Though they downplayed the animosity, the coaches also noted that they are not friends. Earlier in the week, Calipari waxed on about his relationship with Self, and how it’s hard to play against friends; Pitino did the same about coaches like former UConn coach Jim Calhoun who have been important to him.

One way or another, their paths continue to cross. The next chapter of the “Rigatoni Marinara Classic,” as ESPN’s Dick Vitale put it on social media, comes as the Razorbacks meet the Red Storm at the NCAA Tournament second round at 1:40 p.m. Central on Saturday at Amica Mutual Pavilion.