Today on The Sportsline with Rich and Larry ... the countdown continues, 123 days remaining.  But another countdown has ended ... and that's the number of days that Randy Dunton is the hoops coach at LU.  Amazingly ... the very day after Rich led everyone in a prayer to have Pete Gillen take over the reigns on Liberty Mountain ... Dunton gets let go paving the way for a new coach.

LU Athletic Director Jeff Barber came on the show to talk about the decision to not renew coach Dunton's contract.  He said that the decision was his (and not Rev. Falwell's like many would believe) and made several weeks ago based on the fact that the program has not reached satisfactory levels.  Barber said that the search will be a nationwide search and put no timetable on it ... but hinted at the fact that he is looking for an up and coming assistant ... virtually ruling out Pete Gillen as a viable candidate.  Damn!  He also talked about the fact that they are not hiring a preacher to coach hoops, but the coach must at least share the same beliefs as LU.

The Luscious Lil suggested reviving the BOG fund with a slightly different meaning ... Bring On Gillen.  Sportsline Historian Wes also checked in to let us know that one year ago today ... the Shepherd aced the Wonderlic Test.

R&R also spent a few minutes ripping Pat Summitt, but mostly Bruce Pearl for their childish assine skits during each others games.  Imagine that ... R&R ripping someone for being childish and assinie.  HELLO POT ???  THIS IS THE KETTLE!!!

Former UVa Star Curtis Staples dropped by the show.  He felt LU might be a good fit for Pete Gillen ... and also talked a bit about his own thoughts about coaching ... maybe sometime down the road.  Plus Curtis talked about playing in the ACC especially on the road and previewed UVA and Tech, picking the Hoos to win.

Len Elmore of ESPN was up next on the show.  Len will be calling the game on Thursday and talked about the great run for both of these teams being all about the guards.  Elmore speculated that Coleman Collins problems were mental and that maybe coach Greenberg and his teammates can get him to snap out of his funk for the ACC and NCAA tournament run.  Elmore also talked about the strength of the ACC and believes 6 team will get into the Big Dance.

Finally on today's edition of The Sportsline ... Aaron McFarling of the Roanoke Times dropped by.  He previewed the game as well ... expecting it to be much closer than the first go-round in Blacksburg and gives both teams a great shot at winning the ACC tourney next week.