Andy Katz

  (11:08 AM)

Here to chat for a bit

Cameron Charleston, SC

Do you ever think the committee will reward the regular season champs like a Davidson than a team like Chattanooga?

Andy Katz

  (11:11 AM)

That's a great point and a reason why some of these conferences need to look at what they're doing. It's up to the conference to decide who receives the automatic berth. The Ivy League doesn't have a tournament and the regular season champ gets the bid. A number of these conferences should look at that model. These tournaments aren't money makers at that level. Davidson earned the championship over 22 games. The Wildcats would have given the Southern Conference a much better chance than Chattanooga.

Byron from chicago illinois

Why is it that Bruce Weber can't seem to recruit top notch talent?

Andy Katz

  (11:12 AM)

The Illini didn't have Chester Frazier so that had something to do with the loss to Western Kentucky. The recruiting is going well from this point forward and I would argue that Mike Davis was quite a find for the Illini from the East Coast.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Katz: Which games surprised you most yesterday?

Andy Katz

  (11:14 AM)

I thought Miss State would give Washington a better game. BYU's start was surprising. The Cougars done themselves too big a hole.

Doug (NY)

What'd you think of the take-down of Griffin last nite?

Andy Katz

  (11:16 AM)

Weak. Ameer Ali really could have hurt Griffin. Griffin is a gymnast and knew how to tuck.

K.B. (Philly) [via mobile]

Was yesterday a wake up call for memphis or should I get ready to say goodbye to my bracket

Andy Katz

  (11:19 AM)

It wasn't a necessarily a wakeup call. Offensively the Tigers didn't shoot well outside of Roburt Sallie. I thought Memphis' effort was good. But Tyreke Evans, Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier must finish.

Matt

The take down was bad enough, but I thought Griffin showed remarkable restraint by not retaliating and risking an ejection (and suspension) that could've led to an early exit for his team.

Andy Katz

  (11:22 AM)

I agree. Blake could have come out swinging. But he's smarter than that and didn't want to get his team in trouble.

Dom (Minneapolis)

How do you like Utah St chances of an upset or two and could you see them making the sweet 16?

Andy Katz

  (11:23 AM)

I don't. Utah State has the homecourt edge but I'll be surprised if the Aggies can hang athletically with Marquette.

Pittsburgh (pa) [via mobile]

Do you think PITT will make it past the sweet 16 hump this year? And do you like their chances to win it all?

Andy Katz

  (11:25 AM)

I picked Pitt to win it. So the Panthers need to win!

Travis (Reno, NV)

Andy, over the past 25 years or so, who is the best team that you have seen win the tournament?

Andy Katz

  (11:27 AM)

1990 UNLV. 2001 Duke come to mind.

Will Salazar, Albuquerque, NM

My question is in 2 parts. Why does the state of North Carolina have a regional tournament every year? Why do Duke and North Carolina get to play at home every year? And am I the only person that notices that??

Andy Katz

  (11:29 AM)

1. Schools bid on the sites. So North Carolina schools in Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte bid on the events. 2. North Carolina and Duke are high enough seeds to host.

Austin (Nashville, TN)

Is it officially clear that the RPI means less now than ever before?

Andy Katz

  (11:31 AM)

I would agree. Get rid of it.

Matt

Andy I didn't get a chance to see it, but what was it like hanging with the Prez for his bracket?

Andy Katz

  (11:33 AM)

Very cool. He was extremely knowledgeable on the sport. I've been fortunate to have been with him on three different occasions in the past six months. He's engaging every time. I don't care what your politics are, hanging out in the White House for three hours is hard to beat. Checking out the history in every room is quite remarkable.

Vern (SF)

Cornell seems to be a in a good position since they shoot the 3 so well in transition. If they can beat the press, can they cause problems for Mizzou?

Andy Katz

  (11:34 AM)

Yes. If all that happens. But I'll be surprised if Cornell can handle Missouri's press.

Smelly

How lucky am I to have tix to SMC v Davidson on Monday? My guess is the Patty v Little Curry matchup is better than any matchup we'll see in the NCAA tourney.

AC

What major upsets do you see happening today?

Andy Katz

  (11:38 AM)

First off...I forgot to answer the last question. Davidson-Saint Mary's would be a great game in any tournament this season. I see at least one 12-5 in Arizona-Utah (which shouldn't be classified an upset but it will be by seed). That may be it.

Paul (Oak Park, IL)

In a reverse of Travis' question, in the past 25 years or so, who is the best team you've seen knocked out of the tournament early?

Andy Katz

  (11:39 AM)

Not even close. 1991 UNLV and 1997 Kansas.

john (cincinnati)

andy, i am an unhappy kentucky fan. i liked tubby but don't think gillespie is the right fit. is there a chance uk makes a change after this season is over?

Andy Katz

  (11:41 AM)

I don't know the answer. You shouldn't get rid of a coach after two seasons. Billy Gillispie firmly believes the Cats will be very good next season. But he has to do a better job of the other parts of his job. You can't just be the basketball coach at Kentucky.

kody pa

should other teams think western kentucky is a big threat

Andy Katz

  (11:41 AM)

Only if the Hilltoppers beat Gonzaga.

Kookie(Detroit,MI) [via mobile]

Hey Andy, sooners looked pretty tough last game....think my wolverines can do anything against them?? When Manny and Dion are rolling, they can be tough..

Andy Katz

  (11:42 AM)

Yes. This will be a much different game. I'll be interested to see how OU handles the Wolverines' offense. The key will be whether they can draw Blake Griffin out a bit.

Chad (cleveland)

Gary Waters turned Cleveland State around VERY quick after leaving Rutgers. Do you think he will leave Cleveland St. for a better job?

Andy Katz

  (11:52 AM)

No. Gary is comfortable. This is a good fit for him.

Eddie (Hoboken, NJ)

So you don't think NDSU has a shot vs Kansas eh? NDSU is a very good team and Kansas is very young, turnover prone, and horrid on the road.

Andy Katz

  (11:53 AM)

I said I could see this upset but I didn't have the guts to pick it in my bracket. But if there is one upset I could see today it is this one.

kody pa

so barrack obama isnt doing so good on his bracket i see?

Andy Katz

  (11:54 AM)

Ultimately it's about picking the Final Four and the champ! So we'll see.

Gray (Chicago)

I guess as a Duke fan I should be happy that no one is talking about their game yesterday. Can they stop Abrams?

Andy Katz

  (11:57 AM)

Of course. But the Blue Devils are playing their best basketball at the right time.

Chad (Las Vegas)

What chance does LSU have of beating UNC tomorrow? With or without Lawson.

Andy Katz

  (11:57 AM)

Marcus Thornton and Tasmin Mitchell have to have monster nights and Chris Johnson needs to stay out of foul trouble.

Kookie(Detroit,MI) [via mobile]

Hey Andy, any explanations on why the 7-10 bracket always seems to be the upset special,,,8-9 seems more logical, but statistics don't point that way

Andy Katz

  (12:02 PM)

The committee did a good job balancing those lines. I don't see 10 over 7s as upsets especially when they're between two high major conference teams. Thanks for the questions. Enjoy the games today.