In a matchup that will reignite one of college basketball’s most compelling narratives, the Kentucky Wildcats are set to face the St. John’s Red Storm, now led by legendary head coach Rick Pitino, in the upcoming edition of the CBS Sports Classic. The game, first reported by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, marks the first time Pitino will face his former program since taking the reins at St. John’s and adds an electric layer of drama to what has become one of the sport’s premier non-conference events.
This anticipated clash is more than just another marquee matchup—it’s a full-circle moment steeped in history, legacy, and redemption. For Kentucky, it’s a chance to reassert itself as a blue-blood power in a new era. For Pitino, it’s an emotional return to the national stage with an opponent that once defined his career.
Rick Pitino’s name is synonymous with Kentucky basketball. He revitalized the program in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, pulling it from the ashes of NCAA sanctions and guiding the Wildcats to a national championship in 1996. During his eight seasons in Lexington, Pitino amassed a 219–50 record and led Kentucky to three Final Fours. His up-tempo, pressing style revolutionized the program and turned the Wildcats into a dominant force in the college game.
But his departure in 1997 to coach the NBA’s Boston Celtics and later his controversial stint at Louisville—a bitter in-state rival of Kentucky—soured his legacy among portions of the Big Blue Nation. Now, nearly three decades after he last wore Kentucky blue, Pitino will stare across the court at his former team, this time as the head coach of St. John’s, a sleeping giant he’s determined to awaken.
Pitino’s return to a high-profile national spotlight has been one of the most closely watched storylines in college basketball over the past two seasons. After spending three years at Iona and reminding the basketball world of his coaching genius, he accepted the challenge of rebuilding the Red Storm—a once-proud program with a rich history that had fallen into obscurity in recent decades. His arrival in Queens immediately sparked buzz, and in just one year, Pitino transformed St. John’s into a team with legitimate Big East contention hopes.
Now, with a bolstered roster and a year of building under his belt, Pitino will lead the Red Storm into what may be their biggest regular-season game in recent memory. The CBS Sports Classic, typically held in December, features a rotating group of powerhouse programs including Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, and UCLA. This year’s scheduling twist—replacing one of the regulars with St. John’s for a headline showdown—has already stirred massive excitement among fans and pundits alike.
For Kentucky, the game represents a crucial test in the early stages of a transformative season. With new head coach Mark Pope taking over the reins following John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas, the Wildcats are entering a new chapter. Pope, a former Kentucky player who was part of the 1996 national championship team coached by none other than Pitino, now finds himself preparing to face his former coach on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
It’s a storybook narrative—the student versus the teacher. Pope has quickly endeared himself to the Kentucky faithful with his charismatic energy, commitment to tradition, and an aggressive approach in the transfer portal. His retooling of the Wildcats’ roster has been met with optimism, and the St. John’s matchup could serve as a defining moment early in his tenure. A win over Pitino would not only boost Kentucky’s résumé but would also signal that the Wildcats are ready to compete at the highest level once again.
This year’s CBS Sports Classic promises to deliver a compelling clash of styles. Pitino’s Red Storm team is known for its intense pressure defense, efficient ball movement, and opportunistic scoring. St. John’s plays fast, attacks relentlessly, and never backs down from a challenge. Kentucky, on the other hand, under Pope’s leadership, is expected to blend physicality with pace, leaning on versatile bigs and dynamic perimeter shooting. The matchup is not only about coaching narratives but also a strategic battle between two contrasting basketball philosophies.
Expect a high-stakes, emotionally charged atmosphere when the two teams meet. While the game’s exact date and location have yet to be officially announced, sources indicate it will take place in December at a neutral site—likely Madison Square Garden or T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, both frequent hosts of the CBS Sports Classic. Wherever the location, the implications will be national.
The impact of this game goes far beyond just the two programs involved. For the CBS Sports Classic, which has at times struggled to match the early-season prestige of events like the Champions Classic or Maui Invitational, this year’s pairing could be a defining moment. The Pitino vs. Kentucky narrative guarantees headlines, and the game could draw some of the highest viewership numbers in the event’s history. From a marketing perspective, CBS could not have asked for a better storyline.
And then there’s the fanbase dynamic. Kentucky fans have long been divided on how to feel about Pitino. For many, his success in the ‘90s will forever be cherished. For others, the Louisville years and the NCAA controversies that followed tarnished his legacy. Seeing him back on the opposite sideline, coaching against a program he once rebuilt, will stir emotions on all sides. Meanwhile, St. John’s fans—newly energized by Pitino’s leadership—will see this as a chance to showcase that their program is back on the map.
The game could also serve as a critical résumé builder for both teams heading into conference play. For St. John’s, a win over Kentucky would provide a major boost in the NET rankings and likely secure national attention. For Kentucky, still establishing its identity under Pope, the matchup offers a chance to make a statement to the selection committee, NBA scouts, and the college basketball world.
Recruiting implications also linger in the background. Pitino, known for his magnetic recruiting personality, has made it clear he’s not settling for mediocrity at St. John’s. Beating a powerhouse like Kentucky on a national stage would only enhance his pitch to top prospects. Pope, meanwhile, is trying to re-establish Kentucky as the destination for elite talent. The showdown could be a recruiting inflection point, especially as both coaches attempt to lock down East Coast and national targets.
The matchup is particularly special for those who appreciate the deep roots of the college game. It’s a reminder of how interconnected the sport’s greatest stories can be—how a coach’s legacy can come full circle, how programs rise and fall and rise again, and how the passion of college basketball never truly fades. It’s these types of moments that keep fans invested, alumni engaged, and history alive.
While the CBS Sports Classic typically offers strong matchups, this year’s Kentucky-St. John’s game could elevate the entire event to new heights. It’s not just a game—it’s a narrative dream, filled with personal subplots, historical echoes, and future consequences. Every possession will feel magnified. Every timeout will be watched closely. Every glance between Pope and Pitino will be dissected. And when the final buzzer sounds, the implications will linger far beyond the box score.
As we inch closer to the start of the 2025-26 college basketball season, anticipation is already building. Fans are circling the date. Analysts are prepping storylines. And somewhere in New York, Rick Pitino is already studying tape and imagining what it will be like to stare down Kentucky one more time. Across the country in Lexington, Mark Pope is doing the same, knowing full well what this game means—to his players, his fanbase, and his own legacy.
The return of Pitino to the national spotlight against his old school in a headline matchup is the type of theater only college basketball can provide. It’s nostalgia, rivalry, redemption, and competition all wrapped into one. And when the lights shine brightest in December, the eyes of the basketball world will be glued to what promises to be one of the most compelling non-conference games of the season.
Kentucky versus St. John’s. Pope versus Pitino. The past versus the present. One game, endless meaning.
Let the countdown begin.