Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!?

Kentucky coach John Calipari is doing something I normally would hate. He has recruited well beyond the NCAA maximum of 13 scholarship players allowed for a single season, and by doing so he is having to cut loose a handful of players. Just yesterday, three UK players were "allowed" to transfer, or graduate early, or whatever lingo you want to call it. Kentucky is still one player over the limit, and if Jodie Meeks drops out of the NBA draft -- and I expect he will -- the Wildcats will have to shed two more players.

And I'm OK with it.

And here's why.

Calipari isn't doing this in Year 5 of his tenure at Kentucky. He just got there, and he was brought there to clean up Billy Gillispie's mess. Kentucky didn't hire him to maintain the status freaking quo. Kentucky hired him to kick some ass. So, he's kicking it.

He brought in the best recruiting class in the country. He welcome back Patrick Patterson after Patterson's NBA draft dalliance. And as a result, he's way over the scholarship limit.

So he gets a free pass from me. Kentucky didn't hire him to be nice. Kentucky hired him to win. And really, let's be honest: Shame on those crappy players who came to Kentucky and thought they were good enough. They weren't. So go find your level, kids. It's not Kentucky.

And shame on the previous coaching staff(s) for bringing you to Kentucky in the first place.

I like coach Cal, and UK got a great coach, and a great recruiting class. My problem with UK is the fans are getting a little over confident in saying the nets are coming down. A few of his recruits have warning flags, well one for sure, which is no big deal, but sometimes will cause distractions. This is an opinion site, that's what we as fans do, talk about other programs and what's going on elsewhere. I was pissed off when UK ran Tubby off, he was not the best recruiter, but decent. He had some bad luck with some recruits as well. That alumni is something else. I will say this in respect with that program, I went there 3 years ago to Rupp to see Carolina and UK play, Tyler was a sophmore, we won, and it was a good game, UK stayed pretty well within 7 most of the game, Not one UK fan gave me any problem, they were all good, no heckling, acted pretty classy, because I had UNC appearel on, no doubt who I was there to see, ate a nice steak at Malone's after the game, just a nice trip, so I have a good experience with them. Everyone is excited again as well should be, let's not cut the nets down this early.

