2012 Final Four foes John Calipari, Rick Pitino united by Jack Leaman

One of the many things they have in common is wealth — lots and lots of it. There is plenty of green to be had in the bluegrass when you are John Calipari and Rick Pitino.

But in all deference to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, it is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that fueled coaching’s most bitter rivalry. The road from UMass to bluegrass is a story of out-of-the box thinking (and coaching), of Gucci (and itchy) shoes, and of the one man, the one coach, who helped to launch both of these guys to greatness.

Read more ...