Morehead State Coach Sean Woods said on a Monday teleconference that he did not like the “vibe” he got from Kentucky players at the recent telethon to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims.
Morehead State later sent reporters alerting them to clarifications Woods made on his twitter account.
“In no way were my comments meant to offend or insult the current players at UK,” Woods tweeted. “Simply an observation of today’s youth everywhere.”
Woods also tweeted his admiration for UK Coach John Calipari and re-stated the pride he takes in being a former UK player.
During the teleconference, Woods explained what he meant by the UK player “vibe” he did not like during his appearance at the telethon.
“They didn’t seem like Kentucky basketball players to me, and I’ll leave it at that,” Woods said.
But Woods did elaborate a moment later, saying modern-day players don’t appreciate the game’s history. He also seemed to wonder if UK players this season appreciate what playing for Kentucky means.
“There is just a certain way and a certain look Kentucky basketball players should have,” said Woods, who played for UK in the early 1990s. “And not have such sense of entitlement.
“I think today it’s still an honor to wear that uniform.”
Woods noted how Calipari’s three previous seasons as UK coach have transformed the program into a well-oiled production line that places multiple players in the NBA each season.
The Morehead State coached wondered aloud if that quick path to the NBA leads players to take Kentucky for granted.
“I think these kids should be more appreciative,” Woods said. “. . . You went through there and it helped you become who you are in those six, seven to eight months.”
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
3 comments ↓
as an avid morehead state fan, and one who remembers woods’ play for the unforgettables back in the 90′s, it’s understandable he wouldn’t understand coach cal’s one and dones. woods, feldhaus, and those guys were a completely different breed than the guys looking to fast track to the nba.
How do you compare Laettner or his NBA history, to Wilt Chamberlin or earl Monroe, give me a break…And, Wood’s state’s, ” they don’t seem like Ky Players to me “, HELLO, ” Mc Fly “, they are 18 year olds, who just arrived to Campus…I remember, my 1 st semester, I didn’t feel like a College Student at Kentucky and I’m from Kentucky… Way to self righteous for me. But, I still love ya, Sean.
Sean Says” Alex is no Mashburn ” and he’s right, at this point of the Season, alex is Better…Sean, Jamal as a FRESHMAN in his first 3 games…geesh, Wood’s put things in perspective, before you comment, it seems you speak personally and not reality…I believe Kyle has the knowledge and perspective to make that comment. 3 games SEAN, dang… I need to look up Jamal’s stats for the first few games and compare, hummm…
Reply
Larry T Clemons says:
November 20, 2012 at 12:02 pm
OK, Sean are you ready…Mashburn’s first 3 Games (12 pts, 18 pts, 14 pts), Your right Kyle was wrong Alex is actually Better Than Mash, so far…and another point, Jamal only scored more than 20 points in 3 games The Entire Freshman Season. I bet Alex will doulbe that…Hmmm. Sean, seems your lack of Knowledge on Kentucky Basketball is a little cloudy…And, this is exactlly what you complained about towards Our Current Team. I wish these facts on your hypocracy, would get as much press as your statements, shaming Our Current Players. ” Jamal, Wow, I don’t know about that one “,Woods says. Sean, Your Right You don’t know ! And, I think you owe a group of young men an apology. But, that would take a real Man and a great Coach, step up Brother…