Kentucky players have a lot of work to do to win a game and also win back a lot of fans after a 1-5 start. (CBS Sports Classic Photo)
Not sure if the Kentucky basketball fan base is already out of patience with the Cats after just six games but it sure is starting to seem that way. The loss to North Carolina Saturday was UK’s fifth straight — a huge no-no obviously at Kentucky, especially with the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class that coach John Calipari praised so much all summer.
I scanned my Twitter timeline after Saturday’s loss and picked out a few comments from fans who I think normally are very reasonable in their expectations for UK basketball.
“In about 2 weeks Larry this outrage will turn to apathy. People will start tuning out,” Jon Kelly Johnson posted.
I think he could be right, too, especially after I read what my friend April Peal posted — and she is so die-hard she drives from Tennessee to most UK home basketball games and has for years.
“We just fell apart the last 12 minutes or so. I’m not even mad, just really sad. Even all the Tennessee fans at work are feeling bad for me,” Peal posted.
Ouch. That’s the worst kind of sympathy for a UK fan to receive. Then Krissy Darnall responded by telling Peal “that’s how I feel too.”
Kentucky fans just sad and not mad over a loss to North Carolina? That’s a low bar for Kentucky basketball considering when the season started a month ago UK was in the top 10.
“I will be honest if we won 63-60, I would not be happy. This team is horrible to watch. I might start going to dentist during games, taking colonoscopy medicine and doing dishes,” John Lopez posted. “All more fun than watching this team heave the ball toward the rim.”
The shooting has been atrocious most of the season and UK’s lack of fight — something Calipari will not dispute — has also been discouraging to fans.
“Team has too many glaring issues this year. No one wants to be Alpha dog,” Randy Webb wrote.
Myself, I worry UK may have too many guys wanting to be the Alpha dog and not enough willing to do the unsung dirty work.
“Last week fans on call-in show after game were optimistic after good 2nd half (against Notre Dame). Won’t be that way today after a lethargic 2nd half,” Chip Hutcheson wrote.

“How many more disappointing efforts are we going to see with this team? Six games into the season and the coach and team seem to have a huge disconnect. Players first though,” Jeff Wilkerson posted.
I think Hutcheson and Wilkerson are both right. There does seem to be a disconnect on this team and soon that disconnect is going to reach the majority of fans. Or maybe it already has.
“Can NCAA cancel rest of season for Kentucky? Save the embarrassment this team is doing to Kentucky program,” Bryon Issac tweeted.
