Andy Katz

  (12:06 PM)

Here to chat for a bit

Brad(NM)

Andy I really enjoyed your article on the great Don Haskins. Can you say a few words about what he meant to college basketball or even sports in general?

Andy Katz

  (12:07 PM)

I had the pleasure of covering the Bear for five years in the early '90s. I did look at him as an iconic figure. I truly believe that Haskins didn't get as much credit as he should have for not only breaking the color barrier by starting an all-African American team but also for building a consistent winner in the Southwest for more than a decade.

Pete (NC)

Who joins the Heels in the Final Four this year? I have a feeling it's a double dose of the ACC this year. Your thoughts?

Andy Katz

  (12:07 PM)

I'm not ready to go there yet. But I will be surprised if at least one Big East team isn't in the Final Four with North Carolina.

John (Dallas)

Andy, thoughts on the ex Kansas players at the NBA rookie camp?

Andy Katz

  (12:08 PM)

Always seemed to be good kids but clearly made a dumb decision to have "guests" in their room at the NBA rookie orientation meeting. They aren't coveted by the league so they essentially gave themselves a chance to be made expendable.

Nolan (Albany, NY)

Siena is a Sweet 16 threat this year, yes? How far do you think they can go and there aren't many mid major guards better than Kenny Hasbrouck

Andy Katz

  (12:09 PM)

Yes, his name is Stephen Curry. But I do think Siena could make things interesting in March. Interested to head up there later this month.

John (Dallas)

Andy, with the center added to UCLA does that change where you would rank them?

Andy Katz

  (12:10 PM)

I have consistently thought UCLA would be a top five to 10 team. The UCLA staff thinks I'm too high on them. I don't.

Fred Spokane

Is this the year the Zags finally get over the hump and make it into the 2nd weekend of the tourney and will Daye be ready to play?

Andy Katz

  (12:11 PM)

If there ever is a year this is it. I know at least one publication that has them in the top five. Gonzaga should be a consensus top 10 team.

Carlo (Provo, UT)

How do you see Georgetown performing in the Big East this year? I think their starting 5 is up there with anybody...but I'm scared about the quality and depth of their bench. What do you think?

Andy Katz

  (12:12 PM)

Depth will be an issue. Interesting to see how dominating, if at all, Greg Monroe can be in the post. The problem is the Big East is absolutely loaded. It will be hard for them to move too high up in the standings.

John (Dallas)

Andy, I know it's your job, but do you start getting excited that college basketball is about a month away like many of us are? I love baseball, like the NFL and NBA but I have a blast with college basketball.

Andy Katz

  (12:13 PM)

Love the job. But the winter travel gets old fast. But it's hard to complain, so I'll stop now.

Mike Columbia

What does the future hold for my beloved Tigers and will Mike Anderson get his team going in the right direction?

Andy Katz

  (12:13 PM)

Anderson said in late August that this team had a better work ethic, chemistry and he seemed genuinely excited about coaching this team. Let's see if that actually translates into wins.

Rusty(Long Beach, NY)

Thoughts on St. John's? Seems they're starting to make a little progress on the recruiting front.

Andy Katz

  (12:15 PM)

My thoughts are that St. John's isn't at home in the NIT Season Tip-Off and instead is at the BC regional in a New York-based tournament. That speaks volumes to me about the Red Storm relevance in the city and nationally. It is a long climb out of the abyss for Norm Roberts but it has been a slow decline even before he got there. I'm not convinced other than someone on the level of Pitino or Calipari could pull this team to the top tier of the Big East in the current climate.

Scott (Albany NY)

Andy what happened with the 3 Cuse players? I know they were not guilty of the charges but did the school rule on any kind of punishment?

Andy Katz

  (12:15 PM)

Yes, but it isn't anything that will affect their playing time this season.

Dan (NY)

Hey Andy, do the Omari Lawrence commitment to St. John's and the highly regarded transfers to Seton Hall bode well for the return of nationally significant college ball to the hoops capital of the world, or are these just minor talent upgrades expected in a league as competitive as the Big East is every year?