uknation87 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 11, 2006	Posted on: May 27, 2009 9:45 am Score: 125 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? Greg, I couldn't agree more with the post. I'm not saying I like the practice but the fact is when UK was dominating college basketball in the mid to late 90's we would bring in the best players in the country. Most of the guys being asked to leave or whatever should have been playing somewhere else to begin with. People may call my reply arrogant but that isn't the way I want it to come across. That said, anyone can look at our roster and know without a doubt that a lot of these guys should be playing for a non power conference type team. Take that anyway you want but that is my opinion and it's in line with Greg's. [ Reply to Comment ]
AdianPooh Reputation: 71 Level: Pro Since: Jan 9, 2007	Posted on: May 27, 2009 10:01 am Score: 41 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? Doyle--you're a hypocrite. Period point blank. Calipari is what is wrong with college basketball. It'll be nice to see Kentucky back on probation before you go completely bald. [ Reply to Comment ]
ncheels4ever Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: May 25, 2009	Posted on: May 27, 2009 10:20 am Score: -2 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? Doyle is OK with me for the most part, but I totally agree with the rest of what you said. [ Reply to Comment ]
uknation87 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 11, 2006	Posted on: May 27, 2009 10:31 am Score: 116 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? How many times has Calipari been on probation in the past? In the event you're not sure the answer is ZERO. For those of you who don't know, he was the one who turned in the Camby deal to the NCAA. His record is clean from that. He was also at Memphis for 9 seasons with zero infractions and no probation. I'm not saying he doesn't toe the line but let's face it, most good coaches do. I know Roy has because he had his hands slapped a couple of times during his tenure at Kansas. One last thing for you UNC fans... you guys just won your second National Title in the last few years so my question to you is why are you so worried about what is going on UK? I know when UK won 2 of the 3 National Title games we played in a few years ago I wasn't worried about what UNC, Duke, UCLA or anyone for that fact. I just find it a little funny that a lot of UNC fans are running to keep up with the daily news if the UK program. Good luck next season guys. Oh, and for the record I have mad respect for the UNC program. You guys are good for college basetball. [ Reply to Comment ]
jhindman4 Reputation: 85 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 5, 2009	Posted on: May 27, 2009 11:05 am Score: 112 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? Cal was brought in to win - no one can argue with that. The three players already asked to leave were not normal UK recruits - no argument there. The other 2 that will be asked to leave might cause some issues since they probably would have been recruited - not as stars but as role players. I don't like this practice but it is within the rules (just not so ethical - lots of new coaches deal with what they inherit and add their players over time). It also looks bad when (regardless of talent) you are 4-5 players over the scholarship limit regardless of when you took the job. But to blame the players here is a bit over the line - they were asked to play ball at UK. So what if they knew in normal years this was a stretch, fact is they were recruited to play and that is not their fault. As far as we know nobody blackmailed them or the staff or university to extend a scholarship so to sit back and say 'shame on you' to them is out of line and just plain stupid. The coaching staff is a different story.... [ Reply to Comment ]
patrickw Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 28, 2008	Posted on: May 27, 2009 11:07 am Score: 103 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? Doyel didn't even mention that the first part of this "house cleaning" is basically drama-free. 1 of the guys already got his degree, so he loses NOTHING (Carter). 2nd guy was put on a 1 year deal by Billy G to begin with, so NO surprise there (Williams). The 3rd guy never got along with old coaches and would have transfered on his own free will if not for the coaching change, at least Cal was honest with him and may be able to find him a good situation elsewhere (Stewart). Bottom line these 3 "cuts" are no big deal at all. [ Reply to Comment ]
JungleJim Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 29, 2006	Posted on: May 27, 2009 11:33 am Score: 121 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? Dude - the new photo - I know, Lauren Shehadi said to upgrade, but have you gone Terminator? Alright, restraint (from Lauren Shehadi) in place. Couldn't agree with you more; Coach Cal doing what he was brought in to do. Watch the players handle or "mishandle" the basketball last year was not UK basketball and you can't put a warm fuzzy feeling on it just because they're from instate as walk-ons, etc., et. al. Hell, I love the team and am a loyalist, but I do not deserve to be on the team for my passion and understanding of the program. That's Rudy sh*t that don't mean much in reality. Ciao. [ Reply to Comment ]
ncheels4ever Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: May 25, 2009	Posted on: May 27, 2009 11:40 am Score: 59 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? I like coach Cal, and UK got a great coach, and a great recruiting class. My problem with UK is the fans are getting a little over confident in saying the nets are coming down. A few of his recruits have warning flags, well one for sure, which is no big deal, but sometimes will cause distractions. This is an opinion site, that's what we as fans do, talk about other programs and what's going on elsewhere. I was pissed off when UK ran Tubby off, he was not the best recruiter, but decent. He had some bad luck with some recruits as well. That alumni is something else. I will say this in respect with that program, I went there 3 years ago to Rupp to see Carolina and UK play, Tyler was a sophmore, we won, and it was a good game, UK stayed pretty well within 7 most of the game, Not one UK fan gave me any problem, they were all good, no heckling, acted pretty classy, because I had UNC appearel on, no doubt who I was there to see, ate a nice steak at Malone's after the game, just a nice trip, so I have a good experience with them. Everyone is excited again as well should be, let's not cut the nets down this early. [ Reply to Comment ]
JungleJim Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 29, 2006	Posted on: May 27, 2009 11:43 am Score: 76 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? I think of my fellow Cats fans may need to go back and re-read the article. He's not placing blame, but stating reality (well, maybe he is - but that's why BG is gone on the one hand...). Still, no need to get hostile! lol... [ Reply to Comment ]
UMHoots Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 22, 2009	Posted on: May 27, 2009 11:47 am Score: 45 Calipari cleaning house ... and I'm OK with it?!? *"Calipari isn't doing this in Year 5 of his tenure at Kentucky. He just got there..."* So, I guess we can assume that if he hasn't won after five years, and he does the same thing, you would not be OK with Cal's actions, right? If it's wrong then, it's wrong now. [ Reply to Comment ]

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