The only thing more surprising than Rick Pitino’s appearance at Big Blue Madness? An interview with Matt Jones. Pitino sat down with Jones this morning at the Joe Craft Center to record a segment for the KSR Pregame Show, which just aired before Kentucky Football’s game vs. Vanderbilt. The podcast will be available after tonight’s game, but if you missed it live, I jotted down some highlights.
Pitino told Jones that he originally planned to just come in for the game vs. Vanderbilt, not Big Blue Madness, but was able to change St. John’s practice schedule to add in a night to support Mark Pope at Rupp Arena. He said spending time with his players, including Todd Svoboda, who is fighting bone cancer, and the ovation from the Big Blue Nation brought tears to his eyes.
“I came within inches of crying my eyes out. It was really very emotional for me because I was backstage in the back with all my …