ESPN

Dana O'Neil

  (1:58 PM)

OK so it's football preseason. That doesn't mean there's no room for hoops talk.

Steve (Blacksburg, VA)

Dana: Can the Hokies break into the top25 this year as they did two years ago?

Dana O'Neil

  (1:59 PM)

Steve: I definitely think the Hokies can break into the top 25. Much stronger backcourt, more experience

Rob, Charlottesville

Which do you think will be the top five backcourts in the country this year? If Devendorf and Rautins both make full recoveries from their ACL injuries, will they be up there?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:00 PM)

Rob: To me, it's going to be hard to find better guards than the trio at Marquette. I loved Jerel McNeal by the end of last season. Agree that if Rautins and Devendorf are healthy they will be formidable.

nagle, big apple

do you think Penn State can fianlly put it together this year and contend for the Big 10 title?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:01 PM)

Nagle: Um, no. Michigan State, Wisconsin are still in the league, right? Penn State has a big mountain to climb. As an alum, liked their gumption last year after losing Claxton but they need more talent before they contend. Silver lining - they ought to be better than Indiana

Dan (Aberdeen, MD)

Hey Dana, what is the deal with U-Maryland's men's basketball and how would you rank their incoming recruits? I dont think i've ever heard of a program failing to capitalize on a national championship like the terps have....

Dana O'Neil

  (2:03 PM)

Dan: Wrote about the Terps a while back and from what I can gather it's a few things. Assistant coaching turnover, which is a good thing when they turn into head coaches, is making recruiting harder. They are taking chances on kids - tyree evans being case A through Z - and when it blows up there's no fallback plan. Big big year for Maryland and more Gary Williams.

Dave, Indy

Would you be able to provide your insight or thoughts on Pitt's upcoming season? Thanks!

Dana O'Neil

  (2:04 PM)

Dave: OK, first the mea culpa. In my Big East shootaround when I talked about guys who can contend for player of the year, I forgot Sam Young. Big mistake. He is on the list. I really like PItt. Love how hard they play, their defense, fearlessness to ugly it up and think Young is a hugely talented undeappreciated player. Mix in a healthy Fields and Blair and that's a top 5 team.

ray GORDON REID GAINESVILLE FLA 32611

QUESTION TO DANA O;NEIL AT 2.05 HI DANA HOW YOU SEE A10 THIS YEAR

Dana O'Neil

  (2:05 PM)

Ray: Think Xavier is again in a class by itself. I do like Temple, though. Hearing great things about their incoming point guard, a kid from Argentina who is supposedly better than Pepe Sanchez.

Marsh (StL)

What about Lawson and Ellington for best backcourt?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:06 PM)

Marsh: There are a ton of them, and without question, Lawson and Ellington are among them, yes.

Bill, NYC

Ive been hearing a lot about the old spice classic. Can Siena advance to the finals?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:08 PM)

bill: good tourney all around. I think Siena has a chance to be this year's Davidson - a team that will turn a lot of heads. Making it to the Final with Michigan State, Geogetown, Gonzaga and Tennessee will be tough but they have a ton of talent. Would not be stunned

Jay (Philly)

With Kemba Walker, Nate Miles, Ater Majok, Scottie Haralson and Chuck Okwandu joining an already loaded and experienced UConn team (with Stanley Robinson back 2nd semester) how far can UConn go? I think they can win Calhoun a third championship.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:09 PM)

Jay: No doubt UConn is loaded. Curious to see how healthy AJ Price is. I don't think the value of his play can be overemphasized

Andy (Bloomington, IN)

After self-reporting violations, Indiana lost scholarships, was given recruiting sanctions, essentially forfeited a top 10 team last season, and trashed the rest of the roster. USC, which committed much more serious violations, but hasn't admitted anything, has received nothing, and likely will get no more than a slap on the wrist. Is the moral of the story, don't admit anything to the NCAA because if you don't they probably won't find out? That's the message they're sending.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:10 PM)

Andy No, not at all. Just because we haven't heard anything about USC doesn't mean they won't get in trouble. The NCAA likes to do is dirty work well out of sight. That story is far from over.

Franco (Philly)

Dana do you purposely not mention St. Joes's in there because you have a bias against them?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:10 PM)

Franco: Yes.Ok seriously, no. They have a lot to replace, let's not forget.

Kramer (Anytown, USA)

Is Nova the clear cut winner of the Big 5 this year? Can Dumph get Temple into the conversation? Will SJU be better or worse after losing Calathes?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:11 PM)

Kramer: I think Nova is the favorite but not in a walkover. I do like Temple.

Patrick, Memphis

Dana, where do you see Memphis this year. Do you think they can make a run at the elite 8????

