ESPN

Andy Katz

  (11:00 AM)

Here to chat for a few.

Joe (Cuse)

How badly will the loss to Clev. St. hurt the Orange come selection Sunday and how much noise can the Cuse make in March?

Andy Katz

  (11:00 AM)

Not at all if the Orange keep winning road games like Memphis.

Tim (Lancaster, PA)

Andy,Last week your Power Rankings listed Xavier #6 and Duke #8. Tell me you did this to increase viewership to the CBS game last week, not because you believed Xavier was a better squad?!?

Andy Katz

  (11:03 AM)

Did I believe that at that moment? Probably not, but I was basing it on what teams had done to that point. Clearly, Duke has proven to be a much better squad.

Steiny (NYC)

Is Minnesota for real? They are off to their best start in 32 years.

Andy Katz

  (11:06 AM)

The Gophers proved they need to be taken seriously with the win over Louisville. I don't see them winning the Big Ten but I can definitely see Minnesota making the NCAAs barring a full face plant in the league.

Charlie (Ann Arbor, MI)

I know that rankings in December don't mean much, but why do you believe Michigan isn't climbing the polls? They have arguably the two best wins in college basketball this year, and their two losses are against quality opponents. Are they being punished for last year's record?

Andy Katz

  (11:06 AM)

I have long ago tried not to figure out the polls. Why is Minnesota behind Louisville?

Josh (VT)

You didn't get the second part of Joe's question, what do you think is Cuse's ceiling?

Andy Katz

  (11:07 AM)

I could see the Cuse in the Sweet 16.

Zac (NJ)

How are the gators not ranked? Also, do you think they have a shot to make it to the sec championship this year.

Andy Katz

  (11:07 AM)

How? Tell me who they've beaten? Outside of an erratic Washington?

Steiny (NYC)

Which of the following is the best basketball conference? ACC, SEC, Big 12, Pac 10, Big Ten, or the Big East?

Andy Katz

  (11:09 AM)

The Big East still has four or five teams that could make it to Detroit. But the bottom of the league is dreadful. If I had to put it in an order today I would probably go Big East, ACC, Big 12, Big 10, Pac-10 and SEC.

chauncey (teaneck)

What do you think of the state of the St. Johns basketball team?

Andy Katz

  (11:09 AM)

Irrelevant.

Mike (Dallas)

Wht isn't Texas AandM getting respect from the polls? They have quality wins and only one loss on a neutral court. In the recent coaches poll, LSU and Arizona were both ranked ahead of the Aggies. AandM beat them both.

Andy Katz

  (11:10 AM)

Probably because they haven't been on TV nationally. Still, you're right, beating Arizona at home, LSU in Houston and Alabama on the road is solid for a likely tourney team.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

You see Wake Forest up there in the top 10 now with Duke and UNC, but how real are the Deacons' chances to win the ACC title?

Andy Katz

  (11:11 AM)

Ask me after Jan. 11 if the Deacons can pull off the upset over the Tar Heels. But don't be surprised if Wake first loses at BYU Jan. 3. Of course that doesn't have anything to do with the ACC title, but it could happen.

SteveFitz (Cicero, IL)

Northwestern first ever NCAA bid in 2009?

Andy Katz

  (11:12 AM)

Losing to Stanford took a bit of steam out of this squad. The Big Ten is wide open. So I'm not ruling it out but I'd be surprised.

Will (Kansas City)

Who will make it to the tourney from the Big 12 this year?

Andy Katz

  (11:15 AM)

Right now: OU, Texas, Kansas, Baylor, Texas AandM, Missouri.That's one more than I had in the preseason.

Timmy (Lynn, MA)

Hey Andy, I know Boston College hasn't really tested themselves against anyone besides Purdue, but they are quietly off to a 9-2 record with a few more non-conference games remaining. You think they got a chance at making the big dance?

Timmy C. (Lancaster, PA)

Texas A and M has quality wins? THey have to have one of the softest non-conference schedules in the SEC!

