CONCERNED FANS FOR

BASKETBALL

RESPONSE TO COLUMN BY RICK BENTLEY
Appalachian News Express
Pike County, Kentucky
December 15, 2006

Kentucky/Louisville rivalry has cooled off over the past 20 years

Tomorrow's game is also hindered by the fact that it's the first time the teams will play in a week that not only is neither in the AP Top 25, but also neither got a single, solitary vote.

But it's still Kentucky/Louisville. It's still the biggest rivalry in the Bluegrass. It's still Tubby vs. Pitino, the so-called second-coming-turned-Judas.

It's still a big deal. A bigger deal than North Carolina. More so than Indiana — although personally, I enjoyed Kentucky wearing out those Mike Davis-led Hoosier teams more than I'd ever get excited about beating Pitino.

I think part of the problem — the major issue, when push comes to shove — is that too many so-called Kentucky fans would rather see Pitino succeed than Smith. And that's a shame.

Tubby Smith hasn't betrayed the Big Blue Nation. That was the other guy.

In fact, truth be told, The Nation has stabbed Tubby in the back.

And is says here that's the biggest problem facing Kentucky basketball heading into tomorrow's titanic struggle.

 

 

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE

AN OPEN LETTER TO Mr.BENTLEY

Dear Mr. Bentley,

Concerned Fans For UK Basketball read your December 15, 2006 column with interest.  Your summary of the UK-UL rivalry was interesting and informative.  However, Concerned Fans object strongly to your characterization that the fans who have sadly concluded that Tubby Smith is not the right person to lead the UK Basketball program somehow have "stabbed him in the back."  We are pleased to know that the fact of our concerns has reached you; however, it seems clear that you have not become familiar with the basis for our conclusions or the actions that Concerned Fans have taken to express our discontent. 

Concerned Fans have notified Mr. Mitch Barnhart and Dr. Lee Todd that no one is "too good to fire" when he fails to perform the job for which he is handsomely paid.  In Tubby Smith's case, he is the highest paid college basketball coach in the history of the game, and he is paid to keep the UK program at the top of the heap.  However, Tubby Smith has proclaimed with great pleasure that he has the UK program exactly where he wants it, off the radar screen, below public view and away from the scrutiny of fans and press.  UK is no longer in the top 25, if fact no longer among the obscure list of wannabe's "receiving votes" in these polls.  Yes, Tubby Smith has taken UK basketball completely off the radar screen.

However, Tubby Smith is paid to do otherwise.

  • He is paid to promote and maintain the UK Basktetball program's public aura. 
  • He is paid to recruit and sign UK 's share of the top talent from the talent pool each year, not when his back is against the wall. 
  • He is paid to produce a team, on the floor, that is competitive on the national scene every year, is able to reach the Final Four with consistency where it can compete for, and win National Championships. 
  • He is paid to maintain UK 's rightful place at the top of the SEC, regardless of how strong or weak the SEC may be from positions 2 through 12 in any given year.

There is no valid reason why Tubby Smith, or any coach who fails to perform these clear and proper job duties as the UK Head Basketball coach is "too good to fire."  Any reasons that Mr. Barnhart, Dr. Todd, or any member of the press offer in defense of this version requires a response.

Now for Tubby Smith's record of accomplishments.

  • Recruiting is in shambles, leaving UK fighting for leftovers during the Spring and through the summers.
  • 17 of the 37 players that Tubby Smith has recruited and signed to play basketball for UK have left the program prematurely, with eligibility remaining, but not to pursue NBA fortunes.
  • 10+ losses in 4 of the last 7 seasons, with 9 losses 8 years ago.  Furthermore, it appears that another 10+ loss season is now unfolding, to make it 5 of the last 8 years.  The occasional good year, 2003 and 2004 are the anomalies, not the 10+ loss years.
  • No Final Four appearances for 8 straight seasons, and counting.  This year will make it 9 in a row.  Eight years is the longest such string without a Final Four, but the previous such stretches spanned significant coaching changes.  Tubby holds the record outright for a single coaching tenure.

If you consider reciting Tubby Smith's record in this manner as "stabbing him in the back" then we will simply have to agree to disagree, because Tubby's job performance is relevant and appropriate for public discussion.

Richard Cheeks
Concerned Fans.

Did you know that Coach Smith's best offensive team was no better than Coach Pitino's average?  To learn more, CLICK HERE

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SugarHill Communications of Kentucky
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