Chapel Hill, N.C.

Generation Next. Last night's win over Princeton marked the beginning of the Terps' regular season. For fans of women's basketball, tomorrow's State Farm Tip-off Classic marks the beginning of the WCBB national television season . . . and are we ever excited that our own Terrapins are one of the featured teams in this doubleheader? The correct answer is Yes!

In the first game (or as we prefer to think of it, the appetizer), Coach Sylvia Hatchell's Tarheels face (newly appendix-less) Coach Charli Turner Thorne's Arizona State Sun Devils (ESPN, 2:30 PM). And in the second game (the entree), Coach B's Maryland team meets Coach Sherri Coale's Oklahoma Sooners (ESPN2, 5 PM).

One interesting thing about this year's Tip-Off Classic is that 3 of the 4 coaches are part of what the BasketCases think of as the "next generation" of great college coaches. Brenda is actually the youngest of tomorrow's group, at 37 (and the only one with a Natty). Sherri Coale and Charli Turner Thorne are both just a little over 40. By contrast, Sylvia Hatchell, age 55 (only 55?), is definitely part of the "old guard."

And speaking of the old guard . . . much has been written lately about Pat Summitt's ending the Lady Vols' annual televised matchup against UConn. The BasketCases are a little conflicted about this. On one hand, as basketball fans, it's always been fun to watch a long-time rivalry (particularly one in which we have little emotional investment). But on the other hand, we think it's a good thing for the sport that people realize women's college basketball isn't just the "Pat and Geno Show," and we think it's a good thing that more of the next generation of coaches (Coach B and her contemporaries) and, of course, their teams, get the exposure they deserve.

Off topic: "Not Afraid of Flavor." That's the slogan of the Magnolia Grill in Durham, North Carolina, where the BasketCases ventured for dinner tonight. Whenever we are on one of our picaresque basketball adventures, we always try to sample a good local restaurant. This place came highly recommended, and rightly so. Excellent, well-prepared food, and exceptional service in a very comfortable setting.

And speaking of food, if you still have room for dessert after the Tip-Off Classic, ESPN will be serving up Stanford against Rutgers at 8pm. What a feast for women's basketball fans!

* * * * * * * *
Sunday Morning Update: Small World Department: Imagine our surprise to go down to breakfast in our hotel this morning to find the entire Princeton women's tennis team. Turns out they are here in Chapel Hill for a big tournament at which they will be playing Maryland this morning. Outdoors. (It's 34 degrees outside right now, so it's quite possible that those plans will change.) BC Judith, who always dresses well for breakfast, was decked out in her finest Maryland red 2006 National Championship regalia. This did not stop her from having a very nice chat with the Princeton coach, Kathy Sell, after BC Judith introduced herself as a Princeton alum. After all these years, two Princeton athletic experiences in three days! What's next?