The Alley-Oop

Welcome to the Alley-Oop. Each Friday until the major conference tournaments kick into action I will preview and predict the Top 25 action for the weekend. There a few games between ranked teams this weekend but no colossal matchups. However, that doesn't stop me from writing about it and shouldn't stop you from reading. Come March Madness when you are filling out your bracket for your pools and you actually know more than the Top 10 teams you will be happy you followed The Alley Oop.

Friday

#8 Marquette (20-2, 9-0) at South Florida (7-14, 2-7)

Despite losing coach Tom Crean to Indiana, Marquette has roared to a 9-0 start in the tough Big East. It will be 10-0 after they dispose of the Bulls.

Prediction: Marquette 80, South Florida 62

Saturday

Michigan (15-8) at #1 Connecticut (21-1)

Michigan has earned some big wins this year over Duke and UCLA. However, they currently sit under .500 in the Big Ten and are definitely on the bubble when it comes to making the NCAA tournament. A win over UCONN would put them in great shape to make it in unless they have a total collapse afterwards. UCONN is led by F Jeff Adrien and C Hasheem Thabeet and since losing at home against Georgetown have been dominant, including a very impressive road win at Louisville on Monday. Michigan is just 1-5 on the road and it might get ugly for them in Storrs.

Prediction: Connecticut 77, Michigan 64

Colorado (9-12, 1-6) at #2 Oklahoma (22-1, 8-0)

Oklahoma has been led by stud F Blake Griffin and since an upset loss to Arkansas has won 10 in a row. They are undefeated at home while Colorado has yet to win a road game, pretty easy call here.

Prediction: Oklahoma 84, Colorado 57

Miami (15-7, 4-5) at #3 Duke (19-3, 6-2)

Duke is coming off an embarrassing loss at Clemson, while Miami blew out Wake Forest at home. Duke might be caught looking ahead to their game with North Carolina on Wednesday but I am sure Mike Kryzhisnameistoohardtospell will have the Blue Devils ready. Plus, Duke will be looking for revenge for last seasons loss at Miami. Duke will likely shoot much better in this one and the Cameron Crazies will be a factor.

Prediction: Duke 73, Miami 65

Virginia (7-11, 1-6) at #4 North Carolina (20-2, 6-2)

Now normally North Carolina would get their own post but really what is their to say about this one? Carolina could start their 5 bench players and would still beat the sorry Cavaliers. They could scout Duke and not spend a second on UVA and they would still crush, you get my drift.

Prediction: North Carolina 95, Virginia 60

#5 Pittsburgh (20-2, 7-2) at DePaul (8-15, 0-10)

DePaul has yet to find a way to win in the Big East and it get's even harder as the Panthers come to town. F Sam Young and G LeVance Fields carry the Panthers but expect some different contributors to get some action in this one as the Panthers roll.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 84, DePaul 69

#9 Xavier (20-2, 8-0) at Duquesne (14-7, 5-3)

Xavier has steamrolled through the Atlantic-10 thus far but could get a test from Duquesne. Duquesne's program was a mess after some of their players were shot a few years ago but it seems they are starting to turn a corner. Duquesne gives up 75 points a game so for them to spring the upset they will have to play much better defense. I am tempted to pick an upset but I think Xavier holds on.

Prediction: Xavier 78, Duquesne 75

Florida State (17-5, 4-3) at #10 Clemson (19-2, 5-2)

Clemson is coming off a huge victory over Duke. Florida State has quietly been having a good season. Wake Forest hasn't reacted well to their win over Duke and I think the same bug will befall Clemson.

Prediction: Florida State 74, Clemson 71

#11 Butler (20-2, 11-1) at Wright State (14-9, 8-4)

Butler was upset by Wisconsin Green Bay on Monday and their is potential for an upset here. Wright State has recovered from an 0-6 start to win 14 of 17 and is 7-2 at home. I think the loss to Green Bay will have Butler on notice for this one.

