Dick Vitale

  (11:01 AM)

Good to be with you. I am really looking forward to calling the Kansas-Missouri this weekend with my buddy Dan Shulman. It will be a big stage, great enthusiasm, a terrific rivalry. Two of the best teams in America going at it. Frank Haith is one of the top candidates for national Coach of the Year but think about the job that Bill Self has done with the talent he has lost. He has to be up there as well.

Steve (Orlando)

Dickie V! You da man! 2 questions please, can Marquette make the sweet 16 and do the Rays have the pitching this year? THANKS!!

Dick Vitale

  (11:02 AM)

The Rays have phenomenal pitching and perhaps the best in baseball. Marquette definitely has the talent to make it to the Sweet 16.

Andrew (Cascade, Iowa)

Dick do you see Iowa State as a tourney team this year and how do you think it looks for this program moving forward with the mayor at the helm?

Dick Vitale

  (11:04 AM)

I think they have a good shot to make the tournament unless they dive. The Governor, no longer the mayor, that is what I call Fred Hoiberg now! Royce White and company should make tje nog dance.

Brett (Hartford)

What is wrong with Connecticut? No passion out there.

Dick Vitale

  (11:05 AM)

No rhythm, timing, chemistry. They lack cohesiveness right now and they have to get it together. They play a Seton Hall team which has lost five in a row, then they plat at Syracuse and Louisville.

Joshua (North Carolina)

Dicky V what are your thoughts on the job that Mark Gottfried has done this year with the Wolfpack?

Dick Vitale

  (11:07 AM)

What he has done there is what you expect from a first-year coach there. He has had some quality wins and now if they finish strong, it would be a bonus to finish strong and make the big dance. He has set the tempo for the future.

Terry (Philadelphia)

How wacky is thr A-10 this season?

Dick Vitale

  (11:08 AM)

It really is, total chaos, unpredictable from top to bottom, no rhyme or reason. Only know Xavier went in the tank after the brawl against Cincinnati. Look at last night with Massachusetts losing to Rhode Island, Dayton at home falling, a few other surprises. It is going to be a wacky tournament.

Jason (Pittsburgh)

Mr Vitale, you seemed to be quite bullish on Pitt last night during the G'town/Uconn game last night. If Pitt goes 6-2 the rest of the way, which is not out of the question given their remaining schedule, does Pitt go dancing for the 11th straight season???

Dick Vitale

  (11:10 AM)

I said that last night that if they were 9-9 in the conference, and Woodall back, the committee will look at that. It would be a great story and I don't think we have ever had a team go from 0-7 in the conference and make it as an at-large. It would be an amazing story.

Zach (Concordia, Kansas)

Do you think Kansas State can make any kind of run to the Ncaa tournament? They are terrible on the road.

Dick Vitale

  (11:11 AM)

They must learn how to win on the road. They have a good resume bbut they are not a lock yet. February becomes a big month for a lot of teams and they fall into that category. I like the job Frank Martin has done overall.

Pete (Milwaukee, WI)

The Badgers have been winning ugly. Do they have a chance against Ohio Stae at the Kohl Center on Saturday?

Dick Vitale

  (11:13 AM)

Ohio State will be fired up. The Badgers have not dominated at home. I know Wisconsin in playing better but with Sullinger inside, Craft at the point and Buford on the wing, they are going to be tough to beat in the Big Ten the rest of the way. I know ohio State lost at Kohl last season but Thad Matta's team will be tough Saturday.

Dusty (St. Louis)

I'm sure you are excited about the game on Saturday. Mizzou Arena will probably be as loud as it has ever been, but you have to admit there is no place like Allen Fieldhouse right?

Dick Vitale

  (11:15 AM)

Allen Fieldhouse is one of my favorite four, with Rupp, Cameron and the museum at Carolina. I think it will be rocking and I cannot wait to get there with all of the Missouri fans. Frank Haith has that team rocking and it should be really exciting on Saturday night.

Kevin (Crystal lake)

will andre drummond stay in college? he needs to develop some post moves. you thoughts?

Dick Vitale

  (11:17 AM)

He has to get more adequate inside but he has natural size, agility and mobility. He has to work on touch and his free throw shooting. Based on where they think he will be drafted, I think it would be tough to come back. He is in the top three in many rankings and his stock goes up because of his potential. I think another year would help him big time but I don't think that will happen. He has to develop signature moves besides the dunk.

Bilbo (South Pole)

Is Bradley Beal having a better season than Austin Rivers?

Dick Vitale

  (11:17 AM)

That is a toss-up. They have both had good games and down games. They play in winning environments. Beal has lived to his reputation. He has been an instant impact player.

Mike (Nebraska)

Creighton put up 102 pts last night against Illinois St. your thoughts on that and when do we get Dickie V to do a home Creighton Game? Wichita St. is on ESPN as is Bracketbusters!

Dick Vitale

  (11:20 AM)

Doug McDermott is one of the best players in America but I do not make my assignments. McDermott has been a stud all year long. My top three for Player of the Year, in no order, are Thomas Robinson, McDermott, Anthony Davis.

Jeremy H (Minneapolis)

True or False: UNC is a better team with Bullock in the starting 5 instead of strickland.

Dick Vitale

  (11:24 AM)

That is hard to say. Carolina has one of the top frotncourts in America plus Marshall at the point. I think Bullock will be OK if he plays better defense. We know he is an outstanding outside shooter.

