Dana O'Neil

  (2:00 PM)

Some great games to watch on pre-turkey day, so lets' get at it.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Dana, Is Alabama a NCAA Tounry team? and what are your thoughts of there season?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:00 PM)

Hey Brad: Not the way Alabama is playing right now, no. Need a whole lot more out of Gee to be legit.

Lubbock, TX

The Xavier Musketeers have really taken off in the last seven years or so. I expected them to have an off year after losing so many seniors, but they really surprised me this weekend in Puerto Rico. What do you see as their greatest strength and greatest weakness this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:02 PM)

Was very surprised with X in Puerto Rico. Terrell Holloway is a big part of the solution, so they'll need him back from injury as fast as possible. But what I like about this team is the same thing they had going last year - fearlessness and confidence.

Kevin (Morgantown, WV)

We knew that the Big East was going to be the deepest and most talenteded conference this season... But are you surprised at the body of work the Big East (including the lower half of the league) is doing out of conference to start the season (Seton Hall over USC, Syracuse over Kansas, Notre Dame over Texas, etc.)?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:03 PM)

Kevin: Stunned by Seton Hall but they play very hard. Moderately surprised by Syracuse, tho I've thought all along they were going to be very good this year and expected Notre Dame to be good, pretty even with Texas. That said, league is definitely a beast

Michael (Brooklyn, NY)

Dana - please answer this one on UConn. When Robinson returns mid December, should Calhoun continue with the 3 guard offense or insert him into small forward? Big or small?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:04 PM)

Michael: Nice problem to have. If it was me, not broke don't fix it. I'd stick with the three guards for now but knowing the luxury to go bigger is right there.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Ms. O'Neil: Seems like forever since I joined one of your chats. As a Syracuse fan, should I be encouraged by their performance over the last few days? I'm hoping for a run like we saw back in the 'Melo/G-Mac days.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:05 PM)

JB: Welcome back. You should be very encouraged. LIke this team a lot. Frankly not sure why the win over Florida was termed an upset, rankings aside. Beating Kansas in Kansas City is no small feat.

Bill NY

I am very interested in the old spice classic. Who do you see making a statement and do you see experienced Siena knocking off a young tennessee team?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:07 PM)

Bill: Great field. Siena certainly is capable of beating Tennessee. Hasbrouck is a great player, don't care what league he's in. anxious to see how Gonzaga does with expectations.

Kevin (Schenctady, NY)

Hello Dana, Great to talk to you again. This year I am sure Gary will get the Terps back to the tournament and that they will surprise some people. How do you see them doing in the Old Spice Classic? I think 2-1 is a reasonable possibility for them.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:08 PM)

Kevin: 2-1 is possible though the presumable second game against Okie State is no walkover. Big tourney for the Terps, I think, to show if they are in fact on the way back.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:08 PM)

Kevin: 2-1 is possible though the presumable second game against Okie State is no walkover. Big tourney for the Terps, I think, to show if they are in fact on the way back.

Javon (Ma)

Dana, is there any hope for UMass to contend in the A10 this year? It looks like DK has is hands full.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:10 PM)

Javon: gonna be rough this year, especially with Xavier playing so well, Temple and Dayton to contend with. Give him time.

BK (mpls)

Care to share any thoughts on the Committee's ruling for IU/Sampson?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:11 PM)

BK: Frankly I'm glad.Anyone who saw Indiana against St. Joe's knows Indiana has a de facto postseason ban in place this year. The school has been decimated and I'm glad to see the person who broke the rules finally receiving the punishment.

Matt (Bethlehem, PA)

Dana, I thought what Loyola did to Steph Curry last night was a disgrace to the game. Your thoughts?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:12 PM)

matt; wasn't pretty, that's for sure but Jimmy Patsos isn't going for style points. He's trying to make the game winnable. I give Curry a load of credit for not forcing a thing and instead doing the right thing.

jim (NY)

Dana, thank you for being right on about the cuse! Should Jonny Flynn get consideration for even national POY?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:13 PM)

Jim: Way early for that and a tough trio to crack with Blake Griffin, Steph Curry and Tyler Hansgrough. Big East Player of the Year, now that's a legit possibility if he keeps this up.

