You could say that Louisville Cardinals coach Rick Pitino and Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan are relatively familiar with each other. After all, Donovan was the point guard on Pitino's 1987 Providence Friars team that made it to the Final Four. When it comes to head-to-head matchups between the two highly regarded coaches, however, Pitino has the clear upper hand.
Pitino is 6-0 all-time against Donovan. Tonight, Donovan will get another chance. His seventh seeded Gators take on Pitino's fourth seeded Cardinals with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
Here's what Pitino had to say on the game against his former star:
‘‘If we were playing team X and we lost, I’d be devastated but professionally respectful,’’ Pitino said. ‘‘But personally, I would be very happy that Billy would be going to the Final Four.’’
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