Jerry Tipton on UK basketball

UK Coach Billy Gillispie choked up as he spoke about Kentucky overcoming obstacles and doubts this season to receive a NCAA Tourmament bid on Sunday.

“I’m really proud . . .,” he said before pausing to regain his composure at a news conference.

A few moments earlier, he called the bid a “great testament” to players who believed in themselves.

Gillispie described Marquette, UK’s first-round opponent, as another tough opponent.

“It’ll be a major undertaking,” he said. “But we’ve faced a lot of good teams. We haven’t backed down from any of them and I don’t think we will on Thursday.”

Gillispie had no complaints about:

– an 11th seed, which is the program’s second worst in the 64 (or 65)-team field. In 1985, Joe B. Hall’s last season as coach, the Cats were seeded 12th. “Seeding is very, very, very important,” he said. “But . . . the most important thing is to see your name pop up on the TV screen.”

– Having to travel to Anaheim and play on the first day of the tournament. “We’ll love it out west,” he said before playfully noting that UK had been as far west as Nashville this season. (Actually, the farthest West this season was the game at Houston.)

Gillispie said he had not studied Marquette yet. But, he added, UK admired Marquette “from afar.”

“What jumps out at you is their athleticism,” he said. “They have great guards and really good role player inside guys. They compete hard on every single play. I’ve always admired how hard (Tom Crean’s) teams play.”

Nine teams with better Ratings Percentage Index numbers than Kentucky’s No. 57 failed to receive a NCAA Tournament bid.

The nine were No. 32 Dayton, No. 33 Illinois State, No. 46 Creighton, No. 47 Ole Miss, No. 49 Ohio State, No. 53 Virginia Tech, No. 54 Virginia Commonwealth and No. 55 Syracuse and No. 56 UAB.

Tyrannical Bob Knight will be commenting on college basketball during the post-season this year.

Here’s the ESPN news release:

Bob Knight Joins ESPN as Studio Analyst For Championship Week and NCAA Tournament

Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Knight, the winningest coach in Division I men’s college basketball with 902 victories, will join ESPN as a men’s college basketball studio analyst during the network’s coverage of Championship Week Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods and through the NCAA Tournament. Knight will begin Wednesday, March 12 from ESPN’s Bristol studios and conclude Monday, April 7 from ESPN’s set in San Antonio, Texas, site of the NCAA Final Four. As part of the agreement, Knight will also appear on select ESPN shows and platforms, including SportsCenter, ESPN Radio and ESPNEWS.

“I think ESPN has been real good for college basketball and I look forward to working with some of their people who I have known a long time,” said Knight.

Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production, added, “Coach Knight is a legend with a depth of knowledge on tournament basketball. Fans have always found him to be a compelling listen and we are delighted to add his insights to our tournament coverage.”

Knight will serve as an analyst on ESPN’s day-long pre-game, halftime and between-game segments Wednesday, March 12 through Sunday, March 16, as well as on ESPN’s Selection Sunday specials: College GameDay Driven by State Farm at 11 a.m. ET and the two ESPNU Bracketology Presented by Staples selection specials at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

He will also appear throughout ESPN’s studio coverage of the NCAA Tournament, including analysis from Bristol for the first and second rounds on March 20-21 and the regional finals on March 27-28. He will appear via satellite at the conclusion of games on March 23 and 30. During the Final Four, Knight will offer analysis on ESPN’s on-site coverage from San Antonio April 5-7. He will be working alongside Rece Davis, John Saunders, Karl Ravech, Dick Vitale, Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis and others.

Knight resigned from Texas Tech on February 4, 2008. He coached for 47 years, compiling a 902-371 record as a head coach with Army (1965-71), Indiana (1971-2000) and Texas Tech (2001-08). In his career, he won three NCAA championships (1976, 1981 and 1987), a NIT championship (1979), led the 1984 U.S. national team to an Olympic gold medal and a Pan-American Games Gold medal (1979). He is the only coach to win all four championships. During his career at Indiana, Knight led the Hoosiers to 11 Big Ten championships and his 1976 squad remains the last Division I men’s team to go undefeated and win the NCAA championship. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.

- 30 -

Ebullient commentator Dick Vitale is among this year’s nominees for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, it was announced on Friday.

Here’s a ESPN news release:

Dick Vitale, in the midst of his 29^th season as an ESPN college basketball analyst, has been named a finalist for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport. The list of finalists for the Class of 2008 was announced Friday. Hall of Fame contributors are described as those who have made significant contributions to the game and its growth.

 The inductees will be announced at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio on Monday, April 7, with Enshrinement Ceremonies to be held at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. September 5.

“It’s absolutely always a thrill to learn that you’ve been nominated for the most prestigious honor in your profession - the National Basketball Hall of Fame,” Vitale said. “To be mentioned in the same breath with the likes of Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Pat Riley and all the others that have been nominated just brings me great joy.”

Vitale, who missed two months this season as a result of vocal cord surgery on December 18, returned Feb. 6 to call Duke at North Carolina. Prior to that, Vitale had never missed a game in his 29 seasons at ESPN. 

Vitale, a former high school, college and professional basketball coach, has become one of the most well-known commentators in all of sports television. His enthusiasm, connection with fans and knowledge of the game have helped promote and grow the sport, and he has played a pivotal role in the development of the concept of “March Madness.”  He’s also been an outspoken advocate for the sport, unafraid to push for reform when appropriate and has been recognized with numerous honors and awards.

Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie lauded Bob Knight as a “fantastic sportsman” and a mentor for any up-and-coming coach.

“I don’t think there could ever be a basketball coach not affected by Coach Knight,” Gillispie said. “He’s a model for anybody who was ever in coaching or would be in coaching. His ability to teach is something else.”

Knight, the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history, retired on Monday.

Gillispie’s teams at UTEP and Texas A&M played Knight’s teams at Texas Tech.  The UK coach noted how Knight could be complimentary and encouraging to the opposing coach.

“He’s a fantastic sportsman,” Gillispie said. “Fair. Honest. Not afraid to speak what’s on your mind. . . .

“It’s really refreshing to see someone 100 percent of the time telling the truth.”

Gillispie acknowledged the controversial incidents surrounding Knight’s career, but said, “the great things far outweigh anything that could be said of a negative nature.”