Photo via Penguin

In 2009, ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas wrote “Defining Toughness in College Hoops,” one of the most popular articles of his career. In the years since it was published, Bilas further explored the topic of mental toughness with some of the biggest names in sports for a new book, which is landing in stores just in time for March Madness.

Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court explores the question, “What does it really mean to be tough?” In addition to Bilas’s personal views on how true strength leads to success both on and off the basketball court, the book features anecdotes and musings from some of the biggest names in both college basketball and the world of sports at large. It’s got a Forword by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and insights from Bob Knight, Tom Izzo, Bill Self, Roy Williams, Grant Hill, Mia Hamm, Curtis Strange and Jon Gruden.

Bilas knows firsthand the impact mental toughness has on success. As a senior at Duke, he helped lead his team to a National Championship in 1986. He also worked under Krzyzewski as an assistant coach from 1990 to 1992, when the Blue Devils made it to the Final Four three times and won two National Championships.

Toughness, published by Penguin, is available now in hardback, paperback and eBook formats.