Rick Pitino accepts Mark Pope's challenge, signaling a potential Kentucky vs. St. John's series in the works as Pope, a former player under Pitino, expresses interest in the matchup during his opening press conference as the new Wildcats head coach at Rupp Arena.

By the Numbers
  • Pitino led Kentucky to Final Fours in 1993, 1996, and 1997.
  • St. John's had a 20-13 season under Pitino's leadership in year one.
Yes, But

Formal arrangements for the series are still pending despite the public acceptance by both coaches.

State of Play
  • Mark Pope's different approach from John Calipari in scheduling and building Kentucky's program.
  • Potential matchup between St. John's and Kentucky stirs excitement as the two teams prepare to meet for the first time since 2011.
What's Next

The series between Kentucky and St. John's is expected to be finalized, with games scheduled at UK and The Mecca in the following years, showcasing the renewed rivalry.

Bottom Line

The anticipated matchup between Rick Pitino's St. John's and Mark Pope's Kentucky sets the stage for an exciting series, highlighting a shift in scheduling philosophy under Pope's leadership and reigniting the historic rivalry between the two basketball powerhouses.