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Sorry I couldn't have posted this under a "Live from Coral Gables" header. Believe me folks, that hurt me more than it hurt you.

But watching the game on television, at home, gave me a refreshing change of perspective. For one thing, I got to hear the announcers - which sometimes isn't a plus, I know - but in this case was helpful.

In particular, I liked Mike Patrick's comment after Lee Melchionni buried another outside shot that Miami appeared all too willing to let him shoot.

"It's like people don't really believe Melchionni is capable of doing this,'' Patrick said.

The tv folks were also able to train cameras on the crowds, searching for local celebrities who'd scammed tickets to Miam's version of The Big Game. We saw A-Rod, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway taking the game in. I was hoping against hope that a slightly dazed Ricky Williams would be spotted, with his face buried in a bag of Cheetos, but alas.

Speaking of the celebs, what was up with A-Rod gabbing away on a cell-phone? Why is it, any time we see an athlete at a game, they seem to be paying almost no attention to what's actually going on in front of them? If A-Rod wanted to chat on the phone, couldn't he have done that at home, saving on the cost of a ticket and his cell-phone minutes? Not that saving would be high on his list of concerns.

I think local boy Frank Haith has obviously gotten a lot accomplished in a short amount of time, but he's going to have do some masterful work to really turn Miami into a place that loves its college hoops. I know where he can start though - can that NBA arena sounding, Michael Buffer wanna be on the P.A. Listening to a guy blare out "Gaaaa-ry HAM-ilton!!! And Guillermo DEEEEEEEEE - AZ!! just ain't what college hoops is about.

What's that? You want to read something about the game itself? Well, to me, all things began and ended with Shelden Williams. I remember thinking earlier this year, when he struggled against Michigan State's Paul Davis, that teams with a big, strong post defender could afford to guard Williams one-on-one, by playing behind him. Well some time between then and now, things have changed. Because that's what Anthony King, the ACC's second-leading shot blocker by the way, tried. And he got toasted by Williams for 30 points, on 11-of-12 - yes, you read that right - shooting. Wow. And you wonder why teams are giving Melchionni open shots. Something's got to give if they want to give defensive help to whomever's guarding Williams.

One other Williams note: I don't know what happened early in the game between them, but after one Williams bucket - during which he also drew a foul - he threw a glare at King that looked one step short of felony assault. Williams has always seemed to be a bit of a soft-spoken, gentle giant away from the court, but on the floor I'm starting to picture him more as David Banner: You wouldn't like him when he's angry.