re: Good hire or no?

quote:

---

Let’s be honest.

---

OK

quote:

---

Kentucky is in a situation (in large part thanks to Cal) to not have to prioritize money and their public profile.

---

Not sure this is true

UK overall for men was the same as UT overall was for women. To be the best you played the best. Coaches prior to Billy Clyde from Rupp to Tubby put emphasis on local kids where "Kentucky" on the jersey meant more than the players name. Even Pinto's best team had this formula even tho he would be loathe to admit it. Mashburn was the NBA talent but the other 4 came from the "Dandy Diamond" (Lexington, Louisville, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati) that filled so many of UK's great teams.

Cal was a shift from this history and as you pointed out above, UK sold a part of its soul in the deal and has slid downhill since.

Under Cal
NBA > NCAA
1 and done > stay and play
Rent a wins at home > steel sharpens steel
Cal's ego > State pride
Neutral games > Home & home or Rupp only
Out of state media > in state media
Out of state $$$$ > in state fans

FWIW, Nolan beat the 92' team in Rupp that year and was the SEC at its best with Hogs in charge of the West and Cats in charge of the East. At that point the two schools settle it on the court.