ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Richard Pitino is barely taking over at New Mexico and he's already fielding a challenge for his Lobos.

The would-be opponent is Iona, the program coached by Pitino's father, Rick.

"When I got the job, I got a text right away, `How about we play an Iona-New Mexico game in Las Vegas,'" Richard Pitino said Thursday as he was introduced as New Mexico's new coach. "I said, `How about you leave me alone,' is what I said. `Why don't you prepare for the NCAA Tournament.' But that is certainly something we'd love to do."