St. John’s Red Storm faces Kentucky in epic CBS Sports Classic showdown and the coaching storyline will break your heart

St. John’s University battles No. 22 ranked Kentucky today at the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta. The Red Storm (7-3) face the Wildcats (7-4) in this marquee nonconference matchup at State Farm Arena. This contest carries historic significance with Rick Pitino’s St. John’s squad taking on Mark Pope’s Kentucky team.

The Historic Coaching Reunion

This game represents a unique coaching story. Rick Pitino mentored Mark Pope during their 1996 NCAA Championship run at Kentucky. Pope now leads the Wildcats while Pitino has built St. John’s into a ranked program.

Pitino actively endorsed Pope’s hiring at Kentucky. He posted videos supporting the move and lobbied internally for his former pupil. This matchup represents a celebration of their coaching bond rather than an adversarial situation.

The personal connection adds emotional weight to Saturday’s contest. Pope recently detailed their relationship, calling it special and meaningful. The two coaches will face off in Atlanta with mutual respect guiding the competition.

St. John’s Impressive Start to Season

The Red Storm opened 2025-26 with strong performances. Coming into the CBS Sports Classic, St. John’s sits at 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the Big East Conference. The ranking of No. 22 represents a significant achievement for the program.

St. John’s was preseason No. 5 in the AP Poll and has validated those expectations early. The Red Storm bring strong fundamental basketball and solid defense. Making the CBS Sports Classic for the first time adds prestige to their nonconference schedule.

Kentucky’s Quest for Marquee Victory

Team	Record	Conference
St. John’s	7-3	Big East (1-0)
Kentucky	7-4	SEC (0-0)

Kentucky searches for a signature nonconference win. The Wildcats enter at 7-4 but remain unranked after disappointing results earlier. Pope’s squad has opportunities to improve their resume Saturday.

Facing No. 22 St. John’s gives Kentucky exactly the ranked opponent needed. A victory would significantly boost tournament positioning. The Wildcats struggle for consistency but possess talent to compete at high levels.

Series History and Recent Context

Kentucky leads the all-time series 11-5 against St. John’s. The teams last met when Kentucky dominated 81-59. However, St. John’s brings improved talent and momentum into this matchup.

Expert predictions favor St. John’s slightly. Oddsmakers list St. John’s as -170 favorites with Kentucky +142 underdogs. The point total sits around 157.5 points.

Rick Pitino aims to celebrate Cats victory at his old stomping grounds. Yet this represents genuine competition. Mark Pope wants to prove Kentucky belongs among the nation’s elite programs.

Will St. John’s continue their strong start against ranked competition?

The Red Storm face their sternest test yet in the CBS Sports Classic. Playing against Mark Pope’s squad presents a significant challenge. St. John’s must execute efficiently while containing Kentucky’s talented roster.

Rick Pitino has St. John’s competing at an elite level after years of rebuilding. This CBS Sports Classic appearance validates the program’s direction. Winning in Atlanta would prove the Red Storm can beat anyone in tournament-like settings.

Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM ET on CBS. Fans can stream the game on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App. The game precedes the North Carolina vs. Ohio State matchup at 3:00 PM in the second CBS Sports Classic contest.

Sources

• ESPN – Live game coverage and team statistics
• CBS Sports – CBS Sports Classic event details and analysis
• Kentucky Athletics – Official preview and coaching information