ESPN

Andy Katz

  (11:00 AM)

here to chat for a few

Ben (Centerville, OH)

How about Dayton over Marquette? Is there an ESPY for best dunk? If there is, then Chris Wright has to be a finalist.

Andy Katz

  (11:02 AM)

I will admit that was a pretty sweet jam. Dayton is off to a great start under Brian Gregory and appear to be the team that could challenge Xavier in the Atlantic 10.

Matt (South Bend, IN)

I don't like to mention games as important this early on, but is Purdue's matchup against Duke a must-win for Matt Painter's club?

Andy Katz

  (11:03 AM)

I wouldn't say it is a must-win by any means. Purdue just played Oklahoma to overtime in the NIT. Beating Duke would certainly establish the Boilermakers as one of the elite teams in the country. But you could make a strong argument that Purdue is close to being top 10 right now. The way Michigan State is playing Purdue is looking like the favorite for the conference title at this juncture.

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

Andy, who you got in the big matchup tomorrow night? MSU or UNC?

Andy Katz

  (11:05 AM)

I don't like to pick games I'm covering but I find it hard to pick against North Carolina based on the way the two teams are playing. But just as I type that the Spartans could win if Tyler Hansbrough doesn't play. North Carolina is hardly a one-man band, but not having Hansbrough in an electric atmosphere could hurt the Tar Heels. My gut says he plays in that environment. Michigan State must ensure that Kalin Lucas can get shots off since Tom Izzo said he is the go-to guy. Raymar Morgan has to be consistent too. And as Izzo said in Orlando the Spartans have to "check" on the perimeter.

Steiny (NYC)

Syracuse moved into the Top 25. How far can they move up?

Andy Katz

  (11:06 AM)

The Orange can keep climbing. This will be a very fluid top 25 this season. I could see plenty of teams moving in and out and up and down all the way to No. 2 throughout the season. No spot is safe, save the Tar Heels. So far UNC and Connecticut look like the only two teams that could take a hold of No. 1 for a spell.

John (Dallas)

Andy, after seeing Rose in the NBA can we now look at Collison for UCLA as a better player than was thought after losing to Memphis last year?

Andy Katz

  (11:07 AM)

Not ready to go there yet. Rose is a better pure point than Collison. I'm not sold yet on Collison's NBA career. He will play, but I don't see him as a star the way Rose has become and will be for the foreseeable future. The Rose for rookie of the year bandwagon should start to fill up.

The Dish (Elgin, IL)

I know any rivalry game is always considered a must win, but Marquette isn't looking too hot. They pretty much have to beat Wisconsin (with UT coming up in Nashville) to have a resume building non-conference victory for March, no?

Andy Katz

  (11:10 AM)

It would certainly help since the game is at home. But the Golden Eagles can compete with Tennessee in Nashville. The Big East teams will need to separate themselves in the non-conference because of the slugfest that is likely to ensue January-March.

Steiny (NYC)

Who is the best freshman in the Nation?

Andy Katz

  (11:11 AM)

I was going to say Samardo Samuels prior to him being held in check by Western Kentucky. But I still may go there overall. But check out what Seth Curry is doing at Liberty. He may end up with the best freshman numbers. At the end of the season I'll say Samuels will have the most impact, followed by Kemba Walker, DeMar DeRozan and Tyreke Evans (and Seth Curry if Liberty makes the NCAAs).

Steiny (NYC)

How thankful are you that college basketball decides its champion on the court?

Andy Katz

  (11:15 AM)

I understand why college football sticks with the bowls. I understand the tradition and that the BCS conferences keep all the money instead of sharing it with the rest of Division I. But progess people. The postseason isn't for everyone. I don't see any argument where a 6-6 Notre Dame team should be in a bowl game. None. You don't reward nor should you reward mediocrity.

Jack (San Antonio)

The best freshman in the country is Quincy Acy at Baylor.

Andy Katz

  (11:16 AM)

That's another good name. We should keep tabs on him throughout the season.

John (Dallas)

Andy, if you get a chance check out Holiday for UCLA, you might see something....

Andy Katz

  (11:17 AM)

Oops. I got distracted and forgot to mention Holiday. I will adjust my list and say that Holiday should be 1A to Samuels at this point and could easily overtake him to be freshman of the year. Thanks for the catch John.

