By Bill Koch and Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Q, from Steve: Considering Conference USA wins over Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and others, it's just possible that C-USA is the class conference. Perhaps C-USA will get a fourth or fifth NCAA bid.

Sorry, but C-USA, despite those wins, is not in the same class with the Southeastern Conference or the Big 12. Still, the league is better than last season, when three teams made the tournament. Louisville, Marquette and Cincinnati will make it, and either DePaul or Memphis has a good shot.

Q, from Marcus: As a graduate of UC, I can tell you that attending home games was not a high priority, because who wants to see the scrubs that come to lose? The top-level programs seem to not have this problem. What's the real deal behind this?

I don't think there's any sinister plot to be uncovered here. As long as UC is making enough money off its home schedule and getting into the NCAA Tournament, the scheduling philosophy isn't likely to undergo a significant change.

Q, from Jan in Michigan: Doesn't Dayton have an incredible advantage in hosting the A-10 Tournament?

A: Yes, Dayton does have a considerable advantage, but the A-10 benefits from the atmosphere and sellouts ob UD Arena. It's no secret Xavier and Dayton fans show the most interest in their teams.

E-mail basketball@enquirer.com with UC questions for Koch, XU questions for Dow.