Untitled Document

CONCERNED FANS FOR

BASKETBALL

TUBBY SMITH SAYS THE CURRENT SENIOR CLASS
HAS BEEN ONE OF THE WINNINGEST GROUPS
IN THE HISTORY OF THIS PROGRAM

On his Monday evening call-in radio program on January 29, 2007, Tubby Smith responded to a caller question about recruiting. In the process of answering the question, Tubby said the following, which is also the audio playing on this page.

I think Sheray and Bobby have been adequate,
been good players for us.
Those kids have only been part of a team
that's won, in their 4 years here
they have been one of the winningest teams,
winningest group of kids in the history of this program.

This is absolutely and totally a distortion of the UK record, and even a distortion of Tubby's own record at UK. When Tubby makes comments like this one, he brings into question his knowledge of and respect for the history of this program.

Here is the record for the last 30 years. If one wants to examine the record for years prior to the Robey, Phillips, Givens and Lee senior class [the first of the modern era 4 year players], be our guest. You will find great groups who enjoyed better career winning percentage that this current class. For example, 1973-75 - Connor, Flynn, Grevey, Guyette.; 1968-1970 - Issel, Casey, Pratt; or the Hagan- Ramsey in the 1950s; and of course the Fabulous Five and senior classes on either side of Beard and Groza.

SENIOR CLASS CUMMULATIVE
WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE 1978

The data in this table has been sorted on Cummulative Winning Percentage, highest to Lowest. Note: Current senior class shown in PINK, and other Tubby Smith recruited and coached classes in DARK BEIGE.

Now, the facts:

With respect to Tubby's classes, graduating in 2001 through 2007, this group is 5th best out of 7.

With respect to the last 30 years, this group ranks #19th out of 30.

Get the facts, or the facts will get you.
And when you get em, get em right,
or they will get you wrong.
Thomas Fuller

Submitted by Richard Cheeks

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