Mark Pope vs. Rick Pitino: A Mentorship Revisited on the Big Stage
ATLANTA - When Kentucky and St. John’s tip off today in the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena, it won’t just be another non-conference showdown between two storied programs. It’s also a reunion - and a reckoning - between a coach and his former player, a teacher and his protégé.
Mark Pope, now in his first season as Kentucky’s head coach, steps onto the court opposite Rick Pitino, the Hall of Famer who once coached Pope during his playing days in Lexington. This isn’t their first meeting on opposite benches - that came back in 2015 when Pope was just starting his head coaching journey at Utah Valley and Pitino was at Louisville.
The result then was a lopsided 98-68 win for Pitino’s Cardinals. But today feels different.
This time, Pope isn’t leading an upstart mid-major into the lion’s den. He’s guiding the Wildcats, the very program where Pitino built his legacy - and where Pope learned what it meant to wear the blue and white. Now, they meet again, both wearing different colors but with the same competitive fire.
“We have one job, and only one job: That’s to go win,” Pope said earlier this week. “All of my emotions toward Coach [Pitino], they’re all focused in exactly the same direction.
So, I love him - and we’re going to go try and beat him. He’s one of the best all-time coaches in the history of college basketball.”
There’s no overstating Pitino’s track record, especially against his former players. He’s 18-4 in such matchups, with three of those losses coming during his stint at Iona. That kind of dominance speaks to the sharp edge Pitino brings to every game - even when facing someone he mentored.
But for Pope, this isn’t about personal milestones or symbolic victories. It’s about growth - for himself, and more importantly, for his team.
“For sure, I’d love to beat him - like I’d love to beat the next coach I play against,” Pope said. “But this is really important for our team and our program that we continue to grow and evolve as a team and understand who we are.”
And that’s the heart of it. Kentucky comes into this one at 7-4, still trying to find its rhythm in a season that’s already featured some highs - like a 72-60 win over Indiana - and some tough lessons, including a blowout loss to Gonzaga. The Wildcats have shown flashes of potential, especially on the offensive end, but consistency has been elusive.
St. John’s, meanwhile, is 7-3 and still searching for its first Quad 1 win of the season.
Pitino’s squad has dropped all three of its chances so far, making today’s matchup a crucial opportunity to notch a signature victory. In many ways, the Red Storm are where Kentucky was just a week ago - talented, dangerous, but still looking for that breakthrough.
Statistically, Kentucky has the edge in some key categories. They’ve been better on the glass, they move the ball well, and they’ve taken care of it more effectively than St.
John’s. But when you dig into the analytics, the Red Storm’s efficiency - especially on both ends of the floor - gives them the edge.
And then there’s the emotional layer. Pitino still has deep ties to Kentucky.
His time in Lexington helped shape his Hall of Fame career, and his affection for the program remains strong, even as he tries to outcoach one of its own. For Pope, facing Pitino isn’t just about the scoreboard - it’s about measuring up against one of the greats.
Tipoff is set for 12:30 p.m., and it’s shaping up to be a back-and-forth battle. Expect lead changes, momentum swings, and a game that may come down to the final possession. If Pope can guide Kentucky to a win over his former coach, it won’t just be another tally in the win column - it’ll be a defining moment in his young tenure at UK.
Kentucky’s Season So Far: A Mixed Bag with Signs of Growth
The Wildcats have had a rollercoaster ride through the early part of the 2025-26 campaign. After a strong exhibition win over Purdue, they stumbled against Georgetown, then bounced back with dominant wins over Nicholls and Valparaiso. Losses to Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, and Gonzaga have tested their resolve, but the recent victory over Indiana showed signs of a team starting to come together.
Here’s a quick look at Kentucky’s season to date:
- Notable Wins: Purdue (exhibition), Nicholls, Valparaiso, Eastern Illinois, Loyola Maryland, Tennessee Tech, Indiana
- Tough Losses: Georgetown (exhibition), Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, Gonzaga
- Record: 7-4
The Wildcats have shown they can score in bunches - topping 100 points three times already - but the defense has been inconsistent, particularly against elite opponents. Today’s game will be another litmus test.
What the Oddsmakers Are Saying
Kentucky enters as a slight underdog, with the line sitting at +3.5. The over/under is set at 155.5, signaling expectations of a high-scoring affair.
The moneyline has St. John’s at -170 and Kentucky at +142 - close enough to suggest this could go either way.
Prediction: A Coaching Chess Match with March Vibes in December
St. John’s 77, Kentucky 74.
This one has all the ingredients of a classic - two high-profile programs, two coaches with intertwined histories, and two teams hungry for a statement win. Expect a tight, emotional game that swings on a few key possessions.
In the end, Pitino’s experience and St. John’s efficiency might just be enough to edge out Pope’s Wildcats.
But make no mistake - Pope’s Kentucky squad is learning fast. And if they keep trending upward, this won’t be the last time he finds himself in a marquee coaching duel.