Steve Alford made the 1984 U.S. Olympic team over Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Dell Curry and Chuck Person, among others. How?

Alford, now the Nevada coach, spoke on the " Field of 68 " podcast during Mountain West media days, and explained that talent and a certain connection played a role:

He was a strong outside shooter, which, at the time was more valuable in international competition than American college ball.

The Olympic coach was Bob Knight , his coach at IU .

Few of the other Olympians had been coached the way Knight did, and Alford could guide them through the ups and downs.

"Being able to help be a coach in the locker room," Alford said. "'When coach kicks us out, this is what we've got to do. If he's going to do this today, this is why.'" Need a ne

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