Rick Pitino supports John Calipari before Kentucky return

John Calipari is preparing to return to Kentucky for the first time since leaving the school for Arkansas. Before this return, Rick Pitino posted a video on social media, asking Kentucky fans to be kind to Calipari. Pitino has experienced similar booing from fans in the past and wanted to ease the tension surrounding Calipari’s return. Calipari did not see Pitino's video but heard about it later. He joked that he would have preferred a Christmas card instead, but appreciated the gesture. During the game, Calipari was booed by Kentucky fans, though his Razorbacks managed to win. Despite their past tensions, the two Hall of Fame coaches expressed respect for each other at their news conferences. Pitino emphasized that fans should appreciate Calipari's achievements, which include a national championship and four Final Four appearances during his 15 seasons at Kentucky. In other news, St. John's basketball team, where Pitino now coaches, recruited a top freshman guard, Boogie Fland. Fland, who had surgery on his thumb earlier this year, recently returned to play and scored in the NCAA Tournament. He is excited to face his hometown team, saying that the experience feels like a dream for him.