The Alley - Oop

I kind of like this whole notion of not getting into college basketball until the NFL season is over. With the Super Bowl now in February, that leaves just one month of college basketball until March Madness, one of the most exciting times of the year in sports. Some of the mid-major conferences close out their regular seasons this weekend, and conference tournaments will begin next weekend.

Sunday

Maryland (18-10, 7-6) at #19 North Carolina (21-6, 11-2)

The Terps have slim NCAA Tournament hopes but more than likely will end up in what seems like their normal destination as of late, the NIT. They really only have one player that is worth anything and that is F Jordan Williams who leads the team with 17.2 ppg and 11.5 rpg. Freshman G Terrell Stoglin has given the Terps hope for the future, reaching double digits in scoring his last 5 games, including two 25 point outbursts during that string. Carolina followed up a sloppy home win against Boston College, with a strong second half from Harrison Barnes that powered them to victory over their "rival" NC State. The Heels are just a game back of Duke for the ACC championship, and if they can beat the Twerps and then win at Florida State, their game at home against Duke will be even bigger than usual. Maryland hasn't broken through against good teams this year, but they have competed so this won't be a cake walk for Carolina.

Prediction: North Carolina 71, Maryland 65

Saturday

George Mason (24-5, 15-2) at Georgia State (11-17, 6-11)

Last night, Mason grinded out a tougher than expected win at home against Northeastern. The victory was their 14th in a row, and gave Mason the regular season CAA championship. A spot in the NCAA Tournament seems secure so this game doesn't really mean anything for Mason. However, the players seem to be as disgusted as me that they aren't ranked in either poll yet, so that should keep them motivated for this game against the Panthers. The Panthers are returning home for the first time in two weeks. and are on the heels of an 0-3 road trip. They like to slow the pace down and the only chance they have in this game is if they can hold Mason under 60 points. Their leading scorer, F Eric Buckner averages just 9.6 ppg. The Panthers can play suffocating defense and in their first game against Mason, they held the Patriots to just 24 first half points. However, Cam Long got hot in the second half of that game and Mason pulled away. I won't take anything for granted, especially with how much trouble Northeastern gave Mason, but Mason should win and finish a very impressive 16-2 in CAA play.

Prediction: George Mason 59, Georgia State 51

#1 Duke (26-2, 12-1) at Virginia Tech (18-8, 8-5)

The Hokies find themselves in their normal spot of being on the bubble, but have a huge opportunity to get off the bubble, hosting #1 Duke. Duke is #1 by attrition, as everyone in front of them lost last week. I don't think anyone really buys that Duke is the best team in the country. G Malcom Delaney has to have a big game for the Hokies to spring the upset. This game is in prime time and the crowd will be amped up, but I don't think it will be enough to give Virginia Tech the win.

Prediction: Duke 76, Virginia Tech 72

#2 Kansas (26-2, 11-2) at Oklahoma (12-15, 4-9)

Is Jeff Capel on the hot seat in Norman? I know basketball is secondary at Oklahoma but the Sooners have really regressed since Blake Griffin left. This is the Jayhawks last easy game of the season, as they close with Texas A&M and Missouri, then its tournament time.

Prediction: Kansas 78, Oklahoma 66

#7 BYU (26-2, 12-1) at #4 San Diego State (27-1, 12-1)

These two are moving up in the world, as instead of being relegated to CBS College Sports, they get the real CBS treatment. The Aztecs only loss came at BYU about a month ago, but I still don't think they are that legit. I don't think either of these teams is worthy of #1 seed consideration. It's one thing to beat up on Colorado State all year, it will be a whole other world for these two come NCAA Tournament time. These teams are pretty evenly matched, so advantage home team.

Prediction: San Diego State 70, BYU 66

#5 Texas (24-4, 12-1) at Colorado (17-11, 6-7)

The Buffaloes are desperate for a win to try to hang on to the bubble. I was really surprised by the Longhorns loss at Nebraska, when they had a chance to become #1 in the country. I can't see them getting knocked off on the road by unranked teams on back to back Saturday's.

Prediction: Texas 82, Colorado 75

Seton Hall (11-16, 5-10) at #9 Notre Dame (22-5, 11-4)

Notre Dame nearly dropped their second game in a row to Providence but were able to scrape together a win, despite allowing the Friars Marshon Brooks to score 52 points. They may find a challenge from the Pirates but Psycho T's little brother Ben should answer the bell.

Prediction: Notre Dame 77, Seton Hall 66

#10 Arizona (23-5, 12-3) at UCLA (20-8, 11-4)

A Pac-10 team finally clawed their way into the Top 10, and then the Wildcats promptly lost at USC. The Bruins have been on a roll, winning 11 of their last 13 games. The Bruins have a balanced offensive attack, while the Wildcats rely on NBA prospect Derrick Williams' 19.3 ppg. I don't think the Wildcats are as good as their record indicates, and certainly not good enough to win at Pauly Pavillion against a good UCLA team.

Prediction: UCLA 73, Arizona 70

Sunday

Indiana (12-16, 3-12) at #3 Ohio State (26-2, 13-2)

Maybe I am a curse for the Buckeyes. I picked them 2 weeks in a row to win tough road games and each time they lost. They should prove me right at home against what seems to be a perpetually rebuilding Hoosiers team.

Prediction: Ohio State 80, Indiana 63

#6 Pittsburgh (25-3, 13-2) at #16 Louisville (21-7, 10-5)

Tough road test for the Panthers. The Cardinals have been perfect at home in Big East play, and just held sorry Rutgers to 37 points. This is a really tough game to call, and when I get scared about making an upset pick I usually don't.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 77, Louisville 75

#8 Purdue (23-5, 12-3) at Michigan State (16-11, 8-7)

Why does a 16-11 record, and an 8-7 Big Ten record have all the pundits saying Michigan State is good enough to make the NCAA Tournament? The only good win they have is an overtime win against Wisconsin. If they beat Purdue then maybe they have an argument. Problem is, I don't think they will be able to stop the scoring machine that is JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore.

Prediction: Purdue 74, Michigan State 68

Last Week: 10-2
Overall: 19-4