As the NCAA Tournament heats up, the prospect of a classic coaching showdown looms on the horizon. John Calipari and Rick Pitino, both luminaries of the college basketball landscape, could potentially see their paths cross again in the West Region. This could reignite memories of their storied rivalries from years gone by, even as the coaching climate has shifted slightly since Pitino’s departure from Louisville.
Pitino, who is now at the helm of St. John’s, stirred the pot this Wednesday by declaring his only true coaching rival throughout his illustrious career—a revelation that caught many by surprise. Spoiler alert: it’s not Calipari.
“There’s only one coach I consider a rival my whole career. I coached against Frank McGuire in his last game. I coached against Dean Smith. But there’s one coach that I had a strong rivalry with,” Pitino shared with reporters. “Today, I respect him as much as anyone in the game, and that’s Jim Calhoun. We hated each other when I was at BU and he was at Northeastern. Then he moves on to coach at Connecticut, and I go to Providence, and that rivalry followed us there as well. I don’t think I respect any coach in the game as much as I respect Jim Calhoun.”
These comments led college basketball insider Jeff Goodman to opine that Pitino was taking a subtle jab at Calipari. “Pitino with a jab at Calipari,” Goodman remarked, reminiscing about the days when their competitive banter added an electric layer to March Madness. “Man, do I miss the verbal jousting between Cal and Pitino. Used to be like watching two teenagers go at it.”
Is this a pointed dig at Calipari? That remains up for debate. However, Kentucky coach Mark Pope believes that Pitino is eager for a rematch against Arkansas, further heightening the stakes. “Listen, if I know anything about Coach P, he wants all the smoke, man,” Pope stated. “He wants all the smoke. Bring it.”
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Arkansas as they gear up to face Kansas in an anticipated first-round encounter. Meanwhile, St. John’s will open their journey against Omaha. The early rounds set the stage for potential drama, and given the history and tensions at play, a clash between Calipari and Pitino would undoubtedly add another layer of excitement to March Madness. Buckle up, basketball fans; this tournament could be one for the ages.
