Dana O'Neil

  (2:01 PM)

Hey everyone, season is getting interested. Let's get started

Alex (Princeton)

Let's get the Philly question out of the way early. What did you get out of the Villanova game last night? It was a sloppy game, but I think they showed that they will make a tough out in March. Also amazed at Dante Cunningham's play. Definitely could be playing himself into Big East POY conversation.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:03 PM)

Alex: sure let's talk Villanova to start. Clearly they need to get better play out of all 3 guards but especially Scottie Reynolds. Talked to Jay Wright who was saying they need to find Scottie easier shots and couldn't agree more. As for Dante, VERY impressed. He's hitting that outside jumper with ease. Not sure he's player of hte year caliber but he's much much improved.

Earnest (Battlte Creek, MI)

Do you think Manny Harris is ranked in the top 50 players in college basketball?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:03 PM)

Earnest: Michigan has to be the surprise of the early season and much of their success is due to Manny Harris, not just his ability but his willingness to change to Beilein's system.

Mike (DC)

Is there a better starting five in college basketball than Wright, Sapp, Freeman, Summers, and Monroe?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:04 PM)

Mike: Um... I'm gonna stick with the 5 in Carolina for now.

Matt (Cincinnati,Ohio)

Hey, Dana I was wondering if Xavier improves how far do you think they will go in the tournament. Also, do they have a shot of beating Duke next week.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:05 PM)

Matt: Xavier is much better early than I expected. They need Holloway healthy to make a good run but their defense is strong and theirr frontcourt is very tough. Should give Duke a game, I think.

Reese (Charlotte, NC)

Dana, can you see UNC having trouble by any of their non-conference opponents they still faced to play until conference play begins? Thanks.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:06 PM)

Reese: Hard to see any trouble until ACC play starts.

Justin (Poplar Bluff, Mo.)

Hey Dana, how good is Texas this year? Are they good enough to win it all? What concerns you the most about them?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:08 PM)

Justin: I had Texas in my original Final Four and still like them.. My only concern is their lack of offense. I think it will improve as the season goes on but their inability to score allows teams to stick around - a la Villanova - and that could bite them

Bryan (Clemson, SC)

How do teams with one and two losses stand in the top 20 polls, when Clemson is undefeated and ranked inside the top 5 on the computer rankings. I believe its time to change up whoever votes in these polls. There is clearly some favoritism going around.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:09 PM)

Bryan: Early season polls are always a mess, based on reputation and last year's success or failure. I had Clemson in my top 25, ditto Dayton for whatever that's worth

Adam (St. Louis MO.)

How about them Tigers? I mean nobody is talking about them at all, they just absolutly destroyed a decent Cal team and beat USC earlier in the year. What are your thoughts right now about the up and coming Tigers?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:10 PM)

Adam: Missouri is much improved this year, no doubt. Like their defense. Like Carroll. tough league to contend in this year but expect them to be in the thick of things.

Scott(Bowling Green, KY)

Does Kentucky have it in them to compete for the SEC this year.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:11 PM)

Scott: Not seeing that just yet. To me Tennessee is far and away best team in the league. .Now the Wildcats did get better last year as the season progressed so nothing is settled yet.

Lucas(NY,NY)

How good is Pitt? Can Sam Young carry this team to the Final Four?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:12 PM)

Lucas: I think Pitt is very good, best they've been in a while. Like the fact they can still grind it out when they need to but they can out and run as well. Fields needs to get back into playing shape for a long run

Dana O'Neil

  (2:12 PM)

Lucas: I think Pitt is very good, best they've been in a while. Like the fact they can still grind it out when they need to but they can out and run as well. Fields needs to get back into playing shape for a long run

Dan (Hawk Hill)

Any chance St Joe's can upset Villanova tonight on the road? Also, since St Joe's in playing their "home" games at the Palestra, will the selection committee consider all of those games as "neutral court" games?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:13 PM)

Dan: Game is tomorrow and I'd be surprised. St. Joe's, to me, is going through something of a transition year. Villanova could have a Texas hangover but can't see it on their own floor. Palestra, I believe, is their homecourt this year so no extra bonus points for playing there.

Earnest (Battle Creek, MI)

With Michigan having played a tough early season with playing Duke twice UCLA. Do you think as the season get thicker they can pull out the tough road wins, and get to the Detroit?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:14 PM)

Earnest: Detroit? As in the Final Four? Simmer down, my friend. Enjoy what you've got, which is a team way better than anyone expected this early.

