Top Games
No. 7 Villanova at No. 3 Syracuse (Saturday, 12:00 PM, ESPN): Both teams lost on Monday, and are looking to bounce back with a win. The key could be Kris Joseph, who missed the Orange’s loss to Pittsburgh. Villanova might not have anyone to guard him. Prediction: Syracuse 76, Villanova 71
No. 1 Ohio State at No. 23 Illinois (Saturday, 12:00 PM, CBS): Ohio State looks to keep its undefeated season going on the road. Illinois’ big men aren’t the toughest of players, so it will be interesting to see if they keep Jared Sullinger off the glass. Prediction: Ohio State 69, Illinois 68
No. 22 Saint Mary’s at Vanderbilt (Saturday, 2:00 PM): Someone tell me how this game isn’t on television? Saint Mary’s has a terrific guard tandem in Matthew Dellavedova and Matthew McConnell, while Vandy counters with John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor. Prediction: Vanderbilt 82, Saint Mary’s 75
Kansas State at No. 11 Texas A&M (Saturday, 2:00 PM, ESPN): Kansas State has completely fell out of the Big 12 race, and it needs a win here. Texas A&M got blown out at Texas during the week. Expect this to be a half-court battle with plenty of physical defense. Prediction: Texas A&M 63, Kansas State 59
Tennessee at No. 8 Connecticut (Saturday, 2:00 PM, CBS): Another very solid non-conference game. Tennessee has won two in a row since losing six of nine, while Connecticut still isn’t falling apart in Big East play like many onlookers anticipated. Prediction: Connecticut 71, Tennessee 64
No. 25 Cincinnati at St. John’s (Saturday, 4:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): Both teams could use a win to shore up their resumes at this point. St. John’s was just obliterated by Louisville, while Cincinnati has lost three of its last four since starting 15-0. Prediction: St. John’s 70, Cincinnati 60
No. 10 Texas at No. 2 Kansas (Saturday, 4:00 PM, CBS): The weekend’s marquee game comes courtesy of the Big 12. Texas is coming off a big-time blowout of Texas A&M; can the Longhorns give the Jayhawks a game on the road? Jordan Hamilton vs. Marcus Morris? I’m in. Prediction: Kansas 74, Texas 66
Marquette at No. 16 Notre Dame (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): Notre Dame is tough to beat on its homecourt, but Marquette needs to start winning games if it wants to see its name on Selection Sunday. The Golden Eagles won the first meeting by 22. Prediction: Notre Dame 78, Marquette 71
No. 17 Michigan State at No. 14 Purdue (Saturday, 9:00 PM, ESPN): In the preseason, before Robbie Hummel’s injury, this was looked at as a game between two top-three teams. Michigan State is still looking to develop consistency; can it stop JaJuan Johnson? Prediction: Purdue 62, Michigan State 58
Conference Clashes
Temple at Xavier (Saturday, 3:00 PM, ESPN2): Two of the Atlantic-10’s best programs over the last several seasons, they’re also both near the top of the standings this year. Temple lost to Duquesne last weekend, while Xavier is turning things around. Prediction: Temple 71, Xavier 67
New Mexico at UNLV (Saturday, 4:00 PM, Versus): Both teams took a severe hit on Wednesday, with New Mexico losing to Utah on the road and UNLV getting blitzed at home by Colorado State. Which team will get the bounce-back victory on Saturday? Prediction: UNLV 79, New Mexico 70
Memphis at UAB (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPN2): Memphis may have salvaged its season with its huge comeback win at Southern Miss on Wednesday. UAB is currently 3-1 in Conference-USA, with the lone loss coming by 16 at Tulsa. Both teams have been up-and-down. Prediction: Memphis 78, UAB 73
No. 9 BYU at Colorado State (Saturday, 9:00 PM, Mountain): Any time to see Jimmer Fredette is must-watch TV. Colorado State beat UNLV by 15 on the road on Wednesday, so this one won’t be a cakewalk for the Cougars – they can’t look ahead to San Diego State. Prediction: BYU 76, Colorado State 68
Mid-Major Madness
George Mason at James Madison (Saturday, 11:00 AM, ESPNU): James Madison fell just short at Old Dominion on Wednesday, but both JMU and George Mason are 5-2 and one game back in the CAA. George Mason is coming off an impressive 24-point win over Drexel. Prediction: James Madison 73, George Mason 70
