Rick Pitino opens up to The Post about son Richard becoming Big East rival

Rick Pitino is thrilled for his son, yet not exactly psyched about the prospect of facing him twice a year. 

He loves that Richard is getting another shot in a power conference, but not fond of now counting him as a league rival. 

“I’m very, very excited for him and his family. I don’t like the fact I have to play against him two times,” the St. John’s coach told The Post in a phone interview. “I didn’t mind it with New Mexico coming into the Garden one time. But I don’t like competing against my son.” 

Last week, Richard was hired as head coach at Xavier, leaving New Mexico after four mostly successful seasons and two consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.