Jim Valvano leaned against an airport wall wearing a tan overcoat over a black shiny sweatsuit, looking like a senior point guard and talking about, of all things, getting old.

This is something college basketball does not want to hear. Jim Valvano is supposed to stay young. How can he entertain us, how can he perform all those sideline histrionics if he gets old? It wouldn't look the same with a cane.