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Friday, August 3
Updated: August 24, 6:23 PM ET
The Word's Answer Man
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The Answer Man is back throughout the offseason. Andy Katz tackles some of the questions he receives each week.
In a response to a question from an Illini fan about games in the United Center, you stated that the Big Ten Tournament would be counted as neutral court games. This is true that the games will be counted as neutral, but I believe the tournament is held at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this year, not at the UC in Chicago. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Conseco has the tournament in 2002 and 2004, while it is in Chicago in 2003.
Justin Summers
Tipton, Ind.
Justin,
I was using the Illinois example at the United Center, but I should have mentioned that the tournament is at Conseco this season. You're correct. The tournament moves to Indiana after a run in Chicago. The same then would be true for Indiana if Conseco were hosting an NCAA Tournament event. If the Hoosiers played a game at Conseco then they would be fine, but if they played three then they wouldn't be able to play at Conseco during the tournament. But Conseco isn't on the list for hosting so it makes it a moot point.
I wanted to know what your thoughts were on the NCAA's recent punishment of foreign players. It seems to me that it is a little unfair, but I am no expert on the NCAA regulations, so I can't really say. I also am a little upset that Mario Kasun won't get to suit up for the Zags, so this is why I am wondering.
Scott
Spokane, Wash.
Scott the rule is unfair. I don't understand how a player who plays with pros and/or against should be ruled ineligible. If a player takes money then they should sit, but if they don't then there shouldn't be a question. I was looking forward to seeing Kasun play this season, but will likely have to wait a few seasons before he's in the NBA or another professional league.
I am a Memphis fan and I have just one question for you. ESPN airs Midnight Madness live from several universities each year. Have the teams been set for this years telecast of Midnight Madness? If not, are their any teams that haven't been "cut" yet? I live in Florida and, unfortunately, depend on TV for a lot of the coverage of my Tigers and I am hoping Memphis will be one of the teams!
Steve Conway
Panama City, Fla.
Steve,
We haven't done a Midnight Madness show in two seasons and have no plans to do another one. ESPN determined they were too costly to produce for limited viewer appeal nationally. The idea worked in the early days of ESPN2 ,but is no longer necessary for the network. But I'm sure SportsCenter will cover the event with a few remotes like we did last year. I was in Arizona and Jay Bilas was in Indiana.
Been reading a lot about Anthony Roberson, the prized recruit heading to Florida, who is from Saginaw, Mich. Is Anthony any relation to the former Fresno State standout Terrence Roberson ("T-Ro"), whom if I'm not mistaken, was also from Saginaw?
Russ Baxter
Fowler
Russ,
Yes, that's Terrance's cousin.
How do you classify Iowa as one of 10 teams that could overtake Duke for the title, and then turn around and say the best case scenario for them is to win the Big 10 and win a game or two in the NCAA tourney? If healthy, how could they not be a Final Four contender considering all they lost was Dean Oliver? Although he did come up huge down the stretch of some key games, but lets not forget his shooting early on in these contest was usually not so hot. What do you really think of the Hawkeyes' chances?
Chad Kunz
Seattle
Chad,
Iowa has a legitimate shot to win the Big Ten and if the seeding goes its way then make a run to the Final Four. Luke Recker has to be healthy the whole season and Reggie Evans needs help on the boards. He'll get more double teams this season. Point guard is also not a secure position, at least not yet. Iowa was on the list as one of the top 10 teams, but my gut says they won't get to the Final Four to challenge Duke, Maryland, et al.
Just read your article on Chris Duhon and the U.S. National team
(http://espn.go.com/ncb/s/weeklyword/0727.html). In it, you said "This is Duhon's team", and that
it became so "the moment" Duhon's Duke teammate Jason Williams decided not to play.
But aren't you forgetting someone, another Williams in fact, Frank Williams of Illinois. As
you reported a few days earlier in your Daily Word, he hurt his wrist the first day of practice,
was unable to continue, and withdrew from the team. There was a good chance he would've been
the starting PG on the team, and so his injury is also a factor in whatever role Duhon will play on
the team. Yet Frank doesn't even get a mention in your article! Give the man his due!
Anyway, enjoy your stuff, keep up the good work.
Milt Epstein
Urbana, Ill.
Milt,
You're not going to like my answer. I was in Dallas and according to the coaching staff, Frank Williams might not have made the team even if he didn't get hurt. He wasn't playing well and they weren't too keen on him being on the squad. If Williams would have made it then it would have been an interesting battle between him and Duhon as to see who would become the leader. Duhon had established himself early in the practices as the vocal point guard leader. Williams had not. This isn't a knock against Williams' game for the Illini, but the coaching staff was making a judgment on how he performed during the trials and the practices in Dallas.
What do you think is going to go on in the MAC next year? It always seems like Marshall always gets so much press, why? Kent State won the MAC and beat Marshall twice last season, and won in the NCAA tournament. I understand OU getting press, but why not Kent State? Do you think they have a good shot at the NCAA tournament this year? They hardly lost anyone and the have Trevor Huffman, Andrew Mitchell and the MAC Defensive Player of the year in Demetric Shaw. Plus they have two transfers playing next year one from Austin Peay and one form a JUCO in Florida. I like there chances what do you think?
Katie Caperones
Laurel, Md.
