I am listening to the Butler basketball game on 1430 AM. They are playing at Youngstown State. The game is just under way.

I listen to the games that I cannot attend. I listened with rapt attention as the Bulldogs won the Great Alaskan Shootout. Those games finished up at about 4 A.M. our time. So much fun... I would call my buddy Bill, who lives in Alaska, to give him periodic updates of the Dawgs' expolits. He mailed me the sports section from the Anchorage paper after Butler's tourney victory. It featured a large photo of Mike Green decimating the opposition.

If and when the Bulldogs win, I like to call Kyle Andrews to give him the good news. Sometimes I call Kyle before we win if I am sure that the game is in hand. (This is my version of Red Auerbach lighting his cigar.) If we lose, I don't call Kyle. I don't want to ruin his evening.

Kyle and I have attended several games at historic Hinkle over the years. The most exciting was an NIT barn burner that we won at the very end. Kyle and I were jumping up and down on the walking track. Sheer joy!

The Bulldogs are up 18 at halftime. It may be a little early, but I'm going to light Red's fan cigar. I'm giving Kyle a call.