George Mason (17-12, 10-7) at Delaware (17-13, 12-5)
An up and down, and maddeningly inconsistent regular season comes to an end for Mason on Saturday. At times this team has shown flashes of being very good, but mostly, they have looked average at best. Mason will either be the third or fourth seed in the seven team CAA Tournament next weekend. If they beat Delaware they assure themselves of the three seed, but if they lose, they have to hope that James Madison loses at William and Mary, or Mason will drop the four seed. None of it really makes much of a difference to me, but it would be nice to go to Richmond with a win, rather than having lost two straight.
Mason was beaten from start to finish by Delaware at the Patriot Center last month, but currently is riding a 4-game road winning streak. Delaware has struggled a bit at home in conference, so a Mason upset is not out of the question. The Blue Hens may also not be as motivated since they are locked into a 2 seed in the CAA Tournament. In the first meeting three players basically teamed up to beat Mason, the Blue Hens guards Devon Saddler and Jarvis Threatt each scored more than 20 points. Some good news for Mason is the Hens will likely be without or at least see limited action from Josh Brinkley, who shot 6 for 7 in the first game against Mason.
For Mason, hopefully Sherrod Wright can have a good game and build some confidence going into Richmond. Mason's biggest problem all season is they can't seem to get multiple guys playing well at the same time. It was Wright for most of the year, then Jonathan Arledge, and lately Erik Copes. If all three could get going at the same time, the Patriots would be very dangerous.
Some signs make me want to pick Mason to win this game, but when I have picked them the last few weekends I have mostly felt foolish. So maybe I will have a reverse jinx effect and pick the Hens.
Prediction: Delaware 74, George Mason 68
Sunday, March 3
Florida State (15-13, 7-8) at North Carolina (20-8, 10-5)
The Tar Heels have shown some real strides the last few weeks and have me feeling much better about the team and season. I know they won't be cutting down any nets in March, but I don't think its out of the realm of possibilities for them to make the Sweet Sixteen. Freshman point guard Marcus Paige has shown some real improvement with his decision making and shot. Reggie Bullock has become one of my favorite players to watch, as I love the drive and intensity he brings to each game. I think next season could be a real good year, as Dexter Strickland is the only senior of consequence they lose. I really hope James Michael McAdoo realizes he could use another year to refine his game, but am not that hopeful he will return.
As for this game, the Seminoles have been mostly bad this season, and if Carolina plays even somewhat decent they should control this game and win. Michael Snaer and Okaro White are the players to watch on Florida State.
Prediction: North Carolina 80, Florida State 67
Top 10
Saturday, March 2
Iowa (18-10, 7-8) at #1 Indiana (24-4, 12-3)
For the third time this season the Hoosiers fell to an unranked team while being ranked first in the country. The Hawkeyes sit squarely on the bubble and a win at Indiana would pretty much guarantee them an NCAA Tournament berth. The Hawkeyes gave Indiana a fight in their first meeting, and I expect another sluggish battle in this game. Too much Victor Oladipo and Indiana offense will be the difference.
Prediction: Indiana 75, Iowa 65
Portland (11-19, 4-11) at #2 Gonzaga (28-2, 15-0)
Barring a major miracle Gonzaga should be ranked as the number one team in the country come Monday morning. It just doesn't seem quite right, especially since the Zags play in such an awful conference. I need to start becoming more familiar with them though, especially F Kelly Olynyk.
Prediction: Gonzaga 79, Portland 52
#5 Miami (23-4, 14-1) at #3 Duke (24-4, 11-4)
This is the game of the weekend in college basketball. The Hurricanes finally lost an ACC game, getting throttled at Wake Forest, but rebounded nicely at home against Virginia Tech. Duke will be desperate to play well and win this game after Miami handed them one of the more embarrassing losses in Coach K's career at Duke. Miami has been ugly offensively most of the season but couldn't miss against Duke, while the Blue Devils couldn't hit the broad side of a barn that night. Seth Curry shot 0-10, which you figure can't come anywhere close to happening again. The lack of Ryan Kelly was really apparent with how Kenny Kadji had his way inside in that first meeting. I expect this game to be much more competitive, with Duke having to play very well to squeak out with a victory.
Prediction: Duke 64, Miami 60
West Virginia (13-15, 6-9) at #6 Kansas (24-4, 12-3)
A terrible season in major college sports for West Virginia. The football team imploded after a strong start, and the basketball team will probably not even make the CBI or CIT. The Jayhawks are still in the race for a number one seed, and strengthened their case with a come from behind win at Iowa State earlier this week.
Prediction: Kansas 77, West Virginia 62
Rutgers (13-13, 4-11) at #7 Georgetown (22-4, 12-3)
Otto Porter is basically all you need to know about the Hoyas and this game. Otto has been willing the Hoyas to victories and the Hoyas haven't lost since January 19th to South Florida (wtf?). Rutgers record isn't good but they do play tough and are rarely blown out.
Prediction: Georgetown 65, Rutgers 56
Alabama (19-9, 11-4) at #8 Florida (22-5, 12-3)
The Gators are suffering from the road blues in the SEC, dropping their last two road games. They still remain dominant as ever at home, and have a big game here against second place Alabama. The Tide have won five of six, but that has come against the middle of the pack and dregs of the SEC. If this game were in Bama, I would give them a chance, but no SEC team has come close to touching the Gators in Gainesville.
Prediction: Florida 74, Alabama 59
#10 Louisville (23-5, 11-4) at #12 Syracuse (22-6, 10-5)
These two teams will eventually move this rivalry to the ACC, but this will be their last meeting as Big East teams. Cuse has been struggling lately, while Louisville has looked great since that 5 overtime classic against Notre Dame. The Cardinal will be looking for revenge, as the Orange defeated them in Louisivlle in January, when the Cardinal were ranked number one in the country. Forward Chane Behanan had the dunk of the season Wednesday night against DePaul. If you haven't seen that, YouTube it. The Hoyas proved that the Orange can be beaten at the Carrier Dome, and I think with Syracuse scuffling they are due for another home loss.
Prediction: Louisville 60, Syracuse 58
Sunday, March 3
#9 Michigan State (22-6, 11-4) at #4 Michigan (23-5, 10-5)
The Wolverines were shocked by Penn State Wednesday night, the Nittany Lions first win in the Big Ten all season. Perhaps, they were caught looking ahead to hosting the Spartans on Sunday. Michigan is desperate for revenge after being embarrassed in East Lansing, 75-52. The Spartans also come into this game licking their wounds, currently on a 2 game losing streak. Trey Burke was the only Wolverine that showed up in the first meeting. For Michigan to win this time, he will need some help from Glenn Robinson III and Tim Hardaway Jr. The Wolverines will also need to up the defensive intensity since Sparty shot almost 50% in the last game between these teams. This game should be intense with the rivalry aspect and both teams desperate to get back on the right track.
Prediction: Michigan 71, Michigan State 65
Last Week: 8-3
Overall: 24-9
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