Dana O'Neil

  (2:12 PM)

Patrick: Boy, I don't know. They have an awful lot to replace. Forget Derrick Rose. He's one in a million. But CDR and Dorsey??? That's a bunch

Jeremy (Memphis)

Hi Dana. What does your Preseason Top 10 look like?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:16 PM)

Jeremy: Let me quantify this by saying I know I'm going to forget someone. 1. Carolina. 2. Texas 3 Pitt 4. Connecticut 5. Michigan State 6. USC 7. Purdue 8. Notre Dame 9. Duke 10. Miami ok attack away.

Art Van deLay (NYC)

The best game you ever saw in person was _____________.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:17 PM)

Art: Easy. Christian Laettner's shot in Philly.

Joakim Noah (Chicago)

Dana - Do you think Coach Donovan is still happy he returned to Gainesville or wishing he'd stuck w/ the Orlando Magic job? Do you see my boys cracking the top 25 this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:18 PM)

Jo: Dude, be careful what you drive with in the car. Umm.. I think Billy is happy. the Magic look very good, no doubt, but I don't think that's why he said no. As for the Gators, they need some size to sell me for a top 25 spot.

Blaine (Harrisburg)

What will UNC's toughest challenge be to the Maui title?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:20 PM)

Blaine: Chaminade? Kiding. Either Notre Dame or Texas will make for a great final. Lik the way ND matches up.

Rich (San Jose)

If my AZ Wildcats can stay injury free, can they make some noise this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:21 PM)

Rich: Injury free and drama free. There's a lot of stuff that needs to be setled in Arizona and hopefully Lute will get that done. But yes, even without Brandon Jennings, AZ can be decent.

Nick (Milwaukee)

It has been years (decades, really), since a team outside one of the "power" conferences has won a national title. Do you think that will change in the next 10 years, and besides Memphis, is Xavier one of the teams that can do it?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:23 PM)

Nick: I really like the job Sean Miller has done and is continuing to do at Xavier, though Drew Lavender would be mad for the non-power conference dig. Think Xavie can be the next Memphis. Still a leap to be the national champion.

Chris (Columbus, OH)

Who is the most overrated preseason top-10 team? I'm going with ND.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:24 PM)

Chris: I have to go with Miami. I really like them, let me quantify that. Especially like McClinton. But until they play consistently like a top 10 team, it's hard to know for sure that they can. It's new to them.

Jeff - Cincy, OH

Dana, Any news about the NCAA status of the IU players that transferred? What are the chances of Crawford being in a Xavier uniform this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:25 PM)

Jeff: Don't have any information on it. Not sure how that will shake out, to be honest.

Tim (Amherst)

It seems that lately people don't give UMass a chance in the preseason, but then they come out and often surprise a lot of people. Do you think Derek Kellogg can get the team to the Big Dance in the next 2 years?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:27 PM)

Tim: Like UMass backcout a lot and even without Forbes, it's a good team. Coaching transitions are tricky but at least in Kellog, the Minutemen won't have to do a 180 on their offensive philosophy. That's huge.

Chris (Scottsdale)

To continue with the IU ex-player theme, how can any of these players be given eligibility since they refused to go to class and 90% were kicked off the team, if thats the case then IU should definatley get Rivers this year.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:28 PM)

Chris: I agree. This isn't the tradtional hardship, coach recruited me and tehn he bolted, scenario. And you're right. If anyone can claim hardship, it's IU!

Pat (Memphis)

Do you think Memphis has any worries from the NCAA after the silly alumni called the parent of one of the recruits we are after???

Dana O'Neil

  (2:29 PM)

Pat: The silly alumni??? C'mon now, don't be naive. I'm stunned that they're going to allow Memphis to still recruit the kid. That's usually the first punishment. Since that doesn't appear to be happening, they may get by. Stunningly.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

Do you have any info on the reported charges against the three Syracuse players including Johnny Flynn?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:29 PM)

Saw yesterday that the trio had to appear before the university's judicial affairs board. They were not indicted.

Scott (Mobile, AL)

How do you see the SEC playing out this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:31 PM)

Scott: Interesting league. Very curious to see what Kentucky has, if Vandy has any chance again this year and how Florida emerges. I think there are more questions in that league right now than answers.

Jeremy (Memphis)

He is her boss...

Dana O'Neil

  (2:32 PM)

Jeremy: Yes and technically Robert Iger is mine but he hasn't randomly called me lately. I ain't buying it, sorry.

Mark, Milwaukee

How do you see Marquette doing this year with its big 3 returning but a new system being put in place, and not to mention a rediculously tough big east?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:33 PM)

Mark: THe last part is the hardest part. I really like Marquette but the league this year is an absolute killer. They should, I think, be top 3 or 4 and if they come out of the league in one piece will be a very tough opponent in the NCAA Tourney

Dana O'Neil

  (2:33 PM)

Impressive chat for an August afternoon. Who says college football rules the summer? Gotta bolt. Thanks for the questions.