Michigan State lived up to its billing as a No. 2 seed in the opening round of March Madness, beating Bryant 87-62. And Tom Izzo's second-round game against New Mexico does not come against a blue blood or a coach known for taking teams deep in the tournament—but he is going up against someone who learned, well, just about everything from a NCAA tournament-winning coach.
He'll face Richard Pitino, who has coached the Lobos since 2021. Pitino is the son of Rick Pitino, longtime winner at Louisville and now head coach at St. John's—another No. 2 seed onto the second round in the West.
Pitino acknowledged how he can't seem to catch a break with strong-willed coaches.
"Damn family's ruining my life here," Izzo said ahead of the second-round game after hailing compliments on the opponent to come.
"Damn family's ruining my life here" 🤣
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2025
Coach Izzo talks the Pitino's ahead of @MSU_Basketball's matchup with New Mexico on Sunday 🎤#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/TrrvJ3QJaa
As head coach of the Spartans, Izzo faced the elder Pitino in the tournament three times. Izzo got the better of Pitino, going 2-1 in those matchups, each time with a Final Four appearance on the line. In the one loss, the Cardinals advanced to the Elite Eight. Neither of the schools won a championship in years they met.
Izzo has never faced Richard Pitino in the tournament or regular season.
Michigan State and New Mexico face off Sunday night at 8:40 p.m. Pitino will have to stress over a Pitino yet again if he wants to stay alive in the tournament. Unfortunately for him, he could have to make his way past two Pitinos to win it all.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Tom Izzo Had a Hilarious Quote About Not Being Able to Escape Pitino Family in March.
