ROADLEY, Providence – In late January, as John Calipari was preparing to return to Kentucky for the first time since leaving SEC school for Arkansas, Rick Pitino posted a video to X to make Wildcats fans easier for their former coach.
Pitino knew what it was like to be booed in his previous home arena, so after being welcomed back to Lexington in October, he was about to brighten up his hostility towards Calipari.
Calipari has never seen the video, but he has heard about it.
“It was good for him. I had a Christmas card rather, but that was good for him,” Kalipalai joked at the 10th Arkansas second round matchup on the eve of the Western Regions, 2nd St. John's and Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Calipari was booed by Kentucky fans, but his Razorback swayed.
The two Hall of Fame coaches were not friends. There was an icy relationship when Pitino coached in Louisville and Calipari coached in Kentucky.
However, both expressed mutual praise for each other at their respective newspaper meetings on Friday.
“I thought they should really be grateful [what he did]and you want people to feel good about what they feel [accomplished]Pitino spoke about the video.
In 15 seasons, Calipari led the Wildcats to the national championship and four final four berths.
He was replaced by former Pitino captain Mark Pope this season.
St. John's recruited Arkansas five-star freshman security guards after Pitino was hired two years ago, predicting first-round NBA draft pick Boogie Fland.
Stepinac security guard, a former archbishop from the Bronx, thought of Johnny before choosing SEC school, but said he was also in the process of the visit.
“They came later in my recruitment process,” Fland said.
After undergoing right thumb surgery in mid-January, Fland returned to the Razorbacks NCAA Tournament Opener, scoring six points along with three assists.
Now he's playing against his hometown team.
“It's like a dream,” Fland said. “It's March so I'm happy to be here.”
