St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino paid a becoming tribute to the late Lou Carnesecca.
Pitino wore a crimson, blue and tan sweater on the sideline of Saturday’s recreation between St. John’s and Kansas State — a considerate nod to the signature sweaters Carnesecca would put on when he was the Johnnies’ head coach.
Pitino’s sweater was a reproduction that strongly resembled one among Carnesecca’s many colourful outfits. Pitino, 72, smiled as he opened his blazer and unveiled the sweater as he arrived on the court docket at Carnesecca Area on the St. John’s campus in Queens.
Saturday’s recreation marked the primary for St. John’s since Carnesecca died final weekend at age 99.
Carnesecca went 526-200 in 24 seasons because the St. John’s coach from 1965-70 and 1973-92. He led this system to 2 Massive East titles, to 18 NCAA Event appearances and to the Last 4 in 1985.
Often called “Looie,” Carnesecca was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame in 1992, the identical yr he retired from teaching. His 526 victories and .725 profitable share are each the very best within the historical past of St. John’s, which renamed its house enviornment after Carnesecca in 2004.
Pitino has usually referenced Carnesecca’s lasting influence on St. John’s since his hiring as head coach earlier than the 2023 season.
“Looie had the quality of humility and the love of his players like no other coach,” Pitino stated in September at a fund-raising dinner recognizing Carnesecca. “You knew why when you got to know him why the players loved him so much. … I will never be able to be Lou Carnesecca at St. John’s, but I will be able to represent him in the right light.”
St. John’s on Saturday debuted a court docket decal and jersey patches that honored Carnesecca, whereas Part 7, Row JJ, Seat 3 — a bit the place Carnesecca used to take a seat — was left empty.
Saturday’s recreation adopted Friday’s funeral mass for Carnesecca at St. Thomas Extra Church on the St. John’s campus.
