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Rick Pitino downplays matchup with John Calipari as Arkansas, St. John’s meet in NCAA Tournament
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Rick Pitino is ready for another round with John Calipari.
The former Kentucky coaches who faced off as heated rivals during Pitino’s Louisville tenure will meet in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Pitino’s St. John’s squad is the No. 2 seed in the West Region and took care of business against Omaha. Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks are moving on as a 10-seed after upsetting 7-seed Kansas in a thriller.
Questions about facing Calipari’s Arkansas came up during Pitino’s postgame press conference. Noting his “great respect” for Calipari, Pitino praised the Razorbacks.
“We have not seen this size and athleticism all year,” Pitino said postgame. “Creighton has a 7-2 center but athleticism-wise, we have not seen this this year. We know what we’re up against, obviously. They had a lot of injuries, that’s why they opened up 0-5. I don’t know where they finished in the SEC… eighth or ninth. I’m glad we’re not in the SEC. That talent level in that conference is amazing to me.”
After that response, Pitino was asked if he enjoyed the “chess match” with Calipari. Pitino downplayed the coaching rivalry, saying their teams are facing off, not the coaches.
“I don’t go against coaches, we go against teams,” Pitino said. “He doesn’t have to worry about me. My jump shot is long gone. We’re preparing for his players. He’s preparing for our players. John and I don’t play one on one anymore.”
In a move that surprised Calipari, Saturday’s game is in Providence, not Lexington.
"He doesn't have to worry about me, my jumpshot is long gone"
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2025
Coach Pitino says he and Coach Cal don't play one-on-one anymore #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ucyweMS98R
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
