DePaul’s Chris Holtmann pays homage to late Lou Carnesecca

Chris Holtmann paid tribute to the late Lou Carnesecca by donning a colorful sweater for DePaul’s 89-61 defeat against St. John’s on Tuesday night in Queens.

“When you reach my age — I’m in my early 50s — there’s a group of coaches that you grow up watching, admiring, and respecting. Following their teams, following the leagues,” Holtmann explained. “I remember watching him. I grew up in Kentucky. I remember watching him wear the sweaters. I remember the iconic moment when he wore the sweater and [Georgetown coach] John Thompson came out with the jacket and revealed a sweater.”

“He had a significant impact on the game and this university. We wanted to show our respects.”

Holtmann mentioned that one of DePaul’s staff members found the sweater at a thrift store and ordered it, which happened to be the same brand as the ones Carnesecca made famous.

“It had definitely been worn a few times before I wore it,” Holtmann admitted.

For the first time this year, St. John’s freshman center Khaman Maker made an appearance in a game. Rick Pitino clarified that the initial plan was never for the 7-foot-1 big man from South Sudan to redshirt.

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“I believe redshirting players is a waste of time because you have four years, and you need to develop players,” the Hall of Fame coach stated. “I don’t think he benefits from it. By next year, he needs to gain 20 pounds of muscle and be ready to play. I think getting him some playing time, learning how to play, is a good thing, and he did well tonight.”

A four-star recruit, Maker played high school basketball at SFBA Trinity Prep in Las Vegas, where he was recognized for his defensive skills as a rim-protecting center. He made an appearance in the final three minutes of Tuesday’s victory.