and threatning to fester into an all-out pandemic in the former basketball center of the universe.
Whats wrong with the Cats these days? The present version of the 'big blue machine' is more
likened to a matchbox toy. Not very pretty to watch, for sure.
Most of us who have spent the majority of our lives cheering, screaming, laughing and even crying
over our beloved team are used to the topsy-turvy world of 'big blue' basketball. We became in-doc
trinated into it by parents or other family members and quickly converted by its religion.
Religion, you say? Thats what I said and what I meant. Lets be honest with ourselves. This lifestyle
we call kentucky basketball is not just a game. This is part of each of us. We wollow in its
twisting tides of excitement, tragedy and mayhem as the family pet swirling in the
water of the backyard kiddie-pool.
Billie Clyde's Wildcats are a far cry from the more recent edition's of Kentucky
hoops teams. They bare no resemblence to the teams of Rupp, Hall, Pitino, Smith or
even Eddie Sutton. This Wildcat club brings only jeers and a wagging of the head
when one surveys their efforts on the hardwood.
What needs to change? Already there are cries for the ax to firmly fall on the
infant-era of Billy G. Is this too extreme? Do we so quickly judge the chief just
because his indians don't seem to follow instructions? Defense is his cry and thats
not an unreseasonable requirement.
Should he stick with the veterans to lead the team? Crawford and Bradley continue
to be inconsistant and erratic. The sophomores appear lost in the fog and the only
freshman who is even comes close to his billing is Patterson, though his recent
ankle-injury wasn't that severe, apparently.
What to do? A transformation is certainly needed but one gets the feeling that the
best thing for this team and the next years club is...time. Will the UK fan-base
allow Gillispie and the Cats the time required to become, at least, competitive?
Probably not. Its likely to be a very long and difficult year and not a pretty scene.
Probably not. Its likely to be a very long and difficult year and not a pretty scene.
Remember folks, it is still just a game. Basketball here in the bluegrass is a way-
of-life but it shouldn't consume us like it does. We will endure and the UK faithful
will one day cheer and scream again for our beloved Cats, just not this year.
