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Joe Lunardi

  (4:00 PM)

Hard to believe it's that time again (not that I mind!). Let's get it started with a little pre-season bracket talk.

Thomas Edison - Schenectady, NY

Thanks for the great work? What are your thoughts on the BC Eagles? It seems that with a great senior point, young but very all around talented big man in Josh Southern, and very young, but physically talented young wing players like Sanders and Jackson that the Eagles could surprise some people this year? Thanks

Joe Lunardi

  (4:03 PM)

I think there is room for bubble teams to emerge in the ACC. No reason B.C. couldn't be one of them. Can I reserve judgment until this coming Monday? I'll be at the NIT opener against Loyola.

FZ, St. Louis, MO

Can Wake Forest make a serious title run?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:03 PM)

That might be a bit much for such young team. However, it is well within reason to think of Wake as a Sweet 16 contender.

Cody / Virginia

Having the Final Four in Detroit should be a big motivation for Michigan State, but do you think they will be able to get there without a consistant big man?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:05 PM)

Given the choice, I'd rather have the big man (than any geographic motivation). In this case, I think Tom Izzo will find a way to rebound and defend the post.

Jeff - Cincy, OH

How many games do you see IU winning this year? I will put the over-under at 5...

Joe Lunardi

  (4:06 PM)

Can I take the over on that??

Joe Lunardi

  (4:07 PM)

I have Missouri right around the cut line (with no meaningful games having been played, of course). And I further believe that Syracuse is going to be quite good, so don't hold your breath on that one.

Greg - Chicago

Joe - With Devendorf and Rautins healthy to rejoin a solid core, what's your take on Syracuse this season??

Joe Lunardi

  (4:09 PM)

Expanding on the previous comment, the best thing for me about Syracuse is the proverbial "addition by subtraction" of Donte Green. He didn't defend, was disinterested in Boeheim's zone, and took tons and tons of bad shots. The Orange are going to be very good (even in the loaded Big East).

John (Dallas)

College basketball and you Joe have been missed, good to have you both back. Can the freshman with the seniors for UCLA get them back to the final four?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:10 PM)

A lot of people seem to think so, John. Me? I think it will be easier for UCLA to grab a No. 1 seed coming out of a weaker West than to win four games in the NCAA Tournament. Possible, yes, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Anthony - Glastonbury, CT

Why is UConn ranked so high? They basically have the same team back from last year and barely went anywhere in the tournament.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:10 PM)

Talent. Talent. Talent.

Casey / Washington

What do you think of this years Gonzaga team. Do you think they have what it takes to finally get to the final four?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:11 PM)

Some guy with my name has put the Zags in his pre-season Final Four elsewhere on this site. Let's hope he's right!

Doug (Fairfax, VA)

Joe, You have Florida as a #2 seed, you think that highly of Calathes?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:13 PM)

What I think is that the Gators are talented, deep, and hungry. Nick Calathes is a piece of that, for sure, but I'm not as sold as others on Tennessee (leading perhaps to an unexpected SEC title for Florida).

sara chicago

Is ND really top 10 material? I hope so, but can they really grow much from last year?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:14 PM)

I have the Irish No. 12 overall at this point. I'll need to see a better commitment at the defensive end and more consistent play away from home to move them up. Maui will be a great opportunity in that regard.

Nick (Chapel Hill)

Why do you have UNC placed in the Midwest region, if they're your overall number one? Shouldn't they take the South or East region?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:15 PM)

Great question, Nick. The Midwest (Indianapolis) is actually the closest site available for UNC, ahead of both East (Boston) and South (Memphis). I was surprised, too, until Rand McNally cleared things up for me.

Joseph (Richmond)

How is my University of Richmond looking this weekend. Big time teams used to be scared to death to play us.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:16 PM)

Gonna' be hard to take the expected step forward without Geriot.

Trent, GA

Will UGA have any sort of momentum coming off their SEC tourney win? They lose their two heart and soul players in Sundiata and Bliss but if Thompkins stays healthy with Price and Jackson in the paint, could you see them making a run in the SEC?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:17 PM)

Not sure momentum has much impact this far after the fact. Let's remember, that even with Sundiata and Bliss, that this was a losing team a year ago.

Michael (Evansville, IN)

Hey Joe, glad you (and the b-ball season) are back. It seems that every year a pre-season top 10 team crashes and burns (I can remember Zona and I think Clemson in the recent past). Louisville's first 2 exhibition games have me extremely nervous. Without Padgett in the lineup, the Cards weren't exactly world beaters last year. Do you have any second thoughts about the Cards #1 seed.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:18 PM)

Michael, I have second thoughts about every team in America this year not named North Carolina. Having said that, the biggest risk in my personal Top 10 is Wisconsin. Louisville will be fine.

