Notes ‘n’ quotes ...

The best part of March Madness might have occurred way back before the ACCTournament even began.

Think there’s pressure on Duke and North Carolina? The small conferences show the real pressure of trying to squeeze in with the big boys.

The intensity of these schools’ not-quick-enough, not-tall-enough, not-good-enough-for-Division I dreamers keep most of us glued to the tube.

UNC Wilmington and George Mason played a horrible game in the Colonial Athletic Association championship. But the 35-33 final went down to the wire, presenting some pretty good drama.

UNC Greensboro rode that March Madness cloud after David Schuck, a 6-8 transfer from Air Force, caught an 80-foot pass, whirled and hit the game-winner against Chattanooga with 0.4 seconds left for a 67-66 victory and the Southern Conference championship.

Schuck’s effort made CNN’s Play of the Day and he spent most of his time in the week that followed talking to Sports Illustrated.

And, of course, he has watched the replay.

Over and over and over.

“I made the shot so I never get tired of watching it,” Schuck told the Greensboro News &Record.

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Speaking of college basketball tournaments, how about the CIAA?

Held in Raleigh’s Entertainment and Sports Arena, the total attendance was an all-time high of 75,000, beating last year by 20,000.

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Greensboro’s win made me think about former South Rowan star Carlos Dixon. He originally committed to the Spartans but backed out after Fran McCaffery took over for Randy Peele, who recruited him.

Dixon ended up playing his freshman season for Virginia Tech, arguably the worst team in the Big East.

Ido assume, however, that it is a lot more prestigious — and fun — playing in the Big East rather than the Southern Conference.

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Seen that Hannibal movie? That is one crude cannibal.

By the way, what does Hannibal call John Rocker on the No. 7 train?

A subway sandwich.

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Trivia question: OK, N.C. State fans. Chucky Brown signed for the remainder of the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are one of 11 teams he has played for in the past decade. Name ’em.

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Scripps Howard columnist Bernie Lincicome writes, “Next NASCARlegend should be Jeff Gordon, except Gordon is to the stock car fraternity what O.J. Simpson is to the Heisman alumni — a dues-paying outcast; for no other reason than he kicks everyone’s tail. Gordon has to be the most disliked athlete to dominate his sport since Jimmy Connors.”

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Doctors tried to help Troy Aikman decide to retire from professional football by saying there were other options.

One more concussion, they told him, and he’d be eligible to become an XFLannouncer.

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Greg Beaver is back in professional baseball.

The East Rowan grad signed out of high school with Seattle but came home and had elbow surgery. Recently, he called a Mariner scout and said he wanted another chance.

Seattle sent scouts to Catawba College for a workout and that’s all it took. Beaver threw 91 mph and the Mariners re-signed him.

Beaver is currently in Arizona awaiting his assignment.

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Friday night’s press conference announcing Bobby Knight as the coach at Texas Tech was standing room only.

Which is good. You never want too many chairs around Knight.

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Thought you ought to know: The highest paid athlete of 2000 was not Tiger Woods. Or Michael Jordan.

It was Michael Schumacher, a Formula One driver who earned $59 million, beating out Woods by a scant $6 million.

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Trivia answer: Here goes: Cleveland (1989-90), L.A. Lakers (1991-92), New Jersey (1992-93), Dallas (1993), Houston 1994-96), Phoenix (1996), Milwaukee (1996-97), Atlanta (1997-98), Charlotte (1998-99), San Antonio (1999-2000) and Golden State (2001).

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Last Saturday, the XFLgame became the lowest-rated show in prime time television history.

NBCis calling it “Must See What Else Is On TV.”

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A North Rowan grad has made Sports Illustrated.

Ron Kirk, the wrestling coach at North Davie Middle School, was listed in Faces in the Crowd recently.

Seems a parent caught wind of Kirk’s unbelievable record over the past 21 years and sent in the information. The magazine called Kirk, who, of course, thought it was a prank phone call.

But there he was on Page 30 of SI’s March 12 edition.

The burly Kirk graduated from North in 1972. He completed his education at Catawba College and went to North Davie when it opened its doors in 1980.

Kirk has won (counting his jayvee teams) 269 while losing just 34.

Since 1987, North Davie is 167-6. Wow.

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And finally ...

Something really weird is going on concerning my family names and TV sitcoms.

A couple of years ago, there was a sitcom called, “Bringing Up Jack,” starring a comedian named Jack Gallagher. It was about his life growing up.

Go figure. My son’s name is Jack Gallagher.

Then, “That 70s Show” appeared. The parents on this sitcom are named Red and Kitty.

Go figure. I grew up in the 70s with parents named Red and Kitty.

And just last night, we turned on a new sitcom named, “What About Joan?” It’s the story of a school teacher named Joan Gallagher.

Go figure. I have a wife named Joan Gallagher, who is — you guessed it — a school teacher.

I’m calling Rod Serling. I think I’m in the Twilight Zone!