Dick Vitale weighs in on UT-Memphis game

"It's hoops hysteria in Tennessee. It's a special game for the state. I told Bruce Pearl that this game is every bit as big as a North Carolina-Duke or a Kentucky-Indiana.

"Getting ready for Tennessee won't be a problem for John (Calipari). It's getting ready for all the other teams on his schedule that might not be as good. Memphis gets everybody's best shot, just like Notre Dame does in football, and John has kept his team focused.

"The style of play in this game will probably remind me of UNLV and Louisville back in the '90s going at it with Jerry Tarkanian and Denny Crum. Both teams are great in transition and neither team will change the way they play.

"I think Tennessee will make it difficult for Memphis to get to the basket, and Memphis is going to have to make threes to win. In the end, the game will be decided at the free-throw line, and neither team is very good at the line.

"I'm excited about this game. Priscilla Presley and the Mannings are going to be there. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Are you kidding me? I'm bringing a football for some autographs. And don't tell my wife, but I always had a crush on Priscilla. I don't know why she chose Elvis over me. It must have been the hair, ba-beeeeeeeeee!"

Dick Vitale

ESPN