Pope vs. Pitino is on!
Christmas in Catlanta
Thank you, @CBSSports Classic, for making this happen. pic.twitter.com/PpAePu1fG1
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 1, 2025
The Kentucky Wildcats will get to face Rick Pitino and St. John’s after all.
According to St. John’s reporter David Berov, the Red Storm are replacing UCLA in this year’s CBS Sports Classic and will face the Wildcats.
That means Kentucky coach Mark Pope will get to face his former coach next season after the two helped the Wildcats win the 1996 NCAA Championship.
Both sides had been working to set up a regular-season series between the Red Storm and Wildcats, but plans for that to happen next season fell through.
However, Pitino recently said the schools were working on a potential exhibition matchup for next season. It’s safe to say that won’t be needed now that we’re getting a regular-season matchup instead.
It will also make a reunion with former Wildcats forward Bryce Hopkins, who transferred to St. John’s this offseason, as well as former Kentucky recruit Ian Jackson. Those two will lead a Red Storm team that’s ranked No. 3 in the ESPN preseason college hoops rankings (Kentucky is No. 10).
NEWS: St. John’s is joining the CBS Sports Classic and will play the Kentucky Wildcats this season, according to a source.
The field of four will now be Ohio State, North Carolina, Kentucky and St. John’s.
The Red Storm are replacing UCLA. More details to come. #sjubb
— Dave (@Davee_8) May 1, 2025