By LARRY VAUGHT

Greg Wiltjer said his family’s overall visit to Kentucky in mid-October “far exceeded” his expectations even though he had done “his research” on Kentucky.

“I was so impressed with the facilities, the campus and the city of Lexington,” Greg Wiltjer, the father of UK signee Kyle Wiltjer of Portland, Ore., said.  “And the fans were off the chart. I have played in countries where fans were fanatical, but nothing like Kentucky. It’s really a fun environment and one I am sure players just love.”

He said he also was anxious to see how Calipari reacted with UK’s other signees — Marquis Teague, Anthony Davis and Michael Gilchrist — as well as how he interacted with their families during the Big Blue Madness weekend.

“When Kyle first started talking about Kentucky, my first reaction is that Kentucky is a major powerhouse and players must be competing with each other. Kyle played against UK’s other signees on the AAU circuit and everyone talks about Teague’s skills, Gilchrist’s terrific talent and how good Davis is. But what impressed me is that they are all excited to be part of something special,” Greg Wiltjer said.

“As talented as they are, they want to succeed individually but they are looking at the big picture. Kyle said, ‘If we all succeed and do our part to get to a Final Four, we will all look better and be better for it.’ Kyle could have stayed closer to home and been more of a go-to guy for a team, but he wanted to be part of the best team and around coaches that could help get him to the NBA.

“Sometimes you do not know what you are getting with different personalities. I do not know any of these kids super well, but these kids are real people. I am sure they have all had people talking in their ears telling them they are great players and you are a future pro. But they want to have a good time in college and know they have a chance to go far in the tournament at Kentucky.”

He said UK’s other signees were all “good students with good families” that talked about the importance of going to school.

“Kentucky has tutors for every class, mandatory study time and gives you all the tools to be successful academically. That’s stuff nobody talks about very often,” Greg Wiltjer said. “There are times you will be tired in the morning but you have to suck it up and put in your time in class. I met the school president and he talked about Kyle being strong in math and science. I liked that.”

Greg Wiltjer also liked that UK fans seem to understand how well his son’s skills can fit in with UK’s other signees.

“People that understand how he plays realize he is really an important piece for Kentucky,” Greg Wiltjer said. “They have athletic kids who can penetrate, but where they faltered last year was not hitting outside jumpers. I think this class is a better shooting class.

“That is what I have loved about my son. When Kyle has got his foot in the door, he has shined and done well. He has an old school game. He is not pigeon-holed into doing just one thing. But he is a 6-9 man that can stroke it (his shot) and spread the defense to create matchup nightmares.”