ESPN

Andy Katz

  (11:12 AM)

Here to chat for a bit

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

Andy, Carolina's losses were due to defensive lapses, settling for too many outside shots and not getting Hansborough enough touches. Pretty much sums it up, right? Now can they turn it around and still get a number one seed?

Andy Katz

  (11:15 AM)

Keep winning. The two losses aren't bad losses. The race for No. 1 seeds is wide open since I'm fully expecting the candidates to lose a few games each.

Chad Lincoln, NE [via mobile]

Outside of Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, what other teams from the Big 12 do you see having a shot at making the tournament come March?

Andy Katz

  (11:15 AM)

KansasTexas AandMBaylorOk State and Missouri have work to do.

Yatin (LA)

How much of Cal's improvement do you attribute to Monty and how much to guys like Christopher, Randle and Robertson really just stepping up as they mature?

Andy Katz

  (11:16 AM)

All of the above. Robertson's return was huge for the Bears but Monty has an answer for everything. Their toughness of winning on the road starts at the top.

Steiny (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Don Meyer setting the all-time wins record?

Andy Katz

  (11:19 AM)

Tremendous. He barely made it out of the crash scene. I keep hearing stories about how wonderful a coach, man and caretaker of the game he has been in his life. Winning 903 games, regardless of level, is an incredible achievement.

ryan88 [via mobile]

who do you think will win the colonial conference?

Andy Katz

  (11:21 AM)

Looking forward to going to George Mason-NU. That could be a conference title game preview. I wouldn't count out VCU just yet.

Timmy C. (Lancaster, PA)

I thought this was Gonzaga's year. What happened? Can they right their ship?

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

Why not? The Zags still have plenty of time. They just won at Tennessee. I fully expect them to win the WCC, too. They still have the game against Memphis, too. Gonzaga can still get a No. 2 seed.

Evansville, Indiana [via mobile]

Mr. Katz, will Indiana be in the tournament come march of 09? With a top ten recruiting class coming in?

Andy Katz

  (11:30 AM)

I think you meant March of 2010. I'd be surprised. I still think it will take two or three years to get back to the Dance in Bloomington.

Mike (RI)

The Friars beat who they had to in their soft opening schedule, then made a game out of a tough Georgetown team. Can the Friars win 10 games in conference this year? If they do, will it be enough to get them dancing?

Andy Katz

  (11:36 AM)

I've said time and time again that it depends on who the Friars beat in the Big East as to whether or not they make the dance in March. It's not just about getting nine or 10 wins total. The nine or 10 wins have to be quality wins.

charles realtown [via mobile]

why isn't duke getting recruits like pat patterson and greg monroe in your opinion? where will duke finish this yr in your opinion? sweet 16/elite 8.

Andy Katz

  (11:37 AM)

Why should they get them all? Patrick Patterson lived within driving distance to one of the top programs in the country in Kentucky. Billy Gillispie does a great job in recruiting so why not go to Kentucky? Greg Monroe went to the perfect school for him in playing for John Thompson III at Georgetown. Duke didn't lose these two players to no-name programs. But yes, Duke can reach the Elite Eight and beyond.

Jason (Pittsburgh)

Mr. Katz, in your expert humble opinion, is this the year that Jamie Dixon and his Pitt Panthers finally get past the Sweet Sixteen???

Andy Katz

  (11:38 AM)

Yes. I will be surrpsied if this team doesn't get to the Elite Eight (I have the Panthers in my revised Final Four).

frank fayetteville nc [via mobile]

what do you think of tubby up at minny and how far will they go

Andy Katz

  (11:42 AM)

He's doing a fantastic job. I knew Smith would get the Gopher faithful energized. His style of defense is intense and the Gophers are playing with even more passion. It's a great homecourt. But I'm not sold yet that Minnesota will make the Dance. I think it will be close.

tim (lancaster, pa)

who else is in your final four?

Andy Katz

  (11:44 AM)

This is fluid:Still see NC getting there with Pitt and now back again with Michigan State. I could really see Syracuse getting there as well. I would say the other candidates still are: Connecticut, Louisville, Georgetown in the Big East; UCLA in the Pac; Gonzaga in the WCC; Duke and Wake Forest in the ACC; OU and Texas out of the Big 12.

CJ (Michigan)

Fill in the blanks Andy: At the end of the conference schedule, Michigan State will _____ the Big Ten championship and be a _____ seed in the tourney!

Andy Katz

  (11:45 AM)

win the Big Ten and be a No. 2 seed in the tourney.

Brad bakersfield ca. [via mobile]

What is the strengh of the pac 10 and do you see ucla going to another final 4 as a one seed out west

Andy Katz

  (11:46 AM)

I don't see the No. 1 seed but UCLA is making up for the lack of inside scoring and yes still has the experience to make the Final Four.

scott, seattle, wa [via mobile]

How do you feel the about the Pac-10, do you think Wazzu can make an appearence in the tournament for a third straight time?

Andy Katz

  (11:47 AM)

Don't see it. The Cougs aren't winning enough key games. That could change if they can start doing that, especially on the road.

Riley Grant (Denver)

Is Texas dying now that Augustine and Durant are gone? Will it ever return to greatness?

Andy Katz

  (11:48 AM)

Not at all. AJ Abrams is a star this season still and so too are Damion James and Justin Mason. Recruiting continues to go very well.

Jason (Tamaqua, PA)

Any news on Ginyard's injury, if he can't come back this year I just don't see Carolina getting the stops they need to get out and run.

Andy Katz

  (11:49 AM)

He told me Sunday night that he doesn't know when he'll return.

andy (athens)

how many SEC teams do you think will get into the tourney?

Andy Katz

  (11:49 AM)

KentuckyTennesseeFloridaI feel fairly confident those three can get in but after that there are bubbles galore...South Carolina, Arkansas, Miss State, Alabama, LSU

Pensacola, fl [via mobile]

Whats the deal with clemson? Think they can finally make it to the dance?

Andy Katz

  (11:50 AM)

They did last year.

Andy Katz

  (11:51 AM)

Thanks for the questions everyone. We'll chat again next week.