116 responses so far ↓

• 1 Marc Guilfoil // Dec 17, 2007 at 9:52 pm

  Once again Rev. Reed hit the nail on the head. It’s starting to look like the light at the end of the tunnel is a train!

• 2 Lee // Dec 18, 2007 at 10:36 am

  Sorry, but Gillispie is exactly what all the nut job UK fans deserve. If all those stories are true, then he is as arrogant & foolish as some of the more psycho fans out there. If people are going to boo him & his team instead of letting the guy find his footing here, then he is exactly what you deserve.

  You should have been patient with Tubby instead of running him out of town. He would have come back around again. BUT NOOOOOO! You had to whine & moan. Now Tubby is gone & so is the class that Mr. Reed so respectively speaks of in the UK basketball program.

  It would be sweet poetic justice to see Tubby’s new team win it all this year while UK get’s nothing.

  And these aren’t the inane ramblings of an anti UK fan or even of UofL fan. I like basketball, but I could care less. I just know b.s. when I see it.

• 3 Tom // Dec 18, 2007 at 10:54 am

  Merrick Inn.

• 4 Chris // Dec 18, 2007 at 1:57 pm

  I think some of the booing at game’s end on Saturday had to do with Mike Davis reacting to a UK fan behind his bench who had been heckling him with “Slap your head, Davis!”

  Mike was only too happy to slap it not once, but twice, in the direction of said fan as the horn sounded, and the booing ensued.

  For 30 minutes the Cats probably played some of their best basketball of the season Saturday. They just didn’t finish — anybody remember Vandy in Nashville last year? It’s something they need to learn to do again.

  It would seem with the injuries and defections Billy Clyde might get a first-year pass. No turnaround — or better defense! — after that, however, could lead to a short stay.

• 5 UK_FAN // Dec 18, 2007 at 3:23 pm

  You are crazy if you actually believe the crap that is coming out of your article…I can’t believe you just wrote an entire article based on rumors.

  If you are a UK fan you are one of the terrible 10% everyone talks about, you know, the ones that start crying the sky is falling as soon as hard times hit. Step back and look at what Gillispie has to work with….maybe you could write an article that actually means something.

  “It looks to me as if Gillispie has worked the life out of his players. They don’t have any spring in their legs and they don’t play with anything close to joy.” -My response: The players play with the same lack of toughness that Tubby instilled in them, Crawford plays like he doesn’t care and the talent Gillispie has to put on the floor right now just flat out doesn’t have spring…do I need to say more than Porter and Coury?

  “The Mysterious Injury That Just Won’t Heal” -Looks like it has healed since he is expected to be available to play tonight against Houston….but that wouldn’t make for a good line in your article would it?

  “the Cats only have three players who can score – Patrick Patterson, Ramel Bradley, and Joe Crawford” -Exactly my problem with anyone being down on Gillispie right now! That is all the Cats have and you are throwing BCG under the bus before even giving him a chance to get even 1 class in and try to replinish our talent level, please give me a break. It is going to take at least 2 years before he has the chance to get the talent up to snuff….call me then and if things haven’t started to get better I will be just as upset as you are.

  For now, try not to immitate Chicken Little and try to write something that is not based only on rumors.

• 6 Nick // Dec 18, 2007 at 3:31 pm

  This is absurd. So what the practices are hard….so what we practice before the game…that had nothing to do with meeks. Second, if Tubby was here we would not be 4-4, we probably would be worse than that…he knew that and that is why he left.

  Coaches practices are hard…but the babies we have now are not used to it…becuase they coached the team not tubby…we actually have a coach now.

  Yes, you are probably right…we might now make the NCAA’s but that was due to Jasper and Meeks being hurt….if they could have played all season…this article would have never been written…because UK would not be 4-4…they would be more like 7-3(considering the tournament loss to GW)

  You are an idiot…I hope you save this artice and it is put back on in three years to show how much of a dumbass you are for writing it.

  Write it down Billy his here to stay and he will have us in the final four within 5 and a championship within 7. Yeah thats a long time-but at least it’s going to happen and a real possibility now that Tubby is gone.

• 7 Renee // Dec 18, 2007 at 3:32 pm

  I think BG is BS. I think he is a sorry piece of crap and needs to be let go. He is the town drunk here in Lexington who has been banned from 2 bars and driven home drunk numberous times(from what Im hearing). He is a big disappointed and even though I am a UK fan(diehard) and also admired and respected Tubby…I think the fans who wanted Tubby out HAVE GOTTEN EXACTLY WHAT THEY DESERVE. You got a sorry coach who knows nothing about coaching. 3 years of experience, heck if thats the case, give me the job if thats all it takes. He needs to be let go. I hope he hasnt unpacked all of his boxes in that BIG house he purchase because he really doesnt need to stay around. Oh by the way…last week Tubbys team was 6-1…..NOW RUN TELL THAT…..

• 8 UK_FAN // Dec 18, 2007 at 3:32 pm

  By the way, BCG should get a 2 year pass on this fact alone: He got Patrick Patterson to come to UK! That, even after Patterson’s mom said UK wasn’t in the running after Tubby left. All it took was one in home visit with BCG and Patterson is here. I ask you, what would this team look like without Patterson…now THAT is a scary thought!

• 9 ukfan // Dec 18, 2007 at 3:42 pm

  Mr. Reed - who are you te deman anything from Barnhart or anyone else. If your sources are so reliable about the rumors - name them, I am sure they can prove what they say. Stop with the conjecture and all the other crap - you know NOTHING about any situation, so leave it alone. I agree UK is in shambles and going through a rougher than expected transition, but don’t let rumors be your soul basis for a post and then go further demanding an explanation. Coach has 1 or two players that actually FIT his system, and you know - it wouldn’t hurt for a bunch more to transfer. As far as UK fans running Tubby out of town - CRAP… Tubby saw the writing on the wall talentwise and bailed because he didn’t want to have to hear about his subpar teams for another year.

• 10 John // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:17 pm

  You mentioned many rumors but left out some facts:
  * 2 Key players injured
  * Coach Smith left on his own accord
  * Coach Smith just now signed his contract and he was at Minn. before Coach G. came here.
  * Bradley and Crawford were recruited and trained by Coach Smith

  It’s a rebuilding year courtesy of Coach Smith so things will get better before they get worse. You’re suppose to be an objective and responsible journalist yet you’re acting just the like the national media describes the rabid UK fan.

  A few months and 8 games is not enough time to determine if somebody is right for the job. Many of your fellow reporters were making a bif deal because he bought a large house. Why is that news???

