Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale
Richard John "Dick" Vitale, also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well known as a college basketball broadcaster for ESPN. He is known for catchphrases such as "baby" and "diaper dandy", as well as enthusiastic and colorful remarks he makes during games, and has authored nine books and appeared in several movies...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSportscaster
Date of Birth9 June 1939
CityPassaic, NJ
CountryUnited States of America
This place is phenomenal. The fans are right on top of the players. You feed off that adrenaline. I really think this environment is a vital part of what's happening here.
This is a very special atmosphere in the Big East. The people are right on top of the floor. It's not like the pro atmosphere you have at places like Madison Square Garden and the Meadowlands. This is the essence of college basketball.
You don't have to go to Harvard to figure out that the Big East is the best league in the country. You don't have to be a genius. A dummy like me can figure that out. When I look at my coach of the year candidates, Jamie Dixon is in my top five. Jamie has done a fantastic job. He has lost some heartbreakers on the road, but that's because winning on the road in the Big East is so difficult. They've been able to win at home. And that's the key when you play in a tough league. You better win your home games.
I don't think there's any doubt that he's one of the 15 top players in the history of the ACC.
I'd say Illinois, Michigan State and Indiana will probably be the top of the class. But one thing is this year, the league has a lot of balance. When I mention Illinois, Indiana and Michigan State, they are probably the best teams but they aren't going to dominate.
In my 27 years of calling games for ESPN, I have never ever seen a player take more verbal abuse than he has taken.
I like going to new environments. I'm so accustomed to going to Duke, Carolina and Kentucky, and those are phenomenal. But it's nice going to new places.
I'm absolutely shocked. I can't believe he went that high.
Oh, it's a vital part of the game,
They can't continue to falter, but those wins are so strong over Illinois, Ohio State -- even Michigan. Those are strong, strong wins, but obviously they can't continue to lose at the rate they've been losing.
They have one of the blue chip coaches in America. Somehow, I think Tom will have his guys competing for a Big Ten Championship again.
Brewer can create his own shot. He's a great player offensively and defensively and he's going to be a lottery selection. But he could use another year to work on his range as a shooter.
You hate to think one of those kids is not going to get a trophy for Player of the Year. There are numerous awards, and ideally they would split them. If Morrison doesn't get a Player of the Year award, I'll buy him a gold trophy, call it the Dickie V. P-T-Per Award and ship it out to him myself.
At the beginning of the season, when you thought of Pittsburgh you thought about a team that was regrouping. I didn't think they would be 17-3 at this point. I'm excited to do this game.