Kentucky Expresses Some Interest in Knicks’ Pitino

Rick Pitino, coach of the New York Knicks, will be approached by the University of Kentucky regarding the school’s basketball coaching job, Kentucky Athletic Director C.M. Newton said Wednesday.

“Whenever Rick Pitino is free to talk, certainly we’ll go through the proper channels to try to talk to him,” Newton said. “We’re not waiting for the Knicks’ season to end. We’ve decided to wait until we get the sanctions before we bring anyone else to campus.”

A judgment on the Kentucky program from the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.’s Committee on Infractions is expected this week or early next week, Newton said.

The Knicks, who trail the Chicago Bulls, 3-2, will play Friday night at Chicago in Game 6 of the National Basketball Assn.’s Eastern Conference semifinals.