Jason King

  (3:01 PM)

Welcome to the chat everyone. I'll try to get in as many questions as possible today.

Zack Bauer (Portland, ME)

Jason: Carolina by 10 tomorrow night. A) Carolina winning by too few or B) Dook losing by too few?

Jason King

  (3:01 PM)

Carolina winning by too few

Andrew Brick (Waconia MN)

Which Mid-Majors can win the National Championship?

Jason King

  (3:02 PM)

UNLV may have the best chance.

allen (omaha)

what's your prediction on the creighton/wichita state game saturday?

Jason King

  (3:02 PM)

I've gotta go with the Bluejays since they're at home (not to mention that they beat Wichita State on the road, too). I'm not too down on Creighton for losing at UNI Saturday.

Eric (Purgatory)

You answered this a month and a half ago, I'm curious if it's the same answer...UNC, Ohio State, SYR and UK in a round robin neutral floor tournament. Who wins?

Jason King

  (3:03 PM)

If each team brings its A-game, I'll take UNC.

Jordan (Lexington, KY)

Shouldn't we be giving a lot more credit to Louisville than they've gotten so far this year? I know they have a lot of losses, but only one of them (that inexplicable Providence blowout) was a bad one, and they've had a number of decent wins and have made quite a good record for themselves despite an amazing amount of injury-related setbacks.

Jason King

  (3:04 PM)

Yes, Louisville deserves a lot of credit for their success, especially considering the injury situation. I think they're ranked in just about the right spot, though. They'll move up significantly - or at least they should - if they win either of their next two games.

Jordan (South Bend, IN)

How much should we read into Duke's two recent home losses? Are they basically a fluke, or a sign that this is simply not a top-tier (or maybe not even a second-tier) team?

Jason King

  (3:06 PM)

I thought before the season that this would be a "transition year" for Duke, and it is. The Blue Devils certainly aren't a bad team. They're just not a great one. That what happens while role guys all of a sudden have to become leaders (Curry, Dawkins, Kelly, Plumlees) and when you're breaking in new players (Rivers, Cook). They"re 8-15 team in my opinion.

Robert A. (Morgantown, WV)

You've been among the leaders in your praise for Kevin Jones and the incredible season he's been having. Assuming Jones maintains the high level of play for the rest of the season, how well does WVU need to finish for him to earn 1st-Team All-American Honors?

Jason King

  (3:08 PM)

I'm getting a little worried for two reasons:1. West Virginia's recent struggles and Jones' failure to get them over the hump.2. Can he really keep playing this well? I mean, the guy has been a BEAST. It just seems like he'd taper off at some point. When that happens, the critics will be quick to write him off. I won't make that mistake. He's nearly a lock on my ballot.

Anthony (KC, MO)

King, I think all of you KU fans are really doing a discredit to that great game on Sat night by continuing to talk about the T-Rob offensive foul. As an MU fan, I'm trying to be as unbiased as I can be. I don't see how you can call that a bad call. At worst, it was a judgement call. Often times, you don't get judgement calls on the road. That's reality for anyone not named KU, Duke or North Carolina.

Jason King

  (3:11 PM)

I'm not a KU fan at all. All I do is report what coaches/players say, and Bill Self's post game comments about the officiating warranted story, especially considering the rash of poor, late-game calls that have been made in recent weeks. Self was quick to point out that one call did not cost KU the game, and I mentioned that in my article. So no one is blaming the refs for anything. It was a great, well-deserved win by Mizzou

Kari (Rochester)

who will come out with wins tomorrow SU vs GTOWN and DUKE vs UNC?

Jason King

  (3:12 PM)

Not sure Georgetown has the depth and offensive firepower to stay with Syracuse, so I'm picking the Orange in that one. North Carolina is a better team than Duke - especially in the Dean Dome.

Gerald (Missouri)

All these kU fans are saying from the "eye test" that they looked better than Missouri. You can't possibly agree?

