"Nobody U": What is a buy game? Kentucky basketball, and Doug Gottlieb's embarrassing night

A buy game, or guarantee game, is a staple of college basketball and football. For those new to the term, it’s a matchup where a major program pays a smaller school to come to their arena for a game. Regardless of the outcome, the smaller school receives a financial guarantee, which often helps fund its athletic programs, not just basketball. These funds can go toward essentials like nutrition, and gear, but it could also go to programs that don't make money but are important, like track and field. For programs like Kentucky, buy games serve as opportunities to tune up their roster and prepare for more challenging opponents later in the season. Fans never like this games, but they do play an important part of keeping school programs funded.

While the concept might seem like a guaranteed win for larger schools, history shows that even the blue bloods aren’t immune to upsets. Kentucky fans know this all too well, with shocking losses to Evansville and Gardner-Webb still lingering in their memories. Despite the occasional setback, these games are crucial for Kentucky’s development, allowing the coaching staff to test strategies and players in a less pressurized setting. You can often play very poorly and still win by double figures.

This brings us to Doug Gottlieb, the former analyst turned head coach of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Before entering the coaching ranks, Gottlieb was critical of buy games, and furthered that as a coach saying, “I don’t really like the idea of Nobody U coming in here…what are we going to learn playing a game where we win by 20? But there is a methodology to it.” Fast forward to the end of the game, and I'm not so sure Doug is changing his tune.

Now coaching a team that’s 2-11, Gottlieb suffered a humiliating loss to Michigan Tech—a Division II school, 72-70, right after calling them Nobody U. Hard to swallow calling a team Nobody U and then losing. But that is where Gottlieb finds himself in his first season as a college coach.

For Kentucky, buy games like this year’s matchup against Jackson State aren’t just about padding the win column, though thats a nice benefit. They also give smaller programs national exposure and financial support while offering the Wildcats a chance to iron out wrinkles before SEC play. Gottlieb’s embarrassment underscores the importance—and risk—of these games. No game is ever truly a guarantee, and in college basketball, even a so-called "Nobody U" division II team can leave a lasting impression.

Gottlieb known for doing his radio show while coaching took the day off from radio. Probably a smart move there Doug.