Broad Street Brian (Philly)

Dana! Thank goddness, a College Basketball expert who is actually an expert is here! Thank you for stopping by. What's gotten into the LaSalle Explorers? Are they going to be players in the A-10 this year or a tease?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:15 PM)

I'll take the flattery and run w/ it though it's probably not true. La Salle is getting better. Gianninni getting players. Is this THE year? Not sure about that. Think there's still a divide w/ Xavier and Dayton but I do think that the Explorers are on the up curve.

DJ Cuse

If the Zags can beat WSU, and Tenn,Memphis or Conn how high a seed can they get this year? Seems every year the committee gives them a lower seed then they deserve? Could they steal the#1 seed in the west seeing there is nobody out there?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:16 PM)

DJ: That's a lot of what ifs, but presume they all happen and they don't lay an egg in conference, yes. This isn't some nice little Gonzaga team. This is a loaded team and the committee will know that.

Tom(Harrsiburg, PA)

After watching Dukes horrible shooting and inability to get to the free throw line against Michigan do you still see them as the top threat to UNC in the ACC or is Wake Forest going to claim the number 2 spot?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:18 PM)

Tom: I do. I like Wake, but they're young. No doubt the Blue Devils can't afford many bad shooting nights but I think they're the toughest competition for UNC

Philip (Dallas)

Dana - what's it going to take for you to rank Baylor in your top 25 on the ESPN Power Poll? They've beaten Arizona St. (neutral) and Washington State on the road. Only loss is to Wake Forest.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:19 PM)

Philip: Little more. Not real high on Wazzu this year, having seem them in Newark. But Baylor is good, a definite tourney team

Bill D (Louisville, KY)

Do you think the Louisville loss to Western Kentucky a sign of things to come or was it just a lack of games played at this point in the season? Are they still final four material?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:20 PM)

Bill: Blip on the screen, but they do need to get their act together. Have been a little too lethargic for my taste. Still believe they have the parts for the Final Four and the coach to get the effort out of them. .

Will J (Portland, OR)

Dana, will Stephen Curry be a PG in the NBA?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:21 PM)

Will J: I hate trying to predict the NBA. Saw them wait and wait on Jameer Nelson, who was a much more pure point than Curry, because of his size. No question to me that Curry belongs in the league.

Brendan (Philly)

After last nights game, what do you expect from Villanova in Big East play and beyond?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:22 PM)

Brendan: Well they need better guard play to m ake noise in that league. I like this team, think they'll get better but they still lack the nastiness they need to succeed in that league. I always look for the Kyle Lowry guy who is going to give them an identity.

Laura- CT

I feel Big East play this year is going to be incredible to watch from beginning to end. How do you feel about the early UConn/Georgetown matchup the 29th of December in Hartford? Will this be a defining game in the Big East being that it is so early?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:24 PM)

Laura: Should be a great game and my lucky colleague, Andy Katz, will be there. I'm not cerrtain it will be THE defifnining game because I think there are some other teams a touch more talented than Georgetown but it will be the beginning of a list of great games

ray gordonreid warner robbins ga 31093

QUESTION DANA O' NEIL AT 2.25 PM HI DANA JIMMY .V DAVIDSON OR LONGHORNS TONIGHT

Dana O'Neil

  (2:25 PM)

Ray: Wish it worked that way but alas, it doesn't. No game tonight

Chris (Cuse)

Who's the better point guard, Johnny Flynn or Ty Lawson?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:26 PM)

Chris: tough question but I'm going with Jonny Flynn by a hair. He was everything to that team last year because he had to be.

Kevin, Portland

I think it is safe to assume that PJ Carlesimo won't get anonther NBA head job. Can you see him back as a college coach?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:26 PM)

Kevin: It's been a long time but coaches never retire. They just get recycled so why not?

Earnest (Battle Creek, MI)

Is Curry the next top player in Collegge basketball next to Hansbrough

Dana O'Neil

  (2:27 PM)

Earnest: I picked Curry as my player of the year, so I guess I'd reverse the order. No doubt it's those two and Blake Griffin.

Big East noise is annoying

After their relative flame-out with 8 teams in the tounrney last year and their 10-14 record vs top 50 and 2-4 vs current top 25--could you please pass the word to heads at ESPN to stop slobbering about the Big East being clearly the best conf when they have failed to prove it on the floor repeatidly?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:29 PM)

Funny you should say that, was just talking with a colleague about that today. I agree. The league has not been quite as good as advertised - Louisville losses to WKU, Dayton beats Marquette, Notre Dame isn't quite what I expected yet. But... it's December and there is still an awful lot of talent in that league.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Who's the best player you've ever seen at the college level, in person?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:33 PM)

Will: Yikes, tough tough question. I'm going to forget someone, God knows. i'll forget someone. Go back to Mashburn, Laettner (am I dating myself) through Oden, Durant, Rose, Beasley. Who am I forgetting?

victor monroe,la

what did you think of the davidson west virginia gamelast night?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:34 PM)

Victor; Couple of things. For starters, Curry is just crazy good and the team has a nice balance. Lovedale is a great compliment. But also West Virginia was playing without 2 starters so I'm not down on them yet, either.

