Nick Welch and the Falcons fell into the "others receiving votes" category in this week's AP poll. AP

The 'Bag doesn't often get mail from retired lieutenant colonels, so we figured it would be wise to begin this week with a note from Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick Butler (Ret.) from Galax, Va., who writes: "I love Air Force football, but I just noticed that the AFA basketball team is pounding teams like New Mexico, BYU and even Utah. What gives? Are these guys for real?"

The short answer: Yes, sir.

The longer answer: Air Force is one of the best stories of the year. Hard as it may be to believe, fourth-year coach Joe Scott's Falcons -- holders of a 14-2 record, a 12-game win streak and a 4-0 Mountain West mark -- may well be the No. 4 team in the West after Stanford, Gonzaga and Arizona.

Can you believe it? Air Force! The school that has two NCAA tournament appearances. The school whose hoops pedigree goes no further than a serviceable forward named Gregg Popovich and a one-year assistant coach (1957-58) named Dean Smith. The academy that (until recently) was run by a brigadier general named Taco.

After the Falcs' notched convincing wins at home over BYU and Wisconsin-Milwaukee and on the road at Cal, Colorado State and New Mexico, I tuned into Monday's showdown against Utah in Colorado Springs. (Which reminds me, thank god for ESPN Full Court, the genius invention that shows there's more to college hoops than the Duke Game of the Week.)

I came away most impressed. Air Force dominated the Utes, winning 62-49, and showed off some traits that could make the Falcons a sleeper in March:

• Team defense. Air Force leads the nation, allowing 47.0 points a game, but it would be a mistake to think this is solely a result of running the Princeton offense. Consider Utah's very first possession on Monday, in which the Falcons' sticky M2M forced Rick Majerus' well-trained bunch into taking a sloppy (air ball) three-pointer to beat the shot clock. Before running a single back-cut at the other end, Air Force had set the tone for the game.

• Athleticism. Misnomer No. 2 about the Princeton offense: it's solely for plodding, unathletic players. Air Force runs it better, in fact, than any team I've seen since Princeton's Top-10 outfit in 1997-98. Why? Because the Falcons combine the system with absolute go-for-broke backcuts, reliable outside shooting and the ability to create a shot when necessary. Center Nick Welch (who leads the Mountain West in three-point shooting at 55.2 percent) can also take it to the hole, as can forward Joel Gerlach, whose spinning, whirling drive on Utah's beleaguered Tim Frost would have made any SportsCenter highlight reel.

• Poise. When Utah closed to within three at 49-46, the Falcons merely ran off nine straight points to seal the deal. Plus, any team that can win at The Pit, at Cal's Haas Pavilion and on the ridiculous-looking floor at Colorado State is a team to watch on a neutral court come NCAA tournament time. Even Scott, the former lawyer once notorious among Mountain West refs for his crazy-man sideline antics, has toned down his act. (Somewhat.) In his fourth year in Colorado Springs, he's on the short list of national Coach of the Year candidates.

Naturally, a 4-0 conference start doesn't mean the Falcons are shoo-ins for the Mountain West title or even an NCAA tourney bid. Not yet. But they most definitely are fun to watch, especially for the national college hoops fan. Check 'em out while you can next Monday at UNLV (Midnight ET, ESPN) and on the Full Court package three times between Feb. 21 and Feb. 28.

Since most of you punks wrote in just to complain about last week's Magic Eight^TM, we'll ignore your questions for a while and use Air Force as a segue into ...

The Bag's conference surprises (so far)

BIG EAST: PROVIDENCE (14-3; 5-1). I f--ed up. I didn't think the Friars would be in the driver's seat to win the Big East. Does that make you happy? I don't know what else you want me to say. I f--ed up. Write it. I f--ed up, for the fifth time. (Wait, what was the question? Why did you drink that extra cup of coffee this morning, Coach Calhoun? Never mind....)

