Enjoying his time on the campus of Bristol U., ESPN.com's Answer Man found the time to dig back into his mailbag. He's was eager to answer a few questions from ESPN.com users.

What do you think UNC's plan of action is for their big man situation? They have a few options in Brain Butch or David Padgett, one of which they need badly. Do you think they have a shot at either or both and if not, is Lamarcus Aldridge a good option out of the class of 2004. Thanks a lot for all your insight. Eric Seale
Durham, N.C.

Eric,
Why not? North Carolina was criticized for not getting a big man last class but ended up with a potential stellar forward in Sean May. The Tar Heels are still recruiting the perimeter extremely well and doing a good job staying in the hunt for big men in this class. North Carolina made the trek with Arizona to scout Padgett in Venezuela. The Tar Heels are doing their part to try and land one of the two big men.

Do you think Michigan will be able to return to its form back when the "Fab Five" was in Ann Arbor with their recruiting class and the kids they have coming in next year?
Sean Asselin
Mt. Clemens

Sean,
The short answer: no. The Wolverines will get hit because of the Ed Martin scandal. It will come, maybe in a year or so, but it will come. That being said, it will be tough for the Wolverines to return to that phony form. Tommy Amaker is doing a good job recruiting the nation, especially perimeter players. But getting big-time Michigan talent is going to remain tough with Michigan State dominating the state for the foreseeable future.

Greetings from the meca of men's collage basketball, KENTUCKY! Andy, where do you see the UofL men's basketball program in the next couple of years, and what do you think about James Lang and the rest of the upcoming recruiting class?
Re'Sean Floyd
Henderson, Ky.

Re'Sean,
Louisville will be a national player, but the Cardinals need to continue to strike that balance that they should have this season with Reece Gaines on the perimeter and Marvin Stone inside. The Cardinals should be one of the better defensive teams in the nation as long as Rick Pitino is on board. But getting a go-to scorer on the perimeter to match up with James Lang (maybe Brandon Jenkins) is the chore. I'm sure they will. Louisville is hot right now on the recruiting circuit and that should continue.

What ever happened to former Towson guard Tamir Goodman? Did he transfer to another college?
Richard Stumpp
Ogden, Utah

Richard,
Tamir hooked on with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

How could "Lefty" Driesell not have been voted into the Hall of Fame?
Dave
Atlanta

Dave,
Be patient, it could happen. Few college coaches, save Mike Krzyzewski, get in on the first ballot. It took Lute Olson a few tries and Jerry Tarkanian is still waiting, too. Driesell is in line with Houston's Guy Lewis as two of the coaches that could be next to get into the Hall of Fame. It's never a no brainer with the coaches.

I am a 6-3 guard/forward who plans to walk on UGA basketball team. The problem is getting my foot in the door. It not always just about talent, but politics. Do you have advice for walk-ons to make some noise to get the coach to even give me a chance on the team.
Nick Bedford
Athens, Ga.

Nick,
If Jim Harrick lets you on the roster then you've got a chance to make some noise if you play well in practice. The Bulldogs are down in scholarship numbers on this roster and there could be a few minutes late in a game of a blowout. But it's never easy for non recruited walk-ons. They are at a distinct disadvantage because coaches are always going to play the players they are giving scholarship money to first, regardless of talent. That's just the way it is in college basketball. Work hard in practice and good luck.

Boston University is returning its top seven scorers from last year. After a conference championship and NCAA tourney berth, I think they not only have a great chance of running the table in the America East conference, but making an upset or two along the way (Stanford, BC, ..?) Do you think BU has a legitimate shot at a 13 or 14 seed in this year's tournament?
Gordon Madding
Boston, Mass.

Gordon,
I don't see BU running the table in the America East. Vermont is just as talented and could win the league. Hartford has improved and so has Northeastern. Maine is never easy to beat in Orono. I'd be shocked if the Terriers could pull off the upset at Stanford or BC. Getting Matt Turner back, who averaged 17.5 points in six games, would be crucial to the Terriers winning the America East.

Andy,
Most are looking for Creighton and Southern Illinois to be fighting it out for the MVC crown this year. I noticed that coach Weber of SIU and Creighton's Kyle Korver both mentioned Wichita State as a team to watch for this year during their ESPN chats. WSU had arguably one of the best group of frosh in the country last year, but because of an average 15-15 record they went relatively unnoticed. From all accounts, Coach Turgeon has seemed to address all of the program's needs with this year's incoming class. What do you think the chances of MVC contention and post season play are for WSU this year?
Shawn
Topeka, Kan.

Shawn,
Mark Turgeon is banking on this being the breakthrough season for the Shockers. They will have some arena problems this season and that could hurt their homecourt edge playing at the Kansas Coliseum. But Wichita State is considered the sleeper by Southern Illinois and Creighton and everyone else in the Valley. If the Valley was going to go more than two deep in the Bracket Buster, Wichita State should have received a nod over Illinois State and Northern Iowa.

