The Difference Between Gillispie & Tubby

[StrikeoutKing]

I was never a "Tubby Hater." I always thought the guy could coach. He's a great defensive coach, and he's one of the better ones, IMO, when it comes to making in-game adjustments. People questioned his recruiting abilites. He wasn't a bad recruiter, but one big thing I think he had trouble with was maximizing his players' talents, and getting them to play their best, and nothing is more eminent than this season. Gillispie has Crawford and Bradley playing their best basketball of their collegiate career. I was never a Ramel Bradley fan, but he has turned out to be the guy I want to have the ball with the game on the line. And Crawford played on a bum ankle last night in the 2nd half, and still was able to hit some big 3's late. Unfortunately he was not able to finish, but his body language on the sideline said he wanted to win even if he wasn't able to go. Bradley has transformed into a playmaker, whether he's converting a 3-point play, or driving and dishing, and we wouldn't have beaten Vandy or Tennessee if it wasn't for him. I like Tubby, and I hope he has great success in the Big Ten with Minnesotta, but the one thing he did not do very well, IMO, was have his players play to the best of their abilities, and Gillispie has shown throughout the course of this season that he is capable of bringing out the best in these players.

[Lisa Douglas]

I can agree to that.

[-STAT-]

I totally agree with that! G wants the best out of all his players but more importantly his Senior leaders i.e. A.C Law from last year at A&M, and he is getting it from both Crawford and Bradley!

[bobcatfan22]

Great Post

[torQQue]

I agree with that assessment Strikeout. Billy G seems to be doing an effective job building team chemistry and maximizing talent. This is one area that I thought Tubby could have improved on. Players like Prince, Hayes, and Azi were great players at Kentucky, however, I believe they never reached their full potential as college players. Hayes and Azi both would of been drafted in the first round of the NBA draft if they would have been coached up properly. Look how those two and even Prince have excelled in the NBA since leaving college. All them now starters for their respective teams and key contributors.

For the first time in 4 years Joe and Ramal are finally beginning to play to their capability. They demonstrate maximum effort and determination every game. Both are making better decisions and both continue to improve. I think we thank Billy G for this.

These two finally seem happy to representing Kentucky as a team. Ramal and Joe both could end up being 2nd or 3rd round NBA picks if they keep this type of play up.

[bluegrassballa]

Oh most definitely. Ramel and Joe are playing great ball this year. I always thought that Tubby was a better coach than Billy, ut after the game last night, it changed my mind. Plus Billy G can recruit so much better.

[RavenBoy]

Billy G is cool and Tubby sucks

[bearsfan_54]

I agree that Tubby is one of the best at teaching his players how to play good defense. But, he was not the best at recruiting. Everyone know's he didn't even look at Chris Lofton (even though he's had a bad year, still a good player). I also agree that Joe and Ramel are playing the way they are capable of. I can't wait for next season to see Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins play.

[RedSeal]

well Tubby has already turned around Minnesota, they went 9-27 last season and this year they are off to a 12-5 start, When we hired Billy back in April I was not really happy with the choice I thought he was a little young to take on such a big job,IMO i think both Billy and Tubby are great coaches but it only comes down to one thing

BILLY GET THE BEST OUT OF HIS BOYS
Tubby just couldnt get the best out of his kids

And thats the difference

[StrikeoutKing]

One thing I thought Tubby could have done better was recruit. He didn't have bad classes, but I thought he could have gotten some bigger recruits with UK's histroy, prestige and facilities. I mean, look at some of the names that came through because of Tubby:
*Cliff Hawkins
*Erik Daniels
*Chuck Hayes
*Gerald Fitch
*Keith Bogans
*Tayshaun Prince
*Marquis Estill
*Kelenna Azubuike
*Randolph Morris
*Joe Crawford
*Rajon Rondo
*Ramel Bradley
*Derek Jasper
*Perry Stevenson
*Jodie Meeks
*Jamaal Magloire

These weren't/aren't bad players, and a lot of them played for teams I thought could win a National Championship (i.e. 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005). Tubby's recruiting efforts weren't what bothered me (for the most part), it was the fact that once he landed them in Lexington, he never developed them into the type of players we all knew they could be.

[-STAT-]

Yeah Tubby was a great recruiter, but he didn't have what it took to motivate all of these great players. He was also a great bench coach but again didn't have the movtivation factor.