Michael (Evansville, IN)

Now that we've seen a little of the new IU team, could you see them going winless in the Big 10? With Northeastern and Cornell being pretty decent mid-major teams, I only see ONE game against D-I competition where IU will be significantly favored the rest of the season (Lipscomb).

Dana O'Neil

  (2:14 PM)

Michael: Northwestern is still in the league, right? Seriously...not winless, no. They'll win a few at home but it's going to be a loooooooong season.

ray gordon reid tallahassee fla 32306

QUESTION TO DANA'0NEIL AT AT 2.15 PM HI DANA WHO FROM BIG 12 GOING NCAA THIS MARCH

Dana O'Neil

  (2:16 PM)

Ray: Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas are locks to me. Baylor likely. A&M and Missouri possible.

Patrick (Seattle, WA)

What are your thoughts on the Legends Classic coming up on Friday? Does anyone there have a chance to upset Pitt?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:17 PM)

Patrick: I'll be there so curious of that myself. Guessing Texas Tech won't score 167 against the Panthers, so that's not likely. Wazzu might make it interesting. Similar styles. First team to 40 wins.

Ben (Charlotte)

Michigan is 4-1 and looking the part of a contender in the Big 10, do you think the finally make the tourney this season? and does Manny Harris have a shot at 1st team all Big 10?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:18 PM)

Ben: NOt sure about a contender yet. Still work to do to crack the crew of Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin. and not sure yet about NCAA but they're better, definitely better.

Geoffrey (Berrien Springs, MI )

Dana, with a loss to UNC tonight, will Notre Dame remain in the top ten after beating texas last night?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:18 PM)

Geoffrey: Depends on how they lose. Close, probably. Rout, no way. I'd be stunned by a rout, by the way.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Ms. O'Neil: Do you think Ed DeChellis could be on the hot seat in Happy Valley?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:19 PM)

JB: Last I checked they haven't lost, so certainly not right now, no.

Jamie (Asheville, NC

How badly do you thing it bothers players when in a big matchup ( as in UNC-ND) that the hype centers around 2 players the way it has Hansbrough and Harangody? Also, do you agree that people put too much on the head to head matchup in terms of who outdid who?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:20 PM)

Jamie: Never thought about it. Suppose it could bother a person or at the very least motivate them. As for the individual match-ups, end of the day the W matters most but it makes for good water cooler conversation to debate who is better. Doesn't bother me.

Pat (Spokane, WA)

Who are your top five players in the OSC?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:22 PM)

Pat; Know I'm gonna forget someone... Lucas, Daye, Tyler Smith, Hasbrouck, Greg Monroe. OK.. who'd i forget?

Tim (Chicago)

Why is it that people love to knock the Big Ten when there are much worse leagues out there? The SEC and Pac 10 are pitiful. Why doesn't somebody pick on them?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:23 PM)

Tim: Be glad to. The SEC is awful. Truly awful.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Is Miami the most formidable opponent for the big 2 in the ACC? Is anyone else even close?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:24 PM)

Matt: I'd throw Wake Forest in there too.

Jeremy (NYC)

Dana - which team(s) are capable of beating UNC for the national title?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:26 PM)

Jeremy: The obvious: Connecticut, Louisville. Maybe Michigan State.

Jordan (Louisville KY)

Is Louisville a title contender?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:26 PM)

Jordan: In my little corner of the world they are. Picked the Cards to win the title. Love Samardo.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

My bad on the DeChellis question. I meant if the team does not have a very good year.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:27 PM)

JB: You'd have to define bad season. Penn State isn't big on getting rid of anybody (see Paterno, Joe; Portland, Rene) and I think the argumentt is they had a lot of infrastructure to get in order first.

Andrew (NYC)

I'm assuming that since the SEC is awful that you like Dayton to take out Auburn in Chicago Friday night. How about the Flyers against Marquette on Saturday?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:28 PM)

Andrew: Give you Auburn. Marquette a little tougher. Think their trio of guards is really really good.

Tyler (Los Angeles, CA)

Hi Dana. The Pac-10 hasn't looked pretty thus far. The best is yet to come or a long season of more of the same?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:30 PM)

Tyler: Not impressive, is it? Think USC will get its act together. Think Wazzu could be better than we though. So maybe a turnaround of some degree.

