The Alley Oop

22 games this weekend feature Top 25 teams, but just one pits Top 25 teams against each other, as Tennessee travels to Kentucky. However, the game of the weekend will be the one I am attending, Maryland at #7 Duke.

Friday

#4 West Virginia (19-4, 8-3) at #23 Pittsburgh (18-6, 7-4)

The Backyard Brawl got ugly last time these teams met up with West Virginia fans throwing things onto the court. Hopefully, the Panthers fans will show a little more class. The Panthers were exceeding everyone's expectations to start the season but now seem to be coming back down to Earth. That fall will continue Friday night.

Prediction: West Virginia 75, Pittsburgh 69

#22 Cornell (20-3, 6-0) at Pennsylvania (3-15, 2-2)

Prediction: Cornell 82, Pennsylvania 49

Saturday

Iowa State (13-11, 2-7) at #1 Kansas (23-1, 9-0)

Kansas has a legitimate shot at going undefeated in the Big 12 this season. Iowa State figures to put up little resistance.

Prediction: Kansas 81, Iowa State 63

#12 Tennessee (18-5, 6-3) at #2 Kentucky (23-1, 8-1)

The Vols were routed at Vanderbilt earlier this week and now have to go to Lexington to take on the Wildcats. Kentucky is led by stud freshman's G John Wall and F DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins has a great case to be named SEC Player of the Year. Vols F-C Wayne Chism will have his work cut out for him dealing with Cousins and F Patrick Patterson. The Wildcats size will provide matchup nightmares for Tennessee.

Prediction: Kentucky 76, Tennessee 68

Providence (12-12, 4-8) at #5 Villanova (21-2, 10-1)

The Wildcats bounced back nicely from their loss at Georgetown by winning at West Virginia on Monday. The Friars have lost four in a row and with them giving up 79 points a game, will have a hard time slowing down Villanova, who averages 85 points per game.

Prediction: Villanova 84, Providence 70

Iowa (9-16, 3-9) at #6 Purdue (20-3, 8-3)

The Boilermakers are coming off a statement making win at overrated Michigan State. A win against Iowa on Saturday won't register any sort of statements other than "meh".

Prediction: Purdue 74, Iowa 58

Maryland (16-6, 6-2) at #7 Duke (20-4, 8-2)

Kind of surprised that the Twerps haven't broken into the Top 25 yet. They will have not played in almost a week heading into this one, as their Tuesday game against UVA was cancelled due to the snow. Duke seems to have more of an inside presence this year with the improved play of F Miles Plumlee, F Kyle Singler, and C Brian Zoubek. Twerps F Jordan Williams has been a force inside, averaging almost 8 rebounds per game. G Greivis Vasquez is making a case to be ACC Player of the Year, averaging 18.1 pts, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. This will be a fun one to watch in person. Maryland has had some success at Cameron in the past so I think they will give the Dookies a battle, but it won't be enough.

Prediction: Duke 85, Maryland 83

Colorado (11-12, 2-7) at #9 Kansas State (19-4, 6-3)

The Wildcats have been a surprise this year, I didn't them mentioned in many people's pre-season Top 10 lists. Should be a relatively easy night for them at home against the Buffaloes.

Prediction: Kansas State 83, Colorado 70

#10 Michigan State (19-6, 9-3) at Penn State (8-15, 0-11)

What the hell happened to Penn State? NIT champions last year, they have hit rock bottom this year and have yet to win a Big Ten game. The Spartans have dropped three in a row and will be desperate for a win. Good time to have the Nittany Lions on the schedule.

Prediction: Michigan State 69, Penn State 63

San Diego (9-16, 2-7) at #11 Gonzaga (19-4, 7-1)

Gonzaga doesn't impress me much, their true test will come Tournament time.

Prediction: Gonzaga 85, San Diego 57

Indiana (9-14, 3-8) at #13 Wisconsin (18-6, 8-4)

The Badgers will look to rebound from a rare home loss against Illinois earlier this week. Another Big Ten power fortunate to be playing a weak opponent.