[-STAT-]

One thing I thought Tubby could have done better was recruit. He didn't have bad classes, but I thought he could have gotten some bigger recruits with UK's histroy, prestige and facilities. I mean, look at some of the names that came through because of Tubby:
*Cliff Hawkins
*Erik Daniels
*Chuck Hayes
*Gerald Fitch
*Keith Bogans
*Tayshaun Prince
*Marquis Estill
*Kelenna Azubuike
*Randolph Morris
*Joe Crawford
*Rajon Rondo
*Ramel Bradley
*Derek Jasper
*Perry Stevenson
*Jodie Meeks
*Jamaal Magloire

These weren't/aren't bad players, and a lot of them played for teams I thought could win a National Championship (i.e. 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005). Tubby's recruiting efforts weren't what bothered me (for the most part), it was the fact that once he landed them in Lexington, he never developed them into the type of players we all knew they could be.


You cant forget the 2 juggernaut recruits that he landed in Woo and Shagari! :D

[pirate_time]

i think Tubby is one of the greatest coach i college basketball....and he had them playing defense..he was a much better defensive coach then Billy G...
But Billy G has a offense that could make up for that.....

[powerplay]

Tubby couldve aslo had Chris Lofton and Corey Brewer but no! And Billy G is trying to make Ramel Bradley into Acie Law.

GO WILDCATS!!

[StrikeoutKing]

Tubby couldve aslo had Chris Lofton and Corey Brewer but no! And Billy G is trying to make Ramel Bradley into Acie Law.

GO WILDCATS!!
He may not quite get to the level of Acie Law, but he certainly has put this team on his back the last week or so. Gillispie has made me a fan of Ramel Bradley (something I NEVER thought I would say)

[RavenBoy]

He may not quite get to the level of Acie Law, but he certainly has put this team on his back the last week or so. Gillispie has made me a fan of Ramel Bradley (something I NEVER thought I would say)Yea I know what you saying there.

[DevilsWin]

Another difference that has yet to be discussed is the difference in practice routines between Smith and Gillispie.
Coach Gillispie's emphasis on mental toughness is higher than that of Coach Smith.
Coach Smith is getting more out of his team at Minnesota because the last coach was terrible. That's why he was fired. Tubby is a great coach. Otherwise he wouldn't have been so successful at UK for so many years. He just got complacent after being here so long. I used to listen to the Big Blue Line when he was on there and he would field so many legitimate questions like the people calling in were all a bunch of idiot clowns. Then add in National Broadcasters attacking his critics when things went downhill and he made no adjustments. It was beginning to take away the attention from the game and that should never happen.
It's not Coach Smith's fault either. It's perfectly natural to let "The best job in college basketball" go to your head and make you feel invincible.

But Practice, Hunger, Mental Toughness and Respect for the Position are the real differences between these two great coaches.

[Tubby Hater]

[QUOTE=bearsfan_54;495498]I agree that Tubby is one of the best at teaching his players how to play good defense. But, he was not the best at recruiting. Everyone know's he didn't even look at Chris Lofton (even though he's had a bad year, still a good player). I also agree that Joe and Ramel are playing the way they are capable of. I can't wait for next season to see Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins play.[
How could you say Tubby was a great defensive coach when he played ball line defense. Ball line defense went out 25 years ago with the invention of the three point line. I have not been crazy about all the man to man Billy G has played this year but it still beats the heck out of ball line.

[100%SUCCESS]

[QUOTE=bearsfan_54;495498]I agree that Tubby is one of the best at teaching his players how to play good defense. But, he was not the best at recruiting. Everyone know's he didn't even look at Chris Lofton (even though he's had a bad year, still a good player). I also agree that Joe and Ramel are playing the way they are capable of. I can't wait for next season to see Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins play.[
How could you say Tubby was a great defensive coach when he played ball line defense. Ball line defense went out 25 years ago with the invention of the three point line. I have not been crazy about all the man to man Billy G has played this year but it still beats the heck out of ball line.
I agree. However, it also beats the heck out of the players. Wears em down IMO, when compared to Tubby's defense.

[RedSeal]

Tubby couldve aslo had Chris Lofton and Corey Brewer but no! And Billy G is trying to make Ramel Bradley into Acie Law.

GO WILDCATS!!

