Dana O'Neil

  (12:00 PM)

Only 12 more hours to get your 2008 questions answererd, so let's get a-going

Tony (Chicago, Illinois)

Dana, usually enjoy reading your articles, but where is the love the Fighting Illini?! I noticed you just did a Big Ten wrap-up about a week ago, and talking about 10 teams in the Big Ten, but not even a sentence about the Illini... do you think after Tuesday's win over Purdue we can start to get some love?!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:02 PM)

Tony: Gonna get this one over with first. My failure to mention the Illini was a glaring oversight on my part. No excuses save maybe too much holiday egg nog. I'm thrilled to see Bruce Weber, one of the truly decent people in the game, enjoying success again. The win over Purdue was very impressive and the addition of Legion will make this team even better. So mea culpa on this one and apologies to all offended Illini fans. And there are a lot of you.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:02 PM)

Tony: Gonna get this one over with first. My failure to mention the Illini was a glaring oversight on my part. No excuses save maybe too much holiday egg nog. I'm thrilled to see Bruce Weber, one of the truly decent people in the game, enjoying success again. The win over Purdue was very impressive and the addition of Legion will make this team even better. So mea culpa on this one and apologies to all offended Illini fans. And there are a lot of you.

John Richmond

Hi Dana, Happy New Year! Following the destruction of Ohio State at Ohio State by WVU was Ohio State very overrated or has WVU been underrated?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:03 PM)

John: A little of both. Ohio State is good but still young. Think they got a boost from teams dropping in front of them in the rankings. West Virginia has been riddled with injuries and now that they're getting healthy, I expect them to be very good. Remember Mazzula isn't healthy yet. Tourney team all the way.

Rich Davis - Deployed in Iraq

Dana, Love your work, must say I agree with you alot....Clemson, they are showing that this team is very deep and very talented and above all else, very, very well coached. Purnell has done an outstanding job at Clemson. How far will they go and shouldn't we be looking at a top 10 ranking. Let's face it, if Texas or Michigan State or even Gonzaga had a schedule with the reslults Clemson has and a top 10 RPI ranking, they would be top 5 or #2 behind UNC. Talk to me about this media bias stuff and where Clemson may actually fit among the nations elite, if they belong....Thank You!!!!!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:06 PM)

Rich: Thanks for all your doing over there and be safe. As for Clemson, I think so many people, fairly or unfairly, are waiting for the shoe to drop because of what happened the last two years. I don't see that happening with this team. Balanced, olderr and wiser. At worse, they should be 18-2 heading to the Duke game on Feb. 4. Think Clemson is neck and neck with Wake as the 3rd best team in the ACC

Randy (Nashville, TN)

UK and Ark are showing signs of life. TN still looks strong and most feel like UF will make the tourny. It is no Big East, but perhaps the SEC isn't quite as bad as some were making it out to be a month ago?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:07 PM)

Randy: I'm still reserving judgment. Arkansas win was very impressive. If they do it again against Texas next week,we're on to something. Kentucky is better and like Arkansas, we'll know more after they play Louisville. Still think the league is not on par with the others.

Tim (Chicago)

Happy New Year, D-Money! Michigan and Wisconsin tip-off in less than 2 hours. Who you got?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:09 PM)

Tim: And thanks for the nickname. Always wanted one. Interesting game. Wisconsin has been surprisingly unimpressive, tho I hesitate to count out Bo Ryan. I'm going Michigan. Home game, lots of energy. Manny Harris playing out of his head.

Cameron (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

How 'bout them Hogs?! I think this young team is starting to play really well together. What are their chances against Texas?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:10 PM)

Cameron: As I said earlier, very impressed with win against Oklahoma. .Did not see that coming. Texas is a very tall order, but Pelphrey has things headed in the right direction.

Matt (Milwaukee)

Dana - Marquette vs Nova New Years Day...who prevails - cheeseheads or cheesesteaks???

Dana O'Neil

  (12:10 PM)

Matt: I'm going with Marquette. Home game number one and I think right now, their guards are playing better than Villanova's.

Dan (Chicago)

No worries about the Illini oversight, Dana. Glad to see a sportswriter come clean like that. Now we can move past it. Do you think the Big Ten has done enough this season to shed their second-class status from the last couple of seasons? They could potentially send 7 teams to the Big Dance, and 3 more have realistic shots at the NIT.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:12 PM)

Dan: Hey when I'm wrong, I'm wrong. The Big Ten is definitely better than I expected and I think many people did. Still reserving judgment a little. Minnesota's game today will tell me a ton. Still unsure what's up with Wisconsin and not sure how legit Penn State is, what with the easy schedule. BUT there is a lot more depth and good teams this year definitely.

