Calling Kentucky’s fan base the most passionate fan base in the country isn’t anything new. UK fans have long been viewed as some of most loyal in all of sports. But how does one truly measure the power of the Big Blue Nation? Is there a way of quantifying it?

It should have struck no one by surprise when John Calipari chose Harris as one of his assistants for his journey with the Dominican Republic National Team. Together, Calipari, Harris and the Dominican Republic will begin play in the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship on Aug. 30 in Mar del Plata, Argentina, with hopes of qualifying for the country’s first Olympics.

As a part of John Calipari’s 2009 freshman class that sent a record five players to the first round of the NBA Draft and a member on last year’s Final Four team, he’s seen it all when it comes to freshman sensations. So what does Hood, now a junior, think about Calipari’s next crop of first-year wonders? Hood nearly blushed as he gushed about the 2011 freshmen.

Part one Part two John Calipari recently fielded a variety of questions from the media as his team gets ready for Big Blue Madness. To get you ready for the season, we’ll have the full transcript, in addition to other content, over the next few days. Here is part three: Q.  Early in the call [...]

Instead of subscribing to the pressure to win, Calipari said he directs his attention to making his players the best they can be, with an eye cast toward helping each player fulfill his dreams. In turn, Calipari believes that will help Kentucky be the best basketball program it can be.