COLUMBIA - Dave Odom had been watching prospects since early morning in Florida and wanted something to eat Wednesday.

Who followed South Carolina's coach into the lunch room? Odom's successor at Wake Forest, Skip Prosser. "We talked about family, Wake Forest and basketball," Odom recalled.

A day later, Odom got the word Prosser had died. The university confirmed the 56-year-old coach's death Thursday, but did not release details.

The two sharing a meal Wednesday at the AAU National Championships in Orlando, Fla., was "the most amazing thing," Odom said from his Gamecock office.

"I've lost a really good friend," Odom said.

The relationship between the coaches grew after Odom left the Demon Deacons for South Carolina and Prosser was hired as replacement.

Odom met Prosser soon after changes in 2001 and urged him to retain Odom's administrative assistant, Lynne Heflin.

Prosser did and not too long ago, Odom said the Wake Forest coach told his South Carolina colleague it "was the best advice you gave me."

Despite his close ties to the Wake Forest program in Prosser's first season there, Odom purposely kept out of things at his old position to give the new coach time to adjust. "I know he appreciated that," Odom said.

Odom reciprocated, appreciating Prosser's class and kind words. Odom remembered how whenever Prosser talked about his early teams made sure to point out how the previous coach had done a stellar job.

In time, the two would call each other for advice - Odom often briefed Prosser on Demon Deacon alumni or personnel - and comfort.

"If either of us would go through some bad stretches," Odom says, "I'd call him or he'd call me to say, 'Hey, keep your head up.'"

Odom coached at Wake Forest for 12 seasons (1989-2001), reaching the postseason for 11 straight years.