Rick Pitino is thrilled for his son, yet not exactly psyched about the prospect of facing him twice a year. 

He loves that Richard is getting another shot in a power conference, but not fond of now counting him as a league rival. 

“I’m very, very excited for him and his family. I don’t like the fact I have to play against him two times,” the St. John’s coach told The Post in a phone interview. “I didn’t mind it with New Mexico coming into the Garden one time. But I don’t like competing against my son.” 

Last week, Richard was hired as head coach at Xavier, leaving New Mexico after four mostly successful seasons and two consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.