ESPN

Dana O'Neil

  (2:00 PM)

Hey everyone, some interesting things happening and January just started.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Dana, Will Alabama have chance to win the west this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:02 PM)

Brad: I liked the way they battled w/ Clemson. Shows signs of life to me. Arkansas is putting up results to say its best in the West but I still say the division is fairly open. Bama isn't out of the mix by any means.

Alex (Princeton)

What did last night's game prove more: that the Nittany Lions are a legit team in the Big 10 or that the Boilermakers were just a tad overhyped at the beginning of the season?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:03 PM)

Alex: Well, without Hummel and Kramer in this game I'm not sure you can say Purdue is overrated. Smart decision, I think, to hold those guys out now. Remember the committee does take into account injuries. Penn State is better,a lot better but this game still has an asterisk with it.

tampa [via mobile]

Can michigan state make it to the final 4 this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:05 PM)

Tampa: I picked them there early and felt like a dolt for a while there. Think the Final Four might be ACC/Big East top heavy but I do like the Spartans now that Suton is healthy and Roe is healthier. Curious to see how they do against Kansas.

Troy calif ky [via mobile]

Is billy g the right coach for kentucky

Dana O'Neil

  (2:05 PM)

Troy: I think so. I thought they played extremely hard against Louisville. Could use a third weapon to go w/ Meeks and Patterson but I like the way he gets his guys to play.

ray gordon reid roswell ga 30075

QUESTION TO DANA O' NEIL AT 2.05 PM HI DANA DAVIDSON OR DUKE

Dana O'Neil

  (2:06 PM)

Ray: Eek. I have a hard time picking against Steph Curry but I think at Duke, with the way the Blue Devils are playing I I have to go Duke.

Esteban (DC) [via mobile]

Is syracuse legit? Or do they still have some issues to sort out?( especially on defense)

Dana O'Neil

  (2:07 PM)

Esteban: Definitelyl still issue to sort out but I think Syracuse is legit, top 5 maybe in the Big East. Really like Jonny Flynn and Rautins has been playing very well.

Tee (Charlotte, NC)

Pitt is #1. I dont think anyone has a problem with that, but do you think the voters got it right when they moved Duke to #2 without moving Wake Forest to #3? I mean, If they moved Duke up as a result of UNC losing, shouldn't that warrent Wake Forest moving up and UNC dropping to #4? If not, UNC should be #2 correct?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:08 PM)

Tee: Couldn't agree w/ you more. Can't understand for the life of me how undefeated Wake is still behind North Carolina. Makes no sense. Good news, Wake can prove it belongs ahead of the Heels on Sunday.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

How big of a threat is Arkansas in the SEC? OU and Texas in two straight weeks is damn impressive.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:09 PM)

Very impressive. Granted both were at home, but for a very young team to win both - and to withstand Texas rallying last night - is big.

Pete (NC)

I'm a UNC alum. Do I go to our game or head over to hell to see Curry vs Dook?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:10 PM)

Pete: Grab a pitchfork. Go watch Curry and Duke. Poor Charleston is about to get hit with a hurricane. be over by half And if it's not, God knows you don't want to watch.

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

Dana, how's your Louisville pick treating you lately?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:11 PM)

Dan: Well ever so slightly better now that Edgar Sosa has remembered how to play. I'll see them here against Villanova on Saturday. Gonna wave some fairy dust on em so I look smart in April.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Dana, Even though UAB lost some players do they still have a chance to compete with Memphis to win the CUSA?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:12 PM)

Brad: Delaney and Vaden are very good and I expect them to compete w/ Memphis, yes. That said, now that Calipari has figured out his point guard riddle w/ Tyreke Evans I expect the Tigers to get better in a hurry.

John (Dallas)

Dana, if UCLA wins the Pac-10 regular season and tournament, plus beats ND in Feb, will that get them a #1 seed in the west?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:12 PM)

John: Presuming they don't lay some monumental league eggs, I'd think that would get it done, yes.

David (Houston, TX)

Steven Curry stay at Davidson or turn pro after this season?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:14 PM)

David: I hope he stays. That's selfish. The hard thing about the NBA, from what I've learned is, once you are who you are in their eyes, you don't move up a bunch. I remember that w/ Jameer Nelson. Was player of the year and still only the 20th pick because he was too small, too this too that. And now too damn good for the Magic. So I'm not sure if staying Curry helps himself at all. The draft is down this year.

Jordan (KY)

If Kentucky goes around 13-3 or 12-4 in SEC play what kind of a seed do you think they would be looking at for the NCAA? Also would that be enough to get some respect back as far as the polls and things like that go? thanks

Dana O'Neil

  (2:15 PM)

Jordan: Hard to say since the league isn't the greatest this season. I do think people are starting to respect Kentucky more. Showed a lot against Louisville and I expect them to be in the tourney.

