[Quality88]

Billy Gillispie did not like the last shot that Joe Crawford took in the University of Kentucky's 79-76, come-from-14-points-ahead loss to Alabama Birmingham in Freedom Hall yesterday.
It wasn't simply that Crawford missed the shot -- a three-point try from the right wing with about nine seconds to play. Gillispie, UK's coach, didn't like circumstances of the shot. Thought it wasn't a good shot. Thought it was out of sync. Perhaps a bit rushed.
Probably didn't even like Crawford's facial expression.
In fact, Gillispie thought the Wildcats needed a timeout and said that he tried to call one. The coach said Crawford did not hear him.
Know this: Michael Porter and Ramel Bradley also said they did not hear their coach. Neither, apparently, did the officials.
Of course, Gillispie also must not have liked the way Crawford practiced last week. For the fourth time in eight games, Crawford, UK's leading scorer, started the game on the bench.
Ramon Harris started -- and gave UK five turnovers and no points in 12 minutes.
Puzzling relationship
This silliness between Gillispie and Crawford needs to end if Kentucky intends to resurrect its sagging season.
Surprised to begin the game from the comforts of a folding chair, Joe?
"Um, I don't really want to talk about it," Crawford said, quietly.
It was just another befuddling moment in the ongoing mental tug of war between the new head coach and the most acclaimed player whom Tubby Smith left behind on Gillispie's undermanned roster.
Yes, Joe Crawford missed the final shot. Yes, Crawford got beat on defense occasionally (although it wasn't Crawford who got charbroiled for 33 points by UAB's Robert Vaden). Yes, he made two turnovers.
Crawford also scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half. He made two free throws that tied the game at 66. He twisted and then elevated along the baseline for a reverse layup that cut UAB's lead to 77-76 with 40 seconds left. It was a prime-time play that few other UK players could make.
A questioner asked Gillispie for his evaluation of Crawford's performance. In 29 minutes, Crawford finished with 16 points, making 4 of 8 three-point shots, and collected four rebounds, three assists, a blocked shot and a steal.
"He played OK," Gillispie said.
Just OK?
"He played OK, yeah," Gillispie said.
Here's my analysis of this UK team, the one that sits with a 4-4 record and has yet to beat a team with a Ratings Percentage Index ranking better than 132.
Until Gillispie warms up and embraces Crawford and Crawford figures out how to please his new coach, Kentucky is going to keep losing games like the one the Wildcats should not have lost to UAB yesterday.
Resolve differences
This little dance between coach and player has gone on long enough, especially in a season when the Wildcats are already missing Jodie Meeks and Derrick Jasper. Coach and player need to share a cup of eggnog and work it out.
Gillispie is the new sheriff in town, determined to spread the word that these players are going to train, practice and play his way. That's fair. I understand that.
But Crawford is hardly a scrub or even a sub -- not on this team. He is one of UK's three best players, the guy who can get tough baskets, a guy who understands how to score for a team that has scored fewer than 70 points in half of its games.
Coaching is more than establishing a new system and preaching a new work ethic. Coaching is also getting the best from your best players.
Joe Crawford is one of Kentucky's best players. It's time that Gillispie got him playing like one.

[Quality88]

Crawford needs to get his head out of his A$$. The whole team needs to listen to their coach. I can tell you what the problem is. They haven't had a coach who will actually get in their ass when they are doin well, or practicin well. It's affecting the younger players just comin in