A sports drama, based on a true story, the portrait of a college coach who led his Texas Western team to victory over an all white Kentucky team in 1966 NCAA championship.

Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) took the job as the basketball coach of the losing team at Texas Western, during the season 1965-66. He recruited talented black players from the high schools and the urban play grounds. Basically he filled the team with all African Americans for the first time in the history of that school.

He brought discipline to the team and made the players stand up and fight. Some of the players called him a bigot who is trying to strip the dignity out of them, but he reminded them that "Your dignity is inside you, and nobody can take away something that you don't give them". His approach was criticized not only by the players but also by the school administration. But he revolutionized the basketball game by putting five black starters on the floor against the legendary all white Kentucky team of Adolph Rupp and led his team to victory.

The debut director James Gartner narrates a dramatic sports drama with some grace and wit. He keeps the proceedings in line with the story and presents many talented people in the film.

Josh Lucas as Haskins presents a decent performance. He is a brilliant coach who demanded hard work from his players, at the same time he is passionate and sympathetic with the real situations of the players. Most of the players are pretty realistic and they have good chemistry together.

The movie deals directly or indirectly with race relations during 1965-66, which even forced the school to change the name to University of Texas, ElPasso. The film has it's own pit falls but as an entertainer it is good. If you are a basketball fan you will enjoy this film very much.

We rate this movie ABOVE AVERAGE.