Sports

Rick Pitino Admits Plan To Leak Intel On Hated Big East Rival Ahead Of NCAA Tournament

#College Basketball
by
Rick Pitino and Richard Pitino shake hands before a basketball game.

© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images


The St. John’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big East. The Red Storm are set to play Omaha as a two-seed in the opening round.

Head coach Rick Pitino has sights set on multiple opponents this week. He plans to take down two teams in the Round of 64. He admitted his plan to leak key intel on a conference rival ahead of the Big Dance.

Pitino isn’t the only family member participating in March Madness. His son, Richard, is also competing in the event.

Richard Pitino is the head coach at New Mexico. He’s led the Lobos to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, coming in as a 10-seed in this year’s field.

His opponent is one that’s familiar to his father. New Mexico will take on Marquette, a team St. John’s beat three times this season.

While it would behoove the Red Storm to see as many Big East teams advance in the event as possible, Pitino’s putting blood before conference ties. He plans to help his son out with a gameplan ahead of the opening tip.

Richard Pitino will certainly take any advice his father lends, but he’s also done fine on his own in 2024-25. The Lobos are 26-7 and just won the Mountain West Conference. They boast one of the best defenses in college basketball.

He’ll look to break through with his first NCAA Tournament win at the helm in Albuquerque. Last season’s bunch was bested in the first round by Clemson.

As for Rick Pitino, he’s looking to make a run in his first Big Dance with St. John’s. He’s made it a point to single out Big East foes after winning the league.

He’s taken that rivalry hate a step further with Marquette. Pitino’s hoping to see their season end in the first round, and he might have a hand in making it happen!