By LARRY VAUGHT

John Calipari’s reach continues to amaze me.

Now we know that flamboyant pro golfer John Daly counts Calipari as a close friend based on what Daly told Winchester Sun sports editor Keith Taylor Sunday after he played a celebrity match with former UK golfer J.B. Holmes.

“I think in three years, Kentucky will win a national championship,” Daly told Taylor.  “I’ll bet on it, that’s for sure.”

Considering the problems Daly has had, he probably shouldn’t bet on anything. But it still is a plus when a national figure like Daly counts Calipari as a friend. He’s no LeBron James, but Daly still is a big name and obviously knows Calipari well.

“He’s a hell of a recruiter and he’s a good player’s coach,” Daly told Taylor. “It’s not about liking a coach, it’s about respecting him. Every player who has played for coach Cal respects him and they work their butts off. He gets the best out of them, not just on the court, but in school, too.”

Again, Daly did say “in school, too.” The Cal critics bash him for a lot of things, but his friends continue to paint a different picture of the new UK coach. Soon we’ll know exactly who is right, but somehow one has to believe that Calipari’s friends have to believe what they are telling us.