I.Q. of UK fans A-OK?

I keep hearing how intelligent UK fans are. In fact, Billy Gillispie made that very point on Tuesday when asked what the fans should look for to know the Cats are playing hard.

“Our fans are very, very, very, very, very knowledgeable,” Gillispie said. “As knowledgeable as any that have been part of college basketball.”

So how to explain the voice mail message I heard when I arrived at the office Wednesday morning. A man who described himself as a UK graduate from 27 years ago was distressed about the starting lineup for the Pikeville College game proposed by Gillispie.

The fan, who didn’t give his name, said Joe Crawford and Jared Carter should start.

Perhaps Gillispie will use the lineup to support his message that those with great practice habits will be rewarded in games.

Perhaps injuries to Crawford (coming back after being sidelined for weeks because of a knee) and Carter (shoulder surgeries) explain why they’re not starting.

Perhaps starting in an exhibition game is meaningless.

Shouldn’t basketball-savvy fans know this?