V-Mail
Chris (NYC): Is Chris Wright of Dayton the best forward in college hoops? Will he go pro this year?
VITALE: Wright is an under the radar player nationally and the Flyers are off to a great start after upsetting Marquette. Brian Gregory has done a great job at Dayton. Wright should get good advice before making a decision on his future; let him enjoy the season first!
Doug Greenberg: what the heck happened to Brad Soderberg? As you know, the Dick Bennett disciple was ousted at St. Louis after a 20 win season, and has not surfaced yet-I was amazed that many mid-major jobs have passed, and Coach Soderberg has not landed. What are your thoughts, and where might he end up-thanks.
VITALE: I felt Soderberg was a solid coach at Wisconsin and at Saint Louis. He is currently the interim athletic director at Loras College, a Division III school in Iowa.
Emily (NYC): Do you think it's fair that Eric Devendorf gets to play this season when Mike Cook was denied? Didn't they both miss around the same amount of games with similar injuries? Please tell this Pitt fan we did not get unfair treatment? I feel for Mike Cook.
VITALE: I feel bad for Cook, but the situations were different. Devendorf was hurt in the 10th game of the season, which was early enough to give him an extra year of eligibility, plus he had time left at Syracuse. Cook and Pittsburgh had petitioned for an extra season but he had played more games and the NCAA eligibility committee ruled against him. The Panthers are one of the best teams in America even without Cook, a credit to coach Jamie Dixon.
Steven (Jacksonville): First, Mr. Hall of Famer -- congrats and well-deserved. Your enthusiasm for the best game ever watched with the best tourney (democracy [everyone with a chance to get in] meets capitalism [win or you're out] was recognized. Secondly, my question: what are your odds on my Heels winning it all, and any chance they'll go undefeated?
VITALE: Clearly North Carolina is the favorite to cut down the nets at Ford Field in Michigan in April. After seven games, the Tar Heels had won every time by at least 15 points, but it is so tough to go unbeaten; nobody has done it in Division I since the General, Robert Mongomery Knight and his great Hoosiers team in 1976. Tyler Hansbrough and company will stumble sometime in the ACC.
George: Hey Dick, Do you think Marquette has a chance of making it to the Final Four or even winning their conference over Louisville.
VITALE: Marquette has great guard play with Wesley Matthews, Jerel McNeal and Dominic James. Buzz Williams took over for Tom Crean and he will do a good job, but the Big East is loaded. I feel the conference is the best in all of my years calling games at ESPN and ABC. It will be tough for Marquette to win the league, with Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Louisville all likely to finish ahead of the Golden Eagles.
Scott (Sterling): Hi Mr. Vitale, I don't have a question to ask you, but instead I just wanted to complement you on your great Hall of Fame Speech. Your passion is unmatched by anyone I've ever seen and you're a natural at inspiring people to reach for their goals, including myself. Your style and sayings make me crack up everytime I hear them because you're different from all other commentators which puts you in a class of your own. While you were recovering from your throat surgery, the games weren't as exciting and seemed to be lacking something. Anyways, you're very worthy of your selection to the Hall of Fame, and thanks for transmitting the game of college basketball to the fans better than it was before. Again, congrats on your induction the College Basketball Hall of Fame, and keep on doing what you're doing because it's gotten you far in life, and more importantly your style has inspired others as well.
VITALE: I really appreciate your kind words. People have been so great to me and the Hall of Fame induction was so special. Basketball has given me and my family a life that I could have never imagined.
Dan (Genoa): Dickie V, I was surprised that you have Arizona so high. They seemed to be less talented than last year's team that took Arizona St.'s bid. Did Budinger, their best player, learn how to play D over the summer? As a UCLA fan I saw the offensively challenged LRMBM eat him alive? I just don't see them as a top 25 team.
VITALE: When I originally picked Arizona in my top 25, Brandon Jennings was supposed to go there. Then coach Olson decided to retire. I feel the Wildcats will continue the impressive streak of making the big dance, but the Pac-10 is a bit overrated and Arizona will not be as strong as I first thought.
James (Stockholm): Where do you rank Michigan State's non-conference schedule with other pre-season top 20 teams?
VITALE: Tom Izzo loves playing tough non-league competition. Certainly Michigan State has one of the toughest schedules in that area, and the Old Spice Classic field was loaded. Now the Spartans have to face North Carolina at Ford Field in a game I will be calling. Izzo feels this type of schedule will prepare his team for March Madness.
