Mark Pope warns Rick Pitino that he is 'bringing the suit game' to Kentucky vs. St. John's matchup

The court isn’t the only place that Mark Pope is hoping to beat St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino on Dec. 20. The Kentucky headman is hungry to outshine Pitino in the fashion department, as well.
“I’m putting this out there so Coach P can hear it: I am bringing the suit game,” Pope said. “I’ve already started planning. Coach, just be ready. OK, bring it.”
It’s a tall task to outdress Pitino, who, in the age of quarter zip-ups and sweatsuits, still dons a suit for every game. Pitino’s most iconic look is arguably his all-white suit, which he only wears on special occasions. Pope clarified that he won’t try to steal that fit from the college basketball legend.
“I’m not trying to be The Don, that position has already been taken,” Pope said. “But, I’m bringing the thunder. I don’t know what coach has prepared, but he better get with his tailor, because it’s on right now.”
This past season, Pope made a compromise between business and comfort in his fashion. In honor of Rupp Arena, Pope and his staff wore suits for home games but on the road, they donned quarter zip-ups and slacks.
Pitino doesn’t judge coaches for not adhering to the former coaching dress codes. However, fans shouldn’t plan on seeing him striding up the sidelines in anything but a suit and tie.
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“It’s my preference to just dress up rather than dress down,” Pitino said, per FOX10. “My son [Xavier coach Richard Pitino], who is the closest person to me in coaching, he wears a quarter-zip and he looks great. He’s more comfortable doing that, and I’ve just been doing it for so many years — 50 years — that I believe in dressing up.”
Pope and Pitino are embracing the friendly competition. After all, they share no shortage of history. Pope was the team captain on Pitino’s 1996 National Championship team at Kentucky. To kick off his debut campaign at the helm of Kentucky, Pope invited Rick Pitino to his inaugural Big Blue Madness.
Pitino attended, along with the members of the 1996 National Championship team, and was welcomed back into Rupp Arena with open arms. It was a moment that would’ve seemed impossible only a few years before, when most Kentucky fans considered Pitino their sworn enemy.
Now, the two friends will square off for the first time in their respective coaching careers. The showdown is part of the CBS Sports Classic and will unfold in State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on Dec. 20.