You sir are the master of dodging everything and trying to spin your way out of answering anything of substance.
1. An outstanding record (and a well deserved raise) but the lack of a Final Four appearance or a National Title dampens it a bit. You just can't deny that.
2. Joe Craft is also a UK alum and a native Kentuckian who made his fortune in the energy business. His friendship with OTS was/is real but his connection with the University and the commonwealth was as well. Plus, Mitch has alienated long time Old Boy Network boosters with his new model and vision for UK athletics. It's no longer about what you gave 30 years ago, who you know or how you profit from "favors" in the AD's office. You can also ignore the fact that Mitch gave OTS what he always wanted and committed to him fully. His repayment? Sub-par recruiting, some really bad records his last two seasons (and losses) and bolting for another school.
3. Tubby is an outstanding basketball coach and Pitino has yet to regain the magic in revitalizing the UofL program post-Crum that he had at Kentucky (which is hard. That was a very special time at a very special place. That kind of magic doesn't come around very often). Both are HoF, National Championship coaches. What any of that has to do with OTS following Pitino at Kentucky (like Joe B following Rupp) is beyond me.
4. Maybe so. But I also know he's told Van Florence (among others) that he and Donna are planning on returning to Kentucky once Tubby retires. Just like Clem Haskins has returned (albeit he is a native son) after he left Minnesota. I think Tubby and his family love Kentucky and a lot of the people there. What they don't enjoy is the intense focus and spotlight on Kentucky Basketball. It's hard to survive in the job. It either takes great ego (Rupp, Pitino) or great character (Tubby Smith) to survive. Lesser men (like Eddie Sutton) haven't fared as well.
