Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, expressed his longstanding admiration for Purdue’s Matt Painter, especially considering the recent championship game where Painter and Purdue fell short.
Carlisle, reflecting on his own basketball journey, recalled his Virginia Cavaliers’ impressive run in the 1984 NCAA Tournament, highlighting their unexpected success as a seven seed. He mentioned their victories over higher-seeded teams, culminating in a tight win against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Elite Eight.
Regarding the current NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, Carlisle acknowledged Purdue’s strong season and their notable achievements in the tournament. He mentioned his interactions with Matt Painter, including their time together on the Team USA Select Team, where they had conversations during Tyrese Haliburton’s involvement.
“I’ve spent some time with him,” Carlisle mentioned, referring to Painter. “I’m a long-time admirer of his work.” He also recalled visiting Purdue University during the 1999 NBA lockout to watch a practice, demonstrating his respect for both Painter and the Purdue program.
Carlisle expressed happiness for Purdue fans experiencing their team’s impressive run, drawing parallels to his own memorable journey with Virginia in 1984. He also remembered former Purdue player Brian Cardinal’s contributions during their time together on the Dallas Mavericks, highlighting Cardinal’s impact in critical moments, such as the NBA Finals-clinching game in 2011.
