Rick Pitino aims for revenge against Duke 34 years after Laettner shot
Rick Pitino is looking for some revenge as his St. John's team takes on Duke in the Sweet 16, 34 years after the Christian Laettner shot.
It's been 34 years since Christian Laettner hit one of the most famous shots in college basketball history, helping Duke to a buzzer-beating win over Rick Pitino's Kentucky Wildcats. Now, the St. John's coach is looking to exact some revenge on the Blue Devils as the Red Storm take on the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament on Friday in the Sweet 16.
"But I've been on winning at the buzzer and losing at the buzzer," Pitino said. "So you win some, you lose some. And I'm hoping we can get Duke at the buzzer next to make up for that Christian Laettner shot.
" The Red Storm beat Kansas in the second round on Sunday thanks to a layup at the buzzer by Dylan Darling. And while it won't go down in NCAA lore like the Laettner shot, it does provide Pitino a chance to face Duke again in the NCAA Tournament. Ultimately, the Red Storm prevailed, defeating the Jayhawks by two points on a buzzer-beater layup from junior Dylan Darling.
To put in perspective how long Pitino has been coaching, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was just five years old at the time of the Laettner shot. Now 73 years old, Pitino is looking to settle the score. Given the history, Pitino's own personal rivalry will make headlines as the NCAA Tournament heats up in the Sweet 16.