I know people love to talk about the old days and when things were better, which is basically when you grow up and remember it the most. For those in the world of college basketball, the better time was when the Big East had a roster of coaches like Lou Carnesecca. A beloved legend who helped make the Big East the best conference in America, led St. John’s to a Final Four and helped shape basketball in the Northeast.

Think back to when Louie coached at St. John’s. There were guys like Rick Pitino at Providence, Jim Calhoun at UConn, John Thompson at Georgetown, Rollie Massimino at Nova and even PJ Carlesimo at Seton Hall. There are personalities everywhere, and perhaps none of them have embraced Big East basketball more than Louie. He was a New York basketball player. He lived and breathed St. John’s Basketball, the same college where he played baseball. Perhaps none of this sums it up better than the Louie Sweater game:

In terms of guys who could pull off a sweater, they are:

1. Louie Carnesecca

2. Mr. Rogers

That’s the list.

Bettman. Getty Images.

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Mitchell Layton. Getty Images.

Robert W. Stowell Jr. Getty Images.

Focus on exercise. Getty Images.

St. John’s needs to remember him properly, Pitino needs to wear a sweater and use a sweater patch for Louie. It’s fitting that this is their next game:

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Louie’s personality and the fact that he never had a losing record helped build the Big East. He should be talked about in the legendary status we see in so many others. He played college basketball, helped make St. John’s a major player, and did so in his own style. RIP to a legend.