V-MAIL: Jan. 4
Q: What's up with Arizona? I'm only 16 but I have followed the 'Cats for the better part of my life, and I have never seen the program in this state. Does Lute Olson have that huge of an impact? I'm not worried now, but March is only two months away. Imagine if the 'Cats enter the tourney at a six or seven seed? -- Danny Corrales, Tucson, Ariz.
VITALE: I don't see that happening with Arizona, given their strength of schedule. Olson really is a factor. I firmly believe this Arizona team will bounce back. If the Wildcats are a sixth or seventh seed, we have one incredible tournament. Right now, Arizona is trying to get over the loss of Bobbi Olson. She was a special lady and an important person to the whole Arizona basketball team.
Q: Which is the stronger conference now, the ACC or SEC? -- Jamey, Nashville
VITALE: Right now, I have been really impressed with three conferences. The ACC is loaded with Wake Forest playing as well as anybody. There is Duke, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia. Georgia Tech has shown signs with wins over Kentucky and UCLA. The SEC has a lot of talent with Tennessee, Florida, Alabama. Mississippi has been a big surprise. I still feel Kentucky and Tubby Smith will right the ship. Then you look at what Mississippi State did in winning at Arizona. Antonio Jackson has been playing very well and they have Mario Austin, a diaper dandy coming off the bench. LSU and John Brady have done a good job. Then look at the Big East with Boston College and Georgetown unbeaten, Syracuse a surprise early in the season, and most people saying Seton Hall and Notre Dame, along with Connecticut were the favorites. There aren't many gimmes in the Big East. Rutgers almost won at Villanova. Pittsburgh isn't an easy game. So those three leagues stand out right now to me.
Q: Can you help me think of a player in recent years who is as complete as Michigan State's Charlie Bell? I mean, he is among the best offensive guards, defensive guards, rebounding guards and assist men in the game. Bell simply has no weaknesses. He does everything very well. -- Nancy Powers, Alma, Mich.
VITALE: Bell has certainly been an important key for the Spartans in all facets of the game. With Mateen Cleaves gone, Bell has taken over the important role of leader. He has certainly been impressive; he had 26 points against Penn State. He can shoot on the perimeter, distribute the rock and play exceptional defense on the perimeter.
Q: With the Big 12 Conference schedule ready to get under way, who are your picks to win both the North and South Divisions? And which teams from the Big 12 should make it to the Big Dance come March? Also, besides Kansas and Oklahoma, are there any sleeper teams here with a chance to make it to the second weekend of the tournament? -- Dan Meyer, St. Louis, Mo.
VITALE: We will find out how good Baylor is at 11-0 right now. That certainly will be interesting to follow. Dave Bliss' club has really jumped on people during the pre-conference schedule. Oklahoma State will be a dangerous team. With Darren Kelly back, watch out for Texas. The Longhorns have wins over Illinois and Utah since he's returned. Rick Barnes' club will be tough to beat, especially in Austin. Missouri lost a couple of heartbreakers early on. Iowa State has Jamaal Tinsley and Larry Eustachy's team has been on a roll. I agree that Kansas and Oklahoma are the top teams in the league.
Q: I know it's early, but what are the chances of teams like Penn State and Notre Dame making the NCAA tourney assuming .500 seasons in their conferences? Specifically, what must Penn State do to make March Madness? -- Bob Gilroy, Mechanicsburg, Penn.
VITALE: I believe Notre Dame has a great shot. Penn State has to get some road wins, like they did at Lexington. The Nittany Lions will be tough to beat at home and they get solid backcourt play from the Crispin brothers. I think both will be in the hunt. The Irish need solid perimeter play so they can stretch the defense, allowing Troy Murphy to operate effectively on the inside.
Q: How good are the Hoyas? They have beaten a good Minnesota team and the College of Charleston, but still no respect. An 11-0 team with that roster should be in the top 15, right? -- Alex Bariso, Piscataway, N.J.
VITALE: The Hoyas sent a message loud and clear with the win at West Virginia. It was the margin that really impressed me. I spoke to Tommy Amaker, whose team plays Georgetown and he said they have a great combination of size, speed, perimeter play and quickness. He feels they are a legitimate Top 20 team. The Hoyas missed out on the NCAAs last year and they are hungry. I feel they will be a thorn in the side of a lot of people all season.
