Rick Pitino, Mark Pope set to face off as St. John’s tabbed to play Kentucky

Rick Pitino and Mark Pope are set to coach against each other next season.

David Berov broke the news of St. John’s being added to the CBS Sports Classic. College basketball insider Jeff Goodman confirmed that St. John’s is replacing UCLA, setting up a game with Kentucky.

Can confirm this.

The Johnnies replacing UCLA and will play Kentucky in CBS Sports Classic.

Rick Pitino against UK and Mark Pope.

Should be awesome!! https://t.co/D6NghFi4bm

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 1, 2025

The coaching matchup of Pitino vs. Pope will be a lead storyline. Pope was the captain of Pitino’s 1996 UK team that won the national championship.

Kentucky hiring Pope led to Pitino embracing his former program, even as the head coach of St. John’s. In October, Pitino accepted Pope’s invitation to Big Blue Madness and received a loud ovation from the crowd.

We get to root for a gentleman that … there’ve been a lot of great coaches here. A lot of great ones,” Pitino said at Big Blue Madness. “But we get to root for someone that the name Kentucky, is what he’s all about. It’s not about Pope … the most selfless, humble, young man I’ve ever coached in my lifetime. One of the great, great examples of what Kentucky basketball is all about. Mark Pope is going to lead you to greatness in every sense of the word.

In 2024-25, Pope guided Kentucky to its first Sweet 16 since 2019. Pitino’s St. John’s squad also made the NCAA Tournament, losing to John Calipari’s Arkansas team in the Round of 32.

Dates have not yet been announced for the CBS Sports Classic.

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.