What is the chance that Rick Pitino will coach the Indiana Hoosiers next year and leave us in Kentucky crying for his return? -- Kenneth Howe, Edgewood, Kentucky

VITALE: I really don't believe that Pitino is going to say bye-bye to the Celtics as easily as people think. They are around .500 and if they get into the playoffs, he will stay right where he's at. I think people are jumping on that thought too quickly. They have to give Mike Davis a chance.

The talent level continues to increase in college basketball. Players like Shane Battier, Joe Forte, Terence Morris and Loren Woods could all be good players in the NBA right now. If an All-Star team of the nation's 10 or 12 best college players was assembled and given a couple of weeks with Coach K or Lute Olson, do you think they could beat a team like the Clippers or Bulls? -- Mark Beattie, Gardner

VITALE: Wow! I'll tell you what, I think they would be competitive. When you look at the rosters of the Clippers and Bulls, many of them are in situations where they should still be on the collegiate level learning how to play.

a: I would like your opinion on the situation that has taken place involving Muhammad Lasege, the University of Louisville and the NCAA. In general, do you think he has received a bum deal? And do you think that the situation will be rectified? -- Mike Livingston, Louisville b: We are getting a raw deal down here in Louisville. We have a kid who is a 3.9 GPA student from Nigeria. He has been declared ineligible by the NCAA for signing a contract. He was told the contract was to assist him get to the U.S. He was given food, room and transportation. He never received any cash. Do you believe that the NCAA was correct in their decision? Aren't we living in the land of opportunity? Tell that to Lasege. -- Dana Horton, Louisville

VITALE: I really do think you are right that he got a raw deal. Based on the information I received, he did not take the cash. I thought he should have been suspended for several games, but not a full ban. Every report that I've received indicates that he's an outstanding young man and we're supposed to be in this business to help kids, not hurt them. There should be more thought to the process of declaring him totally ineligible.

I'd like to settle a heated bet between an enthusiastic ND student and his unbelieving friends back home -- is there anyone in the nation that Notre Dame can't compete with and have a shot to beat when March Madness rolls around? -- Michael, Notre Dame, Indiana

VITALE: Notre Dame, after the win over Cincinnati, looks like it can really challenge, maybe even beyond the Sweet 16. This club is getting solid point guard play out of Martin Inglesby. We know how tough they are on the baseline, and with shooters like David Graves and Matt Carroll to stretch the defense, it opens things up on the inside for Troy Murphy. There is no doubt that Murphy is a legitimate first-team All-America.

Do the Iowa Hawkeyes finish the season in the Top 25 and does Luke Recker have a good chance of winning the Big Ten scoring title? -- Dan Ewing, Iowa City

VITALE: Luke Recker has great scoring potential. Iowa will have to improve in several areas -- defensively, and they must learn to win away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena before we can start talking about Top 25. Recker can average 20 points a game and that can win a Big Ten scoring title. I know Recker and he's more interested in winning.

Great Web site, Mr. Vitale. I am now attending Michigan State University and I think that this year's team could be better than the championship squad last year. Never mind the leadership. I think that coach Izzo can make people become leaders. He is the best motivator in college ball. If Bell and Huston fail to respond to the challenge, then I believe that Jason Richardson or even the talented frosh Marcus Taylor would gladly fill Mateen's void. They are a deeper and more talented team tham last year's squad and they have a championship under their belt. What do you think? -- Jon Platte, East Lansing

VITALE: I agree that Michigan State may be deeper this year, but can they match that winning attitude brought in by Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson? I was very impressed with the Spartans when I saw them against North Carolina. Charlie Bell is the best perimeter defender right now. Andre Huston is very underrated. Zach Randolph and Marcus Taylor will get better and better. Jason Richardson is one of the most improved players in the nation; he is flat-out explosive. Izzo has a lot to work with and the Spartans will be contenders to make it to Minnesota for the Final Four.

So far this season I am impressed by the play of a few of the smaller schools such as Austin Peay, Central Michigan, Utah State and Hofstra. While Hofstra and Utah State have strong programs, can any of them keep up the pace for the entire season and maybe make a run in March? Plus what other small programs are you hot on? -- Jason Birkby, Detroit

VITALE: We have already seen a lot of upsets this season, so there is a lot of competition in college basketball. It doesn't take much to build a program. I really like Utah State as a sleeper. Stew Morrill has Shawn Daniels and he has Bernard Rock to handle the rock. This team dominated its league last year and should be a solid team again. Central Michigan surprised Purdue and it has a solid unsung player in David Webber. I think a team like Delaware can be a surprise team and I like David Henderson, the former Dukie in his first season as head coach after taking over for Mike Brey. There are a lot of good college basketball programs out there.

It's been awhile since I heard about Tamir Goodman, a.k.a. "The Jewish Jordan." Where is he playing and is he a Diaper Dandy? -- Jason Greene, Norristown

VITALE: Goodman originally planned on going to Maryland but instead went to Towson. He started two of his team's first four games, including the one against Villanova in which he scored 13 points. In those first four games he averaged just under six ppg and 22 minutes.

If you could pick any five guys to start for your college basketball team, who would they be? Kind of like your All-Star team since you have been in the booth. -- Patrick Zeis, St. Louis

VITALE: Wow, that's a tough one. I've been in the booth over 20 years. On the collegiate level, you obviously start with Michael the Magnificent, Mr. Jordan for sure. Talking the last 20+ years, Jordan, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson and Patrick Ewing. That would be my five.

The Illini have the best chance to make it to the Final Four in years. What do you think Bill Self brings to the team that can make them into a Final Four contender? -- Raleigh Daves, Champaign, Ill.

VITALE: Self did an outstanding job at Tulsa and you can see the Illinois players like him. I believe he gives his players more freedom on the court and Frankie Williams has really improved. The Illinois frontline can really bang on the glass and I do believe they can be a Final Four contender. I really like the heart they displayed in battling against Duke in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.