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Video: Rick Pitino Honored By Kentucky, Gets Standing Ovation in Return to Rupp Arena

Those boos from the Kentucky faithful when Rick Pitino returned to college basketball to coach archrival Louisville?

A thing of the past.

Pitino returned to Rupp Arena in familiar Wildcats colors Friday as part of Big Blue Madness ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. He addressed the crowd in what was clearly an emotional moment for him and was met with raucous applause.

The former Kentucky coach led the Wildcats from the 1989-90 season through the 1996-97 one. His 1995-96 team won the national title and just so happened to feature current Kentucky head coach Mark Pope.