Kyle (Boston)

Is BC a legitimate team now that they've knocked of UNC? Will the make the NCAA tourney this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:16 PM)

Kyle: BC is a big surprise to me. the win over Carolina is gigantic, no doubt but they need to follow it up this weekend at home against Miami. I'd say they're in today, yes. Really like the fact that it's not just the Tyrese Rice show.

Steve (Syracuse)

Will the Big East end up eating up the teams so much that less teams get in the tourney due to the unstability within the conference?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:17 PM)

Steve: I don't think so. People know how good that league is. You can't go losing to Rutgers, DePaul and South Florida or getting drilled at home but I think the committee understands what it's dealing with.

Matt (minneapolis mn) [via mobile]

Tennessee or gonzaga tonight?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:19 PM)

Matt: Gonzaga needs a win here but the road has not been kind. Gotta go w/ Tennessee.

Will (Richmond)

If someone in your office says that the Big East isn't the best conference in CBB should they be hit?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:19 PM)

will: I don't advocate violence but if you want to throw water on their heads, i'm ok with that.

David (Houston, TX)

What theams have been the biggest surprise to you so far this season?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:20 PM)

David: A few. Boston College now jumps off the list and then the trio in the Big 10 of Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan.

mike (newport beach, ca)

what do you see from the pac 10, is it too balanced to get 5 teams in, im thinking ucla, asu,u of a, usc, stanford? is there any room for a 5th or 6th team

Dana O'Neil

  (2:21 PM)

mike: not sure i see five. Can't put Stanford in and USC hasn't exactly wowed me, either. I know they're playing better, but those ugly losses to Seton Hall and Oregon State are killers.

Steve (Nj)

Villanova.....contender or pretender

Dana O'Neil

  (2:21 PM)

Steve: Depends on what they're contending for. Big East title? No. NCAA Tournament bid? Yes. Deep run, no.

Jack (Atl, GA)

DeJuan Blair or Blake Griffin?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:22 PM)

Jack: Good question.I'd say Griffin's game is a bit more refined right now but I'd LOVE to see those two head to head.

CAL (St. Paul, MN)

Dana, how far do you see Minnesota making it in the NCAA tournament this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:23 PM)

Cal: Not sure. Young teams are tricky and it will really depend on the match up. To be honest I think people ought to be happy with the progress the Gophers have made.

Pete Skeletor (Reading, PA)

I dont watch to much college hoops, but what makes PITT so darn good??

Dana O'Neil

  (2:24 PM)

Pete: Great defense, balanced scoring, relentless on the boards. Veteran team that doesn't get uptight when the game is close. If they had better outside shooting, they'd be ridiculously good.

Lemmer (Baltimore)

Should I be discourgaged at WVUs loss last night vs UConn? Do you still see them getting better as the year goes on?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:25 PM)

Lemmer: No, I wouldn't be discouraged at all. They still don't have Mazzulla and were in this game against an extremely good UConn team. Only going to get better.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

So PSU hasn't surprised you yet? They played Wisconsin tough on the road and beat Purdue last night.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:26 PM)

JB: They're better, definitely better. But you have to remember Purdue was without Hummel and Kramer on the road. That's a tough draw. I like Penn State much more... still see an NIT bid, which I think is good.

JL (NY, NY)

How come every year teams coached by Ben Howland and Jamie Dixon are always suffocating on defense, but it seems like no other coaches in America emphasize it. Why not? Isn't defense half of the game? Surely the success of YCLA and Pitt would get people's attention. Is defense that hard to teach?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:28 PM)

JL I think plenty of other teams emphasize it and are pretty good at it. Wazzu, Georgetown, Duke to name a few. It's not hard to teach. It's hard to get players to play that way. It's a lot of work, tiring and something kids don't do in high school.

Eric (NY, NY)

Dana,What are your impressions of Greg Monroe after his head-to-head match ups against 3 of the premier big men in the Big East (Thabeet, Blair, Harrangody)?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:29 PM)

Eric: Think he's very good offensively. Good footwork, strong to the hoop. Not shy. He needs work on defense, but that's not unusual.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Dana, I know it's meaningless, but I'm actually very interested in hearing the Tirico, Jackson, and Van Gundy do a college game. Your thoughts?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:30 PM)

Will: I am too. Be fun to get another perspective and equally entertaining to hear Dickie V on the NBA. Can Derrick Rose be a diaper dandy in the league?

Perez (Memphis)

Where do you think Arkansas will finish in SEC West, going into conference play beating two top ten teams

Dana O'Neil

  (2:31 PM)

Perez: Right now, hard not to put the Razorbacks at the top of the West based on those wins. Still have to be careful. Those games were at home.

