Feb. 6
It was another wacky Wednesday in college basketball. Maybe that's why the sport is so special.

Who would have thought Northwestern, after losing 26 straight to Indiana, would dominate the Hoosiers? That was a big W for the Wildcats, while Mike Davis' team continues to struggle. The schedule doesn't get any easier as Indiana faces Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois to round out the month. Indiana is now .500 (4-4) in Big Ten play.

Then think about Connecticut losing at Virginia Tech. Falling on the road is never a surprise, but to get beat by 21 points, allowing 95 points to the Hokies, is shocking. Jim Calhoun is facing tough times with prostate surgery, and you would have thought the team would respond positively to interim coach George Blaney. It simply did not happen, and the Huskies were coming off a blowout loss to Boston College.

What about Alabama? The Tide was trying to get back to respectability; remember Mark Gottfried's team was 9-0 and ranked No. 1 at one point. Now the Tide are struggling and can't get a win on the road. This latest loss was against one of the weaker teams in the SEC this season, Arkansas. Stan Heath is trying to rebuild and get the Razorbacks back to the Nolan Richardson heyday. It will take time, even though he has some great recruits coming in next year.

Georgia Tech, after beating North Carolina and Virginia, goes down to defeat at Clemson. Notre Dame, a top 10 team, gets beat at Seton Hall. Wild and wacky, baby!

It is not easy to win on the road. Look at the top 10 teams in this week's ESPN/USA Today poll, and those squads are unbelievable at home -- 106-3 through Wednesday!

Fan frenzy at home is something special. It provides intimidation and confidence for the home players.

Knight reaches 800
Robert Montgomery Knight, when I spoke to him Thursday morning, just passed off the 800th win as another game. As I told him, put it in perspective ... that's 40 seasons of 20 wins!

I thanked him for the discipline and getting it done the honest, American way -- with hard work, integrity and bust-your-gut passion.

It was a great moment and a tribute to a legend.

Another Duke-Carolina classic
A lot of people thought the North Carolina-Duke game was going to be a blowout. Say what you want, but as long as the front of the jersey says North Carolina and Duke, it is going to be something special.

It was special on Wednesday as we witnessed a competitive, emotional game. There is always going to be enthusiasm and electricity as these schools are just eight miles apart on Tobacco Road. What the Cameron Crazies started has spread across the nation.

Raymond Felton was absolutely sensational. In the end, Mike Krzyzewski's team got the W because his veterans stepped up. Dahntay Jones and Chris Duhon made the big plays. That's what experienced players have to do to get to the winner's circle.

Duke won its 24th in a row, one of the longest active home win streaks (Oklahoma is the current leader with 33 straight).

Sorry Geno Auriemma, this Duke team is not overrated.

It was just another exciting night of college basketball action. It has been a very special season.