UK’s momentum affecting UofL fans’ outlook?
Miller | May 20, 2009 | Comments 18
As the University of Kentucky dominates the headlines with their hiring of John Calipari, the return of star big man Patrick Patterson, and inking the top recruiting class of 2009, a side issue to those stories is often lost in the shuffle: how does the recent surge by UK affect the University of Louisville?
In most states, the actions of one basketball program has little, to no affect whatsoever on another program. However, we do not live in most states. We live in Kentucky, and our basketball programs, specifically the Universities of Louisville and Kentucky, are sacred. With the hiring of John Calipari and his recent success on the recruiting trail, the University of Kentucky is now poised to re-emerge on the national scene of college basketball as a perennial force. As a result, it begs the question: where does that leave Louisville?
Before I get into all of that, I would like to provide some context. I am a huge Louisville fan and have been all my life. I attend the University of Louisville and regularly attend football and basketball games. I have also been to many Kentucky basketball games in recent years, especially when provided a free ticket. I have no deep seeded hatred for Kentucky and do not actively root against them.
However, as soon as that day rolls around when Louisville and Kentucky line up against each other, whether it be on the football field or basketball court, I would like nothing more than for Louisville to absolutely humiliate Kentucky. I am a firm advocate for defeating them and unnecessarily running up the score if possible, which I’m fairly confident is the reason I do not completely despise Bobby Petrino.
In recent years, there is no doubt the University of Louisville became a more relevant and successful program than Kentucky. Since the hiring of Rick Pitino, Louisville went from the brink of NCAA violations to the Final Four, and now are a perennial top 10-15 team. While the performance on the court improved drastically, the other aspects of building or rebuilding a program were undertaken and completed.
Louisville returned to playing on national TV, starting during the latter years of Conference USA, but skyrocketed once the Cardinals joined the Big East conference. Anytime a Louisville assistant coach walks into a gym to watch a recruit, every player takes notice because of the stature of Louisville’s program. And quite frankly, Louisville has been the sexier program. What I mean is, to a recruit, the brand of Louisville basketball has been more appealing than Kentucky.
That is no longer the case. John Calipari has already brought back the brand of Kentucky basketball without having coached a single contest. He will consistently bring in top talent and put out a highly formidable team year after year. Having said all of that, I will now get to the point. From a UofL fans’ perspective, how does the current/impending re-emergence of the UK program affect my outlook of the UofL program? The answer: NOT. ONE. BIT. Here’s why.
The common concern I hear among UofL fans is that Calipari is now going to kill the Cardinals in recruiting because he will take every top player. Calipari’s recruiting philosophy is different than Pitino’s and I do not believe it will be a problem simply because Louisville and Kentucky do not play in the same conference.
Louisville plays in the powerhouse Big East while Kentucky plays in the weaker Southeastern conference. Just so no one misunderstands, I am not saying the SEC is weak, but I am saying it is not as strong as the Big East. Why does which conference the two schools play in matter? Conference affiliation matters because it affects Louisville’s recruiting. Why?
Since joining the Big East, Louisville goes after players, from point guards to centers, who can compete in physical conference play. Rick Pitino also has a method to his recruiting in that he tries to alternate every other year between superstar class and a depth class (meaning loading up on 3-4 year players). Louisville recruits to their conference more than simply going after the top players at each position.
On the other hand, Calipari has the philosophy of accumulating, or stockpiling as Guy says, the best talent possible each year at each position of need. Will that overlap and result in some recruiting battles? Absolutely, but I’m not convinced it will happen every year with every recruit the teams go after. I’m even less convinced Calipari will completely dominate Pitino in that area as some of my UofL brethren fear.
Another reason I am not concerned with UK re-emerging is also related to conference affiliation. WE PLAY THEM ONCE A YEAR!!!! If UofL loses, yes it sucks, especially if you have direct contact with an obnoxious UK fan, but it only counts as one loss. If we win, great, I love it. In that case, I can go strait over to the aforementioned obnoxious UK fan and run my mouth. But in the end, it only counts as one win.
I very much believe UK being a top program helps UofL. For starters, playing a good UK every year is a built in boost to strength of schedule, particularly if played in Rupp Arena. I generally think the RPI is garbage and makes no sense, but UofL’s RPI goes up dramatically by playing a good UK.
However, in my opinion, UK being a top program helps UofL in a less obvious way. This view point is based on the notion that a coach like Rick Pitino, who is as good as it gets regardless of whether UK is great or terrible, will work so much harder to make sure he doesn’t get surpassed by Calipari. Pitino will not be sending Calipari a Christmas card anytime soon, unless it involves a picture of Pitino flipping Cal the bird, which would be hilarious. The point is, they don’t like each other and I’ll bet good money Pitino will not just sit by and let Calipari overtake him without a fight.
