Jason King

  (3:01 PM)

Welcome to the chat everyone. Let's get started.

Nick (Atlanta, Ga)

UK's next loss - at Vandy? at South Carolina? in Rupp????

Jason King

  (3:02 PM)

I think their first chance at a loss is Feb. 11 at Vanderbilt. Feb. 21 at Mississippi State is also a dangerous game. I don't see UK losing at home.

Lee (Syracuse)

Will Louisville force Calipari to admit Louisville is in Kentucky if Kentucky has to play a NCAA tournament game there??

Jason King

  (3:03 PM)

haha. I'm sure Cal will always find a way to get in an "accidental" dig. Admit it: It was funny.

Tommy Corbs (NC)

It's official if Villanova wins 5 more games this year they are going to the Dance.

Jason King

  (3:03 PM)

You heard it here first, folks.

Jim (the South)

Jason, does Joe Lunardi have some personal bone to pick with Mississippi State? He has us a 8 seed, while Bama (who just lost to the SEC's worst team S. Carolina) as a 7 seed, and lets not forget Vandy as a 4 (!!) seed....how is any of this justified?

Jason King

  (3:04 PM)

I thought that was peculiar, too, although I'm the last guy that's ever going to question Joe. He knows what he's doing. I do, however, think that there's an overall lack of respect nationally for MSU.

Jacob Collins (Carbondale)

Do you think if SIU were to bribe another team someone would hire Chris Lowery from them?

Jason King

  (3:05 PM)

Hey now ... be nice.

SMG (NYC, NY)

Have you heard any rumblings about a state of unease in Durham, NC? Reason I ask is that on more than one occassion (four to be exact, and that is only since I started counting), I have noticed some sparring between Austin Rivers and different players on the team- I've seen it between Rivers and Mason Plumlee, Rivers and Miles Plumlee and most recently, Rivers and Seth Curry. Each time it stretches a little further than normal game-time jostle. You hearing anything or have you seen what I am talking about? Hard to believe that K would let it go on...

Jason King

  (3:05 PM)

I haven't heard anything about that but I'll definitely be watching for the things you mentioned. Thanks.

Dan (UT)

Jason, what's with all the love for Vandy? The pundits over at the "mother ship" keep talking about teams from the SEC being inconsistent (e.g., MSU for one) and yet, Vandy some how, is immune to those same accusations. Didn't Vandy just lose at home to MSU?

Jason King

  (3:06 PM)

Losing to Mississippi State is nothing to hang your head about. And Vandy has been very consistent lately, with wins in 10 of its last 11 games.

Spalding (Oklahoma)

What are your thoughts on Lon Kruger and Oklahoma? They are realistically out of an NCAA berth but they return everyone of their top 8 players for next year. See them developing into a tournament team behind Sam Grooms (21 assists 2 turnovers last 3 games)?

Jason King

  (3:07 PM)

I can definitely see that happening. I think OU is extremely underrated. An NCAA tournament team this year? Probably not. But it won't take Kruger long to build that thing back up. If he could just sign one or two studs ..

Daniel (Ohio)

If Pitt wins most of their remaining regular season games, can they be an at large team?

Jason King

  (3:09 PM)

I think they could be if they finish .500 or better in the Big East, but that would mean winning at least six of their final eight games. That's a tall order

BeardoMSU (Starkvegas!!)

Jason, How do you think my Bullodgs will respond after than Florida loss? We've got 5 straight games we should be favored in, which should help with momentum going into the Kentucky game. Thanks.

Jason King

  (3:09 PM)

I like the Bulldogs, but they scare me - especially on the road.

Bryant (Lawernce, KS)

Do the Jayhawks have the toughest second-half conference schedule of any school in the country? Games left at Mizzou, Baylor, KState, and Texas A&M as well as home contests with the Tigers as well as the Texas longhorns, who are better than their record indicates and happened to be the last team to win at Allen Field House seem to be much more challenging than any schedule any other school could possibly have remaining, am I right?

Jason King

  (3:10 PM)

I'd have to compare their schedule with everyone else's, but it's certainly one of the toughest. Kentucky has a tough one, too, with road games against Vandy, MSU and Florida ahead.

