Cat Scratches was in attendance for the annual Wildcat Tipoff Luncheon in Louisville, Ky., today. Below is a story I wrote about the event and stay tuned for a transcript of a brief question and answer session John Calipari had with fans.The Greater Louisville UK Alumni Club held its annual Wildcat Tipoff Luncheon on Wednesday at the Louisville Downtown Marriott. Head coach John Calipari, President Eli Capilouto, Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart and UK supporters took part in the event that signals the start of basketball season. Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio and KSTV emceed the festivities, while Capilouto and Calipari each gave their thoughts on the upcoming season. After a call to the post and “My Old Kentucky Home” were played, Jones introduced Capilouto, who shared his perspective as his first basketball season as President of the University of Kentucky approaches. Capilouto has yet to take in an event in Rupp Arena figures to be subject to an immersion course in what Kentucky basketball is all about at Big Blue Madness on Friday.”This Friday night is my first experience in Rupp Arena,” Capilouto said. “I’m not going to medicate myself, but I’m not going to sleep very much. I’m so excited for the energy of that evening.”Once Capilouto concluded his comments, Calipari stepped to the podium to a standing ovation from those in attendance. Calipari’s 15-minute address touched on a wide-range of topics, but the focus of his comments was on Kentucky basketball “thinking big” in all they do.He recounted a story of golfing great Arnold Palmer traveling to Bahrain to build a golf course. After completion of his work, the king of Bahrain offered Palmer his choice of a gift. Caught off guard by the offer, Palmer responded by saying he wanted a “golf club”, thinking the king would send a jewel-encrusted driver, putter or iron. Instead, Palmer received a piece of mail from the king a couple weeks later that contained a deed to an actual golf club in Bahrain of which Palmer was given ownership. In short, “Kings think different than we think,” Calipari said.Calipari wants to inject that kind of thinking into all aspects of the Kentucky program, including in the classroom.”I told my team, ‘we want to compete on all levels,'” Calipari said. “‘Let’s compete for the highest grade point average in the country, not the league.’ We had a 3.14 grade point average last term. We had a 3.16 this summer.”Clearly, his vision applies on the court as well.”Then I said ‘Let’s chase that national title,'” Calipari said. “‘Let’s see if we can get six guys drafted.'”Embedded in that vision, Calipari continued, must be an awareness that UK is a “players-first program”. A national title is the goal, but the players are the means through which that can be achieved.”This is about those young people,” Calipari said. “This is about helping them reach their dreams. This is about them dragging us to moments that last a lifetime, not us dragging them.”In his first two seasons, Calipari has awoken the beast that is Kentucky basketball and reached an Elite Eight and a Final Four. As he enters his third season, expectations are higher than ever and UK fans are wondering just how many of those “moments that last a lifetime” are in store. Whether the program’s eighth national title is in the cards is impossible to know, but Calipari knows his team has the motivation to do it.”My vision would be at the end of the year we’ll be one of those teams that’s up at bat slugging it out for the whole thing,” Calipari said. “I’m convinced of that because the more I’m around these young people, the more I’m convinced they really want this.”The passion of the Big Blue Nation is part of that motivation. The team spent time around the thousands of people who camped out in nearly 600 tents a couple weeks ago seeking tickets to Big Blue Madness. The Wildcats saw what they and their success mean to the fans and they came to understand the responsibility they have to them.”You know (Big Blue Madness) does for my team?” Calipari said. “They walk out there and they have a little sense of responsibility. They’re not only playing for each other. There are a lot of people relying on them to compete and do their best.”UK’s four incoming freshman, Marquis Teague, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Anthony Davis and Kyle Wiltjer, were all in attendance for Big Blue Madness a year ago, but this will be the first time they take the floor at Rupp as players. With the addition of the four, UK boasts one of the most talented rosters in the nation. The roster is also much deeper than it was a year ago.”This is an unconventional team,” Calipari said. “We’ve got six starters. I don’t know what I’m going to do. And we may have seven starters.”As for concerns over chemistry issues with so many talented players looking to play major minutes, Calipari doesn’t buy in. He believes he has recruiting a group of players with high character who are willing to serve as their “brother’s keeper.””They are wonderful young people,” Calipari said. “They want to do this together. They are looking after each other. It is family. You all (the fans) are a part of that family.”For his part, Calipari couldn’t be any happier to be spending his third year as a part of that family.”I will tell you that I’m truly humbled to be your coach in the greatest program in maybe all of sports,” Calipari said. “I am honored to walk out in Rupp Arena and see all of you.”