Two former Kentucky men’s basketball head coaches will face off in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday at 2:40 PM ET. Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith, both of whom led the Wildcats to national championships, will meet as their current teams battle for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Pitino, now coaching St. John’s, guided Kentucky to a national title in 1996 and played a crucial role in rebuilding the program after NCAA sanctions in the late 1980s. After leaving Lexington in 1997, he later coached Louisville to a national championship in 2013 (which was later vacated). Known for his up-tempo offense and relentless full-court pressure, Pitino has once again revitalized a program, leading the Red Storm back to national prominence.
On the other sideline, Tubby Smith took over for Pitino in 1997 and led Kentucky to a national championship in his first season. Smith’s Wildcats were known for their disciplined play and defensive intensity, and he remained a consistent winner in Lexington until his departure in 2007. Now coaching at High Point, Smith has brought experience and stability to the Panthers, guiding them to an impressive tournament run.
This matchup is more than just a battle between two legendary coaches—it’s a clash of distinct coaching philosophies and decades of basketball experience. With both men having cemented their legacies in college basketball, their meeting on Saturday adds another chapter to their storied careers. As the NCAA Tournament drama unfolds, all eyes will be on this showdown between two of the game’s most respected coaches.
