OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - And I thought I looked like garbage a couple days ago.

After six days on the road and one jam-packed garment bag, it's not a pretty sight. I got to sleep around 3 a.m. last night, woke up around 8:30 for a trip this morning from Detroit to Oklahoma City (with a connection in Chicago) which will have me watching the best player in the country, Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, and arguably the player with the most upside - USC's Demar DeRozan.

I forgot to iron my shirt, so it's a wrinkled mess. Last night in the middle of the North Carolina game, some guy in the front row even leaned over and picked some lint of my jacket. I haven't shaved in two days and I don't have a clue yet where I'm staying tonight after the game because I'm flying out of Dallas tomorrow morning.

If anyone has any suggestions on a Marriott somewhere between Norman and Dallas, feel free to e-mail me at jngoodman@aol.com. I'm completely serious on this one.

DON'T COUNT SPARTANS OUT

When I walked into a somber Michigan State locker room last night after North Carolina's 35-point win at Ford Field, Spartans senior guard Travis Walton offered me an apology.

``Don't worry," Walton said. "We'll take care of you."

Walton knew my expectations for the Spartans this season. I tabbed them as the No. 2 team in the country, behind the mighty Tar Heels, in the preseason. Right now I look a moron, but to be honest, I'm not all that worried and still believe the Spartans can eventually be a Final Four club.

But it's going to take time.

Time for starting big man Goran Suton to get back from knee surgery he'll have today. Time for talented and athletic freshman forward Delvon Roe to get back to where he can finish around the basket after sitting out all of last season due to microfracture surgery on his knee.

Right now, there's no question the Tar Heels are on a different planet than everyone else - including UConn, Gonzaga, Pittsburgh and whoever else you want to claim as a bonafide contender.

But there are weaknesses, believe it or not, with the Tar Heels.

Even when they get Marcus Ginyard back in a couple weeks, they are nothing more than an average defensive team. If you can get them to play in a halfcourt game, you've got a chance.

But it's easier said than done.

Ty Lawson is a one-man fastbreak and has made the claim that he's the elite point guard in the nation. When he knocks down NBA trifectas - as he did on two occasions last night - he's virtually un-guardable.

Deon Thompson and Danny Green didn't even play well - and UNC destroyed Michigan State.

SINGLER IS ELITE

Kyle Singler won't put up the eye-popping numbers of, say, a Blake Griffin or a Stephen Curry - or even a Tyler Hansbrough.

But he belongs in the class with those guys because of his versatility.

Singler has put on about 20 pounds and has established himself as one of the country's top all-around players. There's not many holes in his game. He's able to shoot it from the perimeter, he can beat defenders off the dribble and he's a terrific defender.

He's also got some swagger.

Don't be shocked if Singler turns into a better pro down the road that Mike Dunleavy Jr.

RANDOM NOTES: It was a good night for two guys on the so-called hot seat: Penn State's Ed DeChellis and Northwestern's Bill Carmody. Penn State got a road win against Georgia Tech while Northwestern handed Florida State its first loss.