Dick Vitale comments on experience of calling Kentucky game with Charles Barkley
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The basketball world was treated to a special occasion Saturday night, as longtime ESPN commentator Dick Vitale joined Charles Barkley to call the Indiana-Kentucky matchup from Rupp Arena.
As two of the most well-known personalities within the sport, Vitale and Barkley had long wanted to team up for a broadcast, and with the former’s health now allowing him to return and call games consistently, an opportunity presented itself.
The Wildcats rallied for a much-needed 72-60 win over the Hoosiers, and following the pivotal matchup, Vitale took to X/Twitter to share his thoughts on what the experience was like.
The legendary analyst thanked fans for complimenting the broadcast, although he did want to give play-by-play commentator Dave O’Brien his flowers for keeping the up-beat duo of him and Barkley in line. Vitale added that Barkley treated him like a king, and he also emphasized how important of a result this was for a previously reeling Kentucky squad.
“Wow I’m overwhelmed by the many kind comments about working with SIR CHARLES BARKLEY-the MVP was Dave O’Brien in setting us up,” Vitale wrote. “A W needed by @KentuckyMBB with strong 2nd half 72-60 vs Indiana. Charles treated me like royalty-he was a blast-Love him!”
Barkely notably promised to donate $100,000 to Vitale’s Gala for cancer research during the game, with Shaquille O’Neal proclaiming the same thing.
The duo of Vitale and Barkley will return for a second time when they call a First Four matchup during the NCAA Tournament in March.
Parker is currently the sports editor for the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
