Transcript: Q&A chat with the Pac-12 Pundit on Pac-12 basketball

Good question. Currently it's being called an indefinite leave. He'll stay with the team, but, according to the Salt Lake Trib, his return is dependant on coach Larry Krystkowiak's approval.

The UA is currently fourth in the RPI, which is a formula used by the NCAA to pick participants in the tournament. However, that's not the entire equation. It'd be highly unusual, I'd say, if the Wildcats failed to win the league or the league tournament and were still placed among the top 4 teams in the nation as a no. 1 seed

Pretty well, I'd say, as evidenced by the fact they beat a sneaky-good Washington team without guard Dominic Artis. Here's the amazing thing — the Ducks currently lead both UCLA and the UA by 1.5 and 2 games, respectively, in the Pac-12 standings. Because UO owns tiebreakers against BOTH teams, that's more like a three-game lead. It's early in the year, but a lot would have to go wrong for them to not win the league.

Second, for reasons outlined below. That doesn't mean they're a worse team than Oregon, though — as we discussed, the UA only played them once, and it was up there.

YES! And totally better than games at Vanderbilt. Raised courts are just weird. So is the bench in the end zone. The UA played their Sweet 16 game against Louisville on a raised floor at the football stadium in Indy. I sat courtside and was genuinely bewildered. I was looking up at guy's shoes. Crazy

No. It's No. 20 — which is better than, say, Ohio State. But I wrote about this in today's Star — Colorado is actually ranked ABOVE the Ducks in RPI and strength of schedule because they played tougher non-con games.

No. 8 in both polls. The RPI's got 'em fourth. I think they're somewhere between 8 and 12 in my book, as of this second. But, and this is worth repeating, their freshmen class' ability to improve makes them a stock with the ability to rise fast.

Both. The Bruins start three freshmen — who, as amazingly talented as they appeared to us at McKale Center, are still freshmen. Add that to woeful depth (they play 7 1/2 guys, and didn't have Travis Wear at ASU) and it's safe to say UCLA is flawed. However, who's got a better group of 7 players? Not many teams, anywhere.

I don't know. Miller hinted yesterday, and our own Bruce Pascoe wrote about it, that York could see some time. But after York's hot shooting in garbage time Saturday, Miller stressed that York has a place in the rotation ... when it opens up next year. So who knows? His defense still isn't where it needs to be, but he's probably more of a Microwave Guy than Jordin Mayes. It's worth stressing that there's a GIANT difference between nailing a couple shots up 25 against USC and playing at a hostile Hec-Ed.