[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Two days ago, Nick Saban led the Alabama Crimson Tide to yet another National Championship victory. Nine months ago, John Calipari did the same with his Kentucky Wildcat team. Alabama football and Kentucky basketball have A LOT in common. Not only were they successful in the past, but both Alabama football and Kentucky basketball are now on top of the sports world.
Both programs bring in the best talent year in and year out. Not only that, but both programs have arguably the best coaches in the college sports world. Nick Saban and John Calipari bring in the best talent year in and year out. We can honestly say that it seems like both programs get whoever and whatever they want. Both programs have the best facilities in the nation and arguably the most loyal fans in all of sports. If you’re a top football recruit in the nation, it is your dream to get a phone call from Nick Saban; and that’s the same with a top basketball recruit waiting on that phone call from John Calipari. The big question is: Who wouldn’t want to play for these coaches and programs? Alabama’s three titles in the past four years speaks for itself; as well does Kentucky’s recent success. Saban may have more rings than Calipari, but no one can argue that Kentucky isn’t on top of the college basketball world right now.
All athletes grow up dreaming of either playing in the NFL or the NBA. The Alabama football and Kentucky basketball programs turn those dreams into a reality every single year. What more exposure could you want as a recruit? Playing on National TV almost every single game. Competing for national championships every single year. Leaving your dorm room and getting mobbed by students and fans that all know who you are. These two programs’ success speaks for itself. Both with the most national championships in their sports and both in arguably the best conference in the nation. Alabama’s backup running backs and Kentucky’s bench players even find a way to get their name called in the NFL and NBA drafts. Those types of players could go anywhere else in the country and not only start, but maybe even be the star. But at Alabama and Kentucky, you get the privilege to play with the best players in the nation every day. Why play against them once a year when you can play with them every day in practice. It’s not easy being a part of the Alabama football and Kentucky basketball traditions, that’s why these programs only bring in the best talent in the nation. Why sit at home and watch the final four and national championship games on TV when you could be out there competing for that ring? These two programs are unlike any other. The only way to put it is: they’re the best; and with Saban and Calipari staying at the college level, I don’t see anything changing any time soon. These two programs own the past, and it sure looks like they will own the future.
@Austin_AG_KSR
[powered by WordPress.]
32 queries. 0.550 seconds
January 9th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
OMG!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE…this is the BEST article EVER!!
XOXO
January 9th, 2013 at 10:30 pm
We have to hope that Cal can gain the success that Saban has had and I see no reason whatsoever why that won’t happen. He’s gotta stay healthy and that is hard to do because the work is so demanding. He really never gets any time off as he is always coaching or recruiting or speaking or doing charitable work. Just the travel alone would kill an ordinary person. It all takes a toll. So, we’ll hope he stays in good health and if he does there is just no telling how many championships he’ll bring in. UCLA’s record may be in jeopardy.
January 10th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
This is an interesting question. In some ways, Alabama is superior to UK. It has won I believe 9 titles – giving it more than UK. It has also won 3 of the last 4, meaning it is even hotter right now. On the other hand, it would be interesting to compare how many titles UK would have it were determined by an AP and coaches poll vote rather than a tournament like all of Alabama’s titles – with 3 in the current BCS system.
UK might have won titles in ’48, ’49, 51 and ’58, which it did, but I think one of those years Seattle was the favorite. Based on a vote, it might have won in ’66. It would have won ’78. It might have been close in ’83 – maybe splitting the title with Georgetown. It would have won last year. It might not have won in ’96 though, as UMass had a better record and beat UK head to head prior to the tourney. It would not have won in ’98 – UK was a 2 seed. But it might have won ’97. It would have won the year we lost to Marquette – we were #1 then. The UAB loss team might have been #1 also – can’t recall. I might be wrong about some of these. Would UK have even more championships with an AP/Coaches poll? Perhaps.