Cuonzo Martin referenced Gene Keady often during his first year coaching the Missouri men’s basketball team. The former Purdue coach — and now 81-year-old — was a mentor and a father-figure who taught Martin lessons during Martin's time at Purdue.
The two still speak a couple of times a month, Keady said Monday.
And as far as Martin’s first year at Missouri goes, Keady thought Missouri overachieved in going 20-13 and making an NCAA Tournament after losing 68 games in the three years prior.
“Anything that Cuonzo does doesn’t surprise me,” Keady said. “He’s a good leader.