Andy Katz

  (11:19 AM)

Sorry hit the button too quickly.First on the BC question: I do think the Eagles have a shot. They should be 13-3 after losing to UNC. But then they've got beat Miami and Wake to open the ACC at home. The Eagles need to protect the home court and beat a few of the projected top five teams at home like these two and maybe Clemson. Obviously the ACC record has to be respectable. As for the Aggies, it may look soft now but Arizona will end up in the NCAAs and so too will LSU and I wouldn't dismiss Alabama just yet in a weak SEC.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

Is this the year Memphis is challanged in C-USA? UAB, Houston and ECU have had some nice wins and the Tigers are down from last year.

Andy Katz

  (11:20 AM)

The reason they'll get challenged is more because Memphis is clearly not as talented. UAB and UTEP have a shot and Tulsa should be better (although the Golden Hurricane have played a strong schedule).

Dan (Denver)

Who do you see winning the Bragging Rights game tonight?

Andy Katz

  (11:20 AM)

I'll tell you who needs it more -- Illinois. The Tigers will have more chances for big-time wins against the top of the Big 12 than Illinois in the Big Ten.

Brandon (CO)

Andy, Washington State has three losses, all coming at the top 25, how important is this game against LSU for their tourney hopes? What do they have to do in the Pac-10?

Andy Katz

  (11:21 AM)

It would be the Cougs' first resume win of the nonconference. Obviously the Cougs must finish in the top five in the Pac-10 to have a shot.

Jason (Lawrenceburg, KY)

Andy, is Billy Gillispie finally starting to get things going at Kentucky. I know they aren't very good basketball teams they've been beating, but that's more than you can say about last year. They should beat those teams and they might even be able to beat Louisville. Patterson and Meeks are one heck of a 1-2 punch.

Andy Katz

  (11:22 AM)

I agree and he's benefiting from a two-year run in the SEC where the competition is balanced and not intimidating. Kentucky can win double figure games in the league again.

Gary (Charleston, SC)

The Tigers looked good against Miami!! What do you think about the Tigers and their chances of being a serious contender in the ACC and in March?? thanks

Andy Katz

  (11:23 AM)

Very impressed. Clemson is looking like it should finish in the top four in the ACC and be back in the Dance. Oliver Purnell has done a great job with getting over the hump.

wes, boston

how about a little love for matt janning and the northeastern huskies knocking off Indiana last night for their first big 10 win in 17 years.

Andy Katz

  (11:23 AM)

I did give NU love in my blog today.

Timmy C. (Lancaster, PA)

Andy,Do you think Henderson and Singler are playing their last year at Duke?

Andy Katz

  (11:24 AM)

Are they draft-ready? Maybe. Are they ready to contribute next season in the NBA? Nope. But those two things are rarely equal.

Adam (Phoenix, AZ

Tough loss for BYU this weekend. How will they do against Wake?

Andy Katz

  (11:25 AM)

Would not be surprised at all if they win. The stats back up that the Marriott Center is one of the toughest places to get a win in the country.

Cheese San Mateo

Andy after what win on their schedule can I start taking Cal for real or at least know who they really are as a team?

Andy Katz

  (11:25 AM)

The Missouri loss is still hard to figure. But Cal has been consistent save that game. It appears that quick teams will give this squad trouble. But in the Pac-10 that's not as much of an issue. I could see Cal finishing as high as fourth or as low as sixth.

Dj Cuse

Illini needs it more but who do you see winning?

Andy Katz

  (11:26 AM)

I'll try not to predict this early in the season, more so in March when you can grill me for beating me in the bracket.

Dave , Clarksburg WV

How about them Mountaineers Andy. No upset?

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

I know. I saw it. Miami of Ohio is good for an upset every season. I don't question looking at it as an "Upset alert," especially with the prospect that Alex Ruoff and Joe Mazzulla were questionable. What's great is clearly Huggs is watching ESPN and reading ESPN.com. That's what we want.

Steiny (NYC)

Why did the Loyola coach step down?

Andy Katz

  (11:30 AM)

He took a leave of absence. He is dealing with a tremendous amount of stress. The LMU folks are still hopeful he'll return. But he needs time away from the stress of coaching.

Mickey (Tempe, AZ)

So, is there a legitimate chance that James Harden wins the Player of the Year over Curry and Griffin even with the lack of national exposure?

Andy Katz

  (11:30 AM)

It will be difficult. But I wouldn't rule it out yet. Curry could go cold and Griffin, well, he could suddenly stop playing I guess.

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

Thanks for the questions.Have a good holiday everyone.