ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (11:02 AM)

Andy Katz is working on a breaking story. He'll be here in a few minutes, after he's finished!

Buzzmaster

  (11:08 AM)

Just heard from Andy. We're moving his chat back to 1 p.m. ET.

Andy Katz

  (1:00 PM)

here to chat for a bit

Mike (The Bubble)

Just beat FL, basically have a road game tonight at Kansas, plus at Memphis, and home to VA. Since you guys are bashed the scheduling for years is anyone at ESPN going to give Boeheim credit this year?

Andy Katz

  (1:02 PM)

Boeheim does deserve credit for the scheduling this season. He has improved it tremendously. I have no issues with Syracuse's schedule this season.

CW (Neodesha,KS)

I read that Bob Stoops does not have a vote in the coachs poll, why?

Andy Katz

  (1:02 PM)

I know this is a college basketball chat but I can tell you the way the coach's poll works is that there is only one vote per conference in basketball. I'd be surprised if it were different in football. Usually these votes rotate.

DJ Cuse

Do you thing the Mizzou Tigers can make some noise in the Big 12 this year and maybe grab an at large bid and what are your thoughts on Mike Anderson?

Andy Katz

  (1:04 PM)

Yes I do. I was a bit suspect prior to this season but Missouri's play in the Puerto Rico tournament was quite impressive. Missouri catches a break because it only has to play the Big 12 south teams once instead of twice.

Jim Calhoun (Storrs, CT)

Hey Andy - since you're a CT local, maybe you can give me some advice. Do I keep the 3 guard lineup when Stanley Robinson comes back mid December or insert him into small forward? Play small or big?

Andy Katz

  (1:04 PM)

I would bring Robinson off the bench for a scoring pop and keep the three-guard lineup. I wouldn't mess with it.

ThunderKatz (Boston)

Can you imagine this Siena team if Jack McClinton (Miami) and Al Fisher (Kent St) hadn't transferred?

Andy Katz

  (1:05 PM)

But the problem with that scenario is that Kenny Hasbrouck wouldn't have been there because he wouldn't have seen PT. But I would certainly take a backcourt of Fisher and McClinton against anyone.

Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina)

Do I play tonight? Do I even need to against Oregon?

Andy Katz

  (1:06 PM)

I don't pretend to be a doctor but it doesn't seem worth it unless he's 100 percent. Rest for the games against either Notre Dame or Texas and then Michigan State next week. No reason to play against UNC Asheville Saturday if he's not 100 percent.

matt (richmond IN)

whats the word on the IU sanctions coming out today. what should we expect?

Andy Katz

  (1:06 PM)

Check our web site in a few minutes. Story was written, being edited and should be posted soon.

Brad(NM)

Hey Andy..how strong do you see the Conference USA being this season? Do you think anybody will challenge Memphis? If Memphis could make free throws, how much better would they be?

Andy Katz

  (1:07 PM)

UAB can legitiamtely challenge Memphis for the title. UTEP is probably a step behind and so is Tulsa. UTEP got beat by a very good UNLV team at home last night.

Mike (Connecticut)

The guard play has been great, and Thabeet dominant; Is UNC still clear cut favorite once Robinson, and Ater Majok arrive in Storrs?

Andy Katz

  (1:09 PM)

Conn is a legit viable threat to win the title. No question. Connecticut can win the title.

LMU Family

A quick prayer for coach, I hope everything works out for him.

Andy Katz

  (1:09 PM)

Agree on this. Hope Bill Bayno can come back soon.

Timmy C. (Lancaster, PA)

Andy,Who got the bigger upset? Michigan over UCLA or Seton Hall over USC.

Andy Katz

  (1:12 PM)

Both were stunning, but I'd say Michigan will get more life out of beating UCLA since the Wolverines will have more chances for wins in the Big Ten then Seton Hall will in the Big East.

Nolan (Albany, NY)

Andy, funny how the overrated due to highlight reels and all star game freshmen (Mullens, DeRozan, Evans) have struggled while the quiet, solid players (Monroe, Walker, Dunigan) have thrived, isn't it?

Andy Katz

  (1:16 PM)

What would you say about Samardo Samuels? He was hyped. And I would agure with you on Greg Monroe.

ray gordon reid talahassee fla 32111

question to andy KATZ AT 1.15 PM HI ANDY AMERICAN EAST

Andy Katz

  (1:20 PM)

Is that a question?I still stick with Hartford, BU and now maybe Maine in the America East.

mike ohio

ANDY ,SHOULD I BE CONCERNED WITH THE EARLY PLAY OF B J MULLENS SEEMS VERY LOST ,HOW DO YOU THINK THE YOUNG BUCKEYES WILL DO?

Andy Katz

  (1:21 PM)

Maybe that's good in a way. So much pressure has been put on the Buckeye big men. Let's let him figure it out first before annointing him the next top pick. That's the way it should work out.

Bob F (Chicago IL)

How good do you think that SIU could be in a year or two with this recruiting class?

Andy Katz

  (1:21 PM)

Sweet 16 good. I really like their young talent.

