Rick Pitino still hopeful for a 30th reunion game in Rupp Arena and a return trip to New York

Rick Pitino made a surprise guest appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio’s morning show, hosted by Pardon My Take’s Big Cat and PFT on Thursday. Here at KSR HQ, we are still wrapping our brains around Pitino on the KSR airwaves, and all he had to say to Big Blue Nation.

Kentucky Sports Radio fans.

We have our very special guest calling in now. It's Coach Rick Pitino

Tune In –> https://t.co/iyp25lxk2v pic.twitter.com/sebeCTRKLO

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 27, 2024

One of the many comments that stood out from the conversation was Pitino’s announcement to Pardon My Take and KSR’s listeners that Kentucky and St. John’s are still in talks for a series, beginning in 2025-26. It’s not the first time Pitino teased a Kentucky-St. John’s series in the future, but it’s his latest update on where those talks stand today.

“We were supposed to play Kentucky, but couldn’t work it out,” Pitino told the Pardon My Take/KSR. “I’m hoping that we can come to Lexington next year for our 30th reunion, and Kentucky can go back to Madison Square Garden the following year.”

Pitino has said in the past that he is “dying to come back” to Lexington.

On the Kentucky side, Mark Pope told Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports back in May, “We both want it. Scheduling is sometimes so complicated, so we’re both trying to navigate that. What I really want is, I really want Coach to walk back into Rupp Arena because if there’s anything I’ve learned in the three weeks I’ve been here, could there be a fanbase that loves a coach more than Big Blue Nation loves Coach?

“I think every year that goes on, I think they become more and more grateful for what he did here. He’s reached such an iconic status in the view of the fans. I know he knows that, but I just would love him to walk back in this building one time and feel that. It’s just different here than anywhere else. It just is.”

Get the old Converse denim ready for a reunion game, and get ready for more Rick around Big Blue Nation.