Too on One : Alvin Gentry

Page Too: You grew up in North Carolina. Are you a Duke fan or North Carolina fan?

Alvin Gentry: “Actually, I’m neither. I’m a North Carolina State fan. That’s where my cousin David Thompson went.”

PT: What did you think when Herb Sendek left NC State?

AG: “He’s done a great job at ASU. He can coach, no doubt about that.”

PT: You’re always recommending great places to eat. I guess that’s one of the perks of all those years of traveling.

AG: “It is. I don’t like mainstream. I like to find the places where the local people like to eat. Like today (in Los Angeles) we’re getting ready to go to Aunt Kizzie’s for soul food.”

PT: So give us some recommendations of local jaunts.

AG: “In Milwaukee there’s a place called Perkins. It’s a soul-food place. Obviously, in L.A., Aunt Kizzie’s or Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. Gladys Knight has a place in Atlanta that has really good southern food.”

PT: None of those places are really low-cal. How do you stay in shape?

AG: “I’m lucky. I was blessed with my dad’s metabolism. It’s the only way I can eat that stuff.”

PT: OK, what’s your all-time favorite?

AG: “Without a doubt, Rudy’s Barbecue in Texas. I’d put it up against anybody out there.”

Favorite movie: Tie between “Caddyshack” and “Shawshank Redemption.”

Favorite TV show: “Seinfeld.”

Last book you read: I’m finishing it up now, “Absolute Power” by David Baldacci.

What do you drive: A Lexus

Song you would sing if you were on “American Idol”: The only one I know, Cheap Trick’s “Surrender.”

Worst habit: Eating bad food.

First job: Cleaning up schools in the summer for Neighborhood Youth Corps. Waxed all the floors, cleaned all the gum, I think we made $125 a week.

What would you eat for your last meal: My mom’s fried steak, green beans, potato salad and then Kool-Aid made by mom.

Something about you that would surprise people: I think I’ve got that female quality of being very emotional. I cry at movies. I’ve never watched “Extreme Home Makeover” without crying.

Person you’d love to switch places with for a day: My wife will kill me, but Brad Pitt.

Favorite athlete in another sport: Larry Fitzgerald.

Favorite city to visit: Chicago.

Reality TV show you’d like to be on: I wish I could, I can’t do it, but “Dancing With the Stars.”

One food you refuse to eat: Tuna.

Favorite fast-food restaurant and item: In-N-Out regular cheeseburger, animal style.

Your hero: My dad. Nobody is even close. After my dad, Nelson Mandela.

Your bucket list: To see the pyramids. I would like to get to the NBA Finals. I would love to meet Barack Obama and sit down and talk with him for an hour.