The upcoming **Kentucky vs. St. John’s** matchup in the **CBS Sports Classic** is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the season. This showdown, scheduled for **December 20, 2025**, at **State Farm Arena in Atlanta**, will feature two legendary figures in college basketball: **Rick Pitino** and **Mark Pope** [A](https://www.on3.com/news/kentucky-releases-facetime-between-mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirming-2025-26-matchup/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL25ld3NcL2tlbnR1Y2t5LXJlbGVhc2VzLWZhY2V0aW1lLWJldHdlZW4tbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm1pbmctMjAyNS0yNi1tYXRjaHVwXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### A Battle of Legends
Rick Pitino, the head coach of **St. John’s**, is no stranger to Kentucky basketball. He led the Wildcats to a **national championship in 1996**, with Mark Pope serving as the **team captain** [A](https://www.on3.com/news/kentucky-releases-facetime-between-mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirming-2025-26-matchup/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL25ld3NcL2tlbnR1Y2t5LXJlbGVhc2VzLWZhY2V0aW1lLWJldHdlZW4tbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm1pbmctMjAyNS0yNi1tYXRjaHVwXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Now, nearly **30 years later**, the two will face off as opposing coaches in a game that carries deep historical significance.
### The FaceTime Announcement
Kentucky officially confirmed the matchup with a **FaceTime call** between Pitino and Pope, where the two coaches expressed their excitement for the game [A](https://www.on3.com/news/kentucky-releases-facetime-between-mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirming-2025-26-matchup/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL25ld3NcL2tlbnR1Y2t5LXJlbGVhc2VzLWZhY2V0aW1lLWJldHdlZW4tbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm1pbmctMjAyNS0yNi1tYXRjaHVwXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Pope acknowledged their shared history, saying, *“It’s 30 years since you won your first national championship, and I got mine, thanks to you.”* Pitino responded with humor, reminiscing about their championship run and expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming battle [A](https://www.on3.com/news/kentucky-releases-facetime-between-mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirming-2025-26-matchup/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL25ld3NcL2tlbnR1Y2t5LXJlbGVhc2VzLWZhY2V0aW1lLWJldHdlZW4tbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm1pbmctMjAyNS0yNi1tYXRjaHVwXC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### St. John’s Joins the CBS Sports Classic
St. John’s is replacing **UCLA**, which had been part of the CBS Sports Classic since **2014** [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This change adds a fresh dynamic to the event, as Pitino’s **Red Storm** will now take on Pope’s **Wildcats** in a game that promises high stakes and intense competition [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### Kentucky’s Dominance in the Series
Historically, Kentucky has had the upper hand against St. John’s, leading the series **11-5** [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Their last meeting was in **2012**, when Kentucky secured an **81-59 victory** in Lexington [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). However, this will be Pitino’s **first game against Kentucky** since **2016**, when he was coaching Louisville [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### What’s at Stake?
Both teams are expected to be **top-15 contenders** in preseason rankings [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Kentucky, under Pope’s leadership, has been building a strong roster, while Pitino has revitalized St. John’s with **key transfers** from programs like **North Carolina, Providence, Arizona State, and Stanford** [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/mark-pope-rick-pitino-confirm-kentucky-vs-st-johns-cbs-sports-classic-atlanta/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJGc1dONnBucG9GQ0YyVkdwdktYU3YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVERaTEphb0tlN0JyQkwxNDVlNXJLIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbWFyay1wb3BlLXJpY2stcGl0aW5vLWNvbmZpcm0ta2VudHVja3ktdnMtc3Qtam9obnMtY2JzLXNwb3J0cy1jbGFzc2ljLWF0bGFudGFcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
This game will not only be a battle between two elite programs but also a **personal showdown** between a former coach and his former player. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable.
Will Pitino’s experience give St. John’s the edge, or will Pope lead Kentucky to another victory over his former mentor? Either way, this **Christmas showdown in “Catlanta”** is one that college basketball fans won’t want to miss.
Who do you think will come out on top? 🏀🔥