• 11 Tom Jones // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:20 pm

  What a terrible terrible piece of writing. Did you start a blog in order to free yourself from having to use verifiable facts? Does the hypocrisy of lauding Tubby Smith while bemoaning the lack of scores on this team completely escape you? Or do you just write doomsday pieces?

  Who cares if he doesn’t cater to boosters? Isn’t that what got us in trouble in the past? Who cares if Tubby was a nice guy and Billy’s not? Evidently nice guys don’t always get the recruits?

  You speak of BG’s resume’, how is that resume’ different from Tubby’s? You didn’t like that he decided not to go to Ark? One it’s a fact of today’s coaching world, two it’s not that different then Tubby signing an extension at Georgia then a month later bolting for UK? You want to act like Tubby was great, BG is bad, but the facts don’t add up.

  You’re as bad as the 5% of the UK fans that Vitale screams about. You’ve got a big stage to write your articles and your blog but you really don’t have much substance. But I’m sure that appeals to those casual observers that don’t really know the game or the facts around both coaches.

• 12 Tom Jones // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:23 pm

  Renee, great piece of writing there. Let’s see before you type another word, examine BG’s resume, prior to UK. Now how many years experience did he have? And how many did Tubby have before UK?

  I’m glad Tubby’s gone. I was tired of hearing about how under-talented Uk had become under his leadership. Everyone in the world knew we didn’t have top talent, but for some reason everyone wanted to give Tubby a pass. Face it, talent wins ball games. BG has done a phenomenal job in recruiting in less then a year at UK and it will pay off. But those who want to believe every rumor and jump off the bandwagon, just please stay off once he has the place rolling.

• 13 Andele // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:32 pm

  Reed can you actually write a slam on somebody based on hearsay and rumors? Several people said Tubby cheated on his wife but nobody believed it because of Tubby’s character. Ignorant people may believe Gillispie can do the things these rumors say, but what people can believe and what really happened are two entirely different things. I can’t believe you would publish this trash with your name. Slamming someone for inheriting a mediocre basketball team and for their “alleged” off-court activities. Trying to say be patient with Tubby, but you can’t be patient with Gillispie. That makes a lot of sense. Much crow will be eaten in less than two years time. When people say there’s a lot of garbage on the internet, this blog entry is what they are talking about.

• 14 PFS // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:38 pm

  Van Florence recently had major back surgery….he also has been travelling with the team for 31 YEARS….nice try though.

• 15 aaron // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:41 pm

  there was no doubt that tubby was a great guy, but as the saying goes “nice guys finish last.” tubby couldn’t recruit to save his life, that’s why he left. everyone forgets that barnhardt wanted tubby to stay, just to re-stock the assistants. a good excuse to keep a bad coach around. he left to save himself from all the well deserved criticism he was going to get. all tubby smith proved to me is that he is a coward, he came into a great program, with championship caliber players and screwed it all up. he knew he screwed it all up, so he jumped ship to try and save his own ass.

• 16 Mike // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:41 pm

  That entry was a joke. Unfortunately, it will generate thousands of hits, just like Mr. Reed wants. Kudos for helping spread the poison, I hope it’s worth it.

• 17 j // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:44 pm

  All of the crap surrounding the program that Knight referred to was ignorant people like you Reed. That may be the most ridiculous tripe I’ve ever read, and considering the morons that cover UK athletics, that’s saying a mouthful. Do us all a favor and step in front of a speeding bus.

• 18 HC // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:48 pm

  Reed, You are no UK fan! or just like your the 10% that turns table when the Cats aren’t up to your liking. Billy has just step foot in this arena we call Kentucky Basketball and if I recall Rick Pitino had a poor start to his career! Some UK fans expect instant results yet some like you can’t get through their heads that this is a transition year! Instilling a new system isn’t easy especially when you have players who have spent four years learning and playing in another.Billy G has done an amazing job bringing in big time players! He is building this program up! And of course players are going to have issues with coach’s. Transfers are going to happen and people here in the bluegrass will never be satisfied till banners are hung ever year! I do have to say the Your comment about Billy G being Arrogant is a flat out stupid comment to post in an article. You are just another one of those who spread the rumors and lies hoping to get air time! Next time you sit down and think about writing try to include some factual information! True UK fans, True people who know about basketball. Know that the introduction of new coach requires time yet some are way to impatient to let the pieces fall into place! Nice Try Reed.

• 19 CP // Dec 18, 2007 at 4:49 pm

  It’s obvious you don’t know much about basketball.

  “Nobody believed it would get worse under Gillispie. But it has. I’d rather have a root canal than watch UK try to run its half-court offense. Without Meeks, the Cats only have three players who can score – Patrick Patterson, Ramel Bradley, and Joe Crawford – and Crawford was on the bench at the start of the game.”

  Are you actually contradicting yourself!!!???… Which is it?… Can he not coach a lick?… Or is it the lack of quality players?… Pick a side.

  How could someone who has been covering sports for SOOOOOO long, know soo little about basketball?!?!?!…

• 20 Ben // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:00 pm

  That was the worst piece of crap I have ever seen called journalism. If you think you are doing UK any favors, you aren’t. You are doing nothing more than spreading rumors of which YOU have no personal knowledge. As far as UK’s record this year; it is a direct result of the piss pour recruiting done by the prior staff. I think it is no suprise that Gillispie’s one recruit is hands down the best player on the team. This team is use to laziness, and Gillispie is trying to instill a new attitude and toughness which this program has been lacking in recent years. Tubby was lazy and so were his players. If you are too short-sighted to understand that Gillispie needs a LEGITIMATE chance to turn our program around, then you should just shut your mouth and stop writing about UK basketball. Giving up on a new coach 8 games into his tenure is pathetic and stupid, at best. In my opinion, you are clearly a blow hard who wanted web hits by writing something controversial about UK’s head coach. Well done asswipe, well done.

• 21 Bucky // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:01 pm

  Personally, I love the fact that our Coach is spreading it around town…good for him. A man that works as hard as he does should be rewarded.

  As for playing in Freedom Hall, I like the tradition, but it’s getting kind of stale. Name me one other situation like this in the country…can you imagine if UNC were to play a home game at Duke!!

  Reed…maybe you are getting old…or maybe you are getting angry…or maybe you just aren’t getting any. If you were nicer to CBC maybe he’s throw you a scrap. Well…no he wouldn’t, but you should still chill out a bit…”The PROGRAM IS IN SHAMBLES!!!!”

  Puhhlease.

• 22 Andrew // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:08 pm

  Mr. Reed,

  I guess I see why you are writing internet blogs and not for any real publication. How much of what you have written be backed up with any facts? It’s obvious that you think things should be different but what can you bring to the table to make it better? All you have accomplished here was a rant about gossip and here say. Please do us all a favor and bring something better than this to the table.

