I keep hearing how intelligent UK fans are. In fact, Billy Gillispie made that very point on Tuesday when asked what the fans should look for to know the Cats are playing hard.
“Our fans are very, very, very, very, very knowledgeable,” Gillispie said. “As knowledgeable as any that have been part of college basketball.”
So how to explain the voice mail message I heard when I arrived at the office Wednesday morning. A man who described himself as a UK graduate from 27 years ago was distressed about the starting lineup for the Pikeville College game proposed by Gillispie.
The fan, who didn’t give his name, said Joe Crawford and Jared Carter should start.
Perhaps Gillispie will use the lineup to support his message that those with great practice habits will be rewarded in games.
Perhaps injuries to Crawford (coming back after being sidelined for weeks because of a knee) and Carter (shoulder surgeries) explain why they’re not starting.
Perhaps starting in an exhibition game is meaningless.
Shouldn’t basketball-savvy fans know this?
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
Since we are talking about the knowledge the UK fan base,please let Gillispie know that on game day we wear blue and white. I thought he might need to know this since one the first game as UK’s coach he did not have any blue on. If the fan base is proud of the school colors than we expect our coach to be. Next time please show it.