When I woke up this morning, I was presented with a dilemma: North Carolina? Illinois? What the hell do I do?

You’ve heard me ranting about the various basketball pools, and you know by now that I was in a position to win The Big One … if Illinois won tonight. That’s Two Hundred and Seventy reasons to be wearing orange today, right?

Not so fast, my friend… The Wife spent the bulk of her formative years in North Carolina, going to high school in Morehead City. She grew up a Carolina fan. And I got on the bandwagon, at least basketballwise, in exchange for her exceptional support of Ohio State football, my primary sports passion. So in theory, tonight’s game meant a chance for “my” team to win the national title. That’s one VERY LARGE reason to be wearing Carolina blue today, right?

To recap: Over here, a team I don’t really care about … and Two Hundred and Seventy Dollars.

Over here, a happy Wife.

I didn’t really have to make a solid commitment, as The Wife has to work at 5 a.m. Tuesday and went to bed at halftime, just as I was arriving home from my newsroom.

And Uncle Crappy, you ask, what did you do at work today?

Easy. It’s opening day. I wore my Indians tie.

Way to go Heels — enjoy the title.

I’ll get my iPod later.