Florida’s Donovan: Don’t worry about health of UK basketball program
October 23rd, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
Florida coach Billy Donovan doesn’t think anyone should be worried about the long-term status of the Kentucky basketball program.
“Last year did not work out the way coach (Billy) Gillispie wanted and it was a tough year,” said Donovan during the SEC Media Day. “Last year was uncharacteristic for them. They have always been good and will continue to be good..
“Kentucky has always had an elite program. It has always been the flagship program for this league and that doesn’t matter whether it has been with Pitino, Smith, Calipari or Sutton. It is Kentucky. I don’t look for that to change any time soon. It’s a great program. I was there when coach Pitino won 16 straight league games. I was in the league when Tubby won 16 in a row. That’s just Kentucky.”
While some proclaim that the SEC needs both Florida and Kentucky to be strong to maintain national exposure, Donovan says the UK program is the bellcow for the SEC.
“Kentucky has had success for so many years. It has won more SEC championships than every other school in the league combined,” he said. “There was a time where some athletic directors didn’t worry about basketball in this league. Now they are seeing you can have good football and basketball teams. At Kentucky, it has flip flopped and they also have the football program going. It has been proven you can have a good football and basketball team and you are seeing more of that in this league.
“Other teams have had success in basketball, but not like what Kentucky has had on a consistent basis. Others did lift the rest of the league at times, but Kentucky is the team that has done it year after year. The tradition of Kentucky is so incredible. The last 10 years — except for the last two — have been good at Florida. But that doesn’t put us at the level of Kentucky.”
Posted in UK Basketball
9 Responses to “Florida’s Donovan: Don’t worry about health of UK basketball program”
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Man that guy just made me look like I really know what I’m talking about. If you read my post on the young man from Ala story you will find a lot of what I said in what BD had to say. Up or down(perception is reality) UK is and always will be the team all SEC teams want to beat. Bruce Pearl said almost the same thing in the article you did on him. Of course it’s just my opinion but I’m sticking to it. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME.
The SEC does truly fear and respect UK at the same time
Larry, no offense, but I don’t think anyone is worried about the program now that Cal is here!
Bruce Pearl is the only coach in the SEC that I think really has a problem giving UK the respect it deserves in SEC. Proclaiming that the road to the “SEC title goes through Knoxville”. Fine Bruce, but we beat you twice last season on a down year. Nice to see Donovan giving us the respect we deserve.
Dan–The road to the SEC title DOES go through Knoxville…and every other SEC city the UK has to travel to this season!
Nice line Brad. I like that. And House, I know fans are not worried now and that is what I meant by the SEC fearing UK again. Donovan has always respected UK even if he did turn the Cats down and eventualy cause UK to go with Gillispie.
Larry, Good point in that Donovan respects UK, but I have never felt like we’ve been told the full story about why Donovan did “turn the Cats down”. Mitch said they spoke for what, 1 hour? and the decision was mutual. Some reporters say that Rick Barnes turned us down, too. ???
Larry, Billy D may be the only other coach close to Cal when it comes to flattering the opponent. I would like to propose that you get both coaches to take the stage for a Compliment-off, with you as moderator. Points would be scored for:
-Thickest smoke blown up an opposing teams posterior
-Most unrealistically optimistic statement made about an opponent with no shot of winning
-Most blatantly inaccurate sandbagging statement about their own teams chances
-Best hair (In fact, you could probably get a hair-care product to sponsor)
Let me know when this will air because I want to set my DVR.
Great article. GO BIG BLUE!!!
Jim Barr, I am not sure we will ever know the true story about why Billy D. backed out. I still think it has a lot to do with his wife. Could be wrong.
And Jim Boyers, that would be a show a lot would pay to see. But I do like coaches that praise an opponent.