Greg (Pitt)

No one is saying that Pitt is an NCAA Tournament team right now, but they clearly are much better with Tray Woodall back. Could you see Pitt playing their way back on to the bubble?

Jason King

  (3:11 PM)

Woodall has made a huge difference, and I still think Dixon is one of the better coaches in the game. Anything is possible.

Diesel (Milwaukee)

How deep can Marquette go in the tourney?

Jason King

  (3:12 PM)

It all depends on match ups, but if they catch a couple of breaks (i.e. if they avoid UNC and Kentucky) there's no reason this team can't make the Final Four.

Chase (San Francisco)

Do you think Baylor makes it to the final four?

Jason King

  (3:13 PM)

I definitely think it's possible. But again, it all depends on match ups. This is an incredibly talented team. Its two losses were to Kansas (at Allen Fieldhouse) and Missouri (by one point). The Bears also have a ton of good wins.

Dave (Omaha)

As a reporter, could you please tell us who the members of the ESPN Bracket Buster Selection Committee were this year? Thanks

Jason King

  (3:13 PM)

I honestly don't know the answer to that question. Sorry.

JP (St Louis)

Mizzou big win last night don't care if it is by 20 or 1 a road win is tough. True or False Mizzou will be tied for 1st in the Big 12 by the end of this weekend?

Jason King

  (3:14 PM)

True.

Aaron (Kentucky)

If Murray St is undefeated going into the NCAA Tournament, I say they get a 4 seed. What do you think?

Jason King

  (3:14 PM)

I think it would be deserving of one - especially if it wins its bracket busters game against St. Mary's.

Andy (St. Louis)

Your initial reaction to the St. Mary's @ Murray State bracketbuster game?

Jason King

  (3:15 PM)

My initial reaction was "Wow, I really, really, really hope they send me to that game." But then I saw that Long Beach State was playing at Creighton, and I'd really like to see that one, too. Wouldn't shock me if St. Mary's won, by the way.

Corey (Kentucky)

Do you think that Teague is starting to find his roll as a pass first PG. Ive noticed when he has more assists than points, Terrence Jones and of course Anthony Davis also seems to play better. Do you see them as the best team in the country when they play like they did when they faced LSU?

Jason King

  (3:17 PM)

Yes, I do. Calipari has done an excellent job with this team. The schedule has also helped, with most of the "hard" SEC games coming at the end. I still think that, when they're playing at a high level, UK and UNC are the top two teams in the country.

Danny (Louisville)

No question, but a response to your column. Undoubtedly, UK-UofL is the most heated rivalry. Not the most storied. Not the most hyped. But definitely the most heated.

Jason King

  (3:18 PM)

Not saying you're wrong or right. I think KU-Mizzou is right there, too. Both of them, without a doubt, are more "heated" than UNC-Duke. And by "heated" I'm talking about fan behavior, off-court stuff, trash-talk, etc.

Alex (Anaheim)

What are the odds Cal's in the tourney? Worse than my sister's school St. Mary's, right?

Jason King

  (3:19 PM)

Oh I'm not sure St. Mary's is all that much better than Cal. The Golden Bears are a solid team. Hopefully we'll see both schools in the tourney.

prizby (Toronto, Ont.)

Kevin Pangos underrated coming out of HS because he played all his HS in Canada?

Jason King

  (3:20 PM)

Probably, along with the "other" reason.

Sarah (NY, NY)

Not that this truly matters when it all boils down to it, but what exactly is the criteria for Coach of the Year? I ask because in all conversations that I have read of it, I have never, ever heard Mike Krzyzewski's name thrown into the mix for this year. The man loses two players from a National Championship team- one of whom was the Final Four MOP and one of whom was a 1st team All American last season- AND the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft, yet his team still hasn't fallen out of the top-10 and rarely out of the top-5. Is this kinda like the Oprah-Winfrey-winning-an-Emmy thing in that she at some point just stopped entering the race because it was evident she'd win it every year?