Andy,
Saw you brief comments on Cal State Fullerton's junior center/forward Pape Sow. Can you give us Titan fans more information on what you heard at the Vegas camp. I've seen one online publication (nbadraft.net) say he is a Top 15 pick in the NBA draft. Do the scouts really think he will be a first round pick next year or is he another year away?
Paul
Brea, Calif.

Paul,
Pape Sow is on the radar for scouts. They plan on checking him out throughout the season. It's a little early to lock him into a first round or top 15 slot. He needs to do more this season and work out well in the spring. But he will be closely watched at every stop.

Great job Andy!
I watch all your spots on ESPN and read all of your columns, but I have a question: How can they leave out one of the biggest mid-major colleges in terms of basketball in the nation, The College of Charleston. They have been knocking off bigger schools for years and the bigger ones that they haven't knocked off they have hung tight with them and they should be even better this year with Leighton Bowie and Rudy Rothseiden inside and Troy Wheless and A.J. Harris running the backcourt. They should be dynamite. However, they get no recognition. What is your opinion on them?
Tom
Florence, S.C.

Tom,
You didn't even mention transfer Zeke Johnson. Tom Herrion is high on the former New Mexico forward. Johnson is a steal for the Southern Conference level. Herrion will bust his tail in recruiting and be fun to watch on the sidelines. He'll provide a ton of energy (not that John Kresse didn't work up a sweat). Battling Davidson for the title should be one of the closer races in a mid-major conference this season.

Just wondering a couple of things regarding scheduling:
Approximately how far in advance do most D-I teams complete their schedules? It seems that, with so much emphasis put into Schedule Strength in the RPI, it is crucial for "bubble" teams to play the highest ranked teams possible, yet it is impossible for teams to know what quality the schedule is until the season plays out (see UVa last year). Also wondering what the breaking point is for a team's RPI for "good loss" vs. "bad win". That is, it is better for a team to lose to No. 1 than it is to beat No. 299 -- at what point along the spectrum does a team stop benefiting from losing to a good team vs beating, say, No. 120. Sorry that this may require some advanced math, especially with any bonus points involved, but it seems like a number of teams have inflated RPI because of losing (often badly) to top teams. Thanks Andy.
Brendan
Boston, Mass.

Brendan,
Most teams do some of their major scheduling a year or two in advance (setting up a home-and-home with another high-profile team). But at least one or two games are left open for TV to schedule after the season. Guarantee games usually aren't done until the spring and sometimes summer. As for your second question, losing to a top team is better, but not too much. Temple learned last year that you still have to beat some of these teams. Scheduling top teams will help the power rating, but not if you don't win a few of them. The opposite won't do it, either. Beating weak teams to get 20-plus wins won't do it, alone either.

Andy,
Do you think North Carolina will make the NCAA tournament? And if so, how far will they get?
Jesse Hauver
Montreal

Jesse,
Carolina should be at least an NIT team with a chance to be an NCAA team. It will depend on interior scoring and defense. I'm not concerned about their ability to score and defend on the perimeter with Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants bolstering a developing unit.

Why no love for the Cuse? I think that Jimmy B might have his most talented and deep team since the days of Billy Owens and Derrick Coleman. He can have a starting five of Billy Edelin (PG), Carmelo Anthony (SG), Kueth Duany (SF), Hakim Warrick (PF) and Craig Forth (C). And if they want to run n' gun, they have quality players like Josh Pace, Gerry McNamara, and Jeremy McNeil to back these guys up. They can go big and play half court, or they can go small sprint up and down the court. With Duany, Warrick, and Anthony they are the most athletic team in the Big East. And if they need rebounding they can stick in space eater Jeremy McNeil alongside Forth. Anthony, Edelin, Warrick, Duany, Pace, and McNamara are all scoring threats. Other than inexperience does this team have a weakness? I think the Cuse might be a darkhorse for the Final Four.
Apparao
Clarks Summit, Pa.

Apparao,
No one is dogging the 'Cuse. They probably helped their chemistry by dumping DeShaun Williams. But we don't know how good Billy Edelin will be or Carmelo Anthony. If they are as good as advertised then Syracuse should be right with Pittsburgh in the Big East West Division. This team faded last year and had a bout of senioritis, but that shouldn't happen, not after missing the mark on the NCAAs. Jim Boeheim is as driven as ever to get this team back to the Dance. It should happen.

What's the "Word" on Georgia State's LaMont McIntosh? I've read about him a couple of times.
Eric
Boston, Mass.

Eric,
Lots of comments from Boston on a variety of topics, so we'll take this one, too. I sat with a few scouts watching McIntosh at the Nike All-American camp and they were sold on him for this season and beyond. He will be watched by the pro scouts during the year and has a chance to play at the next level. He's got a chance to lead Georgia State back to the Dance if he can score as well as he did this summer.

