New Mexico basketball head coach Richard Pitino received his father Rick Pitino’s approval during Sunday’s game against Michigan State.
Rick couldn’t help but smile when New Mexico took the lead over the Spartans
Unfortunately, Rick Pitino experienced a disappointing performance with St. John’s on Saturday. Nonetheless, this loss allowed him to refocus on his family.
On a brighter note, the Lobos have had an outstanding season, finishing first in the MWC with a record of 17-3. They were crowned regular season champions and earned the No. 10 seed.
Despite being a 10 seed, they are considered one of the top-ranked teams in the nation. After facing off against Marquette, the Lobos quickly took control and triumphed over the Golden Eagles.
Richard Pitino guided his team to the Round of 32, but now they’ll face Tom Izzo’s Spartans. Regardless, the two-seeded Michigan State program hasn’t intimidated him.
Ultimately, having his father’s support in the stands is incredibly meaningful. Basketball runs in the Pitino family, as the St. John’s head coach has been involved in college coaching for 37 years.
Meanwhile, his son has been in the profession for 13 years. While there’s still some catching up to do, he’s off to a great start!
Rick Pitino loves what his son is doing for New Mexico
The bond between them has been evident throughout the season, particularly when they faced off at Madison Square Garden. While the Red Storm emerged victorious over the Lobos, it marked a full-circle moment.
Coaching against your father must be an intense experience, and during the game, numerous fans taunted Pitino with references to his dad, which didn’t sit well with the Red Storm.
Despite that, achieving a 17-3 conference record and securing the MVC regular season title is a significant feat. Additionally, this marks Richard Pitino’s second appearance in the NCAA tournament with the Lobos.
New Mexico is quickly establishing itself as a top basketball program within the mid-major category. Defeating Marquette is a commendable achievement, especially in a tournament setting.
Ultimately, there’s still plenty of competition ahead for New Mexico against Michigan State. Regardless of the outcome, Pitino will take pride in his son’s accomplishments this season.
There are many opportunities for growth for the 13-year head coach, but securing a win could give him some bragging rights over his father in the meantime. If not, both father and son may exit in the Round of 32.
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