In Brief : Pitino Fuels Kentucky Speculation

Rick Pitino fueled speculation that he might become the next basketball coach at Kentucky today as he spent an extra day in the Bluegrass region, getting a better taste of the area and meeting with school officials.

The university’s president, David Roselle, issued a statement saying discussions were continuing between the New York Knicks’ coach and Kentucky officials about the position.

Pitino originally had planned to return to New York today but instead toured some churches and a horse farm and made other “Lexington-type visits,” according to Chris Cameron, Kentucky’s sports information director. “It’s more of cultural, social and educational types of things,” said Cameron. “Things that are important to his family. He’s taking care of those questions.”