Dick Vitale stares at the TV wide-eyed, resting his lower back on the couch to relieve soreness from a Neupogen shot that's meant to offset knifing pain from his second-to-last round of chemotherapy. His living room has windows that overlook a golf course in the backyard and opens up to an office that could pass as a sports museum from a Hall of Fame broadcasting career. Hallways are decorated with pictures of his five grandchildren and family vacations. Vitale's wife of 50 years, Lorraine, scurries around the home to help pass out dessert after dinner. 

"Coach K needs a timeout, he needs a T.O., baby," a raspy Vitale says as Texas Tech scores against Duke in Thursday's Sweet 16 game the Blue Devils go on to win. Seconds later, an errant pass leads to a Duke turnover. Texas Tech responds with a dunk that prompts Mike Krzyzewski – Vitale's longtime friend – to call timeout.