Rick Pitino Supports Son Richard During NCAA Tournament

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rick Pitino was hoping his son could accomplish something he couldn’t this year — get his team to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Instead, he had a front-row seat to see his son’s team also lose in the second round.

Pitino traveled from New York to Cleveland to watch his son, Richard Pitino, coach New Mexico against Michigan State on Sunday night in the second round of the South Region. The Lobos got off to a quick start but the Spartans took control in the second half and ended up winning 71-63.

Richard Pitino found out Saturday night that his father would be attending the game when Rick called to ask for six tickets. St. John’s, coached by Rick Pitino, had been eliminated the day prior, losing to Arkansas 75-66 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Pitino sat opposite New Mexico’s bench, and the scoreboard captured his enthusiastic presence during a media timeout in the first half. “He is a phenomenal father, but it wasn’t like a surprise. I knew he was coming, and very, very grateful,” Richard Pitino said after the game. “It was a devastating loss, and I was very appreciative he came.”

The Pitino family experienced a hectic weekend of travel, with Richard noting that a group was traveling between Providence and Cleveland that weekend via a private plane. He remarked, “My brother Chris is in Providence and his kids were there, so he didn’t bring them down here, but there was a crew that — they’re high rollers. They’ve got a plane, so it’s not like they’re flying Southwest middle seat. They got a private plane from Providence with some cocktails.”

This has been a notable tournament for Richard, marking the fourth time he has taken a team to the NCAA Tournament, including back-to-back trips with New Mexico. The matchup also was significant in that it was the second occasion father and son had had squads in the 68-team field.

Michigan State’s coach Tom Izzo improved to 4-1 in March Madness matchups against the Pitino family, with Izzo having won both of his matchups against Richard and is 2-1 against Rick.

“Rick looked extremely pleased after the Lobos jumped out to an early 10-point lead over the Spartans,” described CBS Sports in a tweet showcasing Pitino’s proud demeanor while watching his son coach. New Mexico initially entered the half ahead by two points, 31–29.

Richard has been leading the Lobos men’s basketball program since 2021. This year’s NCAA Tournament represents the second time in as many years he has guided the team to the big dance. In 2024, New Mexico had been defeated in the first round by No. 6 Clemson, but this year, they managed to perform better by defeating No. 7 Marquette in their opening game.

Despite the loss against Michigan State, Richard remains committed to building the New Mexico program. “This group is tough and resilient. We’ll learn and come back stronger,” he said, reminding fans of the journey ahead.

This loss marks a bittersweet conclusion for both Pitinos, who had hoped for a more favorable ending in their NCAA endeavors this year.

Both father and son will now return to their respective paths as they reflect on the tournament experiences, filled with highs and lows. Under the spotlight of March Madness, moments like these capture the heart of collegiate sports, showcasing family bonds amid fierce competition.