Kentucky vs. St. John’s: Mark Pope Faces His Mentor Rick Pitino in a Full-Circle Showdown
Saturday’s Kentucky-St. John’s matchup is more than just another non-conference clash.
It’s a reunion, a test, and a reflection of how far both coaches - and their programs - have come. For Mark Pope, now leading the Wildcats from the same sideline Rick Pitino once commanded, this game is layered with history and emotion.
The last time Pope faced Pitino as a head coach, it was 2015, and he was just getting his feet wet at Utah Valley. That night, Pitino’s Louisville team handed Pope a 30-point loss. Fast forward a decade, and Pope is no longer the wide-eyed rookie - he’s now at the helm of one of college basketball’s most storied programs, preparing to go head-to-head with the man who helped shape his basketball identity.
And fittingly, the game will be played in Atlanta - the city where Pope and Pitino once cut down nets together during the SEC Tournament in the mid-90s. That’s where Pitino coached Pope as part of Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team, a group now celebrating its 30th anniversary.
A Relationship Built on Respect - and Tough Love
Pope’s admiration for Pitino runs deep. You don’t have to dig far to find it - he’s been open about how much Pitino has influenced his life, both on and off the court. Last year, Pope brought Pitino out during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena, a moment that helped bridge the gap between the Kentucky fanbase and their former coach.
As Saturday’s tipoff approaches, Pope isn’t hiding the emotional weight of the moment - but he’s also not letting it cloud his focus.
“I love him,” Pope said. “And so we’re going to go try and beat him.”
There’s no confusion in Pope’s mind about what’s at stake. This isn’t just a sentimental reunion - it’s a competitive showdown.
Pitino is one of the greatest to ever do it, and Pope knows that better than anyone. But he’s also here to win.
That duality - respect and rivalry - is fueling everything.
Dinner, Denim, and 30 Years of Brotherhood
Before the game, there’ll be a bit of nostalgia. Pitino is set to have dinner in Atlanta with Pope and other members of that legendary 1996 squad. It’s been 30 years since they won it all, and you can bet the stories will be flowing - maybe even a few friendly jabs.
Asked who Pitino picked on the most back in the day, Pope didn’t hesitate.
“Me,” he said with a grin. “But I think every single guy on that team would say the same thing.”
From Tony Delk to Walter McCarty to Jeff Sheppard, Pitino had a knack for pushing every player to their limit - and somehow making each one feel like they were the most “abused” on the roster. It’s part of what made his teams so tough, so bonded, and ultimately, so successful.
“That’s one of the great gifts that Coach gives to his players,” Pope said. “It’s a magical thing. It’s why his teams turn out so great.”
Still Coaching, Even From Afar
Pitino’s mentorship hasn’t stopped just because Pope now wears the head coach title. After Kentucky’s 17-point loss to Michigan State in Madison Square Garden - Pitino’s old stomping grounds - the phone rang.
“Coach called me after Michigan State and told me to get my act together,” Pope said.
No trash talk yet between the two, at least not publicly. But the competitive fire is clearly there. And if there’s any ribbing to be done, it might come after the final buzzer.
Lessons That Still Matter
When Pope reflects on what he took from Pitino as a player, it comes down to two words: relentless effort.
“His relentless desire to compete. Hopefully, his fearless approach to the game,” Pope said. “Those are just general ideas that I’ve taken from him.”
From an Xs and Os standpoint, Pitino’s influence is still visible in Pope’s coaching style. The way Pitino inverted the floor offensively and stretched the game defensively made a lasting impression - and those concepts are baked into how Pope builds his own teams.
Even now, when Pope watches film of Pitino’s St. John’s squad, he sees echoes of the past.
“There’s a real, for sure, familiarity there,” Pope said. “You watch the film, and you’re like, ‘Man, I don’t know if he’s coaching them to do this, but it’s exactly how he coached us to do some things.’”
More Than Personal
As much as this game is a personal full-circle moment for Pope, he’s keeping the focus on his current team. Kentucky has won just one of its five marquee matchups this season, and this is another opportunity to prove they’re heading in the right direction.
“It’s important for our program. It’s important for our team,” Pope said. “It’s not going to change my relationship with Coach at all.”
Would it feel good to beat Pitino? Of course.
“Come on, yes for sure,” he added. “I’d love to beat him - just like I’d love to beat the next coach we play.”
But for Pope, the bigger picture is about growth - about helping his team take another step toward becoming the kind of group that can compete deep into March. And what better way to measure that progress than by going up against one of the game's all-time greats - someone who knows you better than most, and who helped shape the coach you’ve become?
Saturday in Atlanta won’t just be a game. It’ll be a chapter in a story that started three decades ago - and it’s still being written.