Many words have been used to describe the late-great Al McGuire. But I have not heard anyone use the word ?cool?.

I cannot think of a better word to use.

The 30-thirty something generation is most familiar with McGuire, the non-generic color analyst. The youth of today, who follow college basketball, are well versed in the jargon of the day -- ?Diaper Dandy?, ?Rolls Royce?, PTP?er?s? and the countless other terms and phrases, associated with Dick Vitale.

Al McGuire was Dick Vitale, before there was a Dick Vitale.

Vitale has done so much good for the game today and his words have become synonymous with the NCAA basketball.

But let?s not forget some of things we heard McGuire give television audiences, over the years; ?Aircraft carrier?, ?The carnival gates are closed?, ?Cupcakes?, ?White knuckler?, and ?ballerina in the sky?, just to mention a few.

In addition to the phrases he coined, McGuire brought a unique insight to the game. As Hugh Durham pointed out, in a column remembering Coach McGuire, Al had a great ability to bring the game to the common fan.

So many people only watch college basketball in March and McGuire recognized that and broke the game down to a point where the casual follower of the sport could get a complete grasp of the action they were viewing.

And he had fun with it.

Today we see a lot of analysts breaking down teams, and speaking knowledgeably about mid-major programs that they are, in fact, not too familiar with. But McGuire created no illusions. He brought a genuine and honest approach to television. If the day before the game was the first time he ever saw ?that? team play, he was sure to let the viewers know that.

His knowledge of the game was such a strength. 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.