Andy Katz

  (12:16 PM)

Still don't see ether team making themselves relevant enough to climb into the top nine or 10 in the Big East this season.

Matt, Raleigh

Does Duke get back over the hump this year and make some noise in the tourny?

Andy Katz

  (12:16 PM)

Yes, Duke will be in the tourney and be a top seed and likely at least get to the second weekend. But I don't see an Elite Eight or Final Four team out of this group.

William ( Amarillo, Tx )

I got Texas and N.Carlina as favor to win tha national champion. Do you agree?

Andy Katz

  (12:18 PM)

The Carolina pick is easy, the Texas pick is bold. Rick Barnes is convinced the Longhorns will be very good again, but not having DJ Augustin makes it hard to put them as a title favorite. I had Texas as No. 1 (when it looked like Carolina was going to lose three players) but that was when Augustin hadn't declared.

DJ Cuse

Why did Keon Lawrence leave Missouri? Was he really home sick b/c he could have been our leader this year?

Andy Katz

  (12:19 PM)

Seton Hall's spin is Keon needed to be closer to his family in Newark that is dealign with death and illnesses.

Brian (Carbondale, IL)

Andy, do you know much about Southern Illinois recruiting class? Are they the favorites to win the MVC?

Andy Katz

  (12:20 PM)

All I know is that Chris Lowery is extremely high on this squad. The country will get a good look at SIU when the Salukis make it to New York for the Coaches vs. Cancer tourney in New York against Michigan and two other schools named......Duke and UCLA.

David, Williamston, Mi

What do you think about Michigan State and will Michigan ever come to life ?

Andy Katz

  (12:20 PM)

If Delvan Roe is healthy and Raymar Morgan is a star then the Spartans will win the Big Ten and be a Final Four contender. John Belein needs time to build so I wouldn't give up on Michigan just yet.

Dan (NYC)

Andy, what can the Big East do in the future to try to achieve more balanced scheduling? As a long-time Big East fan, I've rarely seen an opening stretch as brutal as the one Georgetown faces to start the 08-09 season (after 12/13 home vs. Memphis, the Hoyas are @ Uconn, vs Pitt, @ ND, vs PC, vs Cuse, @ Duke, vs WVU 1/22). That's 6-7 potential top 15 opponents in a month. Terrifying.

Andy Katz

  (12:22 PM)

I saw the Big East's scheduler Tom Odjakjian at the Hall of Fame last Friday and he looked exhausted from spending countless nights trying to balance the Big East schedule. It's a brutal gig. I'm not sure there is much they can do with the league so balanced, so tough, and so full of NCAA-potential teams.

Melo (Brooklyn, NY)

It really seemed like Carolina's stars didn't want to go back to Chapel Hill this year. Do you think team chemistry will be a problem for the heavily favored heels?

Andy Katz

  (12:22 PM)

Not now. Back in June, maybe, but not now. These guys want to win the title and Tyler Hansbrough returned to finish the job.

Ken (Tarzana, CA)

ASU just landed a top High Schooler from Phoenix. Is it possible that Herb Sendek could end Lute's dominance in the state of AZ?

Andy Katz

  (12:23 PM)

Yes that is possible. Sendek was always a great recruiter at NC State. He's a fantastic coach. The ASU fans should be fully on the bandwagon for this squad.

Marc (Malden, MA)

I can't take Gonzaga seriously until they move to a power conference. They can't be tourney tested playing in the WCC.

Andy Katz

  (12:26 PM)

I disagree. I'll tell you why. First off the WCC had three NCAA teams last season, that's three of eight. San Diego beat Connecticut in the first round. Secondly, Gonzaga has to go into hostile arenas (check out games at Saint Mary's dungeon) where they are expected to win. Gonzaga has all the pressure on its shoulders every road game. That's not easy. Every Gonzaga game on the road in the WCC is an event. The crowds are jacked to harrass and beat the Zags. I've seen it many times on the road in this league. It's the same for schools like Butler in the Horizon or Southern Illinois in the Missouri Valley.