Tom (Austin)

Dana, Which top 25 team would you give the title "Best Defense" so far this year.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:13 PM)

Tom: Hmmm... Statistically you have to go with Georgetown and with the way they handled UConn, I think the numbers are legit.

Adam (NJ)

I am a Villanova Alumn. Do you think think Nova is for real or not? They haven't faced much in the way of competition yet.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:14 PM)

Adam: I'm not sure. I like the way they play defense and the fact that they don't get rattled when they don't score. I really like the way Dante Cunningham is playing but I'm not completely sold yet on the guards. Will be interesting to see in the first few weeks of the Big East how they do.

Taylor GA

Will Duke have any ramifications from the Chris Collins investigation?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:15 PM)

Taylor: Self-reported secondary violation, doubtful.

David (LA, CA)

Hi Dana. So, can we finally believe that Stanford is this good under Dawkins? They looked GREAT against Texas Tech. If only Dawkins could recruit better...

Dana O'Neil

  (12:16 PM)

David: Give the man some time. The win against Texas Tech was a decent one, though the Red Raiders aren't top 5 in that league. Pac 10 is down this year, which gives Stanford a chance to get some decent wins. Expect him to get things going there.

Chris (Tampa and Florida)

Dana, After UNC, Duke, Wake, and Clemson who is the next best team in the ACC?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:17 PM)

Chris: Funny you should ask. Working on an ACC primer into the wee hours last night and was asking myself that same question. I think the answer is Miami, though they haven't done much to prove it. I also think NC State is decent and a little undervalued.

Dan (Dayton, Ohio)

Dana, Who is the one player that needs to step up for Xavier in order to make a strong run through the A-10 and how can they find a way to compete with the top teams in the country?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:18 PM)

Dan: I'd say Terrell Holloway. The one thing Xavier is missing is a point guard. He doesn't need to be great. He just needs to be reliable.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Ms. O'Neil: Do you think Syracuse handled the Devendorf situation properly? As a fan, I have to wonder if a bench player would have been handled differently.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:20 PM)

JB: I hate to judge without all of the facts. Remember everyone screaming for Joe Paterno to suspend his quarterback a few years ago and the kid was innocent. I will say I find it odd that the university initially came down so hard and then backed down so dramatically. I don't know about a bench player but I wonder about a regular student.

John Tompkinsville Ky

who do think will win this sunday between L-ville or Kentucky

Dana O'Neil

  (12:20 PM)

John: I'm stubborn. Picked Louisville to win the darn national championship and look like a dope, but I'm not giving up the ship. Think the Cards have more talent so long as they fix what's between their ears.

Gus (Topeka, KS)

Hey Dana. Talk to me about those jayhawks. They have a rough 3 game stretch before big 12 play. What results do see for their first 3 games of 2009?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:22 PM)

Gus: Killer slate heading into the Big 12. I like them against Tennessee and Siena. Not so sure about Michigan State on the road. Think the Jayhawks will be good but gotta remember, they lost a lot.

Pete (Fresno, CA)

Dana, how good is UCLA this year? What are there chances to take the PAC-10 crown? And how good is Darren Collison?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:23 PM)

Pete: It's strange how much UCLA has fallen off the radar. They should breeze to the Pac 10 title, if you ask me. league isn't good. I know the early losses were tough, but I expect Ben Howland will get them very good by March. I lilke Darren Collison. He' s not my favorite point guard in the country but he' runs that team well.

Brett (Omaha, Ne)

Dana, who do you think will take the MVC Crown?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:24 PM)

Brett: Tempting to pick Illinois State but I think the edge has to go to Creighton, simply because they've been there before and know how to win.

P.J. Indy, Indiana

Hey Dana. Just wanted to say, I failed to see how much improved the Big Ten is, and yesterday, my Boilers got shocked. I knew we hand't been playing well lately, but I was truley shocked at how terrible we played yesterday and how well the Illini played. Anyway, do you think Purdue is still the best team in this very deep conference, the big Ten?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:25 PM)

PJ: I don't think so, actually. I've seen Purdue a few times. Like them but don't love them, particularly when Hummel is struggling as he has been. I give the edge to Michigan State.

John (Watertown, NY)

What are St. John's chances in the Big East this year, they seem improved from last year, but I know losing mason hurts them a lot.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:26 PM)

John: Tough road, I fear. Losing Mason is a killer in a league that is absolutely merciless.

