We’re less than 24 hours away from tipoff in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta, where Kentucky meets St. John’s at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Of course, the matchup sets up a reunion with Rick Pitino, who coached Mark Pope and Kentucky’s 1996 team to the national championship. You know the story.
The high-stakes game is also critical to each team’s current tournament resume, as both teams need a win to boost their non-conference results. Will Kentucky keep the momentum going into Christmas with a marquee win? Or will Pitino out-coach his old captain and spoil the holiday for the Wildcats?