Scott Powers

  (12:02 PM)

Welcome, Scott Powers from ESPNChicago.com here. We have Northwestern coach Bill Carmody for today's Web chat. We'll try to get to as many questions as possible.

John L. (Chicago)

With all the talent you have returning for 2011, would it be far fetched to think the Northwestern could not only make the tournament, but also be a Big Ten title contender?

Bill Carmody

  (12:04 PM)

We're still going with this year. I don't want it to end too quickly. We lose one guy, and we have Kevin Coble and Jeff Ryan back. We started things last year, and this year we faded. I think that has to do with our lack of depth. We certainly are optimistic about next year. We have the players now and will have the depth.

Joe (Chicago)

Was there ever a time when you worried about your job security?

Bill Carmody

  (12:05 PM)

As a coach, you're always worried about it (laughs) It's just the nature of the business. You win, you lose, it's always in the back of your mind. I'm certainly not thinking about that now.

Stephen Johnson (Lookout Mountain, GA)

How has this season's success helped recruiting? Any big signings in the Horizon?

Bill Carmody

  (12:06 PM)

We're still recruiting. We have Jeshon Cobb from Georgia. Winning has helped. The Big Ten Network has helped. We're getting our foot into the door in different areas. We're more familiar in different areas of the country. Recruiting is important. It's everything.

Tyler (Winnetka)

Are you surprised this team had as much success as it did this season? The fact we were even talking about the NCAA Tournament into February without Coble seemed like an accomplishment to me.

Bill Carmody

  (12:07 PM)

Yeah, I think if you had told me this in November when we lost Kevin and Ryan 19 wins. The last month we haven't played great. But you get greedy. I hope going into the tournament we get a second win. The last month we've slowed. Again if you told me this in November, I would have said this is great.

Matthew (Chicago)

You've coached for 10 years at Northwestern, why do you think making the NCAA Tournament has not happened yet?

Bill Carmody

  (12:09 PM)

A lot of things. The tradition I think not having success in basketball has hurt us the most. People don't think you can be a good basketball play and come to Northwestern. I think the last couple years we have got better players and that's happened. There has to a commitment for the university. We have to have facilities that compare to other teams in the Big Ten. That's important to a kid. It has to be important to the university because kids can tell that.

Kyle Markovits (Arlington Heights)

Are you for or against Big 10 expansion? If for it, when would you like to see another team become the newest member?

Bill Carmody

  (12:10 PM)

I think every four and five years we look at it. I know there's talk about it now. I don't we have to rush into this. I think if we added a 12th team, which would help with scheduling, it has to be the right team. It has to be a two-way street, not just athletically. I think that's the presidents and Big Ten are looking at.

Frank (Pilsen)

The team defense seems to have taken a step back from last season. Why do you think that is?

Bill Carmody

  (12:12 PM)

Yeah, there's no doubt it has. We're giving up more points. People talk about us not scoring, but I found out we led the Big Ten in scoring. I hate these slow-down offenses like Michigan State. I'll have to talk to Izzo. ... That's something we need to concentrate in the spring and individual workouts. We have some weapons offensively, but we have to guard.

Matthew (Chicago)

Will you ever go back to wearing neckties on a permanent basis?

Bill Carmody

  (12:12 PM)

Probably not, probably not. I never used to wear a tie years ago, and I started again. I had a bad losses last year, and I got scared with it around my neck.

Sean (Providence)

If NU is not invited to the NIT, would you consider the CBI or CIT? My understanding is that there are some financial obligations of those tournaments - have you discussed that with Jim Phillips?

Bill Carmody

  (12:13 PM)

We talk about all the scenarios -- winning four games in this tournament, the NIT, the CBI. We'll see how it ends up. It's always nice to continue to play.

Mike (Wilmette)

Hey coach, do you still follow Princeton basketball at all?

