Roman Veytsman sports writer

North Carolina is college basketball country, with three universities within a 30 square-mile radius that all have programs worthy of specials on the History Channel.

The University of North Carolina is the king of the three, at least until Duke takes over. What other place do you know that has a color, Carolina Blue, named after it? The experience of being among college basketball royalty as well as those southern accents made the trip worthwhile in itself, and that was before the Arizona game.

Friday

10:30 - Two airplane packets of peanuts later...

Arriving at the Dean Dome in a sprawled-out campus on an unusually calm and relatively warm winter morning, I haven't yet realized the significance of the place where Michael Jordan started his magical career.

As you walk into the Smith Center, the sea of Carolina blue is breathtaking. Literally, the workers wearing the same color blend in with the seats.

The 21,000-seat mecca of an arena is just 20 years old with a steep climb to the top, where the view makes you feel like you're on top of the court. I was thinking about buying a T-shirt and some Carolina pants - camouflage - and just sitting in the top row to watch practice, but I had work to do.

11:00 - Luuuuuuuuute

Arizona's head coach was the first to speak, and he did so briefly, as if in a hurry to warn his team of its impending doom. I don't know if he thought the Carolina media had never heard of Arizona, but he proceeded to spend about 10 minutes talking in depth about his players rather than spending any time on the upcoming game or his team's struggles.

I was ready for him to let us all know what Hassan Adams likes for breakfast or which cartoons Isaiah Fox watched when he was 7.

12:00 - Lunch

One of the radio personalities in North Carolina took us out to lunch at LaRussa's deli and invited me to be a guest on his pregame show the next day. Some good Southern food and a chance to tell those Carolina folk that they're about to see what Arizona basketball is all about.

Starting out like a good trip.

2:00 - Lobbing questions at Roy Williams

Williams walked in with a wry smile, looking like he knew something everyone else didn't. Not a good sign.

Once he began talking, he of course started figuratively kissing Lute's butt, but then threw in some references regarding "Chicken Little," the sky falling, and rocks cooling. Always good times with Roy.

I ask him how much he thinks they're going to win by, and he whispers "17" into the microphone. (Alright, I just made that last part up).

4:15 - Talk about good timing...

After checking out the UNC campus, we (Daily Wildcat photographer Chris Coduto and I) receive a phone call regarding the new president of Arizona. One of the candidates was apparently right under our noses, the vice chancellor and provost at North Carolina.

4:30 - An interview with the prez

Robert Shelton is our new president, and we're going to try to talk to him.

5:01 - The Wildcats' biggest win of the weekend

We walk into his office, where he is exchanging high-fives and hugs with his associates like he had just been hired to coach the New England Patriots, or fired as the coach of the Arizona Cardinals, although that feeling is probably more of relief.

I didn't know whether I should call him Mr. Shelton, Dr. Shelton, President Shelton, or possibly just Rob, or Bobby. Let's go with Bobby. OK, maybe not. He was extremely nice, knew his sports, and didn't want his butt kicked by Lute any more from back when he taught at Iowa State.

He said he'd be rooting for the Wildcats in Saturday's game. Bad idea.

Saturday

10:00 a.m.

Not having TiVo in the hotel sucks. I want to watch SportsCenter when I want to watch it, and when I have to watch it at 3 a.m.

I wake up unhappy. We head to the alumni brunch, where Lute will be speaking. There's 160 people at this event, according to the president of the North Carolina alumni chapter. I have to tell you, I wouldn't want to be an Arizona basketball fan in North Carolina, but you do what you have to do, I guess. Let's just say the crowd was wealthy, so I felt like we were alumni party crashers with no rulebook and no character ideas.

We say hello to Shelton because he's our main boy now. Athletic director Jim Livengood takes the mic, and jokes the last two 3-8 seasons were planned (good plan), but the football team will be better this year.

11:20

We walk by Olson as we head to our car, and he gives us the head nod. YES!

As we're about to drive away, there's a guy who looks like former Carolina star and NBA player Hubert Davis getting out of the car next to us. Oh wait, that is Hubert Davis.

Although I'm tempted, I don't have the nerve to ask him "Hey, Hube, remember when you were good back in college?"

11:40 The radio host calls me for the interview. When he asks who I think is going to win, I tell him, I like Arizona because our big guys will be able to control Hansbrough down low.

Then I say I think Arizona will win, but no matter what, it'll be a close game. So... I just embarrassed myself on North Carolina radio.

12:50 Williams throws out T-shirts into the stands. That's more than just a wave, come on Lute.

1:00 Charles Barkley comes on the scoreboard monitor to welcome the fans to North Carolina. Last time I checked, Barkley went to Auburn. Carolina could have gotten any one of their great players for the part, but instead got Barkley. Where's his buddy MJ? Confusing, to say the least.

1:04 Right before tipoff, the speakers blast "Jump Around" by House of Pain and the place goes crazy, partly because it's great song and partly because the sound system was created by Pimp My Speakers.

3:00 I'm not excited about walking into the locker room. Just kidding, Olson and the team have a flight to catch, so he'll talk for 10 minutes, but the media wouldn't be allowed to have access to the team.

That's OK, I wouldn't have much to say either after that performance.

3:15 The UNC locker room is sick. Ping Pong table, leather couches - when can I walk-on?