Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. ET
NCAA Basketball
Wednesday, October 11, 2006; 3:00 PM
Can Florida repeat? Can George Mason and George Washington build on their recent successes? Will Maryland get back to the tournament? Is Ohio State's Greg Oden for real? College basketball fans will get their first chances for some answers Friday, as teams across the nation take the court for Midnight Madness practices.
Journalist and author John Feinstein , a regular contributor to The Washington Post, was online Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 3 p.m. ET to take your questions about college hoops.
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Feinstein is a former sports and political reporter for The Washington Post. He has worked at Sports Illustrated and at the National Sports Daily, commentated for National Public Radio and Sporting News Radio and has written columns for AOL and Golf Magazine. Feinstein has also contributed to the Wall Street Journal. He is the author of a number of bestselling books, including, "Caddy For Life," "A Season on the Brink," "A Good Walk Spoiled," "A Civil War," "The Last Amateurs," "A Season Inside," "The Punch," "Hard Courts," "Forever's Team," "First Coming," "Winter Games," "A March to Madness," "Play Ball" and "Open."
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John Feinstein: Thanks for coming, glad to start another college basketball season.
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Baltimore: It seems like the time is ripe for Maryland, George Mason, George Washington and Georgetown to participate in a D.C. Metro tournament. Do you have any thoughts on what it will take to make this happen?
John Feinstein: Georgetown. Period. We've been trying to get Georgetown -- we as in the people who run the Children's Charities Foundation and the BB&T Classic -- have been trying for years to get Georgetown to participate. George Mason, George Washington and Maryland have all been willing participants and have played each other. Georgetown has completely stonewalled us. I agree with the premise, I think it would be great.
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Washington, D.C.: How about them Hoyas?! Poised to make a tourney run this year, the Hoyas land Austin Freeman and Chris Wright. How is JTIII running circles around Maryland and Gary?
John Feinstein: Well first, JTIII would have to play Maryland and Gary to run circles around them. But you're certainly right, he's done a great job since taking over, both on and off the court, and with the players they have back, and the recruiting class, they have the potential to have an even better year than last.
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Mount Pleasant, D.C.: What's the matter with Kansas? They have been getting great recruiting classes under Bill Self, but haven't been out of the first round of the tourney for two years. Is Self a decent coach? Is it just bad luck?
Thanks.
John Feinstein: Self is a very good coach. He's taken three different teams to the round of eight -- Tulsa, Illinois and Kansas. The danger of the NCAA Tournament is that an entire season can be judged on one bad game. Lute Olsen had a reputation for awhile of not being able to get out of the first round. He's won a national championship and been to five Final Fours. Jim Boeheim had that reputation, and he's in the Hall of Fame, deservedly so.
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Washington, D.C.: Can Regis Koundjia of George Washington harness his raw athleticism into a productive season? If so, is this Colonial team tourney bound for the third straight year?
John Feinstein: That's a very good question. Koundjia has nothing but potential. But last year he only had one speed. He needs to play with a little more control, and be a little more consistent. But I do think George Washington, despite all the players it lost, has an excellent chance to be an NCAA tournament team this year. They still have great guards, and guards are the key to success in college basketball.
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Washington, D.C.: Is Tyler Hansbrough the leading candidate for player of the
year? If he is not, is it Joakim Noah?
John Feinstein: Well, you have to start with Noah, since his team is the defending national champion. But Hansbrough certainly had a fabulous freshman year. I think Florida and North Carolina probably enter the season as co-favorites for the national championship. Having said that, no one in the world was picking Florida at this time last year, and I doubt if George Mason was on anyone's Final Four list.
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Arlington, Va.: Which local team has the best shot at a Final Four run this year?
John Feinstein: On paper, you would have to say Georgetown, given they made the round of 16, given that they gave Florida as hard a game as anybody, given their returning players and recruiting class. But that's the beauty of college basketball. Most of us who attempt to make predictions in October look like morons in March.
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Virginia Beach: I follow the CAA very closely and suspect Towson is a team on the way up. Any comments on Pat Kennedy and company (ie Gary Neal) ?
John Feinstein: Well, Pat Kennedy has done a fine recruiting job in his two years at Towson, bringing in a lot of transfers, Gary Neal the most notable, and jucos in an attempt to rebuild quickly. They certainly improved last year, though their first-round lost in the CAA tournament was certainly a disappointment. I would expect them to continue to improve, but with the caveat that the CAA is a much tougher conference, as we found out in March.
