Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope talks about former UK coach John Calipari ahead of his return to Rupp Arena with the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday night.

There was an outside chance Zvonimir Ivisic was going to be Mark Pope‘s first commitment, the 7-2 forward sitting down with the new Kentucky coach shortly after he got to Lexington — even with John Calipari on his way to Arkansas.

The coaching contract details for Mark Pope at Kentucky and John Calipari at Arkansas ahead of Saturday’s SEC basketball showdown in Rupp Arena.

The Kentucky basketball team got a massive win over No. 8 Tennessee, 78-73, on Tuesday in Knoxville. It was a tough road atmosphere, but the Wildcats managed to survive with another statement win and their 15th victory of the season.

Kentucky's Mark Pope started his coaching career at Rupp Arena with 11 straight wins. How does that start compare to other first-year UK coaches?

“As you all know, I’m not best friends with John Calipari,” Pitino said. “I respect him, certainly, but it was a mutual thing. The fans wanted a change. John read the tea leaves. He needed a change, and he really didn’t want to leave.

Mark Pope left BYU 10 months ago to return to his alma mater Kentucky, where he plied his craft at the direction of legendary coach Rick Pitino. Now, as head coach roaming the sidelines of Rupp Arena, that leap of faith is paying off big time.

Rick Pitino returned to Rupp Arena to face UK in 2001. John Calipari will face Kentucky basketball in Lexington next. How will his experience compare?

The Kentucky Wildcats are transitioning into a new era under Mark Pope. Even so, they’re still a blue-collar program, and, as such, they’re expected to compete at the highest level. That’s why it’s been so frustrating to watch them get off to slow starts and dig themselves into big holes to start games.

Kentucky men’s basketball fans have a difficult decision ahead of them on Saturday evening when former coach John Calipari makes his grand return to Rupp Arena with Arkansas. To boo or not to boo, that is the question.

LEXINGTON — Normally jovial and verbose during postgame news conferences, Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope struck a different tone after last week's game against Alabama at Rupp Arena.

The hype surrounding Calipari’s return, capped by Lexington mayor Linda Gorton naming the days leading to the game ‘Basketball Week’ to highlight Saturday’s contest and other local games, is palpable in Kentucky — “What’s more Lexington than basketball?” Gorton said in a statement.