What does Rick Pitino think of once-rival Indiana basketball? 'One of the premium programs'

What does Rick Pitino think of once-rival Indiana basketball? ‘One of the premium programs’

Posted by author February 27, 2025 Basketball

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INDIANAPOLIS — St. John’s coach Rick Pitino knows a thing or two about coaching a blue blood program back to glory.

Over his five-decade-long career Pitino has coached at every level of basketball with a stint in Greece mixed in as well, winning national championships at Kentucky and Louisville. He’s seen programs rise in prominence before fading out, but schools like Kansas, UCLA, Louisville, UConn and Kentucky have the tradition and historical prominence to compete for national titles every year.

Another program he considers a perennial title contender based on its strong tradition is Indiana basketball.

“Indiana goes back a long way, and it’s a premier program that’s always going to be great, because they have great tradition,” Pitino said after his No. 7 Red Storm beat Butler 76-70.

Legendary coach Bob Knight built IU into a powerhouse over his 29 seasons at the helm of the Hoosiers. It’s been 25 years and six coaches since Knight was dismissed from IU in 2000.

Pitino previously said Ole Miss coach Chris Beard would be his ideal candidate to replace Mike Woodson as IU’s next coach, but regardless of who the school hires, its tradition should set up its next leader for success.

“My respect to Indiana’s always been like that,” Pitino said. “I favor Kentucky and Louisville because they’re my heart. But Indiana’s one of the premium programs in all of basketball and will always be that way, regardless of who they hire, because it’s a great program.”