Paul (Albany, OR)

A shocker in Fresno on Sunday Andy. I don't expect the Beavers to be winning a lot, BUT will they start to compete and build a foundation for years 3 and 4 of the Robinson era? In other words, is there real hope? Thanks.

Andy Katz

  (11:18 AM)

Yes. Oregon State just needs to learn how to win. The Beavers haven't been blown out in any game. They lost to Montana State, Howard and Yale in close games. They could and probably should have won all of them. The Nevada game in Reno was within 10 and then Oregon State won on the road at Fresno State. It will turn. Just give Craig a year at least.

Alex (Washington, DC)

What do you think the outcome will be in the Maryland vs. Michigan Big 10 game?

Andy Katz

  (11:19 AM)

It suddenly has become a huge game. Michigan needs to prove it wasn't a fluke in beating UCLA, especially with a home game against Duke upcoming. Maryland has to play like it did against Michigan State last Thursday. This is the last nonconference game the Terps will play against a potential NCAA team from a high-major conference.

Travis (Columbia Mo)

Andy, I like the direction that Mike Anderson is taking the Missouri program which has had many struggles lately. Do you think that the tigers can make the big dance this year or is it going to be a home NIT game?

Andy Katz

  (11:22 AM)

Missouri may have finally turned the corner under Anderson. The Tigers played with purpose and passion in Puerto Rico. If Missouri stay true to what Anderson wants and stay out of trouble with this lot then the Tigers have a real shot to do something in the Big 12. It helps they won't play the Big 12 South teams OU, Texas, Baylor and AandM twice this season.

Chris (MARYLAND)

Andy - The Terps are in trouble when their shots aren't falling. Can this team be successful without a Big Man, and not to take anything away from Dupree, Gregory and Milbourne isn't a BIG, but these guys aren't ready to play at the level needed to win against quality teams.? i.e. Gonzaga and Gtown...Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Andy Katz

  (11:23 AM)

I agree. The Terps have to make shots and outwork the opponent to have a chance. That will occur for a few upsets at Comcast. I'm not sure it will work on the road in the ACC. This will be a team that must win at least eight ACC games to have a chance at a bid.

Tom(Harrisburg,PA)

With the continuing development of his outside shot how do you see Tyler Hansbrough's NBA propsects come draft day?

Andy Katz

  (11:24 AM)

The NBA personnel I see at games love him and want him on their squad. They will worry about where to play him and how much once he gets on a roster. But no one I talk to has any doubt that he will have a lengthy career.

John (Clemson, SC)

Why is Clemson 7-0 and still not ranked in the top 25 but has an RPI of around 15?

Andy Katz

  (11:24 AM)

It usually takes a while for everyone to catch up on Clemson. The Tigers aren't on television much early (they will be against Illinois). Beat the Illini and the Tigers will have a decent shot at being ranked.

Chris (Providence, RI)

Ugh...rough week for the Friars. Any chance at salvaging the season, or are they destined for mediocrity yet again?

Andy Katz

  (11:27 AM)

If they were in another league like the A-10 then yes they could salvage it. Of course the Big East will provide plenty of power-rating opportunties. So there is always a chance. If they were to win nine games in the Big East then they'll have a shot.

Tom (St. Louis)

Is Wake an under the radar team? They seem to be quietly playing some pretty good ball.

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

I wouldn't say they are under the radar. Wake was one of the top teams in the ACC in the preseason. Wake is living up to the expectations I had.

Casey (Walla Walla, WA)

How about them Zags Andy? If they come through this brutal non conference unscathed, they are the # 1 team in the land right? Also, are they the toughest team in the country to scheme defensively for? With 6+ guys who can drop 20 on someone on any given night.

Andy Katz

  (11:32 AM)

It all comes down to the boards. If they can keep teams to one shot a possession or two then they can hang with anyone. They will score with any team in the country. Josh Heytvelt also has to stay out of foul trouble.

Josh (Valdosta GA)

Andy do you think there is any chance for FSU to make the big dance this year. they are 7-0 with a mostly freshman team i expected them to atleast be 5-2 at this point but they seem to be comeing together as a team and contiue to improve.

Andy Katz

  (11:34 AM)

Florida State had quality wins in Las Vegas last weekend. Beating Cal in the title game certainly proves the Seminoles can win away from home. We'll see how they hold up but FSU players and staff firmly believed they could make the NCAAs this season.Thanks again for the questions. Off to another game here soon.