Mark (Baldwin Pa)

Andy...Is PITT a "true" final four contender in your eyes? us Pitt fans are cautionly opptomistic that we'll get over that sweet 16 hump this year

Andy Katz

  (12:28 PM)

Yes. DaJuan Blair and Sam Young will be two of the tougher inside players in the Big East, let alone the country, and a healthy Levance Fields is one of the tougher, money-shot point guards.

Mike (Boston)

Al Skinner had a very good group of freshman last year. Will they + Tyrese Rice = an NCAA bid?

Andy Katz

  (12:29 PM)

The hope at BC is that the Eagles can be atop that next tier of teams in the league (which I put after NC, Duke, Miami and Wake). The addition of Reggie Jackson with Rice makes them a formidable, productive perimeter tandem. Scoring inside is a must and that will be up to players like Josh Southern.

Tim (St. Paul, MN)

Tubby Smith has a good young class coming in for the Gophers. What can we expect from this team?

Andy Katz

  (12:30 PM)

You can expect the Gophers to be in the middle of the Big Ten. The Big Ten will have an elite three again of Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin and then it is wide open.

Bob (NY, NY)

The NCAA doesn't have a fair bone in it's body. Mike Cook is getting screwed...

Andy Katz

  (12:32 PM)

I don't think the NCAA is all about being mean and unfair. What I do think is that the committees, that are made up of people from member schools, not the home office in Indy, don't take the human element into consideration enough. They look too often at the strict rules interpretation. I agree, Cook should be cleared to play.

DJ Cuse

Who will win more games this year-Indiana hoops or Indiana basketball?

Andy Katz

  (12:32 PM)

That's a close call. But I have faith in Crean so I'll go with hoops by a nose.

Tyler (Little Rock, Arkansas)

Hey Andy, I've been an avid Carolina fan for a really long time and I've noticed that the student section Dean E. Smith Center is relatively small compared to most schools. Although Carolina has a great winning percentage at home, do you think it would be a much more intimidating venue if the student section was expanded, perhaps on both sides of the court because sometimes I question if teams are really overwhelmed by the Dean Dome with all those old folks in the stands.

Andy Katz

  (12:34 PM)

I actually disagree a bit. The games at the Smith Center the past few seasons have been rocking. I've been there for some of the big ones and I find it to be quite loud and intimidating. Moving the students down to one side has really helped the atmosphere.

Pa, Grand Rapids, MI

Where can I fine ESPN's tv college basketball schedule?

Andy Katz

  (12:34 PM)

As soon as it is released it will be on our site.

DJ Cuse

I meant Indiana football.

Andy Katz

  (12:34 PM)

I know you meant Indiana football but I'll say the Hoosiers hoops team will win nine basketball games.

Marc (Malden, MA)

Do you think there should be a limit to the number of teams one conference can send to the tourney? Do we really want to see a team that finished 6th in a power conference over a team that finished 2nd in a mid-major?

Andy Katz

  (12:35 PM)

Nope. You can't legislate the invitations.

John (Dallas)

Andy, do you follow the NBA? Who do you think will get Rookie of Year in the NBA?

Andy Katz

  (12:35 PM)

Greg Oden, Portland.

Spence, Canada

How big of a coupe was getting Luke Babbitt for Nevada and the WAC?

Andy Katz

  (12:36 PM)

Huge coup for keeping him home. Mark Fox has done a great job maximizing talent in Reno.

Kevin (Chicago)

Hey Andy, any incoming freshman that we should know about now, a la Durant, Oden, Rose, Beasley?

Andy Katz

  (12:37 PM)

Plenty but I'll focus on one for you: watch the impact Demar DeRozan has for USC. Also, toss in Jrue Holiday at UCLA.

Brent (Seattle)

Wazzu will be better than people expect. They still return two starters and Klay Thompson will be the impact freshman they never have. Don't be surprised to see them finish 4th in the Pac-10 and be back in the tournament.

