History in the small moments
It's particularly interesting how Olson reflects on how some of the small unforeseeable moments that led to historical events in the game. While coaching at Iowa in 1979, Olson's Hawkeyes were playing Michigan State who was led by then sophmore Ervin 'Magic' Johnson. While tied with 1 second on the clock, Mike Brkovich leaned into Arizona's Ronnie Lester to get a foul call which led to two made shots and an eventual Michigan State win. If that call were not made with a second left, and Iowa had won the game, Michigan State would not have gone on to play Indiana State and Larry Bird to win the National Champioship.

Many of Olson's recounts illustrate the fine line between success and failure in sports. 

He details how winning or losing big games may often be attributed to a key rebound, a referee call or an injury.  This is certainly to be the case for every team and makes you wonder about the ebb and flow of basketball karma. How many teams out there were a rebound or a toe over the three-point-line away from a conference title, a tournament invitation or a national championship? In 2001, Arizona faced Duke in the National Championship game.  One game prior, Arizona's key guard Gilbert Arenas has suffered an injury which may have kept Arizona from its second national championship.

1986 USA Basketball Championship
When Olson was tapped to lead the U.S team in 1986, he had a slew of upcoming stars.  Karl Malone, David Robinson, Kenny Smith etc. The most interesting story Olson details is that of then Wake Forest's Muggsy Bogues.  Apparently, Olson and his staff scouted the Yugoslavian team lead by the late Drazen Petrovic.  Olson's plan was to have the 5'3" Muggsy Bogues guard the 6'5" Petrovic by pestering him. As Olson wrote "Muggsy was right there with his nose in Petrovic's navel" not allowing him to dribble and position himself to shoot.  

 Olson's memoirs paint a great history of a coach working hard to achieve success through every level from high school to college.  Among his greatest gifts was his late wife Bobbi who was there from the beginning to become of of college basketball's secret weapons in recuriting and caring for the college players.

Quite a history when you consider that the year before Coach Olson took over the Arizona program in 1983, the University had sold only 1 season ticket.