
Igor Arrieta conquista Potenza en un final de etapa épico y surrealista: hay cambio de 'maglia' en el Giro
Igor Arrieta del UAE Team Emirates-XRG conquista Potenza en el Giro de Italia tras un final épico.
Former Kentucky player Dan Issel stated that the increased ability of other teams to pay players makes it harder for Kentucky to win. His comments echo predictions made by Dan Dakich regarding the impact of NIL on Kentucky basketball.
Mentioned in this story
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope reacts during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Did you see what former Kentucky great Dan Issel said the other day?
In a nutshell, he said it was harder for Kentucky to win when everyone else could pay players, too.
It was hilarious, brutally honest, and also completely lines up with what former Indiana player and coach Dan Dakich said about Wildcat basketball the other day (he predicted some time ago that NIL would make Kentucky irrelevant for exactly the same reason).
Adolph Rupp really established Kentucky’s program. He coached there from 1930-1972, and built the tradition and expectations of and for Kentucky basketball.
The program has remained relevant until quite recently, nearly a 100-year run, and even today, UK is typically very dangerous.
But there’s no question the talent has slowed down, and there’s no question that Big Blue Nation is somewhere curiously between horrified, furious, and resigned.
This article from ASeaofBlue.com talks about that in a quieter way than we would have expected.
It frames the article around John Rothstein’s recent argument that there are only two Blue Bloods left in college basketball: Duke and UConn.
Our argument would be this: Duke and UConn got quite lucky in their hires.
Well, it’s not luck exactly. Mike Krzyzewski and Jon Scheyer planned the transition meticulously, and Duke remains potent. As for UConn, they made a great hire in Dan Hurley, then at Rhode Island. They didn’t go after a flashy name; they identified the best coach they could possibly get, and got him. This is much like what Iowa did last season, incidentally and now Ben McCollum has a six-year extension.
Dan Issel remarked that it is harder for Kentucky to win now that other teams can also pay players.
Dan Dakich predicted that NIL would make Kentucky basketball irrelevant due to increased competition for talent.
Dan Issel made his comments recently, although the exact date is not specified in the excerpt.
NIL allows college basketball players to receive compensation, which has changed the competitive landscape for teams like Kentucky.

Igor Arrieta del UAE Team Emirates-XRG conquista Potenza en el Giro de Italia tras un final épico.
Grand Rapids Griffins face Chicago Wolves in playoffs starting May 14!
Michael O'Neill opts to stay with Northern Ireland, rejecting Blackburn Rovers' offer.

El Manchester United y Michael Carrick están en conversaciones para renovar su contrato.
Eli Drinkwitz shares Ahmad Hardy's recovery update at caravan stop
Man United is back in the race for Jobe Bellingham after changes at Dortmund.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Here’s what we think will happen at Kentucky.
Coach Mark Pope will be under immense pressure this season. He tried to spend big and get a big roster last time, and that didn’t work. He’s gathered less highly regarded talent this year, and it’s entirely possible that might work better.
It’s just that he still might not keep his job.
You may remember that Kentucky fans were sure they’d get Hurley, or Tommy Lloyd, or, well, some great, established coach, because it’s Kentucky. Everyone wants that job…or at least that’s what Kentucky fans thought.
If Pope is fired, then we’d hope that Team Kentucky would focus on getting a coach who has proven he can adapt to the modern environment.
Or maybe they should go completely off road.
This would obviously be risky on many levels, but look at the insane job that Luke Loucks did at Florida State last year. That guy started with no assets, and finished with a team that could scare the pants off elite teams. He showed tenacity, imagination, and an ability to motivate his team to its highest possible level.
If they ever get over the entitled mentality and look for the best coach possible, we’d have him on the list, record and experience be damned.
Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line