1. In the NCAA Men’s Championship game Kansas was down by three late in regulation and Memphis decided to play defense instead of fouling. Which do you think is a better approach: To play defense when the score is close and time’s running out or to foul?

HONSEN: I believe the Tigers and Jayhawks both took the right approach. In a close game when a team is behind, it is better for them to foul and extend the game and when a team is ahead, it is better for them to play good defense and force the opponents to make plays on offense. The reason Memphis lost and Kansas won is because Memphis couldn’t make their free throws in the clutch, and Kansas made the right plays when they needed to.

ZACH: Memphis should definitely have fouled. They let Mario Chalmers hit the three and send the game to overtime. If they put him on the line he could only have scored two, and they would have still led by one. As a coach, you should never play defense and allow a team to make a three when you can foul them and limit them to two. The decision not to foul cost Memphis the NCAA championship.

SHEENA: Clearly Memphis was exemplary of the worse approach, losing on such a big stage. However, they are a phenomenal team. They just made the wrong decision. Fouling is a heck of a lot riskier, but the reward would be far greater especially if the opposing team buckled under pressure.

MAKS: It's easy to second guess at this point, but a lot more could go wrong by fouling. If your team is up by three and you let the opposing team go to the line with a chance to get within one, the opposition could make the first free throw, miss the second, grab the offense rebound and hit a 3-pointer with time winding down to beat you. The worst that can happen by playing defense at that point is going to overtime. Memphis forced a tough shot, but Mario Chalmers and Kansas came up huge, both at the end of regulation, and in overtime.

2. The Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors are all in the hunt for the last two-playoff spots in the West. Which two teams are your picks to make it?

HONSEN: Dallas is probably in. They have the toughest remaining schedule of the three, but they also have a two game lead over both Denver and Golden State. Plus, they get Seattle twice. That’s two guaranteed wins right there. The Warriors are probably the last team in and the Nuggets the last out. Golden State plays four of their last five games at home in Oakland, Calif., including the all-important head-to-head match-up against Denver.

ZACH: I think the Mavericks will definitely get in. Most Valuable Player Dirk Nowitzki is back, Jason Kidd is fitting in and they have a two-game advantage over the other two teams. The eighth seed could go to either Golden State or Denver. They play this Thursday in Golden State, and I predict that the winner of that game will win the eighth seed. I also want to note that the odd-team-out will still have won close to 50 games, good enough for the fourth seed in the east.

SHEENA: I pick the Mavericks and Nuggets. The Warriors’ luck is bound to run out soon, since they can’t keep rooting for their rival to beat a team so that their spot in the standings is safe. (Example: Saturday night when the Kings beat the Nuggets for Golden State to stay in a tie for the final playoff spot). As for the Mavericks, even though Nowitzki isn’t 100 percent healthy, he’s putting up numbers that have been continually going up this season – just as the team has been moving up in the standings.

MAKS: We might not get a true answer to this until the last game is played, but I think Denver will be the odd-team-out. The Nuggets can’t expect to secure the last playoff spot in this year’s Western Athletic Conference and still lose back-to-back games to teams like Seattle and Sacramento.

3. Now that we’ve seen all the talent this year’s college basketball players have to showcase, who do you think is going to be the top-draft pick for the NBA this year?

HONSEN: It’s the “Year of the Freshman part II,” and it will be no different in the draft. Either Michael Beasley of Kansas State or Derrick Rose of Memphis will be selected No. 1. Beasley is the current No. 1 prospect, according to many experts. For his sake, he will hopefully be headed to a team where the owner doesn’t shamefully strip the team of talent to drive ticket sales down so he can move the team to his hometown.

ZACH: Michael Beasley of Kansas State looks to be a possible first pick. He’s athletic and dominant, averaging 26.2 points per game and 12.4 rebounds per game. He can handle the ball like a little man and can bang with the big men. On top of that, I think a lot of the lottery teams will be looking for a good big man next year. At 6 feet 10 inches tall, he’s the best of the bunch.

SHEENA: Michael Beasley, the power forward who’s been essential to the Wildcats’ success this year will probably be the number one prospect or fall within the top five, at the very least. He just has that magic touch around the rim, as well as a natural instinct to score. This 6 feet 10 inch tall freshman can give you a drop step, jump hook and/or fade-away, and is an easy pick for the draft.

MAKS: It depends mainly on who gets the first overall pick, but it will either be Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. If Miami or Seattle lands the No. 1 overall pick, I would assume that their choice would be Rose. Otherwise it’s Beasley, not that you could go wrong with either.

4. Do you think Barry Bonds will play this year?

HONSEN: Yes, he will. Bonds’ has said that he wanted to play this season, and because the judge has ordered prosecutors to restructure their indictment against him, he has time to pursue his career, hit 3,000, as well as pursue that elusive World Series ring this season.

ZACH: I think he will sign with the Yankees as their designated hitter. That way the most hated player in baseball will play for the most hated team in baseball – a match made in heaven.

SHEENA: No, God, please no. I can’t imagine that it’s going to be easy for the guy who broke (aka tarnished) the most hallowed record in the way that he did to find a place to play in 2008, and I can’t say I know too many people who want to see the guy play either. Baseball is the people’s sport, and if no one wants to see you play, sorry buddy, you’re outta there.

MAKS: He will definitely not play. His so-so production in the last couple of years just isn’t enough to warrant a signing, especially with the baggage that he brings in.