First off, I want to let you know that I hold your opinion in far greater standing than another ESPN analyst whom prays to the altar of DUKE every night. My question, why is Luke Walton getting so much attention? Arizona was decent last year because of Jason Gardner alone. Walton was a good contributor, but he turned the ball over more than anyone. Anyone could make one highlight pass per game when he turnover four other attempted highlight passes. Gardner is the best guard in country and he will have a better NBA career than Jason Williams.
John Palmer
Scottsdale, Ariz.

John,
I disagree on Luke Walton. He's one of the toughest matchups in college basketball this season. He got stronger and has a better touch around the basket then most traditional big men in college this season. Gardner will battle size issues and have a harder time making the league. He has the heart, but pro scouts have to get over his size and erratic shooting. If they give him a chance, then he should prove them wrong. But getting that chance will be determined with how well he plays in the spring, not necessarily during the season.

I played at Marist in New York last year and now play overseas in Italy. This summer I went to a camp in Vegas and saw a two kids that looked like they had some serious potential to play in the NBA. Travis Hansen, who I heard plays at BYU. And Jackson Vroman who plays at Iowa State. What is the word on these two?
Sean Kennedy
New York

Sean, thanks for the email.
Hansen led BYU with 15.7 points a game last season, a team getting no recognition in the MWC. He will once again be the Cougars' go-to player. Vroman is one of the more heralded newcomers for Iowa State. He will compete with the 7-1 Chris Alexander for minutes in the post. Good luck in your pro career.

Do you anticipate any shifts among schools in conference affiliation this year? This off-season seems like it's been quieter than in years past.
Chipper
Asheville, N.C.

No. The next moves could be in the MWC with Fresno State and Hawaii (but not until the present TV contract expires). I wouldn't say never with the Big Ten going to 12 for a championship game in the future, but that is still a reach. The Big East football/basketball alignment is never totally safe, either. But right now it's all talk.

What's your assessment on Rick Boyages at William & Mary? Do you think he can make that team a legitimate contender in the Colonial? Outside of a 20-win season with no postseason tourney in 1998, they haven't made any noise in the conference in quite some time.
James McDonnell
West Orange, N.J.

William & Mary is one of the toughest jobs in college basketball. Rick has to go in the CAA and he's got one of, if not the, hardest academic schools in the league. Be patient. This is a program that should once in a while make a run at the league title. I wouldn't expect it every season.

Hey Andy, just a quick one for you. Being a huge Gonzaga fan I am always pulling for the WCC (except when they play the Zags, of course). Any word on what we can expect from Pepperdine this year, and will USF finally live up to their potential and put some quality wins up?
Daniel
San Diego

Pepperdine should be just as good as last season. We had them in our top 50 and expect the Waves to be in the hunt for a berth again. USF has to make some noise. Every season the Dons are the team with some of the most athleticism, but injuries to point guards have slowed the progress of the team. USF can't miss this opportunity to be the WCC's third-best team again.

I saw that conferences had all-star teams travel and play in Europe, and I was thinking why not have conference all-star teams play each other? They could do it after the tournament in March and it would be great for NBA prospects and scouts to see these great players play against each other. Has anyone ever thought about doing this? Could any conference challenge the Pac-10?
Jamin Schwehr
Tucson, Ariz.

Not sure the NCAA would allow that, but it is a good idea. But the trips are also good to get players exposure in Europe for overall growth and potential pro careers overseas. The Pac-10 coaches would be in favor of a challenge, like the SEC, but TV has not approached them.

Time for a loaded question. How well, in your honest opinion, has Steve Lavin done at UCLA? If you look at pure W-L record and Sweet 16's, he's done great. If you look deeper, however, you see teams chock full of talent that consistently underperform (ie: last year the Bruins were the consensus pick to win the Pac-10 yet wound up with their worst Pac-10 finish ever.) I don't expect Lavin to hang banners every year, but I would like to see a team that always plays hard and consistently challenges for the Pac-10 title (something we haven't done forever). Is that unrealistic?
Andy Babb
Los Angeles

Andy,
It's not unrealistic, but the bottom line is UCLA is judged on the NCAA Tournament, not the regular season or Pac-10 titles. Arizona finished in fifth (or sixth) in the Pac-10 in 1997 and won the national title -- that's all people remember from that season. This will be a good test for the Bruins' coaching staff. They are loaded yet again, but will be young up front. They should contend with Arizona and Oregon for the Pac-10 title and be a Final Four contender. That's realistic.

What is former New Mexico head coach Fran Fraschilla doing these days?
Nick Vendikos
New York

He has moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and will likely be doing radio and television analysis this season.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. He answers questions on college basketball weekly.