Katie,
Marshall gets the ink because they've got two of the most recognizable names in Tamar Slay and J.R. VanHoose. But, you're right, Marshall needs to do something more than just have names. The Herd need to win games, especially on the road. Kent State is the current favorite that needs to be dethroned. The backcourt is one of the best in the Midwest. But the MAC will be deep this season with Kent State, Marshall, Ohio University and Central Michigan all having a legitimate shot at winning the title. Miami of Ohio will be dangerous, as always. Ball State and Bowling Green aren't going to be easy wins, either.
Andy, what's the word on Uche Okafor's eligibility? And if he isn't eligible, how much does that hurt the team? Also, when you ranked Mizzou 7th in your Summer Preview, is that ranking with or without Okafor? Thanks
Tim Eager
Rolla, Mo.
Tim,
That's without Okafor. The NCAA probably won't rule on him for a few weeks. They told me they're not dealing with incoming players yet. Arthur Johnson and Travon Bryant can give the Tigers enough boards and finishing buckets to offset any issues. The Tigers will be a perimeter-based team, tough to score on and tough to hold down on the break.
I realize the Big 6 conferences get most of the pub, but could you give me your honest opinion of the newly named Horizon League (formerly MCC) and the addition of Youngstown State.
Chuck Anderson
Chicago
Not thrilled with the new name. Horizon doesn't do much for me. I liked the MCC. It's still going to be Butler's to lose. Detroit, UW-Green Bay and Cleveland State will still be factors in the race. But the Bulldogs are the cream of the division. Youngstown State will have a hard time moving into the top three.
Why would players such as Casey Jacobsen, Jason Williams, and Jared Jeffries choose not to represent the USA and take the summer off? Although they may be in summer school, wouldn't these athletes jump at this opportunity, or are they trying to stay healthy and keep their stock high for the future?
Benjamin Mixson
Atlanta, Ga.
Casey Jacobsen played with Stanford on a trip to Australia and didn't want to go to Japan a month or two later. Jason Williams was tired from the long season. He started last summer going to Brazil with Team USA and then went to Hawaii to play the Olympians before a long, draining Duke season. Jeffries didn't want to push the start of his Indiana season and opted to stay in Bloomington rather than go to Japan. All three have represented the U.S. before so it's not like they were snubbing playing for their country.
What do you see happening in the Ivy League this season? Last year, everyone was shocked that Princeton edged out Penn. Neither team really lost anyone significant, so should we expect the same tight race? And I heard about a top recruit that Yale landed -- Draughan. Is he any good? Is there any team that can surplant the P's from the top of the standing and make it to the Dance?
Matt Wurst
New York, N.Y.
I got ridiculed by Penn fans for saying something positive about Yale last season. But I still think Yale and Brown have a legit shot to cause some problems for Penn and Princeton in the Ivy this season. Penn and Princeton are still the teams to beat, but both Yale and Brown have the nucleus to make a run at the top two. Yale is recruiting nationally and should be even more athletic but Brown probably has as much if not more balanced scoring.
Hey Andy,
What happened to Lloyd Price and Ermal Kuqo? Why don't you have them on the team previews?
Tom Sena
Albuquerque, N.M.
Tom,
Price left Xavier and is likely going to sit out at Delaware State. Kuqo couldn't get eligible (related to the foreign playing with pros issue) and went back overseas. He won't be at Texas Tech now or ever.
I was wondering why you (or anyone else) hasn't mentioned Georgia State as a team to watch out for next season? The Panthers finished 29-5 last season with an RPI in the 30's despite playing in the TAAC. They beat Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and played Maryland tough until the Terp's size became to much. I know they lost Kevin Morris and Shernard Long, two outstanding players, but they signed a great class. A class that includes two of the top 35 junior college players in America. I just feel that they deserve a little more respect. What do you think?
Darren Sorenson
Atlanta, Ga.
For now, losing Morris and Long was enough to bump them from the top 25 or even top 50 list. I don't doubt that Georgia State will be a factor before the season ends and be a possible upset team in the tournament again.
With the huge success of incoming freshman Sean Kline at IU in both AAU and high school games, why isn't more being mentioned about him in scouting reports and season previews? It seems that he could make an immediate impact on the Big Ten, especially an IU team that lost Kirk Haston to the NBA.
Brian Niec
Valparaiso, Ind.
You're right Brian. Sean Kline will have to be an impact player with Kirk Haston gone. Kline will have to produce in the paint unless George Leach can finally reach his potential.
With all the early departures from St. John's these past three seasons I'm beginning to wonder if today's inner-city players are worth recruiting. Mike Jarvis has done a great job recruiting, but look at what it's left us with this year. Our top scorer looks to be JUCO hotshot Marcus Hatten. I'm not knocking him, but I think this years squad is a result of Jarvis not looking past New York. It's about time Jarvis looks beyond New York's inner city. Do you believe St. John's has that kind of pull in states like New Jersey, Connecticut, or even the Midwest?
Scott
Morganville
Scott,
Check St. John's top priorities for this recruiting class. The Red Storm are hot after Jason Fraser and Elijah Ingram, two New York City-area players. Both players are two of the top players at their positions and they have to be recruited by St. John's. Some of the top players in the city, like Darryle Hill, aren't eligible. The Red Storm are still a factor in New York and the players are worth recruiting if they're eligible. If they're not then they have to go outside the city to recruit. St. John's can't win with just New York players and has done a decent job of sprinkling in more players from around the nation like Hatten.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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