“2025-26 Projected Starters: Kentucky Wildcats vs. St. John’s Red Storm — December 20 in Atlanta’s CBS Sports Classic. Which Team Holds the Edge”
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated non-conference battles of the upcoming season, as Kentucky and St. John’s prepare to face off in the CBS Sports Classic on December 20 in Atlanta. Both teams are loaded with talent, and early predictions of their starting lineups have sparked debate among fans and analysts about who truly has the edge.
Kentucky, under second-year head coach Mark Pope, has embraced a new identity centered on energy, athleticism, and tempo. With five-star freshman Jayden Quaintance expected to be a focal point alongside Otega Oweh and a backcourt that can push the pace, the Wildcats’ projected starters promise explosiveness on both ends of the court. Pope’s team is still young, but their ceiling might be as high as anyone’s in the nation.
On the other side, St. John’s under Rick Pitino boasts experience and toughness. Their starting five features veteran guards who can control the tempo, versatile scorers on the wing, and a physical frontcourt built through the transfer portal. Pitino’s reputation for defensive intensity and in-game adjustments makes the Red Storm a dangerous matchup for even the most talented rosters.
The showdown in Atlanta is expected to be a clash of styles — Kentucky’s raw athleticism and speed against St. John’s discipline and veteran savvy. Some believe Kentucky’s youth and star power will overwhelm the Red Storm, while others argue St. John’s experience could carry them when the game tightens in the final minutes.
Regardless of who holds the early advantage on paper, this CBS Sports Classic matchup has all the makings of a December thriller with the potential to shape both teams’ resumes heading into March.
