Dana O'Neil

  (12:01 PM)

Hello holiday hoops fans. Lots of interesting games to discuss, so on Calipari, on Boeheim, on Izzo and Crean. Ok sorry... questions...

Michael (Little Rock, AR)

Dana, thanks for your time, I have one burning question. Why one earth is Texas A&M getting no respect? They are 10-1 and have proven they can win and are still far from being ranked in the Top 25. Since neutral floor loss to Tulsa, A&M has quality wins over Arizona in College Station, Alabama in Tuscoloosa, and LSU in Houston. Does that not prove anything? People love to talk about Arizona and LSU but they are forgetting A&M beat them both! Please explain.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:02 PM)

Michael: Can't explain. No doubt the Aggies have been flying off radar all season (which can be a good thing). Believe that will change this week and it should. They have very good wins and the loss to Tulsa is far from a bad one.

Derek Fortney Fairview WV

Do you think that with the game Alex Ruoff had last night, that the Mountaineers have a good chance to beat the overrated buckeyes of Ohio State???????

Dana O'Neil

  (12:04 PM)

Derek: I think w/ Ruoff and Mazzulla healthy, the Mountaineers are another team flying under the radar. They were without 3 starteres against Davidson and still gave them all they could handle. Never count out a Bob Huggins team.

Brian (Orlando)

Dana: Will my Gators make the tournament this year? Calathes is great, but the team looks too soft to me. However, if Calathes comes back next year, I think the additions of Macklin and Boynton and the maturation of the young bigs should make us a top 15 team. Thoughts?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:05 PM)

Brian: I just don't know. I haven't really been that impressed this year, to be honest. Very erratic. Definitely should be a good team next year and I would hope Calathes comes back.

Timmy C. (Lancaster, PA)

Dana, You've got Texas ranked #4 in last weeks power rankings. What makes you think they're a 1 seed come March?

David (New York City, NY)

Dana - what are your impressions of the past Saturday UConn vs Gonzaga matchup?

Albert Hayes Bowling GreenKy

Do you think Kentucky will a top contender in the sec,or ncaa

Dana O'Neil

  (12:11 PM)

Albert: Should be a player in the SEC. The league is wide-open awful. Meeks has been crazy good and if Patterson can start to hang with him, Kentucky could steal the league. As for NCAA, not sure if this team is built for a deep run

Kevin (Cincy)

So is Xavier overrated? Is it possible to be overrated when you were underrated a week ago? And what about Dayton? Is the A-14 a 2-bid league?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:13 PM)

Kevin: over-ranked, definitely. Xavier was the beneficiary of a high ranking based on last year coupled with teams in front of them losing. Remember. They lost 4,000 points from last year. Still a good team, still favored in the league but need more consistency out of Holloway. As for Dayton, very good team with a nice win over Marquette. To me, Xavier, Dayton and Temple - if it gets its act together - all are vying for an NCAA spot.

Steve (Syracuse, NY)

Is Cuse a better team without Devo?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:13 PM)

Steve; No.

Jeff (Piscataway, NJ)

Dana, still think Louisville can win the National Championship? After that bad loss to Minnesota....

Dana O'Neil

  (12:15 PM)

Jeff: Ummmm... Hangin on by a thread. Convinced Pitino will make them better but Sosa is a fiasco. You can't be a handful AND not play well. Pick one. But national championship? Gulp. Probably not.

Alex (Princeton)

It's next week, but Temple-Villanova. Who are you picking? What should we expect?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:15 PM)

Alex: Think it could be an interesting game. Looking forward to going. Curious to see how the Argentinean point guard, Juan Fernandez is for Temple. Not sure how much he'll play. I wouldn't be stunned even a little if Temple won.

Mike Morgantown, WV

Hey Dana I am a Cincinnati Bearcats fan and as you may know are mens basketball team is off to a great start do you think we can make the tournament even though were in the toughest conference in the nation?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:17 PM)

Mike: Brutal league, yes but because of that Cincy can build its case. Steal a few games on the road, be tough to beat at home and why not? I thought 9 or 10 teams could get in from that league and still believe so. No reason why Cincy couldn't supplant say Providence for that last spot.

