Feb. 4
It was sad to learn of the passing of former Cincinnati Bearcats coach Ed Jucker. Let me tell you, he was one special teacher.

Ed Jucker was a teacher. His teams understood what a good shot was and they played well on the defensive end.

In fact, when I was growing up as a coach, I used to spend hours and hours reading his book, "Cincinnati Swing Basketball."

It featured many of the offensive concepts I utilized in my coaching career on the high school and collegiate level.

Who could ever forget the unbelievable job Jucker did at Cincinnati, winning national championships in 1961 and '62. His rival at that time was in the state of Ohio, in Columbus -- that's right, the Buckeyes of Ohio State!

When I think of Cincinnati basketball, I immediately think of domination from the greatest college player ever, pound-for-pound -- The Big O, Oscar Robertson. Certainly Michael Jordan would be my choice as the best pro player ever, but in the college ranks, you can make a great case for Oscar! He was pretty good in the NBA, too, averaging a triple-double for a whole season.

The Big O was not part of Jucker's '61 and '62 teams that cut down the nets (Robertson played in the 1959 and '60 Final Fours, when the Bearcats finished third in consecutive years under coach George Smith). Paul Hogue and Tom Thacker were keys as the Bearcats won back-to-back national titles.

Jucker was a teacher. He had a great feel about the fundamentals of the game. His teams understood what a good shot was and they played well on the defensive end.

I send my sympathies to the Jucker family, his former players and all supporters of Cincinnati basketball over this loss. I will always remember Ed Jucker. He played a vital part in my education in the game I have a passion for.