Tubby could've have got Corey Brewer, but he couldn't have got Chris Lofton, he gave that scholarship to Rondo, and coming out of high school Lofton was a 3 star player and Rondo was a 5 star player and if you were the Coach im pretty sure you would want the 5 star instead of the 3 star

[Homer Simpson]

I wish somethan would bring the fire out in the team maybe we would have a better record.. Billy G fan right here.. and tubby loaded the team down just imagine if we had rondo and morris this yr

[RavenBoy]

I think Tubby should be fined because he didnt leave the team as good as the team he started with in 98.

[OMG]

I think Tubby should be fined because he didnt leave the team as good as the team he started with in 98.


no kidding, with the team pitino left him it would have been a discrace to every coach everywhere not to have won the national title..i think tubby had very little to do with that title...they should have just fed-exed the trophy to pitino and said thanks

[FBALL]

One thing I thought Tubby could have done better was recruit. He didn't have bad classes, but I thought he could have gotten some bigger recruits with UK's histroy, prestige and facilities. I mean, look at some of the names that came through because of Tubby:
*Cliff Hawkins
*Erik Daniels
*Chuck Hayes
*Gerald Fitch
*Keith Bogans
*Tayshaun Prince
*Marquis Estill
*Kelenna Azubuike
*Randolph Morris
*Joe Crawford
*Rajon Rondo
*Ramel Bradley
*Derek Jasper
*Perry Stevenson
*Jodie Meeks
*Jamaal Magloire

These weren't/aren't bad players, and a lot of them played for teams I thought could win a National Championship (i.e. 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005). Tubby's recruiting efforts weren't what bothered me (for the most part), it was the fact that once he landed them in Lexington, he never developed them into the type of players we all knew they could be.
By my count that is 7 players that are still in the NBA. Thats not too shabby.

[FBALL]

no kidding, with the team pitino left him it would have been a discrace to every coach everywhere not to have won the national title..i think tubby had very little to do with that title...they should have just fed-exed the trophy to pitino and said thanks
Wrong. That team was mostly role players from the two power house teams in 96 and 97. They over achieved and won on guts more than talent.

[EKY Sportster]

Wrong. That team was mostly role players from the two power house teams in 96 and 97. They over achieved and won on guts more than talent.

First, they weren't a gift wrapped National Champion. But they weren't just leftover role players IMO either.

Second, Tubby had very little to do with their National Championship. The players just wanted it and played hard to get it.

Third, the players had lots of talent, guts and glory and that is why they won it!!

[OMG]

First, they weren't a gift wrapped National Champion. But they weren't just leftover role players IMO either.

Second, Tubby had very little to do with their National Championship. The players just wanted it and played hard to get it.

Third, the players had lots of talent, guts and glory and that is why they won it!!



yea! somebody finally agrees with me i love it! and your right pitino handed tubby an easy yellow brick road to the national championship, and IMO UK was a couple of good runs away from a 3 peat, still can't believe they lost...that time period has to go down as one of the best in school history..

[StrikeoutKing]

yea! somebody finally agrees with me i love it! and your right pitino handed tubby an easy yellow brick road to the national championship, and IMO UK was a couple of good runs away from a 3 peat, still can't believe they lost...that time period has to go down as one of the best in school history..
I would have to agree. Put 1996-1998 right up there with the back-to-back of 1948-1949 seasons, and an Olympic Gold Medal.

[OMG]

I would have to agree. Put 1996-1998 right up there with the back-to-back of 1948-1949 seasons, and an Olympic Gold Medal.

that would be a really interesting comparison between the two..if i wasn't so lazy i would

[FBALL]

First, they weren't a gift wrapped National Champion. But they weren't just leftover role players IMO either.

Second, Tubby had very little to do with their National Championship. The players just wanted it and played hard to get it.

Third, the players had lots of talent, guts and glory and that is why they won it!!
Sheppard, Nazi, Evans, Padget to name a few were all very good role players. They played together as team with alot of heart. They were not the most overwhelmingly talented team. They players, I agree deserve alot of the credit for that amazing run to a title. But as has been glaringly shown this year by the struggle to adjust to a new coach and a new system, some of the credit must go to Tubby Smith as well.



Have fun with it.:cool:

[blitz43]

Tubby is a defensive coach and his players that go on to the NBA are good defenders. Looks like the NBA likes that. I hope UK and Minn. somehow meet in a tourney. I'm not sure Billy Clyde could handle Tubby.

