A Kentucky fan's perspective on the state of the program

When Rick Pitino took over in 1989, Kentucky was at it's lowest point in program history. What he did over the next 7 years was utterly miraculous and he deserves to be praised by Kentucky fans forever, regardless of where we went later.

Cal took over, not as bad, but also a difficult time in Kentucky basketball history. We hadn't won anything in over a decade, and his first 6 seasons were possibly the best run of 6 seasons since John Wooden.

However since 2015, things have not been the same. That loss in the Final Four of the undefeated team seemed to suck the life out of Cal. I think he was going to retire after the 2020 season, I think he felt that team could make a deep run and then covid cancelled the tourney and I think he felt he couldn't go out that way. But since then, all his teams have struggled from the same issues and have made no progress during the season to make us think they were improving.

I don't think the multiple freshman model works anymore. Too many teams have multi year players, and the difference shows at tourney time. All of UK's freshman played terrible last night ,deer in the head lights terrible. Any reasonable Kentucky fan knew this was possible and likely to occur given how they played all season, good one game, terrible the next.

In his interview after the game, he legit looked defeated and I've not seen him that way before. When he was introduced as the UK coach he said he didn't expect to be here more than 10 years, and he's at 15 now, and I think he's been driven to get a good season to go out with, but that doesn't seem to be happening. I do somewhat feel bad for him in that regard.

So, what happens next? No idea. I think he either stays, but gets rid of Antigua and Coleman and brings back Kenny Payne, or he leaves completely or takes the ambassador role he's been offered previously.

Where does Kentucky turn if he retires/leaves/gets fired? I'm sure Drew will be the first call.

What happens to this team and next year's? I suspect Sheppard will be back, Dillingham will be a top 5 pick, Wagner will go pro, Bradshaw will transfer, Z will go back to Europe, Edwards will either try pro or transfer.
I suspect it will depend on the coach they hire for next years class.

For those who mention buyouts, college athletics plays with monopoly money, you only need to look at the Jimbo deal to know that. The money is irrelevant, there are plenty of boosters who will pay whatever to do whatever.

I'm on vacation most of the next 2 weeks, so now I know I don't have to pack any UK merch to take with me.

And finally, congrats to Oakland. Their coach knew what would beat Kentucky, and their team played great and executed. This team was so predictable and anyone who is surprised this happened didn't watch them this year.

Comments are always welcome, and I hope fellow UK fans will chime in with their thoughts.