Chuck Carlton, Big 12 beat writer for SportsDayDFW.com and The Dallas Morning News, answered questions about the league in a recent live chat. Here are some highlights:

If Texas Tech had steady success in football, where would its athletics department rank among the nation’s elite?

Carlton: Great question. First let’s stipulate what kind of success we’re talking about in football. How about the Mike Leach standard of a bowl game every year and occasionally challenging for even more, like 2008? In that case — and assuming that men’s basketball and baseball don’t regress — then Tech would be among the most best athletic departments in terms of performance in the country. It’s really hard to find athletic departments that excel in the big three men’s sports: football, basketball and baseball. Give AD Kirby Hocutt credit for tons of progress at Tech. The only thing remaining now is football. Matt Wells, come on down.

Thoughts on the new NCAA basketball rules taking effect next season?

Carlton: Meh. While it should help the game a bit on the margins, don’t know if this qualifies as a transformational change. Moving the 3-point line out to the international distance should help spread the floor a little and free up offense, which is the real goal on most of these changes. Going to the trapezoidal international lane would have helped more, but these things are going happen in increments. The biggest difference is going to have to come from coaches and their approach to offense and player freedom.

Who do you like in the College World Series?

Carlton: There’s no clear-cut favorite, so when in doubt, look to the SEC. Vanderbilt looks really solid and actually has a national title this decade. Arkansas might be due for some good karma after last year’s heart-breaking finish. Maybe the Razorbacks are the baseball version of Virginia in March Madness finding redemption. Elsewhere, don’t discount Texas Tech which is making its fourth CWS appearance in six years. And while this isn’t a vintage Florida State team, maybe Mark Martin can land that elusive title in his final season.

View the entire chat.