Rick Pitino knows what it’s like to be on the losing end of an all-time opening-round upset. In 2011, Pitino was the head coach of the No. 4 Louisville team that suffered a 62-61 stunner to No. 13 Morehead State in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64.

The Omaha coaches and players, in turn, know what they’re up against in a St. John’s team won the school’s first Big East regular-season title since 1985 and first Big East Tournament title since 2000. Pitino, meantime, is taking his sixth different program to the NCAA Tournament.

The Omaha and St. John's coaches spoke with media on Wednesday before the teams meet in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in.

In Part 3 of "Postcards of Pitino," FOX Sports spoke with five of Pitino's former players during his return to college at Iona and St. John's.

The native New Yorker has St. John’s poised for a tournament run. But his life is a complex character study, gripping and raw and full of comebacks.

Rick Pitino may or may not face John Calipari in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but he’s already getting some subtle shots in at his longtime foe.