Dick Vitale

  (11:03 AM)

Wow, it has been a great week already. I had the border war on Saturday night between Kansas and Missouri and that was so special as Marcus Denmon put on a show at the end of the game and the Tigers won by three. It is a shame that this rivalry is coming to an end with the last scheduled game being played in Lawrence in a couple of weeks. I hope that they will play again in the near future because the fans and players love the rivalry.Then I had Florida-Kentucky and John Calipari's team was so impressive. Anthony Davis is making a run for national Player of the Year honors. Last night was the 40th time that I hav called a Duke-Carolina game and it was another magical moment. Carolina looked like it was going to the winner's circle but Duke kept fighting and scraping and Austin Rivers hit the dramatic game-winning trifecta. Are you serious? The freshman created a memory for years to come.

Matt (Chicago)

Hey Dickie V, what is your take on the surge the Big 12 sleeper, my alum, Iowa State? Do you think they will have any chance in this year's tourney (unless the selection committee is a bunch of Hawkeye fans) without a true PG? And what do you think Hoiberg is a lock for Big 12 COY?

Dick Vitale

  (11:06 AM)

First of all, your sleeper was sleeping at Oklahoma State the other night. Iowa State has had a very good season and Royce White has been a key. The mayor may become the governor if they make the big dance! I think Frank Haith of Missouri or Bill Self of Kansas may win the Coach of the Year in the conference, though Hoiberg is not far behind.

Garrett (Richmond, VA)

Mr. Vitale, your colleague Jason King said that Virginia does not deserve a ranking at this point in the season. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Dick Vitale

  (11:08 AM)

I think Virginia should be ranked and Tony Bennett has gotten the most out of his personnel. They are without one of their starter in Sene. I feel Mike Scott has to be in the discussion for ACC Player of the Year. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

John (Tinley)

What is more indicative of how good Creighton is; their wins or their loses?

Dick Vitale

  (11:09 AM)

Very good question. I really don't know to be honest. Their losses show they are inconsistent. That still doesn't take away from the season McDermott has posted. He is one of the top five candidates for Player of the Year.

Gregory (Memphis)

Ezeli vs Davis will be a great match-up on saturday! What will Vandy need to do to pull the upset over KY babbbyy?!!

Dick Vitale

  (11:13 AM)

Jenkins has to have a good game, Tinsley and Taylor also have to do well on the perimeter. When the opponent has shot blockers inside, you have to shoot the 3. Florida could not do it against Kentucky, Duke did it against North Carolina. If Davis played more than 21 minutes and Jones showed up against Indiana, that result might have been different. Kentucky would have been unbeaten at this point. Vandy has to avoid turnovers against the Wildcats.

CJ (Waukesha)

Dickie V baby! Can Marquette beat Cincy this weekend w/out the ox, Davante Gardner? Gates is a beast!

Dick Vitale

  (11:15 AM)

That will be a very physical contest. Cincinnati got a big win over St. John's last night and the margin was impressive considering the first meeting was a buzzer-beater by Moe Harkless. Buzz Williams' team will always be tough and they will try to stop Gates, but Sean Kilpatrick has been playing very well. It should be a great game.

Luke Hoffman (Oceanport, NJ)

Dick, Where do you rank Austin River's 3 pointer last night is the Duke-UNC rivalry history books?

Dick Vitale

  (11:16 AM)

It ranks right up there considerign the way Duke came back from down double-digits late. This rivalry has had so many great moments and people will talk about this one for years to come. I know Doc Rivers has to be very proud.

Tom (Lexington KY)

Dick, at this point, who is you National Player of the Year?

Dick Vitale

  (11:19 AM)

It has become a lot closer. Anthony Davis really changes the game with his shot-blocking ability. He is such a presence on the court with his length. Thomas Robinson really showed his importance in the second half against Missouri, even though the Tigers won. It is probably going to go to the wire. Guys like Jared Sullinger and McDermott of Creighton are in the mix but I think it will be Davis or Robinson.

Mike (Syracuse)

Mr. Vitale,How far do you think Syracuse can go in the tourney this year?

Dick Vitale

  (11:20 AM)

Very far, though I know Jim Boeheim is upset and concerned about the rebounding situation. I think that is a factor. The return of Fab Melo in the middle makes a big difference for the zone. He has to be a force on the glass and Syracuse has so much depth and talent that is can make a deep run in the tournament.

