Dick Vitale
5 questions for...
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale talks Kentucky, Duke and Rick Pitino’s future with The Post’s Justin Terranova with the college basketball season tipping off Friday night. Vitale’s first game is the Kentucky-Kansas showdown on Tuesday night.
Q: Is this John Calipari’s biggest challenge, with a young team even by his standards?
A: He was telling me on the phone recently about their inexperience and I told him, ‘No one is going to cry for you with you having all those McDonald’s All-Americans.’ It’s going to take them awhile to find their comfort and timing, but these are very talented freshmen. The kid Kevin Knox from my area in Tampa is going to be a special, special player. He’ll give them a lot of versatility and score in a lot of ways. It’s just a matter of adjusting to the speed of the game.
Q: Is Duke the most talented team in the country?
A: They’ve got to blend in some kids, but they have a veteran in Grayson Allen who can help put that all together. He can set aside all that imma- turity and things he’s done in the past and you’ll see a big year out of him. Just talking to people, I think he’s changed. The fact of what he went through, the unbelievable embarrassment and humiliation, being ripped apart. That alone will wake you up.
Q: Has the NCAA corruption scandal dampened your excitement for the season?
A: I am very frustrated and upset about what happened. I am not naïve to think this stuff hasn’t gone on for years, but when you hear about coaches selling kids and getting money, it just breaks your heart. It’s almost like prostitution. … I can’t wait for the final report on this and some closure. I really reached a point Monday, when I decided we can’t let our love for the game be affected by a small number. Q: Will Rick Pitino coach again? A: I agree with Geno Auriemma, who said (he) would hire him in a minute. The guy isn’t on probation anywhere he’s ever been. If there was someone looking to make a big hit, I think he would be a great hire. I really do. ... He’s made mistakes, no doubt about it. I’ve made mistakes. I am sure you’ve made mistakes. I don’t know how hungry he would be. I know he misses this team because he had told me before any of this happened that this could be the best team he’s had.
Q: What do you think are realistic expectations for St. John’s?
A: They’ve got a lot of experience, a good backcourt with (Shamorie) Ponds and company and this year is pivotal. They have to show improvement and try and get into that first division of the Big East. St. John’s has enough personnel — they got that transfer from Arizona (Justin) Simon — to get into the NCAA Tournament. They have to turn the corner a little because the first two years (under Chris Mullin) obviously didn’t go great.