Greg (Syracuse)

Once again I am here with my question on "state of the game". Do you you believe, what with the missed goaltending call at end of Su\W.Va game, missed out of bounds calls (2) also during SU\W.Va game (W.Va scored both times when clearly SU player did not touch ball) and also the missed basket interference call that should have gone against W.Va in the Pitt\W.Va game and many more missed calls. That there should be a fourth referee added to games? I am not attacking the integrity of the officials, just that the game moves so fast that these calls are just plainly missed without any sinister intent. As always I look forward to your chats even if my question is not addressed.

Dick Vitale

  (11:25 AM)

I think officials are human and that play was magnfied because of when it happened. A missed call here ad there is going to happen. Nobody is perfect,not players or coaches either.

Jake (Arkansas)

Dicky V baby!! how bout those hogs? looking good at bud walton. they tournament bound?

Dick Vitale

  (11:26 AM)

Arkansas got a quality win over Vanderbilt earlier this week and this is a team in contention for an NCAA berth. Mike Anderson has done a good job and I really like BJ Young in the backcourt providing a spark off the bench most games this season. The fans down at Bud Walton have to be thrilled as they have not seen their team lose there this season.

Frank (Dallas) [via mobile]

Last night's Baylor-A&M game was a close one. Should the Aggies be encouraged to be undermanned and play the Bears close or should the Bears be worried about escaping with a win against a depleted A&M at home?

Dick Vitale

  (11:28 AM)

It is not easy to win on the road, so any W is a good one. Baylor had to work hard, and that is not totally surprising in the Big 12. A&M should be proud to be right there against a talented team and this has been a tough season for Billy Kennedy.

Joe (Peoria, IL)

Why is it that no one at Espn, outside of Dana O'Neil seems to be giving Marquette much if any ink for what they have been able to accomplish so far this year. All they have done is win 7 straight and find themselves 2nd in the BE and no one seems to be talking about them. Buzz Williams must be considered a lock for COY in the BE and in strong contention nationally considering he's been a big man down since December

Dick Vitale

  (11:30 AM)

I have given Marquette love, baby! I am a big fan of Buzz Williams, but lock for Coach of the Year int he conference? It is still up for grabs. Jim Boeheim, Mike Brey, there are a number of candidates. The loss of Chris Otule, who got hurt in a game I did at Madison Square Garden, was a blow. I have a lot of respect for Marquette, they are a hard working team and will be a tough out come tourney time. Darius Johnson-Odom should be all Big East too.

Brandon (Lexington)

Is this the year a Diaper Dandy wins the POY and Nat'l Championship

Dick Vitale

  (11:32 AM)

Anthony Davis is a game changer in the lane, a great shot blocker who is a difference maker. There is a possibility for Player of the Year and Kentucky is certainly a legit contender to win it all. I would pick Thomas Robinson right now for Player of the year.

James (Washington)

I know that the Washington Huskies had a Horrible non confrence season, but what, other than winning the Pac12 tourney, do the Huskies have to do to get into the NCAAs?

Dick Vitale

  (11:33 AM)

Washington certainly has the talent with Tony Wroten, CJ Wilcox and company. Lorenzo Romar's team got a big win at Arizona and right now the Huskies and California look like the top teams to beat in the Pac-12.

Daniel (Orwigsburg, Pa)

As great as parity is in college basketball and as far as it has come, doesn't it seem like were in farther away from a 16 over 1 upset in the NCAA's?

Dick Vitale

  (11:35 AM)

The top teams stand out but the parity in college basketball makes the entire tournamenr interesting. On any given night, you just don't know with the three-point shot as a great equalizer. It is tough for a 16 to beat a 1 but it always has been, so I do not know if I would say farther or not.

james (Moses Lake)

How far can UNLV make it in the tourney??

Dick Vitale

  (11:37 AM)

UNLV showed something when it beat North Carolina and Illinois. I think Mike Moser is having a super season and Dave Rice is a Coach of the Year candidate too. I think there is a lot of potential there and good experience heading into the tournament. The Mountain West is an underrated league too and play in that conference will help prepare the Runnin' Rebels come tourney time.

Julian (Baltimore, MD)

In all seriousness, can Maryland be a serious contender for a Final Four appearance in the next couple of years?

Dick Vitale

  (11:39 AM)

Mark Turgeon is doing a good job putting together the pieces. Stoglin, Howard, Len, that's a good start. I think he will have Maryland in the hunt in the ACC ifyou give him some time. The ACC has had a good recruiting year and will be stronger from top to bottom in the future. I think you will hear from the Terps. Contender for Final Four? We will have to see.

Joe (Ann Arbor)

Oh Dickie V! Tell me about Trey Burke! He's got Big Ten FOY locked up....any chance at being a member of the freshmen all america team?

Dick Vitale

  (11:40 AM)

I really like Burke and he could compete for the All-Diaper Dandy team this season. There have been a lot of impact diaper dandies, led by Anthony Davis this season. Look at what Moe Harkless did at Duke, scoring 30. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller, the list goes on and on and that is healthy for the sport of college hoops.

Dick Vitale

  (11:45 AM)

February will be a time where teams separate themselves from the NCAA and NIT fields. It is excitement galore, baby, and I am thrilled because I am doing a lot of great games and getting paid! I have Kansas-Missouri, Kentucky-Florida, Duke-Carolina and Kentucky-Vandy, wow! Also, log onto facebook/The Real DickieV. and you could get some big cash by hitting the like page and submitting ideas to design a t-shirt. It should be a lot of fun and you can win big money.Enjoy some great games this weekend and I will be back next week.