by Jeff Goodman

It couldn't get much worse for the NBA Hall of Famer, yet Thomas somehow managed to flash that trademark smile on Monday night even after an 88-72 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels that wasn't quite as close as the score indicated.

"I love basketball," Thomas said shortly after walking off the floor. "I need it. This is what I do."

Thomas grew up on the west side of Chicago as the youngest of nine children raised by his mother.

After an illustrious playing career with the Detroit Pistons, Thomas has taken his share of criticism — some justified and some unwarranted.

He has been credited with ruining the CBA and also became the latest New York Knicks coach to fail.

"There have been a lot of talented, smart people to come through our organization," Thomas said, referring to the Knicks.

He then rattled off the names of Don Nelson, Larry Brown, Lenny Wilkens, Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy — and himself.

"All of us tried to fix it, and we just haven't been able to," Thomas said.

Now, Thomas starts the latest chapter in his career.

He takes over a fledgling FIU program that hasn't had a winning season in nine years.

Thomas made FIU relevant the day he was hired and again on Monday night when he took his team into the Smith Center for their lone television appearance of the season.

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But his goal is for the program to make it onto the national map for its on-court performance — not just because of its high-profile coach.

"North Carolina showed us how champions are," Thomas said. "One day, we'd like to be champions."

That thought seems like a scene out of "Rudy," especially after a night watching his patchwork team, one that was put together in the 11th hour with a group of unheralded players — many of the junior-college variety. FIU was picked to finish dead last in the Sun Belt Conference.

"I like the way we battled," Thomas said. "We fought tonight."

It may be the last you hear of Isiah this season, but he will make the Golden Panthers relevant. He's already received a commitment from one of the nation's top 50 seniors, Dominique Ferguson, and is certain to upgrade the talent level at FIU.

Isiah may not be hanging any national championship banners down in sunny Miami, but he may be challenging for the Sun Belt crown and a berth in the NCAA tournament sooner than many anticipated.

For the final 20 minutes of Monday night's game, Isiah's bunch battled the young and talented Tar Heels — a team full of McDonald's All-Americans — to a virtual draw.

He didn't get the win vs. UNC Monday night, but Isiah Thomas liked the fight he saw in his team. (Gerry Broome / Associated Press)

42-42.

His scrappy group forced 26 North Carolina turnovers and showed some of the same toughness that helped Thomas become one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.

"I never thought I'd be coached by Isiah Thomas," said FIU leading scorer Marvin Roberts. "I had heard a lot of things about him, a lot of them negative, but he's been great with us.

"Those things are all out the door. He always talks to me about being a man and getting a degree."

That's something Thomas did on Mother's Day six years after departing Indiana University two years premature for the NBA.

Now, Thomas, who admitted his thoughts did drift to Mary Thomas from time to time on Monday, will head back to Chicago to be with his ailing mother as she prepares for heart surgery on Tuesday.

"I wanted to be with her, but she told me to go to work today," Thomas said. "She's a tough woman and is a fighter, and that's what I'm trying to instill in my team.

"Last night, when I was speaking to her, she just told me she doesn't want to die. And she's going to fight to live."

And with that, Thomas flashed one final smile and left the Smith Center.