Rick Pitino compares facing Mark Pope, Kentucky to coaching against his son
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
After a decade delay, Mark Pope vs. Rick Pitino Round II is slated for December 20 when Kentucky takes on St. John’s in the CBS Sports Classic.
Pope played for Pitino at Kentucky before getting his first head coaching gig at Utah Valley in 2015. While Pitino was at Louisville, he defeated Pope during his first season at Utah Valley. The upcoming contest should be a thrilling early season game between 2 elite teams that will once again have high aspirations.
This will also be Pitino’s first game coaching vs. his former team Kentucky since 2016 when he was still leading Louisville. Pitino compared facing Pope to when he’s coached college game against his son Richard, whom he has a 3-1 record against.
The legendary coach is excited to compete against the program he guided to a national title in 1996.
“Oh, I think it’s no different than coaching against your son. Obviously, it stirs different emotions. I think anytime you play Kentucky, what I’ve always called the Roman Empire of college basketball, you know you’re going to go against great talent,” Pitino told Jon Rothstein, per On3. “Certainly, Mark Pope is one of the bright young coaches in the game, and really has a great offensive mind, but it’ll be great to play against the University of Kentucky. I’m really looking forward to the game.”
Kentucky is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in Pope’s first season at the helm. Pitino is entering his third campaign with St. John’s after taking the Red Storm to the Round of 32 last season.