Matt (Chicago)

What do you see Georgetown doing this year? They are a pretty young team, but the talent is there.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:20 PM)

Bad news: The Hoyas may not be much better than a middle of the pack Big East team. Good news: This season, that should be plenty good enough for an NCAA bid and a win or two in the big dance.

Andy (Minneapolis)

Can Tubby's Gophers make a run to the tourney this year?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:20 PM)

One chance in five, Andy.

Stephen (Atlanta)

Rick Barnes has compared his team to the 2003 team his words were there nasty and loves how physical they can get. Who wins the Big 12?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:21 PM)

Texas.

Nathan, baltimore

Does Villanova have any chance of winning the big east? I know the BE is loaded but they seem just as good as some of those other teams everyone has in the top 10.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:23 PM)

I love the young 'Cats, Nathan, but winning this year's Big East is a bit of a reach (although next year I could definitely see it!). It's important to judge Villanova on their entire body of work last year -- a No. 12 seed -- than what they did against Clemson and Siena.

KENO DAVIS (PROVIDENCE)

you have us out? this is our year.....um...right?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:24 PM)

Could happen, coach, but there are so many teams to climb just in your own conference.

Nick (LA, CA)

Can Johnny Dawkins take Stanford to the tournament in his first year? They've got almost everyone back, except for a couple kids named Lopez...

Joe Lunardi

  (4:24 PM)

I think that's asking a lot, Nick, under the circumstances.

Kevin - Grand Rapids

If you had three games you could get tickets to between now and the end of the year where would it be and why?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:27 PM)

Short-term answer, Kevin: I'm going to Maui for the first time later this month and am jacked about any number of match ups there. Should be ND-Texas on day two and an eventual title game featuring two Top 10 teams (with Carolina also in the field). So let's say those two games and the NCAA final!

jim (NY)

You say the Orange are going to be good. But no one has them ranked. Why not?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:27 PM)

Out of sight, out of mind.

Bill Self (Lawrence, KS)

Am I finally going to get the recognition I deserve as being an elite coach?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:27 PM)

I think that happened last April, Bill. Remember the confetti?

Dave (Rochester,N.Y)

Is Pittsburgh capable of winning a national title this year?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:29 PM)

Sure, Dave, along with about 15-20 other teams. The question for any Big East team, though, is how much will tey have left after a bruising regular season and incredible conference tournament.

Neal (Louisville, KY)

Why is everyone so high on Oklahoma? Louisville blasted them out of the Big Dance last year by 30 pts. and The Griffin's did not look good at all. I don't see them in the top 20 neverless top 10.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:30 PM)

I'm not quite as high on the Sooners as some, Neal, but this is a deep NCAA tourney team. I wouldn't let one result from seven months ago cloud that judgment.

Brian (SF, CA)

You are crazy if you think that Arizona and Washington St. will get bids over Washington. Arizona's core is Wise (doesn't even want to be there), Budinger (doesn't want to be playing basketball period...and has ZERO leadership skills), and Hill (a fouling-machine with no backup). Wash St. is even worse off.UW has 3 of 5 starters back?and a talented Freshman PG that people will be talking about come January.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:33 PM)

Every year I keep hearing about how great Washington is and the last two they can't get above .500 in their own league. So call me skeptical, Brian.

Ryan (Omaha)

What do you think of Purdue this season?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:34 PM)

A slight regression in the regular season, making up for it in March. That's the most likely scenario, Ryan.

Rich (NYC)

Hey Joe. Will Siena knock off one of the big boys this season? (Tenn. Pitt, Kansas, etc..)?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:35 PM)

Not that big, I don't think.

Dan (Overland Park, KS)

Is that your real hair?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:35 PM)

Nope; it's on loan from Mel Kiper Jr.

James (NYC)

Do you think the Big East Tourney will have some exciting upsets this year now that all teams are included?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:36 PM)

I think it's a colossally bad idea to have that many conference tournament games. Then again, I'd also pay to watch them all (a concept the Big East understands far better than yours truly).

Matt (West Lafayette, IN)

Hey, Joe, why do you have Purdue at a 4 seed but Wisconsin at a 2 seed? Don't you think you might be overrating the Badgers a wee bit? And does that imply you think they will win the Big Ten?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:38 PM)

I'll admit the Wisconsin seeding is a bit high. Then again, they've finished first or second all but one time in the last five seasons. So what's more likely? A return to form by the most common champion or a repeat performance by a team no one will be surprised by in 2008-09?

Chris (Birmingham, AL)

So much for the SEC's cross-sports dominance! Tennessee at No. 13 is really the best we've got? Does that mean Alabama has a chance in the SEC West?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:39 PM)

I have no idea what to do with the SEC West, Chris. Any of at least four teams could win that division.