Jacob (Omaha)

Is it different for a Mid-Major to lose to a bad team in conference then it is out of conference? Example: Creighton

Dick Vitale

  (11:22 AM)

It is never easy to win on the road in league play because everyone will give you their best shot. Opponents get fired up when a ranked team comes to town and it showed when Evansville beat the Bluejays, for example. Iowa State lost at Oklahoma State earlier this week. Homecourt advantage can make a big difference as an equalizer.

wesley (mississippi)

Oh yea sorry to bug you, but do you think arnnett moultrie has a chance to win the naismith or player of the year even though he is not on a michigan state or north carolina?

Dick Vitale

  (11:24 AM)

Moultrie, the transfer from UTEP, has had a very good season for Rick Stansbury's team. That said, I do not have him among my top candidates for that award.

Walter (New York City)

Mr. Vitale, this has been a stark and inspiring in-season turnaround for Notre Dame basketball. Would Mike Brey get your vote for National Coach of the Year at this point, and is he a shoo-in for Big Easy Coach of the Year for the fourth time already?

Dick Vitale

  (11:27 AM)

Let em tell you, Mike Brey deserves big-time consideration for Coach of the Year honors. When Tim Abromaitis was lost for the season, how many people thought the Irish would be in the upper echelon in the Big East? Are you serious? The Irish do not have the type of talent they have had in the past, but they control tempo and play very hard. Guys like Atkins, Grant and Cooley have come through. There are good candidates in the Big East too, but I agree, Brey has done a remarkable job in South Bend. It is an amazing story and last night's win at West Virginia was another quality W.

Bruce (Forest City,NC [via mobile]

Dick, Kendall Marshall still claims that UNC is still the best team in the ACC.Do you think this is true? Go Duke!!!!

Dick Vitale

  (11:28 AM)

We will find out at the end of the season and I do not think last night's loss will hurt the Tar Heels. North Carolina may learn from this about finishing off big games. It was a great win for Duke, which was coming off a loss to Miami. This should give Coach K's team a boost.

Greg ("][")

Morning Mr. Vitale, I know you're going to get slammed by Duke/UNC questions and comments and rightfully so. But I was wondering if you could comment on the big A-10 showdown Saturday night against arguably the two best teams the last 10 years, Xavier at Temple.

Dick Vitale

  (11:30 AM)

The A-1o has been wacky. These two teams were the favorites in the league coming into the season and Xavier has been very inconsistent. Temple showed something when it beat Duke earlier in the season and Fran Dunphy's club is always prepared. It should be a very interesting showdown.

Andrew (Philly)

Huge game in Columbus this saturday between MSU and Ohio State. Do you think this game will effectively decide the conference champion?

Dick Vitale

  (11:33 AM)

This will certainly help determine the regular-seasonc hampion. Ohio State had quite a battle with Purdue the other night. I really feel that Thad Matta has a legitimate national championship contender because he has William Buford on the perimeter, Jared Sullinger in the paint and Aaron Craft at the point. When you have the triangle of those guys, you are in good position to win. I give the slightest of edges to the Buckeyes but Izzo's team will always fight hard. Draymond Green is so tenacious and he is a winner with his versatility.

Indianapolis [via mobile]

Mr Vitale - please let everybody know who is going to win the tournament!!! HOOSIERS

Dick Vitale

  (11:36 AM)

I am sorry, but I think Indiana has a better shot next season when Tom Crean has a super recruiting class coming in. It has been a positive step forward for the Hoosiers and the win over Kentucky was terrific. That said, if they met again in the tournament on a neutral court, I believe Kentucky would win.

Brandon Zenner (Kansas City MO)

Dick, how much potential would you say Mizzou has to make a deep run and get that first Final Four this year? And where would you put Denmon or Ratliffe in the talks for All-Americans?

Dick Vitale

  (11:39 AM)

Missouri is capable of going far as long as it shoots well on the perimeter. The guards are good rebounders so they could be OK on the glass. I think a team like North Carolina or Kentucky could give them trouble with their sie inside. Framk Haith has done a super job with this team. Missouri-Kansas in Lawrence will be a tough game for the Tigers. Withey had a big game against Baylor last night; the game against Missouri was too fast for him, but it may be different at Allen Field House.

Dick Vitale

  (11:42 AM)

Wow, I am excited to be heading down to Vanderbilt to call the Kentucky-Vandy game on Saturday night with my buddy Dan Shulman. Can the Commodores hit the trifecta and limit turnovers against John Calipari's team? Also, please check me out on facebook as I have my t-shirt contest underway for big cash prizes. Keep enjoying this exciting college hoop season! See you next week.