Rick Pitino knows a thing or two about how to coach college basketball. He’s been doing it for awhile.
Although the 71-year-old is taking a new approach to the sport in the final stop of his career and trying to have more fun, his veteran coaching tricks are not going to waste! One particular move allows him to berate officials with the utmost respect and dignity.
Rick Pitino has not coached in the Big East. This is his first year back on the highest level of the sport.
He doesn’t know anything about the crew calling games in Queens for St. John’s. To help him properly address the referees on the court, Pitino listed each of their faces and names next to him on the bench.
That way he can avoid yelling “HEY REF, YOU GOT THAT CALL WRONG” or asking “HEY WHAT HAPPENED THERE?!” Instead, Pitino can address them each by name.
“HEY JIM, WHAT WAS THAT?!” or “TONY THAT WAS A BAD CALL” is much easier and more direct.
Especially considering that Pitino has been known to undress an official or two in his day!
Rick Pitino is playing the long game!
The Red Storm won its first game of the year earlier this week. Pitino did not have to get on any of the officials. Instead, he was able to have cordial conversations with the crew to establish a relationship with them now, before letting loose in the future.
Having the list of names and images allows him to gain a better understanding of the officials who will be with him all season. It’s like having a cheat sheet, if the cheat sheet was to better position yourself with the people who can ultimately determine the outcome of the game.
St. John’s will play its next game on Monday against a very good Michigan team at Madison Square Garden. The result will say a lot about both programs. Expect Pitino to have his cheat sheet!