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Wichita, Kan.: John, how did George Mason's Final Four run change college basketball for the better? Was it a one-time thing, or is it something Mason and all other mid-majors can build upon in the future in terms of scheduling, recruiting and receiving at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament?
John Feinstein: That's a great question. It will takes us probably five years to really know the answer. I think it was great for college basketball and I think it gives hope to every mid-major program. I think the committee was right when it gave more bids to mid-majors than every before. And it was proved it was right not just by George Mason, but by the MVC getting two teams to the Sweet 16, by Bucknell beating a team in the first round for the second straight year. But Jim Larranaga has told me scheduling has become harder for his team, because no one wants to play them. That's the problem. Because the power conferences still hold all the cards. But it was great thing for anyone who loves college basketball. Even Jim Calhoun said that after losing to them in the round of eight.
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McLean, Va.: John, last year you consistently refused to follow the Kool Aid-induced hallucinations of your colleagues, and supported George Mason early and often throughout their storied run. Probably you have been asked this a thousand times, but here it is again: Who is this year's George Mason?
John Feinstein: I'm not sure there will ever be another George Mason in the sense of what they accomplished in reaching the Final Four. But I do think there will be teams from the CAA, from the Missouri Valley, from the Patriot League, even from the Ivy, will make an impact in the tournament.
I think one team that will show great improvement this year, is Loyola. I think Jim Patsos, who worked all those years for Gary Williams, has done a really great job rebuilding there, and they may be ready for a breakthrough this season.
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Phoenix: John, normally when a team wins the NCAA tourney it leads to a recruiting bonanza. With the Terps it seems to have done the opposite. During the past few years very few top players have committed to Maryland which has led them to slip back in the middle of the pack in the ACC. Do you think this was due to complacency within the program after winning the title or is there another reason?
John Feinstein: Actually, a number of top players have committed to Maryland. The recruiting class that came in after their first Final Four in 2001 was the highest-rated group Gary Williams ever signed. That was last year's seniors. This year's seniors were also highly ranked.
I think all the turnover of the assistant coaches had a bigger impact. Billy Hahn, Jim Patsos, Dave Dickerson left, all for head-coaching jobs. That's the danger of success -- that sometimes the long-time assistants get promotions, and the head coach is left trying to rebuild his staff, rather than on the court.
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Silver Spring, Md.: Who are your sleeper picks for the Final Four this year (i.e. not FL, NC, KS, etc.)?
John Feinstein: They are never sleepers once you mention -- I think Virginia will be a very improved team this year. And Maryland. I think St. Joseph's and Xavier have the potential to be very good this year. I think Wichita St. has a lot of its very good players back from what was a very good team last year.
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Bowie, Md.: John, can you offer an explanation for what's common among me and most of my friends -- basketball is the only sport we like watching better at the college than professional level.
What is it about the NCAA and NBA games that isn't true in football or baseball?
John Feinstein: I think first of all it's the length of the season. College basketball you get a champion in 35 games. NBA, you're not halfway through what is basically a meaningless season. In college basketball, every game is important, you have the one-done format.
College basketball, the game is played in many different styles. Pro basketball, every team looks essentially the same. And finally, when it's mid-June, I want to go to a baseball game, not a basketball game.
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Herndon, Va.: How do you see the ACC shaking out? UNC should be the favorites, but how far will Duke slip? Will Ga. Tech's newcomers push them to the top? Can Maryland rebound, and UVA build on last season's unexpected post-season appearance?
John Feinstein: North Carolina is clearly the favorite, with only one player lost, and another great recruiting class coming in behind last year's group. I think GT's talent is probably the second best in the league. I never expect a Mike Krzyzewski team to slip very far. Remember, two years ago, people wrote their epitaph and they made it to the sweet 16.
I think Maryland and UVa have the most potential for improvement in the league. I have heard very good things about Maryland's incoming guards, and clearly guard play was their Achilles' heal last year.
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Herndon, Va.: Mr. F: This is off the "basketball path," but what's your opinion on KC Star columnist Jason Whitlock being barred from ESPN because of comments he made in an interview? If I recall correctly, you've had some run-ins with the ESPN "suits."
John Feinstein: I had had run-ins with the ESPN suits, fortunately the one I disliked the most is now working for Dan Snyder, which I find appropriate.
