Everyone knows the love- hate relationship that UK fans with Tubby Smith during his last few years at Kentucky.

In fact many fans blame the current state of the program on coach Smith when they look down the bench and can't count more than four players that he recruited that could even play Divsion I basketball.

What a difference a change of scenery and expectations can make for someone in Tubby's position.  Smith was harshly criticized for not winning a title with his recruits but many forget the number of SEC titles he won in addition to leading UK to an undefeated SEC regular season.  Only the third time it had every been accomplished.

Now Tubby finds himself in Minnesota where expectations are so low coming into the season that if his team won more than 5 games it would be more than the past two seasons for Gopher fans.  Well don't look now but the Golden Gophers are 12-4 with two of their losses being a 6-point loss to Michigan State and a 5-point loss to Indiana.  Yeah, I know bitter UK fans say "Minnesota hasn't played anyone" and to those fans I saw be very careful.  UK lost to Gardner Webb and San Diego at Rupp Arena so people with glass houses shouldn't throw rocks.

Keith Bogans, Tayshaun Prince, Erik Daniels, Chuck Hayes, Kelenna Azubuike, Rajon Rondo are all in the NBA.  All players who Smith recruited as was accused of ruining with his style of offense.  Apparently he was good enough to get them to the NBA.

Enjoy the ride Gopher fans, Tubby Smith is a class act and a great human being.  He will do your program proud.