Asked Tuesday about the U.S. Basketball Writers Association voting Virginia's Tony Bennett ahead of the coach of top-ranked and unbeaten Kentucky (36-0), Pitino said he would've selected his in-state archrival.
Calipari has won seven of eight meetings with Pitino, including this season.
Pitino, who has never won the award himself, praised Bennett and others for coaching jobs they have done this year. But the Louisville coach says, "I think John Calipari has done a brilliant job, so I'd put him at the top" of the list of candidates.
Pitino added, "When you're undefeated and nobody's beaten you, it's clear cut who the coach of the year is right now."
