Something's rotten in the state of Denmark...

Okay, maybe it's in Lexington, Kentucky but same difference. The state of Kentucky's basketball program is in question, yet again. Doesn't it seem like this happens over and over again. Rumors are circling around the program and thus consuming the thoughts and conversations of every UK basketball fan in the Big Blue Nation.

If Tubby is no longer going to remain the coach, Mitch Barnhart did a good thing by not mentioning it in his statement. A vote of no confidence right now would kill the season right before tournament time.

However, if the plan is to keep Tubby Smith here in Lexington, then Mitch Barnhart's statement should have reflected those sentiments. I truly believe that his statement has brought about more questions surrounding the validity of the rumors floating around.

Speaking of confusion... It's time for UK fans to decide what they truly look for in a coach. Is it victories all around (regular season and tournament), or is it final fours? Sometimes, I believe that UK fans get caught up more in the race to get to the final four rather than the championship itself. What is the basic level of excellence that a coach must be expected to maintain at Kentucky? I honestly think that it needs to be laid out. When a coach takes a job here, why don't the fans just say:

"we expect you to do x by __. We also expect you to repeat x goal by _____. The means to which you achieve this goal we will live with. However, you must do this for us or we will put pressure on you until either you look elsewhere or UK decides to find someone else."

Tubby Smith spoke yesterday of the need for his team to find their identity. Well I think that goes the same for the UK fan base. What are the expectations for the UK basketball coach? Can we all agree upon something?

It is hard for me to hide my objectivity in this matter. I went to UK. I've been a UK fan since I was young. But we have to figure out what we want.

Everyone thought they wanted better recruiting, Tubby brought in the #1 recruiting class... We know what that did.

Is it just final fours and championships?

Let's all get together on this.

As for Tubby, I can't possibly understand how he can go through it every year. He knew what it was like here in Lexington when he became coach, but I think he honestly feels like he's tried everything with this team and with the fans. He's running out of options.

Now I'm not going to be one of those guys who blames the internet (because every team has message boards. They've been around for a while...) But the negativity has been around him since the beginning. So everyone can either decide to fix the relationship here, or it's time for the divorce.

But it would be premature to make the decision now. Mitch Barnhart was right to wait until the end of the season. Can the fans do the same?