Excuse me while I step up onto my soapbox...

So it's late and I'm not really tired, so what better to do that rant on a blog. So here we go:

I've been less than impressed with what the ACC tournament has had to offer this year in Charlotte. And that's not even counting the eight uncompetitive games (for the most part) we've seen so far.

For those of you who don't get to see the behind the scenes stuff, it isn't as glamorous as it may seem. For instance, because the "media rate" for hotels is so ridiculous and not really suitable for our budget, Jason and I are sleeping on the floor of a hotel room with a few other journalists who were kind enough to let us crash there. The media hotel is the Westin, where they charge $5 a day per guest to use the pool and excercise room, according to the hotel guest services book. Boy, that's friendly. I've been usin my sleeve to wipe my nose because I'm scared I'll get charged by the tissue. I mean, seriously? Charging guests to use the amenities?

Things at Charlotte Bobcats Arena aren't much better. Although the fan areas are fine, the media work areas under the stands are subpar. You have to scramble in the first day to make sure you find somewhere to sit in the work area because they clearly do not have enough spaces for everyone. And there's one bathroom physically built in the work area. Yes, ONE. One sink, one toilet. It's wait in line or walk around to the porta-johns near the the media dining area. At least when the tournament was at Charlotte Coliseum there were actually bathrooms.

The media dining is less than impressive also. Last year in Tampa, there were food and snacks throughout the day. Here, if you don't eat within a set two-hour period, the food is yanked and you're left hungry. It may not sound like a big deal, but get this: They serve dinner from 4:30-6:30 p.m. I you cover the 2:30 game which actually starts closer to 3, you're not going to get to eat by 6:30. That's two hours of game, plus 45 minutes for post-game press conferences and locker room interviews. And if you are on a strict deadline or have to knock out a story in order to be done before the next session starts, sorry pal.