V-MAIL: Jan. 18

Q: The AP rates Fresno State No. 26, but the RPI says No. 14. Where do you think the Bulldogs belong? And why is the press so determined to take a bite out of Tark? He is a wonderful man and one of the best coaches in the history of the game. He's a good one, baby! -- Frank Rodriguez, Porterville, Calif.

VITALE: Obviously, right now Fresno State is playing super basketball. It looks like this is the best team Tark has assembled. I have a crazy feeling that they will be a legitimate threat to people in the NCAA tournament. They have a nice combination with Melvin Ely blocking shots, Chris Jefferies scoring and Tito Maddox as a sensational diaper dandy, distributing the rock.

	Louisville's Marques Maybin has trouble working his way through the Hoyas' Mike Sweetney, left, and Kevin Braswell.

Q: With Mike Sweetney and Kevin Braswell providing the inside-outside game, and Lee Scruggs providing help off the bench, do you think Georgetown has what it takes make it to the Final Four? They are the deepest team in the Big East and have the strongest frontcourt in the country. -- Kelly Selfe, Fairfax, Va.

VITALE: The Hoyas are on a big-time roll. Until someone beats them, they can create their own path. They are playing brilliant basketball and are legit. Beating Seton Hall twice in less than 10 days tells you enough. Craig Esherick has done a great job. They have depth, size and outstanding team defense.

Q: How about Iowa? The Hawkeyes are the team to beat this year in the Big Ten after their start. The threesome of Dean Oliver, Luke Recker and Reggie Evans could be the best trio in the league right now. With the help they are getting from the bench they will be tough to beat in March. What is your opinion of the Hawks? -- Iowa fan

VITALE: Despite the loss at Wisconsin, Steve Alford has done one of the brilliant coaching jobs in America. He has to be one of the top candidates, up there with Esherick, Paul Hewitt of Georgia Tech. Alford has only three losses with a relatively young team. They beat Illinois and went into Purdue and took care of business there. It's just his second year there and he is developing a reputation as a big-time coach. He's a star on the coaching horizon. Oliver has played well, and Evans has been a major plus. He's my impact JUCO transfer of the year. Luke Recker has struggled a bit lately, but he is a PTPer. Iowa has a bright future.

Qa: If Missouri keeps getting better, do you think they have a shot to steal the Big 12 this year from KU? And all we ever hear is, "Missouri is gonna be great next year" -- what about this year, baby? Can they make the Elite 8? -- Clint M, Des Moines, Iowa
Qb: Where do you rank Missouri's Kareem Rush on your list of the best small forwards/swingmen in the country? -- Shawn Fitch, St. Louis

VITALE: Rush is one of the premier wing players in the nation. I can't wait to see him this weekend when I call the Virginia-Missouri game. Certainly the win over Iowa State in four overtimes was emotional and the loss to Kansas State was a disappointment. I spoke to Quin Snyder the other day and he is excited about his young players. He is enthused by the progress of Clarence Gilbert, who is learning to be more than just a shooter. Gilbert is becoming more of a penetrator and scorer. Rush can create his own shot, he's explosive and he's right up there knocking for premier honors at the wing spot.

Q: Just read your column about giving coaching rumors a rest and I agree. But the way ESPN and other sports networks/shows operate now, how can you? Every show has a Rick Pitino sighting, an "is he or isn't he?" or "he's going to UCLA, no make that UNLV, no it could be Indiana." Nothing against Pitino, but your network needs to read your column and listen -- I'm tired of having to listen ... Keep up the good work! -- Kennywayn9

VITALE: It's just amazing that there are rumors, rumors, rumors. Many times there is no reality to them and it usually creates havoc. It's totally unfair to coaches who are currently working, trying to build credibility in their programs. Every time they lose a game, they have to put up with headlines that their job is in jeopardy. How would you like to work in that kind of environment? It's just not fair.

Q: For as long as I can remember I've loved you as an announcer ... but lately when you're announcing I hit the mute button so I don't have to hear about how good Duke's squad, Shane Battier and Jason Williams are when I'm watching a Big Ten game. By listening to you I get the distinct impression that you've lost most of your objectivity. And yes, you can defend yourself by pointing out how you've got so and so on your lists ... but now, my question: Would you be willing to put down the Duke megaphone for the rest of the season and give a fair shake to ALL the players who are worthy of praise? Thanks for listening, Big V -- good luck with the rest of the season, baby! -- Chris Eastman, Cedar Falls, Iowa

VITALE: You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Obviously, if you are doing a Duke game or you are covering them over the years as I have been assigned by my bosses at ESPN and ABC, what is there not to praise? I covered that issue on Saturday. It is absurd and ridiculous because I try to sing the praises of those who deserve it, all over the nation. It is unfair. There is not much to critique about Duke in a negative fashion. Everything they do seems to be positive. They play with passion, intensity and emotion and it seems to me that you are another anti-Dukie fan. That happens, baby, with winning programs like Duke, Notre Dame football, the Yankees. I can understand that. I think this is unfair because if anyone has followed me in my 22 years in television, if you deserve to be praised, you will get some praise.

Q: What do you think Kentucky needs to return to the dominant profile that Rick Pitino restored? -- Brian Sedoris, Prospect, Ky.

