UK basketball relevant again

This year's UK men's basketball team and Coach Calipari and his staff are champions to all of the Big Blue Nation. This team achieved more with inexperience in key positions than any team since Michigan's Fab Five. Their season ended just one step away from the Final Four, which is amazing on its own, if you think about what it takes to get there. This UK team brought us the 2K. This team won 35 times to only 3 losses. This team was the SEC regular season and tournament champion. But, most of all, what this team achieved — which means more than the championships — was they brought us back. One year ago we were looking into the face of severe doldrums with no light at the end of the tunnel. Today, UK fans have so much more to look forward to. They might not have brought home No. 8 to this state but they have won the hearts and minds of the Big Blue Nation! Once again, UK is relevant to college basketball as it should be. Thank you for a very fun UK season.

Marty Fields

Lexington

Cats need tospeed things up

Every team that we have played since early in the season has known what gives them the best chance of beating us. Slow Kentucky down and make it a half-court game; play zone and hope we don't hit the three. Why did we oblige every team that wanted to do this? We did not pressure the ball and let the other team run the clock down if they wanted. Then we walk the ball up the floor, pass six times, then shoot a brick and we're one and out. We were content to play these grind-it-out games. The West Virginia game reminds me of the Georgetown game in the NCAA of way back when Kentucky was totally inept the second half — except that this game was pretty much inept both halves. Remember when Kentucky basketball was known as "racehorse basketball"? Well, we had the horses to do this but we ended up being the "Trotters."

Steve Halbert

Martin

Applaud Cats for maintaining composure

The officiating in the Kentucky-Cornell game was the worst that I have witnessed in watching basketball for 60 years. They were either totally incompetent or trying to control the outcome of the game. Kentucky would have won the game by 40 points if the fouls had been called appropriately. The same level of officiating occurred in the Kansas loss earlier in the tournament. I witnessed at least 10 deliberate fouls by Cornell, only three were actually called a basic foul, not a deliberate foul by the officials. The pushing and shoving by the Cornell players was almost surely a part of the game plan installed by the coach. These officials and the Cornell coach should be suspended from participation in any NCAA sanctioned game next season. I congratulate the Kentucky players and coaches for maintaining their composure. I would have punched someone's lights out myself.

Donald R. Fugette

Lexington

UK seasona joyride for fans

I wanted to thank the UK Wildcats for making the lives of two middle-aged, half-lonely people happy. This season has been a delight, and the only tears we will be shedding is that we may not get to see our fabulous freshmen play for UK again. And, thanks too, for making a long, cold winter livable! It has been a joyride. We will miss all of the players not returning. Thanks also to Coach Cal for bringing a little class back to our beloved team.

Jean-Ann Kerr

Cynthiana

UK should consider home-grown players

Thanks for a great season, Cats. However, at the risk of sounding like other Lexington Herald-Leader writers, I offer some criticism. I would like to see a few more good ol' home-grown Kentucky boys on the team, and playing; young men who have proven they can shoot. Elisha Justice from Shelby Valley is small, but he has proven himself. Think we will see him against us over the next few years? What about Jarrod Polson from West Jessamine? Shelvin Mack? No, wait, he's already gone.

Lee Davidson

Barbourville

Thank you, Cats!

I want to thank the Kentucky Wildcats and Coach Cal for giving us fans such a wonderful, fun year. This year has been exhilarating, uplifting, and so much more than what we expected. We have enjoyed the ride and have so much respect and admiration for all of you. What a team! Thank you!

Donna Wainscott

Lexington

It's fun again

This letter is to thank Coach Calipari and the 2009-10 Kentucky Wildcats for a wonderful season. You made watching UK basketball fun again. Congratulations for a job well done and remember that the state of Kentucky loves you and will always welcome you with open arms.

Maggie Hanrahan

Lexington

Congratulationsfrom Tennessee

Congratulations to the Wildcats on the great season. I hope you get to keep the wins.

Robert Ford

Eads, Tenn.