Herald sports editor David Harten, reporter Andrew Robinson and photographer Daniel Houghton continue their coverage of this year’s NCAA tournament as they travel to Phoenix for Western shot at the Sweet Sixteen. The three are covering the men’s basketball team during the NCAA tournament.

Day Nine: March 27

I had a former teacher say “if you’re on time you’re late.” Well for pete’s sake we’re sitting here six hours before Western tips-off with UCLA. I could provide play-by-play of what we’re doing, but it would really consist of a lot of sitting, thinking about basketball and story ideas.

Last night we paid a visit to from Phoenix Suns’ player Dan Marjele’s restaurant. French dip was very good, as was the lemonade. This morning we paid a visit to the Greenhouse across from the Hotel where David and Daniel’s eyes were bigger than their stomach.

They were presented pancakes that were bigger than a Ty Rogers buzzer-beating shot. David only finished half of his stack of pancakes.

Today could be one of two things, the end for Western and their improbable run in the NCAA Tournament, or the continuation of a great story that has Bowling Green becoming the Cinderella capital of the world.

Day Eight: March 26

We have now crossed four time zones in this journey to follow the Topper’s run through the NCAA Tournament. After being in the eastern time zone in Tampa, Fla., we are now in the west coast time zone working in Phoenix.

I tell you this in case you feel it would be a good idea to call any of us at 8 a.m. central time. We’re not going to pick up. Probably because it’s 6 a.m. here.

Yesterday was an exciting day. Our fearless leader was almost left out in the cold after he got all the way to baggage claim, only to realize he had left his suit on the plane.

I thought a nice back-up plan would have had to have David dress as the Phoenix Gorilla. The NBA’s Suns that play here in Phoenix have one of the more notable mascots in the league and what better way to make up for leaving your suit than to dress like a monkey.

David is always getting calls asking where he is sitting at the games so his family and friends could look for him on television.

“Yeah I’m in the monkey-suit.”

How much more simpler can it get?

As if it could get worse for David it did. I’m not sure who the fire-marshall is of Phoenix, but he has a code that no roll-aways are allowed in two-bed hotel rooms.

Can we get some blankets delivered to the room?

Once we got to sleep, and made sure we knew where David was on the floor so we didn’t step on him it was a great sleep. The room stayed dark all morning long and I think we slept in until 11 a.m.

It was very warm walking over to the arena, which we have no complaints about.

Day Seven: March 25

Day six was used as a travel, laundry, new phone, chaos and television day. We took the red-eye to Birmingham, Ala., and then drove to Bowling Green where cold temperatures and a few snow flurries awaited us.

All of us were anxious to get back to see friends that we hadn’t seen and clean some clothes. (Note: Do not put your cell phone through the wash, just a day before you head to Phoenix. After spending a while at the AT&T store, I got a new one, only to have the old one start working again.)

WBKO also showed up at the Herald yesterday to talk to us about our travels as students covering the tournament.

We caught up on our rest and unpacked only to repack. Now we leave for Phoenix in a matter of hours.

I am excited for Phoenix. Spring training is wrapping up so it looks like I won’t be able to catch my beloved Royals out there, but there will be plenty of time for that this summer back in Kansas City.

If anyone has frequented good restaurants in the downtown Phoenix area, let us know at andrew.robinson@wku.edu. We are always looking for good grub in the cities we travel to, and will let you know where we have been and how it was as well.

The Toppers take the floor for an open practice session at 2 p.m. central time tomorrow. We will update you with how the practice went as well as complete coverage from the U.S. Airways Center in the Thursday edition of the Herald.

Reach the reporters at wkuherald.com.