Arthur (Newark, DE)

Hi Dana. There's been a lot of hype about the Big East being 'by far' the best conference in the country, but so far the ACC has a better conference winning % and more big wins. I would argue the ACC has been the best conference so far. What are your thoughts?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:17 PM)

Arthur: Completely 100 percent agree. Just wrote an ACC glance that will post later today and said exactly that. The ACC has more wins against BCS opponents and is 6-5 against the Big East. Since this isn't Big 12 football, that says it all right there.

Brad (Chi)

Dana, Beilein ball is back! Do you see Michigan making some noise in the Big Ten and finally dancing again come March?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:18 PM)

Brad: Spoke to Coach Beilein yesterday for a story for next week. one of the best in the business as a coach and a person. He's very understated about the Wolverines and I understand that. They're much, much better but it's so early. I think they can be viable in the Big 10, maybe play way into the NCAA but they are still a young team learning how to win. Patience.

Mark Teixiera

I like money.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:19 PM)

Mark: Yes you do. Think you should share the wealth. Or the Yankees should hire the free world and stop the recession

Arthur (Newark, DE)

OK Dana, if the national championship was today, which two teams would you have in it, and who would win?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:20 PM)

Arthur: obvious answer is UConn-Carolina and the Heels have given me absolutely no reason to pick against them.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:20 PM)

Timmy C. (Lancaster, PA)

Dana, What happened, you didn't answer my questions: You've got Texas ranked #4 in last weeks power rankings. What makes you think they're a 1 seed come March?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:21 PM)

Timmy: I dunno. Technical glitch. Basically I said think whoever comes out of the BIg 12 can earn a 1 seed and based on quallity of competition, currently give Texas a slight edge over Oklahoma.

larry arvada

what do you feel about the HOME COURT the north carolina-based teams get during the ROAD to the Final Four that no other teams get... if they are that great.. then they need to travel... not stay at home

Dana O'Neil

  (12:22 PM)

Larry: It is a bit of a joke, I agree. I forget the numbers but I looked it up last year and Duke in Carolina during the NCAAs is crazily better than anywhere else. The catch is, the NCAA knows those games will be very very well attended.

Eric(BTown)

Hey Dana, Happy Holidays! My Hoosiers have shown their predicted signs of inexperience and lack of speed. What does coach Crean need to do to get this current team ready for the B10 season?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:22 PM)

Eric: Drink spiked egg nog? This is going to be a look for incremental improvement kind of season. You just have to be realistic. Almost like a throwaway season, which is a pity but the truth.

Jon (Hartford, CT)

I'm a UConn student and I'm scared by how good UNC looks. Are they really this good and how much better do they become when Ginyard returns?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:24 PM)

Jon: yes, they're really that good. They could be the second best team in the Eastern Conference right now and only get better w/ Ginyard. That said your Huskies are very good and very deep. Need Price to play like he did against the Zags.

Josh (NJ)

You didn't answer the UConn/Gonzaga question from above.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:25 PM)

Josh: Darn computers. I forget the question but think it was bout hte game in general. Great, great game that I watched while writing Xavier-Duke, not a great, great game. Was very impressed with UConn winning in that environment but also thought it was very good to see Price finally be a huge factor. That makes the Huskies monumentally better.

Chris St.Paul, Minnesota

Hey Dana my golden gophers are off to its biggest start in a long time people say that we are not a legit team to beat but after that win over Louisville I think we can win the big ten and maybe have a shot at the sweet sixteen or the elite 8, so i just want your take on all of this.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:26 PM)

Chris: I'm in the not yet sold crew. Am impressed with how much better Minnesota is and the Louisville game was an eye opener. Otherwise, though, Minnesota has played a CYO schedule. Need to show me more against quality opponents to make me a complete believer.

Steiny (NYC)

Is Theus interested in the Arizona job?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:27 PM)

Steiny: That's what I read. Of course he's unemployed so that would make most paying jobs intriguing. And yes, also read that Kruger doesn't want it.

Ben ( Las Vegas , nevada)

The Mountain West conference has a terrible television contract, do you think that influences rankings? go UNLV !!!!!!!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:28 PM)

Ben: It shouldn't influence rankings but certainly exposure helps people know who the heck you are and what you're doing.

