Clemson is off to a terrific start. Again. But the Tigers teased us last season and then disappeared. Maryland, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech are fading fast. Everybody else needs to wake up and start winning some important games against good opponents. That includes Miami. Give the selection committee something to remember.

Now, it’s time for your questions.

Q: Let’s say they set up a game between the top freshmen this year and the rest of the best of college basketball. Who do you think would win?
— Jack Severin, Schaumburg, Ill.
A: First, I would like to see the rosters for this game. These freshmen in this wonderful class are so much fun to watch and they are going to impact the conference races in so many ways. But I’ll always take experience over raw, young talent. Greg Oden didn’t win the NCAA championship. Neither did Kevin Durant. If you named me coach of the team going against the freshmen, and told me my roster included Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert, Chris Douglas-Roberts, D.J. Augustin, Darrell Arthur, Ty Lawson, Drew Neitzel, Brandon Rush and Chase Budinger ... I’d like my chances of winning an awful lot. But it would be interesting.

Q: With the emergence of Arizona’s Jordan Hill, where do you think the Wildcats will place in the Pac-10 and how deep do you think they can go in the NCAA Tournament?  — Tom, Tucson, Ariz.
A: Jordan Hill’s minutes have doubled from his freshman year — and for good reason. He is playing terrific basketball for Kevin O’Neill and heads into conference play with a streak of six consecutive games scoring in double figures. Hill is making a solid contribution, averaging 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, while shooting 66 percent from the floor. There’s a lot to like about this Arizona team. Jerryd Bayless has been as good as any freshman in the country and the injury that sidelined him really hurt the Wildcats in their game against Memphis. Hill, Bayless and Chase Budinger combine to give Arizona a terrific leading trio. I saw the Wildcats at Kansas and I’m impressed with the way this team has handled the distractions with Lute Olson and the way these guys play on the road. That will come in handy in the Pac-10. The conference is going to be very, very tough again. I think UCLA and Washington State are the top two teams. Arizona is right behind and in that cluster of six teams that will be jockeying for position. I think the Wildcats, with their strong RPI, will remain a Top 25 team and should receive a No. 5 seed or higher in the NCAA Tournament. They have great potential.

Q: Will Northwestern have a chance in the Big Ten?
— Andrew, Skokie, Ill.
A: A chance for what? Sorry, but the polite answer is no. Northwestern doesn’t have a chance to win the Big Ten. Northwestern doesn’t have a chance to finish in the top half. Northwestern doesn’t have a realistic shot at postseason play. Could the Wildcats be better? Let’s hope so. They only won two conference games last season. Northwestern is 5-4 in non-conference play after a 13-18 overall record last season. Here’s what coach Bill Carmody told Athlon Sports for its preseason publication: “I just hope we can get back to being competitive.” That tells you everything you need to know.

Q: Will Bill Self go to Oklahoma State University?
— Susan, Stillwater, Okla.
A: Let’s see, coach Self and his Jayhawks are scheduled to play in Stillwater on Feb. 23. I’m sure they will show up. But I doubt that is what you are referring to, right? I think you are asking if Bill Self will ever coach at Oklahoma State. Anything is possible (especially in the coaching profession) but I certainly don’t see that move happening any time soon — if ever. My first question would be this: Where is Sean Sutton going? He won 22 games in his first season. The Cowboys didn’t make the NCAA Tournament but this is a building process. His name may be Sutton and he may have been training for this position for years, but that doesn’t make him exempt from any of the things a new coach must go through when he takes over from a legend. Your question certainly has some merit. Bill Self is an Oklahoma State guy, he played there, graduated there, coached there under Eddie Sutton and obviously has strong feelings for the school and Eddie. After Self took over at Kansas, the emotional aspect of coaching against Sutton was so evident. It seems a bit easier for Self now that Sean has taken over. But why would Self leave Kansas? He runs an elite program. He is winning in Lawrence, he continues to recruit well, and athletic director Lew Perkins is in his corner. Perkins firmly believes in loyalty to his coaches. The only thing that could drive Self from KU would be the high expectations. Kansas fans expect frequent trips to the Final Four and they are hungry for a national championship. But the shadow of Roy Williams isn’t quite as long as it was in 2003 and I think Bill Self will be coaching at Kansas for many more years. But who knew Eddie Sutton’s heart would ever find its way to San Francisco?

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