What are Indiana's chances in the NCAA Tournament? This is no doubt the best team Bob Knight has had in years, but the Hoosiers still look like they are fading as March Madness is coming up. I had such high hopes for this team because it reminded me a lot of the 1987 national champions: One true star (Steve Alford ... A.J. Guyton) and a solid collection of role players. Any insight would be appreciated.

-- Brian Boyle, Chicago

A month ago, I thought Indiana had a great shot to get to the Final Four. I don't know now. Indiana's depth and lack of consistent scorers has haunted it the past month. Losing to Illinois badly and dropping a home game to Ohio State has me wondering if Indiana can get out of the first round. I still think they will have a high enough seed to escape a first-round upset, but getting to the Sweet 16 will be a chore.

I'm a big Georgetown fan and am growing more frustrated with each season that passes. Do you think the Hoyas are one of the bigger disappointments this year? I know they are supposed to have a good recruiting class, but we've heard that the last few seasons and the team is still putrid. Are the new guys the real deal? Do you think they might have a shot at the NCAAs by next year? Is Esherick just the wrong guy? What do you think went wrong with this program?

-- Jimmy Smith, Boston

Craig Esherick is in a no-win situation. How can anyone follow John Thompson? It's hard enough to follow a legend, but then try doing it at a school that he essentially put on the map. Georgetown will continue to slide down into the middle of the pack in the Big East. The recruiting has still be solid, and the Hoyas should add Wesley Wilson next year. Lee Scruggs has been a solid addition at midyear, and I'm high on Demetrius Hunter as a future star in the Big East. But don't expect a Final Four contender. Georgetown alums will have to be satisifed with the occassional appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

You said Ernest Brown, of Indian Hills, isn't ready for the NBA, let alone Division I. Have you seen Brown personally play and if so when? Or is that an opinion of some NBA scout or D-I coach? Why do say he isn't ready for D-I?

-- Ty Moseler, Big Bend, Wis.

The takes on Ernest Brown have come from opposing coaches, former coaches and NBA scouts. I have not seen him play in person. But I have gathered information on him throughout the past two years. I have been told that he's a raw center with skills, but he still needs to be coached to where they can be developed. When he was referred to as an impact player last year, that was premature.

What does the future hold for Rhode Island? Can the Rams bounce back from a extremely disapointing season? Do NBA scouts look at Zack Marbury as a legitimate NBA prospect?

-- Edmund Washington, Charlotte, N.C.

Rhode Island AD Ron Petro told me Jerry DeGregorio will be given more time. He should. URI can't pressure DeGregorio after only one year. The Rams have been hurt by injuries to Luther Clay and Leroy Womack. Not having Troy Woodward didn't help at the beginning of the season. Marbury wasn't ready to be a big-time point guard. He has improved, but he's not even close to being a pro. Rhode Island still has more athletes than skilled basketball players on the floor. Until the Rams get a better balance, they won't move up in the Atlantic 10.

Two quick questions: Of George Mason, James Madison and Richmond, who do you think has the best shot at the NCAA tourney? Second, is there any potential NBA talent in the CAA? Evaldas Jocys was tabbed as a prospect, but he has had an injury-riddled career, and likely two-time Player of the Year George Evans is a 29-year-old junior.

-- J Mac of Harrisonburg, Va.

I have to admit, the CAA is one of the few conferences that I haven't seen in person or on television. So, we are speculating when we say that any one of the three -- George Mason, James Madison or Richmond -- could get into the tournament. I haven't heard much talk from the scouts on CAA NBA talent. Evans is hurt by his age but that doesn't rule him out.

How can you not have LSU's John Brady as a finalist for Coach of the Year? Brady took over a program in trouble just three short years ago, and look what he has done. LSU was 12-15 last year and hadn't won an SEC road game in two years. This year's club is 22-4 and has beaten many of the top teams in the country. And not only are they beating them, but they're beating them badly too! Three of their four losses were to ranked opponents, and three of the four were games decided by five points or less. No one, especially folks like yourself in the media, even gave this team a chance, picking the Tigers to finish no higher than 4th in the SEC West. Yet, with three games remaining, they are tied for first and could still possibly win the conference.

-- Jeff Hayman, Tampa, Fla.

OK, I was waiting for one like this. Let's get this straight, the list of player and coach of the year candidates on my Daily Word column last week was the NAISMITH list, not mine. Understand? It clearly stated at the top of the paragraph that this was the NAISMITH list. We were simply offering a service of providing the list to our users. Do I agree with it? Not at all. It's absurd. Iowa State's Marcus Fizer and Larry Eustachy should both be finalists for player and coach of the year.

Does Connecticut have a real chance of missing the NCAA Tournament? The Huskies really don't have a very impressive record. The wins over Duke and Arizona were big, but those were early in the season.

-- Matt Murray, Yakima, Wash.

Connecticut would have to totally flop not to make it to the tournament. You're right, they lack enough quality wins, but those two aren't bad (even if they were prior to the New Year). If you're an anti-Husky fan, you're out of luck. You'll see them in the tournament.