Prediction: Wisconsin 72, Indiana 61

Nebraska (13-11, 1-8) at #14 Texas (19-5, 5-4)

Will Nebraska win an NCAA tournament game in my lifetime? The Longhorns continue what seems to be the theme of the weekend; struggling teams facing exactly the opponents they need to get back on track.

Prediction: Texas 78, Nebraska 68

#15 Butler (21-4, 14-0) at Cleveland State (12-12, 8-4)

The Bulldogs are cruising through the Horizon. Cleveland State's overall record isn't impressive but they should give Butler a challenge at home. This one will come down to the wire.

Prediction: Butler 68, Cleveland State 66

Air Force (9-14, 1-9) at #17 BYU (22-3, 7-2)

Cougars are 14-0 at home, Falcons are 0-8 on the road. A 1 month old could pick this game.

Prediction: BYU 85, Air Force 62

#18 Northern Iowa (22-3, 13-1) at Bradley (12-12, 7-7)

Northern Iowa barely survived Bradley at home last month and now get to face the Braves on the road. Another game that will be closer than the experts think.

Prediction: Northern Iowa 63, Bradley 58

#19 New Mexico (22-3, 8-2) at Utah (11-12, 4-5)

I could pretend to know something or act like I care about this game, but I don't and I won't.

Prediction: New Mexico 75, Utah 65

#20 Georgia Tech (17-7, 5-5) at Wake Forest (17-5, 7-3)

The Demon Deacons were throttled by the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, but are a much better home team. Tech has had their struggles on the road this year. I think the Demon Deacons will get this "upset" on the strength of F Al-Farouq Aminu, and earn themselves a spot in the Top 25.

Prediction: Wake Forest 77, Georgia Tech 69

Rhode Island (19-4, 7-3) at #21 Temple (19-5, 7-2)

People are saying the Atlantic 10 could possibly get 6 teams into the field of 65 this year. Reminds me of when I was a kid and the Atlantic 10 was relevant and not considered a mid-major conference. The Rams are trying to avenge an overtime loss to the Owls from earlier this season. This will be a competitive game throughout, the Rams will win a squeaker.

Prediction: Rhode Island 63, Temple 60

#22 Cornell (20-3, 6-0) at Princeton (13-5, 4-0)

The two unbeatens in the Ivy League face off. Big Red F Ryan Wittman is one of the better players in the country you haven't heard of. Cornell crushed Harvard and I expect the same in this one.

Prediction: Cornell 68, Princeton 54

LSU (9-15, 0-10) at #24 Vanderbilt (18-5, 7-2)

Another what the hell happened to them team is LSU. The Tigers can't score at all in SEC play. With them being 0-8 on the road and the Commodores being 12-0 at home makes this an easy call.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 88, LSU 57

#25 UNLV (19-5, 7-3) at San Diego State (17-7, 6-4)

UNLV being in the Top 25 also hearkens back to my childhood. Rebels G Tre'Von Willis averages 17.7 a game. The Aztecs don't have one main guy, as four players average double figures. F Kawhi Leonard will muscle the Aztecs past the Rebels.

Prediction: San Diego State 74, UNLV 71

Sunday

Louisville (15-8, 6-4) at #3 Syracuse (24-1, 11-1)

Louisville is fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives while the Orange have surprised everyone by being so dominant. F Wesley Johnson is earning most of the praise and rightfully so, averaging 16.1 pts, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. The Orange will get their twelfth win in a row.

Prediction: Syracuse 80, Louisville 74

#8 Georgetown (18-5, 8-4) at Rutgers (12-12, 2-9)

After last year's slip up the Hoyas seem poised to make some noise come March.

Prediction: Georgetown 77, Rutgers 72

#16 Ohio State (19-6, 9-3) at Illinois (17-8, 9-3)

Both these teams come into the game hot with 5-game winning streaks. Buckeyes G-F Evan Turner is the talk of the country and he is having a dominant season. He averages 19.2 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. I think he can will the Buckeyes to a tough road win.

Prediction: Ohio State 77, Illinois 76

Record: 1-0