BIG TEN: INDIANA (11-6; 5-1). Three weeks ago we took a close look at the Hoosiers' downward spiral and saw more danger ahead with four of their first five Big Ten games on the road. Five straight wins later, we see a rejuvenated Indiana that has a healthy George Leach and no longer relies entirely on Bracey Wright. Didn't we tell you Mike Davis' job wasn't in danger?

BIG 12: TEXAS TECH (16-3; 4-1). Much like the Big Ten, the Big 12 is anyone's league to win, and you can put Bob Knight's outfit among the candidates. The OT loss at home to Texas hurts, but we'll know more about Tech's road chops when they meet Oklahoma State on Saturday in Stillwater. Which reminds me, Okie State (14-2; 4-1) would be on this list, but the 'Bag has already been touting the Cowboys for weeks.

SEC: SOUTH CAROLINA (17-2; 4-1) Wins at Auburn and Georgia go a long way toward showing that Dave Odom's Gamecocks will be an unexpected factor in the SEC East. Consecutive games this week at Vandy and Ole Miss will provide an even better measuring stick.

CONFERENCE USA: UAB (11-5; 4-1). For the love of Alan Ogg, the Blazers won at Charlotte and at East Carolina (no small feats). UAB should be 6-1 in C-USA when it meets Louisville in Freedom Hall on Feb. 7.

ACC: FLORIDA STATE (14-5; 3-3). Suddenly the Seminoles are no longer the Semi-'Noles when it comes to hoops. With W's over North Carolina, Wake Forest and Maryland, in fact, they'll be headed to the NCAAs if they can keep it up and scrounge a win or two on the road in the ACC.

Let's open the 'Bag....

Sorry guys. My eyes glazed over from all the mail about last week's Magic Eight^TM. If the 'Bag had one of those electronic light-board maps that Google uses to measure worldwide traffic, it would've been Christmas-treeing in the Pittsburgh area.) Before I let the readers speak, some points:

1. The Magic Eight^TM doesn't mean "the nation's top eight teams." How often do the very best teams win in March? Almost never.

2. Just because eight teams made the list doesn't mean I only like eight teams nationwide. That would seem to be obvious, but apparently it isn't. Remember, though: There's a reason why it isn't called the Magic 42.

3. Pittsburgh is a nice team. Pittsburgh is a nice team. Pittsburgh is a nice team. There. I said it. Still don't think the Panthers will win it all, but they do play Team Ball and they could go far in the tournament.

While we got plenty of arguments for Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Saint Joseph's, by far the most responses came on behalf of Jamie Dixon's Panthers in the wake of their drubbing of Syracuse in the Carrier Dome last week. One of the more sane takes was that of reader Patrick Lister of Jersey Shore, Pa., who writes:

Does any team exemplify Team Ball more than the Pittsburgh Panthers? When five players are averaging 10 points a game or more for the majority of the season and your team has one of the best scoring defenses in the nation (holding Syracuse to a Carrier Dome-low 45 points) and you're coming off a strong showing in back-to-back road games against ranked opponents, I think you deserve a little recognition. Need I mention the 19-1 record? But if you're looking for the perfect definition of team ball, look to the loss to UConn at the Hartford Civic Center. With three seconds left, down three, and the ball in the team's top scorer's hands, what would most teams do? (Hint: Not dish the ball out to an unheralded freshman averaging 2.8 points a game.) THAT is team ball. I look forward to seeing that picture of you in Panthers gear.

Patrick: Thanks for the points. I like the Panthers a lot, and they've certainly taken a leap forward in many eyes after the win at Syracuse. You're also right about winning over converts with the loss in Hartford. For me, though, the real tests will come on Feb. 15 (at home against UConn) and March 2 (at Providence).

Is Pitt sophomore point guard Carl Krauser already better than Brandin Knight was as a senior? Krauser shoots better, scores more and plays solid defense. As much as Knight helped establish Pitt as a burgeoning program, could Krauser help the Panthers take the next step? -- Jason Wawrzeniak, Melbourne, Fla.

