CONCERNED FANS FOR
BASKETBALL
TUBBY SMITH DOES NOT THINK
ABOUT FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES
ARE IMPORTANT
Thank you Tubby for clarifying this issue so well for all fans to see that you lack the understanding and commitment that UK Fans around the world expect, indeed demand from thier head coach.
Under Tubby Smith's "Leadership," the UK Basketball program has not reached the Final Four for 8 consecutive years. This is the longest Final Four drought under a single coach ever, and ties the mark for consecutive years without a final four that spans at least one coaching change. By the end of the 2007 season, Tubby Smith will sieze this distinction without any qualifications.
Is Tubby Smith concerned about this dubious distinction? One would hardly think so given his statement about the final four drought published on October 23, 2006 in the Louisville Courier Journal.
It's always good to get to the Final Four. That doesn't validate (a program), because if that's the case there's a lot of sorry programs because only four can get there.
It may not validate a program, any program as he seems intent to compare the UK program to here, but it does signify elite status of a program. The UK Basketball Program has been a regular participant in Final Fours since the inception of the NCAA tournament in 1939. Otherwise, UK could not have claimed seven (7) national championships. Compare the Tubby Smith Philosophy with Coach Rupp's.
"If it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, why do they keep score? I'm not engaged in a popularity contest, I want to win!" Adolph Rupp
During the last 8 years, UK has not been among the elite programs, but others have. During the last eight years, Seven Teams earned multiple trips to the Final Four taking 17 of the 32 spots and claiming 7 of the 8 titles. The teams were Mich. St [4/1], Duke [3/1], U Conn [2/2], UNC [2/1], Florida [2/1[, Maryland [2/1], and Kansas [2/0].
Tubby Smith may not believe it is important for the UK Basketball program to maintain its tradition and historic ELITE status, but Concerned Fans believe it is essential.
Thank you Tubby for clarifying this issue so well for all fans to see that you lack the understanding and commitment that UK Fans around the world expect, indeed demand from thier head coach.
To read the entire article on this matter, click here.
On March 6, 2007, Tubby Smith was a guest on Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN2. During this appearance, Tubby Smith again downplayed the importance and significance of Final Four appearances. Tubby said,
"Final Fours don't matter, nobody remembers them anyway."
At least he is consistent in advancing this view. However, if Final Fours don't matter, and nobody remembers them, why does UK memorialize each Final Four appearance with banners in Rupp Arena. Frankly, Tubby Smith is again engaging in his tried and true strategy of lowering expectations. Thank you Tubby Smith for making sure that all fans know exactly how you feels about your failure to perform at levels that are significant to the Big Blue Nation, and are remembered for all times.
READ WHAT TUBBY SMITH HAS TO SAY ABOUT WHETHER UK DESERVES TO BE RANKED IN THE TOP 25
READ WHAT TUBBY SMITH, MITCH BARNHART, AND LEE TODD H
AVE TO SAY ABOUT THE BIG BLUE NATION
READ WHAT TUBBY SMITH HAS TO SAY ABOUT
HIS TRAIN OF THOUGHT
READ WHAT TUBBY SMITH HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE
SCORING AVERAGE FOR THE 2006-07 SEASON
READ WHAT TUBBY SMITH HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF WINNING AND LOSING
READ WHAT TUBBY SMITH HAS TO SAY ABOUT
WHO IS THE TEAM TO BEAT IN THE SEC FOR 2007.
READ WHAT TUBBY SMITH HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE DEPTH POSSESSED BY
THE 2006-07 UK BASKETBALL TEAM
Copyright 2006
SugarHill Communications of Kentucky
All Rights Reserved