Basketball Jones. I gotta Basketball Jones. Gotta Basketball Jones, oh, baby, oooh, oooh, oooh! Hardcourt love sparks Friday, Nov. 8 as the Deborah Heart and Lung Center Jersey Jam plays at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton. A men’s college basketball doubleheader features Monmouth vs. Temple at 6 p.m. followed by Princeton vs. Duquesne for a 8:30 p.m. nightcap. A healthy, forward thinking Trenton would ramp excitement for thousands of guests to the capital city. Here’s some hot topics regarding this basketball event. The number one complaint from last years event involved exiting the arena. With Route 1 and Route 129 just a block away from arena parking, Mercer County and Trenton officials should be able to produce an easy exit strategy. Consider a detour for traffic heading west on Hamilton Ave. from South Clinton Ave. to Route 129. Encourage motorists leaving the main parking lot to make a right onto Hamilton Ave., right onto South Broad St. and a right onto Market Street to access Route 1 North. Extend green light signal for cars turning right onto Rt. 129 or making left hand turns onto Route 1 North. Finally, all officers involved in these exit strategies should discuss the plan repeatedly. Their performance matters in the final assessments made by CURE Insurance Arena guests. *********** Basketball fans visiting Trenton have several options for dinner. Unfortunately, since last season, alcohol opportunities have dwindled with the closure of two restaurants since last year. Head north from the Arena for three food choices just three blocks away. Timbí offers a Latin experience with bowls, wraps, tacos, chicharron, and other delectable presentations. It’s new, clean and hip. Outstanding service makes a visit worthwhile. ************ The Ever Green Chinese Restaurant waits next door to Timbí. Typical fare and fast service makes this a perfect stop before tipoff. ************ Covello’s Pizza with a 41-year history offers a fantastic food experience. The three-generation restaurant serves the area’s top pizza, cheesesteaks and other in-and-out desires. Say hello to Frank Covello, Sr., son Giuseppe, and grandson, Frank, Jr. Check out the walled 1950s photos of Trenton when the city enjoyed incredible businesses and buzz. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].