I know people in North Carolina are pretty excited about basketball. They’re also fired up about NASCAR, something called chitlins and the literal incestuous meaning of the word pumpkin.

But excited enough to whack Matt Doherty after three seasons? One of which resulted in a tidy little National Coach of the Year plaque that he had on a wall in his office.

A state that has put up with Jesse Helms for half a century, couldn’t give Matt Doherty a fourth year? Yikes.

Granted, when Doherty was at Notre Dame, the happiest day for many of those Irish players was the day he took the Carolina job. And sure, he’s the biggest red ass in the world. And it’s true that he is prone to mood swings so violent that Glenn Close’s “Fatal Attraction” character would be embarassed for him. And, oh…

I wouldn’t be surprised if the national reaction to Doherty’s “resignation” (do we really think he quit?) is that he was the victim of a group of petulant, whiny, needy basketball players and that the Carolina athletic department overreacted to the threat of many of thelm to transfer. That might be true in some instances. It wasn’t true here.

Two things conspired to doom Doherty at North Carolina. He wasn’t ready for the job. North Carolina basketball is like Notre Dame football. You can’t learn on the job. Young coaches make mistakes. You can’t make those mistakes at Carolina. The other thing that doomed him was, incredibly, the thing that made his one year at Notre Dame a success. Doherty’s always “on”. He’s always excited. Or mad.

Never in between. He loves you or he hates you. Now the hate won’t last–he’ll eventually love you again, but the manic swings take their toll. Eighteen to 22 year old guys don’t need a raving maniac guiding them through their college years.

When Doherty left Notre Dame for North Carolina the fans freaked out. We didn’t want to lose him. He’d brought excitement back to the basketball program. He was bringing in Chris Thomas and Jordan Cornette, had brought in Ryan Humphrey as a transfer and everybody was fired up.

The reactions of Troy Murphy and David Graves told a different story. They were about to get their third coach in three years and they seemed calm, almost happy about it. During practice in October of Mike Brey’s first year Murphy did an interview in which he compared Brey to Doherty. He said simply that Brey was calmer, more postive and that basketball was fun again.

Somebody is about to fall into a great situation at Carolina. As Mike Brey can tell you, following Matt Doherty isn’t that hard.

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The Chicago Tribune has named Brian Cook as the Big Ten player of the year. There’s no doubt that he earned it.

The list of past winners is impressive, but it’s not exactly an NBA who’s who.

Rick Morrissey says Soldier Field is what it is—a football stadium. Exactly. It can’t possibly be anything but an improvement over the “old” Soldier Field. Easily the worst professional sports facility in which I have ever set foot.

Phil Rogers is so wrong about Sammy Sosa and Don Baylor that it’s comical. Does this guy ever get anything right? Baylor stood up to Sosa in 2000 all right. For about ten minutes. Then he got nutted by Ed Lynch and fell back in line with the Rigglemans of the world.

I thinks it’s pretty apparent that some day soon, Juan Cruz is the Cubs’ closer.

Dwyane Wade can’t spell, but he sure can play. Shouldn’t it be Dwayne or at least Dewayne? Whatever.

Pat Kennedy couldn’t figure out where to play Dwyane, so Tom Crean figured it out for him.

Bill Self doesn’t exactly say ‘no’ to Carolina, but he’s not saying yes, either. My worry is that if Roy Williams bolts Kansas for UNC that Self ends up in Lawrence.

Eddy Curry continues to dominate. Here’s a thought–it’s crazy I know–how about instead of letting Jalen Rose miss the big shot at the end of every loss, how about letting Eddy try it once?

Groucho loves Fred Hoiberg. It’s embarrassing, really.

Well look who it is! David Huh is at the Tribune now (we told you he was headed there a month ago) and he says the Bears are taking a Carson Palmer look see. Whatever.

I’m torn. I swear I hadn’t read this tripe before I wrote the beginning of the Dose today. Predictibly, Mariotti has put down the doughnut to blame the Carolina players for Doherty’s failure. But sickeningly, he also projects a Williams to UNC, Self to Kansas scenario. Actually, now that Jay’s written it, it won’t happen. Phew.

Greg Couch on one of the coolest teams ever, the 1977 Marquette Warriors.

Mike Kiley’s Cubs notes.

The Wizard of Roz on a new Hall of Fame.

Matt LoVecchio is ready to play football again. I’m glad it’s not at Notre Dame anymore.

How does one man replace Shane Walton? They don’t. But Garron Bible and Preston Jackson are ready to give it a shot.

Another look at the ’77 Warriors.

Pedro wants a lot of money.

Ric Bucher on Peja.

This…this column is not good. A good idea, terribly executed. Ahh, ESPN.com.

Tom Verducci mocks the awful Mets.

The inimitable (though often tried) Larry King on sports.

The Charlotte Observer says it’s Roy Williams’ job (again) if he wants it at UNC.

Tom Sorenson laughs at the notion that Doherty quit.

Meet Buster the war dog.

I think a better reality show would be to just put a camera on Donald Trump as he arranges that combover every morning.

America’s finest news source with an incredibly good collection of prom tips. This is a must read.