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Welcome to The Show! On Tuesday, ESPN.com senior college basketball writer Andy Katz will stop by to chat about the college basketball season.

Send your questions now and join Andy on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET!

Katz Archive: Chats | Columns | Blog

Chatmaster


Andy, with all of their injuries and suspensions, is Oklahoma still a Final Four favorite?

Andy Katz
  (11:21 AM)


Yes. OU will be just fine once the tournament starts. I have no reason to believe the Sooners won't make a deep run with Blake Griffin and the rest of the guards playing up to their potential.

Jeff Lebo (Auburn, AL


Is my team anywhere close to the bubble with a win in Tuscaloosa tonight?

Andy Katz
  (11:22 AM)


Sorry. Auburn has had a great season. The Tigers have a chance at 10 SEC wins if they can pull off the upset over LSU to close the season. But the body of work isn't there to get an at-large bid. Jeff Lebo deserves some consideration for SEC coach of the year with Trent Johnson (LSU) and Darrin Horn (South Carolina).

Chris (Abilene, TX)


Why are so few people talking about AandM? When their blind resume is looked at, most analysts choose them, but when their name is attached to their resume, they get dogged.

Andy Katz
  (11:23 AM)


I disagree. I've talked a lot about Texas AandM. The Aggies still have two of the best non-conference wins in the SEC with victories over Arizona and LSU.

Steiny (NYC)


Do you think Bill Self should be named COY?

Andy Katz
  (11:23 AM)


Yes. He is my choice.

Marie (San Francisco, CA)


What are the chances that Gerald Henderson Jr. wins the ACC player of the year award? I not only think that he deserves the award for what he has done for the Blue Devils but also for the way that he has really elevated his game of late.

Andy Katz
  (11:24 AM)


He should be first-team all-ACC. But he won't be player of the year. I think you'll see the award go to one of the following: Ty Lawson (UNC), Jeff Teague (Wake), Jac k McClinton (Miami) or Toney Douglas (Florida State).

Chris (Boston)


Does Siena have a chance to make some real noise (at least Sweet 16) in the tourney this year?

Andy Katz
  (11:24 AM)


Got to win the MAAC first. Niagara will make that extremely difficult.

Brock (CDA, Idaho)


Andy, why is it that even after their ninth consecutive regular season conference title Gonzaga still gets no respect. Come Tournament time they may be ranked in the the top 10 and other than one bad streak which nearly included an upset of Connecticut, they have looked like elite eight caliber team. So why is it that they are only a six seed? Shouldn't they be closer to a three? or four?

Andy Katz
  (11:26 AM)


It's based on body of work. Gonzaga did beat Tennessee twice, but so too did Kentukcy. Gonzaga doesn't have the overall wins to warrant a higher seed.

Chris (Boston)


Ok then let us assume that they beat Niagara (they have both blown each other out this year) and win the MAAC crown. Then what would you say?

Andy Katz
  (11:31 AM)


I would say Siena has a shot to pull off a first-round upset.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)


Mr. Katz: Let's say that going into conference tournaments, one league is projected to get four bids. If a team not projected to get a bid wins that conference's tournament, do you think the conference should get five bids or should it lose its last at-large team? It doesn't seem right that the former happen. Thoughts?

Andy Katz
  (11:32 AM)


It is not about how many teams the conference is projected but rather about each individual team. You still have to see if the lowest rated team among that conference still warrants a bid against the other-like teams still on the board.

Harvey (Gainesville, FL)


Andy, any chance WSU gets some bubble consideration if they beat UW and make the Pac-10 tourny championship game? Is winning the Tourney their only shot?

Andy Katz
  (11:32 AM)


I was thinking about this. What if Wazzu beats Washington and then gets to the final? WSU would have won at UCLA and Washington, swept the Arizona schools and likely had two more decent wins. If that happens then the Cougs SHOULD get a bid. I would be driving that bandwagon bus.

Justin (Ohio)


Andy, if you were an Ohio State fan would you be happy, disappointed, or feel just about right with this season?

Andy Katz
  (11:38 AM)


I would be concerned. The Buckeyes haven't stood out enough this season. I think they have to perform well in these final two games against Iowa and Northwestern.

Matt (Hartford)


Andy, What did you think of Nova last night? Showed up big against a team thats great at home and had its back against the wall.

Andy Katz
  (11:40 AM)


Very impressive. I was completely wrong on this team this season. They are very, very good. That team can score.

Will J (Portland, OR)


Andy, are there any clear cut favorites to win the title this year? How many could legitimately win?

Andy Katz
  (11:42 AM)


North CarolinaPitt ConnecticutOklahomaLouisvilleWake ForestMemphis

Gerardo (Tempe, AZ)


Andy, quick FYI: Wash St did not sweep the Arizona schools.

