Fan criticism will not help Cats
January 27th, 2010 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
Sometimes the best part of Kentucky basketball can also be the worst part of Kentucky basketball.
I still remember Joe Hall telling me that almost 30 years ago during a period when he was being roasted by fans when his team was having a “January slump” and fans thought it was his fault.
Apparently some UK fans that were upset by the Wildcats’ sluggish play in Tuesday’s 68-62 loss at South Carolina have been venting today, too, and have upset both players and their families with comments left on various Internet sites, especially Facebook pages.
Here is what UK junior Patrick Patterson, who had a season-low five points and did not score in the second half posted on his personal page: “People please get a hold of yourselves … this is insane… To the entire Big Blue Nation. Do not talk to me or message me about the performances of myself and my teammates OR question our talent, pride, or love for this University.”
Fair enough.
On his fan page, Patterson left this update: One loss doesn’t mean anything. It was a learning experience and we now know anything can happen. We got to stay focused and get ready for the next game against Vandy. Lets stay on top Kentucky!
I checked with the parents of several players today and while they were as upset with the loss as any fan, they also were a little hurt that a team that started the season 19-0 was being blasted by some fans even though one parent managed to keep a sense of humor and suggested maybe the critics were “undercover Louisville fans” trying to create trouble.
Here’s what another parent said: “People forget that they are kids. These boys go through enough. It’s not okay to dog them out. Please tell the fans to back off. They are leaving negative comments on Facebook pages.”
Tywanna Patterson, who regularly posts on vaughtsviews.com, was on her way back from South Carolina today. Like many, she was disappointed and not happy with the team’s play. However, she’s also a mother. “Win or lose, I love my son and the Cats,” she said.
My guess is that is how most UK fans feel, and always will.
Here’s what Dale McCue Castle posted on Facebook: “I am so proud to be a Cat fan despite the loss last night. Downey was awesome, and we get another chance at him at Rupp. We will grow stronger because of this setback, and remember, we have the longest winning streak of any team in the country this year. Go Cats!”
Or here is one from Matt Davis: You find out who your true fans are when you lose your first game of the season and everyone starts freakin out on you. UK was in the NIT last year people! CALM DOWN. They are still the best to wear KENTUCKY across their chests in a LONG time!”
Even John Calipari, who went on a recruiting trip Wednesday since UK had the day off, had a calming message for fans on his Facebook page that he posted at mid-afternoon: “Let me remind every1 of something: It’s never quite as good as it seems & it’s never quite as bad it seems. Somewhere in between lies reality. In 2008 we were No. 1 & we lost at HOME. But we used that loss to catapult us to the final game. Our challenge now is to have this loss do a similar thing. As long as we can all accept that we got out-coached, out-hustled, out-played and out-toughed, we can move forward and grow.”
Posted in UK Basketball
The passion that drives UK fans is the best in the world. But as we all know it can be the worst thing about the BBN at the same time. I am very proud of these Cats. People forget that a big part of the core of this team is made up of freshmen. They have managed to win every game up until the USC game. That was an amazing feat. Freshmen aren’t supposed to react to the high pressure world of UK basketball like that. No other freshman dominated team has ever played this well at UK. I know that for a fact because I’ve been watching since they first allowed freshment to play. I hope the players don’t take the comments of a few overzealous fans to heart. Remember they just like to win and they get hurt by losses. It’s a blessing to have fans that involved but it can be a curse. Patterson is one of the classiest players to ever wear the blue and white. He’s never uttered a critical comment, he’s on course to graduate in 3 years, and he has been a major contributor over 3 years despite being the lone inside presence with real talent for two of those years. How anyone can criticize him is beyond me. Every player has an off night. The fact the president called the team had to affect them. Personally I feel like the president was hogging in on their accomplishments but that’s another story. Young players can only take so much in the way of accolades before it affects the way they play. It’s just human nature.