Brett (Memphis,TN)

Who is going to be Memphis's solution to their Point Guard problem? With Tyreke Evans play, it prompt him to stick around for a another season? Will John Wall see his incredible opportunity to play along Xavier and come to Memphis?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:36 PM)

Brett: If I could answer the question about Wall, I'd be a popular person. No idea how that will break. Believe Cal is planning to go w/ Witherspoon at hte point. As for Tyreke, I don't think he's ready to go but he wouldn't be the first person to go anyway... and make money on promise and potential

Joe (Cuse)

Unless you never saw Carmelo in person, I'd say you're forgetting him.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:36 PM)

Joe: See. Told you I'd forget someone.

Jim (Parkersburg, WV)

When Ruoff and Mazulla return, WVU will obviously be more competitive. Especially with their ability to rebound. Assume one more lost before Big East play, will a 9-9 conference record be an auto bid from the Big East? (19-12, 9-9)

Dana O'Neil

  (2:37 PM)

Jim: So hard to predict. Who are the 9 wins against? Seton Hall, South Florida and St. John or UConn, Georgetown and Pitt? Let's put it this way... in tthe league they're going to have ample opportunity to play their way in.

Chris (Columbus)

Looks like the SEC and Pac-10 are both bad this year. Only three top-25 teams between those two conferences (and nobody else looking like top-25 material).

Dana O'Neil

  (2:38 PM)

Chris: Agree,. Wasn't real impressed with either league going into the season and nothing has changed my opinion.

Becky, Arkansas

How would you rate Gonzaga this year.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:39 PM)

Becky: Think Gonzaga is a legit top 5 team. Very very very good.

victor monroe,la

and part 2 of my question is do you see lsu and davidson in the ncaa this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:42 PM)

victor: yes to both.

Brett (Memphis,TN)

How good is Xavier really? And do you thing Michigan could be the surprise of the season and make a deep run in the tournament? Oh and how disappointing has UCLA been this season, do you think the program could be in trouble?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:43 PM)

Brett: Michigan is my surprise of hte season right now, for certain. Xavier is good defensively, OK offensively. Best team in that league right now, with a close 2nd to Dayton. As for UCLA, the loss was at Texas. Not ready to throw in the towel in on the season at all.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Dana, my two favorite teams to watch of all-time were Michigan (Fab-5), and UNLV 1991 squad, and 1996 Kentucky Wildcats (probably best team ever).

Dana O'Neil

  (2:44 PM)

will: all good choices. my nod might go to kentucky

brandon (knoxville tn)

what do you think the chances that PITT gets D. Cheek?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:45 PM)

Brandon: In the mix as far as I know but I can't say I'm plugged in enough to make a great guess.

Matt (NYC)

You may have left Carmelo off that best player you have seen in college list. If including one-and-dones like Durant and Oden he has to be there. He at least one the titel unlike those two.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:45 PM)

Matt; Owned up to that. You're absolutely right.

Justin, SC

What do you think Clemson's chances are of competing in the ACC? Are they a tournament team?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:46 PM)

Justin: Think Clemson is a tourney team, yes. As for hte league, Carolina and Duke woould be my top tier, followed by Wake and then Clemson

Santa Clause

Ho, Ho, Ho! Have a happy holiday Dana.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:46 PM)

Santa: thanks, santa. make sure you stop here please.

Sam (Boone, NC)

Dana...all of you at ESPN are giving too much love to Flynn. Are his numbers even comparable to Ty Lawson? Why does everyone think Duke can compete with UNC without anyone at the all important post position. And no...Zoubeck does not count.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:47 PM)

Sam: I've long questioned Duke's ability to be competitive without a big man, but these guys are so athletic and versatile they compensate for it. And numbers don't always tell the story. Lawson is playing with an NBA team. Flynn isn't.

Justin (Poplar Bluff, Mo.)

Hey Dana, do you see Quinn Snyder coming back to college coaching? If so when and where possibly?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:48 PM)

Justin: Boy, I'd be stunned. It's the land of redemption, heaven knows. Todd Bozeman is employed after all but that would be a very big surprise to me.

