ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (11:06 AM)

Andy will be here shortly to take your questions!

Rich (Rochester, NY)

Andy, does Syracuse have the talent to make a run this March? Nice recap on last night's game.

Andy Katz

  (11:09 AM)

The Orange have the talent. Not sure they can make the run, though. Their defense hasn't been as tight as it had been recently. I'm not sold anymore on a Sweet 16.

reg memphis

Andy, can memphis get a number one seed in the tournament. Uconn Pitt Michigan St. and NC are all gonna lose again. So besides oklahoma, we will be ranked at least number two in the country.

Andy Katz

  (11:10 AM)

Memphis could if everyone beats each other up and loses more games. Memphis hasn't beaten any top 10 teams yet. So that's a problem. My prediction is Memphis is a No. 2 and in Kansas City for the first and second round.

Chris (Philly)

Does St. Joe's have any shot at the tourney after last week's loss to Temple?

Andy Katz

  (11:10 AM)

Saint Joe's has to win the A-10 tourney.

Vin (Hartford, CT)

Andy I was at the Uconn- Pitt game last night and DeJaun Blair looked unreal to me. If Blair plays this well can Pitt win a title?

Andy Katz

  (11:11 AM)

Yes. If Blair, Sam Young and Levance Fields play like they did last night then they can win the title. Blair can also still win Big East POY if he keeps this up.

Brian Gregory (Dayton)

All year you have asked Dayton to beat one more team. They absolutely destroyed X last week. They have 23 wins, three wins over top 50 RPI (X, Marquette, George Mason), are 9-1 vs. top 100 RPI and have an RPI of 26. What do the Flyers need to do in the final five games to wrap up a 6 or 7 seed for the NCAA tournament?

Andy Katz

  (11:18 AM)

Just keep winning. But the Flyers are likely in the field. I'm not anticipating the Flyers missing the tournament at this point.

robert [brooklyn]

despite the loss last night, Kemba Walker looked great and dominated Levance Fields all night. Will he need to play more for UConn to have a chance at the title?

Andy Katz

  (11:19 AM)

Dominated? Not sure I'd say that. Walker got by him to the hoop. But who made the best decisons and key shots late? Fields.

Tucson, Az.

Where do you rank University of Arizona big man Jordan Hill amongst the big boys? i,e; Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet, Tyler Hansbrough.

Andy Katz

  (11:20 AM)

He's up there. Hill will likely be the third player chosen in that group if everyone enters the draft behind Griffin, Thabeet and ahead of Hansbrough.

Marc (Charlotte)

If Tyler Zeller returns this year...is it a good move for UNC (this year); is it a good move for Zeller?

Andy Katz

  (11:20 AM)

If he's effective then yes it's a great move. But if he's not then he's burned his redshirt year.

JJ (Liberty Twp, OH)

Is BC in? How can a team beat Duke and North Carolina, and still lose to Harvard and SLU?

Andy Katz

  (11:21 AM)

First off the Saint Louis loss was in November before BC knew who it was and what it was. So I wouldn't get too hung up on that game. The Harvard loss was inexcusable. But if BC splits its last four games it should be in without a question.

Kevin (ATL)

Will Coach K change his approach and start going after the one and done recruit instead of the players that are a little less talented but stay longer?

Andy Katz

  (11:22 AM)

I'd debate whether he's not going after those players. Duke wanted Greg Monroe. He might leave after this season so I'm not sure I agree with your argument.

Bon (North Carolina)

Hey Andy! Dunno if this question only applies to Mr. Lunardi, but if Duke wins the ACC tourney, regardless of what happens the rest of the schedule, do you think they will gain a #1 seed? thanks katz!

Andy Katz

  (11:23 AM)

It would have to depend on what Duke does the rest of the regular season. If Duke won out then yes it would but if Duke won the ACC tourney after losing to Carolina, Wake and Florida State then I would say no.

Ken (Scottsdale, AZ)

When is ESPN gonna start paying attention to the Pac-Ten? I know its a down year, but come on. Do you have to have a television contract with the WWL to get any coverage?

Andy Katz

  (11:24 AM)

Ken I respectfully disagree. We've written multiple stories on the Pac-10, including Saturday night's on Arizona.

Ryan (McKinney, TX)

Does AandM still have a shot at the tournament? They have some winnable games down the stretch.

Andy Katz

  (11:24 AM)

Keep winning. The Aggies do have bankable non-conference wins over Arizona and LSU. Texas AandM has to go on a roll, beginning with last night.

Scott (Albany, NY)

Andy, the Zeller situation must relate to UNC's incoming class right? Next year they will have Thompson, Davis, Zeller, Henson, and both the Wear twins. How will they all get minutes?

Andy Katz

  (11:25 AM)

That's assuming everyone stays. I never assume anymore when it comes to the draft or transferring.

