Rick Pitino knows what it’s like to return to Rupp Arena as a rival coach and he is urging Kentucky basketball fans to give John Calipari an ovation on Saturday night (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Calipari will lead Arkansas into Lexington for the first time since his divorce with the Wildcats in April.
Pitino, a major advocate for his former Kentucky captain Mark Pope to get the job, posted a video on X Thursday morning detailing his experience with Louisville.
“I didn’t steer you wrong with Mark Pope when I sent out that last video and I certainly won’t steer you wrong with this video,” Pitino said.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) January 30, 2025
“Toughest day of my coaching career at Louisville was when I had to walk into Rupp Arena. Tried not to show it but when I went home the reception, it tore me up apart because I love that place so much.”
Pitino mentioned that he spoke to Ed Cooley, who St. John’s has played twice in the last two weeks, and he was nearly “brought to tears” when he was booed mercilessly when Georgetown played on the road against Providence.
Pitino was welcomed back to Rupp Arena with thunderous cheers that nearly brought him to tears this fall for Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness. It was the first time he had been back in the arena since coaching the Cardinals.
“As you all know, I’m not best friends with John Calipari. I respect him certainly, but it was a mutual thing,” Pitino added.
“The fans wanted a change. John read the tea leaves, he needed a change, and he really didn’t want to leave.”
Arkansas has struggled this season, sitting near the bottom of the SEC standings and on the outside of the NCAA Tournament.
“He brought the best talent in the history of the game, of any university in America, to Lexington. He also won a National Championship.”
“I want all of you to show the great class you have,” Pitino explained to Big Blue Nation.
“23,000 plus people giving him a huge standing ovation. Show him what respect and admiration is all about.”
Rick Pitino’s has his St. John’s team rolling, winning seven straight games and No. 15 in the AP Poll. The Johnnies will play Providence on Saturday afternoon (12:00 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network) inside Madison Square Garden.