V-MAIL | Dec. 9

Q: Which is the most overrated team in the top 25 and which is the most underrated team at the start of this year's college basketball season? -- Matt, Higginsville, Mo.
VITALE: When you talk about overrated, I think many people believed Florida would be really sensational ... losing to West Virginia makes me wonder now. That was a scary loss.

Coach Billy Donovan has to regroup his team, and the Gators will get help when diaper dandy Christian Drejer returns from injury.

	Illinois coach Bill Self isn't unhappy with his team's play to start the season.

The question is whether Drejer can make the expected contributions after sitting out so long. Kansas became susceptible after losing two games in the Preseason NIT and then to Oregon (though the Ducks are a tough team). We have to wait and see if they can do the things that were projected.

As for underrated teams, I would say Illinois ranks up there. It's never easy to replace guys like Frank Williams and Cory Bradford.

Coach Bill Self's squad has played well with two freshmen in the backcourt (Dee Brown and Deron Williams). I don't think many thought they'd come out of the gate this well (5-0), so that's been a surprise to me.

North Carolina also has been a surprise, going 5-0 early before losing to Illinois.

Q: Who do you think is a better guard, Jason Gardner or Kirk Hinrich? Who would you pick if you were starting a team? Thanks. -- Mike Morrell, Indianapolis
VITALE: That's a tough question. Both are excellent guards. Hinrich gets an edge in size, while Gardner is super-quick and has been shooting very well. Hinrich has had to battle back from a back injury. Any coach would love to have that type of dilemma, deciding between these two guards. I'll be a politician right now and say flip a coin, because both can flat-out play.

Q: Do you think Pete Maravich would have the success he had in his college career today, with all of today's great players? -- Bill, Morrisonville
VITALE: Absolutely, it would have been an M&Mer. Imagine what he would have done with the 3-point line! He would have been devastating from back there! Pistol Pete had the flair, personality, charisma and was magic with the ball in his hand. He was an incredible ball-handler.

Q: Why in the world would you want guys like Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd on the Olympic team to represent the U.S.? They are a disgrace because of their just-me attitudes. Bring back the college athletes -- it was better then. Oh wait, winning is what it's all about. I respect you, but you disappoint me on this issue. -- Jim Colaro, North Royalton, Ohio
VITALE: You answered your own question. If you feel that way, I respect your opinion. I do feel the U.S. team will unite and play with a sense of pride and passion. I think what's great is that these guys want to play without being begged. We have begged them in the past, like they were doing us a favor. No they're seeking to play after seeing the embarrassment at the World Basketball Championship. U.S. coach Larry Brown will find a way to blend these players together.

Q: An article on diaper dandies and no mention of Arizona's Hassan Adams? You may live to regret that! I saw him against EAS Sports and I hope he'll be here more than two years. This kid has attitude and game. -- Dan Williams, Tucson, Ariz.
VITALE: I've been impressed with Adams, and he's among the top diaper dandies. When picking the top five, you need to make some tough decisions. I mentioned him on my Fast Break on SportsCenter the other night. He has great quickness and poise on the court.

Q: How can the NCAA get away with what it's doing to Mario Austin? The guy was cleared by the NCAA and the SEC two years ago, then all of a sudden they reopen the investigation? It's stupid and unfair. -- Fred Zepponi, Starkville, Miss.
Q: As the leading authority on college basketball and a champion of the student-athlete, could you take a look at the injustice the NCAA is leveling against Mario Austin of Mississippi State University? This fine young man could benefit from some exposure by a credible source such as yourself. -- Alan Thompson, Miss.
VITALE: If the NCAA made a mistake in his first year, and Austin made suitable academic progress up to this point, let's let the kid move on. If he did the job in the classroom and proved he could get the job done, then he should be eligible. Base it on what he did in the classroom at Mississippi State, not something that happened a few years ago. We will have to wait and see on this one.

Q: When Billy Edelin of Syracuse comes off suspension, will he and Carmelo Anthony rule the Big East or will coach Jim Boeheim have trouble with chemistry between the two highly talented freshman? -- Willie Skebey, Horseheads, N.Y.
VITALE: I don't think there will be any trouble at all. They are two different types of players. In college basketball, point-guard play is so important, so Edelin will be a great asset. He will bring outstanding talent to the perimeter. Anthony already has shown great ability early on.