• 23 j // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:11 pm

  Your agenda is evident. What’s the matter? Don’t like BG because he doesn’t suffer fools like you and Tipton. You’re a cancer to the program.

• 24 Randy // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:15 pm

  Billy Reed has always and will be a piece of shit. He knows nothing about basketball. He is feeling snubbed becasue Billy G. did not give him an exclusive interview back in April. I know people who saw that and laughed. Billy G. included all the media and Reed is pissed off. What a piece of garbarge you are Mrs. Reed

• 25 Brent Waggoner // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:15 pm

  I can not believe I wasted 5 minutes of my life reading more of your crap Billy. I thought I was smart enough not to do that anymore since you left the LHL. What a horse’s butt you are!

• 26 mike // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:33 pm

  I like How Billy is blasting billy’s arrogant behavior, and then asking what Bob Knight thinks about him.

• 27 Jim Gambill // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:33 pm

  Once a respected, first class journalist, Mr. Reed began this downward trend a few years ago, and now is grasping at straws to try to hang on. I believe the Enquirer would be an appropriate stop.

• 28 MSmith // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:33 pm

  I find it ironic that you try to inflate your views by referencing Bob Knight’s comment about “all the other crap” that comes with the head coaching job at UK and this pathetic piece of tabloid journalism is such a perfect example of that very “crap”. Please crawl back under the rock where you’ve hiding for the past several years. You really are an insignificant “little turd”.

• 29 Bryan // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:36 pm

  PLEASE TAKE A LISTEN TO SEE WHAT MIKE DECOURSY HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR PROGRAM. http://johnclay.typepad.com/sidelines/files/mike_decourcy_2007_12_11.wav

• 30 Taking Shots at Gillispie, UK // Dec 18, 2007 at 5:56 pm

  […] defense continues when he calls out Billy Reed for his Perez Hilton-like post about the rumors of Gillispie’s Lexington nightlife and should be applauded for doing so. […]

• 31 Mike T // Dec 18, 2007 at 6:32 pm

  OK. let’s back up. You are the coach at Ky. You feel like you have to move on. What is wrong with this pictures. Not high profile enough, they are not in position to be competitive. I can’t win here. don’t have fan support, or I don’t want to work that hard………….. Tubby is gone we all like him and he is a good coach but was not up to coaching a MAJOR college team. If you think that you have Billy Clyde figured out this soon you are delusional. Will he succed we will see. When is the last time you had recruits commit as sophmore. Been a long time. It disappionts me that I’m replying to this BLOG

• 32 Blue Stu // Dec 18, 2007 at 6:33 pm

  Billy, you are a class A dildo. I am glad you have found a free site where you can spew this crap. And thanks for the bob knight quote. As far as I know, Gillispie hasn’t punched any players yet or thrown furniture around.

• 33 SanAntonioCat // Dec 18, 2007 at 7:02 pm

  Good to know Billy Reed is still alive. Thought every journalistic standard ever written had banished him to a cave. This once proud and respected sports writer has soiled himself in his own words.

• 34 MrSleeCat // Dec 18, 2007 at 7:53 pm

  Billy, this article is a piece of crap. Why don’t you use your AARP card and get a discounted lunch. Or go hunting with Bob Knight.

• 35 Lexvegas // Dec 18, 2007 at 8:20 pm

  Billy, it is apparent that you are a Tubby fan. Guess what? Tubby is in Minnesota, so do us all a favor. Join him!

• 36 tonyf // Dec 18, 2007 at 8:38 pm

  That was the worst article Reed has ever wrote. I can’t believe a professional writer would resort to using heresy and rumor for an article. What is that Billy R. hack journalism? Are you trying to develop an new type of rumor column?

• 37 Wildcat // Dec 18, 2007 at 8:39 pm

  Idoit — “Have you heard the latest Billy Reed story?”

  I’ve heard a bunch of them, and my sources are people whom I trust and believe.

  The rumors are so widespread that if they’re not true, I want the Editor to say so. I want him to stand up in front of the media and state that he is perfectly happy with Billy Reed’s personal conduct.

  Billy Reed is an Idiot… enough said…

• 38 Ben Sills // Dec 18, 2007 at 8:41 pm

  Great job Mr. Reed. I am in complete agreement. Lets try to get Pitino back. Who knows he might just do it.

• 39 Donald // Dec 18, 2007 at 8:49 pm

  I admit I have some concerns about lack of adjustments in games. I am not as happy as I thought I would be early.

  I do think you failed to mention injuries to 2 key players. You also failed to mention that OTS left a hodge podge of talent. OTS got out of town why the getting was good.

  Bob Knight is a bully and a has been Coach. I know he is a friend of yours but he is a despicable human being and the worse kind of person on earth..a bully.

  Can’t wait to read your article on Pitino/Caracter situation.

• 40 JB // Dec 18, 2007 at 10:11 pm

  Say what you will, but he’s has some good points. MB should address the rumors that are surrounding the program immediately.

  This program is in trouble, and Tubby isn’t to blame for all of it. In fact, I think Tubby wouldn’t be on the verge of 4-5 if he were coaching this year. BCG better get his sh-t together or he will be unemployed.

• 41 The Fake Gimel Martinez // Dec 18, 2007 at 10:32 pm

  Mr. Reed, you’re an accomplished journalist. Nobody can argue that. Your blog has been around for a while, so I take it you’re familiar with the way blogs work. I’m no dummy, either, so let’s call this post exactly what it is; flamebait.

  Surely somebody with your journalism history, writing stories the past 40+ years, would not base a whole column about “rumors” which you cannot directly address. If you had a source, even an “anonymous” source, you would have detailed EXACTLY what Billy Gillispie is accused of doing.

  Even your details — not taking Van Florence on away games — seem sketchy. Who’s asked UKAA or Van about this? Shouldn’t that be covered before publishing with the detail? I never had a journalism class, but isn’t basing your opinion in truth key in writing a solid column?

  So there’s no way you actually believe what you just wrote. I take it you’re trolling for the Big Blue crazies that you read/hear about on catspause.com. Is this a chapter of your latest book that tries to rightly define the UK fanbase? Or were you just looking for shits and giggles?

  Whatever the reason, you can’t fool me. This isn’t a Billy Reed column proper.

• 42 cawood // Dec 18, 2007 at 10:48 pm

  reed-just another idiot louisville fan

• 43 AggieLurker // Dec 18, 2007 at 10:52 pm

  I thought your observation about deteriorating tradition was poignant. It brings to mind coach Calahan’s elimination of the Black Shirts tradition at Nebraska (among others). There are no longer any players on campus that remember what it was like under Osborn or even Solich. I’m not sure that special aura around that program will ever be recovered. I have no idea why BCG isn’t working out for you guys (kinda like Fran at A&M), but hopefully the AD will act before the tradition erodes.

