Even though I grew up on the West Coast, loving basketball the way i did, I was aware that the two traditional powers were the University of Kentucky and the University of Indiana. Of course, the University of Kansas was just as big on the college scene with legendary coach Phog Allen and the creator of the game, Dr. James Naismith.

But let’s stick with Kentucky and Indiana as I seem to have had the good fortune to cross paths with their legends as I grew up in the game of basketball. First of all, my first awareness of Kentucky was their coach, the Baron, Adolph Rupp. His reputation was that he was a tyrant to play for. I have confirmation from players that I played with and against and coached that this was true. However, I read his book and he talked about shooting from spots in practice which I successfully incorporated into my game.

Also, it was mostly the coaches coached back in the day. Hank Iba, the Oklahoma A&M coach who won back-to-back NCAA championships in the late 40’s led by the great Bob Kurland. The first legitimate seven footer. Coach Iba was one of the great innovators of the game.

Sorry, I digress. After the 1952-53 season the NCAA  was about to put Kentucky on probation for recruiting violations which would have prevented them from playing in the tournament the next season. Coach Rupp took the penalty and refused to play the season to save the eligibility of the best team in the country. They played intra-squad games before packed houses instead. The following season they went undefeated and won a National Championship.  Frank Ramsey, Cliff Hagan, Billy Evans and Odie Smith were some of their great players.I played with or against three of four of those great players.

Meanwhile, up north a bit, the University of Indiana won a championship with Clyde Lovelette, a 6’10” center, and a great ball-handling guard named Bob “Slick” Leonard. Later, Leonard played with the Lakers when they moved to L.A., so I got to see him perform with his running mate Rod “Hot Rod” Hundley and newcomer, Jerry West. I played a few games with Clyde in St. Louis (Hawks). I also bumped into him later when he was the most famous sheriff in Indiana at Terre Haute.

I played against Hoosiers, Bob Wilkinson, Archie Dees and Herbie Lee, and I am sure others I have left out. Head Coach Branch McCracken was

an imposing figure at Final Fours. And, I played against Billy Evans, Bill Spivey, Odie Smith, Johnny Cox and with Cliff Hagen. A great education. I even coached Larry Steele and started Pat Riley’s career by trading him to the Lakers. LOL! All in all, Kentucky and Indiana have had a huge presence in the world of basketball.