Dave Rose (Provo, UT)

BYU beats Wake this weekend at the Marriot center, can we get some love now? I'm an awesome coach by-the-way!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:27 PM)

Dave: You are an awesome coach, by the way. If BYU beats Wake, then definitely will be getting some love. Be a huge win that will only add to the mystique of that homecourt streak.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

Now that Georgetown has knocked off UConn, how do you think they'll fare against Pitt this week? UConn-Pitt-Notre Dame is as tough of a three game stretch you'll find.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:29 PM)

You aren't kidding. Welcome to the Big East. I think they match up fairly well against Pitt. Both very good defensive teams, both can get up and down when they need to. Good point guards. Monroe proved he could handle a more experienced big man, though I think DeJuan Blair actually is better than Thabeet. Sam Young could be the X factor for Pitt. He's a tough match up for anyone. I'm going to the game and very much looking forward to it.

Daniel (Pennsylvania)

How many teams will the ACC get into the dance? Where does the ACC rank among other conferences? Will Maryland make the Tourney?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:30 PM)

Daniel: You got four locks - Carolina, Duke, Wake and Clemson and then three more that could make a case, Miami, NC State and Maryland. I actually think Maryland is in good shape. Have none of those awful losses, already have good wins (Michigan State and Michigan). .Just need to take care of business in the league.

Ryan (Charlotte)

Hey Dana, about the Wolfpack, who do like this Saturday in Gainesville? With Fells back and Costner finally starting to click with Mccauley, it feels like the ACC Tourney 2 years ago. Do they have anything for the Gators?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:32 PM)

Ryan: I agree and remember Ferguson is still hurt, too. I'm not crazy about the Gators yet so I definitely think they can give them a test.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Can you see a 7th or 8th seed winning the Big East Tournament?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:33 PM)

JB: Depends. Is West Virginia the 7th seed? Then yes. The league is very very deep but winning four games in a row will be a death march.

Steve (Omaha)

What do you think about a mid-major (creighton) being able to draw a 17,954 crowd during the holiday break?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:33 PM)

Steve: I think that's awesome.

Steiny (NYC)

How impressed have you been with Bobby Maze this season?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:35 PM)

Steiny He's been very good but can't quite get my finger on Tennessee just yete. Not sure if it's style of play or what.

Matt (Cincinnati,Ohio)

Hi, Dana I would agree that Xavier has slipped up in recent weeks but at no means overrated like others say. How good do you think they are and how far can they go in the tournament.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:36 PM)

Matt: I think they were overranked, meaning they got pushed up by teams losing in front of them. Still to me the class of the A10 and if Holloway becomes reliable, will be a tough team to face in the tourney.

Viren Lexington KY

Dana Do Kentucky have any shot of upseting Louisville this Sunday?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:37 PM)

A shot, sure. I mean it's Kentucky-Louisville. Why not? And the Cards haven't exactly been wowing anyone. I do think, however, Louisville, is more talented and SHOULD win.

ray gordon reid hot spirins ar 71901

QUESTION TO DANA O'NEIL AT 12 .40 PM HI DANA DANA NOW CAN WE RAZORBACKS GET SOME RESPXCT AFTER BEATING SOONERS LAST NIGHT

Dana O'Neil

  (12:37 PM)

Ray: Absolutely impressive. Now do the same against Texas and we're talking.

Steve (Syracuse, NY)

Dana- have you had a chance to catch Andy Routins past two games? kid has been amazing from the three!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:38 PM)

Steve: Rautins is a great player, no doubt. Part of the reason I like Syracuse. He's a great shooter. Flynn is phenomenal and Devendorf is relentless.

Steiny (NYC)

How disappointed have you been with Edgar Sosa thus far this season?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:39 PM)

Steiny: He's been a mess, although that isn't exactly new. He's been a thorn in Pitino's side for some time. You can't play poorly AND be a head case. Gotta pick one.

Alex (Princeton)

I'm not sold on the Villanova guards either, but Corey Fisher was nasty against Temple. Do you think a game like that could get him playing like the kid who put up 37 against Mayo or should we expect the same where you'll never know what he'll do?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:40 PM)

Alex: He was phenomenal against Temple, agreed and I've been waiting to see that out of him. He has the talent and the strength to play like that. He just needs to make sure his feet don't go faster than his head. He tends to make bad decisions still, which is part of being ga sophomore. I think he's the X factor, really.

Mike (St. Louis)

With Dayton now sitting at 12-1 with a good chance to be 14-1 going into A-10 play what type of record do they need in conference to secure an NCAA bid? Are they the second best team in the A-10?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:42 PM)

Mike: Interesting situation. They have the good win over Marquette and the loss to Creighton isn't a killer but they don't have a ton of quality wins. The league's profile is down this year so I'm thinking Dayton is going to need to rack up a bunch of wins, including one against Xavier, to get an at-large.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:42 PM)

Mike: Interesting situation. They have the good win over Marquette and the loss to Creighton isn't a killer but they don't have a ton of quality wins. The league's profile is down this year so I'm thinking Dayton is going to need to rack up a bunch of wins, including one against Xavier, to get an at-large.

