July 25
When you talk about great college basketball coaches, usually the same group is referenced. Hall of Famers Mike Krzyzewski, Lute Olson, Bobby Knight and John Chaney are often mentioned -- as well as those on the fringe of making the Hall, guys like Jim Boeheim, Gary Williams and Jim Calhoun.

	Lou Henson

What about this name: Lou Henson. I remember calling him Lou Doo when he was strutting the sidelines at Illinois. Do you remember that orange blazer he wore?

Now Henson is fighting a different battle. He recently found out he has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymph system.

Examine Henson's numbers and tell me if he doesn't merit consideration for Hall of Fame honors. He has a chance to join the elite 800-win club, which includes only four Division I men's coaches: Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp, Jim Phelan and Knight. Henson currently stands at 762-386 during his illustrious head-coaching journey that began at New Mexico State, took him to Illinois and then back to New Mexico State.

Henson is already in a select circle as one of 11 coaches to take two different schools to the Final Four (the Illini in 1989 and the Aggies in 1970). The other 10 coaches to accomplish that feat are Larry Brown, Lute Olson, Rick Pitino, Eddie Sutton, Frank McGuire, Gene Bartow, Foddy Anderson, Hugh Durham, Jack Gardner and Lee Rose.

Henson has done an amazing job throughout his coaching tenure.

Knowing Henson, don't be surprised if you see him on the sideline next season. With the support he'll have from his family, led by his beautiful wife, Mary, and everyone around him, don't count him out. Henson has such strength and courage, plus a mental toughness.

Henson said it all depends what happens after his radiation and chemotherapy, but he intends to be back at New Mexico State. Take it to the bank. He's a fighter and survivor and he'll make it back.

Henson has taken two different schools to the Final Four.

To me, his teams were always underrated and underappreciated in terms of their defensive prowess. I only wish that those in basketball circles, those who rate and evaluate the ability of coaches, would give him his due for all he has achieved during his career.

Remember, the test of greatness for anything in life is the ability to test time. He has certainly done that and the numbers don't lie. He didn't compete against clubs from Cupcake City.

Lou Henson is a winner, and he will be successful in the biggest battle of his life. He only knows one way to do things -- to the best of his abilities. He will get to the winner's circle in dealing with his latest battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.