Tay Baker is a Cincinnati basketball encyclopedia— and why shouldn't he be? After all, he spent three seasons (1948–1950) as a player and 13 years as either an assistant or head coach for Xavier's rival, the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team, before serving as the head coach of the Musketeers from 1974 to 1979.
So, as the crowning achievement of his Xavier tenure approaches its 40th anniversary, you'll have to forgive the spry 91-year-old if he takes a moment to humbly celebrate the memory.
Coached by Baker and led on-court by eventual Most Valuable Player Nick Daniels (now known as Rashid Abdul-Rahim), the 1978–1979 Musketeers were the surprising winners of 1978 Volunteer Classic.