I’ve thought for a while that there were some things that needed to be changed for this team to be championship quality. And it’s hard to convince players of that when they are winning every game. Now is the time to take a hard look at where the team can improve and grow from that. The SEC is a tough league this year and USC was no easy out. I told my wife it would be a tough game and that the Cats might just lose there. But I see some of the young players learning from their mistakes in that game. Remember that they blew several wide open layups. That’s a team that doesn’t have it’s head on straight. And guards have to be seasoned to really dominate. The freshmen duo of Bledsoe and Wall are fantastically talented. But it was too much to expect them to be perfect. They will learn that some of the things that have been getting by with will not work against tough competition. And all the competition in the SEC is tough especially on the road. They will boucne back because they are winners. They have shown that already. I just hope pushy fans don’t discourage these great players because it would be a shame to turn the enchanted carriage into a pumpkin. I hope people lay off and support these kids instead because they could blow up over this. I don’t think they will but it’s possible. I know I’m proud of them for this season already. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost another game or two. Their schedule is looking tough. But they are great players and the cream rises to the top.
Larry,
Great topic. It is sad that people would do or say things like that about out KY players. None of them deserve that even if we were 0 – 20. They make many sacrifies to play here.
Mrs. Patterson I wouldn’t worry about what some boneheads say. Your son will be a success in lifw no matter what he does. I’m sure you and Mr. Patterson couldn’t be prouder of him.
GO CATS !!!!!!!!
Larry, I might be wrong, but I think this is the most commented on story that I have ever seen on your site. The sheer volume of outrage over the situation shows that your readers are true fans and not losers who fall off the bandwagon when it hits the first bump in the trail.
WE LOVE THESE GUYS AND THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE!!!
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
I agree Jim – Larry has stirred the good in all UK Cat Fans with his story. GO CATS!!
Think you are right Jim. I just made it No. 100, and I expect more. And players and parents have noticed your support here
Nice aricle Larry, this is only 1 game we still have 20 more to go. We will probably hit another bump or 2 in the road. I am just enjoying this group while we have them. I really hope we come out Saturday and answer the bell. This is a huge game for both UK and Vandy.
Larry,
I have recently started reading your articles, and I really enjoy them. Thanks and keep up the good work.
GO CATS
You pricks that are blaming Louisville fans should really get hold of yourselves. Your obsession borders on craziness. UofL fans generally don’t like UK but for the most part we just don’t give a poop what happens to UK or it’s fans. Wallow in your own misery and save your anger for the day that your greasy coach gets you in the same bowl of crap that he has left everywhere else he’s been.
Patrick Patterson is the meaning of kentucky. All the true blue will always remeber and love you. Thank you so much for choosing KY.
Thanks BAker and agree with you John
And Rebel, I look for a huge game out of the Cats SAturday
I honestly do not think these people are really UK fans. I haven’t heard anyone criticize these guys’ performance. I think my friends are pretty representative. I just wish that the majority of fans, ie the ones who completely support the program and the players, and their sentiments warranted news stories so that these kids would hear what the BBN was really saying, not these imposters that give us a bad name.
goooooo catsssssss. those negative comments arent from true uk fans. we would have loved a perfect season. but hey lets get real. ive been behind our team all the way. even through the very lean years i still held my head high and bosted of being a kentucky fan. your doing a great job kids and keep your heads up high.
Teresa and Peggy, thanks for adding your perspective and I think this outpouring of Big Blue love will really show on Saturday
Thank you Pat for all you have done for our University, and sticking through the tough times you have endured the past 3 years. Thank you Mrs. Patterson for allowing us to enjoy your son for 3 years. Unfortunately, the only time I am embarrassed and disappointed to be a cat fan has nothing to do with the team and young men who put it all on the line for us. It is with the small percentage of our fans, that make us look like fools. I apologize on behalf of the BBN! GO CATS!
I don’t know how many UK fans can speak “Loserville”. So I thought that I would help you guys and translate the comments made by HAROLD MILLER, in his above post:
Line 1: You pricks that are blaming Louisville fans should really get hold of yourselves.
Translation: WE LOSERVILLE FANS THOUGHT WE WERE PRETTY SMART BY DOING THIS. I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU FIGURED IT OUT.
Line 2: Your obsession borders on craziness.
