June 8, 2006

Taylor Lockport, Louisiana

What will LSU do with losing Tyrus Thomas?

VITALE: Any time you lose a player of that stature it obviously affects the team. He brought an intimidation factor, an ability to block shots, incredible physical talents. LSU still has a nice nucleus to build around, especially when you start in the middle with Glen "Big Baby" Davis, one of the premier frontcourt players in America. The Tigers under John Brady will be just fine. They have some good athletes and they will be a contender in the SEC.

Pensacola

Do you think the Gators can repeat it?

VITALE: Obviously it is very difficult to repeat and nobody has done that since Duke in 1991 and '92, but saying that, Florida is capable of repeating. Any time you have the talent returning like Billy Donovan does, guys who understand about winning, understand how to compete and don't have egos, absolutely there is a chance. They blend so well together and Donovan has done such a good job with this roster. They have a legitimate shot to do it.

Dan Bresnahan How can you have no "mid-majors" in your Sweet 16? Did you learn nothing from this year's tourney? Watch out for the MVC, baby!!

VITALE: The Missouri Valley Conference will certainly be very good again. When I did my original Sweet 16, and I will do a revised one after the final decisions are made by players staying in the NBA draft, I went with proven teams with solid players returning. Somehow, someway I agree that a few mid-major teams will make some noise.

Kris Dane, Kansas City, MO

Dick, Do you think that the new mandatory one year requirement will change the way that Coach K recruits at Duke? Will he bring more McRoberts type personalities in?

VITALE: No, I don't think Duke will change the way they recruit. Do you think that Duke wouldn't have taken a Greg Oden if he wanted to come there? You take the best players you can get and see how it plays out. Sometimes kids find out they have liabilities and deficiencies during that first year and then they are better off staying in school longer and work on developing their total game.

Matt Groom, Oakdale, CA Now that Morrison has jumped to the NBA, do you think this will be the end of Gonzaga's run?

VITALE: Absolutely not. I think Gonzaga has established itself as a national school, developing its identity already. They will be successful in the world of recruiting and they will add quality players to their roster. The addition of transfer Micah Downs from Kansas once he regains his eligibility will help as well. Mark Few has done an outstanding job and this program is in great hands.

Ryan, Louisville KY

Without Rajon Rondo do you think Kentucky will have a better year next season with Randolph Morris, Joe Crawford, Ramel Bradley, and Bobby Perry returning?

VITALE: Kentucky is in a situation where Rondo is an outstanding athlete who will be drafted in the first round, probably among the top 15 players chosen. He has potential, athleticism and defensive tenacity. Teams hope and pray that he will improve his shot. I always felt last season that Rondo dominated the ball too much and there was very little ball movement. I recently told the fine Kentucky beat writer Jerry Tipton that Rondo's departure would help in several ways. First, it will help in the development of Ramel Bradley. I think they will have better chemistry, better ball movement and more touches for other players. It was not a matter of Rondo being selfish, it was just his style of play where he had the ball in his hands. It is an important year for guys like Bradley, Joe Crawford and of course Randolph Morris in the middle. He has a full season in front of him and he must enjoy a breakout year.

Matt, Bryn Mawr, PA Hey Dick! I was wondering your thoughts on Villanova for 2006-07. I see that you don't have them listed in your top 16, but I feel with the return of Sumpter in addition to Nardi, & Sheridan, 'nova is a top 15 team. Also, the upcoming sophomores Cunningham and Clark look like they're going to have great seasons playing with and learning from Sumpter. Give some more love to the Wildcats from Philly, Dick!!!

VITALE: They got great news when they landed Scottie Reynolds, who originally committed to Oklahoma but backed out. That was a real positive. Losing a player like Kyle Lowry really hurts because I felt he would have been a key player coming back and elevating his game. A lot will depend on the return of Sumpter because if he can return to All-America form, they will be a very competitive team in the Big East. Jay Wright lost a lot of talent in Randy Foye and Allan Ray, yet as you mentioned, the returning nucleus has a ton of potential.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.