What in the Wide, Wide World of Sports is going on in college basketball awards? It is a disgrace that Marcus Fizer and Larry Eustachy are not finalist for the Naismith college player of the year and coach of the year, respectively. The finalist from the Big 12, Chris Mihm and Eduardo Najera, are having good but somewhat inconsistent seasons. On the other hand, Marcus is having a great year, especially in conference games. Likewise, if Rick Barnes and Eddie Sutton are finalist, certainly Eustachy should be included. Iowa State came from nowhere this year. What gives?

-- Scott Myers, Ames, Iowa

I wanted to answer this question to offer up my take on the player of the year awards. The problem is they start early in the year with a list and stay with it. The awards shouldn't even have a preseason player or coach of the year list. They should wait until after January to come out and then players like Fizer and coaches like Eustachy wouldn't get lost. Voters tend to look at what's in front of them and don't think about who else might be worthy. If more awards waited until it was time, names like Fizer and Eustachy with the Naismith awards, and Scoonie Penn with the Wooden Award wouldn't get left off the final lists.

Does Hofstra have a any chance at getting in at-large birth for the NCAA or getting an NIT bid if it fails to win the America East Tournament? Hofstra has had an amazing season with a 20-6 record and 15-2 mark in the America East, including wins over Rutgers and Fordham in the ECAC Holiday Festival. Point gaurd Craig "Speedy" Claxton is sixth in the country in scoring.

-- Andrew Coen, East Greenwich, R.I.

Unfortunately, Hofstra probably won't get in unless the Dutchmen win their conference tournament. It's not fair, but the America East doesn't seem to be respected enough by the committee to warrant two bids. Personally, I think Maine and Hofstra deserve consideration, regardless of what happens in the tournament. But I'm a realist, and only one team is getting into the tournament.

What do you think about the Southwest Missouri State Bears? They're starting to claw their way back into the thick of things much like last year. I feel this team is just as talented as last year's squad. I smell Sweet 16 again.

-- Russ, Springfield, Mo.

The Bears will only get to the Sweet 16 if they make the tournament. They will only make the tournament if they win the Missouri Valley Conference tournament title game. The MVC might have lost its chance for multiple bids when Indiana State lost its first-place lead to Southern Illinois last week.

Do you think New Mexico has a shot at an at-large bid for the NCAAs? They've swept bubble-team BYU, split with Utah, and beat Arizona on the road. If they win out in the regular season and maybe win one or two in the conference tourney, can they squeak in as a 12 to 15 seed?

-- Mike Henderson, Orem, Utah

The Lobos could sneak into the tournament, but only if they win out the rest of the season (sweep the remaining games and win the conference tournament). New Mexico has too many losses overall and at home to be considered without a tremendous run. The Mountain West is in danger of getting only one team in the field of 64 (Utah) after UNLV was blitzed by the Utes last Monday. BYU's loss to Colorado State Thursday essentially ended the Cougars hopes for a bid.

I am outraged at Temple's current ranking in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. After beating a good Dayton team and the No. 1 team in the country, the Owls only move up three spots to No. 12. How? Temple has four losses the whole year, and only one with Pepe Sanchez. The Owls should definetely be in front of teams like Auburn and Michigan State that have more losses. Where do you feel Temple should be ranked? Also, do you think they are capable of a No. 1 seed, and how much damage can they do in the big dance?

-- Rami, Philadelphia

You're right. Temple should be in the top six in that poll. The coaches' poll has been a joke this season. No one seems to pay attention to the scores. Temple has been tremendous with Pepe Sanchez, and John Chaney should be considered for coach of the year. Karcher is actually playing like he could go to the NBA. He told me in January that he might have to go pro to financially help his children. I wouldn't be opposed to it for that reason, and his play has warranted a long look of late.

Why did you neglect Kent in your Ohio-Oklahoma tournament?

-- Marc Malkoff, Houston

Fine. Put Kent in the Ohio side with Cincinnati, Ohio State and Dayton and add Oral Roberts for Oklahoma with Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Tulsa. I'll take Ohio.

My question is more a statement than question. How does the NCAA punish athletes for receiving benefits for being athletes, yet licensed jerseys, hats, T-shirts, and every other marketable product known to mankind, for profit?

-- Rob Murphy, Baltimore

Please address this question to the NCAA and its 318 Division I members. Maybe someone will listen.

SMU is now 21-5 and 35th in the RPI rankings after the road sweep of Fresno St. and UTEP. Are the Mustangs a lock for the tourney or do they need another win? The next two games are at home, where they have a 13-game winning streak, against TCU and Tulsa.

-- Ryan Foster, Dallas

The Mustangs are in a battle with Fresno State for a bid (can't see the WAC getting three teams in). The Mustangs can't be swept by TCU and Tulsa at home. They have to split those two games and win two in the tournament to feel secure. SMU has a chance to earn a bid, but it can also pay its way out in the next two weeks.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. His Weekly Word on college basketball runs Thursdays throughout the college basketball season.