The Alley-Oop

Last week I showed my college basketball prowess as I called all the right upsets. I will try to continue that string this week. Another weekend with no real marquee games but the closer we move to March the more important these games become for some of the bubble teams as they try to fight their way into the NCAA Tournament.

Friday

#13 Villanova (20-4, 8-3) at West Virginia (16-9, 5-6)

Villanova is merely playing for seeding at this point for the NCAA Tournament, while West Virginia sits squarely on the bubble. The Mountaineers have had some road troubles lately but have been a different team at home. Home court means so much in college basketball, it will be evident in this one.

Prediction: West Virginia 68, Villanova 62

Illinois-Chicago (11-13, 4-10) at #15 Butler (21-2, 12-1)

Butler rolls.

Prediction: Butler 66, Illinois-Chicago 52

Saturday

#1 Connecticut (23-1, 11-1) at Seton Hall (14-9, 5-6)

The Huskies 2nd leading scorer Jerome Dyson is out indefinitely. Seton Hall will pose some problems for the Huskies early but UCONN is just too good.

Prediction: Connecticut 78, Seton Hall 65

Texas Tech (12-12, 2-7) at #2 Oklahoma (24-1, 10-0)

The Sooners might be the quietest 24-1 team ever. Bob Knight's plan to get his son Pat a head start on the coaching job last year at Texas Tech doesn't seem to be paying dividends.

Prediction: Oklahoma 83, Texas Tech 65

Cincinnati (17-8, 7-5) at #4 Pittsburgh (22-2, 9-2)

The Bearcats could give Pittsburgh some problems. Not much was expected of Cincinnati before the season started but they have fought their way into contention for a tournament berth. Pittsburgh needs to keep winning if they hope to get a #1 seed in March. They have a huge game at Connecticut on Monday and could be caught looking ahead here.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 73, Cincinnati 69

#6 UCLA (19-5, 8-3) at Arizona (17-8, 7-5)

UCLA crushed Arizona in their first meeting in Cali but that was a different Wildcats team. The Wildcats come into this one having won six in a row. The Bruins dropped one to Arizona State last night and will try to avoid the Arizona sweep. I think momentum and Chase Buddinger carries the Wildcats to victory.

Prediction: Arizona 71, UCLA 68

#25 Florida State (19-5, 6-3) at #8 Wake Forest (18-4, 5-4)

Wake Forest has really struggled since victories at home against North Carolina and Duke. Most of their troubles have come on the road. Florida State finally got into the Top 25 as they upset Clemson as I predicted. Even though Wake is strugg a ling that is a tough place to win and I think Jeff Teague will outplay his counterpart Toney Douglas.

Prediction: Wake Forest 78, Florida State 74

#10 Memphis (21-3, 9-0) at Southern Miss (13-10, 3-6)

Memphis doesn't lose in Conference USA.

Prediction: Memphis 80, Southern Miss 63

St. John's (12-12, 3-9) at #12 Marquette (20-4, 9-2)

Marquette has lost two in a row after a 9-0 start to Big East play. St. Johns will cure those ails.

Prediction: Marquette 86, St. John's 70

Fordham (3-18, 1-8) at #14 Xavier (20-4, 8-2)

Mismatch. Much like Marquette, Xavier gets exactly the opponent they need to end a 2 game losing streak.

Prediction: Xavier 81, Fordham 55

#16 Kansas (19-5, 8-1) at Kansas State (17-7, 6-4)

Kansas State comes in as the hot team in this in state rivalry. They have won six in a row after starting 0-4 in the Big 12. Kansas choked away a win against Missouri on Monday, their first Big 12 loss of the season. Wildcats G Denis Clemente will help them spring the upset.

Prediction: Kansas State 79, Kansas 78

#17 Utah State (24-1, 12-0) at Boise State (16-7, 6-4)

Utah State brings their 19 game winning streak into Boise. Boise has been very tough at home where they are 11-1. Utah State plays stingy defense, only allowing 59.6 a game and is undefeated on the road. The Broncos have a balanced attack, led by F Mark Sanchez. Want to pick the upset.... but won't.