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

Dana, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Harangody and his buddies will not be able to keep up with the high octane Tar Heels tonight, will they? I think UNC's speed and depth will wear the Irish down in the second half. What do you think?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:33 PM)

Dan: Irish aren't afraid to fly if need be. think it will be a very good game, especially if Hansbrough not 100 percent

Dana O'Neil

  (2:33 PM)

Dan: Irish aren't afraid to fly if need be. think it will be a very good game, especially if Hansbrough not 100 percent

Dillon (Pittsburgh)

Could Sam Young be one of the most underrated players in College Basketball? He just put Pitt on his back last night with the absence of Blair. Probably would have been a completely different game with Blair in there.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:34 PM)

Dillon: He's pretty under the radar, I agree and he was incredible in the BET last year. He's quiet, which is part of it and Pitt isn't flashy.

Nick Chicago IL

Is College Basketball Parity too strong for the Tarheels to go undefeated?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:35 PM)

Nick: I think so. It's so hard. We've seen already how injuries can cause scares and it's not likee the Heels are in a cupcake league

Paul (Kentucky)

If the Big East were to get nine or ten teams into the NCAA's do you think the BE would cut into Mid Majors into non automatic qualifiers from the other traditional power conferences? And can the BE get 10 in?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:36 PM)

Paul: interesting question. Someone is going to get bumped if 9 or 10 get in from the Big East. But not necessarily mid-major team. If the Valley has two really good teams, they're in. Maybe it's the 4th team from the SEC...

Mike (Connecticut)

Dana, is Kemba Walker a stud or what?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:36 PM)

Mike: Yes indeed he is.

Tyler (Dallas)

What was Mason doing last night against Notre Dame? the offense would score every time Texas tried to penetrate but Mason seemed to think that throwing up 3 point bricks was the way to go. this hasd got to change if texas wants to go deep in March

Dana O'Neil

  (2:37 PM)

Tyler; Biggest problem w/ Texas right now is they don't have a point guard. AJ Abrams isn't one and they need one who wants to be a point guard, not a shooter. If it's going to be Mason he's got to stop tossing bricks.

Jordan (Louisville KY)

Wich conference is worse. The PAC 10, or the SEC? (I am anti Kentucky)

Dana O'Neil

  (2:38 PM)

Jordan: THanks for the disclaimer. I think it's the SEC. Tennessee is in and after that, I don't know. Maybe LSU, maybe Florida.

Dan Glen Rock, NJ

I feel the same way about Paul Harris as Dillon does about Blair. Thoughts?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:39 PM)

Dan: Think Syracuse overall has been overlooked this year because of previous struggles. And certainly that includes Harris.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Now you can't put DeChellis in the group with Joe Pa and Rene Portland. Both had success with their programs at some point. Let's say if the Nittany Lions don't play .400 basketball in conference. Would the university consider removing Ed and looking for someone else to run the basketball program? I can't believe I'm talking this much Nittany Lions basketball!

Dana O'Neil

  (2:40 PM)

JB: This could be a record for Penn State hoops questions. Better analogy - Jerry Dunn. And don't throw the Sweet 16 run at me. Point is, DeChellis needs to win, yes but the bar for hoops is set pretty low. He's got some wiggle room.

Dave (Florida)

Dana, if ND beats UNC tonight, will the AP Top 25 show Big East teams #1 - #4 next Monday? UConn, ND, LV, Pitt ?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:41 PM)

Dave: Depends on how Michigan State does in Florida and Pitt in Newark but there's no question, top 25 is Big East top heavy.

Barry (Sacramento, CA)

What at the chances of Saint Mary's pulling a few upsets/winning the whole thing in the 76 Classic this week?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:43 PM)

Barry: It's not out of the realm of possibility. Wake could be tough in the second round but it's not outlandish.

Jim Calhoun (CT)

Maybe I value your opinion Dana; What do you know/like about Ater Majok?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:46 PM)

Jim: Nah, you don't. And I gotta be honest, having seen him so know only what i've heard. you're far more in on that stuff.

Jennifer, MD

Who is the best point guard in the country? Flynn, Collins, etc,?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:47 PM)

Jennifer: I'm going with Steph Curry.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:47 PM)

Jennifer: I'm going with Steph Curry.

D. Schwab (Raleigh, NC)

Dana, Is there a BETTER SHOOTER in the country than Kyle McAlarney?!

