Bill Carmody was hoping to get through a quick, 10-minute press conference Thursday at the Big Ten's men's basketball media day without being asked about the Wildcats chances to make the NCAA tournament this season.

It didn't happen.

Carmody was asked if the Wildcats' albatross of never having made the tournament weighed heavily on his mind.

"It doesn't, but it's every team's goal to get in," Carmody said. "The spotlight is on us, because we've never been there and we have a really good shot. The players feel that this is it. I think we have a good shot."

In other Wildcat hoops nuggets:

* Carmody said Alex Marcotullio tried out for Great Britain's national team over the summer, but was cut and the junior will most likely try out again next year. If he makes the team, Marcotullio has the chance of being an Olympian since London is hosting next year's games.

* There are two freshmen whom everyone has been talking about in Benet product Dave Sobolewski and Texas native Tre Demps. But there's also 6-8 Chicagoan Mike Turner, who played at U-High. Carmody said Turner has surprised some people.

"He's gained 15 pounds, but he doesn't know what he's doing right now and I mean that in a friendly way," Carmody said. "But he's not afraid and now he has to refine the way he's playing."