CRAWFORD | Pope rings in his first Big Blue Madness with Pitino’s return to Rupp

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — If there were any question about whether Rick Pitino’s return to the Bluegrass State this weekend would include an appearance in front of Rupp Arena fans who revered him through eight years and a national championship then held him in contempt for the better part of 17 years during his tenure at Louisville, there shouldn’t have been.

New Kentucky coach Mark Pope was one of Pitino’s most beloved players, and Pitino has been unable to contain his delight at seeing the former Wildcat succeed John Calipari as coach.

So on Friday night in front of a packed Rupp Arena crowd that snapped up all of this year’s Big Blue Madness tickets just 24 minutes after they were made available, it was little surprise to see Pope, his arm around Pitino, introduce the man who made history at Kentucky, and who has helped Pope make history of his own even beyond the 1996 NCAA championship they shared.

With that team in attendance, Pitino was a bit emotional after Pope introduced him and handed him the microphone, and a large ovation ensued.

”I am so happy to be back,” Pitino told the crowd. “I‘ve said before I pack it in in coaching, I want to go back to Camelot, one more time. This is one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time. I got to see all my players. The fans who made me happy for every single day for eight years.“

Pause for another ovation.

”And now we get to root for a gentleman that — there have been a lot of great coaches here through the years, a lot of great ones,” Pitino went on. “But we get to root for someone that the name Kentucky is what he’s all about. It’s not about Pope. It’s not about Pope. You’ll never hear him say it. The most selfless, humble kid I’ve ever coached in my lifetime. One of the best examples of what Kentucky basketball is all about. Mark Pope is going to lead you to greatness in every sense of the word.”

Pope has not coached a game yet at Kentucky. But in two packed-house appearances in Rupp Arena, he has played the heartstrings in a way that would‘ve made Bill Monroe — and Bill Keightley proud.

”I see this every, single day,” he told the Rupp crowd. “Only in Kentucky. There is nowhere in the world like the University of Kentucky. We’ll see you on Oct. 18. Let’s go get (NCAA championship) No. 9!”