Dana O'Neil

  (12:00 PM)

Hello all and welcome to Madison Square Garden where DePaul and Providence are about to tip off.

Chris, Gainesville VA

Mountaineer here again... looks like WVU has a tough draw in the BE Tourney, Notre Dame, and if they win Pitt followed by UCONN - probably not the best of chances to advance very far. Do you think this will affect their mindset for the NCAA Tourney?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:01 PM)

Chris: Definitely tough draw but I also think if I'm Pitt and i'm not happy bout the prospect of facing the Mountaineers that early. Don't think it will affect them too dramatically. Team is pretty goood.

Paul (NYC)

Dana: No more waffling -- your coach of the year? (My view? Bill Self, by a mile.)

Dana O'Neil

  (12:02 PM)

Paul: I never waffle. Ok maybe. Or not. Bill Self is a very good choice. I went w/ John Calipari, following the same case you could make for Self. Lost a ton from a team that went to a national championship.

Ben (Queen Creek, AZ)

If Lawson is out for the ACC tournament, does that mean Duke wins it?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:05 PM)

Ben: Certainly could happen and if I'm UNC unless he's OK, he sits. They've got the Kenyon Martin rule to protect them with seeding.

Eric (PA)

How far do you think Syracuse will go in the Big East Tournament but more importantly the NCAA Tournament?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:06 PM)

Eric: I think Syracuse is interesting. Kind of team could put together a streak and win the whole thing or could lose tonight to Seton Hall.

nathan (PA)

do you believe penn state will get in the tournament regardless of there showing in the big ten toruney or do you thinl there is work to be done

Dana O'Neil

  (12:06 PM)

Nathan: No, I think they need to take care of business in the Big Ten. Can't lose to Indiana in the first round for sure.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:06 PM)

Jon (CT)

Dana have fun at MSG this week , rumor has it this tourney might be good, any chance Nova can win it?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:08 PM)

Jon: I've heard might be some good ball here. Sure Villanova can win it. They've proved they can play with anybody, including Louisville who if seeds hold, would be their semifinal opponent. They need more defense, though. Not loving the all offense/all in theory.

MVC Fan

Why isn't Illinois State talked about as a bubble team? Did the overall weakness of their schedule (and the league) kill their chances?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:09 PM)

MVC: Think you hit both of their problems right there and teams like Butler losing aren't helping their cause any. Will be interesting if two make it what happens. Creighton has better record but I'd say Redbirds deserve the nod.

Andrew (Lexington) [via mobile]

What kind of chance do you give Kentucky to turn it around and win the SEC in Tampa?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:10 PM)

Andrew: Not a very good one, at least not based on what I saw in my four days there. They have the ability to do it but mentally I think that team is cooked.

Chris (Louisville, KY)

Dana, You've been on Louisville's wagon all year. Is it time to jump off, or are you still with us? Do we deserve a 1 if we get to the BE Finals?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:11 PM)

Chris: Heck no, I'm touting MYSELF now. Won the Big East regular season for heaven's sake. Absolutely if Louisville, Pitt or UConn wins this, they deserve a 1 seed and if one of those 3 loses in the final, deserve a 1 seed.

ben woodside [via mobile]

how about me and my bison last night?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:12 PM)

Ben: How bout it? Sure like drama, don't you? But welcome to the tourney.

Roy Williams (Chapel Hill)

Dana, we are the best team and deserve the #1 overall seed even without winning the ACC Tournament, right?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:13 PM)

Roy: Not sure I agree with Part 1 there but yes, I'm guessing you guys are a lock for a #1 seed.

Jack (Rexburg, ID) [via mobile]

How many teams will the Mountain West Conference get in?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:14 PM)

Jack: Very interesting league. Can make a case for as many as five, but I doubt that would happen. That league cannot afford an upset winner. Would kill somebody.

