TOURNEY V-MAIL: March 14

Q: Has there ever been a Final Four with all four No. 1 seeds? -- Michael Muhlhauser, Aberdeen, Wash.
VITALE: We have never seen all four No. 1 seeds advance to the Final Four. But we have had three top regional seeds go to the Final Four. In 1993, North Carolina, Kentucky and Michigan joined No. 2 seed Kansas. In 1997, North Carolina, Kentucky and Minnesota were No. 1s. That year, the No. 4-seeded Arizona Wildcats cut down the nets in Indianapolis. In 1999, Connecticut, Duke and Michigan State were all No. 1s at the Final Four in Tampa.

Q: With the ACC being the toughest division in college basketball and North Carolina and Duke playing playing twice in the regular season and for the tournament championship game, how can you give two teams from the Big Ten that did not even make the championship game for their own tournament a No. 1 seed? -- Shawn Hubbard, Ina, Ill.
VITALE: It's all about the overall resumé. The Big Ten is a tough, quality conference. Illinois played a rugged schedule, as did Michigan State. The Spartans beat North Carolina, Florida and Kentucky. There is no argument from me about the two Big Ten schools being No. 1 seeds.

Q: Which four teams in the tournament would you characterize as having the best guard combination? -- Rich Yuresko, Hillsborough, N.J.
VITALE: Any tandem with Jason Williams is sensational. With Chris Duhon back there or Nate James or Mike Dunleavy, Duke's guards are lethal. Jason Gardner and Gilbert Arenas of Arizona are dynamite. Brett Nelson and Teddy Dupay at Florida form an outstanding pair who make music together. Then there's Jamaal Tinsley and Kantrail Horton at Iowa State; plus, Jeff Boschee and Kirk Hinrich at Kansas would rank high on the list. An underrated duo would be Jameer Nelson and Marvin O'Connor of St. Joe's. Guard play is so important come tournament time.

Q: How could the selection committee choose Georgia over Alabama? Sure, they played a tough schedule, but they're 16-14 against that schedule! 'Bama won the head-to-head match with Georgia, went 21-10 overall, 8-8 in league play, with five wins over tournament teams -- including Kentucky, Ole Miss and Ohio State. So why is playing a tough schedule (and losing) more important than winning head-to-head? -- Neil Estes, Falkville
VITALE: I think the committee wanted to send a message about scheduling. It is more than just wins-losses. Georgia was 7-6 in non-league against rugged competition. Alabama could not win on the road. Georgia had a better conference record too. The schedule strength was the biggest reason. Loading up on cupcakes makes a 20-win season inflated.

Q: You said in the Selection Show that you felt for mid-major conferences, but still felt it was fair how teams were selected. How can you justify the RPI when the mid-majors have no opportunity to play the Super Six conference teams because they don't want to lose? If a team like Georgia can get into the tourney with a 16-14 record, what's to stop all the teams in the Super Six conferences from scheduling games only against each other so they can finish 16-14 and still get in the Big Dance? It's a crime to all mid-major conferences. -- Jeremy Johner, Laramie
VITALE: I couldn't agree more that the mid-majors get a tough break. They don't get the chance to play the big guys, and as long as that exists, they will have to win their tournaments to get a bid. The rules are simple: The best resumés get selected for the 34 at-large berths. I feel for them, I sympathize with them, but I have to agree with what the selection committee did.

Q: How far do you think Gonzaga can go with their dynamite duo of Casey Calvary and Dan Dickau? I have them going to the Final Four along with St. Joe's, Duke and Arizona. -- Mark Keshiemer, Dyer
VITALE: I don't think Gonzaga will sneak up on anyone. When you win 18 of your last 19, you have to be considered a threat. Gonzaga went 5-4 when Dan Dickau was out. With Dickau and Casey Calvary as a 1-2 punch, they believe they can win. It won't be easy against Virginia in the opener. That's a real test out of the gate.

Q: The Michigan Wolverines and Bobby Knight. Is this a possibility or is Rick Pitino a shoo-in? And if so, could Pitino build with the talent that Ellerbe left him? -- Andrew Fotenakes

	Rick Pitino won a national title at Kentucky in '96.

VITALE: I don't think anyone is a shoo-in at this point. I think Michigan will try to hit a grand slam with Pitino. Rick is very much in love with the things he has heard about Louisville. Tom Jurich is an outstanding AD who has done a fantastic job romancing Mr. Pitino. The saga continues, but the one dilemma that keeps creeping up for Pitino is the potential backlash of fans from Kentucky. Once he beats Kentucky or beats them out for a recruit, those people who thought he was great are not going to like him any more. Rick is sensitive and that's the only thing that could sway him from the Louisville job. As far as Michigan goes, there are a number of people who would be interested. I think you will hear names like Tommy Amaker, Kelvin Sampson and Ben Braun as candidates. The first guy Bill Martin will talk to is Pitino, and I couldn't blame him for trying. Pitino is a star, he's Broadway, and he is not just a coach. Pitino brings so many positives to a college campus; just look at his track record at that level. He draws attention to a program, sells tickets, gets exposure for the university. If I were selling him on Michigan, it is a great college town. It is cold outside, but it is always 70 degrees inside a gymnasium. I don't buy college football as a negative. It can be used as a positive. Another positive is this: You can be seventh in the conference and be in the marquee NCAA Tournament. That won't happen in Conference USA. Still, there are a lot of positives with Louisville. There's a great AD, a solid tradition, plus a terrific fan following.

Q: Even though it's a long way away, you have to be looking forward to the possible Kentucky vs. Duke rubber match. In comparing the teams, and I honestly believe that Kentucky has the edge. With a hurt Jason Williams and Carlos Boozer, I don't see how they could compare to the likes of Keith Bogans and Jason Parker. I think the best matchup will be Tayshaun Prince and Shane Battier going at it. Do you think a banged-up Duke team will be able to run with the rolling Cats of Kentucky? -- Tony, Louisville, Ky.
VITALE: That's a long way away. That would be a phenomenal game. You have the defensive ability of Kentucky, a team that recovered after that 3-5 start. The Wildcats played quality competition and all Duke has to look at is the way Tubby Smith's team went to Chapel Hill and put the hurt on the Tar Heels. The Wildcats are a definite threat. But each team has obstacles in the way before they think about that matchup.

Q: How do you think Kansas will do in the Big Dance? If the Jayhawks make it to the Sweet 16, do you think they can beat Illinois? -- Paul Withrow, Woodland, Calif.
VITALE: Kansas had high expectations early. There is a mystique there. They were blown out by Wake Forest without Kenny Gregory. They were without Drew Gooden for a while. Now both are healthy, and that could make a difference. There is a solid backcourt coupled with size inside and brilliant coaching. The Jayhawks can create problems and are capable of beating anybody.

Q: What do you think will happen with the Indiana University coaching job? I am a huge Iowa fan and hope Alford stays. -- Kerry Reggelsen, Marion
VITALE: As I said in my column, it is ridiculous that Indiana has not removed that interim tag from Mike Davis. He flat-out deserves to be named permanent head coach. He has done a super job under a very difficult, pressure-packed situation. Steve Alford says he is staying at Iowa and I believe him.