Prediction: Utah State 72, Boise State 69

Nebraska (15-7, 5-4) at #19 Missouri (21-4, 8-2)

Missouri is 15-0 at home and coming off an emotional come from behind win against Kansas. Nebraska is squarely on the bubble and knocked off Texas last Saturday. Both teams enter with winning streaks, Missouri has won four in a row, the Cornhuskers three. Nebraska took the first meeting in Lincoln 56-51, holding Missouri 32 points under their season average. I think the Tigers have a letdown.

Prediction: Nebraska 68, Missouri 65

#21 Gonzaga (18-5, 9-0) at San Francisco (9-16, 1-9)

The Zags with the blowout win.

Prediction: Gonzaga 83, San Francisco 67

Georgetown (13-9, 4-7) at #22 Syracuse (18-7, 6-6)

Huge game for both teams as they try to fight their way into the NCAA Tournament. Both teams haven't been playing well as of late, the Cuse have dropped 5 of 6, while the Hoyas have lost 6 of 7. Georgetown took the first meeting in DC, 88-74. F DaJuan Summers and C Greg Monroe will be the keys for the Hoyas. However, they have been awful on the road and the Carrier Dome isn't the place to get well.

Prediction: Syracuse 73, Georgetown 64

#23 Purdue (18-6, 7-4) at Iowa (13-12, 3-9)

Iowa has been absolutely dreadful on the road and stellar at home. That will allow them to keep it close with the Boilermakers. Purdue has dropped their last 2 on the road but does have some impressive road wins at Northwestern, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Purdue squeaks by.

Prediction: Purdue 64, Iowa 60

Oregon (6-18, 0-12) at #24 Washington (18-6, 9-3)

Oregon has taken Oregon State's place as the Pac 10 punching bag.

Prediction: Washington 83, Oregon 71

Sunday

#3 North Carolina (22-2, 8-2) at Miami (15-8, 4-6)

The Tar Heels decimated Duke in Cameron on Wednesday and have regained their swagger with 8 straight wins. Miami needs a win to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive and has been playing better of late, with a blowout win over Wake and a close loss at Duke. In the first meeting Miami hung around in the first half, before Wayne Ellington exploded, and carried the Tar Heels to a blowout win. North Carolina will have to slow down G Jack McClinton, and if they don't hope for huge games from Ellington and Danny Green like last time. Miami can be a tough place to play and the Tar Heels have to avoid a letdown. It won't be easy but Carolina will get the W.

Prediction: North Carolina 85, Miami 81

#5 Duke (20-4, 7-3) at Boston College (18-8, 6-5)

The Eagles have dropped 2 in a row after a 5 game winning streak. Both teams average about the same on offense but Duke is significantly better on defense. Boston College will need G Tyrese Rice to have a great game in order for them to have a chance. On defense they have to limit Duke's outside shot, which as everyone knows is the blueprint to beating the Blue Devils. I think Duke is beginning their annual late season swoon.

Prediction: Boston College 79, Duke 77

DePaul (8-17, 0-12) at #7 Louisville (18-5, 9-2)

I feel sorry for DePaul, after the beat down Lousiville received at the hands of Notre Dame last night, they are going to be angry.

Prediction: Louisville 78, DePaul 54

#11 Clemson (20-3, 6-3) at Virginia (7-13, 1-8)

Man, the Cavaliers are terrible.

Prediction: Clemson 82, Virginia 68

Loyola (12-14, 4-10) at #15 Butler (21-2, 12-1)

Hey look, it's Butler again, and again they are playing another sorry team from the Horizon League.

Prediction: Butler 71, Loyola 53

USC (15-8, 6-5) at #18 Arizona State (19-5, 8-4)

Arizona State lost the first meeting between these two in So Cal. Time for revenge in Tucson.

Prediction: Arizona State 67, USC 58

#20 Illinois (20-5, 8-4) at Indiana (6-17, 1-10)

It just gets worse and worse for the Hoosiers.

Prediction: Illinois 68, Indiana 58

Record: 22-5