Nathan (DC)

Dana: I really need somebody to answer this for me. Toney Douglas is the defensive player of the year and lead the acc in scoring during conference play all while being double teamed every night on a young undermanned team. Ty Lawson on the other hand play ZERO defense and gets plenty of open shots/lanes bc of hansboro and the other strong players around him. Not to mention Toney dominated Lawson when they played head to head (despite that last second 3). How does this happen? is it just that they don't consider defense at all or is it that these old-line voters can't get enough of the carolina blue?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:15 PM)

Nathan: Not sure I can give you a clear answer on that one because I happen to agree with you. I guess best player on best team is the argument but I don't buy it.

Derek (MO)

Dana who u got POY? Can Tylerget it?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:15 PM)

Derek: Not unless he wrestles it out of Blake Griffin's hands. Could be the surest thing of the season this year.

Matt (Milwaukee)

Looks like the Big Ten will get the most teams in the tourney, but please tell me you agree that other than the Spartans, the rest are a bunch of mediocre teams barely above .500 in a mediocre conference and the Big Ten will flame out in the early rounds.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:16 PM)

Matt: Not sure they'll all flame out but I agree that the depth of the league isn't comparable to ACC or Big East. Not nearlly in fact.

Batch (Boston)

What is BC's likely outcome, after dropping those final two games down the stretch to finish 8 and 8 in ACC play?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:18 PM)

Batch: I'd say they're in right now but they also can't lay an egg in the ACC and can't afford to have a whole bunch of upsets in other conference tourneys.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:26 PM)

sorry folks. major internet problems. where were we?

Kevin (Richmond)

Would you be a proponent of an 8 team play in round for the tourney? Putting bubble teams against one another to fight for the last 4 spots?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:26 PM)

Kevin: Heck no. I hate the one play-in game they have. Gimme 64 teams and call it a day

Chatmaster

Dana, who do you expect to win the Big East tournament?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:28 PM)

I picked Louisville to win the national title earlier this year, so I'm sticking with them.

Neil (Cheshire CT)

Dana, assuming that Michigan State wins the Big Ten, what else has to happen for them to get a #1 seed?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:29 PM)

Neil: some other upsets, namely Oklahoma in the Big 12 and something very wacky in the ACC. I think they're a solid 2.

Natalya, Astoria, NY [via mobile]

Is DePaul for real right now?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:32 PM)

Natalya: Define for real. As in NCAA for real? No. As in another upset for real? Could very well be.

Cedric (Baltimore, MD)

Ms. O'Neil, I really enjoyed reading your story this morning on Coach Gilispie's struggles at UK. If I remember correctly, Gillispie's mentor, Bill Self, had a similarly rocky start at Kansas - a similarly historic program. Do you see Gillispie turning things around and doing as well as Self?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:32 PM)

Cedric: I think the difference is Self handled things much better. Gillispie's problems are two fold. He's not winning enough and he's done nothing to endear himself to the fan base.

frank, knoxville

what kind if chance do you give my vols in this years ncaa tournament? maybe a darkhorse for the final four?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:33 PM)

Frank: Don't see that, no. I like that they're playing better here. Didn't like them even a litlte bit early.

Rayshaun (Columbus, Oh) [via mobile]

The SEC is not that strong this year. Do you think the Gators have a chance 2 win the SEC Championship? And if so, where do you think they will be seeded?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:34 PM)

Rayshaun: If you have a dartboard handy, set it up with the name of all the SEC teams, step back and fire. Anyone can win the SEC Tournament. Anyone. So yes, the Gators could do it.

Pete (NC)

Dana, help me with something. During BCS season, people scream for a playoff. Now during March Madness, people scream for an adjustment to this playoff. To me this is ridiculous. It's perfect. Cinderella gets a chance to shine and there is no wishy washy national champ because the last team standing wins. What gives?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:35 PM)

Pete: People are never satisfied? I agree with you 300 percent. I absolutely love the NCAA Tournament just as it is.

Goose (Chicago)

Based on your logic, good teams should fake injuries to their stars in their conference tournaments and focus on the Big Dance.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:36 PM)

goose: uh, no. But if a team has a legitimate injury to a key player there is protection.

