College basketball insider: Kentucky vs. St. John's could be most highly-anticipated non-conference game in 2025-2026

On May 1, the CBS Sports Classic announced that St. John’s is replacing UCLA in the four-team showcase and will be squaring off against Kentucky this year. CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein believes the matchup could end up being one of the best this year.

“I gotta tell you — and I’m not just saying this because I’m a proud CBS employee — I think you could make the case that the matchup between St. John’s and Kentucky next season is the most highly-anticipated game that we are going to see during the non-conference portion of the schedule,” Rothstein said. “You have two teams that are going to be in the top 11 or 12 to start the season.

“You have Rick Pitino at St. John’s going against his former team in Kentucky. And not just going against his former team in Kentucky, but going against his former captain, Mark Pope, who was a part of that ’96 team that was one of the best teams that I have seen in my lifetime… I’ll say it again, I think you can make the case that St. John’s-Kentucky will be the most-highly anticipated non-conference game that we will see during the 2025-26 season.”

It should be a war between the two teams. Kentucky finished at No. 12 in the final AP Poll of the season. St. John’s finished at No. 11. Mark Pope utilizes an analytical, visually-appealing offense. Rick Pitino overpowers his opponents with pure grit.

Moreover, as Rothstein mentioned, the two know each other all too well. Pope played two seasons under Pitino at Kentucky. Pitino was outspoken in his support of Kentucky’s decision to hire Pope last year, and was ultimately instrumental in changing Big Blue Nation’s perspective on their new coach.

Pope returned the favor by inviting Pitino to the 2024 Big Blue Madness, where Pitino was welcomed with a standing ovation. It was a healing moment for Kentucky fans and Pitino. But, when the Wildcats and St. John’s face off on Dec. 20, Pitino shouldn’t expect such a warm reception.

Nonetheless, for now, Pope and Pitino are remaining friendly. The duo even released a video on a FaceTime together after the announcement, discussing their excitement for the matchup.

“It’s 30 years since you won your first national championship and I got mine, thanks to you,” Pope said. “I think we should give the Johnnies and all of BBN the greatest Christmas gift ever on Dec. 20 in ‘Catlanta,’ what do ya say?”

“It feels like it was about seven, eight years ago that we won the championship,” Pitino responded. “But I coached one of the greatest teams in the history of the game and you were the captain. And now we get to coach against each other. I’m just turning 60 years of age and you’re still young.”