Translation: I AM JEALOUS THAT MY TEAM ISN’T DOING ANYTHING THAT I CAN BRAG ABOUT.
Line 3: UofL fans generally don’t like UK, but for the most part we just don’t give a poop what happens to UK or its’ fans.
Translation: LOSERVILLE FANS REALLY, REALLY HATE UK AND I SPEND ALL DAY LETTING IT EAT ME UP INSIDE. THAT’S WHY I’M READING AND POSTING ON A BLOG THAT IS FOR UK FANS, INSTEAD OF PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT’S GOING ON WITH MY OWN “TEAM”.
Line 4: Wallow in your own misery and save your anger for the day that your greasy coach gets you in the same bowl of crap that he has left everywhere else he’s been.
Translation: I CAN’T STAND IT THAT YOU GUYS ARE WINNING AND ARE HAPPY. I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT UK HAS DONE WRONG, SO I WILL JUST REPEAT THE SAME OLD, TIRED LINES THAT ALL THE OTHER HATERS DO. DAMN, I WISH I WASN’T SO IMPOTENT WITH WORDS.
I hope that this helps everyone. Not that anyone really gives a POOP what the Loserville fans think.
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Jim–
LOL. Thanks for the translation.
Every program has “bad fans” who reflect badly on the program. Unfortunately, because our University has such a strong following, the number of those fans is higher than with most other programs. Because of this, we get a bad reputation and are stereotyped as a veracious, over-aggressive, rabid fan base. Well, there are plenty of TRUE die-hard fans who understand basketball and support the team no matter what- including myself and most of the fans who frequent this site. I was mad that we lost but would never berate our team or insult them. Who does that? That is so tacky and low class. These are young men who are still growing up and need support, not degradation. I wish people who can’t control their emotions would stay away from the computer or wait until the sting goes away. I was sad too, I’m a true fan- I wanted to cry but you have to get over it and realize we are still a formidable team. On the positive side, we have the monkey off our back of all the undefeated talk. I hope the program knows better than this and understand there is a fleet of fans standing strong in full support of them. Also, these venomous lunatics need to understand that this hurts recruiting. Why would other future superstars want to come to an environment where every small mistake will be blown out of proportion and over-scrutinized? I understand the tradition and greatness come with a price tag, but will anyone be willing to pay that?
Jim, love your humor.
Terrific comments Jackie. Thanks for taking time to share them
I am 51 years old and have been a UK fan since I first heard Cawood Ledford on the radio during the 1968-69 season. I, like many other fans, am disappointed each time UK loses a game but will always be proud of the players. I was disappointed with the loss to SC but I continue to be proud of this team. The so called UK fans who bashed the players are not legitimate fans – they are either rival fans posing to support UK or bitter bandwagon wannabe fans. They do not support the program.
There are so many jealous and envious fans of other programs, such as harold miller; they find it necessary to disparage this program and fabricate stories to make it appear that UK fans are fanatical. I believe that the majority (not all) of the negativity regarding the “facebook” episode were manufactured by opposing fans in an attempt to alienate the players and discourage recruits from considering UK. That’s my opinon…FWIW.
For those who participated in the facebook negativity, they should be queried regarding the history and personnel of the UK program. If their answers are inaccurate or they refuse to participate, then that evinces their true fandom.
JForrest, I would love to see you give some of those folks the Kentucky basketball exam and see how they hold up. Thanks for such a passionate, logical post
UK fans becoming ones own enemy. Allowing passion to erode at first signs of anything less than perfection. Never taking into account words affecting the very thing they claim to live for.
Living in a different era. No longer words spoken in the heat of the moment remain in ones own living room in front of a tv or a kitchen by the radio. The ways of old are replaced by a keyboard broadcasting sorrow into cyber world easily finding company whom seek like mysery. Together, analyzing and finally petty name calling. One minute a star, the next a DUD?
Fast growing popularity of message board chatter becoming sabotage to the once beloved Big Blue Nation. Non private messages read from rivals to players to recruits and their parents. Magnified are the disparaging remarks of our own to those whom we seek to bring, to deliver us a championship.