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Rick Pitino Says Atmosphere During Panathinaikos Debut 'Reminded Me of Kentucky'

Rick Pitino, who is now leading Greek club Panathinaikos B.C., said the atmosphere for his team's 96-84 Euroleague win over CSKA Moscow "reminded (him) of Kentucky."

"Just like that, and that's the highest compliment I give any crowd," Pitino said per an ESPN.com report. "Because I've always felt that in Kentucky basketball is a religion, and the fans tonight motivated us to play that type of defense."

Pitino knows a thing or two about raucous atmospheres, as he's coached since 1974 with stops at Louisville, Kentucky, the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics along the way.