IMPRESSIONS FROM BIG BLUE MADNESS
SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD
“They improved themselves. … I was able to talk with Coach Calipari a lot about the offense and the program and how I would fit in. The visit was better than I expected. It was great to see a live practice and see how they run the floor and run the dribble drive. It makes sense to me and it’s a style I like.” – Muhammad (Rivals.com)
“It’s crazy. The fans there are great. Their fan base is really supportive and their guys had a lot of fun and I had a lot of fun watching them. I really enjoyed myself.” – Muhammad (Scout.com)
“(Calipari) said the dribble drive is really good for guys that can slash and penetrate to the basket. I think it’s a good offense and I think it’s an offense that can fit me.” – Muhammad (Scout.com)
“He likes Archie (Goodwin). He wants to play with the best players. That’s his thing; he wants a team with the best players. And if you look at Kentucky, they have very good players, and they bring in very good players every year.” – Muhammad’s father (Cats Illustrated)
“The dribble-drive really opened the floor and we got the opportunity to see things broke down. It really intrigued Shabazz. He really feels like he could fit in at Kentucky.” – Muhammad’s father (BluegrassHoops.com)
ARCHIE GOODWIN
“I was glad to be a part of it, and I’m ready to be a Wildcat. Everyone is so supportive of the team and they love their basketball. It’s hard to beat.” – Goodwin (BluegrassHoops.com)
“The players and coaches really work hard. Coach Calipari doesn’t tolerate anyone slacking off, and I really like that. I want to work.” – Goodwin (BluegrassHoops.com)
“I didn’t recruit because it’s their decision. I can’t make that for them. I feel like I shouldn’t be involved with that, especially if it’s not the best situation for them. I have to respect my friends.” – Goodwin (BluegrassHoops.com)
ALEX POYTHRESS
“It was pretty good. I liked it. I think it was pretty good crowd. The atmosphere was great. It was a live atmosphere, and the fans were very supportive of what they do.” – Poythress (Cats Illustrated)
“I had heard and thought (the fans) were crazy but I was still surprised at how crazy they were. They are very passionate. It was a lot of fun for me to see.” – Poythress (Courier-Journal)
“I think (Calipari’s) speech was very informative. It shows that he knows what he’s talking about and knows his stuff.” – Poythress (Cats Illustrated)
“I liked all three of my visits (UK, Vandy and Florida) so far, each and every one of them in its own way. I really don’t have a favorite visit. I think all three visits were all equally good.” – Poythress (Cats Illustrated)
WILLIE CAULEY
“The Big Blue Madness thing was crazy … the fans especially. There were what, 24,000 people there? And just for a scrimmage. I’ve never even heard of anything like that.” – Cauley (Rivals.com)
“I went to Kansas State and Oklahoma State and it was packed. It wasn’t 24,000 fans though. It was crazy. It was a pretty cool atmosphere.” – Cauley (Cats’ Pause)
“We just took a tour of the campus and watched practice. It was cool. It’s a cool little town and the practice was similar to one of my AAU practices.” – Cauley (Cats’ Pause)
AARON & ANDREW HARRISON
“It’s one thing for someone to say, ‘We are a players-first program’ behind closed doors, to say, ‘Oh, yeah, we’re players first.’ It’s another thing for somebody to say it to everybody, to the masses, so that everyone understands how they feel about it. You know what I mean? It was something different. A lot of people say stuff behind closed doors, but he actually said it out to the public.” – Aaron Harrison Sr. (Cats Illustrated)
“God has blessed (the Harrisons) that they don’t have to get to the NBA (in order for) their mother and me to be OK, you know? So they need to have something else that drives them, and competition drives them. Winning drives them. (Calipari) said that ‘when you come here, you’ll have to work hard. You won’t be the only player here. … You’ll have to work hard every day.’ So that kind of is motivating to them.” – Aaron Harrison Sr. (Cats Illustrated)
“(Calipari has) probably watched them eight or nine games this year. He told them things that he thought they could improve on that he was looking at, but he also said he thought they would be incredible in that system, basically because he compared them to a couple guards he’s had before. He doesn’t think anybody was that size that he’s had at the point-guard position, or even at the ’2′. Most of the guys he’s had there or even in the past, aren’t as big as Aaron and Andrew are.” – Aaron Harrison Sr. (Cats Illustrated)
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