[StrikeoutKing]

Tubby is a defensive coach and his players that go on to the NBA are good defenders. Looks like the NBA likes that. I hope UK and Minn. somehow meet in a tourney. I'm not sure Billy Clyde could handle Tubby.
Are you serious? We've seen how Tubby has done against teams that play an up tempo style of basketball. And what about Gillispie being a defensive coach? Did you not see the way Ramel shut down Chris Lofton? I don't remember that kind of defensive intensity the last 3 years from Bradley. I will agree, Tubby is a fantastic defensive coach, one of the best in the country, IMO, but offense is what killed him in Lexington. he couldn't compete with the teams that ran up and down the court (Mempis, Kansas, North Carolina). I would love to see UK and Minn. meet up in the post-season, but I honestly believe that UK would be too much because of the offensive pace and the defensive intensity Gillispie has them playing with.

[StrikeoutKing]

I was curious and decided to do a little research. I combined the 1996 & 1998 seasons, because IMO, it would be unfair to compare a run of 3 years (1996-1998) to a 2-year run (1948-1949). As good as that 1996 team was, and we all know it was VERY VERY good with 6 future NBA players and all, the run Adolph Rupp had in the late 1940s was AMAZING! Here are some number I found.

1996 & 1998

Overall Record: 69-6
SEC Record (including conference tournament): 35-3
2 National Championships
2 Final Fours
2 Southeastern Conference Regular Season Championships
1 Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship
Won 69 games by an average margin of 17. 4 points per game
Won by fewer than 10 points 15 times
1 All-American (Tony Delk, 1996)
1948-1949

Overall Record: 68-4
SEC Record (including conference tournament): 30-0
1 Olympic Gold Medal
2 National Championships
2 Final Fours
2 Southeastern Conference Regular Season Championships
2 Southeastern Conference Championships
Won 68 games by an average margin of 24.2 points per game
Won by fewer than 10 points only 5 times!!!!
3 All-Americans (Alex Groza, 1948-1949; Ralph Beard, 1948-1949; Wallace Jones, 1948-1949)
We can all agree that the 1996 team was one of the best in NCAA history. But what Rupp had in 1948-1949 was nothing short of unbelievable. Defeating your opponents by a 24.2 ppg margin, and winning by single digits only 5 times!!! To me, that's amazing!!! Not only did he win the NCAA Championship, but he led the same starting 5 to an Olympic Gold Medal. It's easy to say, after looking at these numbers that the University of Kentucky has had some "pretty good" runs on the hardwood. :Clap:

[OMG]

I was curious and decided to do a little research. I combined the 1996 & 1998 seasons, because IMO, it would be unfair to compare a run of 3 years (1996-1998) to a 2-year run (1948-1949). As good as that 1996 team was, and we all know it was VERY VERY good with 6 future NBA players and all, the run Adolph Rupp had in the late 1940s was AMAZING! Here are some number I found.

1996 & 1998

Overall Record: 69-6
SEC Record (including conference tournament): 35-3
2 National Championships
2 Final Fours
2 Southeastern Conference Regular Season Championships
1 Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship
Won 69 games by an average margin of 17. 4 points per game
Won by fewer than 10 points 15 times
1 All-American (Tony Delk, 1996)
1948-1949

Overall Record: 68-4
SEC Record (including conference tournament): 30-0
1 Olympic Gold Medal
2 National Championships
2 Final Fours
2 Southeastern Conference Regular Season Championships
2 Southeastern Conference Championships
Won 68 games by an average margin of 24.2 points per game
Won by fewer than 10 points only 5 times!!!!
3 All-Americans (Alex Groza, 1948-1949; Ralph Beard, 1948-1949; Wallace Jones, 1948-1949)
We can all agree that the 1996 team was one of the best in NCAA history. But what Rupp had in 1948-1949 was nothing short of unbelievable. Defeating your opponents by a 24.2 ppg margin, and winning by single digits only 5 times!!! To me, that's amazing!!! Not only did he win the NCAA Championship, but he led the same starting 5 to an Olympic Gold Medal. It's easy to say, after looking at these numbers that the University of Kentucky has had some "pretty good" runs on the hardwood. :Clap:





thats a really good comparison, however its nearly impossible to compare 60 years ago to now...its a completely different game! what they did was amazing for its era, but the game has changed so much and the athletes have changed so much that imo its almost irrelevant to compare the two because of how different the game is played now...

