You're a basketball expert, so maybe you know the answer to this. Why is it that every year, without fail, basketball experts overrate Temple in the preseason? I don't understand it. John Chaney's teams are never all that talented, and he's certainly not a good enough coach to make up for the lack of talent.

-- Peter Simon, New York City

Temple was an easy selection for the preseason top 10 this season. The Owls returned all but one starter and the were coming off an Elite Eight appearance. How could you not pick them? The Owls are doing the same thing they always do in non-conference play. Don't forget, they were 6-6 last season and still went on to the Elite Eight. If Pepe Sanchez returns, they can still make a run.

John Robinson II has left the Lobos midway through the season. There are rumors that two or three more players will transfer at the end of the season. Is this true? Is this a blessing in disguise? Will Fran Fraschilla be able to replace them with better players during the spring signing period?

-- Kyle Hayden, Albuquerque

Fraschilla has already replaced Robinson with Ruben Douglas. He could lose R.T. Guinn, Rafael Berumen and Tim Lightfoot, too. But he's bringing in Malcolm Battles and possibly Dion Broom. I don't think the talent will drop off -- instead, it will get better. Once that happens, the onus is on him to coach them to the NCAA Tournament..

Do you really believe that Stanford is the best team in the nation? The Cardinal's only solid wins were over Duke and Auburn. It seems that they are rewarded too much for being the toast of the Pac-10, a conference that is always overrated. Do you think if you put that team on the same floor with Connecticut, Cincinnati, or Michigan State, they would win?

-- Mike Shannon, West Hartford, Conn.

You're forgetting about Stanford beating Georgia Tech in Atlanta, too. Why not make Stanford No. 1 now? It doesn't matter in the big picture. Can the Cardinal beat Connecticut? Probably not. I do think they could hold their own with Connecticut, Cincinnati and Michigan State. But I don't think they'll make the Final Four.

After making it to the NCAA Tournament last year, Wisconsin has looked inconsistent so far this year. The Badgers' 7-4 record is solid, but, you have to look at who they've beaten so far. The only top team they've played that they had a win against is Missouri. Do you think they have a chance to make the NCAA tourney again, or, is a high ranking spot in the NIT more realistic for the Badgers?

-- Brandon D., Kenosha, Wis.

I just had a quick response to a question posed by a fan in regards to the NCAA Tournament. While you are correct in saying that most of the regional and subregional finals are sold out, there are still good seats available in a few different venues: Birmingham, Winston-Salem (which I will be attending), Minneapolis, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Tucson, and that is just in the first round of games. The Carrier Dome is still not sold out for the East regionals as well.

All this info can be found on the NCAA's official website, www.ncaa.org. I hope this helps out whoever is looking for NCAA tickets out there.

-- John Slotman, Moorestown, N.J.

When I look at some of the young players around the NCAA this year I get very nervous about Arkansas. Cincinnati, North Carolina, Duke and DePaul are just so good and they have many young players. Arkansas was supposed to have a good recruiting class last year and this year but they aren't showing it. Is it time to start worrying in Fayetteville?

-- Dustin Caler, Fayetteville, Ark.

I wouldn't worry, with Arkansas getting Joe Johnson back. He's already making an impact. The Razorbacks could be a sleeper team in the SEC if he can play well in the post.

I expected to see last week's Weekly Word recognize the Mountain West's success over the past two days: New Mexico winning at No. 2 Arizona, Colorado State topping No. 16 UCLA on a neutral floor, and Utah beating No. 14 Texas. With the non-conference schedule almost over, how is the MWC shaping up for postseason attention?

-- Brian Charlton, Albuquerque, N.M.

Keep the questions coming. They help with the overall coverage here at ESPN.com. Thanks everybody.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.