Matt (PA)

How good really is Notre Dame?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:29 PM)

Matt: I'm not sure, to be honest. They've been more inconsistent than I expected and can't pinpoint why. Think they're NCAA good, certainly, but a little off right now.

Brian (Baltimore)

Penn State is off to their best start in a LONG time. How good can they be this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:30 PM)

Brian: Not sure entirely because of the soft schedule. The win at Georgia Tech, even though Tech is down, was impressive. And I also think that building confidence with easier wins isn't a bad idea. Definitely have more talent, especially w/ Talor Battle. NIT maybe?

John (Chicago)

what, if any, chance do you give Wake against UNC on Jan 11? Personally I think Wake matches up pretty well against Duke but UNC is scary...

Dana O'Neil

  (12:32 PM)

John: It's going to be tough, particularly for a younger team like Wake has. But here's the thing. It's at home and Carolina really hasn't been tested at all. If, huge if, they can make it a game you just never know. I think it's going to be awfully tough for Carolina to go undefeated going through the ACC.

Jon(CT)

can nova finish in the top 5 of the big east?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:33 PM)

Jon: Maybe, though I need to see more production out of Corey Fisher and more steady production out of Corey Stokes. Also need more from guys like Shane Clark and Antonio Pena. Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham can't do it alone.

Kori Cincinnati, Ohio

Hey Dana what do you think of gonzagas loss last night to Portland state from the beginning i knew they werent for real and after last night i think my theory was correct. so what do you think. and bye the way who are you rooting for.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:34 PM)

Kori: Watched the last seven minutes completely stunned. Thought for sure when they got the lead back, they'd coast. I chalk that up to a UConn hangover and still think the Zags are very good. Who am I rooting for? Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

Tim (Milwaukee)

Question regarding the Butler Bulldogs. Does the win at Xavier give them a shot at an at-large bid?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:36 PM)

Tim: not sure if they'll need it. Butler is much, much better than I thought. Could win the league.

Ron Hunter(IUPUI)

How many games to I have to coach barefoot for my team to get recognition??? We got snubbed from the NCAA tourny last year, and we just beat a good Setan Hall team!!!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:37 PM)

Ron, my friend, you are one of fmy favorite people. Gotta win your league, all there is to it. And I hate to break it to you but Seton Hall is fairly awful. Good win for your club, yes, but they have 7 scholarship players.

Tom (Austin)

Dana, what do we make of the Duke extermination... err win over Xavier. Does anybody actually know how good Duke is?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:38 PM)

Tom: Do I know? Probably not but I have opinions. I think Duke is very good. Very athletic and much faster and smarter w/ Nolan Smith at the point. Zoubek isn't a great big man but he's serviceable for the way they want to play. Defense is excellent. Xavier couldn't get a shot and when they move the ball like they did on Saturday, wow, the offense can be pretty.

Patrick (Ohio)

Hello Dana, Ohio State has looked impressive, especially with Evan Turner's development into one of the top players in the Big Ten. With such a young team, what are their shots of making a run in the tournament?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:40 PM)

Patrick: Think Ohio State breaks into the top 3 in the league, at least until Wisconsin puts it together. Very young team, yes, but Purdue proved last year that doesn't matter. Think the Buckeyes are an NCAA team. How deep? That depends on match ups.

Jim (Knoxville)

Dana, just finished reading Lunardi's first Bracketology (along with the comments). While I know you had nothing to do with it, a point blank question ... as of today, is UNLV tournament worthy? Thx and Merry Xmas

Dana O'Neil

  (12:42 PM)

Jim: Merry Christmas to you as well. As of today, I have to waffle and say that they are point blank on the bubble.

Steiny (NYC)

Biggest surprise of this season?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:42 PM)

Michigan, maybe.

Brad Stevens, Butler Bulldogs

Hey Dana I believe im the youngest coach in the game and after that win over xavier last night i belive my club has a shot at getting back to the sweet sixteen and no body realized how good we were till that win last night!!! I gurantee another sweet sixteen and maybe an elite 8 i cant count on it

Dana O'Neil

  (12:43 PM)

Brad: I'm quoting you on that. But I agree, no one thought you'd be this good.

