Andy Katz

  (11:06 AM)

Here to chat for a bit.

ed smith indianapolis indiana [via mobile]

who is truly number one right from what you see

Andy Katz

  (11:09 AM)

Duke deserves to be No. 1 -- now. The polls are a snapshot of the week behind. The preseason poll is more of a projection of what March might look like. So I have no problem that Duke is No.1. But the Blue Devils wouldn't be my pick to win it all. I would go with North Carolina or Pitt if I had to pick one.

austin sutcliffe frankfort kentucky

why is notre dame still ranked. they have 6 losses tthey need to drop out of the top 25 and let the good 3 or 4 loss teams have a chance cause they're ragady

Andy Katz

  (11:13 AM)

I agree. Notre Dame shouldn't be ranked and I wrote in my blog today how the Irish could be trouble for an NCAA bid.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Is it safe to say that if Penn State can go 6-4 the rest of the way that they will get an at-large bid or will they need to win at least one game in the Big Ten Tournament as well?

Andy Katz

  (11:16 AM)

It all depends on who they beat. Penn State can't simply beat up on the bottom level.

Kyle (Dayton)

Andy, why no love at all for the Flyers. Not to say a Top 15 team or anything, but 18-2 with a dominating win against Marquette in Chicago? What gives?

Andy Katz

  (11:16 AM)

I want to see Dayton beat Xavier.

Donnie (Indy)

Anyone out there you think is ranked too low?

Andy Katz

  (11:18 AM)

I'll tell you who should be ranked: Washington and Kentucky. The AP got it right. Notre Dame and Villanova don't deserve to be ranked at this juncture and you could make the argument for Georgetown, too.

Mike (CT)

ND in trouble for an NCAA bid. Are you out of your skulll for instance they are better than a team like Texas (and no not just because of their heads up win) If they were in the SEC they'd be the best team in the league! This is coming from a UCONN alum so there is no bias here!

Andy Katz

  (11:19 AM)

This is my argument. Notre Dame is 3-5 at this point. The Irish have lost four straight. Look at their remaining schedule. The Irish could easily lose at least five more games. An 8-10 Irish team in the Big East will be an interesting test case for the committee. Even at 9-9 the Irish will be on the bubble. We'll see. Keep in mind Notre Dame also goes to UCLA in a non-conference game.

Greg Spokane

If the Zags win the regulat season and tourney title and also beat Memphis how high a seed can they get and why are people talking about St. Mary's when they have not played a top 50 team and are only 2-0 against the top 100?

Andy Katz

  (11:21 AM)

I wouldn't be surprised if the Zags could get as high as a No. 2 if they were to win out.

Ryan (OKC)

Can OU win the national title?

Andy Katz

  (11:24 AM)

Yes. The Sooners can definitely win the title. Oklahoma has the best player in the country in Blake Griffin and solid guard play. I wouldn't be surprised at all if OU won the title.

Andy (Baltimore)

The Terps are headed for their 4th NIT in 5 seasons, and frankly, next year looks like more of the same. Is Gary Williams coach for life? Or are we approaching the point where some hard decisions will have to be made by all parties involved?

Andy Katz

  (11:25 AM)

I do think it's a tough call. Williams has poured his life into this program. He's an alum, he's as passionate about his job as anybody I know. But I think the decision has to be mutual. I'd hate to see him get fired.

Steiny (NYC)

What was with Houston guard Aubrey Coleman stepping on Chase Budinger's face? Have you ever seen anything like that before?

Andy Katz

  (11:26 AM)

No. Cheap shot. Coleman was suspended and I'm glad to see that. If CUSA hadn't stepped in then I hope Penders would have done something to Coleman. I don't buy he didn't do it on purpose.

Trent (Monticello, IN)

Thoughts on tonight's Big Ten showdown between Wisconsin/Purdue on ESPN? Also, what does Purdue need to do to continue its recent strong play?

Andy Katz

  (11:27 AM)

I'll be shocked if Wisconsin loses five straight Big Ten games, regardless of the opponent.

Jason (NC)

Andy: Call me ACC Biased but after watching Blake Griffin walk up and down the court and loaf around, He sure does seem awfully lazy to me. He is never out of breath. Now granted he is a 20 and 10 guy every night, and I get it. He will fit right in with the NBA with being lazy. Do you disagree??

