Richard Pitino and Ryan Saunders are young head coaches running struggling teams. They are sons of prominent coaches. They are affable and analytical and have spent years courtside at Williams Arena — Pitino as a coach, Saunders as a fan and player.
They could not find themselves in situations more different.
Pitino has coached basketball at the University of Minnesota for longer than did Tubby Smith. Longer than Bill Musselman and Bill Fitch combined. Saunders has been a head coach for a little more than a year.
Pitino was hired at the age of 30, so he was three years younger when he got the job than Saunders was when he became the non-interim head coach of the Timberwolves.