By LARRY VAUGHT

BIRMINGHAM — He knows some Kentucky fans might not believe him, but Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl says he has “great respect” for UK coach John Calipari.

“Go back in the archives and you will hear me say what a great job I thought he did at UMass and that it was one of the all-time great coaching jobs considering where that program was when he took over,” said Pearl, who grew up in Massachusetts.

However, Pearl admits the only relationship between the two is a “competitive” one, which is about the same thing Calipari said earlier Wednesday during the Southeastern Conference Media Day.

Pearl does know that Calipari’s move from Memphis to Kentucky puts added significance on the two games the SEC rivals play annually.

“It makes it more interesting,” Pearl said. “I want Kentucky to be our rival. Historically, that’s how it has been. It was when Ray Mears was coaching. I would like to bring that back. I would like it to be where if you ask Kentucky fans who they want to beat, it would be Bruce Pearl, Tyler Smith and Wayne Chism (of Tennessee). But if we are not competitive with Kentucky, it won’t be a rivalry.”

Don’t believe him. It’s already a rivalry because Calipari and Pearl are a lot alike. They both push their programs and both handle publicity well. Both create a sizzle — even if they do it in different ways.

Calipari joked Thursday that he was against playing Tennessee because he didn’t want to give Pearl any more credibility in Memphis since the rest of the state was already pro-Tennessee. He also remember how the Vols beat his No. 1 Tigers in Memphis two years ago in a game that had one of the “most viscious” starts he has seen because of the energy both teams had.

“I respect him. We are competitors. I will never paint my body. I will never wear a white suit,” Calipari said.

Pearl would just like Rick Pitino would. However, Pearl insists he would never do more than anything to disrespect the UK tradition in Rupp Arena.

“I have great respect for Rupp Arena. It’s one of the toughest buildings to play in other than the Sportscenter in Owensboro where they did not like me and I did not like them. They pelted me with Pepsi cups and who knows what else,” Pearl said. “But when I walk into Rupp I can’t help but feel honored. I’ve only won there once and it was memorable. It’s the best building to win in. I try to honor the building when I go there to coach. Last year we played poorly. But I think Kentucky fans like the way we play. They did not like that Chris Lofton (of Mason County) was in orange, but they respected the kid.”

Pearl respects Calipari’s first UK team, too.

“The talent is ovewhelming. Calipari gives them a huge boost. He’s a superstar and the bar for our whole league is raised now,” Pearl said.

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