© Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos
Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari will return to his former stomping grounds on Saturday when his Razorbacks sq. up in opposition to the Kentucky Wildcats. It represents his first time again at Rupp Enviornment since leaving final 12 months.
Rick Pitino discovered himself in those self same sneakers earlier in his teaching profession. After leaving Lexington and touchdown at Louisville, he confronted an indignant Massive Blue Nation in 2001.
Pitino led the Wildcats for eight seasons, main this system to 3 Ultimate Fours and a nationwide championship. He left to teach within the NBA earlier than returning to school for a bitter rival.
At Louisville, he received one other title earlier than his controversial exit. He says essentially the most tough time in his teaching profession got here as a customer in Rupp Enviornment.
Glad this footage of Rick Pitino’s return to Rupp in 2001 as UofL’s coach is on the market. I’ll always remember the second he walked onto the court docket. Cal’s exit was completely different, however will probably be attention-grabbing to match the sensation within the constructing. pic.twitter.com/8Jjg2zKZCY
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) January 29, 2025
John Calipari now expects to see the same welcome when going through a Kentucky program he beforehand led to a title. The top coach skilled speedy success initially of his tenure, racking up 4 Ultimate Fours in his first 5 seasons.
Sadly, he was unable to maintain that success all through the rest of his time in Lexington. Whereas the Wildcats have been an annual NCAA Match crew, they typically struggled within the postseason.
A string of early exits to lower-ranked foes finally led his relationship with the fanbase to bitter. He selected to stroll away from Lexington after 15 years, agreeing to a cope with SEC rival Arkansas whereas bringing just a few Kentucky gamers with him. Calipari spoke on his upcoming return to Rupp Enviornment this week.
John Calipari talks about his return to Rupp Enviornment this Saturday #BBN pic.twitter.com/xCiv23JLnQ
— Wildcat (@WildcatUKx) January 28, 2025
John Calipari anticipates that he’ll hear some boo birds forward of tipoff. Whereas it might not be as hostile because the one Rick Pitino beforehand skilled, you possibly can guess Kentucky followers would take satisfaction in embarrassing their former coach.
Pitino mirrored on his return, which got here greater than twenty years in the past. He begged Massive Blue Nation to not boo Coach Cal as he walked onto the ground.
pic.twitter.com/jBLHZ6wAPz
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) January 30, 2025
The Razorbacks and Wildcats are set to face off at 9 PM ET on Saturday evening. Kentucky enters because the nation’s Twelfth-ranked crew whereas Arkansas appears to proper the ship after a 1-6 begin in SEC play.
The welcome John Calipari receives will probably be a speaking level all through the evening. We’ll see if the fanbase listens Rick Pitino’s pleas.
