College basketball fans could be in for a treat next season as reports suggest St. John’s and New Mexico are in discussions to schedule a game at the iconic Madison Square Garden. This potential matchup is generating buzz, not only for pitting a Big East team against a Mountain West opponent, but also for the intriguing storyline of Rick Pitino possibly coaching against his son, Richard Pitino.
CBSSports initially reported the ongoing conversations between the two programs about a future game at “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” A game between St. John’s Red Storm and the New Mexico Lobos would mark a rare encounter and add another layer of excitement to the non-conference schedule for both teams.
Historically, St. John’s holds a 3-0 record against New Mexico, but their last clash dates back to the 1999-2000 season. Furthermore, it has been decades since these two programs faced off at Madison Square Garden, with their last MSG meeting occurring in the 1964-65 season. Reviving this series at such a prestigious venue would undoubtedly draw significant attention.
The narrative of Rick Pitino versus Richard Pitino adds a compelling personal dimension to this potential contest. The veteran coach, Rick Pitino, has faced his son on the sidelines before, most recently when his Iona Gaels team played against Richard’s squad two years prior. That game saw Iona fall to an 82-74 defeat. This familial rivalry turned coaching face-off would be a major selling point for fans and media alike.
Interestingly, Rick Pitino has shown personal interest in the New Mexico program, traveling to watch the Lobos play earlier this season in late January. He also scouted them during their NCAA Tournament appearance, witnessing their loss to Clemson. On the other side, Richard Pitino was present in New York to watch St. John’s defeat Creighton, further fueling speculation and anticipation around this possible game.
While no date has been set for this prospective game due to the complexities of scheduling at Madison Square Garden, particularly around the New York Knicks and New York Rangers schedules, the anticipation is building. St. John’s is already preparing for a challenging non-conference schedule in the 2024-25 season, with games already slated against teams from the upper echelon of college basketball. Adding a New Mexico game to this mix, alongside previously discussed potential matchups against Kentucky and Alabama, would create a truly formidable pre-conference slate for the Red Storm.
