Richard Pitino to Minnesota fans: Don’t trust my dad

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Louisville Cardinals will open the college basketball season against each other on Nov. 14 in the Armed Forces Classic in Puerto Rico.

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It will be the second time Louisville coach Rick Pitino and Minnesota coach Richard Pitino—Rick’s son—will meet as head coaches and the younger Pitino is already preparing his fans for his father’s expected approach to the matchup.

On Richard Pitino’s blog on GopherSports.com, the Minnesota coach writes:

"Gopher fans, I must warn you. Ignore anything and everything that comes out of my father’s mouth leading up to this game. He does it on the golf course all the time and will start playing mind games with all of us soon enough! Pay no attention to him.He will say they are young and inexperienced. They are talented, athletic and obviously well-coached.He will tell everyone we are the overwhelming favorite. Prepare yourself. He tried to coach my team last year during the NIT championship. I am looking forward to watching him try to coach both teams at once on November 14th! Haha."

In the first Pitino v. Pitino matchup, Louisville beat Richard Pitino’s Florida International squad 79-55 on Dec. 19, 2012.

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