DeJuan Blair (Hill District, PA)

Griffin's game is more refined. Just the words I needed to hear. Always pumping up some other young cat. I will eat him for lunch. He better not pull a Hibbert and refuse to shake my hand.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:31 PM)

DeJuan: You are much adored by moi.

Mike (FL)

Does FSU have a shot at home against Duke this weekend?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:32 PM)

Mike: A shot? Yes, but it's a tall order. I really like this Duke team,which is odd because I really didn't like last year's Duke team and not that much has changed personnel wise.

Ed (NY)

How do you think Syracuse will end up in the Big East, or even in the NCAA tournament

Dana O'Neil

  (2:32 PM)

Ed: I'd say top 5 or 6 in the league, which should warrant Syracuse a good seed.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Dickie V will be the only one yelling at the NBA arena during the game, unlike on a college campus...lol, it should be fun.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:33 PM)

Will: Ain't that the truth? The corporate big wigs sitting in the expense seats talking on the cell phones won't know what to do with noise that isn't manufactureed.

K (philly)

If Pitt and UNC met in the tourney who ya got? What a game though. Pitts bigs going at it with Hansbrough. Pitts bench agasint UNCs bench. Levance Fields not backing down from Ty Lawson.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:34 PM)

K: Wow, that would be a game. I'm not sure I can pick that one as I think about it. Can we book that for April?

Broad Street BRian (Home sick)

Steph Curry under 15 tonight?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:35 PM)

Broad Street: Nah. He'll light it up, just not sure if Davidson can win.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:35 PM)

JT (Middletown DE)

At the end of the year, who do you see on top of the ACC???

Dana O'Neil

  (2:35 PM)

JT: Um, Carolina?

Sean Miller (Cincy, OH)

When can I coach Pitt?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:36 PM)

Sean: Soon as Jamie Dixon leaves.

DAN ((NY))

WILL SIENA BE A THREATIN THE NCAA TOURNEY THIS YEAR WITH UBILES AND KENNY H?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:36 PM)

Dan: I think so. Fell off the radar a little bit in Orlando, but they've played a really tough non-league schedule, should win their own league and be a very tough out in March.

joe (new orleans)

is it just me, or is vitale the most obnoxious guy in the history of TV sports?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:37 PM)

Joe: It's just you. Dick is the personification of college sports, crazy, impassioned and full of life. We'd be lost without him.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Who do think is going to win the natinal championship in football tom. night?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:39 PM)

Brad: Florida is a much more balanced team so I think Gators win. But I've been woefully wrong this bowl season so you might want to go Sooners.

Mi Dixie (Wrecked)

Who's the best team in the Big Five?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:39 PM)

Villanova

Jones ((Queens, NY))

What is the chance Duke makes the big dance

Dana O'Neil

  (2:40 PM)

Jones: Seriously? i'd say they're a lock.

joe (new orleans)

well as soon as i hear vitale's voice, that's an AUTOMATIC channel change. I don't care to hear that EVERY player can "flat out" do something and that a player made a "tri-fecter".

Dana O'Neil

  (2:40 PM)

joe: you must miss a lot of good games, my friend. But your choice.

Sean Miller (Cincy, OH)

When is Jamie leaving? I mean, I think Wright State would hire him now. He wanted that job 4 years ago, and they said no. But I think they will take him now. C'mon, I am trying to be patient here, but the guy just keeps winning.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:40 PM)

Sean: Welcome to the world of Tom Bradley at Penn State and Prince Charles.

Broad Street BRian (Home sick)

Do other cities have anything close to the big 5? Iknow the Cincy schools play each other, but only the 2

Dana O'Neil

  (2:41 PM)

Broad Street: Feel better, for starters and I'm really biased here, but I'd say no. 6 Division I schools within the city limits, rich history, greatest arena and knowledgable fans. I'd challenge anyone to top the Big 5

Samer (Austin, TX)

What do you think of Baylor? If they could play some defense they could be very good.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:42 PM)

Samer: They are good but the defensive lapses could hurt them come March. I'm always wary of teams that can't stop anybody. But remember the depths of which Baylor came from too.

nick sringfield. il [via mobile]

what are your thoughts on the fighting illini this year? in or out of the tourney?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:43 PM)

Nick: Very surprising team. Much,much improved. I'd be very surprised if they weren't in the tourney. Really happy for Bruce Weber, one of the true good people in the game.

Tee (Charlotte, NC)

How many teams does the ACC get into the tourny this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:44 PM)

Tee: Carolina, Duke, Wake, Clemson are in. Think BC is in the right place. Miami should be but need to do well in league. NC State is a long shot. Who'd I forget?

