Iona coach Rick Pitino makes return, however loses to Seton Corridor in first sport since being fired by Louisville

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USATSI

Working his first school teaching gig greater than three years faraway from his controversial ouster at Louisville, Iona coach Rick Pitino stood masked up however overmatched Monday by a proficient Seton Corridor membership on the alternative sideline as his Gaels fell 86-64 of their season debut. 

For Pitino, the sport — even in a loss — was the end result of a winding journey that is had loads of turns since he was fired from his former put up in 2017. After his ouster at Louisville, he spent many of the final two years teaching abroad for Panathinaikos, flirting with teaching jobs within the states, and litigating towards his former employer. However Pitino shortly jumped on the probability to get again within the school sport, endeavor an effort at Iona to revive this system on the heels of the resignation of long-time coach Tim Cluess.

“Tim Cluess has completed a spectacular job creating success and a profitable spirit,” Pitino stated in March of this system he took over.

On Monday, although, he shortly realized what a giant endeavor he is accepted. After his hiring this spring, he shortly raked within the top-rated recruiting class within the MAAC replete with seven commitments, but it surely’s a course of that may take time, he says. Falling 22 factors shy towards a staff that misplaced to Louisville simply final week is a painful reminder of simply how a lot issues have modified and the way large a job lies forward.

“We gotta get them again to Tim Cluess’ degree, then take them to the next degree, like Jimmy V did,” he stated after the sport. “We’re going to be a extremely good basketball staff. I feel as soon as we hit January-February, we’re gonna have so many shut moments, it is gonna knock you out.”

Iona put forth a spirited effort and led 37-35 at halftime, however mustered simply 27 second-half factors as Corridor scooted by with 51 of its personal within the last 20 minutes of play.  

Seton Corridor had 4 gamers end scoring in double figures led by Jared Rhoden, who had 26 on 7-of-14 taking pictures. Sandro Mamukelashvili added 18 factors whereas Myles Cale poured in 15 of his personal. The Pirates shot 55% from the ground and 32% from the 3-point line, a staggering degree of effectivity contemplating it was completed with out star switch Bryce Aiken, who’s sidelined indefinitely with an ankle harm.



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