Jason King

  (3:13 PM)

I thought both teams were equally impressive. KU controlled the game for 37.5 minutes but Missouri was the tougher team at the end. Both could make the Final Four.

Nick (New York)

With Fab Melo back in the lineup, do you see Cuse easily winning the Big East title? Also, what do you think of possibly Fab Melo, Noels, and DeJuan Coleman as their frontcourt next year? That would be tough to beat.

Jason King

  (3:14 PM)

For a while I thought Georgetown and Marquette might be able to throw a scare into Syracuse, but these days it appears that the Orange are in a class by themselves in the Big East. A trio of Melo, Noel and Coleman would be sick.

Chris (Orlando)

FLorida a top 5 team? Can they beat UK at home tonight? How do you see them doingt the rest of the season?

Jason King

  (3:15 PM)

No and no, but i do think Florida is the second-best team in the Big East.

Dusty (St. Louis)

What is your prediction of how badly KU beats mizzou in Allen Fieldhouse? By more than 15?

Jason King

  (3:15 PM)

No, not that bad. Maybe 7-12 points.

Reese (Columbia, MO)

Who do you see winning the B12?

Jason King

  (3:16 PM)

I'll give Missouri the edge for now, especially if they beat Baylor Saturday.

Carl (San Diego)

Who you got in the big SDSU-UNLV match up this saturday? And by what score?

Jason King

  (3:17 PM)

I can only hope the game is as exciting as the Jan. 14 thriller that the Aztecs won in San Diego. I think UNLV gets revenge with a 69-66 win Saturday.

Jay (Michigan)

KU/Baylor...who you got and why Jason? Love your work...

Jason King

  (3:20 PM)

Thanks so much. Kansas is 16-2 all time vs. Baylor and has been able to dominate the Bears physically. I like Kansas by 8-10 points.

Jay (Michigan)

Duke/UNC...winner and why?

Jason King

  (3:20 PM)

North Carolina ... far superior talent and depth.

Cam (Charlotte)

Of NC States 3 games in a row against Duke, Florida State, and Carolina. How many of those 3 do they need to win to be in the tourney?

Jeff (Chicago)

what is your prediction for tonights game Alabama at Auburn?

Jason King

  (3:21 PM)

Considering the weak bubble, I think a win in one of those games would do wonders for their chances.

Jason King

  (3:22 PM)

Back to the Alabama at Auburn question, I'll go with Auburn. Tony Mitchell has been suspended for Alabama, and Auburn is coming off an impressive performance in a 3-point loss at Mississippi State. Auburn scored 88 points in that game.

DJ (Cuse)

How can the Mizzou Tigers manipulate the system to get a #2 or #3 seed so they can play in St. Louis?

Jason King

  (3:22 PM)

Manipulate the system? They're 22-2. They're completely deserving of a No. 2 seed at worst.

MD [via mobile]

What do you think about Memphis becoming a full member of the Big East? Are they enough to save the conference?

Craig (Tumwater, WA)

Does the fact most bracketologist have more than 1 Pac-12 team in there backs point to an extremely weak bubble or the fact that OOC schedules will mean little to nothing in the selection committees process this year?

Jason King

  (3:24 PM)

I don't know about saving the conference, but adding Memphis to the mix will be great for hoops. The Tigers needed to be in a better league. But man ... what a terrible conference for football, huh?

Jason King

  (3:24 PM)

Back to the bracketology question regarding the Pac-12 ... the bubble is extremely, extremely weak this year

Alex (Anaheim)

Does Northwestern still have a shot at the tourney?

Jason King

  (3:25 PM)

Heck no. I'm so tired of the Wildcats teasing us every year.

Sean Miller (McKale Center)

Appreciate the kind words in your piece, Jason. Looks like we're favored in all but one game from here. 22-9 (13-5) with a win in the conference tourney good enough to get us in?

