One columnists interesting thoughts about UK

[uk9698]

I caught the tail end of a conversation on the local sports channel here in Lex with columnist Dan Wetzel, he is either with ESPN or Sports Illustrated. I am pretty sure its ESPN,but not certain.

Any way he was asked the question how do people nationally perceive the program at UK right now and Tubby Smith, in particular with them not having made a final four since 1998. His response I thought was very telling because he stated that it was 99 percent people around Lexington and UK who were making the big deal out of the drought. He stated that you ask most people nationally and they would be shocked to find out that UK hadnt been to a final four since then because they are always so good and always in there competing for it. That what Tubby had brought to UK and it wouldnt change this year is sustained and consistant excellence and they would continue to be at this level until Tubby left. That people thought of Tubby and the UK program as being one of the classiest and most respected programs in the country right now!

I also thought it interesting that this national columnist went on to say that UK had the best team in the country the year they just ran into the country ottest player in Dwayne Wade. There have only been 3 triple doubles in NCAA tourney history and on that ONE particular day Wade done it against the best defensive team that Wetzel had EVER seen on the college level! It was just his day and not ours. He also said you cant get any closer to getting to a final four then what UK did last year in losing to Michigan State and he said and yes Patrick Sparks did get fouled on his shot!

He concluded by stating that its coming and its coming soon,because we are always there battling to get to a final four that the ball will bounce our way probably the next time we are there! Very interesting and positive thoughts coming from a national media person I thought!

[The Bubba]

Good scoop and very true words. There's no doubt fans would love to get to a FF and maybe win a championship. When Tubby gets a few more horses in his stable and doesn't for once have to try to change good stock into thoroughbreds, it may happen. 98 happened without any superstars, although several played like they were. It's coming, you can be sure of that.

[uk9698]

I agree it is coming, you dont keep knocking on the door and not eventually get in! It does help to have the better players of course. But just as important is to have lady luck on your side also and to be quite honest it hasnt been at times in the elite 8 the last couple of times. Not to diminish anything the 98 team did but there was time when luck was on our side! I mean you dont come back from as many deficits as the Comeback Cats did without getting a little lucky at times!

[The Bubba]

What's funny is, if you look at the last two games of the 96 season and a person can see just how easy it could have went the other way in each game. I know I was biting mt nails against UMass and the Cuse. After the first two comebacks against Dook and Stanford, I was exhausted and told everyone at work if nothing else it was going to be over after the next game. It would have to be another comeback . 98 was a very special and also a lucky year. You gotta have Lady Luck to help you out, especially in the NCAA tourney.

[uk9698]

Any time you get to the sweet sixteen area of the tourney its more then just whose the best team, its the bounce of the ball, who is hot and who isnt, so it really does take all the things pulling together! Case in point how close Villanova was to beating UNC last year in the round of 16!

[The Bubba]

Very true words, luck is a very big factor in a lot of games. For example, when UCLA won it in 95, or was it 94? They could have very easily lost in the first round. It definitely takes luck.