V-MAIL: Nov. 14

	Oscar Robertson (shown as a pro in 1970) is the most complete player in the history of college basketball, according to Dickie V.

Q: Who is the best college basketball player you've ever seen? For me it was Glenn Robinson (and I'm not a Purdue fan), but I haven't been around long enough to say he was the best ever. So who do you say it is? -- Daniel, Indianapolis, Ind.
VITALE: I respect what Glenn Robinson did at Purdue. He was a tremendous performer there. But when you think about some of the great ones to put on the uniform on the collegiate level, it's pretty tough to argue with the likes of Oscar Robertson at Cincinnati, Jerry West at West Virginia and Lew Alcindor at UCLA.

When you talk about tremendous performance on a regular basis, those guys were so consistent, facing all kinds of pressure and different defenses. We're talking strictly college; guys like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan are known more as NBA superstars. The Big O was the most complete player and Alcindor was the best big man.

Q: Which coaching job in college basketball is toughest and why? -- Scott Prater, Leesburg, Va.
VITALE: When you talk about tough jobs, I think you have to look at the marquee conferences. Think about how difficult it is, for example, at Northwestern in the Big Ten. Think about the challenges they face battling the big guys on top of the league. My heart goes out to coach Bill Carmody, who did such a phenomenal job at Princeton. He is trying to incorporate his system at Northwestern, but obviously the personnel doesn't match with the upper heavyweights of that conference, so it's a very difficult situation in which to compete and get to the winner's circle on a regular basis.

Q: What are your predictions for Texas Tech under coach Bob Knight this year? -- Cody, Dallas
VITALE: If the Red Raiders can get an NIT bid, that will be a heckuva year. Personnel-wise, it will be very difficult with their supporting cast. They do have a big man in the middle, Andy Ellis (Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton told me he's the best center in the conference). It will be tough to win consistently given the competition in the Big 12. The league may be as good as it has ever been. Texas Tech has been a winner with all the publicity already, improved ticket sales, etc. What Knight has created is very special. He will build this year and get the personnel he knows he needs to get where he wants to go. He's about being the best, not about being mediocre.

Q: Every year we see a team come out of the gate faster than expected. Who could start 10-0 or 11-0 that we might not expect? Also, what team might start very poorly but has high expectations? -- Adam Kuehlman, Chicago
VITALE: When you look at Maryland getting beaten already, the Terps certainly had high expectations. I still think Maryland will have a heckuva season and a fantastic club. Sometimes an early loss can serve as a wake-up call. But sometimes kids have a difficult time handling publicity and notoriety and they don't come to play with the same energy you expect. I thought that was the case against Arizona. As for a team jumping out of the gate, watch out for St. Joseph's. I think the Hawks will make big noise and create a lot of problems for people. Phil Martelli's team will capture interest nationally; they have that kind of potential.

Q: Could this be the year that the MAC breaks the barrier and gains some national recognition? How could it not, with players such as Tamar Slay (Marshall), J.R. Van Hoose (Marshall), David Webber (CMU), Trevor Huffman (Kent State) and Brandon Hunter (Ohio)? Couldn't each of these guys play at the next level? -- Michael Adams, Huntington, W.Va.
VITALE: Every year we see players come out of the MAC who are capable of performing at another level. Look at the track record of Ron Harper, Dan Majerle and Bonzi Wells, and you see that the conference has produced some outstanding performers. I don't think it will be any different this year. As for getting more recognition, the league gets acknowledged by people who follow the game and understand its talent. The problem is that the highly visible, marquee conferences will get more exposure. But people know that MAC teams can play with most people.

Q: With the Big 12 up for grabs this season, do you think the winner of the conference will make it a long way in the NCAA tourney? -- Jesse Williams, Chanute, Kan.
VITALE: The Big 12 is solid. Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Texas were all ranked in the preseason coaches poll (no other league had five teams ranked). I think the Jayhawks and Tigers have the potential to go far. Kansas coach Roy Williams has a dynamic duo up front in Drew Gooden and Nick Collison that may be as good as any front-court tandem in America. Williams also has a solid recruiting class that should contribute and a veteran backcourt. For Missouri, Kareem Rush is one of the elite talents in college basketball.

Q: How do you think the Iowa Hawkeyes will do: 1) against Duke; 2) in the Big Ten; and 3) in the NCAA tourney? -- Fred Schutte, Urbana
VITALE: Iowa-Duke in the ACC Challenge should be interesting. A lot will depend on Luke Recker staying healthy. Diaper dandy Pierre Pierce will have to step in at the point and play well right away as Dean Oliver's replacement. Iowa coach Steve Alford also needs a healthy Brody Boyd. Reggie Evans is on my preseason All-America first team. One thing about the Hawkeyes: They compete very well. Alford's kids competed well against Duke when he was at Southwest Missouri State. Lots of people thought they would get blitzed, but they played tough. Iowa will battle Illinois, Indiana and Michigan State in the Big Ten.