	Keith Bogans is providing leadership and scoring for Kentucky.

VITALE: Pitino did a phenomenal job while he was at Kentucky from 1989-97, but Tubby Smith has done a heckuva job as well. Smith has won a national championship in '98, he led the 'Cats to the Elite Eight in '99. This year's club could be in the top five in America if it had Jules Camara. Unfortunately, he created a problem for himself with his DUI; he hurt his teammates and everyone involved. Kentucky had heartbreaking losses at Michigan State, to UCLA and St. John's, both on neutral courts, vs. Georgia Tech. This club could be with the elite with a few points here and there. Certainly the win over Tennessee was very impressive as Kentucky played with great intensity and enthusiasm. The defense was oustanding, contesting every Tennessee shot -- and Keith Bogans was like Joe Willie Namath, guaranteeing a victory in the local newspaper. Smith has done a great job.

Q: What is wrong with the Arkansas Razorbacks? What has caused the fall of this once-elite basketball program? -- Marcus Carlton, Jonesboro, Ark.
VITALE: I have not seen Arkansas this season. I would think, from what I have heard from people, it could be that an inability to shoot the basketball is a problem. Nolan Richardson's kids scrap, claw, press and run. Last year, they went on a run and won the SEC tournament, earning an NCAA berth. Never count Arkansas out. Richardson is a fighter and that is reflected in his kids.

Q: Have you noticed Providence point guard John Linehan? When he plays, the Friars are 13-1, when he doesn't they're under .500. Probably the best defensive point guard in America, he gets little notice because he's not a big scorer. Turned Taliek Brown of UConn over eight times on Saturday. If ever there were a blue-collar All-American, it's John. -- Dan Keough, Providence, R.I.

VITALE: Linehan has given them a spark. Providence showed that anything can happen in the Big East when it beat Connecticut but then lost at home to Miami in a real shock city. The program has been kept together by Tim Welsh, who has handled adversity well. Providence has been a real surprise, along with Boston College and Georgetown in the Big East.

Q: Have you had a chance to check out St. Joseph's freshman Jameer Nelson yet? He's quite an exciting player -- one I believe who deserves the diaper dandy label! Also, what are your thoughts on the Atlantic 10 so far? I know it's still early, but which teams are the teams to watch in the postseason? -- Pete Johnston, Philadelphia

VITALE: Funny, because I just mentioned Nelson as a member of my All-Unsung Diaper Dandy team. Nelson knows how to play the point-guard position and is very underrated. Phil Martelli's team is playing well and just knocked off Temple and Dayton. I think the Atlantic 10 is very competitive with teams like Temple and Xavier getting publicity. Keep an eye on St. Joseph's. Marvin O'Connor, the Villanova transfer, teams up with Nelson to form an outstanding backcourt.

Q: I have been a Seton Hall fan for over 10 years. I have seen them go from great to bad to great once again (finishing in the Sweet 16 last year). This year is supposed to be one of the best, but with half the season over gone I have only seen one good game by the Hall (against Notre Dame). My question is, what is this team missing that can glue all these athletes into the powerhouse team they should be? Also, do you blame Tommy Amaker or the players for their less-than-stellar performance? -- Seton Hall fan

VITALE: Maturity and experience. This Seton Hall team is very young and it makes you appreciate what the Fab Five did, making the Final Four in back-to-back years. That's amazing and that will never happen again. Seton Hall's nucleus is primarily diaper dandies. One of their problems has been getting the total chemistry. Ty Shine has to accept his role coming off the bench. He feels he should start, but once the coach delegates that responsibility as a reserve, you have to go on and blend in with the team.

Q: I've been checking my calendar, and it's been some time since the Tar Heels have pulled a W against Duke. The Heels are begining to play like the team of old. Do you think Matt Doherty may calm the cries of my friends in Chapel Hill this year, or will they have to wait another year before beating that machine at Duke? -- Charles Ivey, Clemson University, S.C.

VITALE: The North Carolina-Duke game will be another knockout special. I can't wait 'til Feb. 1 for the first meeting. You have contrasting styles, as North Carolina has the power and inside size with Brendan Haywood, Kris Lang and company against the lethal perimeter three-point shooting of Duke. It is going to be a classic, emotional battle. What Doherty has done is amazing, bringing about a special spirit and enthusiasm. His kids have bought into it and have really reacted that way. They have won 10 in a row. Duke has been brilliant.

Q: How do you view today's poor free-throw shooting by college-level players? I feel the poor shooting is due to a lack of fundamentals. Being from the "old school," I was taught (and still teach) kids to center their bodies with the basket with both feet on the line. This squares their shoulders to the basket (the same way you correctly shoot a jump shoot). The present fad evidently taught be most coaches is to center the shooting hand and foot to the basket, with the nonshooting foot slightly back. This causes the shoulders to be "cock-eyed" to the basket. -- Jack Curry, Aiken, S.C.

VITALE: So many kids don't spend enough time working on the art of shooting the basketball. They are more concerned with being the high riser, the explosive dunker, run up the court in transition, being innovative and creative. The basic fundamentals of passing and shooting have broken down. Shooting is something you have to work on, and it has to become a regular ritual every day. You have to work on a routine to become a good free-throw shooter.