• 44 Kevin Lankford // Dec 18, 2007 at 11:11 pm

  There are too good points BR made in this story… the rest is CRAP! I agree that the practices may be wearing the players out but if thta is what BG needs to do to to change the mindset of our players than so be it.
  I also believe that BG may have made some bad PR moves with the B/W game and the comment about the game in Louisville.
  HOWEVER, to SAY THAT BARNHART NEEDS TO GET RID OF BG SOON IF THINGS DONT TURN AROUN AFTER 8 GAMES IS THE MOST ASSANINE COMMENT EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF SPORTS JOURNALISM! CMON REED… ARE YOU REALLY THAT IGNORANT !?

• 45 Miner // Dec 18, 2007 at 11:22 pm

  GO MINERS!

• 46 CB // Dec 18, 2007 at 11:46 pm

  I’ve heard rumors that Billy Reed has been saddled with a $10,000-a-month cocaine habit for over 10 years. I am not saying these rumors are true, but it’s high time that the Lexington Herald Leader comes out saying that the rumors are completely false.

• 47 JJ // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:28 am

  Getting rid of Gillispie is a hugh mistake. For one thing it signals to the other coaches that UK is an impossible job and they will avoid it like the plague. National media will continue to laugh at us. Might have another season like this one next year. Lastly, we’ll have to settle for a coach that isn’t ready for a program like UK.

• 48 Becca1 // Dec 19, 2007 at 1:08 am

  That is the problem….the majority of the issues being referred to are not rumors! Drop into Sal’s, or Malone’s on any given night and see who you will find dog drunk! Pics of the the coach drunk on myspace to prove it! Great article!!

• 49 Reed_Is_A_Moron // Dec 19, 2007 at 1:18 am

  No wonder Reed is a has been. What a complete piece of crap! Hey Reed. Try looking back thru your past and see if you can figure out where and when you lost your mind. You ought to write to Perez Hilton. He would probably enjoy including your type of junk on his website.

• 50 tapemaster8 // Dec 19, 2007 at 1:22 am

  Billy I have always respected you over the years, but you are was off base on this one. If you are trying to hurt recuiting, you may be succeeding. Two of the three best players on this team have been injured. We have role players starting. The sky is not falling. Take Riley and Dampier of the Runts and what would you have left. I tell you what we would have left, two of the most unselfish players in UK history and Thad Jarcaz a sophmore, and more than likely a 13 and 13 season.

  Prince’s senior year, take Prince and Bogans off the team and where would they have been.

  This team is in better condition than any team in the Tubby Smith era. If we get Jasper back and can keep everyone else healthy, we will be a pretty good team. I just don’t see what you expected from this team, even if everyone was healthy.

  I liked and like Tubby Smth, but he got out while the gettin was good. I am glad our players don’t give up like you and a very few of the UK fans. The national media is eating this “UK Fans mad at Coach Gillispie” crap up. It is a very small minority who are down on Coach.

  As far as all the rumors, that is all it is, is rumors and you have no right to print it. You must be trying to stir up trouble. Go Cats!

• 51 Dave Kaelin // Dec 19, 2007 at 1:36 am

  Billy Reed. You are a freaking idiot. Fuck Tubby Smith!

• 52 becc1 // Dec 19, 2007 at 1:38 am

  Wake up people!! BG’s honeymoon is over…. he has NO CLASS whatsoever! He is in the pressure cooker of College basketball and he is the national laughing stock of College B-ball.

  We can debate ALL DAY LONG about Tubby did this and Tubby did/didn’t do that…however the whole point of the matter is that UK should have never lost to G-Webb or UAB or IU for that matter (as there best player was out). The talent UK has far surpassed the opponents.

  Tubby is gone and that is not the point…the point is that Billy G cannot coach. With the talent on this team we should not be 4-5 blame whoever you need to but any smart fan KNOWS that! He is not a bench coach whatsoever. He does not have set offensives he runs and he could not make a defensive switch if he had to….he wont…every loss is proof!

  The people who wanted Tubby out of Lex got what they wanted so it is no surprise that everyone is being so defensive about Coach GilLUSHipe….the grass is not always greener on the other side!!!

• 53 Dave Kaelin // Dec 19, 2007 at 1:41 am

  And yes, I mean that. Billy Reed has always been an idiot. If you are nice to Billy, he will write nice things about you. But if you don’t kiss his ass and make him feel important, he will repeat every rumor that he hears and trump them up as if they were fact.

  Billy Reed is a moron. He’s a turd.

• 54 Daniel // Dec 19, 2007 at 2:21 am

  Aww, the little spoiled Lexington fan wannabees are mad cos Coach G doesn’t want to play kissy assy with them. Oh and Mr. Reed, Tubby being such a class guy? How many of his players failed out, got in trouble, transferred, used fake id’s at bars…etc…need I go on. I heard the rumor to that Rajon Rondo got Pat Sparks’ girl pregnant and that’s why that team fell apart, where was your column on that? Or what about the basic cover up of one Mr. Chuck Hayes at the Wildcat Lodge? Give me a break, you want to judge a man’s character because of what some busy bodies have to say? Tell them to get a life and just be a fan instead of wanting to live out their tag along dreams through Billy G or any other coach at UK or any player at UK.

• 55 Gravy // Dec 19, 2007 at 3:09 am

  I thought Billy Reed was dead like his career. You’re a blogger?? Wow… gotta be a lot of cash in that. What a douche bag.

• 56 Hog_Fan // Dec 19, 2007 at 4:24 am

  I have no dog in the Tubby vs BCG fight, even though BCG spurned us, but to think Tubby would be worse than 4-4 is freaking hilarious.

• 57 Todd // Dec 19, 2007 at 4:25 am

  Tubby support Just go away

• 58 Todd // Dec 19, 2007 at 4:27 am

  Reed I don’t here you crying about RP running players out of town!!!!

• 59 Dave Kaelin // Dec 19, 2007 at 4:32 am

  Every coach since Eddie Sutton has complained about the game in Louisville. Smith complained about it. Pitino complained about it. Gillispie isn’t the only coach to complain about the Louisville game. Tubby ended the Dayton game. People were upset about that as well. Louisville is only 70 miles from Lexington. When I lived in Louisville, I made it down to Lexington several games each year. It isn’t that difficult and it’s even a nice drive.

