What is going on in Chapel Hill? North Carolina has a couple of solid recruits signed up for this coming season, one of whom is going to prep school, but they appear to be striking out with next year's class already. UNC has an outstanding program, great tradition, and produces NBA players with the best of them. So what is the problem with attracting talent the last few years? If Bill Guthridge is the problem, what is the solution? They can't keep losing the recruiting wars, especially to Duke and other ACC oponents. It just doesn't make sense.

-- Tony Romano, Hockessin, Del.

Eddie Griffin's commitment to Seton Hall was an initial shock to North Carolina. The Tar Heels are still in the running for New York point guard Omar Cook. But if they get shut out in November, then you're right -- the tide is turning in the ACC. The Tar Heels are still overwhelmingly young and can ride this crew for two more years. But they can't afford more than one poor recruiting class to stay at the top. I don't think it goes back a few years. The Tar Heels have a team that could contend for the national title. But by North Carolina standards this year is off to a slow start.

I love your columm. I always take the recruiting experts' lists with a grain of salt. For every "can't miss" prospect that makes good there are two that fail to live up to their press. Which leads me to the strangest question you will receive this week: What eventually became of the "next Hakeem Olajuwon", 6-11 "can't miss" prospect Tito Horford? Keep up the good work.

-- Dave Braun, Grayson, Ky.

Horford didn't amount to much professionally. I can't say what he's doing now. You're right. You need a wait-and-see attitude with all of these recruits.

-- Pedro Vargas, Stockton, Calif.

They're actually pretty good. Tarkanian did visit Stevenson this week along with Kansas, UCLA, Georgia, Connecticut, Missouri and Kentucky. The Bulldogs are probably competing with UCLA, Kansas and Connecticut for his services. They have a great shot, with the pitch being he can start, play 35 minutes a game and take 20-25 shots. Having Jefferies and Porter on the team doesn't hurt but I'm not sure how much it helps yet.

Who are the front-runners or names mentioned for the Texas-Pan American job? Why has this been such a quiet issue>

-- Joe Willis, Tampa, Fla.

It's probably going to be a former assistant. The reason not much has been said on the matter is few people care. It's one of the most obscure Division I coaching jobs. It doesn't help that it's an independent, either.

I heard that Tamir Goodman, the unheralded high school player who received so much attention this past spring when he verbally committed to Maryland, has decided not to attend Maryland after all. Is this true? And if so, what happened? Was he not as good as once thought? Did Gary Williams jump the gun when he offered the virtually unknown and untested high school junior a scholarship?

-- Joe Salko, Baltimore

He's not going to Maryland. Gary Williams is taking a public relations bath on this one. The Word is that they didn't think he was as serious about observing the Jewish Sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night). That's obviously a cover-up for the simple fact that they thought he wasn't as good as first expected. He's probably not an ACC player based on reports from this summer, even with an injured knee. He's an exceptional passer but his strength is a question. He'll probably be better off going to a lower-profile school. But Maryland will take a hit because of the early pub on him.

-- Jason Norcross, Seattle

It's going to be a tough go for the Huskies this season. They lack a proven inside presence and will rely heavily on Deon Luton to score this season. The Huskies will be young, untested and lack size in the post. It doesn't help that the Pac-10 is loaded again with Stanford, Arizona and UCLA as the favorites with sleeper teams Oregon, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon State and USC all with potential of finishing ahead of Washington.

-- Ken Horwath, Rochester, Mich.

Thanks for the tip Ken, you saved a phone call.