[bleedblue2002]

I bet that Billy won't pass up a player like Chris Lofton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StrikeoutKing]

thats a really good comparison, however its nearly impossible to compare 60 years ago to now...its a completely different game! what they did was amazing for its era, but the game has changed so much and the athletes have changed so much that imo its almost irrelevant to compare the two because of how different the game is played now...
I wasn't comparing the two eras, because I know there was no 3-point line, I know the game is faster now and the kids are stronger, but UK faired against its opponents in 1948-1949 the same as it did in 1996 & 1998. Could Rupp win back-to-back titles now with the 1948 team? No!! But what he did was still great because it was against competition that, at the time, was as tough then, as the rest of the NCAA was in 1996.

[Panther Thunder]

I bet that Billy won't pass up a player like Chris Lofton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once again if Tubby got Lofton instead of the other guys, there would have been riots in the streets.

[Panther Thunder]

One other difference, Tubby never got beat by 40+

[OMG]

One other difference, Tubby never got beat by 40+

because theres a word called preparation that billy g has got in his vocabulary yet...maybe we should have word association day for him up at the college

[Brooks4Prez]

I bet that Billy won't pass up a player like Chris Lofton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't understand what people don't get about the Lofton situation. Kentucky had signed three McDonalds All Americans at guard that year, it was one of the most talented recruiting classes in recent memory at UK. Nobody was complaining about not getting Lofton then. The situation at Tennessee allowed him to develop into a much better player than he ever would have at Kentucky. It is easy now to look back and say that it was a mistake not getting him but at the time nobody would have guessed he would have as successful a college career as he has had. :mad:

[Brooks4Prez]

because theres a word called preparation that billy g has got in his vocabulary yet...maybe we should have word association day for him up at the college

I don't believe Billy G is as clueless about coaching as you say he is or he wouldn't have a job.

[DALE]

I don't understand what people don't get about the Lofton situation. Kentucky had signed three McDonalds All Americans at guard that year, it was one of the most talented recruiting classes in recent memory at UK.

Bradley was not an All American guard. Rondo(G), Crawford(G), and Morris(C) were the McDonald's All Americans.

[Brooks4Prez]

Bradley was not an All American guard. Rondo(G), Crawford(G), and Morris(C) were the McDonald's All Americans.

You are correct, my bad, should have put 3 McDonalds All Americans, two at guard.

[Horse Head]

Plz somebody tell me besides patterson what billy g player do we have they are all tubby players . And who do you think is the best player on the team? PATTERSON I mean last year if we didnt get morris back we would have had a bad season just give billy g time

[StrikeoutKing]

Gillispie will be fine. No, Tubby never lost by 40, but he never played a team as talented as Vandy is this year with a team as "not talented" as Kentucky. Kentucky is talented, don't get me wrong, but let's face it. For the most part, they have somewhat "overachieved" this season. They will get blown out AT Tennessee. This team just can't win on the road against solid opponents. Was this team prepared last night? Maybe not, but you have to credit Vandy as much as you blame Kentucky. They came out and shot nearly 70% in the first half. Was that due to UKs lack of defesne or excellent shooting by Vandy? I say both. Let's give credit where credit is due, and accept the fact that we got embarassed by a very good team on their home court. I seriously doubt Gillispie and the players are worrying about last night's game today. I can guarantee they are focusing on LSU now. Get over it and move on!!! We can't go back and change it so griping and complaining isn't going to change anything.

[OMG]

Bradley was not an All American guard. Rondo(G), Crawford(G), and Morris(C) were the McDonald's All Americans.



exactly and everybody knew coming in that Rondo wouldn't be a four year player...Crawford was a highly recruited guard out of michigan, and so was lofton out of kentucky...i think the point everyone tries to make with the lofton situation is that he was in our own backyard and we let him go to another state...thats unacceptable....do you think Bobby Knight(when he was at indiana) would have let a kid of lofton's ability get out of the state of indiana without snatching him up first...i dont think he would....he was a bad job on the entire staff at UK that season and it was a part of the reason people turned on him....you cant say they turned on him because of the championships because look how long it took Pitino to win one....something like 7 years(im not sure if he started in 89 or 88)...Tubby had a lot of mishaps like these on recruiting...at the beginning he was good in recruiting because he was still riding Pitino's name and the kids were still looking at the legacy he put together, but whenever it got into just Tubby's way of doing thing, the recruiting fell off...