Ian Hands (NYC)

Dana, John Beilein has solidified himself as one of the best coaches in the country, thoughts?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:43 PM)

Ian: No question, the man is a great coach. Anyone who doubted that has to be a believer by now. I also like what he stands for. He's an above board, good person.

Daniel (Pennsylvania)

Where does the ACC rank among the conferences? Second?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:44 PM)

Daniel: I would say so, though honestly their worst teams are way better than the Big East's bottomfeeders.

jimmy (KY)

Dana, why doesn't Ty Lawson seem to get as much credit for UNC. If you look Carolina has been playing well even with Tyler out of the lineup. But when Lawson was injured UNC doesn't look like a world beater.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:45 PM)

Jimmy: 300 percent agree. The reason, I'm sure, is because he has so much talent people presume a blow-up doll could run that offense. but he's the motor. Great shooter and scorer, makes good decisions and can jet.

David Fairborn, OH

UC's Schedule coming up is BRUTAL. can they have 12-13 losses with key wins and get in or is it only a 9 team year for the Big East?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:46 PM)

David: I think the big East can actually get 10 teams MA YBE but UC will need to beat some of the top players in the conference to up its profile.

Tom(PA)

With Oklahomas first loss of the season do you still see Blake Griffon as the leader for Player of the Year? How will his chances compare to those of Ty Lawson or Tyler Hansbrough's if the Heels do go undefeated?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:47 PM)

Tom: have to see how they do down the stretch in terms of numbers. Hansbrough is certainly going to get more attention but if Griffin can put up big numbers a la Beasley he's going to hard to ignore.

Mike (Chicago)

Let's talk Horizon. Is it a one bid league sans conference tourney upset?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:47 PM)

Mike: thinkn so, yes

Tom(Pennsylvania)

What do you think the Tar Heels chances are of going undefeated?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:48 PM)

tom: they are far and away the best team in the country but undefeated is a monstrous task, especially in a very good league like the ACC.

Brett (Omaha, Ne)

Though the MVC is down this year and last, do you think there is a possibility of two teams making the Big Dance? Creighton, Illinois state?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:51 PM)

Brett: It's going to be hard. Not because of the MVC but because of the depth of so many other conferences. I'm not sure there will be enough slots, frankly.

Sean (Palatine, IL)

If Michigan wins today, who do you like in the ILL-UM game on Saturday?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:52 PM)

Sean: Wow, fun game all of a sudden. If Michigan wins today and they get the Illini at home, I might have to go with the Wolverines. Might

Steiny (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Indiana blowing a huge lead and getting upset by the Lipscomb Bisons?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:53 PM)

Get used to it. Indiana is not good and is not going to be good this year.

Craig (Louisville, KY)

Dana, Louisville has been one of the biggest disappointments this season, but this is how they started last season. Do you see them making a solid rebound like last year and were do you see them compared to the rest of the Big East

Dana O'Neil

  (12:54 PM)

Craig: That's my thought exactly. Pitino always seems to get in their heads and tinker with what ails them. They have the talent to be one of the premiere teams in the Big East and I'll be stunned if Pitino doesnt make that happen, if with nothing else than his sheer will!

Ryan (Charlotte)

In terms of recruiting, schemes/planning and in-game coaching who are the top 3-5 coaches in the ACC right now if all those factors are considered?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:56 PM)

Ryan: hmmm... you have to go with the obvious choices in Krzyzewski and Williams. After that, I like the way Sidney Lowe's offense runs when it runs well and he's gotten some terrific talent. It's sort of a mixed bag, I think.

Justin (Chatsworth,CA)

Where does Johnny Flynn rank among the nations guards. If Rautins and Devo do their thing and Harris continues to be solid could we see SYRACUSE in the final 4?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:57 PM)

Justin: He's in my top 5. Think he's incredible. Not sure I'm ready to go Final 4 w/ this crew but do think they'll be a tough out in the tourney.

George (Omaha)

Dana, who are your top five mid major teams this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:59 PM)

George: You're better served asking Kyle Whelliston but in no order I'll go Davidson, Butler, Creighton, Saint Mary's (if they count), Xavier if they count.

Matt (Milwaukee)

The Big East may have a few really bad teams at the bottom, but very real possibility they have 9 teams in the Top 25 come Monday - when has the ACC come close to that? Top to bottom, Big East has to be the best.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:59 PM)

Matt: Oh no question, the Big East is incredible. Just pointing out that there is some drudge at the bottom.

Dana O'Neil

  (1:00 PM)

OK all, that's it for the year. Have a Happy New Year. Be safe and we'll talk again in 2009.