Ken (DeWitt, NY)

Which teams do you see competing for the BE championship? Does the Cuse belong in that discussion?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:48 PM)

Ken: I like Syracuse this year but as for the top teams in the league, I'd have to stick with UConn, Pitt and Louisville as the top choices

Brian, Levittown,Pa

Hi Dana Happy Holidays. What do you think of Lavroy Allen form Temple and do you think he will blossom enough to go pro?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:49 PM)

Brian: I think Lavoy has all the talents. He just has to use them consistently. THis should be a big year for him. Temple needs someone to help out Christmas and when Fernandez arrives from Argentina that will make everyone better.

Mike (SF, CA)

Dana, what will it take to see Saint Mary's back in the top 25 this year? With games against SDSU, Oregon, So. Ill. and Pacific all on either neutral or road courts, what will wins in these games do for them?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:51 PM)

Mike: Off the radar now. None of those games alone will vault them into the top 25. Solid body of work, other teams dropping off will get them on the board.

Tom (Austin)

Weirdest thing about the Duke-Michigan game, Duke rarely took a "bad" shot. Most of those threes were open ones with feet set after ball movement. Might we just chalk that loss up to a bad shooting night for Duke coupled with a career night for Sims?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:52 PM)

Tom: Sure that's going to happen. Catch is, they need to be able to stop guys when they don't shoot well to win.

dana o'neil (new york)

hey we got the same name... cool.... anyways wats your final four as of right now?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:53 PM)

Dana: Ok, that's weird. I married into my name. Anyway... Carolina naturally. After that, it's almost wide open among the top 10. .Presuming I have to pick, right? Texas, Louisville (I'm stubborn) and UConn

Dana O'Neil

  (2:54 PM)

FYI Syracuse fans, just got something forwarded to me that says the judicial committee is expected to render its decision on Eric Devendorf tomorrow.

Jeff - Cincy, OH

Dana, Would you go as far to say that this Xavier team is way over-rated...I know everyone else is losing but they basically have beaten a less-than-stellar Memphis team and Missouri (who is surprisingly decent). I have watched them play every game and have to say that they are definitely the worst team in the top 10, maybe even the top 25...

Dana O'Neil

  (2:55 PM)

Jeff: I'm not sure they're top 10 but they're definitely top 25. Saw them in person in Puerto Rico and they play hard. Holloway makes a big, big difference

Gary Williams (College Park)

Give it to me straight Dana. I'm out if I don't get to the tourney this year, aren't I?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:56 PM)

Gary: That's what I originally thought but heard maybe that isn't the case. Good news. Think you got a tourney team.

Andy (Memphis)

Is Ohio State for real or did they just catch Miami and Notre Dame at the right time?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:56 PM)

Andy: Think they're pretty good and Mullens hasn't even come into his own yet.

roy Williams (Chapel Hill)

what do I do about playing time when Marcus Ginyard comes back... send Danny to the bench? Yah right, might I have some ego issues to face when ACC season rolls around?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:57 PM)

Roy: Marcus isn't going to be 100 pecent even when he's cleared, so you have some wiggle room to decide. I say stick w/ what you have and roll Marcus off the bench. What a nice problem to have. Boo hoo for you, huh?

Jimmy San Diego

Hey Dana your thoughts on the UA they have played tuff and are jelling...only 2 tuff loss by 2 pts how do you think they fare....Thanks JBONE

Dana O'Neil

  (2:58 PM)

Jimmy: If Michigan wasn't my surprise team, Arizona would be. With all the chaos surrounding that team, I am very impressed. Know they have talent but teams have crumbled under less.

Johnny Dawkins (Palo Alto)

Do I even have a shot at making the tourney with this team here in my first year? Probably not, right?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:58 PM)

Johnny: Probably not. Hang in there. It's year one.

Ryan (Charlotte)

How many teams make the dance from the ACC? What kind of shot do you give the Wolfpack?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:59 PM)

Ryan: Right now I'd say Wolfpack are on the outside but they are better than last year, which shouldn't be the case but addition by subtraction, I guess. I'd say 5 right now.

ken

What are your early impressions of Nick Calathes and the Gators? Can they compete with Tennessee for the SEC east?

Dana O'Neil

  (3:01 PM)

Ken: Still not sure about the Gators. THe loss to Florida State took me off guard. Calathes is a very good player but they need to get more solid before challenging Tennessee

Tom Crean (Indiana)

What do you think Dana, bottom of the conference or second from the bottom? Can't count on Northwestern stinking it up this year....

Dana O'Neil

  (3:02 PM)

Tom: It's a battle between the two of you. Win your home games

Dana O'Neil

  (3:02 PM)

Alright folks, gotta bolt. Enjoy the week and thanks for the questions.