Clash of Legends: Kentucky Set to Battle Rick Pitino’s St. John’s in Blockbuster CBS Sports Classic Showdown
In a matchup bursting with history, drama, and national intrigue, the Kentucky Wildcats are set to face Rick Pitino and St. John’s in the upcoming CBS Sports Classic, according to a report from The Field of 68 and later confirmed by KY Insider.
The event, which annually features four of college basketball’s blueblood programs — Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, and UCLA — is now adding even more sizzle to its 2025 edition with this high-stakes showdown between the Wildcats and one of their most polarizing former coaches.
The Return of Rick Pitino – A Storyline Years in the Making
Few names stir up more conversation in Lexington than Rick Pitino. The Hall of Fame coach led the Wildcats from 1989 to 1997, guiding Kentucky out of NCAA sanctions and into national prominence with a relentless, pressing style that captivated fans. He brought Kentucky a national championship in 1996 and appeared in three Final Fours before leaving for the NBA.
His legacy at Kentucky is complex — a combination of admiration for his success and bitterness over his eventual return to college basketball as the head coach of archrival Louisville. Now, Pitino, in his second season at St. John’s, will lead the Red Storm into a high-profile collision course with his former team for the first time since taking over the Big East program in 2023.
“It’s going to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the season,” said one national analyst. “Kentucky vs. Pitino? That’s appointment television.”
Mark Pope vs. Rick Pitino – A Generational Coaching Battle
On the Kentucky sideline will be Mark Pope, the former Wildcat player turned head coach, who has quickly endeared himself to Big Blue Nation with his passion, recruiting prowess, and deep ties to the program. This matchup marks the first time Pope will go head-to-head against the legendary Pitino, setting the stage for a compelling contrast in coaching styles and legacies.
While Pitino has seen it all — from Final Fours to scandal recoveries — Pope is writing a new chapter for Kentucky basketball. Their meeting in the CBS Sports Classic will be more than just Xs and Os; it will be a symbolic bridge between the Wildcats’ past and its present.
“It’s going to be emotional, competitive, and loaded with storylines,” said CBS Sports analyst Seth Davis. “You’ve got Rick Pitino — a program builder — facing off against one of his program’s own. That’s the kind of basketball drama fans love.”
St. John’s on the Rise, Kentucky Reloaded
St. John’s, under Pitino, has made rapid progress, becoming a formidable presence in the Big East. With a roster filled with seasoned transfers and athletic guards, the Red Storm are expected to be nationally ranked entering the season.
Kentucky, on the other hand, is in the midst of a new era under Pope, who has aggressively retooled the roster through the transfer portal while holding onto key recruits. The Wildcats’ blend of experience and youthful energy should make them a major player in the SEC and a national contender.
The game will provide both programs with a major early-season test — and the outcome could carry March implications, especially in terms of rankings, seeding, and national perception.
CBS Sports Classic Returns to Spotlight
The CBS Sports Classic, which debuted in 2014, has become one of college basketball’s premier non-conference showcases. It’s traditionally held in a rotating venue and broadcast nationally on CBS. The official site and date for the 2025 edition are expected to be announced soon, but the confirmed matchups — Kentucky vs. St. John’s and North Carolina vs. UCLA — promise one of the most entertaining slates in recent memory.
For Kentucky fans, the chance to face Rick Pitino — a coach who helped restore their basketball glory — adds a unique layer of excitement and emotion.
A Must-Watch Matchup
The anticipation surrounding this game is already building. From nostalgic storylines to high-level basketball, Kentucky vs. St. John’s in the CBS Sports Classic is shaping up to be one of the marquee non-conference games of the 2025–26 season.
Whether you’re tuning in for the chess match between two masterful coaches, the player matchups, or simply to see how Kentucky fares against one of its most famous former leaders, this one is circled on the calendar.
Stay tuned for more details on the official date, location, and broadcast time — but one thing is certain: Kentucky vs. St. John’s will be must-watch college basketball
