Q: How much longer will Tubby Smith last in Lexington? He has presided over the longest Final Four drought in school history, keeps missing out on top recruits, and refuses to change his offensive philosophy.
— Thomas Clay, Muscle Shoals, Ala.

A: It seems a safe bet that Thomas is not president of the Alabama chapter of the Tubby Smith fan club. There’s no doubt the heat is intensifying on Smith again and we haven’t even reached December.

But I honestly don’t think Kentucky is close to relieving Smith of his duties any time soon. The administration likes Smith and athletic director Mitch Barnhart has demonstrated great loyalty. Smith got a contract extension in 2005 and is signed through 2011. That doesn’t mean he will last that long. If the Wildcats lose 10 games this season (and they could) Smith will be sitting on an extremely hot seat when next year begins. I’m sure the folks from Maysville, Ky., love to remind Tubby he made a mistake by passing on Chris Lofton, who is the best shooter in the SEC and an All-American candidate at Tennessee.

Other players, such as Randolph Morris, Joe Crawford and Rajon Rondo have fallen short of expectations. If you are waiting for Tubby to start running and gunning like Rick Pitino, forget about it. Tubby doesn’t exactly run the Four Corners either. Here’s a guess: If prep star Patrick Patterson signs with the Wildcats, Tubby will start feeling the love again.

Q: Will the Memphis Tigers get to the Final Four this year, and if so who will emerge as the go to guy on the team?
— Tony Jones, Memphis, Tenn.

A: Tony, it’s obvious John Calipari has built a solid program at Memphis and even though the Tigers are young they should win the Conference USA title again. Whether they reach the Final Four or not will probably depend on their seeding and the type of draw they receive. Check back on Selection Sunday.

Honestly, Calipari appears to have a Sweet Sixteen team and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers advance to the Elite Eight. The Tigers already showed in Maui that they could win with balance, depth and aggressive play. That defines Coach Cal’s style. Oklahoma had 21 turnovers against the Tigers and their pressure D. “They come at you in waves,” Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said.

I know Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey should be the leaders of this team, but I see sophomore guard Antonio Anderson emerging as a reliable go-to guy for the Tigers. He led the team in minutes played last season. He can drive to the basket or pull up for the three. Anderson may be ready for a breakout year.

Q: How many more points would have Pistol Pete Maravich scored had there been a three-point shot in his day?
— Leo Hellon, Warm Springs, Ore.

A: Eight years after Maravich completed his NBA career, he was playing a pickup game at a Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, Calif. He collapsed and died of a heart attack. Want to know the real irony of that day? The court he was playing on that day had a three-point line. Maravich’s legacy would have been even greater if the college game had been using the three-point rule. Unfortunately he was 16 years ahead of that time.

That – along with the fact he was limited to three years - makes his NCAA career records for most points (3,667) and highest per game average (44.2) even more remarkable. Pistol Pete wasn’t afraid to start firing shots as soon as he crossed the midcourt line, so the three-point shot definitely would have added to his total. I relayed your question to LSU but it seems no one has been able to solve that puzzle with total accuracy. Butler’s Darrin Fitzgerald set the NCAA record for three-pointers made per game (5.6) in 1987.

So, it seems safe to assume Maravich would have averaged at least 50 points a game with the three. Over 83 career games, that would have brought his scoring total to 4,150 points or an additional 483 points. Unbelievable.

Q: How do you see the Houston Cougars doing this year? I'm excited about their prospects and what Coach Penders has done with the team so far.
— Chris Tate, Houston

A: Chris, I don’t blame you for being excited. Tom Penders got the nickname “Turnaround Tom” by breathing new life into programs and he is doing it again at Houston. The Cougars haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1992 but I think that drought will end this year. I actually thought Houston had done enough to make the field last season but the selection committee didn’t agree. Penders has won 18 and 21 games in his first two seasons. He has eight new players to mix in this season and they join returning starters Lanny Smith, Oliver Lafayette and Jahmar Thorpe. Penders has established the defensive foundation of his program.

The Cougars led the nation in steals with an average of 12.4 per game last season. One year ago at this same stage of the season, Houston recorded back-to-back victories over No. 25 LSU and No. 13 Arizona. Don’t be surprised if Penders and the Cougars start making more noise like that in the coming weeks.

MORE FROM COLLEGE BASKETBALL

College basketball Section Front

UCLA will make noise eventually   Vote: Who will be player of the year? Beyond the Arc: ’Nova facing issues with frosh Seton Hall basketball player charged with DWI Beyond the Arc: Celebrating college hoops’ last Rebels 5 Razorbacks suspended for opener Beyond the Arc: Carolina will be scary good by March Men’s Top 25 preview, analysis, stats, more Davis: Kansas tops 2009-10 hoops storylines Elite scorers, sleeper teams, top conferences, more College basketball Section Front   Add College basketball headlines to your news reader: