1. The Eagles and Patriots will defend their conference titles and be back for Super Bowl… 1. The Eagles and Patriots will defend their conference titles and be back for Super Bowl XL.

Matt: Fact. No one can show me any reason that these two teams won’t be back, and it hurts me to say that as a Steelers fan. The Eagles will be the best team in football next year with the Pats losing their coordinators and probably a few free agents like Ty Law. Of course, there is parity and teams will improve, but these two teams should be odds on favorites to get back to the big dance.

Dave: I agree; this is a fact. I know it’s a little early to begin talking about Super Bowl XL. But with the weak NFC not showing too many signs of improvement, and the dominance the Pats have shown in the AFC, why shouldn’t we think these two teams will end up in Detroit? As much as I want to see my Steelers there, the Pats and the Eagles have to be the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl.

2. Pitt basketball will only go as far as Carl Krauser will take it.

Matt: Fact. But this is true with any team, not just Krauser and Pitt. Of course his play controls a lot of what the Panthers can do, but the test will be if the Panthers can win in spite of what Krauser does. If he has a big game, can Chevon Troutman or Chris Taft step up and take it over? Can Antonio Graves or Ronald Ramon take control of the offense? Only time will tell.

Dave: I agree with this one, too. This is a fact. When Krauser is distributing the basketball and making good decisions, the Panthers are as good as anyone in the nation. Not only did the change in personnel affect Pitt’s 3-point shooting, but Krauser’s ability to penetrate gives his teammates open looks at some great outside shots.

3. Jose Canseco is not lying in his new book with his various steroid allegations.

Matt: Fact. Why lie? Jose Canseco has nothing to lie about. Trust me. It won’t help sell that many books. I am intrigued by what he has said, but it doesn’t make me want to buy the book. I can just read what he said on the Internet. Book sales won’t go up, and Canseco stabbed a lot of people in the back for a buck or two, but I do believe he is telling the truth.

Dave: Just to add to the debate, I’ll say fiction. I think Canseco is making these claims to sell some more copies of his book and make some money. And it’s working, according to yesterday’s “Sportscenter,” online sales of the book have nearly tripled. I don’t doubt that the entire generation of baseball has been tainted with all this steroid talk. But I think we must consider the source on this one.

4. There will be an NHL season in 2005-06.

Matt: Fact. Somehow, someway, the two sides will agree in the next 10 months and there will be a season. I am not sure how they will get there, but both sides will have to compromise, and if they do, we should have a league.

Dave: Maybe just because I want to believe this, I’ll say fact. I agree with Sortino, somehow the two sides will reach some kind of agreement before the start of next season. It simply has to happen. Both sides are losing too much money without the NHL. Next season, hockey will be back.

Fact or Fiction is a weekly column written by Pitt News staff writers Matt Sortino and Dave Thomas.