ATLANTA — Today’s matchup between Kentucky basketball and St. John’s features a captivating “mentor versus protégé” theme. Rick Pitino, the head coach of St. John’s, previously led the Wildcats for eight seasons from 1989 to 1997, where he mentored current Kentucky coach Mark Pope, who was a player in the program from 1993 to 1996.
Another compelling aspect of this game is the revival of a historic rivalry between two once-prominent collegiate basketball programs. From 1943 to 1952, Kentucky (currently 7-4) and St. John’s (7-3) faced off every season, with two matchups occurring in 1951. During this era, legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp was making his mark, while St. John’s was guided by notable coaches Joseph Lapchick and Frank McGuire. Despite the talent on St. John’s sidelines, Rupp’s Wildcats triumphed in the majority of those encounters, winning eight out of eleven. Since then, however, the two teams have competed only five more times.
Overall, Kentucky leads the all-time series against St. John’s at 11-5. In this year’s game, St. John’s comes in as the only ranked team at No. 20 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the AP Top 25, while Kentucky is receiving votes in both rankings.
Fans can tune in to watch the game, which will tip off at 12:30 p.m. today at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The action will be broadcast nationally on CBS, and those without cable can catch the game via streaming services, including Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Betting insights have Kentucky as a 3.5-point underdog on DraftKings, with an over/under set at 155.5 points. The money line odds reflect St. John’s at -170 and Kentucky at +142.
Listeners can follow the Kentucky radio network call, featuring play-by-play by Tom Leach and analysis from Jack Givens, on 840 AM in Louisville, as well as on 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington. The game can also be streamed online via UKAthletics.com.
This matchup not only highlights the history and rivalry between two storied programs but also brings together a mentorship story that adds depth to the competition on the court. As the Wildcats and Red Storm clash, fans can look forward to an engaging and spirited contest.