Tom (Austin)

Dana, I think we might be at a point in which we can stop saying that Duke has no big man. The Zoubek-Thomas combo has turned out to be a pretty productive one (15ppg, 8 rpg).

Dana O'Neil

  (12:45 PM)

Tom: Fair statement. I guess when I say that, I m ean dominant big man.

Tom (Houston)

Best defense in America right now is _________

Dana O'Neil

  (12:45 PM)

Tom: Georgetown statistically at least.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

Dana, is Kentucky regretting letting Tubby Smith go the way he has seemingly revitalized Minnesota, or are they happy with Gillepise?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:46 PM)

SprunggOn; Is Kentucky ever happy unless it's hoisting an NCAA trophy? I'm sure there are some who have buyer's remorse but I also think it's early in Gillispie' s tenure.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:46 PM)

Ben (Charlotte)

what are your thoughts on Manny Harris & DeShawn Sims as draft prospects?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:48 PM)

Ben: I hate judging pro prospects because I tend to look at guys who are good basketball players and NBA guys look at all this junk about upside and wingspan. I"ll say this, Harris and Sims are doing a great, great job resuscitating Michigan.

Nolan (Albany)

Dana, thoughts on big Monday with Georgetown and Uconn?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:49 PM)

Nolan: Yes I think I should hijack that game from Andy Katz. Expect it to be a very good game. Anxious to see how Monroe handles Thabeet and how Price and Wright go at it.

Ben (Cincinnati)

I was at the Xavier/Duke "game" and I was sad to see my Muskies play such terrible basketball. But with the way Duke played, and if they play like that, do you think they could at least split the regular season with UNC? By the way, Xavier will improve, don't count them out yet!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:49 PM)

Ben: Agree on both parts. Definitely Duke could split with Carolina if they play - and shoot - like that. And I'm far from counting Xavier out. Holloway will mature over time and that will make them much much better.

Steiny (NYC)

Happy Holidays Dana and thanks for everything this year.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:50 PM)

to your and yours as well

Matt (Bethlehem, PA)

What are your impressions of Kansas thus far?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:50 PM)

Matt: Eh. I mean, the loss to UMass was very odd. Then life and death with Temple for a bit there. Now the loss to Arizona. Think they'll be OK and also think they have a legit excuse. They lost a lot. but right now, growing pains.

Jim (Ionia, MI)

How many teams from the Big Ten will make the tourney this year? There is so much love for the Big East, but doesn't the B10 have more quality wins so far?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:52 PM)

jim: Michigan State, Purdue are in. Wisconsin will get in. Michigan and MInnesota building a very good case. Not sure the numbers w/ quality wins but certainly the Big 10 has some good ones to hang their hats on. Also some bad losses too....

josh (buffalo)

hey dana, duke played incredible versus xavier( i know xavier is overrated) but they made them look bad. so if duke keeps playing this well and getting good cotributions from brian zoubek how far do u think they can go in the tourney this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:53 PM)

Josh: Very far if they play like that and if Zoubek helps with some inside play. I really didn't like Duke last year and really lilke them last year. Could be a Final Four team, easily.

Clark Griswald (Chicago, IL)

Top line from *Christmas Vacation?*

Dana O'Neil

  (12:55 PM)

Clark: Such a man question. We chicks rarely memorize lines. When Clark goes off on his boss - blood-sucking, etc. - is classic.

Wes (Atlanta)

OK Dana, last week you told me Clemson would get some respect if they beat Miami, which they did soundly and are now ranked. They really appear to be the third best team in the acc right now. thoughts?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:56 PM)

Wes: I think that was exactly the sort of legit win that team needed. I'd put them and Wake as 3A/3B in the ACC.

PA

What do you think of your job and what's it like?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:57 PM)

PA: I think it beats working for a living.

Nate (Minneapolis, MN)

Dana! Happy Holidays! Where do you think the Big 10 will rank overall in terms of conference strength. I know before the season started, people were only picking four teams to make the field in March. Now it seems like there could be 6-7.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:57 PM)

Nate: Agree it is much better than originally anticipated. Wisconsin, though, isn't as good as I thought and Michigan and Minnesota are clearly better. Definite improvements.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:58 PM)

Alright folks time to ready for the man in the red suit. Happy holidays to one and all and see you next week on the eve of a new year.