• 60 Gary B // Dec 19, 2007 at 5:47 am

  I just don’t get it, rumors rumors rumors- well prove it! do you have a picture phone? take a picture of Billy G drunk and getting thrown out of somewhere. All you are doing is making an ass out of yourself as a reporter plain and simple. We have 2 people on the team that have basketball talent and a high basketball IQ, that would be Patterson and Meeks, thats all we have, You can say all you want about Crawford and Bradley , but they should have been way better than what they are, Tubby ruin this kids, he was to easy on them. we might have had a better team this year if most of em wasn’t sitting on the bench last year. You sir are a joke and a disgrace to the state of Kentucky, grow the hell up and grow some balls. In 3 years when we are in the final 8 you will be changing your ways and kissing ass. this is the last post i will ever read of yours. i rather read crap off a bathroom wall. your a joke.

• 61 Dan // Dec 19, 2007 at 6:51 am

  Hey Motard…Tubby lost to UAB…in the NCAA’s no less. At least Coach Billy Clyde is bringing in talent! Lets see how he does next year with an actual point guard!

• 62 Travis // Dec 19, 2007 at 8:31 am

  All I can say is John Pelphrey at Arkansas (who we should have gotten) is 8-2. Even Tubby at Minnesota is 8-1. Which team has a losing record, with losses to 4th tier teams like Gardner-Webb, Houston and UAB?

  I think we will all regret the day we passed over Pelphrey for Gillispie.

• 63 Anthony // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:05 am

  This article does a better job summing up Mr. Reed’s career than it does Billy Gillispie’s. This article is a poor effort and while you did your job in getting a few more readers, you’ve shown me that your “writing” is garbage. You obviously know nothing about basketball.

• 64 Fly on the Wall // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:14 am

  This is getting funny. Now all the rat-tailed and mullet-headed UK fans are coming out from under their rocks to defend Gillespie. Face it- he’s a disgrace and you made a mistake.

• 65 UK_FAN // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:15 am

  Travis, Who has Minnesota played…have you looked….I don’t care how bad UK is this year they would be 8-1 with Minnesotas schedule too. Who have we lost to? Gardner-Webb, NORTH CAROLINA, INDIANA & UAB? Only 1 of those losses (GW) are what I would consider a bad loss for the team UK has on the court. Be realistic….Pelphrey wouldn’t be in any better shape right now….I am happy for him at Arkansas and he may one day be in the Blue and White again, but I would hate it for him if he came to UK and had to go through the same thing BCG is having to go through right now. There would be the extreme 10% like you calling for his head too.

• 66 Dave Kaelin // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:18 am

  I want proof. Show me proof. I have googled the hell out of Gillispie and can’t find one thing on the internet about him getting thrown out of a club/bar or being drunk in public. You people are idiots. Billy Reed is an idiot. Again, Billy Reed is an idiot. Just another columnists who can’t make it without throwing mud and lies around. Sorry piece of trash. Yes Reed that is you.

• 67 Aaron C. // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:38 am

  Billy Reed, you are the crap that Bob Knight is talking about. Go to Minnesota if you love Tubby that much, traitor.

• 68 -P. // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:41 am

  Billy Clyde is this best thing to happen to college basketball since, well…Eddie Sutton arriving at UK. 4 straight losses for the once mighty and proud Wildcats. Billy gives hope to every UofL fan that the Cards can win in Rupp, and they will do so if Clyde continues to engineer the train wreck that is UK hoops. Give him 3 years, 5 years…a decade to turn it around…please! In the meantime, the UAB’s, Houston’s and Gardner-Webb’s of the college asketball world will continue to step on the Cats tails.

• 69 Xzander // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:42 am

  Your a paid to write this crap?

  “Barnhart could send Gillispie packing without having to worry about tearing up a contract because Gillispie still hasn’t signed one. All he and Barnhart have is a memorandum of understanding. What’s that all about? ”

  A memorandum of understanding is as binding as a contract.

  “That’s just one of the rumors out there on the street.”

  Thats just it, they’re rumors.

  “I didn’t like it that he had reneged on an agreement to take the Arkansas job.”

  Never read anything any where that says he took the job. Think your thinking of that coach from think it was bradley, he took the job and went back to his old team a day later. Or maybe your thinking of Billy D who took the Magic job then returned to the gators.

  “I didn’t like it that his head-coaching experience consisted only of three years at Texas-El Paso and two at A&M.”

  Actully was 2 and 3 at A&M, not to mention HS and JC levels. The guy has worked his way up. Some people aren’t blessed to be a coach’s son and get set up on their fathers staff.

  ” I wonder if his hard practices had something to do with shooting star Jodie Meeks and The Mysterious Injury That Just Won’t Heal.”

  How? He got hurt during a game and from then on didn’t practice.

  “The wild excitement and great expectations of last spring already have dissolved into unhappiness and unrest.”

  Great expectations? WOW. I don’t know one person who expected anything out of this year, with tubby here or not.

  “For the second straight year, the crowd for UK’s annual Freedom Hall appearance was far below the arena’s 18,500-seat capacity. ”

  Lets read that again, FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR, seems this started before BCG arrived so why blame him?

  “The last two seasons under Smith were disappointing – not so much from the standpoint of the final records, which weren’t up to UK standards, but from the team’s lack of effort, repeated dumb mistakes, and lack of grace under pressure.”

  So last year the team played badly according to you. They lose alot of their rebounding, 3 front court players 2 (3) starters, have another 2 injuried and you expected more? By your own admission Tubby’s last two teams weren’t great or played hard and you expect someone to turn that around with 2 of the better players sidelined to turn it around in 2 months?

  “Without Meeks, the Cats only have three players who can score – Patrick Patterson, Ramel Bradley, and Joe Crawford – and Crawford was on the bench at the start of the game.”

  First whats everyone’s deal with starting? Maybe he need joe coming off the bench more then in the first two mins of the game. Second again your saying 3 good offensive players, How are you supose to win when left with that?

  “The thing Barnhart needs to know about tradition is that it must be nurtured, cultivated, and protected because, left untended for too long, it can vanish before you know it’s gone. The Wildcats have not won the NCAA title or even gone to the Final Four since 1998. And now, under Gillispie, the program is in shambles.”

  WOW Gillispie hasn’t even been here 10 months and your putting the “no final four since 98″ on him?

  Now for the responces

  #46 “but to think Tubby would be worse than 4-4 is freaking hilarious.”
  He may not be worse but he wouldn’t be better.

  #45 “UK should have never lost to G-Webb or UAB or IU for that matter (as there best player was out). The talent UK has far surpassed the opponents. ”

  I’ll agree with GW, But GW played as a team. Team play will beat talent , don’t think so? look at GM and Uconn, who had more talent and who played more as a team?

  UAB: I chalked this up as a lost at preseason, but to think UAB dosen’t have any talent is laughable.

  IU: You said their top players were out, well so were ours. I like porter and cury but they are role players that due to limited recuiting and injuries have to be on the court more.

