Arkansas-St. John’s in round two pits iconic Kentucky coaches against each other yet again
LONG, LONG PERIOD OF TIME, I REALLY RESPECT YOU. I CERTAINLY HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR HIM. BUT WE’RE NOT REALLY CLOSE. EVERYBODY TRIED TO TALK THAT WAY. IT WAS JUST A KENTUCKY, LOUISVILLE, LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS THING, YOU KNOW? SO IT’S I DON’T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT HIM EXCEPT HE’S A TERRIFIC BASKETBALL COACH. KNEW HIM AS I KNEW HIM AS A VERY YOUNG AGE. I KNEW HIM REALLY WELL. BUT YEARS HAVE GONE BY AND I’VE I DON’T THINK WE’VE BEEN TO DINNER ONE TIME IN OUR LIFETIME. SO IT’S IT’S I MEAN, WE’RE BOTH ITALIAN. WE BOTH LOVE THE GAME. I
Arkansas-St. John’s in round two pits iconic Kentucky coaches against each other yet again
Updated: 11:05 PM EDT Mar 21, 2025
Two of the most iconic coaches in college basketball will meet again in the NCAA tournament.No. 2 seed St. John’s Red Storm, led by Rick Pitino, will take on 10-seed Arkansas Razorbacks and John Calipari in the second round.GAME DETAILS | 2:40 p.m. Saturday in Providence – watch on WLKYThis will be the 24th all-time matchup between Pitino and Calipari, and both have deep Kentucky ties.Calipari was UK’s coach for 15 years before leaving for Arkansas this season. Pitino led both UK and Louisville at different points, becoming a controversial figure in the rivalry, and even coached the man who replaced Cal — Mark Pope.Their rivalry dates back to 1991, with Pitino’s Kentucky teams winning 4 of 5 meetings against Coach Cal and UMass, including the 1996 Final Four.Both coaches spent time in the NBA before returning to the collegiate ranks. They became Conference USA rivals, with Louisville and Memphis splitting 8 games. The stakes grew when Cal arrived in Lexington, where he dominated the Battle of the Bluegrass with an 8-2 record, including wins in the 2012 Final Four and the 2014 Sweet 16.The Razorbacks are one win away from their fourth Sweet 16 appearance in the last five years.St. John’s hasn’t made it past the Round of 32 since 1999.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. —Two of the most iconic coaches in college basketball will meet again in the NCAA tournament.
No. 2 seed St. John’s Red Storm, led by Rick Pitino, will take on 10-seed Arkansas Razorbacks and John Calipari in the second round.
GAME DETAILS | 2:40 p.m. Saturday in Providence – watch on WLKY
This will be the 24th all-time matchup between Pitino and Calipari, and both have deep Kentucky ties.
Calipari was UK’s coach for 15 years before leaving for Arkansas this season. Pitino led both UK and Louisville at different points, becoming a controversial figure in the rivalry, and even coached the man who replaced Cal — Mark Pope.
Their rivalry dates back to 1991, with Pitino’s Kentucky teams winning 4 of 5 meetings against Coach Cal and UMass, including the 1996 Final Four.
Both coaches spent time in the NBA before returning to the collegiate ranks. They became Conference USA rivals, with Louisville and Memphis splitting 8 games.
The stakes grew when Cal arrived in Lexington, where he dominated the Battle of the Bluegrass with an 8-2 record, including wins in the 2012 Final Four and the 2014 Sweet 16.
The Razorbacks are one win away from their fourth Sweet 16 appearance in the last five years.
St. John’s hasn’t made it past the Round of 32 since 1999.
