Buzzmaster

  (4:02 PM)

Ready to talk Duke vs. UNC and all things college basketball? Andy Katz is up next.

Nate (Boise, ID)

Is Texas playing it's way out of the NCAA tournament?

Andy Katz

  (4:08 PM)

Possibly. The Longhorns have to scrape some wins here down the stretch. The NCAA Tournament selection committee will evaluate the Longhorns as is-- without Tucker and Aldridge.

Digger (South Bend, IN)

Are the Irish a lock for the tourney now that they've got 3 top 25 wins? How do you feel about your ND to the Final Four prediction?

Andy Katz

  (4:10 PM)

I'm still not sold on them in the Final Four. I know it was a reach at the time. The Irish will get a break based on a tough conference schedule in the Big East (more on that in Thursday's Daily Word). They desperately needed this win, though, after blowing the Syracuse game.

B-Diddy (Chicago)

If Bill Self is getting credit for recruiting Illinois' players, then why isn't Matt Doherty getting more credit for recruiting Carolina's players? To me, it either shows a bias for Self/Williams or against Weber/Doherty. Your view?

Andy Katz

  (4:12 PM)

That's a good point. Doherty should be given more credit in North Carolina than he has been of late. Doherty did a great job in recruiting this team. He'll get another shot next season, possibly at Tulsa.

Chris (Huntington, WV)

Everyone wants to know, who are you taking...Duke or North Carolina??

Andy Katz

  (4:13 PM)

I don't like to predict so I'll stand idle here.

Andrew (St. Louis)

Andy, does Mizzou have any chance atr making the tourney?

Andy Katz

  (4:14 PM)

Not unless the Tigers win the conference tournament.

Dave (Washington DC)

Does ESPN have any responsibilty for the unbalanced schedule of some conferences? I have heard that the TV were based on certain match-ups occurring twice, Syracuse/UConn/Pitt or Duke/UNC/Maryland. While I think these are great games, is it fair to the teams to not play a balance of tougher and easier teams? (not that the Big East or ACC has many of those)

Andy Katz

  (4:17 PM)

It's not just ESPN. All TV networks want to see the best games in these unbalanced schedules, especially in the Big East. But the conference office makes the decision. The Big Ten chooses not to do this, but the Big East wants the supposedly top teams to play twice.

John (Milwaukee)

Is UW-Milwaukee coach Bruce Pearl destined to become for a major conference job? He's building a resume very reminiscent of Bruce Weber's.

Andy Katz

  (4:20 PM)

That's a similar comparison. Pearl should be in line for a Big Ten or Big 12 job if one were to come open. If he gets to the NCAAs again then he should jump if he wants to this spring. His stock is as high as it has ever been.

Jacque (Oslo)

Hi Andy, what do you think would have to happen for my beloved Illini to fall out of a #1 seed? Thanks for answering my question.

Andy Katz

  (4:21 PM)

Love the questions from Norway! I don't see it. The Illini would have to completely fall flat (as in lose three or four games) to lose a No. 1 seed. They are destined for a trip to Indianpolis and if they win two in Chicago.

manny (dallas)

which conference will get the most bids for the ncaa tournament? please tell me!!

Andy Katz

  (4:22 PM)

Big East. Seven is not a reach.

Andy Katz

  (4:23 PM)

Just got a nasty email from someone who was upset about not making a pick. Last time I checked I'm a reporter at the game tonight, not an analyst. So chill!

Timmy (Potomac, MD)

How realistic is 6 ACC teams in the tournament?

Andy Katz

  (4:24 PM)

It's not unrealistic, but Miami and Virginia Tech have work to do. Wake Carolina Duke are all locks. I expect Ga Tech to be there, too. Maryland will likely be in the field. That's five. Miami has the better profile (win at Florida) then Tech but the 'Canes must pull out a suprirse at home (wake or ga Tech?)

Roman (ATL)

Who is Big East coach of the year: Skinner or Thompson??

Andy Katz

  (4:25 PM)

That could be the national coach of the year question too. Weber, Skinner, Thompson will all be in the mix for the award. I want to see how it plays out in the final three weeks before making a pick.

Goose (Chicago)

Is Cameron Indoor the best stadium in college hoops? Don't give me the Breslin from your alma mater.

Andy Katz

  (4:26 PM)

I like Phog better than Cameron. But that's my 1-2. I didn't go to Michigan State.

Andrew (DC)

I was watching coverage with Mike Jarvis last weekend and he said 3-4 bids from the A10 is very possible? Is there truth to this?

Andy Katz

  (4:27 PM)

I respectfully disagree. It might only be one or two, depending on the run GW has down the stretch. Temple, Saint Joe's, Xavier, Dayton and UMass don't have a shot as at-large teams. GW is the only team with significant nonconference wins.

Hank (San Francisco)

What's the status of Big Monday? With the absense of the Mountain West next year, does the WCC have a chance to take their 9:00 PST Monday night slot on ESPN? Does the WCC have a shot at getting any permanent slot on ESPN? The time has come!

Andy Katz

  (4:27 PM)

Look for the WCC and WAC to share the Big Monday spots next season, probably a four-four split.

Paul (Portland, OR)

Sorry some people get so nasty on these chats. It's amazing. I'm neither an analyst OR a reporter, so I'll pick for you. VERY close game but Duke will pull away for a double-digit victory in the last 5 minutes.

Andy Katz

  (4:27 PM)

Fair pick.

Matt (Bethlehem, PA)

Andy, Despite missing 4 games, Wayne Simien seems to be playing his way into contention for National Player of the Year. What do you think?

Andy Katz

  (4:29 PM)

Yes. He's in the mix. The four games he missed, even though two were against Ga Tech and Kentucky, won't hurt him too much. But he has to continue to be dominant inside to get the nod. It's going to be a close race for the award.

Luke (Burlington Vermont)

I think UVM is a great team and look forward to them finishing out the season. Taylor Coppenrath and TJ Sorrentine are a dynamic duo. What if any respect do mid major teams like Vermont get come tourney time. If they ran the tables in the season and lost in the conference tourney, could they still be considered at large? Two or their three loses are to Kansas and UNC. What other mid major teams are in a similar situation.

Andy Katz

  (4:32 PM)

Yes. But it's going to be tough. That would mean the Catamounts lost at home in the conference tournament title game. That would really hurt them. My gut says they get in if they beat Nevada in Bracket Buster on the road. If they don't and then also lose in the conference tournament then I could see them getting snubbed.

Jon (Portland)

What do you see from the Pac-10 for the rest of the season besides Arizona and Washington. Who will be dancing come March?

Andy Katz

  (4:34 PM)

Tough call. Arizona State probably has the best shot and then Stanford and UCLA. Stanford doesn't have quality nonconference wins. That could hurt the Cardinal if they are on the bubble. It's going to come down to the wire for all three teams. They need to take out Arizona and/or Washington. Stanford did at least once. Sorry to cut it short but I've got to getover to the Duke-Carolina game. Thanks Andy