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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

LEXINGTON — It was clear from Kentucky guard Lamont Butler’s first shot attempt ... and threw up an air ball from about 5 feet away. UK coach Mark Pope wasn't even sure if Butler would be able to play after he injured his left shoulder in the second ...

Mark Pope‘s gameday shoes on Saturday will look a bit more colorful than usual. Along with it being John Calipari‘s return to Lexington after his 15-year stint as the Wildcats’ head coach, Kentucky and Arkansas (along with many other schools across the country this week) will recognize the Coaches vs.

A basketball game will be played on Saturday, in case you haven’t heard. It’s a pretty big one with a lot on the line, Coach Cal’s homecoming at Rupp Arena — now in a red blazer rather than blue. We’ll talk about the emotions that come with that as fans and media debate whether they’ll cheer or boo until they’re blue in the face when Arkansas

“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.

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?