Jason King

  (3:22 PM)

Great question. The award usually seems to go to the guy who wins when no one expects him to. You know, the coach who loses all five starters but still manages to win a league title ... or the guy who had three key players injured but somehow managed to go 30-7 ... or the one who took a perennially downtrodden program to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 10 years.

Suzie (KS)

Final Four Jason1) Winner KU vs MU Sat?2) Coach Self COY?3) T-Rob to NBA 100% given?4) Winner of Big 12 this year?Rock Chalk!!

Jason King

  (3:23 PM)

1. MU2. Yes (in the Big 12)3. Yes4. Kansas

Matt (Michigan)

How far do you think MSU could go in the NCAA tournament?

Jason King

  (3:24 PM)

They could make the Final Four - but keep in mind, I say that about just about any team that's in the field. And i do it because of schools like VCU and Butler and George Mason. If they can make the Final Four, why can't everyone else?

Clay (Nashville)

whats your national championship game and winner as of today?

Jason King

  (3:25 PM)

I'm still going with my pick of UNC over Kentucky.

Stephanie (Atl)

Are you really serious when you say that it's hard to know where Kentucky is right now? You gave them a "C" on their schedule? Have you even seen them play?They may not be the clear cut #1 but give them a little credit.

Jason King

  (3:29 PM)

I'm giving them plenty of credit. I rank them No. 1 in our ESPN.com poll each week and I said the poor schedule wasn't their fault. But until they play some of the better SEC teams (Vandy, Florida, MIss St) I'm going to have a hard time determining just how dominant this team truly is. Sorry, but squeaking by Auburn and Tennessee isn't enough to get me overly-excited. Their win against KU was during the first week of the season. KU was a different team back then. Beating UNC at home - by point - was a great win. But what else do you have on your resume at this point? Other than Louisville (who is no longer in the rankings) you haven't even PLAYED a ranked team in almost two months. Again, I still think UK is probably the country's top team. But it's hard to judge just how good they are until they play other good teams.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

What is your outlook for the Heels with Reggie Bullock and PJ Hairston taking over at shooting guard for Dexter Strickland? Can the Heels still win it all?

Jason King

  (3:30 PM)

Absolutely. Those are two big time players. The lack of ball-handlers is certainly a concern

Dan (NY)

Any chance Kevin Jones gets National POY?

Jason King

  (3:31 PM)

No, unfortunately. And that's a shame. He's been as good as any player in America this year, and he's done it consistently. There aren't enough open-minded voters out there. Too many people with biases.

Theo (NYC)

Jason, who would be the starters + sixth man for your mid-season fantasy college hoops team?

Jason King

  (3:32 PM)

Off the top of my head ... Kevin Jones, Doug McDermott, Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Jared Sullinger and Kendall Marshall.

Clint (Omaha)

I think ESPN missed the boat sending St. Mary's to Kentucky rather than a trip to Omaha to play in front of 18,000 crazy Jay fans. That being said, what is the NCAA seeding ceiling for Creighton and if the bracket shapes up right, can you see them making a run to the Sweet 16 or even the Final Four?

Jason King

  (3:33 PM)

I would've loved to have seen St. Mary's-Creighton and LBSU vs. Murray State. Creighton is better than the VCU and Butler teams that made the Final Four last season.

Dusty (St. Louis)

Congratulations Jason, you are going to witness the first game all year when Mizzou Arena is at capacity. Pretty sad if you ask me.

Jason King

  (3:34 PM)

Funny how it's always packed when Kansas plays there. It's a shame to see the series come to an end

Reese (Charlotte, NC)

Jason,Thoughts on Duke @ North Carolina next Wednesday night?

Jason King

  (3:34 PM)

I like the Tar Heels both home and away this season.

Alex (Chicago)

Is tonight's game more important for Iowa State or Kansas State?

Jason King

  (3:35 PM)

Probably Iowa State, just because it's at home. Can't afford to lose games in your own arena, especially when you're a bubble team.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Will Tyshawn Taylor be solid enough for the Jayhawks to make a late run in March? Or will the erratic, mistake prone Taylor, that reared his head against Duke and others prevent this from happening?

