The Big Blue Lowdown

Dick Vitale had nothing but good things to say about Kentucky’s chances this year in an ESPN national conference call earlier this week.

Here are some of the better quotes, courtesy of Larry Vaught from the Danville-Advocate Messenger.

“I will tell you one thing. It’s not a handicap to have a lineup with John Wall.”

“DeMarcus Cousins and those kids are talented. With motivation and inspiration, they will really create some noise. They are too talented, will be well coached, have depth and size, Patrick Patterson is an all-American candidate, and Daniel Orton and Cousins give them great size. Darius Miller will be a much better player, too.”

“The three guards they have will be very good. I have not talked to anybody who has put a question mark on John Wall.”

“Can they live up to frenzy down there will be the question. I was talking to some Kentucky fans, and they were talking like they would run the table (and go undefeated) and that’s not going to happen. But they are so excited.”

“[Calipari] is going to get these kids to do it. They can move laterally. They are going to play and defend. John Calipari will not have it any other way.”

“Patterson without a doubt is a star. He has great hands and the ability to post up inside. At times, he has a tendency to disappear and not get involved in the action. He took only seven shots in an exhibition game and Cal was upset.”

“No way should he take seven shots. He has to get 14 or 15 and make himself available. With the help he’ll get from Wall, I think he will be free inside a lot and will have a big year.”