Q: As an Illinois fan, I was wondering what your thoughts are on head coach Bill Self. I think he's been great for the team, but where would this team be if Lon Krueger were still here? Would they have as much freedom within the system to work from -- and would they be as successful? -- Adam Kiefer, Freeport, Ill.
VITALE: I think you are talking about coaches with different styles. Both Kruger and Self are very effective with their individual styles. Kruger was an outstanding tactician with belief in team play and quality shots. He did in a different method; Self allows his players more freedom to run up and down the court. The Illini players utilize their individual skills. Both got positive results and I feel they would have done well if Kruger was on the sideline.
Qa: Hey Dickie V, I don't see Joseph Forte on your All-Rolls Roycers list. Shame on you! I know that you're going on early-season performance and Casey Jacobsen did have a heck of a game against Duke, but Forte is a much better all-around player. When will Joseph make your No. 1 list of PTPers? -- Greg Timmerman, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Qb: How on earth is Joe Forte not included on the 30-player list for the Wooden Award? Plain crazy. -- Mike Euglow, Walnut Creek, Calif.
VITALE: Joseph Forte is one of the most brilliant perimeter players in America. I had him on my preseason All-Rolls Royce first team in my magazine. I based this latest ranking on play up to the midseason and Jacobsen deserved the edge in my opinion. Forte has been super lately and in the postseason one, which counts the most, he could very easily be there. He has that kind of ability. I have a lot of respect for his ability or I wouldn't have picked him in the preseason for my first team.
Q: What are your thoughts on Villanova and do you think the 'Cats can contend for the Big East championship? One other question is: do you think Michael Bradley will be voted All-American? I think he is awesome, baby, with a capital A! -- Jim, Orlando
VITALE: Bradley is making a name for himself, big time. Many NBA scouts will tell you he's becoming one of the best big players for the next level in the future. He has great size and great shooting touch.
Q: Are UNC's Kris Lang and Brendan Haywood the best twin towers in the nation? Which team in the ACC will give the towers the most trouble this year? -- Al, Silver Creek, Ga.
VITALE: I don't know about the best tandem, but as two big guys inside, they create problems. Against Georgia Tech, when there were double-teams used against Haywood, Lang became a major factor. They work well with each other and a concern to anyone who plays the Tar Heels. To me, the key for Carolina is point guard play and getting creativity, getting the ball inside to the big guys to get good looks at the basket.
Q: Do the Richmond Spiders have any chance of receiving an at-large bid? They are being punished by the Colonial Conference for bolting for the A-10 next year and are not allowed in the conference tournament. -- Lenny, Washington, D.C.
VITALE: The recent loss to George Mason did not help. It is going to be tough. The Spiders did play Wake Forest tough, and there are a few quality wins like Mississippi State. John Beilein's team is in a difficult spot, being out of the CAA tournament. Richmond would have to go on an unbelievable role to make the NCAAs with an at-large berth.
Q: What do you think about Bo Ryan and the UW-Milwaukee Panthers? The city is buzzing and this team is clicking. A laughingstock three years ago, and now Bo has them top 50 in the RPI! Picked to finish third in the MCC in the preseason, how do you like their conference-championship chances now? Do you expect that they will be able to upend your boys in Detroit and/or Butler more so now than earlier in the year? -- Jeff Testa, Milwaukee
VITALE: I saw their game against Iowa -- I believe it was the season opener. They gave a great account of themselves. They can be a sleeper in that conference. The MCC has had dangerous teams in the NCAA tournament in recent years. Detroit scored a couple of wins, while Butler took Florida to the wire and the Gators marched on to the Final Four.
Q: Can it be? Can two San Diego college baseketball teams be headed to the Big Dance? Are the USD Torreros and the SDSU Aztecs for real? -- Jonathan Horn, San Diego
VITALE: Steve Fisher has done a great job out at San Diego State. They are really improved. The schedule hasn't been against the best competition but the Aztecs got a real confidence booster with a big win over Eddie Sutton's Oklahoma State Cowboys. Gaining a winning attitude and mentality is important for a program trying to climb the next step. Brad Holland has done a solid job at San Diego, sitting at 8-4. It's a little early to say big dance.
