In a matchup that felt more like a reunion than a rivalry, 73-year-old Rick Pitino guided St. John’s to a 78-66 loss against his former team, Kentucky, in Atlanta.
The Matchup
The game marked the first time in nearly a decade that Pitino faced Kentucky since leaving the program in 1997. It was also the opening contest of a college-basketball doubleheader in Atlanta, a venue that felt less charged than the Rupp Arena in Lexington.
Team Records
Kentucky entered the game with an 8-4 record, while St. John’s stood at 7-4. The Red Storm were ranked No. 22 in the AP poll, a position they could lose if the loss deepened.
Pitino’s Perspective
Pitino, now in his third season as St. John’s head coach, said after the game that he felt “like it was just another game.” He added, “I didn’t have any emotions.” He noted that if the game had been at Rupp Arena, his feelings would have been different.
Mark Pope’s Response
The Wildcats, led by head coach Mark Pope, won 78-66. Pope, who was a captain on the 1996 national-championship team that Pitino coached, praised his former mentor, saying, “I’m really proud of Mark.”
Pope also downplayed the emotional weight of facing his former coach. He said, “The only thing I care about is our team growing. I love Coach. I love him. But I’m just happy for our guys.”
Game Dynamics
From Pitino’s viewpoint, Pope has molded a squad that lacks prolific shooters into a more physical style. The transformation was evident in the second half, when Kentucky held St. John’s without a field goal for nearly nine minutes.
Pitino commented on the physicality, stating, “They’re going to be a very good basketball team. They’re going to have to keep playing smash-mouth basketball and play like that physical team. I give Mark all the credit in the world. He’s a big believer in finesse, a big believer in shooting the 3, but it’s not working so let’s change it, man.”
Season Implications
Kentucky’s victory kept them at 8-4, while St. John’s fell to 7-4. The loss has the potential to push the Red Storm out of the AP Top 25, a status they enjoyed after a 31-5 season that secured the Big East Conference title.
Pitino expressed disappointment, saying, “I’m disappointed with any loss. But our job is to get better. We’ve got a decent basketball team, nothing more than decent. We’ve got to take decent to good.”
Looking Ahead
The game’s outcome highlights the challenges St. John’s faces as it seeks to rebuild after a standout season. The Red Storm will need to regroup and focus on improving consistency to stay competitive.
Kentucky, meanwhile, will continue to rely on Pope’s physical approach as they aim to maintain momentum in the remainder of the season.
For Pitino, the matchup was a reminder of his enduring connection to Kentucky and the evolution of the program he once led. He remains proud of the progress his former captain has made.
As both programs look ahead, the 78-66 result serves as a benchmark for St. John’s to measure its growth and for Kentucky to confirm the effectiveness of Pope’s strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Rick Pitino faced Kentucky for the first time in nearly a decade and remained emotionally neutral.
- Mark Pope, former captain, praised Pitino and focused on team growth.
- Kentucky’s physical style forced St. John’s into a nine-minute field-goal-less stretch.
- St. John’s loss could threaten their AP Top 25 standing.
The 78-66 defeat in Atlanta underscores the competitive gulf between the two programs and the work that lies ahead for St. John’s as it strives to translate past success into a sustainable winning formula.
