Q: Do you think that Billy Gillispie will be able to get the University of Kentucky back on top? This year has certainly been a struggle so far. If so, how long do you think it will take?
— Thomas Clay, Muscle Shoals, Ala.

A: Kentucky fans should be very encouraged by consecutive home victories over nationally ranked teams. This season has been a struggle. But there are games to be played and the Wildcats still have time to make a statement in conference play. Quick fixes don’t exist in college basketball. Gillispie has been through this before at other schools but never with the spotlight that shines like it does on Kentucky basketball. The Wildcats have been hit by injuries. The loss to Gardner-Webb was a shock to everyone’s system and it didn’t help Gillispie as he tried to establish his system. I’m not sure what you mean by “back on top.” The Wildcats aren’t going to win the SEC this season. And they aren’t going to win a national championship this season. Those things might not happen next season or in the next five seasons. But my guess is that by Gillispie’s third season, Kentucky will in the running for both again.

Q: What’s with Washington? Seems like Lorenzo Romar hasn’t done much with the success he had with Brandon Roy.
— Sonny, Salt Lake City

A: The Huskies certainly have been disappointing and Romar and his staff will get a vivid reminder of that playing Arizona State. Not only has Herb Sendek’s team made a big jump in the Pac-10 standings, but also guards James Harden and Ty Abbott almost ended up wearing the Washington uniform before becoming Sun Devils. It has to be even tougher to swallow with Washington State doing so well for a second consecutive season. The Pac-10 has been so competitive the past two seasons, and it would seem very difficult for any team to make a drastic move. In some ways, the emphasis on big man Spencer Hawes last season might have sidetracked Romar and the entire program. The Huskies got away from the style they played with Roy. The Huskies are trying to go back to their old ways but it may be too much to ask in one year.

Q: How much longer will Bob Knight be on the sidelines? I can’t wait for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to pass his record for wins.
— Erica, Hillsborough, N.C.

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A: Erica, I hate to disappoint you but I don’t see any noticeable decrease in Bob Knight’s passion for the game. He still seems to enjoy teaching and he’s still ornery as ever. The fans and players at Texas Tech have embraced him and celebrated his milestones. Knowing Knight, he might stick around another 10 years just to annoy all of his detractors. Or, when the time seems right for him, he might just go fishing and hand the program over to his son, Pat. That could happen tomorrow. It wouldn’t be a surprise either way. And, even though his victory total means more to him than he lets on, Knight won’t mind at all if Krzyzewski passes him some day. It almost seems meant to be.

Q: If Butler doesn’t win the Horizon League title, will it still make the NCAA Tournament?
— Phil, Appleton, Wis.

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A: Absolutely Phil. If not, there should be an investigation of some kind. The Bulldogs have risen to another level of respect. For that matter, so has the Horizon Conference. Butler has lost to Wright State and Cleveland State. Both losses came on the road. In past years, the Bulldogs would have dropped out of the Top 25 rankings with those two losses. But they seem pretty secure at No. 15 in the AP poll and No. 14 in the coaches’ poll. That is a testament to the work Butler did in the non-conference portion of its schedule. And it shows the respect Butler has built over the years. Unless Butler goes on a long losing streak, the Bulldogs will be in the NCAA Tournament — probably with a No. 5 or No. 6 seed — and the Horizon should have two teams dancing.

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