I think it is very typical of ESPN, which thinks it owns and operates all of sports, to muzzle opinions. Whether I agree with what Jason said about Mike Lupica, who is a friend, Joe Valiero, who is a friend, or Scoop Jackson, who is not a friend, the fact that ESPN would fire him for being critical of any of them is completely outrageous. I've known Jason a long time, and I think he did the right thing standing behind the comments he made.
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Washington, D.C.: Not that you've ever been a big fan of Indiana basketball, but what do you think their chances are this year with new coach Kelvin Sampson?
John Feinstein: I'm a huge fan of Indiana basketball. Indiana basketball fans built my house! I think Indiana lost a lot of talent, and it will take at least a year for Kelvin's recruiting to kick in. I certainly hope he will do it within NCAA rules. But he's a fine coach, and I expect them to be back near the top of the Big 10 very shortly. And it's not as if they were terrible under Mike Davis, they just weren't as good as Indiana fans expect them to be.
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Richmond, Va.: If George Mason has another successful run in the NCAA's what is the likelihood that Jim Larranaga leaves for another program?
John Feinstein: Good question. Jim just turned 57, I think he's very happy at George Mason. They gave him a new, extended, enriched contract, which he deserved. I think the only way I can see him leaving is if he's offered a lot of money at a school that has a legit chance to win a championship. I don't mean a 2nd-tier team in the ACC or Big East or Big 12, I mean a true power school. Otherwise, I think he retires at George Mason.
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Brambleton, Va.: John,
What do you make of the Mason-Duke game in December, and will you be going down to Durham?
John Feinstein: I won't be at that game. I will be participating in a swim meet for old people that day. But I think given the experience that Mason's players got last year, they won't be intimidated by playing in Cameron. Obviously they are without three key seniors from last year, but so is Duke. I expect a very competitive game, and I will go out on a limb and predict that Duke will keep it competitive, even though they are facing a Final Four team.
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Pittsburgh, Pa.: What are the prospects for Duquesne University, in the wake of the recent hideous shootings of five of its basketball players? Will most of the stricken team members be able to play this season? Do you think the attack will serve to bond the the team psychologically?
John Feinstein: From what I've gathered, at least three of the players will be healthy enough to play this year, but a couple were sitting out as transfers anyway. Duquesne has a long way to go after being at the bottom of the A-10, even without this terrible incident. Lon Everhardt brought in 10 new players, which tells you what he thought of the players who were there. But give him time, he did an outstanding job at Northeastern, and if anyone can turn around a team like Duquesne, it's him. Another Morgan Wooten protege, by the way.
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Washington, D.C.: What is the biggest issue or storyline heading into the season?
John Feinstein: I think, there are so many storylines -- can Florida defend with all the kids back? How good is Greg Oden, and how far can he carry the Buckeyes? Locally, can Georgetown build on last season? Can Maryland get back in the tournament? Can George Mason and George Washington build on historic season? Can American compete? Can Navy improve after a couple of down seasons? And of course the story everyone is talking about -- how will the loss of Two Feathers affect William and Mary?
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Buckeye Living in Maryland: Is Ohio State a contender? Do they have the level of coaching talent to have a serious chance in the NCAA tourney?
John Feinstein: Ohio State is certainly a contender. How they will deal with the pressure of being a targeted team is going to be a big question. Thad Matta is a proven coach. He took Xavier to the round of 8. I think they have a chance to go very deep in the tournament, esp. since by the end of the year, Greg Oden might be the best player in the country, depending on how quickly he develops.
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New Orleans, La.: What do you think of LSU's chances this year since Tyrus Thomas left but Glen Davis stayed?
John Feinstein: Well, obviously losing Thomas hurts. Davis should be much improved coming off his March performance, the UCLA game not withstanding. I think sometimes when you've been to the Final Four when it was not expected, it can be harder to come back with higher expectations and perform again. Remember, LSU could just as easily have went out in the 2nd round as make the Final Four. So time will tell.
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Charlottesville, Va.: What does Jeff Jones need to do to win the Patriot League championship and advance to the NCAAs? Do you see him returning to one of the BCS conferences?
John Feinstein: I think the improvement of the Patriot league the last few years -- Bucknell in particular, but the league in general -- has forced Jeff to improve his recruiting. I think the team played much better in the 2nd-half of last season, and I think they'll continue to improve this year.
I think because Bucknell lost both its starting guards, the league is much more wide-open this year, and AU has a good chance to win the conference tournament in March. As for Jeff leaving, I don't see it happening unless he has a chance to go to a school that has a legit shot to win a national championship.
