Rick Pitino told the Kentucky crowd Friday night that new coach Mark Pope will carry Kentucky -- which suffered two first-round exits in the last three NCAA tournaments -- to "greatness."

Hell hath frozen over as former Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino stood in the middle of Rupp Arena, decked out in the iconic blue. Pitino won his only national championship with the Wildcats in 1996 (Sorry, Louisville fans, 2013 doesn't exist. Look it up). The former Kentucky coach shocked the entire college basketball world with his appearance.

Rick Pitino was wildly cheered in a surprise return to Rupp Arena, with the Hall of Fame coach saying “I am so happy to be back” in a show of support for first-year Kentucky coach and former captain Mark Pope on Friday night at the Big Blue Madness public practice.

UK welcomed back players from all decades and former head coach Rick Pitino was back at Rupp Arena for the first time since he was the Louisville coach, and received a hero’s welcome.

Rick Pitino was back in Rupp Arena and wearing blue and white to support new UK basketball coach Mark Pope at his first Big Blue Madness on Friday.

By Keith Taylor Kentucky Today The Mark Pope era is officially – and magnificently – launched. The Kentucky coach introduced his squad to the Bluegrass during Big Blue Madness on Friday night at Rupp Arena.

Rick Pitino was wildly cheered in a surprise return to Rupp Arena, with the Hall of Fame coach saying “I am so happy to be back” in a show of support for first-year Kentucky coach and former captain Mark Pope on Friday night at the Big Blue Madness public practice.

The coach received a standing ovation after turning out to show his unwavering support for Kentucky's new coach. Rick Pitino was wildly cheered in a surprise return to Rupp Arena, with the Hall of Fame coach saying "I am so happy to be back" in a show of support for first-year Kentucky coach and former captain Mark Pope on Friday night at the Big Blue Madness public practice.