Jason King

  (3:27 PM)

Absolutely. That should do it. Very impressive weekend for Arizona, beating Cal and Stanford on the road

DJ (Cuse)

If I was KU I would be blaming that 7 foot giant who had zero points and 1 rebound while getting covered by a shooting guard who loves poetry?

Jason King

  (3:27 PM)

haha. no comment

Joseph (Santa Fe)

So is the MWC a mid-major or not? ESPN does not recognize it as one in their mid-major report yet you do. Would it kill you guys to be consistent?

Jason King

  (3:28 PM)

I definitely think it's a mid-major. I'll do some checking and get back to you on that one.

Doug (Columbus, OH)

Do you see the Buckeyes losing another Big 10 game this season? Also, your thoughts on OSU winning it all this year? Thanks

Jason King

  (3:30 PM)

I don't think a loss to MIchigan State on March 4 would surprise anyone - and neither would a national championship. Love the Buckeyes blend of talent and experience and I love their chemistry/cohesiveness

Jon (Richmond)

I have to disagree with your opinion that UVA should be dropped from the top 25. 18-4 with those 4 losses by a combined 10 points. Two of those were one possession games in Durham and Tallahassee. Our margin of victory will usually be close due to pace of play, so I don't think it's fair to use that as an absolute barometer.

Jason King

  (3:32 PM)

Good points, but still ... you LOST those games - and you don't have any great wins other than Michigan. Losing close games doesn't make a team top 25 worthy, in my opinion. You should have to earn your spot in the poll by beating good teams, not losing to them, even if it's by a narrow margin

Chris Z. (LA) [via mobile]

Is this the end for Calhoun? Will he have to retire with this latest health scare?

Jason King

  (3:33 PM)

It needs to be. Time to move on. This year has been terrible. The situation isn't fair to anyone

Laura (Omaha)

I know Doug McDermott's in all of the POY conversations, but do you think the "He plays in the MVC" argument will hold him back from getting it?

Jason King

  (3:34 PM)

I think Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson will have more to do with McDermott not getting the award than anything. McDermott has a great chance of being named first-team All-American. What a well-deserved honor that would be.

Tony (Framingham,Ma)

Jason, Do you think duke is overrated? I see them in the 15-20 range and still a good team but they are not playing like a top 10 team right now.

Jason King

  (3:35 PM)

I think they're overrated, but I don't know if I'd put them that low. Still a very good team. The teams they lost to aren't terrible

Neal (Chicago )

How far can Marquette go in the tourney ?

Jason King

  (3:36 PM)

All depends on match-ups. Elite Eight is a realistic possibility.

Jim (Bloomington)

Does Indiana win out the rest of the regular season, given a more favorable B1G schedule?

Jason King

  (3:37 PM)

Five of Indiana's last seven games are at home, but I'm not sure I'd pick the Hoosiers to win out. Tom Crean's squad has lost five of its last eight games.

Joshua watts (Lexington , Ky)

If season ended today who would win POY? Do you think the POY will be top pick in the draft?

Jason King

  (3:38 PM)

I'd vote for Davis but I think Robinson is the frontrunner right now. I think Davis will be the NO. 1 pick

Bobby (Lewisville, TX)

KU by 9 in Waco??? PJ3's ankle isn't rolled any more. Bears will have him effective both halves, and the Ferrell Center will be rockin'.

Jason King

  (3:39 PM)

Great. Are they going to throw him the ball this time. Or are AJ Walton and Cory Jefferson going to try to be heroes like they did against Texas A&M? At least PJ3 will be there to rebound their misses.

Derek (Las Vegas)

Do you feel like the Big East is overrated? Seems like a down year for the conference, but the branding over the years has helped them this year.

Jason King

  (3:40 PM)

Not really, but only everyone knows it's down this year, so there hasn't been an overabundance of Big East hype. The league is extremely mediocre beyond its top few teams.

