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Although I'm a sports writer, I wouldn't consider myself a basketball junkie.
I do like the sport, especially high school and college, but that's where it stops.
I'm nearing my 49th birthday and as long as I can remember, Ohio-born Bobby Knight has been roaming the courtsides.
However, that all changed Monday when the venerable 67-year-old head coach abruptly announced his retirement from the working ranks.
Knight, who has served as head coach at Army (1965-71), Indiana (1971-2000) and Texas Tech (2001-08) for a combined 42 seasons, told the nation he was "tired."
Tired of what? Winning?
He has 902 career NCAA Division I victories, more than anyone else.
No. In my opinion, Knight, who, in 1976, led his Hoosiers to the last unbeaten season in NCAA Division I history, is tired of all the bureaucracy, red tape and the kids' attitudes nowadays.
The Ohio State graduate, who played with Lansing native John Havlicek and Middletown's Jerry Lucas on the 1960 national championship team, has been a mainstay in college basketball for four decades.
OK, yes I know he's been accused of this-and-that, and some of it has been well-documented (the chair-throwing incident for one), but one thing for sure -- he's a winner.
His Indiana teams won three national titles (1976, 1981 and 1987), an NIT Championship (1979) and 11 Big Ten titles.
While his team has struggled at 12-8 this season, he still goes out a winner, especially in my eyes.
SPEAKING of winners, how about them Giants?
The G-Men, not my favorite NFL team, were Sunday when they stopped the New England Patriots from going 19-0.
Yes, we all know the 1972 Miami Dolphins are the ONLY unbeaten team in NFL history. And being a lifetime Dolphins' fan, I would have liked to sip some champagne late Sunday night with the likes of legendary head coach Don Shula and some of the old-time players.
Now, onto the 18-1 Patriots.
My hat goes off to them for accomplishing what they did. No other team despite the 'Dolphins have come that close to perfection.
However, there was one thing that really got under my skin as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
How does Bill Belichick rate not staying around for the final buzzer?
Does NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell have enough guts to fine, or even suspend the Patriots head coach for his actions, or lack of?
I don't think so and that is a shame.
Belichick, who has already been found to cheat to win, belittled the game by leaving the field early.
If my memory serves me right, didn't the losing coach in all three of the Patriots' Super Bowl victories stay until the bitter end?
Sure they did.
Shame on you Bill Belichick and shame on you Roger Goodell if you don't do something about it.
North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com