LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie hears all the talk about his job being on the line. He simply tries to ignore it.
The second-year coach spent 10 minutes answering questions about his job status Sunday, one day before the Wildcats (21-13) travel to Creighton (27-7) for the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
Gillispie dismissed speculation he met with top university officials Friday.
“I would say there have probably been a few rumors,” he said. “I don’t worry about it much. I worry about the things that I can control. And what we can control is how we prepare for Creighton.”
Gillispie has one of the highest-profile jobs in college basketball as coach of the sport’s winningest program.
“Shoot, I love it here,” he said. “I love this place.”
And it’s a place that must adjust to the fact that the Wildcats are not in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 18 years.
“Our guys are having fun and I’m having fun, and they’re very determined to play,” Gillispie said. “We’ll just go out there and see what we can do.”
“Unfortunately we didn’t make the NCAA tournament like we all wanted to do,” he added. “I think it hit hard when we weren’t in there and that has forced us to mature dramatically. And it will pay dividends, if it hasn’t paid dividends already.”
When asked if he had learned anything as a coach by not making the NCAA tournament, Gillispie said he hadn’t reflected on his time at Kentucky. He said he’s concentrating only on Creighton, a school Kentucky last played in 1940.
Kentucky has been hurt by the diminished play of Jodie Meeks, whose shooting percentage has dropped the last few games, and sophomore forward Patrick Patterson. Gillispie said Meeks has been worn down by the stress of the season and opposing defenses, and opponents have toughened up on Patterson under the basket.
The Bluejays are led by senior guard Booker Woodfox, who averages 15.7 points.
“They’re good in every area,” Gillispie said. “They’re a very sound team.”
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Comments » 21
gohawks1 writes:
Hang in there, Billy. Those middle school kids you recruited will be there in a few years.
thevoice writes:
Gillispie: “Shoot, I love it here,” he said. “I love this place.”
Not! We can tell how much you "love" it during all those game interviews. The only reason he's back next year is to help Barnhardt save face for another year. This team will be worst next year than this year. Too much player discontent, stars leaving for NBA or transferring. Book it. See ya. Hello Travis Ford.
ncvol17 writes:
I dislike the U of K and always have since Joe B Hall & Fran Curci days. Cat fans are a lot like Vandy fans,, wannabes in Football and braggarts in B ball when they win, cry babies when they lose.
If this coach goes, I'm sure I will dislike the next if only because he wants to be a Cat. I hope Gillispie always loses his very next game......
smokyredbone writes:
It will be hard to ignore When those Kentucky Hillbillys start chucking rocks through the windows of that castle he lives in! He likes that good Kentucky Bourbon,he ain't going anywhere!
MiserableFloridaVol writes:
Travis Ford is the next coach at Kentucky. Mark it down.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
He is making good coin.
I would ignore them and ride it till it falls.
Madkels writes:
My thoughts before reading the article.
Why couldn't Meeks go cold when we played them? If he was worn down by opposing defenses, ours gets no credit for it.
UKblue02 writes:
Ky hillbillys?
ZALWEED writes:
That wouldn't be at all like Vol fans, right? Seems like there was a lot of crying going on before Phil was removed. Ky Bball fans are like Vol football fans...they are expecting to win and when the program is falling, they expect change. Don't fault TN fans and neither do I, KY fans.
UKblue02 writes:
When you are accustomed to winning (KY BB-UT FOOTBALL)losing doesn't come easy for any team, no matter the sport.
HHUUMMBBLLEE writes:
Billy don't be a zero don't be a fool with your strife
teampenny#658108 writes:
Last time Ky won National Basketball Championship 1998 Last time for football was also 1998. Both schools fans think their schools are 10's when they really are 5's at this time. We think Lane will be are savior. The question to Wildcat fans do you think Billy is your savior? Go Vols
LiveFaith writes:
Do you think they are talking to Pearl?
HHUUMMBBLLEE writes:
No
givehim6 writes:
You show them Billy, by going out, playing like heck and winning the NIT every year!
huntined#565710 writes:
He will be back next year but he will have to win to stay for another year. Beating us twice this year will get him one more.
b_neas writes:
Kinda the same way he ignored addressing the teams offense this year. Or how he ignored getting Patterson at least 20 shots a game. He is clueless, but i hope they keep him so UT can continue its east dominance.
ZALWEED writes:
East dominance???
huntined#565710 writes:
KY will not go to the NIT looking for a COACH. They have one there now.
BamaVol80 writes:
Kentucky kicked our rears this year. When a team beats you twice in one year, you really have no room to take shots at them. You should just SHUT UP and play better next year. (Are you listening, Gatorzzzzz?)
Anyway, I have read all the comparisons with UT football and I will point out another comparison. I have always said UK hoops and UA-Tuscaloser football are very similar. I made this comparison today to a co-worker, who happens to be a fan of both (ok a very weird co-worker). He agreed, saying that fans are very similar. They both expect to win the NC every year, anything less is a let down. When they don't, their message boards go into meltdown, especially in a losing season (which for UK basketball, this season qualifies). Every coach who comes there is a genius when hired and a complete idiot when he leaves.
Unlike those two schools, Tennessee has high expectations for BOTH programs (thanks to what Coach Pearl has done). It is hard to say that we are disappointed with this past hoops season, but that is where CBP has taken this program in just 4 years. Now, let's get some guard play and get an offseason workout program like these guys have never seen. A little bit of discipline with these players and we will be right back where we left off last year. I expect the same for the Lady Vols as well.
The 2009 season will be amazing for both the football and basketball VOLS.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!
rocky_topper writes:
How can it pay dividends missing a tournament? Talk about talking out your a** on the fly!
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