Each year, the media waits a couple of days and decides who was the big winner in the NBA Draft.

If you watched TNT Wednesday, you had to realize the winner of the 2001 Draft was Tobacco Road.

Most of the thanks goes to TNT’s comical quintet. There’s Hubie Brown and Rick Pitino, who can bring home a witty zinger every now and then. But they mostly listen to the barbs being whipped back and forth between Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. All the while, host Ernie Johnson goes with the flow.

These guys make up the most entertaining dais in sports. Supposedly, they're experts too so we listen.

What we listened to was something that made you think of Duke, then something that made you think of Carolina. Then Duke. Then Carolina.

Shazam, even Andy and Barney got a minute or so of air time, for cryin’ out loud.

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It was almost as if Duke and Carolina were playing a game of bragging rights.

Which school would be mentioned more.

Although Duke had just one player drafted, it was Shane Battier. Mr. Perfect. Mr. Outstanding.

And TNT took advantage of having an All-American guy on screen. They interviewed him before the first pick. They showed footage of him doing a get-down-funky routine with the Duke dance team. (And, by the way, he didn’t miss a beat. Of course.)

Shock waves went through the crowd when Golden State chose Jason Richardson at No. 5 instead of Battier. When Cheryl Miller interviewed coach Dave Cowens about the choice, the Battle of Tobacco Road had begun.

“We thought it was really hard to match a Dookie with a Tar Heel at the (small forward) position,” Cowens said. referring to Battier and Antawn Jamison. “Might be too many sparks at practice.”

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At. No. 6, Battier’s name was called by the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies. The biggest roar of the night went up from the New York crowd at Madison Square Theater, located next door to the Garden.

David Stern even seemed to put a little more emphasis on “Duke.”

Take it away, Kenny and Charles:

Smith: “How can you go wrong picking him? Even though that North Carolina-Duke rivalry ...

Barkley: “Hey Kenny, we got bad news for ya. It’s not a rivalry anymore.”

Kenny: “Yes it is!”

Barkley:“Duke is a lot better than Carolina right now.”

Battier pointed out to TNT’s Craig Sager that Sager was a former Northwestern cheerleader.

Sager: “Those Duke guys do too much research. Get out of here. Go!”

Everybody was laughing and thinking Battier was great. And wonderful. And well, perfect. Of course.

You could almost envision every Tar Heel fan out there running to the bathroom to throw up their wine and cheese.

“I actually really enjoyed my time,” Battier said. “I was in no rush to get outta there. I really feel ready to go to Memphis and help the Grizzlies now.”

The New Yorkers gave Battier a loud, respectful and polite ovation. Like they were all proud of him. Like they wanted him to marry their daughter.

Of course.

Duke had taken a formidable lead.

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At No. 16, Charlotte took Indiana’s Kirk Haston. Johnson was quick to point out to Barkley that Haston not only had 65 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show but also cherished an autographed photo of Don Knotts, who played Barney Fife.

Barkley: “Just another country bumpkin, sounds like to me ... you ever seen any black people on The Andy Griffith Show?”

Johnson: “A couple in Mount Pilot, I think.”

TNT goes to a commercial and returns to Ernie telling the audience, “During that break, I thought Charles and Kenny would come to blows over Antawn Jamison,” Johnson said.

Jamison had started Carolina’s comeback in the name game.

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UNC dominated for the next few minutes. Smith began cheerleading to Houston officials at No. 18.

Smith: “I would go with Brendan Haywood out of North Carolina because you have that size you need.”

Johnson: “And that would have nothing to do with the fact Kenny attended the University of North Carolina because he has never brought that to the table when he comes to work.”

Pitino: “If they don’t pick him, Kenny will cry.”

Haywood was finally chosen at No. 20 by Cleveland. Smith used the words, “our university.” Sager told Haywood he looked good in that “Carolina Blue” cap with “Cavs.” on it.

Barkley: “I’m just glad Carolina finally got another player because y’all been living off Michael Jordan for 20 years.”

Kenny: “Hey, you keep talking and I’ll blind you with my championship rings.”

Carolina catches Duke in the name game when Joe Forte is taken by Boston at No. 21.

Johnson: “Kenny is just beside himself now.”

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Back and forth. Back and forth.

You think “Carolina” when Jordan appears on camera to talk about Kwame Brown. But you think “Duke” when the trade of Elton Brand from the Bulls to the Clippers is announced.

But Jerry Stackhouse is mentioned when the Pistons select so give a thumbs up to Carolina.

But Danny Ferry is mentioned as a free agent when it is San Antonio’s choice. So give a thumb’s up to Duke.

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Back and forth. Back and forth.

It was time for Blue Devil fans to run to the bathroom when TNT cut to Celtics’ general manager Chris Wallace, talking about Forte.

“That’s Red Auerbach’s personal favorite,” Wallace points out. “He’s lighting not one, but two, victory cigars right now in celebration of bringing his favorite in.”

Omar Cook is selected at No. 32 — and Jason Williams’ name surfaces. That’s J-Will of Duke, not Sacramento. Thumbs up to Duke.

But just before pick No. 33, it is announced that Haywood has been traded to Orlando. Thumbs up to Carolina.

There’s some time to kill after No. 46 so Smith thinks he’ll get Carolina’s name out there again.

“Jordan’s a geography major,” he said.

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Well, right then and there I decided that North Carolina had won the Tobacco Road name game. It had edged Duke — and Andy — as far as recognition.

But wait. As the show is signing off, I see more Shane Battier highlights.

What we consider our annual tribute to basketball in the state of North Carolina is ending perfectly for basketball fans here — thanks to Shane Battier.

Of course.

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4256 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com .