Perhaps it happens for no reason more complicated than the law of supply and demand. But rarely does a tournament stay in one place for an extended period of time.

Understanding that fact at least provides the Triangle with some consolation after the CIAA's decision to bolt the RBC Center for Charlotte in 2006.

Raleigh couldn't keep the ACC men's tournament forever. Neither could Greensboro or Charlotte. No location gets the Final Four for even two straight years.

For each Madison Square Garden, which seemingly has a death grip on the Big East postseason event, there are many other cities that are forced to settle for their time and place in the rotation as a host site.

Today, our feelings are hurt. Our civic pride has been jilted. Within the Triangle, there's a gut-deep urge to slam the decision, to belittle Charlotte as a bully and a cut-throat neighbor. Most of all, there's a temptation to scream, "You'll be sorry!"

But we shouldn't send that message. We should be saying, "You'll be back."

The Triangle's response should preclude pouting. Instead, the goal should be to make the 2005 tournament so memorable that Charlotte will be playing a hopeless game of catch-up.

That the CIAA and the Triangle suited each other has not been disputed.

The RBC Center was an easy drive for students and alumni of several schools -- N.C. Central, Saint Augustine's, Shaw, Fayetteville State, even Elizabeth City State and Winston-Salem State.

And the Triangle is devoted to college sports. College teams don't have to play second string to the NBA. A good college basketball game is still the sports king in these parts, and the CIAA delivered good games. The competition and the regional audience meshed as naturally as a plate of barbecue and cole slaw.

There's also the social scene. Charlotte may be larger, but the Triangle provides an uncommonly wide range of dining and entertainment options. Charlotte will get the tournament for at least the next three years, but it won't get the Triangle's assets and unique lures.

Those positive points need to be accented more than ever in this last stand. It's up the Triangle to send the teams and fans on their way with smiles on their faces and fond memories in their minds.

Charlotte will do a good job. The area understands very well that something special is on the way. Its leaders worked overtime to win the host-city distinction and will do everything possible to upstage the six-year experience in the Triangle.

But odds are, the CIAA will not sink its roots into Charlotte soil. The time will come when the CIAA presidents and athletics leaders again look for a change.

When that time comes, the strongest memory should be the 2005 tournament in the RBC Center. If it is, the CIAA will be back.

So, this can't be a good-bye slap. It has to be a good-bye hug. You know the kind of hug I'm talking about -- a long one that ends with a see-ya-soon wink that leaves 'em lingering at the exit for an extra moment or two.

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