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Every weekday, a panel of our college hoops experts discusses the biggest issues, trends and themes happening in and around college basketball.
1. SMU coach Larry Brown is 74 years old. Why is he still so good?
Andy Katz: He hasn't lost a step. He's one of the sharpest basketball minds in the game and will continue to be for as long as he wants to coach. He is a winner, teacher and mentor for countless coaches.
C.L. Brown: No matter the generation of players, no matter the level of talent on his roster, Brown has a way of adapting to the situation. He's still relevant because he's found a way to change with the game while still holding on to his core principles of how the game should be played.
Myron Medcalf: Well, I hate to use a cliche, but you can't teach experience. He's been successful at multiple levels, and that's been beneficial throughout his career. But he's also coached teams that possess a lot of talent, which helps.
2. There's been a lot of talk about this being The Year for Gonzaga. What needs to happen for it to really be The Year?
Katz: The Zags will win the WCC. The Zags will receive a high seed. But matchups will play a role in the outcome of the season. When the Zags were a top seed two seasons ago and got upset by Wichita State, it didn't diminish the stellar regular season. But teams are judged on the final product, and not reaching the Elite Eight was hard to swallow. This team has as much potential as that squad.
Brown: The Zags need to embrace the moment. They have the components, on paper anyway, of a potential Final Four roster, starting with one of the nation's best backcourts in Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. They shouldn't shy away from the great expectations but instead aim to play up to them.
Medcalf: The Zags just need to play the efficient D (15th in efficiency last season) they displayed a year ago. All the weapons are there, especially with Kyle Wiltjer in the mix. The Zags can make a run.
3. Which frontcourt player will have a bigger night: SMU's Yanick Moreira or Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer?
Katz: I'll go Wiltjer. He'll be at home and will be put in a position to score more than Moreira. Not having Markus Kennedy means more attention paid to Moreira. It will take some time for him to get adjusted to being the featured forward.
Brown: I'll go with Moreira simply because he can impact more areas. He's a better rebounder, and his shot-blocking ability could be a factor in the game.
Medcalf: I say Moreira just because he's a completely different player after this offseason. He's healthy and a huge boost inside for Larry Brown.
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