the caliber of NC, Indiana or even UAB and Houston.
2. Don't paint UK fans with a broad brush. We support our team while demanding excellence. There were 24,000 fans at Midnight Madness. How many of you true Gopher fans welcomed your new coach? I have heard the number was between 2 and 3,000. Funny, I always figured Minneapolis/St Paul to have a much larger population than Lexington Ky. Apparantly, UM fans don't support Gopher basketball regardless of who is coaching the team. Don't you have any crazed, bozo, wackos up there?
3. Tubby never received verbal commitments from either Patrick Patterson or Jai Lucas. Both were on UK's radar but decided to wait until the end of the Spring signing period before committing to a school. Our "crazed" BCG secured the signature of Patterson.
4. Tubby was not fired by UK but left by choice. Was he feeling pressure - Given our tradition and the trend of winning fewer and fewer games I am sure that he was felling the pressure. Let me put this in terms that you might understand - Tubby connected the dots!!!!!!!!
I have wasted enough of my time responding to your sham of an article. I would give you a final piece of advice - don't come to a UK game at Rupp arena and announce yourself. Stick to writing about things you may have knowledge of like hockey, lakes, and the Mall of America! This article proves that you have no knowledge of UK basketball.
Go Big Blue,
Mark
Mark if you want to respond to Reusse, then send him an email or post a reply in the Minnesota paper. This is a UK blog.
Let these so called journalist have there day. It is perfectly clear to any neutral observer that the talent level on UK's team has been stripped to the bone, and only Tubby could have been responsible for that. Free speech comes with a price, ultimately Tubby will be exposed when he is fired from Minnesota.
This is a copy of the email that I sent to Reusse. I just posted it here for others to see. Sorry if this caused any confusion.
Mark
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