Q: Is this it for Dan Dakich at Indiana?
— Brad, Richmond, Ind.

A: Following the Hoosiers' first-round 86-72 loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament, it certainly seems that way, Brad. Indiana announced Monday that a 10-member committee will begin a national search for a permanent replacement for Kelvin Sampson. The timing of that announcement didn’t seem to be a good sign for Dakich, who was promoted from assistant coach to interim head coach last month when Sampson was fired for violating NCAA rule. Dakich obviously thinks he should be in the running. I don’t blame him for saying, with great confidence, that he should be Indiana’s coach next season. Perhaps the committee will interview him. But it seems likely a school such as Indiana would pursue a big-name coach. The Hoosiers need a coach with a national reputation, someone who has a proven record as a winner on the court and someone who has stayed clear of trouble with the NCAA.

There are reports that former Bulls coach Scott Skiles will be interviewed. There’s no doubt Skiles has the basketball background and the enthusiasm for the job. It will be interesting to see if his arrest record, for drunken driving and possession of marijuana and cocaine, will work against him.

Baylor’s Scott Drew, Washington State’s Tony Bennett, Xavier’s Sean Miller, Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Wright State’s Brad Brownell and Marquette's Tom Crean have been mentioned as possible candidates. Ohio State’s Thad Matta has been mentioned as well, but that seems to be a real wild card. Don’t be surprised if Jamie Dixon emerges as a candidate at Indiana — and any other major school that has an opening.

Bob Knight is available but that doesn’t seem likely, especially now that he has become a member of the media.

Q: Do you think Arizona State should've been in the NCAA Tournament?
— Tom, Phoenix

A: To tell you the truth, Tom, as championship week progressed, I thought the situation looked bad for both Arizona and Arizona State. I’m kind of surprised both didn’t get left out. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have been shocked if both had made it. I think the bottom line was strength of schedule. Herb Sendek did and incredible job with the Sun Devils. The committee likes to reward teams that play tough non-conference schedules. Arizona did that. That’s about the only difference I can see between the two. ASU could have helped itself by winning more games down the stretch. I laugh at people who ask, “What could we have done to get in?” How about winning some games? That’s a sure thing. The Sun Devils won their NIT opener vs. Alabama State Tuesday. Right now it’s all about winning and moving on. The more experience, the better for Sendek next season.

Q: Why did the Mountain West get hosed so badly? BYU and UNLV are both nine seeds, even though the Cougars won 27 games and the Rebs 26. Shouldn't they get a little more respect?
— Marty, Cheyenne, Wyo.

A: Actually, Marty, they were both given No. 8 seeds. I understand the urge to lump teams together and get the feeling that the committee was biased against a conference. But it doesn’t work that way. Conference affiliation doesn’t come into consideration at all. And you can’t judge a team just by the number of victories. There are many ways to assess a team and the criteria must be used equally with all teams. The NCAA does that.

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Perhaps Mountain West teams should find ways to earn that respect. I think Mountain West teams suffer from a lack of TV exposure. And I think they could benefit from tougher non-conference schedules as well. BYU’s best wins came against Louisville and UNLV. The best wins for the Rebels came against San Diego and BYU. That really doesn’t build a case for higher seeds.

Q: Do you think it's an injustice that Jim Phelan is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame? The man only won 830 games, stayed at one school for 49 years and has a
court named after him. That should count for something.
— Andy McMaster, Littlestown, Penn.

A: Coach Phelan is one of my all-time favorite people in college basketball. I interviewed him a few times, including once in his office at Mount St. Mary’s. He is a delightful gentleman who tells wonderful stories, and for that reason he is one of the game’s true historic treasures.

I’m not sure that it’s an injustice, Andy, but, like many people I would like to see him in the Hall of Fame. I know his family and friends feel strongly and have campaigned for him. Phelan’s detractors say he surpassed 800 career victories because of his years alone. And they point out that the majority of his wins came outside of Division I.

According to Matt Zeysing, historian and archivist for the Naismith Hall of Fame, Phelan becomes eligible again with the Class of 2009. But he needs a request for reactivation to be put back on the ballot. Phelan went 0-for-9 before the hall’s screening committee three years in a row and was automatically removed from consideration after 2003.