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

Yes I do disagree. Griffin went through an incredibly tough conditioning program this summer in San Francisco. The man is in incredible shape. I don't think he loafs at all.

Vince (Pittsburgh)

The argument that Duke is number one because they beat Georgetown is invalid. Pitt beat Georgetown as well. Pitt's loss came to a good team on the road. Duke's loss came to an average team on the road. Pitt should be #1.

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

It's a valid point since Pitt's loss was at Louisville and Duke's was at Michigan. But it's just a snapshot of how the team is playing at that juncture and Duke clearly is playing well with its crushing defeate of Maryland.

Alex, Kankakee, Illinois

I saw the story on Brandon Jennings the other day. I thought that this was certainly going to be the road of high school players who could not hack the grades in high school. But, now that Jennings said he was burnt out with everything, do you think his experience will have a big effect on other high school players? I would hate to see the best high school players go overseas and water down the NCAA.

Andy Katz

  (11:30 AM)

I was never convinced that this would be option. Players like the spotlight and the NCAA tournament gives them that stage. Not everyone can handle a foreign country at 18 or 19 years old. Not everyone is mature enough to be a pro. I never believed this was a trend.

Bob, Raleigh, NC

Big CAA match-up tonight. Does the league have any at-large hopes?

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

Probably not. But it should be a great game. NU and VCU are the two best teams in the league. It's a shame they don't meet again in Boston.

Ben (Lancaster,PA)

Do you think Utah St. has a chance to make major noise in the tourney let alone make the tourney?

Andy Katz

  (11:33 AM)

It might be hard to ignore Utah State if the Aggies have only one to three losses. But the Utags don't have marquee wins and that will hurt if there is a discussion for an at-large bid.

Trent (Monticello, IN)

Great insight Andy, you've left me feeling very empty. Thoughts on what it is going to take for Purdue to win in the Kohl Center and win its fourth straight over Wisconsin?

Andy Katz

  (11:35 AM)

Take it right to Wisconsin. The Badgers defense hasn't been as impressive this season. If Purdue can drive the ball on Wisconsin I think they can win. I just don't think the Badgers will let the Boilermakers leave with a win.

Matt (Milwaukee)

Are you and your colleagues at ESPN ready to acknowledge Marquette is a legitimate Big East contender, or are they still the "most overrated" team in the country?

Andy Katz

  (11:38 AM)

I'm not sure what you're referring to because I don't think Marquette is overrated. I do believe the Golden Eagles are legit. The veteran guard play is as good as any team in the country. Buzz Williams and Tony Benford are doing an outstanding job coaching this team. Lazar Hayward has been a difference maker for them. I fully expect Marquette to continue this run and be a top four seed.

Andy (Chicago, Illinois)

Andy, who ya got for player of the year? It seems as though a handful of guys are having great years but no one has stood out over the others. Jodie Meeks had that big game and everyone knows about Steph and Blake. Tyler Hansbrough is having another big year but he is not talked about as much at this point. Will he repeat or will someone take his crown?

Andy Katz

  (11:39 AM)

Blake Griffin And then Stephen Curry, James Harden, Tyler Hansbrough, Jodie Meeks, Jeff Teague are all on my list.

Craig (PA)

Andy, i dont know if you saw but the worst part of the coleman situation was that after he was ejected, his teamates all high-fived and congradulated him. Isnt that indicative of something being wrong with the entire houston program?

Andy Katz

  (11:40 AM)

I didn't see that. If that did occur then that is ridiculous. I don't like any of the way this was handled.

Jeff (Nashville)

You say you want to see dayton beat Xavier but do you think it will happen?

Andy Katz

  (11:40 AM)

No.

George

you've finally given a little love to Kentucky lately. thoughts on the remainder of their season and post season play

Andy Katz

  (11:41 AM)

Best team in the SEC. Best player in Jodie Meeks. Best inside player in Patrick Patterson and Billy Gillispie may be coach of the year.

Dan (MN)

How big does that Minnesota win over Louisville on a neutral court look now?

Andy Katz

  (11:42 AM)

Pretty good. It might be the deciding factor for the Gophers. Thanks for the chat. We'll chat again next week.