Chris Holtmann paid homage to the late Lou Carnesecca by sporting a colourful sweater for DePaul’s 89-61 loss to St. John’s Tuesday evening in Queens.
“When you’re my age — I’m in my early 50s — there’s a group of coaches you kind of grow up watching, admiring, having great respect for. Following their teammates, following the leagues,” Holtmann mentioned. “I keep in mind watching him. I grew up in Kentucky. I keep in mind watching him put on the sweaters. I keep in mind the long-lasting second when he wore the sweater and [Georgetown coach] John Thompson got here out with the jacket and opened [it to show a sweater].
“He had a profound impact on the game and this university. We wanted to pay our respects.”
Holtmann mentioned considered one of DePaul’s staffers discovered it at a thrift retailer and ordered the sweater, which really was the identical model because the sweaters Carnesecca made well-known.
“It definitely had been worn a few times before I wore it,” Holtmann mentioned.
For the primary time this yr, St. John’s freshman middle Khaman Maker appeared in a sport. Rick Pitino mentioned the plan was by no means for the 7-foot-1 huge man from South Sudan to redshirt.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS
“I think redshirting guys is a waste of time, because you get four years, and you got to develop players,” the Corridor of Fame coach mentioned. “I don’t think he benefits [by it]. By next year, he’s got to put on 20 pounds of muscle and be ready to play. I think getting him in spots, learning how to play is a good thing, and he did a good job tonight.”
A four-star prospect, Maker performed highschool ball at SFBA Trinity Prep in Las Vegas, the place he was recognized for his defensive means as a rim-protecting middle. He appeared within the ultimate three minutes of the win on Tuesday.