In short, I believe this has/will fire Slick Rick up. Naturally in public, Pitino will do his usual coach speak and downplay, but I firmly believe he will do everything in his power to stay ahead and keep Louisville on no less than equal standing with Kentucky.
The notion of Rick Pitino being scared of Calipari is laughable to me and grossly misunderstands the mindset of Pitino. Does Pitino like Calipari being an hour away? Nope.
Is Pitino excited about the prospects of hearing or reading, on a much more frequent basis, things Calipari does or says? No way, Jose.
And most of all, does Pitino like the fact that he will no longer be the only slick talking Italian, former NBA head basketball coach who now coaches a top national powerhouse in the state of Kentucky? No chance, Lance.
But the thought of Pitino actually being scared, so scared that he would try to leave Louisville and take another job is ridiculous. Pitino will work harder, arrive earlier, stay later, and work his players harder now that he has stiff competition just an hour away.
So I say to all my UofL brethren, do not fear Kentucky being good, embrace it. Man up and accept the challenge. If Kentucky’s a top 5-10 team every year starting in 2009, good for them. But I implore you, do not take the attitude of, “well, our run’s over” or “guess we’re second best again”. Do not take this attitude because Rick Pitino will not.
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Miller: You make a compelling argument about the ability of UL fans to meet the challenge of a vastly improved UK B-Ball program. However, your argument is based upon the presumption that Rick Pitino will remain the coach. Based upon rumblings that I am hearing from a well placed source Pitino may well be gone before the beginning of the school year. Myself I hope this is not the case, but I must tell you that this source was the one that accurately foretold the demise of Derrick Character’s career at UL a full 14 months before he ever left.
Rick, you are correct, the article is based on him being the coach. But until that changes, Slick Rick is the coach of UofL so I had to operate under that assumption. As far as him being gone before the school year begins, I am in no way saying that isn’t a possibility because anything is possible in the coaching profession as well all know, but at this point I think its highly doubtful. Thanks for reading the Pinkie Rick.
I like the article. UK fan here. I hope Pitino stays and this rivalry is awesome for a few years again. I hope UK wins every game and most by a lot. A few close ones with a Sparks like finish would be great, too. Regardless, Pitino will do just fine and will continue to produce a quality product. He just may not have the best program in the state and won’t be able to do it at UK’s expense anymore.
A National power…really? This year was good, getting the #1 overall seed was great for you guys. But, that is also the easiest run in the tourney, and you all couldn’t get the job done. Big props for winning out reg season title and conference title and conference title in a conference so highly touted and still didn’t produce the national champs. I am by no means trying to tarnish what your team did this season, but come on man. Lets keep it real. Yes, you all have been the better program over the past few years. Hell UT has had a better program than us too, so that doesn’t say much. But a National Power…REALLY!? I do not hate UofL either. But I AM sick of hearing your fans talk about how great you are, and how Benedict Pitino is some kinda basketball god. You guys have not won a championship since the MID EIGHTIES>>>>> and you think your team is a powerhouse? REALLY? I can only say one thing, Pitino BETTER step it up. Because this sub-par, half-ass recruiting he is doing right now isn’t gonna cut it anymore. That’s why Pitino made the call to Billy D, and why he tried to promote Travis Ford, and John Pelphry during our coaching search. He didn’t want ANY competition. And one thing you failed to mention in this article is how the biggest area of concern for you all should be a disgruntled fan base. Think it doesn’t play a factor, ask Billy Gillispie how much of a factor it can be. After all, isn’t that why you wrote this article, to try and rally the troops?
Your article was well written, and made valid points, I wont try and take that away.
Me myself, thinks Coach Calipari is dreamy. Rick is a prick and to prove it I spray painted that on his car. Go Cats!
I agree that National Power is a bit of a stretch, but most definitely, year in and year out, a National Contender. But it all depends on your definition of “national power.” UL has been to back-to-back Elite Eights, and if you want to analyze the PROGRAM as a whole then you would have to look at all-time records.
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Louisville is seventh all-time with eight Final Four appearances. And since the NCAA began Sweet 16 records in 1975, only three teams have made more
Sweet 16 appearances than Louisville’s 17 (North Carolina 23, Kentucky 20,
and Duke 20)
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If we are talking ‘what have you done for me lately’ National Power then you can’t possibly crown Kentucky as a National Power solely based on Calipari and his recruits, as you guys haven’t even been to a Final Four in 11 years.
