GIFFORD — Frank Martin gave up the beaches of Jamaica for a western-themed Coaches vs. Cancer event at Gordyville USA on Tuesday. A family vacation to the Caribbean was worth interrupting, though, in the South Carolina men's basketball coach's eyes.
Martin has long been involved in the Coaches vs. Cancer cause. He also promised Illinois coach Brad Underwood he would make the trip. That's what nearly 20 years of friendship — including seven on the sideline together at Kansas State and South Carolina — means.
"I've been dying to come up here," Martin said. "Obviously, Brad's a dear friend — more like family than a friend — and Illinois basketball is what it's all about.