Jake (Franklin, Ohio)

Do you think if Cincinnati can get a win against Louisville Saturday and finish the rest of the schedule strong that they'll make the tourney?

Andy Katz

  (11:25 AM)

Yes. If that happens then Cincy will get a bid.

victor monroe,la

andy do you think lsu will make the ncaa tournament this year?

Andy Katz

  (11:26 AM)

Yes. The Tigers are dominating the SEC West. LSU's nonconference schedule was weak and the Tigers didn't handle any of their high-major games. But the Tigers will get a bid, barring a collapse. The seed, though, should be closer to double digits based on their overall body of work.

Leo (BIG APPLE)

The bracketbuster team(s) to look out for are...........

Andy Katz

  (11:27 AM)

ButlerDavidsonCreighton

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Katz: Is it possible that Duke might actually have to leave North Carolina prior to the Sweet 16? I almost thought that the committee was contractually obligated to have Duke gain a home state advantage for the preliminary rounds.

Andy Katz

  (11:27 AM)

Obviously that's not true. And to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if Duke would rather play in Philadelphia than Greensboro with North Carolina. Duke has more Northern fans then in the state. So it's a moot point.

Johnathan (Richmond, KY)

Last year in Memorial Gym, UK was creamed (and that's putting it lightly). What do you see happening tonight?

Andy Katz

  (11:28 AM)

That won't happen. Kentucky is playing better basketball. But the Wildcats need Patrick Patterson back to feel more comfortable.

Ben (Madison, WI)

Would you prefer to be an 8 seed in the tournament, or an 11 seed? To me the road to the Sweet 16 is a heck of a lot easier as an 11.

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

Better to be an 11 or 12. An eight puts you against a No. 1 in round two. So if I were say Texas I'd rather be double-digits than in the 8-9 game.

Ryan (Madison, CT)

Andy, what does providence have to do in their last five games to lock up a tourney bid? Win 3 out of 5?

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

Beat someone of note...Louisville or Pitt would help in the next week.

Kynan (Lawrence, KS)

Do you see a scenerio, other than winning the Big 12 Tourney, that Oklahoma State gets into the NCAA tournament?

Andy Katz

  (11:30 AM)

Not at this juncture.

Mike (CT)

How much did Uconn miss Dyson last night? A.J. Price can only do so much.

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

I would be interested to know if Dyson would have been on Fields late. So I would say, yes, they missed him.

Brad (MO)

Will Mizzou be a threat in March, or are we having false football hopes again...

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

If the Tigers continue to defend the way they are with giving up only 47 points to Nebraska then Missouri will definitely be a factor.

Jeff - Cincy, OH

Based on the latest brackets...why are so many of the top seeds placed so far away...the thought of putting teams like Louisville in KC when they could be in Dayton is absurd. I thought they were supposed to be "protected seeds"

Andy Katz

  (11:32 AM)

But they are all bunched up. Someone is going to get moved around. Pitt will likely be in Dayton. I actually think Louisville will be there, too, with Memphis and Oklahoma in KC.

scott (WV)

ND and georgetown were thought to be pwer houses starting the year can either get into the tournament?

Andy Katz

  (11:33 AM)

Yes. There are still quality wins left for both schools. What if Gtown beat Marquette and Louisville? What if ND beat Connecticut?

Chris (Abilene, TX)

What is wrong with texas? Are they in jeopardy of missing the tournament with a loss last night and a couple more losses around the corner (OU and KU)?

Andy Katz

  (11:34 AM)

I don't think they'll miss out but I could see Texas being 8-8 in the Big 12 and getting a double-digit seed. The defensive intensity seems a bit off from afar.

Ace (Pittsburgh, PA)

Who do you have as your top 5 after last night's game?

Andy Katz

  (11:34 AM)

1. Oklahoma2. North Carolina3. Pitt4. Connecticut5. Memphis

Chris (Boston)

Last year you kept touting Arizona Sts early year win over Xavier. Now, you give BC an excuse for losing early b/c they "didn't know who they were?" Would love an explanation.

Andy Katz

  (11:36 AM)

First off Saint Louis isn't awful. The Billikens are a middle of the pack A-10 team. It was a road game early in the season. Beating Carolina and Duke would amed for that loss. Overall body of work would get BC in assuming the Eagles don't collapse. I always thought ASU should get in last season based on who was left for the final spots. Remember, you still have to fill the field. It's not as easy every year.

brad (ny)

who is a sleeper right now for player of the year

Andy Katz

  (11:37 AM)

No one. Blake Griffin will win the award.

Jacob (Ashland, KY)

How many teams will the SEC get into the tournament?

Andy Katz

  (11:38 AM)

Ultimately five: LSU, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina.

Andy Katz

  (11:38 AM)

Thanks for the questions. I'll chat again next week.