John Calipari, Dick Vitale Reunite at SEC Tournament

by:Nick Roush•03/10/22•

RoushKSR

Is it really March Madness without Dickie V? I don’t think so. Thankfully, Dick Vitale is healthy and ready to watch the SEC Tournament. Before all the action began in Vitale’s hometown of Tampa, John Calipari paid the college basketball lifer a visit.

Most meetings between Coach Cal and Dickie V take place on a hardwood court in front of thousands before tip-off. This one was a little unusual. Vitale is cancer-free after undergoing rounds of treatment for lymphoma, but he still cannot talk. The enthusiastic broadcaster has been silenced, put on voice rest by dysplasia on his vocal cords. It did not prevent the two from trading light-hearted barbs.

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Great surprise visitor tonight / the STAR of ⁦@SHO_Billions⁩ himself! Also Mr BBN pic.twitter.com/0jCGyhA9g0
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 10, 2022

In addition to calling him “the star of Billions,” Dickie V credited Calipari for finally winning a basketball debate. “He held court baby as he loved it because I couldn’t debate with him since I could not speak,” Vitale Tweeted. Calipari crafted a similar response.

Got in to Tampa a day early, so I got to see my friend @DickieV and his wife Lorraine. After spending time with them, there are two irrefutable facts:

1. It’s way better to be around Dick when he can’t talk

2. Lorraine is a saint

It was great seeing you, my friend! pic.twitter.com/6OYRNoQG7j
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 10, 2022

Vitale is typically broadcasting the final three games of the SEC Tournament for ESPN. Even though he cannot speak on camera, he will be at Amalie Arena this weekend. The Southeastern Conference will honor him Saturday afternoon for his contributions to college basketball and his courageous fight against cancer.