Richard Pitino said he didn't know his dad — Louisville Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino — was coming to the game until he walked onto the court and saw him  with his own eyes.

"And I saw my idiot brother yelling at me," Pitino joked. "So I saw all of them over there. It was great. A lot of fun. … I really appreciate it. That was fun."

The elder Pitino did witnessed the Gophers 75-59 victory over South Dakota State on Tuesday night at Williams Arena.

The Gophers definitely took notice.

"I was like oh man, that's crazy," junior guard DeAndre Mathieu said. "That's Rick Pitino really in the building."

"He's a legend," Mathieu added. "It's always good to play in front of a legend. It's always different. He's critiqueing everything. He knows a little bit more than his son, because he taught his son."

Rick Pitino's attire for the game? A Minnesota sweatshirt and a maroon and gold scarf.

"He looked good in that maroon and gold," Richard Pitino said. "I think maybe if one of our guys gets a job, we'll just slide him right in as an assistant coach. I did three years with him. He's got to pay me back."

Mathieu said Rick Pitino spoke to Minnesota after the game. Mathieu said Rick Pitino told the Gophers they could be a final four team if they just think they are.

Rick Pitino sat down with the Big Ten Network at halftime and said he's proud of what his son's performance so far with the Gophers.

"He's probably a couple power forwards away from really making it happen," Rick Pitino said.

Richard Pitino said his dad was supposed to come to the Florida State game, but couldn't make it. He said he's glad Minnesota got the win in front of his dad.

"I brag about this place so much, that I wanted him to see it," Richard Pitino said. "So I'm happy he got a chance to see it."