Nov. 15, 2005

I recently got to speak to a pair of Hall of Fame coaches -- Bob Knight and Jim Boeheim. I can't wait to see them do battle in the semifinals of the 2K Coaches vs Cancer Classic on Thursday night.

What is the definition of the genuine superstar? It is someone goes beyond, someone special and unique, enjoying that winner's mentality. Some people take those qualities for granted.

When talking to Knight and Boeheim, there is a common denominator. Between them almost 1600 W's, they both have a love and a passion for being in the arena. They love to motivate and inspire their players.

Boeheim admits the team he is bringing to the Big Apple still has a ways to go to become a legitimate top 15 team. You can hear the sincerity in his voice as he talked about the Orange shooting one-for-19 on trifectas against Cornell.

The General, who will eventually become the winningest coach of all time, still has the anxiety and worrying about the way his team will perform. It is not nervousness but the anticipation, excitement and adrenaline over the game. They love that special feeling of teaching a team how to play winning basketball.

That is what made these two coaches success stories ... the desire to teach WINNING basketball. They are enshrined in Springfield, Massachusetts as active coaches because of that thirst and desire for more success.

They are big-time winners in every way possible. That is the player's dream, to play for coaches who instill that winning mentality. It should be thrilling to watch the coaches weave their magic on Thursday night.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.