The recent hot start for Indiana has many of us hard-core Indiana fans excited. After 4-5 years of sub-par performances, can this team contend for the Big Ten title and/or a national championship? Also, will their start and the incoming recruiting class help to silence the "Knight has lost it" talking heads?

-- Chris Schrepferman, Iowa City, Iowa

Indiana can be a sleeper for the national title if it can win the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have the go-to guard in A.J. Guyton, the role players in Michael Lewis and Dane Fife and the unknown but productive frontcourt. Bob Knight's recruiting of Jared Jeffries and the redshirt George Leach make Indiana a Big Ten title contender again next season. Kei Madison didn't qualify at Indiana. If he wants to be a part of Bob Knight's rebuilding process then he'll have to get through two years of junior college first.Don't be surprised to see Knight make a run at Dean Smith's record for wins. He's not going anywhere.

-- Thomas Nikundiwe, Baltimore

I don't think they'll suffer at the beginning of the Big Ten season. The problem with Mateen's injury is it might limit his lateral movement and quick drives to the basket. I don't think you'll see a problem with Michigan State's chemistry. As for a No. 1 seed, the Spartans have a great shot to land one if they win the Big Ten.

I'm a big UConn fan and I was wondering if you thought that Khalid El-Amin should stay one more year. At times I think he looks ready to go and at some others he makes some bad decisions with the ball. Is he ready for the NBA? I also wondered what you thought of UConn's recruiting class next year.

-- Mark Freudenstein, Chester, Conn.

El-Amin will have trouble defending taller point guards in the NBA but scouts have told me they love his court moxy and savvy. He'll be a first-round pick who should stick. If the Huskies get to the Final Four again, he's gone. He may also want to leave after being the poster boy for opposing fans' wrath, not to mention the scrutiny of the local media. As for the recruiting class, Caron Butler will give them a legit scorer but I'm not sold on Scott Hazelton's effectiveness as a scorer. He's still got a way to go to be a factor.

-- Dennis Ryan, NY.

Mike Jarvis' staff is doing a great job keeping some talent home while also landing a few prized national recruits. But they've got to qualify. Darius Miles and Omar Cook have to be eligible before this class can be judged. Landing at least one top player in the City is crucial for the Red Storm. They're not going to keep everyone, especially with Seton Hall becoming a player again. But they can't afford to get shut out.

-- Thomas Logsdon, Louisville

The problem with foreign players is usually with documentation. The NCAA asks for specific documents for proof of education and amateur status and the host countries rarely have the appropriate paperwork. Louisville could have used Lesage but the NCAA won't budge on granting eligibility if they suspect there was payments abroad.

Doug Gottlieb is probably the purest point guard in college basketball right now. He is leading the nation in assists and is a general on the floor for Oklahoma State. However, he is a horrendous shooter from the field and the free throw line. Will this deficiency make him get overlooked by NBA teams?

-- Chuck Engle, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Gottlieb's shooting won't keep him off a roster. His passing will put him on one. But free throw shooting and defense will be knocks against him. He'll have to prove himself in the Chicago draft camp, but only for a pick. He's leading the nation in assists. He will be drafted.

-- Sherese Young, Detroit

You don't. The Final Four is sold out. Most of the sub and regional finals are, as well. But you can try at the local schools. I know Detroit is hosting a regional final this year. Give it a shot, but don't be surprised if you're out of luck.

Kentucky had a murderous early season schedule for such a young team. Does this kind of battle testing help them by preparing them for tough games down the road? Or, is it detrimental as it can cause the momentum of the season to swing in a negative direction from tough losses?

-- Mike Stiegelmeyer, Cincinnati

Kentucky might have played too tough a schedule for a younger, inexperienced team. The Wildcats' poor shooting was exposed in losses to Dayton, Indiana and Maryland. But it did force Tubby Smith to make some choices that he may not have made if Kentucky was blowing out teams by 30. The fans in Lexington demand a better schedule and Kentucky can't afford to load up on cupcakes.

-- Charles Vincy, Athens, Ohio

The MAC has had impressive wins this season, like it does every year. The problem is this: they don't have a dominant team. They'll probably end up beating each other up in conference play. That could lead to only one bid. But if the top two teams play for the tournament title and have decent RPI rankings then they could have a shot for two teams. I don't see three. They would need one team to have an outstanding record (with only two or three overall losses)and have a weaker team win the tournament. The second-place team would then be on the bubble.

-- Ges, Greenwood, Ind.

Guyton can score. The NBA loves and needs shooters. If he can do it in Chicago at the pre-draft camp, he'll be a first-round pick.

-- Jake Henry, DeKalb, Ill.

The Mustangs have only one loss (at Missouri). If they can get through the WAC with only three losses, they should get an at-large bid. NIU's chances are slim if they can't win the MAC.

-- Kevin Brown, Arlington Heights, Ill.

Richardson isn't playing the point but he's bringing up the ball on occasion (especially with Rashad Bruno hurt). Is he ready? No. Can he go? Yes. Will he be a lottery pick? Definitely. Richardson has the talent but there are questions on his shot and his strength. He would be a better talent for the NBA if he stayed but he probably won't.

-- Brian D. Wirth, Titusville, Fla.

LSU could be this season's Auburn. No one knew about Auburn during the non-conference season a year ago. But they won the SEC West. LSU could do the same with Swift having a player of the year type season. Jabari Smith is one of the top post players in the nation and LSU is getting decent guard play. But LSU can't be judged until it gets into the SEC schedule. Right now, the odds are good that they'll get a bid. It's theirs to lose.