Pitino ‘beaming with pride’ as kid, N

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.– It was an extremely public two-hour, father-son bonding experience in between New Mexico coach Richard Pitino and his dad, noted coach Rick Pitino of Iona, on Sunday.And in the end, the son prevailed 82-74 as the Lobos (11-0) got 22 points from Jaelen Home and 17 from K.J. Jenkins. The Gaels were led by 22 from post Nelly Joseph.

“I’m simply really delighted for him, 11-0,” Rick Pitino stated. “This is a restoring task and he’s done it in one year. I’m just beaming with pride with what he’s achieving. I’m disappointed in my team but I’m so happy for him.”

The more youthful Pitino attempted to minimize the relationship element.

“I stated all week, it’s not about me and it wasn’t about me, specifically with the nonconference that we had,” he said. “It’s not about beating my dad. I’m grateful that my father played here due to the fact that we benefitted. That was a nationally telecasted game he did not need to play. Happy we won, however I do not take a look at like I beat him. I look at it as New Mexico beat Iona.”

After Iona (7-3) scored the opening container, New Mexico led the remainder of the method, developing a 17-point, first-half lead.But Rick Pitino, who has championship games from his days at both Louisville and Kentucky, found a few techniques to get his squad back in the game, closing to within 76-73 with just over two minutes left. “Our zone was giving them problems,”he said of a defense that he hasn’t broken out in 3 seasons.” And we began assaulting the rim and we got some simple pails.” But it was insufficient to coax the Gaels to a win, although Richard Pitino said he anticipated seeing some zone.”I would state being his son, I knew he would play some

zone because he hasn’t played any, “he said. “Working for him, he constantly has a zone in his back pocket.”It was a contrast in designs on the court

and on the bench as the younger Pitino sported comfy attire and fitness center shoes, while his father used a sports coat, slacks and a dress shoes.The Lobos also preferred a fast-paced attacking style compared to the more intentional, get it inside look from Iona.First-half runs of 14-2 and 8-0 helped New Mexico develop a 37-20 lead at the 3:21 mark prior to Iona nibbled into the lead, cutting it to 41-33. But K.J. Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, his third of the half, to offer the Lobos a 44-33 halftime advantage.Sunday marked the third conference between daddy and boy Pitino. The other two coming when dad coached Louisville and his boy was at Minnesota, with the

Cardinals winning previous games. The groups will play again next year at Iona.Asked who was purchasing the postgame meal, Richard Pitino said,”I do not know if he wishes to go to dinner tonight. I’m supposed to take him to dinner. You have to offer him a little grace duration because he

‘s not terrific right away after games. However we’ll get together. “Although unsolicited, Rick Pitino had some advice for his son and the Lobos, saying, “Richard understands how to manage it but the one piece of suggestions for this group, do not embrace it. Get better. Take what you did incorrect and get better. Since as quickly as you get to climbing up that mountain, you get knocked right off it.”