NEW YORK — As the clock ticked down with the result already secured, the atmosphere among St. John’s students became electric. “Who’s your daddy? Who’s your daddy?” echoed through Madison Square Garden, a venue filled with 12,310 fans. It was a family affair where Father came out on top.

For the second time in their coaching careers against one another, Rick Pitino emerged victorious, as No. 22 St. John’s (4-0) faced their first significant challenge of the season, outpacing New Mexico 85-71. RJ Luis Jr. shone with a remarkable performance, contributing 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for the Red Storm.

Richard Pitino, head coach of New Mexico (3-1), seemed to take the heckling in stride. A passionate fan of the New York Yankees, he humorously reminisced about the origins of the chant, once aimed at Boston Red Sox ace Pedro Martínez. “Other than that, I laughed it off. I didn’t think much of it,” Richard Pitino commented, recalling his recent experience attending a World Series game with his father. “This is how our obnoxious New York fans are, and I am part of it.”

In contrast, Rick Pitino expressed a bit of discomfort over the chant. “I don’t get upset at the crowd,” he stated. “I just wish they would stop saying that.” With this latest win, Rick Pitino improved his record against his son to 3-1 in their coaching encounters. His previous victories were achieved while at Louisville. Richard Pitino did manage to secure one win two years ago against his father’s Iona team, marking one of only two victories for sons in the history of Division I coaching matchups against their fathers.

“Okay, he’s my son, so I’m going to brag on him: He is a great young coach. His offensive mind is brilliant. He puts you in situations that really hurt you defensively,” Rick Pitino praised his son. “He’s got a great team this year. He does it all with new players. He’s one of the bright young offensive minds in the game today, different from me for sure. He handles losing much better than I do.”

The contrast between the two coaches was evident beyond their performances. Rick Pitino, always stylishly attired, donned a charcoal gray suit and a vibrant red tie, while Richard opted for a New Mexico-themed long-sleeve shirt paired with track pants and sneakers. Following the final buzzer, the pair exchanged a quick embrace before lining up for the customary handshake, marking a noteworthy occasion as this was the Lobos’ first outing at Madison Square Garden since the 1990 National Invitation Tournament.

“It’s been so much fun being part of this,” remarked the 42-year-old Richard Pitino, who served as an assistant under his father at Louisville. “Even though we didn’t win, I’m incredibly grateful that my dad agreed to this, and I’m pleased that my players got to experience such an event.”

However, Richard doesn’t anticipate his father agreeing to bring St. John’s to Albuquerque for a game at The Pit. “He would never do it, but I would love for him to do it,” he said.

Rick Pitino humorously added, “If I go back to Iona in a few years, I’ll go back to The Pit,” drawing laughs from those around him.

In the lead-up to their clash, both coaches downplayed the emotional difficulty of facing one another, acknowledging their mutual respect and focus on their teams in the early season. “It’s not like it’s an NCAA Tournament game. There are numerous games ahead of us,” Richard Pitino noted in a Zoom call with reporters. “I don’t really focus down there much. I know I’ll become a better coach from playing and coaching against him. It’s not as strange as people imagine.”

Rick Pitino mentioned that his daughter, Jacqueline, and another son, Ryan, would sit behind the St. John’s bench, maintaining neutrality in the family rivalry. However, his wife Joanne did not hide her intentions to take a seat behind the New Mexico bench, cheering for Richard. “You’re my blood. He’s not,” Rick recounted her telling Richard, showcasing her loyalty to her son.

Nelly Junior Joseph, who played under Rick Pitino at Iona before transferring to New Mexico, scored 16 points in the loss. This game also served as the NYC Hoops for Heroes Classic, benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a charity significant to the Pitino family, as Rick’s brother-in-law, Billy Minardi, tragically lost his life in the 9/11 attacks.

“Involving The Garden in this event has been phenomenal for me, and my son will carry this memory forever,” Rick Pitino reflected.