Rick Pitino and Bill Self are two titans of college basketball coaching, each with a storied career that spans decades. Pitino's journey began as an assistant at Hawaii back in 1974, while Self started his path at Kansas in 1985. These two have carved out impressive legacies, but surprisingly, they've rarely crossed paths on the court.
Pitino's coaching resume reads like a who's who of basketball programs. He's led teams at Providence, Kentucky, Louisville, Iona, and currently St.
John's, with notable NBA stints at the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Self, on the other hand, has been a steadfast presence in college basketball, with head coaching roles at Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois, and his long-standing position at Kansas.
Despite their extensive careers, Pitino and Self have faced off only once before the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That matchup occurred on November 28, 2021, during the ESPN Events Invitational.
Pitino's Iona squared off against Self's Kansas, with the Jayhawks emerging victorious, 96-83. Kansas went on to have a stellar season, clinching the Big 12 Conference Tournament and ultimately winning the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Iona, meanwhile, had a strong season but fell in the first round of the NIT.
In that lone encounter, Kansas took a commanding lead into halftime and held off a spirited second-half comeback attempt by Iona. Christian Braun led the charge for Kansas with 18 points, while Tyson Jolly and Ryan Myers stood out for Iona.
Looking at their overall careers, Pitino boasts a coaching record of 790-314, though some victories were vacated due to past controversies. Self has a slightly superior record at 841-272.
Both have been frequent fixtures in the NCAA Tournament, with Pitino making 25 appearances and Self 27. In terms of tournament success, Pitino holds a 55-22 record, while Self is close behind at 52-23.
When it comes to championships, Pitino's 1996 title with Kentucky stands officially recognized, while his 2013 victory with Louisville was vacated. Self has celebrated two championships with Kansas, in 2008 and 2022.
As we look ahead to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the upcoming clash between St. John's and Kansas marks a rare postseason meeting for these two coaching legends. It promises to be a thrilling chapter in their storied rivalry.