Rick Pitino wants his Iona team to face Kentucky

Rick Pitino has big plans for his Iona basketball team.

The new head coach of the Gaels is ready and willing to face off against Kentucky in a true road game provided the Wildcats return the favor and face Iona at Madison Square Garden as part of a home-and-home.

Rick Pitino tells me that he would take Iona to Rupp Arena to play Kentucky if the Wildcats return the game to MSG as part of a home-and-home series.

Also adds that Iona is aiming to play Minnesota next season at MSG thanks to a Wrestlemania bet with Richard Pitino.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 6, 2020

Pitino has a long history with Kentucky. He spent eight years as coach there and won a national title, then spent time at rival Louisville. Beyond that, he’s clearly eager to challenge the best, even before coaching a game in his new job. That’s why he’s making bets with his son, too.