Back From The Bahamas
Posted March 26, 2008, 8:50 AM ET

I just returned from a few days of rest and relaxation in the beautiful Bahamas.

You gotta love the way the folks in the Caribbean embrace life..."grab another cocktail, and worry about it tomorrow". Given what has been going on in my life over the last few weeks, the trip couldn't have come at a better time.

It's funny, how events in life come at you in waves...good and bad. Right now, I'm in a down cycle.

After battling through my first bout with kidney stones and making a few untimely trips to the hospital, our entire family was faced with another more serious issue. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and is scheduled to be operated on in April. Please keep Janet Roberts in your thoughts and prayers.

The night before departing to the Bahamas, I received news that our faithful companion of over 13 years, the "World Famous Harley Dog", was in dire shape and probably wouldn't survive our short trip to the Caribbean. She had been very sick for the past six weeks and we did everything we could to make her life more bearable. Before heading to the airport on Saturday morning, we put her down. I was crushed.

Harley Dog was my buddy and I already miss her hanging around my feet while I'm answering emails, waiting on me to get down the stairs every morning, or coming home from another crazy day at the radio station. I'd rather have kidney stones than give her up, but she was a great dog and dear old friend. I want to thank the great support staff of veterinarians at Monroe Road Animal Hospital for their treatment and professionalism.

Getting away and heading to the Bahamas was sorely needed, but while I was gone.....

I noticed that the Tar Heels were treating their NCAA opponents like they were a pick-up game at the local YMCA. Roy Williams' guys have been spectacular, and with the NCAA Eastern Regional headed to Charlotte, you've got to like their chances to advance to San Antonio...even though they should be tested a bit more severely this week, with Washington State and the potential next game against the Tennessee/Louisville winner.

While the Heels were cruising, the upstart Davidson Wildcats have been the biggest story in the state, the tournament and in the country. The double-dip victories over Gonzaga and Georgetown have been terrific and validate another great year for Bob McKillop. Not bad for a little old school in the Southern Conference, huh?

While Davidson and UNC are carrying the torch in March Madness, a couple of ACC teams were early exits from the Big Dance. Clemson found a way to blow an 18-point lead against 'Nova, and were one-and-done in their first NCAA Tourney appearance in over a decade.

Duke continued to underachieve, as well. At last this year, the Blue Devils made it past the opening round, but they are living off past reputation. There's no doubt that K and the Duke program are in the elite, but this is a "What have you done for me lately?" business....and lately, Duke has been just another good team. In Durham, they expect to be great. Right now, K and Duke are far from that category. The good news for K is that with the extra time off from the tourney, he can now concentrate fully on his USA Basketball responsibilities to win a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics.....who has the time to upgrade his college program, when there are medals to win?

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By the way, I received an advanced copy of Jim Nantz' new book, "Always By My Side". I've known Jim for quite some time, and I know how much time and effort he put into his latest creation. Please buy this book when it hits the bookstores on May 6th.

You will love the stories taking you behind the scenes, and you will certainly connect to the story surrounding Jim's father, who his battling courageously against that terrible disease known as Alzheimer's. Almost everyone knows of somebody that has been in the same boat....it is a devastating disease, and our family is going through a similar situation.

I plan on spending some quality time with Jim on the air in April when he's in town for the Wachovia Championship and to receive the National Sportscaster of the Year Award in Salisbury. But if you want to be entertained, enlightened and also touched with an amazing true story, be sure to purchase "Always By My Side", coming to a bookstore near you on Tuesday, May 6th.