Andy Katz
  (11:43 AM)


At home they did.

Dan (Kingston, RI)


What do you think URI needs to do to make the Tourney?

Andy Katz
  (11:45 AM)


Beat UMass.Win two games in the A-10 tournament.

Matt (Hartford)


Andy, Pitt-Uconn this weekend. Is the game more important for Uconn or Pitt? Any chance either fall off the 1 seed line? Who you got?

Andy Katz
  (11:48 AM)


It's big obviously for both since they can both win the Big East. I still believe both teams will be No. 1 seeds, regardless of the outcome.

BG (Dayton)


Andy, I think it is a joke that you only "hint" at Dayton being an at large team this entire season. You keep saying they need more, more. Get a clue! An rpi in the 20's and their SOS in the top 95 after the X game. Plus 25 wins (I am counting Duquense at home on senior day) 9-2 over top 100 rpi and 3-1 over top 50. Get off your BCS High Horse this team is a lock!

Andy Katz
  (11:50 AM)


That's a strong argument. But the number of wins isn't a precursor to a bid. I'm not against Dayton. The Flyers may get their bid over the next week. We'll see.

kobe, Seattle WA


Is Washington the most "under the radar" good team in the country? They have depth, good guard play, rebound as well as anyone in the country.

Andy Katz
  (11:52 AM)


Not sure the Huskies are under the radar anymore. Washington has proven to have stamina, can rebound off a loss and play with poise in critical games. The ASU win was a prime example. This team could definitely make a deep run.

Louisville, KY


On their state-wide radio show today, Joe B. Hall (ex-UK coach) and Denny Crum (ex-UofL coach) were debating if the name of the school helps get them into the tournament. Joe B believes teams like Duke and Kentucky win tiebreakers over basketball programs like Florida St, even though the Selection Committee wouldn't admit to it. Denny Crum says he's known dozens of commmittee members personally and knows for a fact this is not true. To quote him: "You're as wrong as you could possibly....you're just wrong."What do you believe? Will Kentucky, with quite a mediocre resume, get a boost because they're Kentucky?

Andy Katz
  (11:53 AM)


It's hard to know the human element but I don't think the name matters. I don't. I may be in the minority. But I don't.

Marsh (StL)


No mention of Hansbrough for ACC POY? He leads the league in scoring and is unstoppable on the best team in the conference. He should be first team all-american as well correct?

Andy Katz
  (11:54 AM)


I don't think he will be. Lawson's play down the stretch has been the difference for the Tar Heels.

College BBall Fan At Work!


To follow up on BG's statement. Not a Flyer fan, just a hoops fan. What other teams in the at-large pool can boast that type of resume? Also, didn't Dayton beat Marquette when they had James by double-digits? I really do believe with that resume stated above ... they are talking about what seed they get, not if they are in!

Andy Katz
  (11:54 AM)


That all may be true. They may already be in, but I don't think they will be a first-ballot team.

Marc, Charlotte


Can you explain how people can believe Coach K is overacheiving with 8 MCD All Americans?

Andy Katz
  (11:56 AM)


Not sure who these people are but I also wouldn't get too caught up on McDonald's all-Americans. If anyone thinks the selection process is political then just take a look at how many high-major commitments have been McDonald's All-Americans.

Mike (chicago)


How can you not put MSU in a team that can win the tournament. They have a much better chance than both Wake and Memphis. They are experienced and finally healthy. You cant honestly tell me that Wake and Memphis are better than MSU can you?

Andy Katz
  (11:56 AM)


Sorry about that. That was my mistake. I did forget to to put Michigan State on that list. Thanks for the catch.

BG (Dayton)


Andy -- thank you for answering. But, I would like to clarify something. If you had to choose is Dayton in or not? You never go straight up on them baby!

Andy Katz
  (11:56 AM)


Today I would say they are in.

Derek Wehmeyer (Houston, Texas)


So with that loss, ND is done. Correct?

Andy Katz
  (11:57 AM)


Unless the Irish win the Big East tournament or somehow get to the final by knocking off two high profile Big East team.

Jeff


What do you mean by first ballot team?

Andy Katz
  (11:58 AM)


The committee selects up to 34 teams to put in the field on the first ballot. UP TO 34. It doesn't have to be 34. These are teams that are in the field no matter what. This ballot takes place on Thursday of selection week.

CJ (Kansas City)


Do you think that Kansas has enough to make a Final Four run? The Big 12 isn't exactly the Big East in terms of competition.

Andy Katz
  (12:01 PM)


In this season I would say Kansas is very much alive for a deep run.Thanks again.We'll chat during Championship week.

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