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.
Rick Pitino compares facing Mark Pope, Kentucky to coaching against his son Saturday Down South.
Hence then, the article about rick pitino compares facing mark pope kentucky to coaching against his son was published today ( ) and is available on SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Rick Pitino compares facing Mark Pope, Kentucky to coaching against his son )
Also on site :
- 12-year old Russian beats world chess champion
- Body recovered from Lake Natoma amid search for missing man
- ‘The Princess Bride’ Star Cary Elwes Shares Tribute to Rob Reiner: ‘From That Very First Meeting I Fell In Love With Him’