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Rick Pitino has a long history with the University of Kentucky, coaching on both sides of the Wildcats’ rivalry with Louisville. That being said, he still holds Lexington near and dear to his heart – maybe even having regret for leaving in the first place.
His connections around the program are still strong, and it’s obvious he still follows the team closely. This week, he dropped a potential bombshell surrounding one of the ‘Cats biggest stars.
Pitino coached Kentucky for eight seasons, inheriting a 13-19 team and turning it into a Top 10 program two years later. Over those eight years, he led the Wildcats to six NCAA Tournaments, three Final Fours, and a national championship. His 1990-91 team also finished ranked ninth in the AP Poll but was ineligible for postseason play.
That stint at UK played a large part in his No. 10 standing on college basketball’s all-time wins list, and had he stayed in Lexington, he believes he’d be even higher.
Rick Pitino says he would’ve stayed at Kentucky if he could go back in time.
“If I had to do it all over again, if I had a choice to bring back time, I probably would have stayed at Kentucky.”
Dick Vitale (@DickieV) tells him that had he never left Kentucky, he would have more… https://t.co/zrHLB7z3kb pic.twitter.com/R6EpBlsqj4
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) March 11, 2024
“Hindsight’s 20/20. If I had the chance to do it again, I’d probably never leave Kentucky,” he said on the Pardon My Take podcast.
“Dick Vitale, every time I speak to him, he says, ‘If you would’ve stayed at Kentucky, you’d have more wins than any coach.’ If I had to do it all over again, if I had a choice to bring back time, I probably would have stayed at Kentucky.”
That may be true looking at his final two seasons with the Wildcats, where he posted a 69-7 overall record and made two national championship appearances.
Instead, he took a swing at the NBA, which didn’t go as planned. He then returned to the college ranks as archrival Louisville’s head coach, leading the Cardinals to a national title in 2013.
Rick Pitino dropped a subtle hint on Reed Sheppard’s future at Kentucky.
Though now at St. John’s, Pitino still keeps tabs on UK. He’s been enamored by the play of guard Reed Sheppard this year – and for good reason!
I’m watching Reed Sheppard play n thinking of his Mom n Dad as if it were yesterday. Such a great experience for both of them. Absolutely wonderful people. Make it happen Reed!!!
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) November 29, 2023
The rising star, who’s averaging 12.7 points per game, has been on an absolute tear on the back end of the Wildcats’ schedule.
Over his last four contests, Sheppard’s averaging just under 20 points a night. That includes a 32-point outburst vs. Mississippi State where he hit the game winning shot in the final seconds.
Many are projecting the freshman to be a top 10 pick in the coming NBA Draft, with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor going as far as to list him No. 1 overall.
That top spot would be difficult to pass up, but Rick Pitino doesn’t believe a return to Kentucky is out of the picture. Here’s what he had to say about the Wildcat superstar’s pending decision.
“He’s got a big decision to make,” he continued on in that PMT interview. “He’s probably a top eight pick in the draft. He’s the closest thing to a Rex Chapman for Kentucky. Does he stay? Does he leave? Because [his parents Jeff and Stacey are] two Kentucky people. I think I know the answer to that question, but I’ll keep it to myself.”
The anticipation is likely killing Wildcat fans, and Pitino’s comments won’t do much to calm the nerves!
Before making that draft decision, Sheppard and Co. will suit up in the NCAA Tournament. At the time of this writing, Joe Lunardi lists UK as a No. 3 seed in the Big Dance. Lunardi also lists Pitino’s Red Storm as the last team in the 68-team field.