  Far surpassed the opponents? Maybe next year but not this year. And diffently not with jasper and meeks out.

  #43 “That is the problem….the majority of the issues being referred to are not rumors! Drop into Sal’s, or Malone’s on any given night and see who you will find dog drunk! Pics of the the coach drunk on myspace to prove it! Great article!!”

  Link to these Pics? Again passing on a rumor you heard as a fact. This must be Mr. Reed trying to justify the use of rumors and hear say.

  #37 “This program is in trouble, and Tubby isn’t to blame for all of it. In fact, I think Tubby wouldn’t be on the verge of 4-5 if he were coaching this year. BCG better get his sh-t together or he will be unemployed.”

  I’ll agree tubby isn’t to blame for all of it. Only the shallow depth in the front court, the fact you have a SG that has to play PG,. You can’t blame him for the injuries. If Tubby did stay… I really don’t see him being alot better, billy 4-5, tubby be 5-7 with a win vs gw and 2 losses in NYC. Of course you have him playing UNC and IU just to keep it close.

  #7 “He is the town drunk here in Lexington who has been banned from 2 bars and driven home drunk numberous times(from what Im hearing).”

  Really from what I hear your the town slut. See how that works? I assume you went though High School so you should know how rumors work. There is a reason hear say isn’t allowed in court.

  “He is a big disappointed and even though I am a UK fan(diehard) and also admired and respected Tubby…I think the fans who wanted Tubby out HAVE GOTTEN EXACTLY WHAT THEY DESERVE.”

  I liked Tubby but he had lost his edge, last two season he seemed to not care. It was good for both UK and Tubby that they went different ways.

  “You got a sorry coach who knows nothing about coaching. 3 years of experience, heck if thats the case, give me the job if thats all it takes.”

  I would say he knows more about coaching then you will ever know. Where do you get “3 years experience” from? Again you don’t have a clue what your talking about. You either are Mr. Reed , a tubby lover or a retard.

  “Oh by the way…last week Tubbys team was 6-1″
  Well good for tubby, of course he knew this year was coming, why you think he went to Minn? Look how much crap you’re giving the new coach, I can just think of what would of spew from your mouth about tubby had he not went to Min.

• 70 Brian // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:44 am

  Your article to trash Coach G is quite transparent. Your lack of anything close to credible intellectual insights in an insult to those individuals in the media who are talented.

  Take a look at the roster and tell me the options that Coach G has been afforded with what was left behind by Mr Class, the same Mr Class who tossed in the towel last December, stopped coaching and recruiting, and in general left the program more closely resembling that Pitino took over as opposed to what Pitino delivered to him on a silver platter.

  Until Meeks returned last night, we had no back-up perimeter players. Read Bradley, Porter, and Crawford must play 40 minutes a game for us to have even snow balls chance in hell of competing.

  Further to that, our inside game resembles that of Pitino’s first team. A talented work horse standing about 6′ 8″ (Hanson and Patterson) and nothing else. I applaud Coury’s heart and smarts…

  Lest not forget that the man you call Mr Class significantly underperformed to Kentucky standards. So, maybe just maybe, our program needs a jolt of energy, a workaholic who will take no prisoners to RETURN our program to prominance.

  I suggest you keep this article, and at the end of Coach G’s second year, reprint this. Show us that you have some level of credibility by rehashing this slanderous article.

• 71 Steve // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:53 am

  Here’s the truth, hard as it is to take for some of you: Billy Reed’s a consistently exceptional writer, has been for years, and he’s got this one absolutely dead-on. A relatively untalented Kentucky team and Billy G’s apparent, troublesome, off-the-court issues are leading to an inevitable and ugly mess. The implosion is coming, and it will be a sad day for Kentucky basketball.

• 72 Sam C // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:55 am

  Bill-
  The game with H0uston would have been much more conpetitive if Patrick Patterson had been able to play. The current problem is the lack of recruiting and coaching ability of Tubby Smith. While I am disappointed I am prepared to give BG an opportuntity to correct the condition the inept Tubby Smith and the corrupt CM Newton left the program.
  Free at last, Free at last, Thank God for Minnesota, We are free at last.

• 73 Renee // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:59 am

  Crawfords tech-Frustration
  Being 4-5-embarrassing
  Firing Billy G-PRICELESS

• 74 Jake // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:59 am

  Can you say…..Mike Davis…

• 75 Xzander // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:05 am

  # 62 “All I can say is John Pelphrey at Arkansas (who we should have gotten) is 8-2. Even Tubby at Minnesota is 8-1. Which team has a losing record, with losses to 4th tier teams like Gardner-Webb, Houston and UAB?

  I think we will all regret the day we passed over Pelphrey for Gillispie.”

  First UAB and houston aren’t 4 teir. Remmber last year with tubby we won by 7, now take Morris, Perry, Jasper, Thomas out of that game, think we still win? Oh not to mention Meeks coming back after 6 weeks.

  Second Ark had almost everyone returning from a NCAA team, and has no injuries, I shocked they have 2 losses. Total record of opp 47-38

  Thrid Minn has played two teams with a winning record, LOSING one of those toa 10-3 team, the only other team is 5-4. total record of opp 39-35

  Uk’s record for opp 53-37. Record of teams they lost to 40-13(36-6 not counting GW)

• 76 Jacob Adam Brooks // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:13 am

  That was by and large the worst piece of writing I’ve ever read in my 23 years on this earth.

  You state numerous rumors as fact, or at least try to determine BCGs worth, based off these rumors.

  Then you go on to mention how the fans got what they deserve, only to follow it up with talk about how the team only has 3 players that can score. How stupid can you be to see that there’s only three players that can score, but still blame BCG for the results here.

  So just so I know I’ve got this right.

  -You’ve heard rumors about BCG that have never been proven true, from one of the most rumor creating fan bases in all of sports, and that’s what your using to insult his name?

  -You don’t think this team has any real talent or scoreres, but you give the man that brought in those players a pass, while bashing a guy that’s only recruit is the best player on the team?

  And I love that you highlight this quote by Bobby Knight…

  “He’s a good coach, but the question is whether he can handle all that other crap surrounding that program.”

  And some how, you twist it around to sound like he was saying BCG can’t handle pressure, when it’s obvious that he’s making fun of the fans and sportswriters like yourself that make UK an absolute joke.

  and this one…

  “The Wildcats have not won the NCAA title or even gone to the Final Four since 1998. And now, under Gillispie, the program is in shambles.”