Dana O'Neil

  (2:48 PM)

D: From the arc, maybe not. Though I go back again to Steph Curry as a close 2nd.

Bob F (Chicago)

Dana you got the hiccups? Your double posting. Your double posting.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:49 PM)

Bob: Pre-turkey wine. sorry

Chris (Tulsa,OK)

If you could decide on who would give the best game. Right now, who would your national championship game be. Just on best game to watch?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:50 PM)

Chris: Would be the game I picked to see: Carolina v. Louisville. Great players, great tempo, great coaches.

Jerrell (VA)

No love for seth curry?? he's averaging 22 ppg and dropped 26 on UVA

Dana O'Neil

  (2:50 PM)

Jerrell: If Dell would adopt me, I'd join the family. So lots of love for Seth too.

Chris (Tulsa,OK)

Thoughs on Oklahoma this year. And whats the mid-major to watch out for this year.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:51 PM)

Chris Going to see Oklahoma in New York tonight. Should be an interesting game. Willie Warren makes them so much better and Griffin could be the most intense player this side of Hansbrough. Mid major to watch... Siena.

Brad (Las Vegas)

Good afternoon Dana! Thanks for the chat however why isn't anyone giving any love to UNLV? We are 5-0 with two quality wins over SD and at UTEP. Lon Kruger's teams get better and better as the year goes on. What do you see for the Runnin' Rebels Dana?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:52 PM)

Brad: Know Andy Katz has been talking the Rebels up all year. Very good team with a very good player in Wink Adams. Expect them to win their conf and be a tough out in the tourney.

Brian (Sacramento, CA)

Hows does USC blow two games up by double digits? No, serious. HOW?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:53 PM)

Brian: Watched it happen and don't have answers. They got outhustled, that's the simple truth. No way Seton Hall with 7 players beats that team otherwise. Don't know if they thought both games were in the bag (first time, forgivable, 2nd not so much) and stopped playing but makes zero sense. Derozan is lost right now but this isn't his fault. he's a freshman. .

David (New York City, NY)

The big east tournament will be really tough. The winner may potentially have to beat tougher (as tough) teams than in the final four. Could it potentially hurt the BET champion having to play all those difficult games day after day right before the NCAAs?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:54 PM)

David: I don't see it that way. I think playing tough teams makes you better and the other thing, you have so many styles in the league that teams should be prepared for everything.

Tom (Austin)

Brian Zoubek? Since when did Duke shore up the center spot?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:55 PM)

Tom: Talked to Zoubek in the preseason and he was very anxious to prove he could play. Done in by injuries last season and never healthy. He's not dynamic but he's solid which is way more than they had last year.

ryan

does miami fl have a chance at the final four

Dana O'Neil

  (2:56 PM)

Ryan: No. Sorry.

Alex (Princeton)

So we keep hearing the 8-10 Big East teams could make the field of 65. How many Big East teams could you see making the second weekend and filling up the Sweet 16?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:57 PM)

Alex: Who knows? Depends on matchups? Who's good enough? Connecticut, Louisville, Pitt, Notre Dame, Marquette, Georgetown, villanova. Won't happen that way of course

Joel (Tucson, AZ)

Dana can you tell all the Big East fans to get off their high horse, sure any conference would be good with 16 teams to choose from.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:58 PM)

Joel: Nope, I can't. Do it by percentages. 10 of 16 could make the tourney. That's 62 percent of the league. How many can say that?

Broad Street Brian (philly)

Is Nova Elite 8 good?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:59 PM)

Broad Street: Not sure yet. Like how Dante Cunningham is asserting himself and good to see Corey Stokes scoring the ball. But then again i didn't see them in the sweet 16 last year.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:59 PM)

Broad Street: Not sure yet. Like how Dante Cunningham is asserting himself and good to see Corey Stokes scoring the ball. But then again i didn't see them in the sweet 16 last year.

Cole (LA)

dana, how far do u think Duke is going in this year's NCAA tourney?

Dana O'Neil

  (3:00 PM)

Cole: Further than last yer :) Good enough to make the Elite 8 and who knows after that.

Dana O'Neil

  (3:01 PM)

Alright folks, gotta train to catch to NY. Eat lots of turkey, watch the NFL and nap. Enjoy the holiday!