John Calipari couldn't believe his awful luck when he stepped into an almost empty hotel elevator a week ago in Sarasota, Floriday, (site of the Dick Vitale Gala) and the door closed before he recognized its lone occupant.
Shortly after the Final Four, I had tried to track down the Kentucky coach to confirm or deny a source's educated speculation; that Calipari would replace Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni if James Dolan decided not to keep the Knicks' leaders.
Of course, I knew, it was an exercise in futility to reach out. But every once and awhile you've got to fake a professional approach. Strictly as a courtesy, l left a message with a mutual friend so Calipari wouldn't get caught unaware when the story broke.