Jason King

  (3:36 PM)

Taylor seems to play his best at the end of the season. I love his attitude and focus right now. He's been the most consistent Jayhawk during conference play. If KU flounders, I don't think it will be because of Taylor.

Bob Huggins (WV)

I'm still mad

Jason King

  (3:36 PM)

Can't say I blame you.

Norm (Widmann's)

How many losses does the big12 champ finish with before the start of the tourney?

Jason King

  (3:37 PM)

I can't see KU or Mizzou losing more than four league games. Baylor may not, either.

Alex (Las Vegas)

If you were forced to pick a team outside the top 10 to be in the final four who would you pick?

Jason King

  (3:38 PM)

Probably UNLV - and i would've said that even if you weren't from Vegas. Love the Runnin Rebels.

Dusty (St. Louis)

Did you think at all about including Kansas in your best hoops state argument? Only 3 DI schools, and they are all pretty good. Nobody will want to play any of them come tourney time.

Jason King

  (3:39 PM)

I would've a few weeks ago, but with KSU struggling and WSU losing to Drake I yanked them out of the discussion

Steven (Knoxville)

Will Jarnell Stokes lead us to a win in Rupp tonight?

Jason King

  (3:39 PM)

Ummm ... no. But it'll be fun watching him try.

Larry (Arvada)

What do you think of WVU and the OFFICIAL loss against Baylor and the two horrid calls against UCONN and Syracuse.... is the officiating getting worse... or is it being looked at closer? I think it has been so inconsistent this year... with touch fouls called and major fouls ignored..

Jason King

  (3:41 PM)

I couldn't agree with you more. All of the instances you mentioned were questionable. Sometimes it seems like the whistles on "touch" fouls are makeup calls for the things they missed on "hard" fouls. Not sure what the problem is.

Brett Miller (Manhattan)

Will KSU win their next 4 games before KU comes to town? And do you still think we will beat them in the DOOM?

Jason King

  (3:42 PM)

I think K-State wins three of its next four games (with the loss coming on the road to either Iowa State or Texas). But, yes, I think K-State will beat KU in Manhattan. How's your solar car?

Joe (St. Louis)

Jason, do you think Missouri is struggling or are the Big 12 road games just that tough to win at? Looks like Marcus Denmon may be banged up as well.

Jason King

  (3:43 PM)

I think the road is the main issue. It's just tough to win away from your home gym. So give the Tigers credit for persevering in hostile environments at Baylor and Texas. Denmon is just slumping. He'll be fine.

Pete (Philly)

What team that has underachieved do you think has the best chance to turn it around?

Jason King

  (3:44 PM)

Connecticut is hard to write off because of its talent. Remember, the Huskies went 9-9 in the Big East last season before embarking on their NCAA tournament run.

G03 (New York City)

Your thoughts on DUKE at UNC, UNC at DUKE and the possibility of a third match-up in the ACC Tourney?

Jason King

  (3:46 PM)

I like UNC in both of those games just because of their advantage in overall talent and experience. Something tells me one of them will get upset before reaching the ACC Tournament final - maybe by Florida State.

Jonathan R. (Hattiesburg)

If Southern Miss makes the tourney at somewhere like a 12 seed, do you think they could win a first round game against a 5 seed like Vanderbilt or Wisconsin?

Jason King

  (3:47 PM)

Without a doubt: good coach, experienced/talented cast of players. I wouldn't want to draw USM in the tourney.

Dillon (Charlottesville)

Why do you hate Mike Scott so much?

Jason King

  (3:47 PM)

Not sure why you would say that, considering I've had him on my Wooden Watch list for the last three weeks. Quit being so insecure

Dusty (St. Louis)

Who would you rather watch yell at the refs - Bob Huggins or Frank Martin?

Jason King

  (3:48 PM)

I'm a Frank Martin guy, although it should be noted that he learned form Huggins.

Tony (Framingham,Ma)

Jason, What are your thoughts on Seth Greenberg? I hear so many people say hes a very good coach but year after year his teams underachieve he has alot of talent year in and year out but is NIT bound. Is it him or is it just a case of on the wrong side of the bubble??

