Truth & Rumors > NCAAB

Williams, Pitino end long feud

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10:24 AM ET 03.29 | A tony Las Vegas golf course was all the confirmation Roy Williams needed that Rick Pitino had forgiven him. But on the Allen Fieldhouse court Dec. 9, 1989, the relationship between two of college basketball's most renowned coaches was decidedly hostile. Pitino, now the Louisville coach, was in his first year at Kentucky, on the road for the first time with a team that had been devastated by NCAA sanctions. But he refused to stop pressing. Williams, now the North Carolina coach, was in his second year at Kansas with a loaded team, and he refused to stop running. The result was a 150-95 Kansas whipping, one of the worst losses in Kentucky history. Pitino steamed through the final minutes. They not only have established themselves as two of the most successful coaches in the college game, they have repaired their relationship. Pitino extended the ultimate olive branch to avid golfer Williams: an invitation to play with him, former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson and former Purdue coach Gene Keady at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.

Chicago Tribune

Rick Pitino, AP Rick Pitino, AP

Comments (17) Add A Comment

March 29, 2008  10:46 AM ET
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That's sweet. Now they can go back to their recruiting violations.

March 29, 2008  11:32 AM ET
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Another whippin is coming tonight when UNC runs Louisville out of the building and back to Kentucky

March 29, 2008  11:47 AM ET
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Louisville will win. The Final 4 will be Louisville, Davidson, Texas, and UCLA.

March 29, 2008  12:05 PM ET
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my guess is this 'feud' will 'renew' if Louisville whips NC -- and Pitino has never been known as a good loser -- so either way, this 'feud' is not over once the game is played .. too bad that NC is the only '1 Seed' which has to face a real opponent to get to the Final Four -- Memphis is just so lucky schedule-wise

March 29, 2008  02:32 PM ET
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Is there any coach with more wins (or championships) that Williams apparently doesn't have a "feud" with?

March 29, 2008  02:59 PM ET
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Ken M. - Probably not, since Roy Williams is one of the most classless, egomaniacal coaches in sports today. If I were Pitino and I had a sound lead late, I'd keep all the starters in just to embarrass Roy's team, but he's not that kind of coach.

March 29, 2008  04:02 PM ET
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There is no way on god's green earth that Pitino's THUGS can beat UNC. GO TARHEELS

March 29, 2008  07:51 PM ET
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Pitino's thugs? Yeah, that's how I'd classify David Padgett. You're a youkay tool.

March 29, 2008  11:51 PM ET
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A golf course? Things like this can only be resolved at a **** bar over a couple of lap dances!

March 30, 2008  12:46 AM ET
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UNC outfought Pitino's guys -- another game where the no calls were amazing -- Hansbrough is the man -- Padgett is not a thug, but those other tattooed guys got away with murder. UNC vs UCLA should be a classic championship game -- Love v Hansbrough -- wow!

March 30, 2008  12:44 PM ET
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Wow. A nolan Richardson sighting? Stay in retiremnet Richardson. You had your day. Too bad you pulled the race card.

March 30, 2008  09:45 PM ET
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how special

March 31, 2008  03:32 PM ET
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Apparently, Petino hasn't forgiven me. I didn't get a golfing invite. ;(

March 31, 2008  06:35 PM ET
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GO HEELS!

April 1, 2008  12:11 AM ET
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Awww, they kissed and made up. F UNC!!!

April 1, 2008  02:06 PM ET
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WHO THE **** Cares?!?!

 
April 1, 2008  02:06 PM ET
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Louisville will win. The Final 4 will be Louisville, Davidson, Texas, and UCLA.

IrishR#1: HUUUUUUUUUUGHES | 03/29/08, 11:47 AM
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Nice call on Davidson:P

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