The team alleged Mark Pope has done something really disgraceful these days about the NBA draft.
During his introductory press conference, Mark Pope, who played under Pitino at Kentucky and won the 1996 National Championship together, discussed his approach to non-conference scheduling, including neutral site games and pre-season tournaments. He made it clear who he wanted to play: St. John’s.
“Anybody down for a game with St. John’s,” the pope asked.
Rick Pitino expressed his willingness to set up that series.
“St. John’s accepts, this year in the UK, next year at the Mecca (Madison Square Garden),” Pitino tweeted on social media. “Looking forward to saying goodbye to Kentucky.”
It was last month.
On Monday, it looked that conversations had progressed to the point of forming an official series.
According to college basketball analyst Adam Zagoria, the series will begin in 2025-26.
The match will commemorate the 1996 National Championship team’s 30th anniversary.
“For our 30th anniversary next year we will go to Rupp [Arena] and they will return to MSG the following year [2026-27],” Pitino stated to Zagoria.
Pitino was very vocal regarding Pope’s hiring at Kentucky, particularly what it would imply for the program.
“Mark Pope will go on to greatness,” Pitino declared. “You can put it down … nobody epitomizes the name Kentucky on the front of the jersey like Mark Pope.”
Earlier this week, Pope told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein that he and Pitino were actively working to arrange up the series.
“We both want it,” Pope explained. “Scheduling can be tricky at times, so we’re both trying to figure it out. What I truly want is for Coach to return to Rupp Arena, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the three weeks I’ve been here, it’s that Big Blue Nation adores Coach (Pitino).
