The father of highly regarded big man prospect Daniel Orton said on Wednesday that Kentucky was the favorite in the recruiting race for his son.

"I would kind of say that," Larry Orton said.

When asked why Kentucky was the favorite, the elder Orton had a one-word response: "Basketball," he said.

Orton, the son, plans to visit basketball country at an optimal time. He has set up an official campus visit for Oct. 9-11, the weekend Kentucky will stage its Big Blue Madness celebration.

Orton, the son, a 6-foot-10, 256-pound center/forward, said Kentucky was among his top three schools, along with Kansas and Ohio State. Orton, who lives in Oklahoma City, also mentioned Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.

Jerry Tipton