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PreecherJenkins · Junior Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 263

and the memphis game was a favor to DK to give him a big time opp. to play against in Boston.

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 10:34 am Post subject:

And he wouldn't do DK a favor again if DK really needed it?

I understand the family thing... I really do. The chances are slim, but there is still a chance (this year or in the future).
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NilesGold · Senior Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 1428

Coaches might not like playing against their "family" but it is a bit selfish to close off that avenue. For the teams and programs, some of those games would be very valuable.

ShotPutNC · Junior Joined: 05 Feb 2012 Posts: 633 Location: Amherst

^ I dont understand how it is selfish. If DK and Cal can both get to the tournament without playing each other, why would they?

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 11:43 am Post subject:

It isn't selfish at all... not sure why Niles would suggest that. I completely get why they don't want to play each other and that makes sense, but I'd also think that the family members would step up to the plate in a pinch if necessary.
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Stop waiting for UMass to do something big and help UMass do something big. - Shades

NilesGold · Senior Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 1428

I'm not saying it isn't without some merit or cause, but for a coach to have a blanket policy of "I will not play against X" because of who the coach is, that is selfish. The coach is making that decision because of how it affects them on a personal level, not because of how it affects the team or program on a professional level.

I'm fine with giving DK the right to say no and it's not a big deal nor should it be cause for alarm or an uproar, but it should be acknowledged for what it is and it's unfortunate because a game with Kentucky seems like it would make sense on a lot of levels right now.

uz2b-len · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 2:05 pm Post subject:

Actually, it's the opposite of selfish and unprofessional. A lawyer or dr or psychologist would avoid providing services to a family member or close friend because it is hard to be objective in that situation (as well as for reasons of confidentiality). The same applies here, when the coaches don't really want to defeat each other. It's kinda like all those crappy Wimbledon finals between Venus and Sarena, when neither one wanted to win. The professional thing is NOT to schedule a team where your commitment and objectivity could be compromised.
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NilesGold · Senior Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 1428

I don't want to spend too much time on this because it is pretty inconsequential, but I just wanted to mention a few things. I can completely understand a coach not wanting to play a friend during the post-season or even in a conference game, or if said friend was in danger of being fired (that would be very rough). But outside of those situations I really do not understand the extreme reluctance to playing a friend. I don't believe for a second that any of Calipari's disciples would feel bad for beating Kentucky next year in Nov/Dec (non-conf game). And I don't think Calipari should feel bad if Kentucky were to win, because losing to Kentucky is not a bad thing.

P.S. After re-reading my post (which in a way didn't quite jive with my earlier post) I just had a crazy thought. I think DK isn't being selfish here, I suspect he would really love to play against Kentucky, but he is going to stand by the "not playing friends" line to avoid Calipari's wrath. Because for some reason Calipari has decided he does not want to have to play against his disciples under any circumstances.

PJ2015 · Sophomore Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 204

ShotPutNC · Junior Joined: 05 Feb 2012 Posts: 633 Location: Amherst

There are 68 teams each year in the NCAA. The Calipari Family Tree would be more than happy if all of them got in. In an instance where they have to face each other, a la Tony Barbee and Cal with the SEC conference scheduling, they will oblige. But, it makes more sense for the coaches to face others from the field of 68 so that everyone has the best chance of getting in without harming the others.

You may say losing to Kentucky as UMass wouldn't hurt us that bad. But Kentucky losing to us would drop them significantly in the polls/RPI and hurt their recruiting potentially (which is priority 1 there). The same would be true if we lost to Auburn. The variance in team performance from year to year make scheduling these types of games quite bad. If god forbid we lost Chaz, does our RPI drop to 100? 150? It makes us a lot less attractive on anyone's schedule. Imagine then we still upset a team like that? DK would rather upset Bill Self at Kansas and hinder their postseason resume than to do it to a friend.

NilesGold · Senior Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 1428

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 3:52 pm Post subject:

^

That's not true, since DK and Bru talked about not wanting to play each other in the regular season as well for the exact same reason.
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Stop waiting for UMass to do something big and help UMass do something big. - Shades

NilesGold · Senior Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 1428

^
What that I said isn't true? I'm telling you Calipari has all of his disciples bought into the "we won't play each other line" to shield himself. Regardless, DK and Bruiser not wanting to play each other is not the same thing as DK not wanting to play Calipari.

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject:

I think you are so far off base on this one... we are going to agree to disagree.
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Stop waiting for UMass to do something big and help UMass do something big. - Shades

vanmeter · Senior Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 1265

What would be great is a home and home (TD Bank Garden) with Kentucky. I'm sure we would do it in a flash but doubt Calipari would.

It would be a tremendous plus for Umass and no question a sellout. But then again we have everything to gain from this and Kentucky not so much.