Jan. 7
I was sad to learn of the passing of two giants from the basketball coaching world. Former Ohio State coach Fred Taylor and Al LoBalbo, who was a New Jersey high school superstar before moving on to the college ranks, died over the weekend.

Bob Knight has told me many times about the respect he had for Taylor; Knight played for him on Ohio State's national championship team in 1960. The General's coaching philosophy has been derived in many ways from his former Buckeye coach.

Taylor did a brilliant job, dominating in the early '60s with a team featuring John Havlicek, Jerry Lucas, Knight and company. The Buckeyes were overwhelming in winning it all in 1960. Five of his teams earned NCAA Tournament berths ('60, '61, '62, '68, '71) with four of those advancing to the Final Four (1960, '61, '62, '68).

The Buckeyes also made history under Taylor by winning an unmatched five consecutive Big Ten titles (1960-64). He also is the only Ohio State coach to lead six teams to 20 or more victories.

Taylor's teams always emphasized the team concept, rarely taking a bad shot. His Buckeyes certainly defended exceptionally well. They are the trademarks of success at any level -- take the good shot and create a dilemma on the defensive side on the floor. That was what Taylor's teams were all about.

He made a major impact on many coaches throughout the nation. They would use his offensive and defensive theories, incorporating them into their systems.

LoBalbo was a coaching star at St. Mary's of Elizabeth before serving as an assistant under a couple of Hall of Famers -- Robert Montgomery Knight at West Point and Lou Carnesecca at St. John's. He also served as head coach at Fairleigh Dickinson.

Wow ... I will never forget the moment that I shared with Coach LoBalbo in a New Jersey gym in Garfield.

As a young high school coach, making my debut, I was simply in awe as I went against him and his Belleville team back in 1964. Why did I have such adulation for LoBalbo? He won numerous state championships at St. Mary's and was the most dominant force in basketball in New Jersey.

When you listened to Coach LoBalbo speak at a clinic, you listened in awe! His defensive philosophy has affected the style of play throughout America. He was the first coach I ever heard utilizing the "ball-you-man" theory. LoBalbo was brilliant in teaching the principles of man-to-man defense.

I will never forget, after losing a heartbreaker to his Belleville team, he called me into the locker-room area at Garfield High School. He said, "Son, you have one heckuva future in this game." Believe me, I stood there with my mouth wide open. Even though we suffered an "L," I was on cloud nine to think that this guy, who was such a giant, would offer such praise in the infancy of a career.

For that, I will always be indebted, as I told him so many times in the past. I loved everything he did for the game of basketball, and he played a vital role inspiring me in this great game I deeply love.

If you wanted to know tendencies of players and teams, you just asked LoBalbo. He could break it down with the best of them.

There is no doubt that Taylor and LoBalbo are in heaven. They have enriched the lives of so many in the coaching fraternity. They were two really beautiful people who will always be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to have shared their basketball wisdom with them over the years.