Ace (Darien, IL)

Honestly is there any bigger brain-tease than Illinois this year, beat top teams playing almost a complete game, then losing to teams they are expected to beat.

Jason King

  (3:41 PM)

I agree, but why is that? Is it coaching?

Mike (Chicago)

Enough with KU/MU (ESPN in general), it couldn't be more annoying to every other school. Thanks.

Jason King

  (3:41 PM)

Just answering the questions that are in my inbox, mike

Andrew (Philly)

Any chance Purdue pulls off the upset in Columbus tonight?

Jason King

  (3:42 PM)

After losing to Indiana at home by 17 points Saturday? No

Robert (Tallahassee)

Would you have a problem with Maryland giving Henson a love tap in response to his end of game dunk in their last game? That's how a lot of teams handle these situations even in the NBA

Jason King

  (3:45 PM)

The reason I didn't have a problem with it is b/c they were still running at him and his teammates, trying to trap them or steal the ball from them. If you wanted UNC to run out the clock, you should've backed off and they would've done it.

Joe (Work)

Marcus Denmon, Jacovin Brown, Pledger, or Tyshawn Taylor.. Who would you want on your team?

Jason King

  (3:46 PM)

that's a tough one. right now ... probably taylor. He's playing better than any of them, the last few minutes of the mizzou game aside. all of those guys are awesome, though

Nate (Dallas)

What does Baylor need to do to beat Kansas on tomorrow?

Jason King

  (3:47 PM)

Take better shots and play with a mean streak down low.

Ismael (Puerto Rico)

Georgetown might not have the firepower to match Syracuse, but the defense has been great. Could you see them pulling off an upset in a defensive-minded game?

Jason King

  (3:47 PM)

Possibly. I think jT3 is one of college basketball's most underrated coaches.

Brandon (New Jersey)

Does Syracuse need Fab Melo to make a run in March?

Jason King

  (3:47 PM)

A run? No. A Final Four run? yes

Bobby (Lewisville, TX)

Jason, most of that KU 16-2 vs Baylor was against a much different Baylor...

Jason King

  (3:48 PM)

True, but Scott Drew has just 1 win against KU. And if you remember, KU beat Baylor by 18 points less than a month ago.

Zach (Kansas City)

How important was Indiana's win at Purdue this weekend?

Jason King

  (3:49 PM)

First non-Penn State Big Ten road win for Indiana in four years

Bryan (Springdale, AR)

Mike Anderson as a top 5 coach of the year candidate at this point? He's got this team on the bubble with mostly freshmen and he's in his first year!

Jason King

  (3:49 PM)

No chance. Heck, who ISN'T on the bubble?

Mike (Chicago)

Iowa State vs Baylorx2, MU and KSU on the road- how many will ISU win?

Jason King

  (3:50 PM)

2-2 in that span

Charles (Hilton Head)

Does Mississippi State get into the NCAA tourny and, if they do, how deep of a run can they make?

Jason King

  (3:51 PM)

Heck yes they do. Love the Bulldogs' talent. They're good enough to beat anyone - but wacko enough to lose to anyone. Elite Eight at best.

Jack (SEC nation)

SEC awards: freshmen or yr: BJ Young SEC POY: Arnett Moultrie(Easy) 6th man on yr: BJ Young, Coach of the yr: Mike Anderson. Thoughts?

Jason King

  (3:52 PM)

Anthony Davis: POYMichael Kidd Gilchrist: FOYDarius Miller: Sixth Man of the YearJohn Calipari: COYhaha

John (Mizzou)

We also printed up DGB shirts after he decided to come to Columbia. How pathetic are we?

Jason King

  (3:53 PM)

I actually like that idea. But printing a shirt after you beat KU is not a good look. Do they print shirts after they beat you? No. And why not? Because they're used to it.

Ryan (MO)

Is Marcus Denmon back from his slump?? and if he his will he be back in the POY convo if he keeps it up?