Andy Katz

  (12:38 PM)

I agree. The Cougs will be forgotten only to finish in the top five in the Pac-10 -- again.

Gary Rochester

Who is your pre season final four?

Andy Katz

  (12:38 PM)

Still trying to figure that out right now.

Ricco (Lexington, KY)

I'm just curious. How do you view the UK Wildcats in the SEC this year as well as making the NCAA Tournament?

Andy Katz

  (12:39 PM)

If Patterson is healthy as he should be then I see Kentucky in the dance, likely finishing in a tight race with Tennessee and Florida for first (being pushed too by Vandy) in the SEC East.

Pete (NC)

Can Oden still be considered a rookie?

Andy Katz

  (12:39 PM)

Yes. He didn't play last season so he is eligible to be rookie of the year.

Mike (Boston)

Not to be a conspiracy theorist but ever since we got the George Mason/Wichita st. regional semi-final it seems as if the committee has made sure that the mid-majors end up meeting in the 1st or 2nd round. Like ODU/Butler two years ago, Davidson/Gonzaga this year. Your take?

Andy Katz

  (12:41 PM)

My take is that you are paranoid on this topic. I don't think it's true. I know what they go through in that room. It's too hectic to try and match mid majors against mid majors.

Dan (NYC)

Andy, we know UConn's title chances rest on the shoulders of talents like Thabeet, and Price, but what kind of impact do newcomers like Kemba Walker and Nate Miles have to have for the Huskies to return to the top?

Andy Katz

  (12:41 PM)

Walker will be as important to the Huskies' success as Price since he'll be the one giving him a blow and pushing him at the point and Miles, according to Jim Calhoun, will be a difference maker because of his shooting abilities.

Mark (NYC)

Andy, whats the best early season tourney this season?

Andy Katz

  (12:42 PM)

Old Spice Classic in Orlando Gonzaga, Michigan State, Georgetown, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Maryland, Siena, Wichita State

Corey (Chicago)

What do you think about the monster matchup of a game between North Carolina and MSU at Ford Field in Detroit? UNC is absolutely loaded but MSU has the home court, who will pull it out?

Andy Katz

  (12:42 PM)

Not sure but I'm looking forward to it since it's one of the few times Carolina could lose this season.

Dan (NYC)

Andy, do you think Mick Cronin's Bearcats can surprise some people now that UT transfer Mike Williams is healthy, or is the Big East just too deep a conference?

Andy Katz

  (12:44 PM)

The Bearcats were a surprise last season -- without Williams. I do expect Cincy to be a pain for the Big East teams and challenge to crack that top 10 in the league.

Eli (Portland, OR)

Andy, are the incoming freshman for the Ducks good enough for them to finish in the top 5 of the Pac-10?

Andy Katz

  (12:45 PM)

Talented enough? Maybe. But I don't see Oregon getting past: UCLA, Arizona State, USC, Washington State, Washington and Arizona. That puts Oregon in a group with Cal, Stanford and Oregon State.

Dan (Pittsburgh, PA)

Andy - it seems Jamie Dixon flirts with other jobs when the opportunity arises. Do you think this is more a bargaining strategy, or do you think he'd like to return west at some point? Also, if he leaves, do you think Pitt is an established enough program now that they'll have no issue making a strong hire instead of settling?

Andy Katz

  (12:45 PM)

He hasn't flirted much at all. Pitt is his home now. He's a big name now. Pitt didn't settle. The Panthers made a bold hire and it paid off with a star in the business. Just check the stats.

Alex (Chicago)

Andy, do you think that Greg McDermott is the right man for the Iowa State job? He has had a lot of bad luck but I don't see any improvement from this team this year.

Andy Katz

  (12:46 PM)

Yes he was the right hire at the time, but yes he has also had bad luck with injuries and attrition. We'll see if he can climb out of this hole.

Ryan (AZ)

When do WCC and Pac-10 Schedules come out???

Andy Katz

  (12:47 PM)

They are starting to trickle in so check the individual websites. Thanks again for all the questions on a random September Tuesday.