	Heath

Q: I have not heard you mention Arkansas and new coach Stan Heath. How about those Hogs? Are they going to make any noise this year? -- Ronnie, Hampton. Va.

VITALE: I think you have to be patient with Stan. His track record at Kent State was positive, but the personnel is not what Arkansas fans have been used to under Nolan Richardson. It has been a struggle early with losses to Oral Roberts and Troy State. Give Heath some time.

Q: I love the guy, but Rollie Massimino has won nothing since coming to Cleveland State. He's a big-name coach but still can't get players or fans into the program. It's a weak conference and he's just not competitive. Should Massimino retire and turn to the networks for an analyst job? Thanks. -- Tom Keller, Cleveland
VITALE: You have to understand where Massimino is. He's not in an environment that attracts all the blue-chip student-athletes. He competes for players at his level and has created some noise and excitement in the Cleveland area. Massimino has done a heckuva job, and he's a winner with great enthusiasm and energy. They should be proud to have him at Cleveland State.

Q: How about giving some props to the University of Hawaii Rainbows, under the tutelage of savvy veteran coach Riley Wallace? We're the "All-UN team" with players from all over the globe and two straight NCAA tourney appearances. The Stan Sheriff Center will be rocking and rolling this year when WAC teams come in for their beating! -- Troy Marvin, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
VITALE: I think Riley Wallace is a great story, coming back from a brain tumor. He's done a phenomenal job, and it's not easy traveling to the mainland so much during the season. Carl English is a player a lot of people haven't seen much of, but those in the know realize how talented he is. The Rainbows should compete with Tulsa for the WAC title.

Q: Why is Georgia Tech not being talked about as much as Virginia and Wake Forest? I've heard some analysts saying Tech is the dark horse of the ACC. But with a young team, will Tech survive the ACC schedule and make the NCAA tourney? -- Stephen, Atlanta
VITALE: Coach Paul Hewitt has done a great job putting this team together. Tech had a great win over Georgia and lost a tough one against Minnesota in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. I really like Tech's diaper dandies, Chris Bosh and Jarrett Jack. I think the ACC will be much better than many people thought at the start of the season. Georgia Tech will be scrapping and clawing and contending for an NCAA berth.

Q: Why am I seeing so much about Oklahoma? There was a SportsCenter special, naming them ESPN's best team in the nation (according to Power 16). Obviously some people missed the Alabama-Oklahoma game, which was not only a win but a totally dominating effort by the Tide. I know the Sooners have a great squad, but when is ESPN going to give 'Bama a little love? -- John Dill, Florence, Ala.
VITALE: I think Alabama gets some love. The Tide was on against Oklahoma and got a great win over the Sooners, plus a victory over Ohio State in the Tip-Off Classic at Springfield, Mass. Maurice Williams and Erwin Dudley give coach Mark Gottfried's Tide a great 1-2 tandem, and this club will be heard from in the SEC all season. But the Sooners will have a solid year; Oklahoma will get better as the season progresses.

Q: Have you seen Ohio State's killer schedule? Do you see them even surviving until March, let alone having some success? Also, where's the love for coach Jim O'Brien? Do you think he has a shot at coach of the year if OSU gets its fifth 20-win, NCAA-tourney season in a row? -- Mitchell, Columbus, Ohio
VITALE: The love for O'Brien is simple ... he has received praise for what he's done. Last season he did an amazing job with limited personnel. This year could be tough, because the Buckeyes aren't a deep team. He can coach, and against that schedule, you expect Ohio State to be tough.

Q: I'm a big-time Panthers fan but worry about about the frontcourt's ability to match up defensively, especially with the incoming and incumbent big-man talent in the Big East. Is this Pitt's biggest weakness as you see it? -- Jeff, Arlington, Va.
VITALE: It has been tough to evaluate Pittsburgh against its schedule. I found it interesting learning of Julius Page's comments during a recent press conference, saying some of the players must focus more and show more intensity. The preseason expectations will make it interesting. We know perimeter play will be a strength. Up front, there has to be a concern about consistency when facing the likes of Mike Sweetney, Emeka Okafor and Carmelo Anthony in the Big East. The biggest concern is handling expectations.