Top Games to Watch This Weekend
This week's top game is Villanova at Texas, a
battle of two Top 10 teams. You can read a complete breakdown of
the game at CHN's Game of the Week. Here
are previews of this weekend's four other top games:
Washington at UCLA (Saturday, 4:00 PM, FSN)-
This game could go a long way towards determining the Pac-10
Championship. UCLA went to Arizona and won, and the Wildcats went to
Washington and emerged victorious. It’s Washington’s turn to pick up a
big road win. The Huskies are a very balanced team offensively, led by
National Player of the Year candidate Brandon Roy. Jon Brockman and
Jamaal Williams are tough down low, while Bobby Jones is an excellent
defender who can also score. Justin Dentmon is a solid point guard, and
Ryan Appleby is an excellent shooter. UCLA is getting killed by
injuries, but are still going to be competitive. Jordan Farmar and Aaron
Afflalo are one of the best backcourts in the country, while Luc Richard
Mbah a Moute is an underrated forward. Darren Collison is a developing
scorer at the point guard spot. Prediction: Washington 80, UCLA 76
Syracuse at Cincinnati (Saturday, 8:00 PM, ESPN
FullCourt)- Two teams that will be in thick of the Big East race
come March. Syracuse is starting to develop into a team that is going to
be a tough out in a couple of months. Gerry McNamara can keep the Orange
in the game from the perimeter, while Terrence Roberts is the main man
down low. Demetris Nichols is a versatile scorer at the forward spot and
guard Eric Devendorf is a crafty player in the backcourt. Cincinnati is
falling apart due to injuries, and are going to be very thin for the
rest of the season. James White is an excellent all-around player, while
Eric Hicks is one of the best big men in the country. Devan Downey is a
very good freshman point guard and Cedric McGowan is a solid forward.
Prediction: Cincinnati 68, Syracuse 64
Pittsburgh at Louisville (Sunday, 1:00 PM, ESPN
FullCourt)- This could be the coming-out party for Pitt. The
Panthers are one of three undefeated teams left in the country, and are
showing they are going to be a team to be reckoned with in March. Carl
Krauser is one of the best guards in America, while center Aaron Gray
might be the most improved player in the country. Levance Fields is a
shifty point guard that can score and fellow freshman Sam Young is a
versatile scorer at forward. Louisville needs a quality win in order to
bounce back after what seems like a season-long slump. Juan Palacios and
David Padgett are a good inside duo and Taquan Dean is one of the best
all-around guards in the country. Brandon Jenkins is an underrated
perimeter player and Terrence Williams leads a host of freshman that
contribute. Prediction: Pitt 70, Louisville 68
Michigan State at Ohio State (Sunday, 4:30 PM,
CBS)- Two of the Big Ten’s best teams battle it out in Columbus.
Michigan State needs a win in order to avoid a 1-3 start in conference
play. They are coming off of a dominant win over Indiana at home.
Maurice Ager and Shannon Brown form one of the best wing duos in the
nation, while post player Paul Davis is having an All-America-type
season. Drew Neitzel is a solid point guard that doesn’t turn the ball
over much. Ohio State is still one of the big surprises in college
basketball at 12-1. Je’Kel Foster might be the best three-point shooter
in the country and Terence Dials is one of the best big men in the
conference. J.J. Sullinger is a good inside-outside swingman, while Ron
Lewis leads a host of perimeter players that can put the ball in the
basket. Prediction: Ohio State 84, Michigan State 79
Five Other Predictions
Georgetown at Connecticut (Saturday, 12:00 PM,
ESPN FullCourt)- Prediction: Connecticut 72, Georgetown 61
Missouri State at Wichita State (Saturday, 8:05
PM, Regional TV)- Prediction: Wichita State 81, Missouri State 75
Michigan at Illinois (Saturday, 4:30 PM, ESPN
FullCourt)- Prediction: Illinois 69, Michigan 59
Tennessee at LSU (Saturday, 8:00 PM, FSN)-
Prediction: LSU 76, Tennessee 68
Wake Forest at Maryland (Sunday, 7:30 PM, FSN)-
Prediction: Maryland 84, Wake Forest 75