Bill Carmody

  (12:14 PM)

Oh yeah. Guys I coached are the coachs there. I have some great friends there. I talk to them all the time. They had a very nice year. They're going to be good.

mike mcg (chicago)

what's the hardest big ten stadium to play on the road?

Bill Carmody

  (12:15 PM)

Wow. If you're judging by our team this year, every place is tough. Well, Wisconsin is tough, Michigan State is very difficult. Most schools win the majority of games at home. Those two schools stick out.

Gary (Lockport)

I notice Kyle Rowley has not been in the playing rotation lately. What does he need to do to get more playing time next season?

Bill Carmody

  (12:16 PM)

Kyle, it's funny. He started almost every game last year. He played real hard in the spring and summer, then he broke his foot. He was out for three months. That's hard for a big guy. He never got back into the swing of things. Lately, he's had a bug. We should be able to throw him in this weekend. Next year is a different year.

Matthew (Chicago)

I see Coach Fitzgerald at almost all of the home basketball games. Do you ever return the favor and attend football games?

Bill Carmody

  (12:17 PM)

Yeah, I go to all the football games. I'm at every football game. It's great. We've had some very good times. Fitz is doing a good job. It's a fun day.

Frank (Maine)

Coach, has the lack of depth caught up with this team down the stretch?

Bill Carmody

  (12:19 PM)

I think so. I don't like to admit that and get into it. People are saying we're playing too minutes. I don't want to get into it, but that's probably happened. It's interesting Ohio State ties for our conference championship, and their bench played the fewest minutes in the country. They're 20 years old. They can do it. I think the mental part wears you down.

Sean (Providence)

Assuming he comes back 100%, do you think Kevin Coble will supplant John Shurna as the go-to guy? Or is that something they'll have to work out in the offseason?

Bill Carmody

  (12:20 PM)

It's not like I won't go into that this is what we do. Having those guys, having Mike Thompson back, we have some scoring potential which is great. We're really going to emphasize guarding guys. I don't think about supplanting guys. I don't think like that. This is March. Guys get better in seven months. You'll see who grows, who gets better. Find the guys who make you win.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

What Big 10 team do you think has the best shot to win it all and why?

Bill Carmody

  (12:22 PM)

I think there a few of them. People are talking about Ohio State, and they're playing very well. Michigan State was in the championship game, and they have experience. Wisconsin is always tough. They're a tough out, I believe that. Purdue, it's hard to figure them without Hummel, but they can really come after you. If we're fortunate to win on Thursday, we'll see how good they are because that's who we'll play. The Big Ten prepares you for teams.

Frank (Chicago)

Some people say you won't make the NIT, what are your thoughts?

Bill Carmody

  (12:22 PM)

I think if we beat Indiana we'll be in the NIT. That's how I feel right now.

Bill (Downers Grove)

How have you seen Luka improve since he came to Northwestern? Is there a chance he can be a legitimate post threat in the future?

Bill Carmody

  (12:23 PM)

You hope so. He's not the most athletic guy, but he has good sense. We need him to be more aggressive offensively. He doesn't have as much confidence as he should. We're really looking for improvement there. We want to throw the ball down there.

Stan (Chicago)

With all the basketball talent coming out of Chicago, why can't DePaul or Northwester be perrenial powers?

Bill Carmody

  (12:25 PM)

Well, there's a lot of good players, but different teams recruit different kind of guys. They have to want you, too. Just because they're close, they don't want to stay home. We try to recruit the best we can. It's a two-way street. You have to want them, and they have to want you.

Bill Carmody

  (12:25 PM)

Well, there's a lot of good players, but different teams recruit different kind of guys. They have to want you, too. Just because they're close, they don't want to stay home. We try to recruit the best we can. It's a two-way street. You have to want them, and they have to want you.

Scott Powers

  (12:26 PM)

Sorry, that's all the time we have for today. Coach has to run. Thanks everyone for their questions. Be sure to check our Big Ten Tournament coverage throughout the week. Thanks again