Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, whose home is in Florida, has a growing relationship with the University of Florida's football team and coach Urban Meyer.
Rivers spoke to the team during the offseason, often communicates with Meyer via e-mail, and tries to use football to motivate the Celtics at times.
Rivers, whose daughter plays on the Florida volleyball team, is rooting for the Gators to beat Oklahoma in the BCS Championship Game on Thursday.
"(Basketball coach) Billy (Donovan) I know," said Rivers. "But really, with Urban it's been really good. I spent some time with him this summer. We created a video during the playoffs that has been one of their themes this year. 'Keep punching,' the whole Muhammad Ali thing.
"It's funny. When I went to the first game, they actually had it up on the screen at the stadium — not the same one, but that theme.
"He had me come in and speak to the team. They had a 'Champions Day' every year and I spoke to the team. It was neat.
"I love football because of the execution. Football, you have to have precise execution every day down the field. If I say, 'In and out,' and you go the other way, it's a turnover. If I say, 'On three,' and you go on two, the whole team is penalized.
"I tried to get these guys to understand if we can get that same mentality in basketball, we could be the best-executing team in the world on defense and offense."
Rivers was asked to speak to the Gators again before the BCS Championship, but time didn't permit it. He plans on watching the game while the Celtics are in Cleveland, where they play the Cavaliers Friday.
Asked for a prediction, Rivers said, "Florida. all SEC."