Q: Do you think that UTEP is a legit contender for a NCAA tourney bid this year? They seem well rounded enough. They have inside presence with Arnett Moultrie and Derrick Caracter. They can the jump shot and 3-point ball with Randy Culpepper and Christian Polk; they have a 6-6 point guard in Julyan Stone and some depth coming off the bench, not to mention Jeremy Williams.
— Mike, El Paso, Texas

A: Without a doubt, the Miners are making a strong push. By beating UAB and Tulsa, they have moved into first-place in Conference USA. But, it’s too early to count on anything and I think UTEP definitely has some work to get done. An RPI of 58 puts them in the conversation, but a strength of schedule ranking of 111 hurts. And the Miners are 1-3 against RPI top-50 teams.

It’s good to see Caracter putting his career back together after the trouble he had at Louisville. He is averaging 14.1 points and 9.1 rebounds. If the Miners make the NCAA field, they will present matchup problems for many teams with Caracter and Moultrie on the frontline.

UTEP has a big game coming up at Tulsa on Feb. 20 and closes out the regular season with a rematch against UAB. Those two games might define UTEP’s at-large chances.

Q: When people talk about great performances in the NCAA basketball tournament they always seem to forget the 1997 University of Arizona Wildcats run to the championship.
— Dennis Crisp, Tucson, Ariz.

Slideshow   BRACKETVille's Power 24 Ranking the top teams in college basketball based on performance and potential. NBCSports.com

A: I don’t know who those people are Dennis, but they must not be serious college hoop heads. I guarantee you I will never forget the 1997 Arizona Wildcats. I’m pretty sure Mike Miller, my editor at NBCSports.com hasn’t forgotten (I’m guessing that’s why Mike passed this question along to me.) Mike and I both graduated from Kansas — and Arizona defeated the top-ranked Jayhawks in a Sweet 16 game, 85-82.

Coach Lute Olson’s team was 19-9 in the regular season but Arizona became the first team to beat three No. 1 seeds — Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky — on the way to the national championship. Think about that. Those are the three winningest programs in college basketball history. I guarantee you that fans of the Jayhawks, Tar Heels and Wildcats remember what Arizona did in 1997.

That Kansas team included Raef LaFrentz, Jacque Vaughn, Paul Pierce and Scot Pollard and the Jayhawks lost only once before the tournament. Roy Williams was coaching Kansas and I guarantee you he will never forget Arizona. In an interview with Williams in 2008, for my book The University of Kansas Basketball Vault, Williams said it remains the most “gut-wrenching” loss of his career, worse than any Final Four defeat.

That should make you feel better Dennis.

Q: Just a thought, "Has there ever been a discussion or study (to make the game even more entertaining for the fans) to have all shots that are made behind the half court line (opposite side from the teams basket) be worth four points?" I do think it could add more excitement to a great game.
— Ron Lewis, Provo, Utah

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more. more photos

A: Honestly, Ron, I’ve never heard any serious discussion of a four-point shot for baskets made from behind the half-court line. I’ve seen desperation shots at the buzzer that go in and people often joke that the basket should count for four or five or more points. But it’s always been in joke form.

I don’t think a new rule idea like that would ever get much support. Look how long it took to get the three-point line moved back. There have been very few physical changes in the court over the years. Before a halfcourt shot would be endorsed, there would probably be a closer four-point basket and suddenly you would have more lines than a volleyball court.

And let’s face it, there isn’t a coach in college basketball that would include a shot from behind halfcourt as part of his set offense. It’s not a high-percentage shot. And I haven’t heard any coaches or administrators complaining that the game isn’t entertaining enough. Not a bad question though.