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Marquette Today
By the People, for the People
St. John's Rick Pitino Wants to Avoid Son's Xavier Team in Big East Tournament
The father-son coaching matchup has been lopsided so far this season.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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St. John's head coach Rick Pitino does not want to face his son Richard Pitino's Xavier team in the upcoming Big East Tournament. The elder Pitino's Red Storm have defeated Xavier twice this season, but the younger Pitino has outcoached his father, according to Rick Pitino. The two teams have met six times, with Rick holding a 5-1 advantage over his son.
Why it matters
The Big East Tournament is a high-stakes event, and the Pitino family matchup adds an extra layer of drama and intrigue. Rick Pitino, a legendary coach, is trying to avoid facing his own son's team, which he believes has outplayed and outcoached his squad despite the wins.
The details
In the two games between St. John's and Xavier this season, the younger Pitino's team has led by as much as 16 points, but the Red Storm have come back to win both contests, including an overtime victory in the most recent matchup. Rick Pitino praised his son's coaching and his team's execution, saying they have "totally outcoached" him and his staff.
- On February 6, 2026, St. John's defeated Xavier 88-83.
- On February 10, 2026, St. John's defeated Xavier in overtime.
The players
Rick Pitino
The head coach of the St. John's Red Storm and a legendary college basketball coach, with over 800 career wins.
Richard Pitino
The head coach of the Xavier Musketeers and the son of Rick Pitino, in his first year leading the program.
Roy Williams
The legendary college basketball coach who Rick Pitino passed on the all-time wins list with his recent victory over Xavier.
What they’re saying
“I hope we don't play them in the Big East tournament. I think my son's brilliant. I'm proud of him. I hate getting any milestone against him — but I go away tonight saying my son's a hell of a coach.”
— Rick Pitino, Head Coach, St. John's Red Storm (ESPN)
“In two games against them, he's totally outcoached me, and their staff outcoached us. We could not guard them. We could not stop them in their offense. They got us in bad switches. They executed.”
— Rick Pitino, Head Coach, St. John's Red Storm (ESPN)
“We had a chance to win it. Proud of the effort. They're great kids. Really believe in what we're building.”
— Richard Pitino, Head Coach, Xavier Musketeers (ESPN)
What’s next
The Big East Tournament is scheduled to begin on March 10, 2026, and the matchup between St. John's and Xavier will be highly anticipated if the two teams meet.
The takeaway
The Pitino family coaching matchup has become a must-watch event in college basketball, with the elder Pitino's team holding the edge but the younger Pitino proving he can outcoach his legendary father. The upcoming Big East Tournament could provide another chapter in this intriguing father-son rivalry.
