Three Questions about aTm, St. Louis, and Maryland Hoops

I like College Hoops, so that obviously makes me an expert. Recently, I was asked to use my expertise to answer a few questions about the college basketball season so far. So, please sit back, relax, and enjoy my wisdom.

Kansas State is clearly the best team in the nation, but who is your #2? (Mark T -- College Station)

Coach Turgeon,
K-State is good, but it is well documented that they did have an entire week to prepare for your Aggies, while Texas A&M had a very short turnaround coming off a difficult Texas Tech game. Unfair scheduling if you ask me! http://www.810whb.com/scripts/archives/getStory.asp?article=16237
Anyway, assuming KSU is a legit #1, I think most would say undefeated KU and Memphis, and (1) loss UNC are your next best teams. I agree with the masses. But, to get to a single clear cut #2, lets break this down logically with one question. What common denominator do all (3) coaches of those programs share? Answer...University of Kansas! Coach Calipari was an assistant from '82-'85, Coach Williams led the Jayhawks from '88-'03, and of course, coach Self is there now continuing the tradition. Come on Turg...you're a KU alum, did I really need to spell out who the 2nd best team in America is? I guess you'll find out March 8th, when KU comes to College Station.


Is St. Louis close to the Atlantic Ocean and what exactly is a Billiken? He kind of looks like the Grinch. (Will D -- R.I.)

Will,
Nope...St. Louis is in the heartland Dummy! Get a map. Wikipedia describes the Billiken as an elf-like character with pointed ears and a mischievous smile that was created by American artist Florence Pretz. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billiken
The character was actually named after the heaviest president in United States history, William Howard Taft. How Ironic.

Exactly how tall is Maryland's Bambale Omsby? (Brent M -- USA)

Brent,
I could probably most easily answer this using the "Fletch" quote that we all know and love. You know... He's 6'7", 6'9" with the fro. But that would be too easy, so I'll try to approach this question scientifically. We all know his boyfriend James Gist is 6'9", so based on this image (disturbing as it is), I'm guessing Omsby is somewhere between 6'8" and 6'10" based on his vertical.

Thanks for your questions.
-ROWYHO