John Calipari checking out Jay Z and scoping the Barclays Center ahead of his Kentucky Wildcats taking the floor in a college basketball tournament showdown

As basketball lovers across the country are getting ready to watch the showdown between the cats and the dogs or, the Kentucky Wildcats and the UCONN Huskies, I'm going down memory lane to a first meeting of Kentucky Wildcats head basketball coach John Calipari.

It was the night of the Barclays Center opening. Music and business mogul, Jay Z was about to take the stage and perform, the first performer to do so. Coach Calipari was among the many that had come to the Barclays Center to celebrate a new beginning in Brooklyn and a new day of basketball in Brooklyn.

What's The 411TV, based in Brooklyn, NY, was out in full force on the red carpet and Coach Calipari stopped to chat it up with What's The 411SportsTV correspondent, Andrew Rosario.

So, what does Coach Calipari think of the new arena?

"Since we're going to be the first college game in here, I said I better get over here and see it (Barclays Center) and since Jay Z's on stage, I said I might as well do both."

Yes, basketball will be great in New York City with the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets battling it out.

"...that college game is going to be fun," said Calipari referencing the University of Kentucky's upcoming game at the Barclays Center and nicely reminding us that basketball professionals will be sharing the court with college kids.

With all new players, Kentucky was poised to face Maryland. Although Calipari lost his previous team, he remained optimistic saying, "it'll be fun."

Knowing that some of the kids on his team are from Nashville (Tennessee) and Arkansas, Calipari understands that when they arrive in New York City, it will be culture shock, but in Calipari's words, "it's going to be a great experience."

Is Calipari a Jay Z fan?

"Oh yeah, oh yeah; now he (Jay Z) came into our locker room and it cost him $50,000," Calipari said with a smile. "Now, I wonder if I go in his locker room, if it's going to cost me $50,000?"

By the way, I'm rooting for the freshmen (that's Kentucky if you're not a follower of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament).

Check out video interview with Coach John Calipari here:

Bertha Lewis, President, The Black Institute, checked in with Ruth Morrison, CEO, What's The 411 Networks at the opening of the Barclay's Center. Ms. Lewis, excited about the opening of the Barclays Center, expressed her expectations for the ground-breaking of the housing portion of the Atlantic Yards project. Ms. Lewis' young companion was so excited to see Jay-Z, she was almost speechless. However, like many of the adults on the red carpet that night, Ms. Lewis has great admiration of Jay Z's business skills and his rags to riches story, which is emblematic of the American Dream.

VIDEO: Victor Cruz is excited to see Jay-Z’s concert at the opening of the Barclays Center and to see all that the new arena in Brooklyn has to offer

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz spoke with What's The 411 co-host Barbara Bullard on the red carpet at the opening of the Barclays Center on September 28, 2012.

Cruz came to the grand opening of the Barclays Center to see rapper and business mogul, Jay-Z, perform, and to check out the new sports and entertainment arena.

WATCH VIDEO: MAGIC JOHNSON AT BARCLAYS CENTER OPENING

To thunderous applause and shout-outs, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, CEO Magic Johnson Enterprises and former NBA Allstar, stepped on the red carpet for rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z's inaugural concert at the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Speaking to What's The 411 TV's correspondent, Crystal L. Henderson, Magic shared his good feelings about the opening of the Barclays Center. Magic stated that the Barclays Center is not only good for Brooklyn, it is good for New York City. Magic also compared the impending rivalry between the Brooklyn Nets and the NY Knicks to the Los Angeles Lakers and the L.A. Clippers.

The best line of the night came from Magic when Crystal asked him what's his favorite Jay-Z verse. Magic gave that great laugh and smile that he is famous for and said, "...no, no, hey, I love him; I think Jay Z's the best. I would do him a disservice by trying to rap; that's not what I do, I own things, that's what I do."

What's The 411 TV on the red carpet on the occasion of rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z's inaugural concert at the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, CEO Magic Johnson Enterprises and former NBA Allstar, stepped on the red carpet to thunderous applause and shout-outs. Speaking to What's The 411 TV's correspondent, Crystal L. Henderson, Magic shared his good feelings about the opening of the Barclays Center. Magic stated that the Barclays Center is not only good for Brooklyn, it is good for New York City. Magic also compared the impending rivalry between the Brooklyn Nets and the NY Knicks to the Los Angeles Lakers and the L.A. Clippers.

The best line of the night came from Magic when Crystal asked him what's his favorite Jay-Z verse. Magic gave that great laugh and smile that he is famous for and said, "...no, no, hey, I love him; I think Jay Z's the best. I would do him a disservice by trying to rap; that's not what I do, I own things, that's what I do."

The celebrity-packed red carpet also included: Attorney Star Jones; Tyson Chandler (Center-NY Knicks); Joe Johnson (Guard- Brooklyn Nets); FOX 5 News Anchor Rosanna Scotto; Brooklyn Nets Jerry Stackhouse (Forward/Guard); Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Avery Johnson; NY Giants Wide Receiver Victor "Salsa" Cruz, Deron Williams (Guard- Brooklyn Nets); WABC-TV News Anchor Lori Stokes and John Calipari, Head Coach University of Kentucky Men's Basketball.

New York City community leaders in attendance were Bertha Lewis, President of The Black Institute and former CEO of ACORN; and Geoffrey Davis, Founder and President of the James E. Davis Stop The Violence Foundation.

All used enthusiastic accolades to describe Jay Z's business acumen.

Watch Video of Barclays Center Opening