Pitino and Calipari Face Off in NCAA Tournament Showdown

St. John's and Arkansas clash in a second-round matchup as Hall of Fame coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari continue their storied rivalry.

Rick Pitino and John Calipari, two of college basketball's most accomplished coaches, meet for the 30th time as St. John's takes on Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament's second round.
St. John's, led by Pitino, is seeking its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999 after a dominant opening-round win over Omaha.
John Calipari, in his first season with Arkansas, guided the Razorbacks to an upset over Kansas, fueled by a standout performance from Jonas Aidoo and the return of Boogie Fland.
Pitino and Calipari share a competitive history spanning decades, including four prior NCAA Tournament meetings, with the series tied 2-2.
The game highlights both coaches' legacies as the only two in NCAA history to lead three different programs to the Final Four.