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UofL has gone 13-4 against AP Top 25 teams in the last two years, I’d say that is pretty solid. Also, since Pitino’s arrival UofL is 11th in the nation in winning percentage (.733), that includes a couple rebuilding years and the move to the BIG EAST.
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Again, I guess it depends on your definition of a “National Power” as to whether or not UofL belongs in the discussion.
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Being from Bowling Green, I am actually a WKU fan, but I am loving every minute of the exposure UK is getting, and think it will reap nothing but positives for this great Bluegrass State! I too hope Pitino stays and UofL and UK battle it out every year and the rest of the nation can get sick of ESPN’s coverage of our state instead of that Tobacco Triangle we get force fed 24-7 during the college season…
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I love the state of Kentucky. Its May 21 and we are neck deep in heated discussions about college basketball. LOVE. IT.
After thinking it over, I’ll grant you the phrase “national power” was a bit much, but I think, or at least hope, the gist of what I said was understood. Slight clarification on my definition of a program. A program has the combination of tradition, more accurately accomplishments (as in conference titles, Final Fours, & NCAA titles), and being relevant today.
KYfan4lizife brought up the Fighting Bruce Pearls as allegedly having a better program recently than UK. I would disagree because I feel, in my opinon, that with the criteria above, UT still did not have enough to have a better program than UK. They may have had better teams for a few seasons, but their program was no better. Again, just my opinion. Thanks for coming to the Pinkie guys.
I loved Rick when he was with us in Lexington and I despise him now he’s there in the city we won’t mention. I loathe UL and everything it stands for and represents.
BUT!
I’ll be heartbroken if Ricky P leaves. I want rivalry, I want hate, I want BLOOD. And I want it year after year. I want riot troops and ravenous chants to that town’s demise!
If Rick leaves it just won’t be as sweet when we sweep you into the Ohio.
But yes Miller I whole heartedly agree with you that if Pitino stays, hes going to raise his game and this is going to be an amazing clash of titans. Either program doing well is good for Kentucky and we can all agree thats what really matters.
I agree with you Clay, I desperately want an intense rivalry. With the way UNC has been decimating Duke lately and Coach K refusing to recruit anything but goofy white guys with rare exceptions, the door is open for a new elite national rivalry. I want UK-UofL to be that rivalry. With that said, I’m just not sure UofL is going to stay at the level they have maintained for the last couple years. Pitino has a lot of other stuff going on (a lot of other stuff and I don’t think it’s going away) and John Calipari is going to make a point of going after Pitino on and off the court. You can count on UK being mentioned with pretty much every big time recruit that Pitino is targeting, even if UK doesn’t have much of a shot. If Pitino is up for the challenge, this could be fun for everybody. If he’s not, I think the mock turtle neck crowd (that’s you UofL fans) is going to be miserable.
or Kentucky fans One and Two and Three and Four?
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I’ll take the turtlenecks anyday……
Damn!! Sounds like a true UofL fan to me. Dream all you want. No matter what conference.. No matter what coach UofL has.. You will never be as good as UK. Enjoy the last couple of years because the yearly *ss kicking starts this season! SEC is weak. LMAO LMAO.. PLEEEASE!! This coming from a fan whos team was ranked #1 for the FIRST TIME EVER this year. ( ever in school history. ) LMAO break down those 1888 wins UK has and see how many werent in the SEC. And were Big East, ACC teams and so on..Now break down your UofL 1500 or so wins (notice small winning gap for lil brother to catch up. ) and see how many were actual quality teams you have beaten. Again UofL fans jealousy is running like a broken faucet. LOL You guys are a joke!! GO CATS!!
Your right Miller, I need to clarify what I meant with my UT statement. In recent years, they have more wins over ranked programs, and a wee bit more national exposure, imo.
Louisville has been a national power pretty consistently since Pitino has been there. And, of course, they are a traditional power. During the Crum era (sans the last few years) , U of L was a perrenial contender. I’m a Kentucky fan and I stand by the idea that U of L will never match UK as a program, but that can be said of all the other programs as well. However, U of L is one of the all-time great programs.
What I want to see is Pitino stick around and have continued success at U of L, Crean rebuild IU, and Calipari continue what he’s already started at UK so that we can reclaim the Bermuda Triangle and take the spotlight from Tobacco Road.
David, I agree, anything short of UofL overtaking UK in NCAA titles and the fan base turning more UK like, for lack of a better term, I don’t see the Cards passing up UK. Also, very good point on this region once again dominating the landscape of college basketball. As a matter of fact, Guy and I will writing an article about that very thing. Hope you check it out once its posted.