Vahe Gregorian: Welcome to my first go at this new-fangled "Live Chat" gig. Please bear with me as I try to get a handle on it. One footnote I should get out early: As a jack of maybe a few trades, master of none, recruiting generally is beyond my scope. If I see something related to recruiting I think I can speak to, I'll take it on. If not, please pardon my ignorance, and you might want to check out Gabe DeArmond's PowerMizzou.com -- which specializes in the topic.

Brian: I believe Coach Pinkel has high standards on the character/academic capability issues of recruits, but do you think he may have made some concessions in those areas this year regarding some of the players Mizzou pursued ?

Vahe Gregorian: I can't tell you I know enough about each case to be able to tell you I know there weren't some stretches, but perhaps the Sheldon Richardson/academic eligibility issue is one tangible thing to consider here. From what I can tell, he still has a chance to be eligible and I don't know of anything that would be considered a character issue with him. Meanwhile, many in position to know seem to think he's a once-in-a-generation-type player that they had to go after with all they had. If the worst thing that happens is he's ineligible and Mizzou has to continue to usher him there by way of junior college, that hardly seems like a rap on the program. One last thing about Coach Pinkel: As long as he's been here, I've never seen any indication of his deliberately taking risks on character of players. From the time he suspended two punters for a K-State game (for what I believe were curfew violations), it's seemed to me that he puts a premium on conduct. I'm not saying he (or anyone) has perfect judgment and wouldn't take a chance on thinking he can reform someone, but I don't think he'd do anything to sabotage that with the program rolling now.

john: Out of the freshman on the basketball team, who do you see as having the most productive career in college and at the next level?

Vahe Gregorian: As of right now, probably Kim English -- mobility, height (6-6), versatility, 3-point shooting, defense, etc. But Laurence Bowers is very intriguing, too, and suddenly developing fast. Among overall newcomers, though, JUCO transfer Keith Ramsey might have the brightest future of all. Guys on the team consider him their best athlete, and he has an unusual nose for the ball -- both in terms of rebounding and shot-blocking ability.

James: Mr. Gregorian,
I understand you attended the Mizzou School of Journalism, which I consider to be the best in the world. Could you reminisce with us about your arrival on campus, especially your first walk through Greek town. Also, do you belong to any esoteric clubs you could share with us and what that means to you.
James
PS See you in Detroit.

Vahe Gregorian: My recollection is seeing a mirage after driving 24 hours from Philly, then shaking off trip playing some hoops on bizarre carpeted floor of Brewer Fieldhouse before most important indoctrination of all -- to Shakespeare's a couple days later.

jckp64: Do you think that Missouri's style of basketball will be effective when they reach the Big 12 tourney and the NCAA tournament? Do you think they will be able to take on an Oklahoma or Kansas after playing three games in three days? I also think that people are getting ahead of themselves talking about how good Mizzou's team is at the moment. They beat a slumping Texas team and barley got by KU. It will probably be a different story when they go to KU. Personally, I think KU will crush them at home.

Vahe Gregorian: As it stands now, Tigers will have first-round bye in Big 12 tourney and so only would be playing third game in three days if they reach title game against OU or KU or anyone else. The Texas win doesn't look as impressive now, but it's still hard to win on the road in the Big 12 and it was the first time in a decade MU won in Austin. And don't think there was any disgrace in barely beating KU, which had held the Tigers to 16 in first half. In fact, winning they way they did -- rallying from repeated double-digit deficits, coming through at the buzzer -- probably says a lot about the team and did a lot for it. As for rematch at KU, well, Tigers haven't swept Jayhawks since 1994, and it will be a mighty challenge. But I don't rule out MU winning, either, and I'd be very surprised if they got swamped.