Dan (Pullman)

Andy-There has been a lot of love for Jrue Holiday and Demar Derozan for P10 freshman of the year. Can we get some love for Klay Thompson?

Andy Katz

  (1:22 PM)

You're right. Let's see how Thompson does with the competition getting better this week in Newark against Miss State and possibly Pitt.

Paul (NY, NY)

The St. Bonaventure Bonnies got a nice win on Sunday against Rutgers at the RAC and tonight have Mississippi St. at home. If they pull it out can we get some props from you?

Andy Katz

  (1:22 PM)

You didn't read my blog. I did give the Bonnies praise for winning at Rutgers. I'm looking forward to seeing tonight's result.

Henry C (Seattle, WA)

In the long run, will UCLA's loss to Michigan really have that much of an impact on their season?

Andy Katz

  (1:34 PM)

On UCLA's season? Only in that it will shine the light on the Bruins needing to be more focused and get more production from their inside game, notably someone other than Aboya.

Michael (Evanville, IN)

San Diego was on many people's list of non BCS teams to watch. I know it's early, but isn't it likely that they have already played themselves out of at-large consideration? How does a team that beat UCONN and returns basically everyone lose by 35 to Miami?

Andy Katz

  (1:37 PM)

Different environment. USD benefited from beating Gonzaga at home in the WCC and then taking out UConn without A.J. Price. USD should finish third in the WCC. But it will be tough to get a bid. USD clearly did play well enough to beat Nevada at home.

Timmy C. (Lancaster, PA)

Is the Memphis loss a sign of things to come or just a hiccup for a young team?

Andy Katz

  (1:38 PM)

I'd say hiccup for a young team. But there could be more like playing at Georgetown, at Gonzaga, at Tennessee and at UAB and UTEP.

Viren Lexington KY

Andy, SEC looks very young this year outside of Tennessee how many teams will end up going to the big dance? How do you see Kentucky finishing the year?

Andy Katz

  (1:38 PM)

I'd say....my locks are:Tennessee and LSUAfter that everyone is scrambling.

Chris (VIrginia Beach, VA)

Andy, isnt it pretty obvious that DUke has a chance to be elite this yaer with Nolan SMith starting? It seems to me that He should be playing all the time, and that maybe Paulus's arm isnt that hurt, just letting Nolan runs thing for a while. But certainly you agree that DUke is far better with Nolan Smith?

Andy Katz

  (1:39 PM)

Yes. Good move to put Smith in the starting lineup. A healthy Paulus also gives Duke a solid, veteran guy off the bench.

Chris (Abilene, TX)

What kinds of expectations should AandM fans have this year?

Andy Katz

  (1:39 PM)

NCAA Tournament bid.Top five Big 12 finish.

Jason (Pittsburgh)

Hey Andy! Do you think Levance Fields is the most underrated point guard in college basketball??? As a Pitt fan, I wouldn't trade this guy for any lead guard in the country. Pitt is 86-26 during his four years and he's off to a great start this year with 33 assists to just three turnovers. Your thoughts on Fields and why he isn't mentioned among the top point guards this year???

Andy Katz

  (1:41 PM)

Not sure I would say underrated. I feel like I've written about him at length. But he is as valuable a point as there is to an elite team in the country.

Justin (NY, NY)

Do you see Michigan making the tournament this year?

Andy Katz

  (1:43 PM)

Not sure yet if I'm ready to go there. Want to see how Michigan does against Duke at home and at Maryland in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Michigan also plays Connecticut. That's a tough slate.

JL (Hoboken, NJ)

Can Ogilvy give Vandy its 3rd straight SEC player of the year if they can put together a good conference record?

Andy Katz

  (1:43 PM)

No shot. I don't see it at all. Tyler Smith is the favorite now.

Matt (Omaha, NE)

Who is your favorite college basketball player to watch? Hansborough? Curry?

Andy Katz

  (1:44 PM)

Right now it's hard to argue against Curry. He plays more of a beautiful game.

Chris (Waco, TX)

Do you think Baylor will build off their first tournament appearance last year or return to irrelevancy?

Andy Katz

  (1:47 PM)

Baylor will be an NCAA team and I fully expect the Bears to be in contention for a bid over the next year or two.

Chris (Albany, NY)

Andy, who do you like in the Anaheim Classic this weekend? Also, being a Providence grad, how do you think PC matches up with Baylor and then potentially ASU and Wake?

Andy Katz

  (1:49 PM)

It's a great field. You're not even mentioning Saint Mary's and UTEP. This may be the most balanced tournament in the country outside of Orlando. No question I would say if I weren't going to Orlando I'd want to be in Anaheim.

David Fairborn, OH

I know it wasn't against the greatest competition, but UC is looking kind of solid at 4-0 right now...is this a sign of good things to come?

Andy Katz

  (1:50 PM)

Yes. I fully expect Cincinnati to be in contention for an NCAA berth. That's why I believe the Big East could go 10 deep to the NCAAs.

Andy Katz

  (1:50 PM)

Thanks for all the questions. Enjoyed the chat. Sorry had to go later today due to the Indiana story. Will resume next week at 11 a.m.