Wright State at Cleveland State (Saturday, 2:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): With both teams a half-game behind Valparaiso, they need to keep pace. It’s also a chance to see a good guard battle between Norris Cole and Vaughn Duggins. Prediction: Cleveland State 65, Wright State 54
Hampton at Bethune-Cookman (Saturday, 4:00 PM): Two of the best teams in the MEAC square off. Bethune-Cookman is 5-0 in the conference, although most were close results. Hampton had a good non-conference session and is 4-1 within the league. Prediction: Bethune-Cookman 56, Hampton 54
VCU at Old Dominion (Saturday, 4:00 PM, Comcast Sports Group): Another big-time game in the Colonial. VCU is tied atop the league with Hofstra, while preseason favorite Old Dominion is just a game back. Expect high-intensity defense from both teams. Prediction: Old Dominion 66, VCU 62
Indiana State at Wichita State (Saturday, 8:05 PM, Regional TV): Indiana State cemented its status as a MVC contender with Jake Kelly’s three-point play to beat Missouri State, while preseason favorite Wichita State just lost to struggling Northern Iowa. Prediction: Wichita State 71, Indiana State 59
Montana State at Montana (Saturday, 9:00 PM): Both teams are chasing 6-0 Northern Colorado in the Big Sky standings. Montana has won nine of its last 10 overall since starting 5-4, while Montana State is winners in five of its last six contests. Prediction: Montana 69, Montana State 62
Belmont at East Tennessee State (Sunday, 4:00 PM): Belmont is running away with the Atlantic Sun, but this could be a spot the Bruins slip up. ETSU is second in the standings at 7-1, and it has won eight in a row overall. Can dominating Belmont drop a game? Prediction: Belmont 83, East Tennessee State 70
Other Games to Watch
Clemson at Maryland (Saturday, 2:30 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): After Maryland’s embarrassment at home against Virginia Tech on Thursday night, the Terrapins need to win. Clemson is on the outskirts of bubble country; a loss here would end it. Prediction: Maryland 82, Clemson 67
Oklahoma State at Baylor (Saturday, 4:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): If either team wants to make the Big Dance, a win here is necessary. Oklahoma State has lost two of its last three, while Baylor was hammered by 30 at home against Kansas on Monday. Prediction: Baylor 79, Oklahoma State 70
No. 12 Kentucky at South Carolina (Saturday, 6:00 PM, ESPN): South Carolina was the forgotten team in the SEC this season, but the Gamecocks are 3-1 in the conference. Kentucky suffered a road loss at Alabama this week. A nice freshmen battle between B.J. Ellington and Brandon Knight will be fun to watch. Prediction: Kentucky 75, South Carolina 68
Boston College at Florida State (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPNU): Florida State is starting to establish itself as the second-best team in the ACC, an honor which Boston College held for a bit this season. Can the Seminoles’ defense corral BC guard Reggie Jackson? Prediction: Florida State 64, Boston College 58
Iowa State at No. 13 Missouri (Saturday, 9:00 PM, ESPNU): Iowa State has lost three of its last four since starting 13-2 in non-conference play. Missouri bounced back from a three-overtime loss to Texas A&M with a blowout victory over Kansas State. Prediction: Missouri 84, Iowa State 71
Arizona at Washington State (Saturday, 10:30 PM, FSN Regional): A Pac-10 showdown between two of the best players in the country – Arizona’s Derrick Williams and Washington State’s Klay Thompson. Winner gets second-place in the league. Prediction: Washington State 72, Arizona 68
Miami (Fl.) at North Carolina State (Sunday, 12:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): Here’s a last chance for both teams to stay in the at-large mix in the ACC. Miami somehow lost to Florida State despite the ‘Noles making five field-goals in the first half, while NC State lost to Duke. Prediction: North Carolina State 76, Miami (Fl.) 66
No. 18 Wisconsin at Northwestern (Sunday, 12:30 PM, Big Ten Network): Two of the more versatile forwards in the country go head-to-head when John Shurna of Northwestern takes on Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer. Northwestern absolutely can’t lose. Prediction: Northwestern 69, Wisconsin 65
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