Prediction: Butler 62, Wright State 56

Notre Dame (12-9) at #12 UCLA (18-4)

Notre Dame has completely fallen apart, losing 6 in a row. If they don't start winning they will be headed to the NIT or worse the CBI. UCLA isn't quite playing the level of defense they have in recent years and may have some trouble shutting down F Luke Harangody. A win here for the Irish could awaken their NCAA Tournament hopes. I don't think the Irish have the horses on defense though to pull it out.

Prediction: UCLA 71, Notre Dame 64

Indiana (6-15, 1-8) at #14 Michigan State (18-4, 8-2)

Michigan State has had some surprising home losses in the Big Ten this year, if they lost this one it would be the mother load of surprising losses.

Prediction: Michigan State 79, Indiana 61

#15 Memphis (19-3) at #18 Gonzaga (17-4)

Both of these teams are taking a break from beating up on their conferences to try to beat up on each other. Memphis has won 13 in a row while Gonzaga has won 9 in a row. G Tyreke Evans has lived up to his billing, as he leads the Tigers in scoring with 16.8 a game. Gonzaga is led by forwards Josh "Shrooms" Heytvelt and Austin Daye. These two are about the same on defense while Gonzaga scores a little more than Memphis. I think this young Memphis squad is ready for a signature win.

Prediction: Memphis 84, Gonzaga 82

#20 Syracuse (18-5, 6-4) at #16 Villanova (18-4, 6-3)

Syracuse is led by flashy guards Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf. The Orange started off hot but have cooled recently, losing 3 of 4. Villanova is led by G Scottie Reynolds who has seemingly been there forever and F Dante Cunningham. Syracuse has had problems on the road while Villanova has been virtually unbeatable at home.

Prediction: Villanova 75, Syracuse 69

#17 Texas (15-6, 4-3) at Nebraska (14-7, 4-4)

Texas has hit some hard times recently, dropping 2 in a row at home to Kansas State and Missouri. G A.J. Abrams has struggled with his shooting and until he can get back on track the Longhorns will continue to struggle. I think the Cornhuskers smell blood and feast on the Longhorns.

Prediction: Nebraska 68, Texas 64

#19 Minnesota (18-4, 6-4) at Ohio State (16-5, 6-4)

Minnesota was just destroyed at Michigan State while Ohio State is coming off an impressive home win against Purdue. This is another game where home court will prevail.

Prediction: Ohio State 63, Minnesota 58

Louisiana Tech (9-14, 3-7) at #22 Utah State (22-1, 10-0)

Blowout city baby!

Prediction: Utah State 78, Louisiana Tech 53

#23 Arizona State (17-5, 6-4) at Oregon State (10-11, 4-6)

Oregon State, NO YOU CAN'T!

Prediction: Arizona State 65, Oregon State 61

Oklahoma State (14-7, 3-4) at #24 Kansas (18-4, 7-0)

Defending champion Kansas is putting together a nice season, despite losing the core of its national championship team. However, they haven't really faced the best of the Big 12 yet. Oklahoma State is decent but Kansas will be fine at home.

Prediction: Kansas 79, Oklahoma State 68

Sunday

Boston College (18-6, 6-3) at #6 Wake Forest (17-3, 4-3)

Wake has been strugg a ling recently, while Boston College has recovered from a 4 game losing streak with a 5 game winning streak. This looks to have all the makings of a BC victory but I think Wake coach Dino Gaudio will have his team ready, and G Jeff Teague will give Wake their second victory over the Eagles this season.

Prediction: Wake Forest 75, Boston College 66

#7 Louisville (17-4, 8-1) at St. John's (12-10, 3-7)

Easy pick.

Prediction: Louisville 75, St. John's 63

#13 Purdue (17-5, 6-3) at #21 Illinois (18-5, 6-4)

Another home court advantage game.

Prediction: Illinois 63, Purdue 59

#25 Washington (16-6, 7-3) at Stanford (14-6, 4-6)

Washington plays their fourth straight road game in Palo Alto. They will be excited to finally be home after they lose this one.

Prediction: Stanford 74, Washington 72

Record: 2-0