Tubby Watch Day Three--Tubby on PTI!!

Tubby Smith is all over the place! After yesterday's appearance on Mike and Mike, you joined Tony (TK Stack Money) Kornheiser and Dan LeBatard (filling in for Michael Wilbon, who would've played the race card if he had been present).

Here is a rundown of the questions and Tubby's answers. My (The Kid's) comments will appear in italics.

TK: Is UK in the tournament?

OTS: Yes, won 20 games, 9 in the SEC, it's a tough conference with a lot of good teams. True, but 20 wins and 9 in the SEC is not exactly a bragging point for a UK fan.

DL: Do you deserve to be on the hot seat?

OTS: It is part of life, part of coaching. You know this when you get into it. Lots of Monday Morning Quarterbacks and critics, but that is part of any coach's life. Great answer. There are a lot of UK fans that would like OTS to call this season a failure and acknowledge the below average job, but there is no way he will do this while the season is still going on. Maybe afterward.

TK: Lots of blogs out there. Bloggers are crazy!! They email us all the time about how you haven't been back to the Final Four. Are they out to get you? This is a very Dick Vitale-esque question.
OTS: They don't want to get me, they just want UK to win Good answer, I personally like it when he defends the fanbase, which he doesn't always do. We've done what we've had to do this year. Don't really agree with that. We are in a position to go forward. With better closing, we could have a lot more wins. Is the next question about the pressure of UK? Tubby was joking at the end, b/c he has heard all of these questions before. Like last year. But, still, looking upbeat about this is the best he can do.

TK: Don't you have a Championship ring?
OTS: I have a few rings!! I have 5 SEC rings! Come on, Tubby. You know we are talking about national championships!

DL: Have you ever said, "I've had enough of this pressure and criticism?"
OTS: There is no such place, not anymore. Every job has pressure. True.

TK: Is there a harder job in college basketball?
OTS: Sure, there are places where you have to worry about attendance and filling the arena. UK doesn't have to worry about that. Rupp Arena is always great, always rocking. Every game is an event. I love UK and enjoy working here. It is home. That is actually nice to hear. I hope he loves it enough to do what is necessary to win. Because, if UK has another year like the last two, he may have to start worrying about attendance.

DL? Not sure: Best team in America?
OTS: Florida. They beat us last weekend with a great 2nd half. Good answer. Respect a formidable opponent and hype up a fellow SEC member.

All in all a good appearance for OTS. He did not do the stop and start thing with sentences, maybe the difference between being on TV and on radio. He messed up Tony's name at the end, calling him Mike, but they all just laughed and joked about it. If it is not clear yet, the interviews are proving to me that Tubby has no plans to leave UK and I don't think UK will force him out, unless he absolutely refuses to make any changes. I think he will make the changes.