  That may be the biggest joke of a quote I’ve ever seen… but I appreciate you actually going out of your way to prove the ineptitude in which you write…

  No championship or final fours since 1998, AND NOW Gillispie has us in shambles… only a UK fan or sportwriter could make that kind of logic. We haven’t been to a final four in ten years BECAUSE of Tubby, but NOW the program is n danger of being in shambles.

  The near talentless team with only three scorers is a team that with the exception of PPatterson, was recruited entirely by Tubby Smith. Tubby Smith put together this roster of gangbusters that you obviously see as being as bad as the rest of us think, but your blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the fans and Billy Gillispie.

  WOW, what a truly revealing piece about just how delusional the sportswriters in Kentucky, and even some UK fans, have become in order to protect their obsession with Tubby Smith.

  The only person that should be sent packing is you, because quite frankly you’re the biggest joke of a writer I’ve ever seen.

• 77 Brent // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:35 am

  This article is disgraceful and most sadly characterizes not so much the current state of UK Basketball, or the UK coach, but the so called profession of journalism.

  I don’t know the first thing about Billy Gillespie, but I do know that to slander him with rumors and innuendo on which Reed doesn’t even elaborate, reduces the entire piece to malicious gossip mongering. The performance of Gillespie and the University of Kentucky players is not not nearly as embarrassing as the a smear “hit piece” by a supposed journalist. Opinions are one thing, even everyone has the right to one. In the future however, Reed would better serve his own reputation and the Kentucky program by having the work ethic and class to research broad stroke accusations and gossip before he starts feeding it to the always frantic masses.

• 78 Aggiefan // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:35 am

  Karma is a bitch. Here in Aggieland, we find the whole debacle to be just “Frantastic”.

  Gig ‘Em

• 79 SteveM // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:01 am

  This team isn’t very good. It would be nice to think that we had the best players on the squad on the floor at the same time, but even if that happened we probably STILL wouldn’t be very good. The talent that he inherited isn’t Gillispie’s fault.

  With that being said, at first I was sorry that this blog was sent to me. But after thinking about it I’m not sorry. It reminded me of why I got sick of reading Billy Reed years ago and what a “whiney, kiss-ass” he truely is. One of the happier days of my life was when he left the Herald Leader and I could ignore him altogether. He was the master of the “bitch article”. It seems like he could always find something to bitch about. My wife says that I bitch a lot. If she lived with this asshole for a week, I’d seem like a prince.

  Years ago, while heading to an away, UK football game, I passed a van with a rear tire cover (professionally done) that summed up my feelings about Billy Reed, EXACTLY. It said “WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW, BILLY REED ALWAYS SUCKS”.

• 80 Mark // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:01 am

  Billy, I met Coach Gillispie and all of his staff as well as Patrick Patterson with some friends of mine recently on an impromptu visit to the Joe Craft Center. Coach Gillispie and his staff could not have been more cooperative or accomodating. I greatly appreciated that they took time out of their busy schedule to take us around and answer questions…especially since I am just a regular guy as were my friends. Patrick Patterson impressed me as well as a hard working, very polite student athlete. I do not know who your sources are but my experience has been nothing like what you describe with Coach Gillispie or his staff. I think Coach Gillispie is the right person to get Kentucky back on track but we a re sure struggling now due to unforseen injuries and recruiting misses from years previous (and i present) that are showing up now.

• 81 RD // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:04 am

  Well…Ricky P wasn’t exactly lilly white in his personal life. So I guess CM should’ve called him out too, huh? Is there a KY law somewhere that says the UK coach has to keep doing the same tradition things that Smith/Pitino/Hall/Sutton did? It’s Billy G’s show now. So less than half way into his 1st season, and he should be fired even with all the injuries, players learning a new system, practice routines, etc.? UCLA and NC had to go through some growing pains for a season or two…now look where they are. Billy you’ve been bashing UK since I was a kid and I’m 43 yrs old. Next time you have a thought about UK….do us all a favor and let it go!!

• 82 Eric // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:11 am

  Look, unless BCG cleans up his act his days are numbered. He will lose his job over an off-court scandal eventually.

• 83 Steve // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:20 am

  You had concerns about BG but did not state them strongly enough? (Kind of like the politicians who were initially opposed to going to war in Iraq and who are not opposed to us ever going?). That only indicates that you are a journalist with no backbone (really not a journalist by definition). And the only reason you are willing to give rumors any credence is because UK is 4-4. If they were 8-0 we would not be hearing from you. I suspect in 5 years you’ll write that you always had faith in BG to turn the program around but you didn’t state that strongly enough.

  And asking Barnhart to address rumors? Are you crazy? Rumors are to UK as bourbon is to KY. Barnhart would have to address the press every day if he was expected to address rumors and innuendo. Here’s a thought–why not stop spreading them? Please bring some sanity back to all of this garbage.

• 84 Sports Talk on KentuckySportsRadio.com » Blog Archive » Billy Reed vs Billy Clyde // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:37 am

  […] my the emails I have in my inbox, topic #1 among some UK fans is the recent commentary by Billy Reed on his view of Billy Clyde. Billy Reed, who used to be a well-respected writer for the Courier […]

• 85 BigRedmon // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:01 pm

  Your article is based on What people told you - did they see these situations with Gillespie or did they hear about them, Even the most Noble can be Duped. Remember this - Gillesspie built programs up. Tubby as wonderful as he is was brought the same type of play that he had at Georgia and Tulsa which was pretty darn good. But very average as far as prime time basketball schools are concerned such as Indiana, UCLA, North Carolina and UK. He had about 3 0r 4 Great seasons and the rest were not as competitive as the Uk faithful- Taxpayers - University supporters demand -It might be unreasonable some times I’ll admit but like my father says ” If you don’t expect much you don’t get much”. I’m not ready to cut Billy Gillespie short just yet. he is rebuilding a program that has become complacent and lazy and he is losing. Losing in Lexington is a bad thing but wouldn’t you become rude if you had 50 or more people a day question you - and they aren’t even your boss! Well look at it like this, He gets questioned when he wins and right now he’s losing so imagine what kind of a battle that is. Of course he’s rude sometimes - He has a plan and he’s putting it together, you don’t beleive me watch the next game and then go back and watch the one before it. Also - Pitnio worked the boys hard, Pitino got fed up with the harrassment, Pitino was a recruiter, Pitino did not resurect this team in one season. The Administration etc… knew where this program was - and Gillespie like Pitino has a fair shot of redeeming this program once again. So stop writing about what you hear and tell me about wha you know - Otherwise your like a chat room troll - spreading junk and ruining the chance for an honest perception. but for the record I hope Tubby does well - I can’t wait to play him in a few years and Win Big!

• 86 church // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:02 pm

  This article is ridiculous. All writing privileges for this man should be revoked.

• 87 Mike in the Nati // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:08 pm

  Way to go Billy Reed!!!!

