Had wonderful conversations with a couple of outstanding old Utes last night -- Arnie Ferrin and Billy McGill, both of whom said they're thrilled to be joining dozens of other former Utes at the All-Century celebration this weekend.

And both of them also said they're working on books.

Ferrin is working with his son on a project -- it might even include a film -- about his 1944 team, the group of nine young players who wound up winning the NCAA Tournament in the midst of World War II after losing in the first round of the NIT to legendary coach Adolph Rupp and his Kentucky Wildcats. The Utes joined the NCAA field on their way home from the NIT loss, in place of an Arkansas team that had to pull out after it was involved in a tragic car accident that kept two of their starters from ever walking again -- and became the only team in tournament history to win the title with four freshman starters.

"It's a fun story," he recalled.

Meanwhile, McGill has been working on an autobiography since getting laid off -- "tapped on the shoulder," as he put it -- from his job in requisitions with Grumman Aerospace near Los Angeles last year and discovering deep in his closet a handwritten manuscript that he had started writing 35 years ago.

"I was cleaning out and I said, 'Wow, I had forget all about it.' It was just pages and pages about my whole life," he said. "I think it's going to be quite a fascinating book, if I can get it finished, which I know I will."

McGill said he spends five to six hours a day writing and typing his manuscript, in between a community college computer class, and hopes to find a publisher by the spring. Oh, and one other thing. McGill plans to dedicate the book to his "beloved coach Jack Gardner and the fans of Utah."