John Boy (Cincinnati)

Hey Skeptical, i see a lot of Tennessee doubters giving the SEC to Florida. Don't the Cats have just as good as chance?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:40 PM)

Yes.

Sparky the Sun Devil (Tempe,AZ)

Please tell me were going to ATLEAST the sweet 16 this year Joey. James Harden and the boys are ready to take the Pac-10.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:40 PM)

Let's get into the tourney first, Sparky.

Tony S. (KY)

Is Michigan State overrated? I have seen them ranked anywhere from 7 to 19, are they gonna get it done, or is Izzo going to have to suffer through another so-so year?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:41 PM)

I'm betting on the former, Tony.

Drake University Students

After Keno took the money to take a job he'll never succeed at, and we lost our MVP, can we still get excited about a team capable of making a run in the Valley? Josh Young and Bucky Cox are back.....

Joe Lunardi

  (4:41 PM)

If so, it's going to be Creighton this time around.

Dave (Columbus, OH

Do you think Duke has enough to win it all this year? They seem to be more athletic than the last few years.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:42 PM)

Dave, I'm not even convinced Duke is the second-best team in the ACC.

Bob (KC)

I see you have KU vs. Missouri matching up in Bracketology. Is that even allowed? I didn't think schools from the same conference could meet in round 1.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:43 PM)

It's not allowed, Bob. Something went haywire with our master spreadsheet and that will be corrected. Who would you like to play? This time of year we can take personal requests!

Marc (Hopkinton, MA)

Hey Joe, what's your outlook for the UMASS Minutemen? Can they challenge Xavier for the A10 title?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:44 PM)

I know one thing, Marc. UMass will do a whole lot more defending under Derek Kellogg than they did last year. That was a fun team, but they couldn't stop me. UMass will be in the mix.

Lee (LETS GO PEAY)

murry st out of the ovc this year? joe what you been drinkin on? u need to show your peayness and get on that austin peay bandwagon before the season starts. as the saying goes, "Fly is open, Let's go Peay!!!"

Joe Lunardi

  (4:45 PM)

To quote Bill Simmons: "Yes, ladies and gentlemen, those are my readers."

Ed (Baltimore, MD)

What are the chances that the Michigan Wolverines make some noise this year

Joe Lunardi

  (4:45 PM)

It would have to be in basketball, right, Ed?

Ted (Dayton, OH)

How do you see the A-10 playing out this season? What are the chances of my Dayton Flyers making the tourney?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:46 PM)

Dayton is right (or should I say Wright?) on the bubble in every pre-season projection I run. The Flyers are due.

Phil (Berkeley, CA)

I know to the rest of the country, the University of Arizona is a dead basketball program. The fact is we still have three junior leaders in Budinger, Wise and Hill. In your true belief, do you think the team will fade fast, or hold on to make another tourney?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:46 PM)

Just hold on, I think.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:47 PM)

OK, gang, time for final jeopardy. Three more questions/comments and I've got to make way for the next "Chat" victim.

Winston (London, UK)

It seems to me that certain teams and conferences get a lot of publicity even though they might not necessarily deserve it. How much of this factors into the seeding process?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:48 PM)

Absolutely, positively none, Winston. There isn't a single team or conference that the NCAA committee doesn't have a volume of information about. Years ago, maybe I could see your point, but "publicity" really isn't part of the equation any more.

Hunter (Chesapeake VA)

Whats your guess on Old Dominion this year in the CAA?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:50 PM)

I've seen ODU a number of times in recent years and this season will be one on the rebound. VCU is the obvious pick in the Colonial, but the Monarchs will contend and play in some kind of post-season tournament.

moses (sd, ca)

can kansas win the big 12 with all the inexperience players on their roster?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:50 PM)

I don't think so, Moses, unless you part the Red Sea for them. I'm also not going to count your question as the last one!

C.J. (Charlotte)

The Big East's top 4 teams only face three potential games in the tournament, 5-8 only face 4 potential games. It's 9-16 that have the potential of playing 5 in 5 days. 9 and 10 are likely bubble teams, along with, potentially the 8 seed. I don't see it as being too many games, rather that the "bubble" teams get a good chance for a win in the conference tourney. That said, what do you expect from WVU this season? You have them in the 8/9 game in UNC's bracket. What would they have to do to get up to a 6-7 seed?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:52 PM)

Or a damaging loss, C.J., for Big East bubble teams. That sword cuts both ways and, if we're talking about a potential 9th or 10th bid from a conference, I can't help but think of "play out" more than "play in" scenarios.

Paul (Memphis)

This is the worst chat I have ever read. BAR NONE!

Joe Lunardi

  (4:52 PM)

In that case, thanks for hanging in there for 51 minutes and 1529 questions.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:53 PM)

Let's do it again soon, everyone. Happy hoops!!