Jason King

  (3:49 PM)

I think he's too lenient and that, because of it, his teams lack discipline. He should be on the hot seat, in my opinion.

Clay (Nashville)

who's your final four and eventual champ?

Jason King

  (3:50 PM)

UNC, Baylor, Kentucky, Ohio State ... UNC

Nick (MO)

Thoughts on the big Mizzou vs. Kansas game this weekend?Score?Hero?Goat?

Jason King

  (3:51 PM)

Missouri wins 71-65. Dixon is the hero off the bench, the goat is any Jayhawk not named Taylor or Robinson, as Kansas' lack of quality players (beyond the top two) will be a problem.

Chris (Massachusetts)

What makes UNLV ranked so high with the conference they are in?

Jason King

  (3:52 PM)

Beating North Carolina, Wichita State and Illinois certainly helped, and ... newsflash ... the Mountain West Conference is very, very good.

Jack (San Francisco)

Is there a chance that either Jones III/Sullinger/Barnes would come back AGAIN?

Jason King

  (3:54 PM)

I think Jones III and Barnes are gone. Sullinger is the one guy that MIGHT come back - but only if Ohio State fails to win the NCAA title. Even then, I wouldn't count on it.

Pete (Philly)

What team that has underachieved do you think has the best chance to turn it around?

Jason King

  (3:55 PM)

Pete has submitted this question 37 times, even though I already answered it. Again, Pete ... Connecticut. The Huskies. UCONN.

Kipp (Kansas)

Do you see the Jayhawks holding on to be the Big 12 Champions this year?

Jason King

  (3:55 PM)

Until someone takes it away from them, yes, I'm picking the Jayhawks.

Mike (Michigan)

Who's your first team All-American right now?

Jason King

  (3:55 PM)

Kevin Jones, Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Doug McDermott, Jared Sullinger.

Mike (Chapel Hill)

No way! UNC-Duke wins in every cateory for best rivalry. The UK UofL ame was the first time in history where both teams were in the top 5. I don't know the exact amount, but UNC-Duke has to be in the double-digits!

Jason King

  (3:57 PM)

You may be right, but that's not how i judge a rivalry. It's about more than just the teams. It's about the fans, the cities, the joy and anger and passion ..

Justin (Missouri)

What is the 1 player in the country you would want to start your team with?

Jason King

  (3:57 PM)

Anthony Davis.

Jeremy H (Minneapolis)

UNC has a 8 potential Future NBA players on its roster. Marshall, McAdoo, Henson, Zeller, Barnes, Bullock, Hairston and potentially Desmond Hubert. Has their ever been a college team with more future pros on it at one time?

Jason King

  (4:01 PM)

Good question. KU's 2008 NCAA title squad had 5 players drafted that year, plus Sherron Collins (undrafted but signed as a free agent) and Cole Aldrich two years later. So that's seven off of that team, although most weren't the elite-level players like the UNC guys you mentioned.The 2009-10 Kentucky team had five first-rounders (Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, Orton, Patterson) along with DeAndre Liggins (who was selected the following year) and Darius Miller (who may be a pro).

Joe (St. Louis)

You just listed all big men Jason.. that's not really a starting line up.....

Jason King

  (4:01 PM)

Oh OK .. I'll think about it. Ask me again next week.

Anthony (CT)

Why do you hate Uconn so much? Over the past several weeks of this chat, there is always 8 or 9 UNC, DUKE, Kentucky questions, but never a Uconn one. But hey, haters gonna hate.

Jason King

  (4:02 PM)

I can only answer the questions that are sent to me. You want me to talk about UConn, send me some questions.

Jeremy (San Diego)

Arizona has absolutely no size inside this season, but they will next season. How much of a disappointment are they?

Jason King

  (4:03 PM)

I thought they were overrated entering the season, so I'm not that disappointed in them. It was obvious to me that this was a transition year. Don't worry: the Wildcats have the right coach to guide them back into the top 10 within a year or two.

Jason King

  (4:04 PM)

Thanks everyone. Until next week ...