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Angelo (Cleveland)

After last night Louisville a pretender or still a contender

Andy Katz

  (11:08 AM)

Still a contender. Louisville just lost to a fellow title contender. That shouldn't dampen any predictions.

Jon (Minny)

How many more wins do the Gophers need to make the tournament? What seed can they realistically hope for? Thanks.

Andy Katz

  (11:09 AM)

Not about number of wins but quality. Beating Michigan State would help.

Aaron (Brandon, SD)

Andy, Do you think the Badgers have a shot at making the tourney? If so, what do they have to do to get in?

Andy Katz

  (11:10 AM)

No. Too many losses in the Big Ten. The Badgers have to win the tournament.

David Fairborn, OH

What does Dayton have to do not to get into the tourney?

  (11:10 AM)

Lose to Xavier twice and not win the A-10 tourney. Dayton has the win over Marquette in its back pocket but it needs something else in the league like knocking off Xavier at least once.

Vince (Pittsburgh)

Andy, why isn't DeJuan Blair getting any respect for national player of the year or even big east player of the year? Had he not been in foul trouble during the 2 losses we'd be 21-0. He's outplayed every opposing big man including Luke Harangody on Saturday.

  (11:11 AM)

I do think he is in the running for Big East player of the year. He's probably a second-team all-American at this point.

Joel (Fayetteville, NC)

Andy, how do you explain the ACC? I think it is going to come down to who wins the games that are supposed to. So far, I think Duke is doing the best job of that when you look at Wake loosing to Tech and UNC loosing to BC. I think Duke will loose again, but only to upper echelon teams.

  (11:12 AM)

Agree. I don't see Duke losing to a lower level team. The problem is that Duke still has more upper level games remaining with two against Carolina, Clemson and BC on the road and Wake at home.

Nick (Murrysville, PA)

Would this Final Four be realistic? Pittsburgh, Louisville, Arizona State, and Texas AandM

  (11:12 AM)

Not for me. Pitt and Louisville yes. Don't see the other two.

Patrick (Boston)

If Providence goes 10-8 in the Big East, they HAVE to make the dance, don't they?

  (11:13 AM)

Depends on who they beat to get to 10. Beating Villanova, Notre Dame and Pitt would help.

neil (san antonio)

Will Georgia be a force to reckon with in the next few years, if they do hire Bob Knight?

  (11:13 AM)

Don't see it happening -- at least hiring Knight.

Jake (Baltimore)

Not sure if you caught the Gary Williams/Debbie Yow presser, but to say it was a tad awkward would be an understatement. Regardless of any Gary Williams opinions the fact is that he has only 3 years left on his contract after this year, which will handcuff his recruiting of 2010 and 2011 guys. They either need to extend him, which I'm not sure is warranted by recent performance, or work out some kind of buy out arrangement.

  (11:14 AM)

Few elite players stay four years anyway so I don't think it handcuffs the recruiting. Hard to read body language on Yow since she just lost her sister, Kay.

Andrew (DC)

Andy, What is going on with Karl Hobbs at GW? 3 straight big dance appearances, 2 A10 Championships, a Top 10 ranking. The colonials are in danger of missing the A10 tournament for 2 years in a row. Is his job on the line?

  (11:15 AM)

I don't know if it's on the line but the recruiting has taken a hit recently. The A-10 isn't that strong a league right now for GW not to come back quickly.

Chuck (Tucson, AZ)

There's been rumors down here that Rick Pitino's wife has been looking at real estate. While this seems promising, it's not for sure yet. Who do you think is A)the leading candidate for the Arizona job? and B)who is the best fit for the Arizona job (Out of coaches that would even take the offer?)

  (11:17 AM)

I don't believe Pitino is going to Arizona. Not for one second. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see it. Don't see the Izzo or Smith rumors, either. Ultimately, I think it will be rising coach from a step below or someone like Herb Sendek who is leaving a high-major for another high-major before he possibly could get run out in a year or two. Sendek left NC State when there was grumbling for ASU.

Alex (CT)

If UCONN plays like they did last night, is there anyone who can beat them?

  (11:19 AM)

Yes. Pitt and North Carolina are two teams that come to mind.

Mike (Chicago)

What does Michigan State need to do to right the ship? They are 5-0 on the road in the Big Ten, but 2-2 at home! I know they have had injuries, but this team is deep enough to where those should not matter and excuses can not be made. What do they need to do to get back on track and become an imposing force for the tournament? Also how far do you see them going in the tourny?

  (11:23 AM)

I do think it comes down to health. Goran Suton being out hurt them, Delvon Roe was banged up and now Raymar Morgan has walking pneumonia. I do think if all were healthy the Spartans would be fine.

Steve (NY)

If Buffalo would finish say 22-7 (13-3) w/a bracket buster win over Vermont, could they get into the tourney without winning the MAC Tournament?

Andy Katz

  (11:27 AM)

Dicey. Buffalo had a near miss against Connecticut and won the Rainbow Classic but it was against inferior teams. So I would say it would be unlikely.

Jake (SLC)

What is your take on the Mountain West? They have four teams lingering around the tournament with three likely to get in. Can anyone make some noise? There is no elite team, but would you still consider it a strong conference overall? Thanks.

Andy Katz

  (11:28 AM)

It's an interesting call. The MWC has been very competitive. That's great for a league race, but not so much for getting bid. Utah's RPI is high so the best case scenario would be for Utah and UNLV to pull away from the pack. BYU has slumped lately and that's not good for the Cougs' chances.

Tracy (Long Beach State, Daily 49er newspaper)

Thoughts on Long Beach State and the job Dan Monson has done after a rough first season? Surprised?

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

Great job. Getting Green Bay in the Bracketbusters sounds better after the Phoenix beat Butler last night. But Monson should flourish in the Big West and making the tourney this season is realistic.

Mike (Detroit)

Can you explain to me how that rule that got Manny Harris booted from the Purdue game isn't ridiculous? Basically, any player that ever connects with an elbow of any sort, regardless of how it happens, is supposed to get the boot? And how is it fair if it's only called once every 3-4 times it happens. The exact same play happened that night in the UT v. UF game and there was no ejection.

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

I agree there isn't consistency. There was another case in the Baylor-Kansas game last night too. Jim Burr was obviously sensitive after not calling anything in the Purdue-Wisconsin game. John Adams told me that Burr made the right call. Adams is the coordinator of officials and said Burr made the right judgment but it's clearly not being done everywhere.

Christian (Fairfield)

Will Stanford make the NCAA tournament?

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

Only if the Cardinal win the Pac-10 tournament.

Dj Cuse

If the Zags knock off Memphis and run the table can they get up to a 2 seed?

Andy Katz

  (11:32 AM)

Not anymore. I used to think this but there are too many candidates ahead of them at this juncture. That could change with more losses by others. But the bottom of the WCC is so bad this season that it will hurt the Zags.

Tommy (ATL)

Is Marquette over-rated?

Andy Katz

  (11:35 AM)

Not at all.

Andy Katz

  (11:39 AM)

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