Parking also promises to be a challenge downtown and chances are you'll spend more than $5 a pop.

If you want to park on the west side of downtown, come down on the west side. If you want to park east, park east, don't rely on Meridian.

I don't know of any city that embraces basketball like ours.

I think it's a patriotic thing to do. A lot of entertainers haven't stepped up to the challenge, maybe because they have had an issue with the war. But I think you can have an issue with the war, but still support the troops. Those guys, some of them don't want to be over there, but they're serving their country. Our guys can use our help. So they'll get a helping hand.

I was very impressed with the toughness of Eastern. That was our biggest challenge, overcoming their toughness.

It'll be interesting and I'm excited for the challenge of the year. I feel confident I can play at this level and my game is at a good level in terms of competing.