Rick Pitino Leads St. John’s to NCAA Tournament Win Since 2000

Pitino’s historic achievement of coaching six schools to the NCAA Tournament sets up a second-round clash with rival John Calipari and Arkansas.

Rick Pitino made history as the first coach to lead six different schools to the NCAA Tournament, including St. John’s this season.
St. John’s defeated Omaha 83-53 in the first round, marking their first NCAA Tournament victory in 25 years.
The second-round matchup pits Pitino against longtime rival John Calipari, whose Arkansas team upset Kansas in the first round.
Pitino has reflected on his storied career, acknowledging its nearing conclusion while continuing to find joy in coaching.
The rivalry between Pitino and Calipari dates back decades, with Calipari holding a 13-10 edge in their head-to-head record.