Rick Pitino travels to Cleveland to watch his son Richard coach New Mexico in March Madness
Rick Pitino travels to Cleveland to watch his son Richard coach New Mexico in March Madness
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino sits court side during a game between Michigan State and New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino stands on the court during the first half against Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino calls to his players during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino celebrates a win against Marquette in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino sits court side during a game between Michigan State and New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino sits court side during a game between Michigan State and New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino stands on the court during the first half against Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino stands on the court during the first half against Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino calls to his players during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino calls to his players during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino celebrates a win against Marquette in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino celebrates a win against Marquette in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rick Pitino was hoping his son could accomplish something he couldn’t this year — get his team to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Instead, he had a front-row seat to see his son’s team also lose in the second round.
Pitino traveled from New York to Cleveland to watch his son, Richard Pitino, coach New Mexico against Michigan State on Sunday night in the second round of the South Region.
The Lobos got off to a quick start, but the Spartans took control in the second half and ended up winning 71-63.
Richard Pitino said he found out Saturday night his father would be in attendance when he called and asked for six tickets. St. John’s, the No. 2 seed in the West Region, lost to Arkansas 75-66 on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island.
The elder Pitino sat opposite New Mexico’s bench, and was shown on the scoreboard during a media timeout in the first half.
“He is a phenomenal father, but it wasn’t like a surprise. I knew he was coming, and very, very grateful,” Richard Pitino said after the game. “It was a devastating loss, and I was very appreciative he came.”
It has been a hectic weekend of travel for the Pitino family and friends. Richard Pitino said Saturday that a group had been traveling between Providence and Cleveland this weekend.
“My brother Chris is in Providence and his kids were there, so he didn’t bring them down here, but there was a crew that — they’re high rollers. They’ve got a plane, so it’s not like they’re flying Southwest middle seat. They got a private plane from Providence with some cocktails,” Richard Pitino said. “They seemed like they enjoyed themselves flying down here. They’re having fun with it, and that’s the way it should be.”
This is the fourth time Richard Pitino has taken a team to the NCAA Tournament, including back-to-back trips with New Mexico. It was the second time father and son had squads in the 68-team field.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo improved to 4-1 in March Madness matchups against the Pitino family. Izzo has won both of his matchups against Richard Pitino and is 2-1 against Rick.
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