Jason King

  (3:55 PM)

It certainly appears that way, although I don't think he has much of a shot at winning Big 12 POY. Robinson, Royce White, Tyshawn Taylor and Pierre Jackson would probably all get more votes than Denmon at this point. Those five guys probably make up the All-Big 12 team

Jon (Seattle)

I get the Pac12 bashing but isnt it time to stop repeating the company line. they cant change who they did or didnt beat and are a good example of why the RPI is so flawed. the top 4 teams would give the bottom half of the top 25 a run for their money NOW when it matters most

Jason King

  (3:56 PM)

You're right. They can't change the fact that they lost to almost every significant non-confernce team they played.

Joshua watts (Lexington , Ky)

Will the addition of A&m and Mizzou get the SEC some respect next year and the years to follow?

Jason King

  (3:57 PM)

sure. I think the league is already beginning to garner some additional respect. too bad alabama isn't living up to expectations. same for vanderbilt. Still, UK, Florida, Mississippi State are all good. Ole Miss, LSU, Arkansas and Auburn are all improving.

Andrew ((Chicago))

Dana O'Neil mentioned in her recent column that she thinks the Big10 has the potential to be the equivalent of last years Big East in the tournament. Lots of teams in but few teams past the first round. What's your take on her comment?

Jason King

  (3:58 PM)

I totally agree with her. Lots of good teams but not many elite ones outside of ohio State and Michigan State

Tory (Chicago)

Where do you stand on the KU/MU rivalry moving foward? i love the rivalry but agree with Self, if Missouri wants to leave, why should we continue to play them.

Jason King

  (3:59 PM)

I hate to see it end. I understand why Self feels the way he feels and don't really blame him for it. But i do think that, every now and then, doing something to appease your fan base IS important. And no matter what KU fans say, they want to play Mizzou.

Jon (Queens)

in kings court(excellent as always) today you mentioned that pitt has played there way back onto the bubble. you said you think they need to go 9-9 in conf play to make the tourney. do you think 8-10 would be a deal breaker? still means they finished on a great run and youd have to evaluate the team as they played WITH woodall correct?

Jason King

  (4:01 PM)

yes I think they would stand a chance, especially if they beat a really good team along the way. and yes ... the committee will consider the woodall situation.

Zach (Greenville NC)

Jason King (3:15 PM)No and no, but i do think Florida is the second-best team in the Big East.-------Come on Jason, you're better than that.

Jason King

  (4:02 PM)

OH MY GOSH! A TYPO! Alert the press! jason King had a typo.

Dan (Bristol, CT)

Who is the second best team in the Big East? Georgetown, Marquette or Notre Dame?

Jason King

  (4:03 PM)

Georgetown, for now.

Alex (Raleigh)

Why does everyone in the media insist on questioning whether or not FSU can keep up the hot play because "they are 0-2 against the Ivy League"? Yeah, Princeton is a bad loss, especially at home, but is losing to Harvard, on a neutral court, before Thanksgiving (and before Ian Miller became eligible) really a bad loss? Why can't people give credit where credit is due?

Jason King

  (4:03 PM)

Great point. I don't care much about what happened in November, either.

charles (philadelphia )

What do you think seton hall has to do to get a spot in the tourney?

Jason King

  (4:04 PM)

quit losing to everyone. get pope healthy

Robert (Tallahassee)

No fence sitting or conditional statements. Who wins the ACC regular season?

Jason King

  (4:04 PM)

North Carolina, without question

Josh (Scotland, CT)

As of right now, Do you believe UConn is a tournament team? How many wins do they need to enter selection Sunday?

Jason King

  (4:05 PM)

Heck no. After what i saw last night, the tournament will be cheapened if UConn gets a bid. That was embarrassing.

Jason King

  (4:06 PM)

Thanks so much. Looking forward to doing this again next week. Planning to be in Omaha Saturday for Creighton vs. Wichita State. Twin Peaks Friday night!