Good question, but don't sell Knight short here. Keep in mind that statistics mean less when evaluating point guards than with other positions. The only stat that really matters is winning percentage in March, and Knight has a pretty good one. Head to head, though, Krauser has advantages over Knight's senior stats in points per game (15.1 to 11.2), field-goal percentage (.472 to .367) and free-throw percentage (.786 to .575). Meanwhile, Knight leads Krauser in assists per turnover (2.07 to 1.86) and steals per game (2.12 to 1.56). Krauser may not be better than Knight was last year, but he is certainly in the same discussion, which is very good news indeed for Pitt.

True or false: At this point in the season it looks like seven ACC teams -- Duke, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, Maryland, and Florida State -- should make the NCAA tournament. -- Bucky Carter, Advance, N.C.

True -- at this point. Ace Bracketologist Joe Lunardi has all seven teams in his projection right now, with Florida State snagging a No. 10 seed at the bottom of the ACC bid pile. Clearly the ACC is ready to grab the spoils of down years in the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-10.

I love the fact that you pointed out it is not Saint Joseph's that is unwilling to play top teams, but the other way around. However, you mentioned that the Hawks will not get a No. 1 seed come March, even if they are undefeated. How could the selection committee possibly not give them the well-earned top seeding? -- Brian Murphy, Philadelphia

	MAILBAG Grant Wahl will periodically answer questions from SI.com users in his mailbag. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Over the years the NCAA tournament committee has used the RPI as a crutch to determine seeding, and it's the smaller guys who almost always get the shaft. It's safe to say that Saint Joseph's RPI will drop over the next few weeks -- even if the team keeps winning -- because the games will be against Atlantic-10 opponents. Right now my man Lunardi has the Hawks seeded above Pitt (19-1) in the East Region. Much as I hate to say it, I don't buy that happening in March, even if a big-conference team comes in with some L's and SJU doesn't.

Do you find most sports media-types who cover the NBA are oblivious to the NCAA? This has crossed my mind several times but never more than during last year's NBA playoffs when Tayshaun Prince came out of nowhere and performed magnificently. All the pundits were absolutely shocked that some little-used rookie could do so well in the pressure-packed environment of the NBA playoffs! Never mind that he played in a bigger, louder arena in college and that he absolutely excelled in pressure situations under more media scrutiny than you ever get playing for the Pistons. How is it that all the NBA commentators couldn't figure this out? -- Justin Odum, Seattle

Good points, Justin, and yet more evidence for my belief that the college and pro games have never been farther apart. In fact, I'd argue they might as well be two different sports. So be it. I live two blocks from an NBA arena and haven't been to a pro game there all year -- and I don't feel like I'm missing a thing.

Could you please provide a link to the Mailbag you did with Nick Collison and Drew Gooden two years ago when you picked your top college basketball teams of all time and all the top players on them? -- Ben Harlow, Bartlesville, Okla.

No problem. They are: Jan. 16, 2002 and Jan. 23, 2002.

Line of the Century

Many thanks to fellow scribe Randy Holtz of the Rocky Mountain News for providing the 'Bag's favorite line of the 21st century so far, courtesy of San Diego State's Ben Wardrop during the Aztecs' 92-82 double-OT loss at Colorado State last week. Check this out:

Yep, Sir Hackalot somehow fouled out of a game in only one minute. The mind reels.