	6-foot-8 junior Rod Grizzard averaged 17.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg last season for Alabama.

Q: I saw Alabama play a few times last year and I was extremely impressed with Rod Grizzard. I can't understand why he isn't getting more preseason attention on a national level. Can you please give me a reason why? -- Scott Eaton, Houston
VITALE: Alabama has to prove it can win on the road. It has an interesting matchup against Temple at the Jimmy V Classic. Last year the Tide had lots of early wins but not against a quality preconference schedule, so they got hurt once league play began. They have proven they can win at home, including last season against Kentucky. Coach Mark Gottfried has created some excitement at Alabama.

Grizzard is a PTPer, and the 6-foot-8 junior should have a big year. Freshman point guard Maurice Williams should be an instant impact player. When they prove they can win on the road, the Tide and Grizzard will get the recognition they want.

Q: Does Kentucky have "too many" players? Could the Wildcats' depth affect the minutes and therefore affect the egos and prevent the team-oriented play required to reach the Final Four? -- Mickey, Louisville, Ky.
VITALE: You never have too many players if a coach can handle it, and Tubby Smith is a proven coach who knows how to put a winning unit together. Smith can have competition in practice and develop a sense of pride. The Wildcats have many good players who have to come to practice every day to earn their minutes. That's a healthy situation.

Q: What will it take for Charlotte to get some recognition? The team performs well year after year, brings in an outstanding recruiting class every year and is able to compete with the likes of Cincinnati (plus gets to the tourney often). -- David Cornelius, Charlotte, N.C.
VITALE: Bobby Lutz is one of the most underrated coaches in America. This year will be more challenging with the loss of Rodney White to the NBA, but the return of Jobey Thomas will certainly help. I think basketball fans and other Conference USA coaches are well aware of the 49ers, especially come league tournament time.

Q: Many people are saying that Jonathan Hargett is the most talented freshman to step on the court at West Virginia. What do you think the future will bring? -- Matt, Fredericksburg, Va.
VITALE: I think Jonathan will get a lot of notoriety and we will hear his name often. He is going to score big and be a major impact player for Gale Catlett's club. I saw him last year at the Sonny Vaccaro Roundball Classic, and I was very impressed with him. Along with Notre Dame's Chris Thomas, they will make a run at Seton Hall's John Allen for the Big East Rookie of the Year award.

Q: I've been following Clemson basketball for about 10 years now. I have seen the Tigers go from the bottom of the ACC to the top few teams and now back down to the bottom. I was wondering what you think of Clemson's freshman class this year? Can Clemson ever become a key player in the ACC year in and year out? -- Brad Richards, Clemson, S.C.
VITALE: Unfortunately for Larry Shyatt's club, despite bringing in some solid new recruits, the Tigers play in an extremely difficult league with numerous national heavyweights. They are looking at so many losses before they can even blink. This makes it tough for the Tigers to reach the ACC's upper echelon year in and year out.

Q: Will Notre Dame be as good as last year? -- Mike, South Bend, Ind.
VITALE: Notre Dame has a great chance to be one of the leaders in the Big East, because the conference is wide open. I feel the dominant team will become Connecticut, with Caron Butler and Taliek Brown leading the way. Georgetown's loss of Demetrius Hunter hurt the Hoyas, and Boston College has been hurt by Troy Bell's injury (he's not expected to be out long, though). The Irish have a balanced club. They should be outstanding defensively, and the addition of diaper dandy Chris Thomas is a major boost. Obviously, Notre Dame will miss the scoring and all-around ability of Troy Murphy, but this will be a more balanced team. Without a heavyweight in the league, coach Mike Brey's team will do well.

Q: I just finished reading your latest column on Duke's marvelous recruiting class. I know that you have the utmost respect for the Duke program and its esteemed coach. I do, too. However, it surprises me that you don't get a little annoyed that they land the nation's greatest talent year after year. You have always been a champion of the little guy, and I'd think you'd be a little troubled by any college dynasty. What gives? -- John W., Hartford, Conn.
VITALE: Yes, I have championed the cause of the "little guy," but you have to give credit to Duke for what it has accomplished. You have to respect the Blue Devils for doing things the right way. They have a great environment to play in, their students support the team with tremendous enthusiasm, they have a coach who represents all that is good about athletics and teaching, and players who compete with great intensity and unselfishness. You can't look down on them just because they're successful, like the Yankees year in and year out, knocking on the door. For that, I salute them and pay tribute to them.