Layden last coached at the school 36 years ago, but the current players are familiar with his story. They know that he coached future Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, and how he led Niagara to its first NCAA bid in 1970 before moving on to find success in...

Murphy's Niagara scoring record rests off in a distant galaxy, a few million light years away, visible only with the help of the world's most powerful telescopes. Murphy played in 77 games. He scored 2,548 points, good for a 33-point average. Those are...

Wilt Chamberlain was a 51.1 percent free-throw shooter in his 14 seasons in the NBA. He laid 5,805 bricks from the line in his career, but was a four-time MVP and two-time NBA champion. Shaquille O'Neal was 52.7 percent in 19 seasons, but won four NBA...

Robinson was drafted 21st overall in 2005 and has spent time playing for the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City, and is now on the roster for the Golden State Warriors. He has proven to be a capable back-up point guard, with career...

Layden also coached his alma mater for eight seasons, including taking the school to its first-ever NCAA tournament in 1970. Layden and future Naismith Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy helped Niagara defeat No. 7 Penn, 79-69, in the first round. He finished...

Rockets center Jordan Hill and Timberwolves power forward Anthony Randolph battle for a loose ball during Monday's game. (Nick de la Torre/Chronicle) It might have seemed that the Rockets did nothing special to welcome Rick Adelman back to town. There...