12 Random Things

1. Majerus' sudden announcement that he's resigning at season's end (and taking time off now to deal with health problems) caps a career-making run at Utah, which he took to the 1998 NCAA title game. Health issues dominated Majerus' recent history in Salt Lake City, but he was among the hottest names in the business between 1998 and 2000, the year Dean Smith recommended Majerus for the vacant North Carolina job (which AD Dick Baddour offered to Matt Doherty instead). One got the sense that Smith knew Majerus was an excellent coach, but he might have been less aware that Big Rick is also a foul-mouthed taskmaster who has left a string of disgruntled assistants and players at Utah. With his sterling national rep and less-gilded local reception, in fact, some observers have called Majerus the Tommy Lasorda of college basketball. There's no denying, though, that Majerus put Utah hoops back on the map. One hopes he can get better and move on to his next gig, whether that's TV or coaching.

2. So New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey tells us that Sebastian Telfair should skip college and go straight to the NBA. Which means 1) You can expect Bassie in a Louisville jersey next year, and 2) the Cards are going to be awfully, awfully good.

3. Super Bowl XXXVIII certainly is a mouthful in the Roman numeral department. But has anyone considered what the NFL will do for Roman numerals when the Super Bowl hits 40? 50? Super Bowl XL? Super Bowl L? Those sound less like games than T-shirt sizes.

4. With Mo Hargrow leaving Minnesota this week, things may only get worse for the Gophers, who are already winless in the Big Ten. Must be nice for 'Sota fans to know that Rick Rickert is hanging out in Marcus Taylor-land these days....

5. My periodontal surgeon recently revealed to me that she also worked on singer Sheryl Crow's gums. I don't know what to say about this, except that judging from Crow's recent late-night appearance the Doc did a nice job. I presume we'd get some agreement, too, from Crow's new domestique Lance Armstrong.

6. The 'Bag can't wait to say goodbye to Stanford's ridiculous bouncy floor, which is on the way out with the upcoming renovations to Maples Pavilion. I can always recognize my Stanford notebooks by the handwriting, which looks like it was produced while riding in a bumper car.

7. Can anyone tell me why Oklahoma didn't sit Kevin Bookout before his chronically injured shoulder turned so painful he couldn't play?

8. Hey, male journos: Trying to avoid looking like a pervert when all those cheerleaders are performing two feet in front of you on press row? The 'Bag likes to follow a helpful hint from longtime SI writer Alex Wolff: Take a look at the other group of (non-performing) cheerleaders instead. You'll see some of the cattiest, most hilarious behavior ever -- and none of them will think you're watching them. Great fun for hours.

9. Gonzaga freshman (and recent 'Bag subject) Adam Morrison has a fascination with Che Guevara, and he may be onto a new retro trend. The talk of the recent Sundance Film Festival was the film The Motorcycle Diaries, which stars Gael García Bernal as Che, and Benicio Del Toro's next project may be playing Che in a different movie. We'll check back in with our man Mo the next time we shop for new clothes ...

10. How many good writers and editors misspell the word publicly as publically? Absolutely kills me when I see it.

11. Picks from the 'Bag:

In theaters: Touching the Void. By far the best mountaineering film I've seen -- granted, there ain't much competition -- this harrowing true story rivals the classic books Into Thin Air and Annapurna as the top climbing works I've encountered in any medium.

Oscar nominations. For what it's worth, these were the 'Bag's top five movies in 2003:

1. Lost in Translation
2. Spellbound
3. Mystic River
4. American Splendor
5. City of God

12. Danny Faaborg Update: The 'Bag's favorite member of this year's All-Hobbit team hit for 12 points, including seven in a crucial second-half run, to lift Montana State over archrival Montana 77-61 last week. Nice to know that our man Danny is thriving in the national spotlight. Well done, lad!

WATN: Harold Jensen, pick up the courtesy phone

We never got a call back from Harold Jensen, the hero of Villanova's 1985 national-title game victory over Georgetown, but several readers report that Jensen runs a thriving commercial business in suburban Philly and still attends 'Nova games. Which brings us to another Pennsylvania legend. For next week's WATN, reader Eric Engel of Milwaukee, asks:

Where in the world is Jerome (Send it in, Jerome!) Lane?

See you next week.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl covers college basketball for the magazine and SI.com.