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Does the NCAA tournament selection committee take into account
computerized rating systems other than the RPI? I ask as it seems that
Sagarin's in particular takes in more thorough criteria (game location,
victory margin) than the RPI which seems to reward teams for their
conference affiliation.
-- Owen Randall, San Francisco
The NCAA committee uses a number of power ratings. They do look at the Sagarin, as well as their own RPI to determine bubble teams and sometimes seeding. But power ratings are rarely used as a deciding factor or a cut-off point. There have been exceptions where a poor power rating didn't hurt a team's chances from getting in the tournament (New Mexico a year ago). When it comes down to the final decision, it's still comparing one team to another and whether or not they deserve to go to the tournament. The main question is this: can this team win a game, are they worthy? It essentially comes down to nine people in a room trying to come to a consensus.
There has been a lot of controversy around Andre Williams of
Oklahoma State. Do you think Andre Williams being suspended for a year is fair? Do you think that Oklahoma State will be able to rebound from this
loss?
-- Clint Spaulding, Stillwater, Okla.
Williams isn't being treated fairly. The suspension for a whole year is
ludicrous, as is having to payback $20,000. Do I think benefactors should
pay for basketball players to attend prep school? Not if there is an agenda
(steering players to a specific school). But Williams is a victim in the
case. And, he's not alone. There are plenty of other high-profile players
who had their schooling paid for who won't suffer any penalty because the
NCAA wasn't aware of it. Oklahoma State will suffer rebounding problems without Williams but I don't think it will prevent the Cowboys from winning the Big 12.
I am a huge Duke fan. I have been watching the men's college
basketball games and I am confused as to why 6'11" freshman Casey Sanders in not playing more. He came into Duke as a McDonalds All-American, and ranked as one of the top 25 freshman recruits out of high school, yet he hardly plays. I understand they want him to improve physically, but with his reputation and his height, I would think Coach K would want to get him big game experience. But so far Sanders' playing time has been very slim. Do you know anything about this puzzling situation? Thanks.
-- John Kelly Medina, Ohio
Sanders is caught in a numbers game. He's not as ready as Carlos Boozer,
Matt Christiansen and Nick Horvath. He's rail thin and needs to get stronger before he can contribute. Boozer's inspired play of late has pushed Sanders' minutes to virtually nil. He'll probably be a typical Duke development where we'll hear from him in two years.
If the investigation into the Rush brothers turns up
players at other schools accepting money from agents
or summer coaches will the NCAA suspend those players
even if it is the week before the NCAA tournament?
-- William Adler, Los Angeles
Yes. But it's unlikely to happen. The NCAA isn't getting that kind of
information on other players (at least to our knowledge). The investigation
has centered on players who played for former AAU coach Myron Piggie.
Federal authorities are using subpoena power to interview those players. The NCAA doesn't have that power to request information on other players who potentially accepted extra benefits while they played summer basketball or had their prep school paid for by a a benefactor or booster.
Now that Coach Bill Guthridge has announced his 7-man rotation in
response to Kris Lang's recent recovery from injuries, UNC looks much
improved. Brendan Haywood is playing with more intensity and the Heels seem to have a chance again at a national title. What do you think?
-- Tee Pruitt, Chapel Hill N.C.
Guthridge's attempt to offer playing time to all and play uptempo was a good effort, but it simply didn't work out. He's narrowed his focus with this move and the Tar Heels should be better for it the rest of the ACC season. I wouldn't fret about the loss to Wake Forest. I'd be shocked if they didn't get healthy this weekend against UCLA. But will they win the national title? No.
What is your opinion of Marshall's men's
basketball team? They started the season 10-0
then lost two, but now are 11-2. But I don't see
them anywhere near the top 25. Does their impressive
win over Georgia not count for anything?
-- Michael, Huntington, West Va.
The win over Georgia was good in name only. The Bulldogs aren't a top 25
team and that's why you didn't hear Marshall getting any pub. The same is
true of its win over UMass. Marshall will probably be in the NIT if it
doesn't win the league title. But Greg White has put together a league
contender and has one of the top sleepers in the nation in J.R. VanHoose.
When are the South Carolina Gamecocks going to get thier props?
They lost to Michigan State by three, they beat the Razorbacks in Arkansas. They knocked off a tough UNC-Charlotte team. They are about to upset the Syracuse O'men. Chuck Eison is a superstar in the making.
-- Roger A. Olivieri, Columbia, S.C.
I know this was written before the near upset of Syracuse. But South
Carolina does deserve recognition. Eddie Fogler has done a tremendous job
with this team. The Gamecocks will beat a top SEC team at home this season and could pull off a surprise on the road. They're not out of the race for an NCAA at-large berth yet.
What are your thoughts on University of Oregon mens basketball team? They have beaten a few ranked teams, and have arguably the best backcourt in the Pac-10. All the talk is about Arizona and Stanford. I think the Ducks will make a run to the Pac-10 championship.
-- Mabon Cornwell, Portland, Ore.
Don't count out the Ducks. Oregon's win over Cal Thursday night was as
impressive as any this season. The Ducks' only two losses were at home to Cal State-Northridge and at Hawaii. They've got a realistic shot to beat
Stanford on Saturday. Oregon is off to its best start (11-2) since '94-95 -- the last time it went to the NCAA Tournament. They should make the field again and win a game or two.
With losses to Vanderbilt and an average Purdue team, and wins
against a group of soft opponents, would you agree that Florida is the most
overrated team in the nation?
-- Matt Dominick, Chicago
I wouldn't go that far. Florida hasn't played a tough schedule but they have
dominated most of the games. Losing to Vanderbilt isn't a bad loss by any
means. Florida will be a team that we won't know as much about until late in the season. But a win over Auburn on Feb. 27 should give the Gators even more credibility.
Realistically, what are St.Bonaventure's chances of making it to
the NCAA tournament?
-- Chris Geddis, Hoboken N.J.
The Bonnies need to beat Temple Saturday to enhance their chances. But, if the Bonnies finish in the top two in their division and win a game or two in the A-10 tournament, there's no reason why they can't get a bid. The A-10 should get three to four teams in the field with Temple, Xavier, Dayton and St. Bonaventure the top four teams in the league.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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