50 years ago the Ohio State Men’s basketball team did something that hasn’t been achieved since 1960.  They won the NCAA National Championship.  The team was fully loaded with current basketball legends and to celebrate their accomplishments along with remembering their late coach Fred Taylor, all the members of the 1960 squad gathered in Columbus.  Although their jump shots may be rusty, their memories of the win over California are vivid!

Besides the obvious, what is your favorite memory of winning the National Championship?

Jerry Lucas: Having the opportunity to be successful with a great group of people.  Such a unique group of people, great citizens, great students, who knew and loved the game and it was incredible meaningful to all of us.

John Havlicek:  At the end of the 40 minute period’s the pride, jubilation and that many people coming together to accomplish one thing and everyone doing their part to the best of there ability.  We were a pretty good team and most importantly we all graduated.   It was and still is special.

Bobby Knight: The game was not nationally televised, it was televised in Columbus.  I do remember the emotion but the hype isn’t what it is like today.  I listened to most games on the radio. 

Knowing what you all know now, what advice would you give to college athletes?

JL: To be a great college athlete it has to start years before.  It takes the right attitude and work ethic then combine all your skills. What made me an exceptional player was my mental approach to the game.  I took a minimum of 5,000 shots a day in the summer when I was growing up and every shot I took I shot with a purpose.  To me that made me a much better athlete.

JH:  Play to the best of their ability and realize the situation and if I not in a situation to do something pass it off because your chances will come somewhere along the line.  It’s the unselfishness to have chemistry where everyone relies on each other. 

BK: Get a degree.

What can you say about the advice and motivation that Coach Fred Taylor gave you?

JL: Coach He was the catalyst of the whole thing.  Fred was an incredible person, great coach.  He understood people, he understood how to handle a team collectively but he also understood blend people who had been the stars of their high school team for years and make them a cohesive unit. It takes a great coach.

JH: Fred Taylor was the architect that put it all together.  My career blossomed each year and it was through his teachings and coaching that allowed me to gain perspective as to what I should or should not do. 

BK: The most important thing that happened from a coaching stand point was when he decided we were going to be good defensively.  I went through that and that changed us from a good time that could be beaten to a team that couldn’t be beaten.