Both Indiana and Kentucky have had some tough times lately.

These traditional powers always have such high hopes and expectations. The Hoosiers are coming off two losses at Madison Square Garden in the Preseason NIT. Kentucky was stunned by Penn State at Lexington.

	Tubby Smith won a national title at Kentucky in '98.

I really believe that Kentucky will right the ship. The experience and leadership of Tubby Smith will find a way to remedy the early-season problems. But it doesn't get any easier this week as there is a date against North Carolina.

The Wildcats, as is often the case, play the best of the best during the Smith era. My feeling is that sometimes you can overschedule, and rest assured, Tubby is not in control of scheduling there. The administration handles the list of opponents, but you'd better believe, in the future, the coach will want to have a voice and strong say in scheduling, a la Rick Pitino.

It is really tough when you have new players to go against the kind of teams that Kentucky plays on a regular basis. St. John's, UCLA, Penn State, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Indiana and Louisville before taking on the SEC, which year-in and year-out is one of the toughest leagues in America.

Plus, the Wildcats have a non-conference date vs. Troy Murphy and Notre Dame in mid-January.

Let's also remember this is a relatively young Kentucky squad with only one senior. There are a lot of new faces, and getting the chemistry to succeed is not easy.

Tayshaun Prince has been a big disappointment early, and he must find a way to contribute the scoring that was expected. He has been in a funk, and it didn't just start this season; it held true during the summer, when he had trouble finding his shot when he played for the U.S. on the 20-and-under team.

Down at Indiana, your heart bleeds for Mike Davis. The coach is trying all he can in a tough situation. Following in the footsteps of a legend, an icon, like Bobby Knight would be tough on anyone. That's especially true about a young guy who has no head coaching experience on the collegiate level.

Davis must find a way to get the maximum out of Jared Jeffries. The multi-talented Jeffries must realize that on the collegiate level you've got to play with intensity and emotion and really respond each and every day.

Indiana showed some positive spurts in coming back from a 20-point deficit at halftime against Texas. The Hoosiers cut the margin to eight but couldn't get over the mountain. Indiana ran out of gas.

It will be interesting to see what happens the rest of the way at Bloomington. Things won't be easy as the pressure mounts. Indiana also has its share of difficult non-league challenges like Notre Dame, Charlotte, Missouri and Kentucky.

OH, BROTHER
A salute to Joe and Jon Crispin of the Nittany Lions. Stay tuned in the Big Ten for Penn State. The win at Kentucky wasn't a fluke. Jerry Dunn's team will make Happy Valley just that.

The brothers Crispin combined for 57 points in the 73-68 victory in Lexington. Their sharpshooting ability and experience makes the Nittany Lions a dangerous team.

Penn State has made the Big Dance just once under Dunn (1996), and this team would love to get back to the NCAAs. Wins like Saturday's at Kentucky will help.

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
At South Bend, fans are happy to see the Fighting Irish football team close in on a BCS bowl bid. My bet is a trip to the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe. Bob Davie has led the Irish to a 9-2 record.

What about the job being done by new hoops coach Mike Brey, building on the success Matt Doherty started last year. The Irish were brilliant vs. Cincinnati on Saturday. Troy Murphy showed why he is a leading candidate for PTPer of the year, scoring 30 points while blocking shots and serving as a force on the glass.

The addition of Ryan Humphrey helps. Notre Dame has been receiving solid point guard play from Martin Inglesby.

This could be a very special edition of Irish basketball with Murphy and Humphrey on the interior. Big East fans beware, as this team will be right up there with Seton Hall and Connecticut among the league's contenders.

Speaking of the Big East, Jim Boeheim has done a super job early this season. The Orangemen beat three quality opponents -- DePaul, Ohio State and Missouri -- to win the Great Alaska Shootout.

Preston Shumpert was my PTPer of the week and DeShaun Williams has stepped up as well. Allen Griffin has given Boeheim solid point-guard play.

SPARTAN APPEAL
Tom Izzo has been using diaper dandies Zach Randolph and Marcus Taylor off the bench, making the Spartans one of the deepest teams in America.

Two key players for Michigan State have been David Thomas and Mike Chappell. Last year, the Spartans had mental toughness with Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson; this season, it is depth which could be key.

Thomas saw some playing time last season when Cleaves was hurt, and he has played well early this season. Chappell has his jumper back like he did when he started his collegiate career at Duke.

MY ALL-DUKIE TEAM
Here is a look at my All-Duke team under Coach K. For those who want to scream about Art Heyman, I like my Blue Devils in the Krzyzewski era for this list:

Grant Hill
Christian Laettner
Bobby Hurley
Johnny Dawkins
Danny Ferry

My question is, at the end of this season, will Shane Battier supplant one of these five?

Dick Vitale has been ESPN's top college basketball analyst since the network's inaugural 1979-80 season. Vitale has been head coach of the Detroit Pistons and the University of Detroit.