McGuire would tell you what was going to happen and moments later it would unfold as if he had scripted it himself. It was that insight and his style that made him so well received by fans all across the country. While I was never formally introduced to McGuire, I have fond memories of his observations, during our run the National Championship, in 1978. He recognized and praised Coach Joe B. Hall for his use of strength conditioning, which was not a common thing, in those days. From a personal standpoint, when I think of Al McGuire I think of my routine at the free-throw line.
Players have various rituals that they go through before shooting a free-throw.
For me, that was wiping my hands on my socks. McGuire made a big deal about that and, to this day, I still have people poke fun at me about it. His passing was a great loss for the game basketball, but it was a bigger loss for humanity. Right now, somewhere, Al McGuire is riding a motorcycle like a ballerina in the sky. He was cool.