ESPN

Chatmaster

Andy, does Oklahoma have to win the Big 12 tourney to get a number 1 seed and do you think this is a Final Four squad?

Andy Katz

  (11:19 AM)

Yes. I do think Oklahoma is a No. 1 seed if it wins the Big 12 tournament. But if Louisville wins the Big East tournament then the Sooners could be the odd team out.

Alex (Chicago)

Andy, what do you think Craig Brackins should do about the draft? Should he declare or come back for his junior year? Iowa State could have a good team next year if he does go back.

Andy Katz

  (11:20 AM)

Brackins is a talent. It depends on what he's being told and if he is hearing the correct information. If he's a lock for a top 20 pick then he should go. But if he's not then he shouldn't.

Marc, Charlotte

It is an absolute joke if the Big 10 gets more teams in the Big Dance than the Big East or the ACC.

Andy Katz

  (11:21 AM)

I understand your point. But it doesn't work like that. It will look like the Big Ten is getting more to the naked eye but the committee is comparing Penn State and Miami or Minnesota and Maryland and doesn't look at conference affiliation.

Bryan Boellke (Vandalia)

What teams should bubble teams be rooting for to win tonight?

Andy Katz

  (11:21 AM)

Butler.Butler.Butler.

Jim (Boston)

Andy, did you watch the CAA finals? VCU looked very strong with the dynamic pg play of Maynor and beast of Sanders down low! What do think of their shot come the first round of the big dance?

Andy Katz

  (11:26 AM)

VCU can win a first-round game just like two seasons ago. You're right. They have the balance to get a win.

Chris (Pennsylvania)

What are the chances that Penn State makes the big dance?

Andy Katz

  (11:26 AM)

Penn State has to beat Indiana. The Nittany Lions can't lose that game and feel like they should be in the field. If they do that I'd like to see one more win to feel secure.

Roger (Detroit)

Hi Andy,If MSU and Memphis both win out (and OU loses in the B12 tourney) - would the Tigers really have a better shot at a #1 than the Spartans? Doesn't MSU have a much stronger overall resume?

Andy Katz

  (11:28 AM)

That's a tough call. I'm expecting both to be No. 2 seeds, though.

Steiny (NYC)

Saint Joseph's forward Ahmad Nivins was named the Atlantic 10 conference player of the year yesterday. Did he deserve that award?

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

Yes. Nivins had a stellar season. It doesn't always have to go to the best team.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

My apologies if I've brought this up before but do you think conference touraments should require teams to have at least an overall .500 record to be eligible for participation? I'm sorry but I don't think three days of good basketball should be rewarded over a solid overall season.

Andy Katz

  (11:30 AM)

No. Playing in a conference tournament gives a team hope and is the carrot to keep playing. I understand bars that need to be set for at-large berths but I have no issue with inviting all of the teams to a conference tournament.

Aaron(buffalo) [via mobile]

What does Georgetown have to do in NYC to get in the big dance

Andy Katz

  (11:30 AM)

Get to the final. I don't think the Hoyas have to win. But getting to the final would give Gtown at least two more quality wins.

Chad (Rockwall, Texas)

The best month of sports history is upon us! Too bad the local radio heads in Dallas can't grasp this instead of talking about T.O.The question is; Andy, I know you are somewhat close to Billy G. of UK. Do you feel he is in trouble or made a mistake by taking his dream job. It seems like he had a great gig at AandM!I feel the guy is a winner and if UK gives him some room, he will deliver the grand daddy soon.Love your work!!!

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

Not sure how this will end. But I'll be surprised if it's a longterm solution. Billy G's best work was done in Texas. That seems to be his natural home. He built Texas AandM into a winner in a year. He set it up for the Aggies to be a consistent threat. We'll see how it plays out in Kentucky, but I always felt his natural home was to remain in Texas.

rock to the chalk [via mobile]

Big 12 Coach of the Year: Bill Self or Mike Anderson?

Andy Katz

  (11:32 AM)

Bill Self. Big 12 champs.KU lost so much it's hard not to reward him with this honor and the national one, too.

Michele, Il

What does Duke need to do in the ACC tourney to secure a 2 seed?

Andy Katz

  (11:32 AM)

Win.

Nate (Pittsburgh)

Andy, Is Pitt the overall #1 seed if they getto the Big East Championship game? Thanks for the good work!

Andy Katz

  (11:32 AM)

Yes. I have Pitt as the overall No. 1 regardless of what occurs this week.

Andrew, Lexington, KY

What is more important to the committee, strong wins or bad losses?

Andy Katz

  (11:33 AM)

Strong wins. The committee says it doesn't get hung up on margins of defeat.

Chad (Las Vegas)

What happened to LSU this past week? Was it a sign of things to come or were they just lazy after winning the confeence the week before?

Andy Katz

  (11:34 AM)

Hard to decipher. The Tigers are still the most talented and experienced team in the SEC. But you're right. They suddenly are in a funk and it will hurt their seeding.

Marc, Charlotte

Is it too early to buy tickets to Greensboro to watch the Tar Heels?

Andy Katz

  (11:35 AM)

No. I'd be shocked if the Tar Heels aren't in Greensboro in one of the two pods.

Creighton

Are we NIT bound now?

Andy Katz

  (11:35 AM)

Probably. But I wouldn't cancel plans to watch the Selection Sunday show just yet.

Phil (Chicago)

If Notre Dame, Georgetown or Cincinati makes it to the championship game of the BET are they in?

Andy Katz

  (11:35 AM)

Yes becasue of the quality wins they would all receive.

Mike A (Altoona, Pa)

You have Pitt as the overrall No 1 even if Carolina wins the ACC?

Andy Katz

  (11:36 AM)

Yes. Here's why: Pitt's sweep of Connecticut is better than UNC's sweep of Duke. Both teams won at Louisville. Pitt's worst loss is at Providence. UNC's worst is at Maryland. Pitt didn't lose at home. UNC did. If Pitt wins the Big East, it may have to beat Connecticut a third time.

Tanner (Tucson, Arizona)

God Forbid Arizona loses AGAIN to ASU, what are the chances Arizona still makes it in the field of 65?

Andy Katz

  (11:38 AM)

I still think the Wildcats are in with or without a win over ASU. Arizona has the better body of work with wins over Gonzaga, Kansas, UCLA and Washington.

Andy Katz

  (11:39 AM)

Thanks for the questions. Enjoy championship week.