I figure this could be "on topic" since he was a huge Maryland basketball fan and was treated at Duke Hospital...
The Post is reporting Novak has passed away at age 78.
Yeah, he knew and loved hoops. I remember the basketball discussions on "Capital Gang" where Novak would represent the Terps, and Al Hunt would speak for his alma mater, Wake, and occasionally for his wife Judi Woodruff's alma mater, Duke. If I recall correctly, Bob would be Greensboro or whatever the site of the ACC Tournament was, and appear on the show via a remote feed.
I remember seeing him behind the Maryland bench a couple of times at Cameron during my years at Duke (1997-2001), was a huge UMD fan.
We were on the same flight with him after the second MN win; he was pretty grouchy after Duke's dismantling of MD but he was a fair fan. He surely loved the hoops.
I became a big fan of Novak's columns because they were so juicy. He really embraced being in DC as well, evidenced by U of M fandom. I think he even said he voted for Marion Barry for the entertainment value.
Glad to have had him as an ACC fan in Big East territory.