I’m originally from the west and I forgot how awesome the snow-capped Rockies are to see, until I looked down on them for 35,000 feet on our way to Salt Lake where we changed planes. Our flights were uneventful and we were able to get to bed early on Wednesday night to try and get used to the three-hour time difference.

What makes it difficult is to stay on deadlines for the news -- my watch is still on Eastern time, so I’m eating a late lunch (4:30 local time) and my watch says it’s 7:30, so part of me is ready to eat dinner at the same time. We are sitting in a restaurant with a view of the Spokane River and what a view! It’s a massive river that is rushing by and flowing over what look to be class 4 rapids. It’s great country out here.

We arrived at the Spokane Arena early this morning to pick up our credentials and get set up. Luckily we didn’t have to lug our gear too far because the security guard who had the list of approved names for the closest lot didn’t have very good eye sight and when I said Ira Cronin, he found Ian Clark on his list and said go right ahead. I didn’t want to argue with him. Thanks to all the terrorists of the world, getting through security at the arena is only a half step below the airport so that’s a pain, but I would rather be safe than blown up.

Today we are the only Charlotte TV station here, so it was nice to have the locker room all to myself to interview the players and coach Marshall after they finished with their press conferences.

I got the biggest kick however, from talking to Coach Marshall’s 10-year-old son Kellen, who was watching practice. He has been on every NCAA trip with his dad and says his favorite part besides missing school is finding a good swimming pool at the hotel. He also told me if he could choose between a great pool or a win Friday, he would take the win and wouldn’t worry about ever finding a good pool.

I’m supposed to be an objective member of the media, but I have to say I want to see this team win and finally get over the hump in the first round in the worst way. When I go in the locker room after Friday’s game, I am either going to be very happy and excited to be in there if they win, or I’m going to hate being in there if they lose. Either way, I’ll be in there to bring you their story. We’ll find out what the fates hold against the Irish!