CINCINNATI -- I knew I was taking a chance when I left for home around midnight last Thursday.
Xavier was deadlocked with Arizona, so I had Joe Sunderman and Byron Larkin riding shotgun. My trip to Indiana flew by, but it was well after 12:30 and the score hadn't been settled yet.
I needed to stop at a local supermarket for a few necessities, but I didn't want to get out of the car. So I sat with my lights off and the engine running.
And I sat. And I sat. The game inched toward a close, but it was still in doubt.
I was the only car in the lot. But after 10 minutes or so, another car pulled alongside me and rolled down his window. I did the same.
"Got a problem?" he asked. He was security.
"No problem here" I said. "I can't go inside and miss the end of this game."
"What game?" he asked.
"The Xavier game," I told him. "They're ahead of Arizona."
"Really?" he answered. "I thought they'd get crushed. Turn it up!"
So I pumped up the volume, and there we sat for several more minutes as a lob went inside to Sean O'Mara for the go-ahead points. Finally, Arizona missed a last-second shot and Joe Sunderman started screaming.
The security guy and I let out a cheer. We honked our horns and we did a quick fist bump. He pulled away and I ran into the store for some cream cheese and OJ.
I probably will never forget that game or where I heard it. It's one of many takeaways after two weeks of great basketball.
Here are some others:
So many writers said the first round was boring and predictable. Dumb things to write. This tournament never goes according to script. Just give it time.
Send Charles Barkley and Kenny the Jet back to the NBA coverage. They know the pro game, they know the players and they're good at it. Let college ball be analyzed by people who love and follow the college game.
Enough of this "Big Dance" stuff. Hate the term. And no, I don't have a better description. I call it the NCAA tournament.
UK against North Carolina on Sunday: So quick it seemed like the game was on fast-forward.
I really think the hire of Archie Miller by Indiana is a great one. Most everyone does. But didn't Tom Crean seem like a great hire nine years ago?
I never believed Steve Alford would come back to Indiana. He'd always be compared to Bobby Knight, no matter how good or bad he was. Sometimes, you can't go home again.
NKU made an impressive but brief tournament debut, and I think they'll get some mileage out of it. I think because of their location and arena, they'll be a regular player in the Horizon League. But will fans notice?
Does DirecTV believe that effective marketing is beating us senseless with those insipid commercials featuring a wedding singer and Greg Gumble? Enough! It actually made me appreciate my cable company.
Do you wonder what it would take to lure Chris Mack away from Xavier? Many thought Indiana would make a play. Does he really have to leave? At the very least, he can be mighty picky.
Will Edmund Sumner and Trevon Bluiett come back? I hope so; they are great to watch.
Do you think we'll ever see Cincinnati host another NCAA tournament game? Not in my lifetime. And I'm not getting any younger. We sent reporters to Sacramento, San Jose, Orlando and Indy, and those venues are remarkable. Poor US Bank Arena is outdated and ill-equipped to handle today's tournament.
I'm pleased that Mick Cronin and the Bearcats had another good year, and I'm especially pleased that they have an offense more intriguing to watch. Sumo wrestling ain't my thing.
Farewell to Troy Caupain. Terrific player and classy guy.
I worry about Hugs, don't you? Love the guy, but he doesn't appear to be in the best of health. I hope I'm wrong.
I remember South Carolina coach Frank Martin when he was a Hugs assistant. He had a chronic scowl. Hugs appeared jolly in comparison. But Martin is a great story, the son of Cuban immigrants who has worked his way up from the bottom.
Do you wonder if anything in the Final Four can top that UK-UNC finish on Sunday? Riveting.
People say one-and-done players don't care. I hope they saw De'Aaron Fox weeping in the locker room after Sunday's loss. Sure appeared to care to me.
Why do advertising agencies continue to put athletes and former athletes into commercials and try to make them look funny. Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Spike Lee are all entertaining guys, but not with bad lines. Big personalities can't make up for bad writing. I can't even remember the product they were pitching.
Peyton Manning spoiled it for all athletes on television commercials.
I don't know about you, but I hope we get North Carolina and Gonzaga in the championship game. I know this: I won't be listening to it in some parking lot.
