I met Wooden about 25 years ago, in his seats at Pauley Pavilion. It was still 30 minutes or so before tipoff, so he invited me to sit and talk. To this day, he’s still the kindest and most gracious celebrity I’ve ever met. He got a kick out of me being from Kentucky and being a huge UK fan. I was only 12 in 1975, so I couldn’t say a lot about that, other than I definitely remembered it. I got a Wooden plaque and he personally autographed it for me. Even included my name on it. I still have it.
I have never had any ill feelings towards Wooden, even before I met him. I know Sam Gilbert was supposedly taking care of players once they got to UCLA, but Wooden recruited them, taught them, and coached them up. And they played a pretty style of basketball. If we’re going to accuse UCLA of cheating, we have to acknowledge the fact UK wasn’t exactly clean during the 70’s (and 80’s) either.
As for K, what he’s done at Duke is incredible. I don’t hate him, because Duke isn’t a rival of ours, but he definitely comes across as an insufferable prick. Just like his mentor, Bobby Knight. I doubt anyone, other than Duke fans, will miss him.