Differences

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in one of his short stories: "Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me..."

The effort surrounding their activities are also on a disparate level.

This also applies to certain college basketball coaches at the well off programs and their recruiting efforts.

Coach K, John Calipari, Bill Self, Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, et all are not found traversing all over Las Vegas during July 23-27 (after they arrive by private jet). They need not do so because they are pursuing the top talents on the best clubs. Those teams will be performing at the tournament headquarters gym and not relegated to distant and various high school outposts. Their endeavors may require hitting all three tournament (adidas Super 64, Fab 48 and Las Vegas Classic) but such is the extent of any inconvenience.

On the other hand, the mid majors and below will be racking up the rental car mileage, driving from gym to gym throughout the length and breadth of Sin City in order to catch their recruiting targets in action. Much more mapping out and division of who-will-be-there-to-see-which-player is required.

And yes, the temperature is set on broil -- you haven't truly lived until enduring hopping in and out of a car that's been parked in the Vegas sun for a few hours.

Additionally, Las Vegas has rush hour traffic that rivals that of some major cities across the country.

Then you have the official rosters which don't necessarily match up -- "hey, there's no #15 listed but he's out there playing and gotta to be a seven-footer." Or "how come our guy isn't playing today? Is he hurt, sick, not on the team anymore?"

Also, sitting for a period of time in any of the gyms can lead to a remarkable condition considering the location. That is uncomfortable shivers as the AC is generally blasting away on high. The seemingly incongruent advice of packing a sweatshirt for this trip suddenly becomes understandable.

Now granted, it is a choice to enter the coaching ranks and none of this remotely compares to what coal miners or field workers endure.

But much more endurance, grit and perseverance is required if you don't reside at one of the high holy locations.

A sense of humor too as the best laid plans do go awry.

For most, all is not cavorting around the Bellagio or the Cosmopolitan, soaking up the pool parties and night life.

Going to Las Vegas in July sometimes means uncomfortable work for the non elite.