The youngest and newest kid among the four Triangle Division I basketball coaches more than held his own last Thursday at the Triangle Sports Commission's inaugural tip-off luncheon.

Moton, along with North Carolina coach Roy Williams, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and N.C. State's Sidney Lowe discussed the upcoming season, but it could just as well have been a traveling comedy revue. The coaches were relaxed and playful in a comedic setting that's sure to change in the coming weeks.

Moton was hired in March after serving as assistant head coach for two years. He is third on the Eagle's all-time scoring list (1,714 points) as WRAL-TV sports anchor Jeff Gravely kept reminding everyone that Moton never met a shot he didn't like.

The Raleigh native was quite the comedian. He playfully chided Gravely for introducing him last. "I was hired in March, so I'm the only undefeated coach here," he said to laughter.

To which Krzyzewski replied, "And Roy and I want you to enjoy it while you can."

In other words, enjoy it - until Nov. 11. That's the night when the Eagles and Tar Heels meet in Chapel Hill. Moton will also face the Wolfpack on Jan. 30.

But Moton is not complaining. He's living out a dream.

He and his brother made it out of the Raleigh projects, thanks to a strong-willed mother and the Raleigh Boys & Girls Club; he was a standout at Enloe and later at NCCU before playing professional overseas. He then returned to Raleigh to begin his coaching career, first on the middle school level, then high school and finally at his beloved alma mater.

"Coaching Division I in this area is a gift and a curse," he joked. "People are always asking you for money. And it only gets worse.

"But I've been touched by these guys, and I thank God that I don't have to be in that heated [ACC] rivalry every day."

Still, Moton has more in common with the Big 3 than most people know. Former UNC guard Raymond Felton is his child's godfather, and ex-Tar Heel Donald Williams is his cousin. Plus, don't forget that former Word of God star John Wall sought his counsel.

In fact, Moton is a role model and mentor for numerous high school and college players as they try to prepare for the bigger stage.

"When they leave early [NBA], they call me because they feel they don't fit in," he said. "They've never paid the bills, they've never lived on their own; I'm the one they call and talk to."

For now, the jolly talk and comedy routines are over. It's back to business as usual.

As Moton declared one last time that he was undefeated, Williams replied, "I hope that doesn't last very long."

Favorite coaches

As part of its yearlong centennial celebration, NCCU asked its fans to vote for their top 10 coaches over its 100-year history. And the winners are:

1. Floyd H. Brown - men's basketball coach from 1952-70.

2. Michael Bernard - guided the Eagles to three consecutive trips to the regional playoffs, including the 1988-89 Division II national championship title.

3. Robert "Stonewall" Jackson - spent 30 years coaching and teaching.

4. John B. McLendon -member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame; credited with the development of the zone press, fast break and four corners offense.

5. Herman H. Riddick - led the football program to a school-record 112 victories, including four CIAA championships plus.

6. George L. Quiett - ended his football coaching tenure with the highest winning percentage in school history (0.734) with 34 wins, 12 losses and a tie from 1968-72.

7. Sandra T. Shuler - coordinated the transition from the Women's Athletic Association to intercollegiate athletics for women.

8. LeRoy T. Walker - elevated the track program to one of international prominence; his sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers accounted for 30 national titles, 77 All-American certificates and eight Olympic medals.

9. Ingrid Wicker-McCree - captured the school's first CIAA titles in softball (1998) and volleyball (1999, '04, '05), becoming the first coach in school history to win conference championships in multiple sports.

10. James W. Younge - led the tennis teams to five CIAA championships, four MEAC championships, two NAIA District 26 championships and one NCAA Eastern Regional championship.