Mike (VT)

Dana, thought on having a team in conf host their conf tournament instead of playing at neutral site...even non-bcs confs should give equal opportunity to all teams

Dana O'Neil

  (12:37 PM)

Mike: I get your point but I also know that for some of the low majors, finances play a part. You need fans in the seats and if you start asking teams with smaller budgets to travel you're going to pinch the schools and probably cut down on the fans.

Ricky (Richmond, VA)

How far do you think VCU can go in the tournament?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:39 PM)

Ricky: I think VCU could scare a few people first weekend if Maynor has more heroics in him. It always depends on matchups

jay wright (nova) [via mobile]

I won the BE COY but how does my team do in the big dance?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:40 PM)

Jay: Congrats to you. Deserved. I think your team can be a nice sleeper/surprise team in the big dance. Probably not as much talent as the team you took to the Elite Eight but I like the way this team plays together.

Bobby Gonzo

Dana: I have to imagine sitting courtside at the BET is pretty amusing with all the personalities in the league who are head coaches. Give us a rundown on some of your favorites (and least favorites) for most entertaining/obnoxious. I'm sure I'll be on one if not both of those lists!

Dana O'Neil

  (12:42 PM)

Gonzo: No doubt there are no shortage of personalities here. I won't say who I don't like but the entertainment factor is high with you and Huggins, for sure. Boeheim makes me chuckle for his perpetual look of torture. Love when Calhoun calls a timeout to NOT talk to his team.

David (Memphis)

I am a realist Memphis fan. I do love how my Tigers have reloaded year after year and that we will set records for # of wins over 4 years and in-conference streaks rivaling Kentucky. I however do believe that while the Tigers are ranked 3 and 4 in Coaches and AP respectively, they are a Final 4 contender. I expect us to get to the Final 4, but not beyond. With that said, I love the new talent coming in next year and we should be back again. Do you agree?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:43 PM)

David: All I know is every year people complain that Memphis doesn't play anyone in conference and every year they advance in the tourney. So to me, pick against them at your own expense.

joe

UNC is already a #1 but Pitt needs to atleast make the big east final? That doesnt make any sense. Their cpu numbers are great.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:44 PM)

Joe: I didn't say that. I got no problem with two or three Big East teams getting 1 seeds. None whatsoever.

DeJuan Blair (MSG)

Dana, why do I have to share the BE POY trophy with this Thabeet guy? I happen to remember laying the smackdown on him TWICE this year. I got hosed.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:45 PM)

DeJuan: I agree with you, my friend. If you had to share it, I would have been OK with Terrence Williams based on his overall game.

Ryan (South Dakota)

Why is nobody talking about what South Dakota State University women's basketball team. They did the same thing NDSU men's team this year by making it to the tourney, but they also are rnaked #14.

Dana O'Neil

  (12:45 PM)

Ryan: Hey that's awesome, my friend but this is a men's baskeball chat. Might be part of the problem.

Cameron M (Lexington, KY)

If Kentucky wins the SEC tournament or comes 2nd can they go to the NCAA tournament?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:47 PM)

Cameron: Well if they win,they have to go. Not even their underwhelming record can keep them out. Second, I don't see it. That Georgia loss, plus 4 losses to end the regular season, were killers.

MidMajor Fan

Who's bubble did Cleveland State burst last night? Are we going to see one less power conference team or one less deserving midmajor?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:47 PM)

MidMajor: Hard to know but I hope it's some less than deserving power team instead of say a deserving mid-major. There are a lot of teams - including the Providence team I'm watching trail DePaul right now - very nervous.

Darrin Horn (usc)

What about my Gamecocks?

Dana O'Neil

  (12:48 PM)

Darrin: Nice job by you and I'd say South Carolina is in. We get to enjoy Devan Downey a little longer.

Joe (Pekin, IL)

I know some NCAA fans don't like the idea of expanding the field, but if there is one 16 seed play-in game why not all the 16 seeds have a play-in game

Dana O'Neil

  (12:50 PM)

Joe: I can't bear the play-in game we have, so please not three more. Please?

Buzzmaster

  (12:54 PM)

Hey folks. Dana got booted from the internet again. She's off to catch the second half of the Providence-DePaul game.