How good is Mike Chappell? I hear that he is Trajan Langdon but with more athleticism. How good a comparison is that? What can he do for the Michigan State program?

-- Dion Christie, Tampa, Fla.

Will the Chris Jefferies' transfer to Fresno State make it more likely that DeShawn Stevensen will sign with Fresno State since he and Jefferies played in high school together?

-- Peter McEntee, Sacramento, Calif.

It won't hurt them. Fresno State will still have a hard time beating out Kansas and UCLA (the likely frontrunners) for Stevenson. However, the Bulldogs are doing everything possible to be in a position to land him. If they don't, they can't fault themselves for not trying.

-- Scott Buffington, Boston

El-Amin will likely turn pro, so it makes sense that Calhoun would be after a point guard. The Huskies do have enough to repeat as champs, even though they lost Richard Hamilton and Ricky Moore. El-Amin, Albert Mouring, Doug Wrenn, Kevin Freeman, Jake Voskuhl, Edmund Saunders, Ajou Ajou Deng, Souleymane Wante, Marcus Cox and Tony Robertson make the Huskies nearly two deep at every position. If someone like Wrenn or Mouring can help offset Hamilton's scoring loss then the Huskies will be a viable contender. They may be more inside-oriented with Deng but they still need the 3-point shooter to keep the double-teams out of the post.

I was wondering what sort of impact you think that Karim Shabazz will have in the Big East this year. I know he put up decent numbers in his freshman year at Florida State but I am wondering if you think he will be able to duplicate or improve on those numbers in the Big East considering that the conference is supposed to be much more physical than the ACC. Also do you think Tim Welsh has the potential to make Providence into a consistent 20-win tournament team like Steve Lappas did at Villanova?

-- Tim Griffin, Boston

Shabazz does need to be more physical in the Big East but he should flourish at Providence where the offense will flow through him instead of around him. The expectations are high on Shabazz to be the difference between the NIT and the NCAA. But to expect Tim Welsh to put the Friars in as a consistent NCAA team isn't fair. Villanova isn't. Few Big East teams are regulars in the NCAA (Connecticut and Syracuse have stayed the most consistent in the '90s). However, Providence fans should expect the Friars to make an NCAA appearance every two years. Going deep -- like their Elite Eight in '97 -- won't be the norm.

With the addition of Max Good to the UNLV coaching staff, as well as another great recruiting class, do you think the Rebels will finally return to national prominence this year?

-- Jeremy Zarowitz, Tucson, Ariz.

They've had national recruiting classes since Bill Bayno got to UNLV. The problems have come with coaching the team during the season. Too many players have flaked out and been erratic. Good adds a calming influence and a true tactician on the bench. He could be the difference for a few more wins, enough to put UNLV (if everyone is eligible) on the NCAA bubble in March.

-- Randy Fulp, Winston-Salem, N.C.

So much of it depends on how fast Damien Wilkins can be an impact player in the ACC. The Wolfpack, even with the transfer of Adam Harrington, have the perimeter to compete in the ACC but need the consistent post play. N.C. State needs to get into the NCAAs this season after too many average years. The ACC has been top heavy and there's no reason why N.C. State can't nudge ahead of Virginia, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia Tech.

-- Joshua Freedman, Durham, N.C.

Christiansen will be in the mix but I can't see him earning too much time over Casey Sanders and/or Nick Horvath unless there's no way they're ready. Boozer would have started over Christiansen. But at this point, Duke can use any big body.

Sorry to burst your bubble but it's true. Tryfon Castritis is his name. He was born in Greece and came to the U.S. as a small child. Castritis' stock in the eyes of college coaches has gone up even more since the piece was written. Phone calls have come in trying to get ahold of him.