  Everybody within 100 miles of Lexington has been hearing the same things since the summer and finally somebody is calling for answers. Losing can be tolerated if the loser is liakble. And unlikable winners can be tolerated. There is no room for an unlikable loser-especially as the head basketball coach at UK.

• 88 gvillecat // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:15 pm

  That was utter trash. Tubby is a class act and good coach who couldn’t spot a talented recruit if he dunked on him. The reason Tubby is gone is because of the team he assembled which we got to see in all its glory last night. If anything you should pity what a mess of a roster Billy G inherited and give him every bit of support you can muster given the sorry state of affairs this program is in.

• 89 jwright1400 // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:18 pm

  Billy Reed is an idiot who lives in the past.

  Why does Coach Gillispie need a right-hand man (aka Van Florence)? He’s a big-boy … he can handle himself.

  I don’t know why I even click on this link to see what Billy Reed wrote. After all, Reed thinks Western Kentucky should still be playing in the fruitless Ohio Valley Conference.

• 90 Bob V // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:31 pm

  Coach Rupp had you pegged 40 some years ago
  when his pet name for you was ” That Little Turd”. I guess Coach knew excrement when he saw it.

• 91 Bob // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:35 pm

  Mr. Reed, look up the definition of class. You have none of it. What an idiot.

• 92 Dan // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:49 pm

  Reed, you have no idea what you are talking about and have certainly crossed the line. This train wreck of a team is all because of our former “classy” coach Tubby Smith. Besides Patterson, he recruited the rest of these misfit ball players. Besides Patterson, Meeks and maybe Jasper there is nothing there for the future. The rest of these guys couldn’t win a pickup game at the local park.

  This is all Tubby’s mess. He knew exactly what he had to work with and decided to get the hell out of Dodge to avoid more anger from the fans. Tubby wouldn’t have done any better with this team. It’s all about recruiting for the future now because we need real basketball players in the the worst way.

  To blame Billy is just ignorant. He got us Patterson and he has much better recruits on the way. Rebuilding a program takes YEARS. Our program is 2 to 3 years behind in recruiting and that’s when we’ll see winning again like we’re used to. He will get us there if the rest of you morons will let him.

  It’s no wonder the media has a field day with UK fans. We have to most ignorant, rude fans in sports. All that is happening is nothing more than being served a nice big slice of humble pie. Maybe this season is a blessing in disguise to bring the morons of the UK fan base back to reality.

• 93 Chris // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:49 pm

  Why should Barnhart give any credence to these bogus rumors? I’ve heard rumors of Coach G. getting thrown out of De Shea’s restaurant, but I know those rumors were false, because I work there. I believe anyone who writes articles, like this, are not journalist, but rather a middle girl gossiping with her friends.

• 94 P T Hutch // Dec 19, 2007 at 9:05 pm

  Are you kidding me!?! That may have been the most vomitous story, and you have written many, to be considered fish wrap material you have ever written. Talk about unprofessional journalism. Wretched, just wretched.

• 95 Blackhawk // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:18 pm

  Billy said::::

  ” The thing Barnhart needs to know about tradition is that it must be nurtured, cultivated, and protected because, left untended for too long, it can vanish before you know it’s gone. The Wildcats have not won the NCAA title or even gone to the Final Four since 1998. And now, under Gillispie, the program is in shambles. ”

  Well then who is to blame for where it is? The current coach is to blame for it not being nurtured, cultivated, and protected because, left untended for too long? Really? Was Pitino to blame for the violations that the school was under his first couple of years?

  Tubby supporters all last season kept saying, just one more year for him, one more year that is all. Yet they are ready to throw Billy G under the bus without giving him just one.

  Is the program in shambles because of Billy or because of injuries and a less than normal talent pool, even for Tubby’s standards.

  For crying out loud 9 games in and he should be gone? Come on, I thought even you were smarter than that Billy.

• 96 Charlie // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:21 pm

  I’m in a wait and see basis. As for the rest of you….it’s no wonder everyone thinks we’re so crazy as a fanbase. Settle down….EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion, yourselves as well as Billy Reed.

  I think it was a well written op-ed piece, and the “accusations” certainly have some merit. I can understand when you hear a rumor or two, and I can understand when a team is doing bad how things can turn into a real *%^& storm real quick….the blame game if you will. But in this case, w/Coach’s past already known, it’s hard to ignore some of these rumors.

  I agree that AD Barnhart needs to make some sort of statement…..I mean, he’s got nothing to lose by saying he fully backs the coach. But if he doesn’t….well saying nothing at all says as much as saying something.

• 97 Tob // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:59 pm

  well its sad but true ,,,,lest we speculate,,,,but something is wrong with UK The players arent happy,,,, they dont want to play hard for him he looks like a drunk and comes off unintelligent and no matter what you think about the past (Tubby) ,,,thats just not who we are ,,,as a group or body of people,,,and if youll be honest theres something thats not right about it!……

• 98 Mark // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:51 pm

  Ask the kids at KSD if Billy Clyde is a arrogent piece of trash? Ive never seen a coach act as humble and thoughtful as Billy Clyde did with those kids. Go to Hell Billy Reed.

• 99 Rob // Dec 20, 2007 at 1:02 am

  If BCG was winning none of this would be an issue. Does BCG burn the candle at both ends? Sure. If you want to judge him based on his off the court behavior, then fine. You may have a right. But if you are going to do so, would you be so quick to do this if he were winning? Sometimes you get what you wish for. As for on the court, it is way to earlier and there has been too many injuries to key players.

• 100 becc1 // Dec 20, 2007 at 7:43 am

  One of the trainers on the team told me that Patterson and Gillispie had a falling out during warm-ups and Patterson refused to play. That makes more sense than the fathom ankle injury.

• 101 Christopher // Dec 20, 2007 at 8:47 am

  Billy Reed and those of his ilk like to believe they are touched by angels. They know information we commoners don’t. They know BCG is a drunk. They knew Sutton was bringing the program down. They knew about Oswald years before he shot Kennedy.

  Rubbish.

  Unless you were adamant about Mitch coming out in defense of Rich Brooks and Tubby Smith when rumors swirled around their tenure, then kindly shut up.

  We are 10 games into a season where Tubby left the cubbord bare. We have 2 seniors that exhibit the worst qualities in a basketball player: Selfishness and Stupidity. We don’t need holier than thou ex-Lexington reporters calling for our AD to address whatever imagined situation exists in your pathetic mind. Stick to your new paper, your new school, and worry about how the only talent in the red program violates curefews like they were speed limits.

  I like Mark’s comment. Go to Hell Billy Reed. UK doesn’t need you and doesn’t want you.