David (Houston, TX)

Who wins C-USA this year?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:45 PM)

David: I picked UAB and still don't think that's crazy talk. But with Memphis finding its way with Tyreke at the point, hard to not give the Tigers an edge.

Joe Pa (Happy Valley, PA)

I just keep breathing.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:45 PM)

JoePa: You sho do.

Justin (Ohio)

Why would Jamie Dixon go from Pitt to Wright State? I'm confused.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:46 PM)

Justin: Believe my man was kidding. Arizona, now that's a possibililty.

Ben (Charlotte)

How bout a Big 5 vs. Tobacco-Road tourney with Duke/UNC/NC State and Wake involved?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:47 PM)

Ben: This year it would be cruel and unusual. Not saying that the Big 5 has greatest talent per capita but it's a unique animal.

David (Houston, TX)

no love for Houston Cougars in C-USA, will they mage the tourney?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:48 PM)

David: It's going to take some work to make C-USA a multiple bid league this year I think. Remember every time a league like the Big East and ACC and Big 10 sends in big numbers, that's less at-large spots.

Tee (Charlotte)

Dana, are you married? LOL!

Dana O'Neil

  (2:50 PM)

Tee: har har. i am.

Hutch (Htfd.)

Ben of Charlotte can add Davidson for the fifth... dana you believe the Big 5 would triumph?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:51 PM)

Hutch: As I said I'm not saying the Big has the best talent. No way a team like, say, Penn, can hang with North Carolina or Duke or Wake. But it's got a unique vibe, tradition and it's really revered here.

Pierre (Sac)

I think its a crime that UNLV is to a Ranked Team, What say you??

Dana O'Neil

  (2:52 PM)

Pierre: I'm a little surprised that UNLV hasn't cracked the top 25 myself. The Louisville game was a big win.

James (Kentucky)

What do you think about Kentucky? They are up and down but play decent and almost pick up the win against a streaky but rank louisville team?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:53 PM)

Jame: Think Kentucky is much improved. Much. Wish they had a third scoring threat other than Meeks and Patterson but I expect them to fare well in the SEC.

matt (new jersey)

what do you think of unc's loss? is bc for real?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:54 PM)

Matt: I'm still a little confused by it. It was at home, for starters but they lost all sorts of composure. Lawson was out of control, they were jacking up 3s when they didn't need to. Bizarre game. As for BC, I think they are legit. Saw them in New York for the Preseason NIT. Scrappy team. Rice is a star and they've got four guys contributing now.

Ryan (Pittsburgh)

How many times does Jamie Dixon have to turn down West Coast teams before people stop speculating? Every year we go through this about Az and Az State and whoever else, and every year Jamie says he's not leaving.

Dana O'Neil

  (2:55 PM)

Ryan: I'd be unemployed if I couldn't speculate.

kildeer Illinois [via mobile]

Do you think Illinois state has proved themselves a legitimate 25 team after the way their season has began?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:56 PM)

Probably wouold have been top 25 withot the loss to Bradley last night. Still think best team in the Valley.

ken

What's up with Dickie V calling the NBA? Did the economic downturn make ESPN lay off all it's NBA announcers?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:57 PM)

Ken: Yes. Actually I'll be hosting SportsCenter tomorrow. Kidding.... Just something fun to try, get some new voices on the games.

Cody (Portland,Maine)

If the the black bears of Maine surprisingly won the ncaa championship who would you think would have the best game?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:57 PM)

Cody: You stumped me. But I bet Kyle Whelliston could tell you and give you statistical analysis as to why.

jordan (watertown)

Hey Dana, do you think that UNC and Duke should do something to their schedules. What i mean is they play each other 3 times a year, it kindof takes away the rivalry doesnt it?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:58 PM)

Jordan: Don't see it that way at all. I mean, once at Chapel Hill, once at Durham.

Charlie: Houston, TX [via mobile]

After beating Texas last night do the Hogs get ranked or do they have to take down a top 10 on the road?

Dana O'Neil

  (2:59 PM)

Charlie: They probably will. I mean, once is a fluke. Twice is not.

Mike (UNC Fan in Pa)

Do you foresee UNC taking anything away from their loss to BC? I feel like Coach Roy was little soft on his players that night.

Dana O'Neil

  (3:00 PM)

Mike: I kinda feel bad for Charleston tonight. I suspect they'll get the brunt of a lot of angry Heels. What they should take from it is they are human. You get down by dobble digits in a game, don't care who you are, it's tough to come back.

Dana O'Neil

  (3:01 PM)

Alright folks. Thanks for the questions. Back to the grind for me. Chat w/ you next week.