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Arlington, Va.: John -- turn your attention farther north. What do you think of Syracuse this year? What about the recruiting job Jim Boeheim and his staff have done? Can they go all the way?
John Feinstein: All the way is a long way to go, esp. from Syracuse. I think obviously, they've lost one key player, but have a lot of returning talent. You can't pick them ahead of Georgetown in the Big East, and the league should be very strong again, but I think you can expect Syracuse to be an NCAA tournament team, and if they're healthy and things go the right way, they could go deep in the tournament. In spite of the last few years, Jim Boeheim is a proven tournament coach, and has been in the finals three times.
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Bethesda, Md.: How corrupt would you say college basketball is, on a scale of 1-10?
John Feinstein: 'Bout a 7? It's my belief that the most honest thing I've ever heard a coach say was a few years ago when Mike Krzyzewski, defending his friend Mike Jarvis, then at St. John's, said: "There is no program in the country, including my own, that could survive the degree of scrutiny St. John's has received."
I think every top program breaks rules in one way or another. Some are going 60 in a 55, some are breaking and entering, others are committing crimes far worse.
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Morgantown, W. Va.: How bad will it be for WVU basketball? The last two years were fantastic, but is it back to reality for the Mountaineers?
John Feinstein: Obviously, key players have graduated. John Beilein is a fabulous coach, and I don't see them dropping as far as people expect. Remember, when he took over, the program was in shambles, and he had them playing respectable basketball in his first season. And, of course, they just missed making the Final Four two years ago. I think they'll be a solid team as long as he is the coach.
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20009: Speaking of Morgan Wooten proteges -- how do you think Sidney Lowe will do at NC State?
John Feinstein: Good question. I think he'll recruit well because of his State background and because people will remember him, not only as part of the '83 championship team, but because of his NBA experience.
The problem he will have is the same problem Herb Sendek had -- he's got Mike Krzyzewski on his left and Roy Williams on his right.
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Bethesda, Md.: With the changes to the NBA eligibility rules, we're seeing a bunch of freshmen this year in college who in previous years would have gone straight to the league. Do you think most of these kids will be "one-and-done", or do you think the year in college will reveal flaws in their game, requiring them to spend more time refining their skills?
John Feinstein: Most will be one-and-done, but there will be a couple who find that their draft position has dropped after their freshman year. They might come out anyway. But there will be a couple who might stay for an extra year. Anyone who thinks they will go in the lottery, will be one and done.
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Syracuse Alum in Alexandria: Does the Big East look stronger than the ACC?
John Feinstein: Deeper certainly, but that might have something to do with the fact there are now 48 teams in the Big East. ACC could take a dip this year -- last year was a down year too. Only four teams in the NCAA tournament, and none of them reached the final eight.
I think North Carolina has a chance to win a championship, but there's a dropoff after the Tarheels. The best team in the Big East is probably Georgetown, but there are a number of other quality teams, too.
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Springfield, Va.: How big a rebuilding job is Jim Calhoun and UCONN looking at this year? Is there anyone left in Storrs?
John Feinstein: Well, a great freshman class. I liken UConn this year to North Carolina last year -- a team that lost all of its top players, a team that will be playing without, for once, high expectations. But they should improve throughout the course of the season, and could be very dangerous by March.
Remember, NC, even though it was upset by George Mason, went into the NCAA tournament as a No. 3 seed. I think Jim Calhoun will enjoy this season far more than last season, when he was clearly feeling the pressure to win an NCAA title.
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Columbia, Md.: "Most of us who attempt to make predictions in October look like morons in March."
Speak for yourself, sir. Based on my predictions, I usually look like a moron by January.
John Feinstein: Well, that's why they call me an expert. It takes until March.
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Silver Spring, Md.: Big Pitt fan here. With Aaron Gray returning and just about everyone else (except for Krauser), how seriously do you consider this team as a Final Four threat?
John Feinstein: I don't know if they're a Final Four threat any more than a dozen other teams are, but if they can fill the gaping hole left by Krauser's departure, they can be one of the better teams in the country. Jamie Dixon has certainly proved himself to be a more than able replacement for Ben Howland.
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John Feinstein: Thanks for all of your questions. I just want to say, going back to the very first question, I think now is the perfect time to have a tournament with Georgetown, George Washington, George Mason and Maryland. I think it would sell out the Verizon Center. If you agree with me and want to see that, send a letter, send an e-mail or give a call to John Thompson III at Georgetown
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