Friday's Picks Cont'd

Big 10

Michigan (10-21, 5-13) vs. #6 Wisconsin (26-4, 16-2): Michigan shouldn't give Wisconsin too much trouble, Trevon Hughes will have a solid game for the Badgers.

Prediction: Wisconsin 68-59

Ohio State (19-12, 10-8) vs. #19 Michigan State (24-7, 12-6): Ohio State will be pretty safe with a win in this one. They just beat the Spartans at home, and get them on a neutral court. Michigan State is a solid team, but Jamar Butler and the Buckeyes move on in a close one.

Prediction: Ohio State 68-66

Illinois (14-18, 5-13) vs. #16 Purdue (24-7, 15-3): Illinois will give the Boilermakers a good run in this quarterfinal matchup. I don't know that they have enough to sustain a lead the whole game. Robbie Hummell should light it up from outside.

Prediction: Purdue 73-72

Minnesota (19-12, 8-10) vs. #20 Indiana (25-6, 14-4): DJ White and Eric Gordon will lead the Hoosiers past Tubby's boys.

Prediction: Indiana 68-57

Big XII

Oklahoma State (17-14, 7-9) vs. #8 Texas (26-5, 13-3): Oklahoma State has really made a nice comeback down the stretch, but this league belongs to Texas and Kansas. The Cowboys should challenge Texas, but Abrams and Augustin will help the Longhorns.

Prediction: Texas 63-60

Colorado (12-19, 3-13) vs. Oklahoma (21-10, 9-7): Colorado upset Baylor to move on to the quarters, where they face an Oklahoma team who appears to be safe to make the field. Blake Griffin is a future lottery pick, and he'll shine in this one.

Prediction: Oklahoma 51-50

Nebraska (19-11, 7-9) vs. #5 Kansas (28-3, 13-3): Nebraska got absolutely blown out by the Jayhawks last time these teams met. The same should happen here, as the Huskers don't have much talent outside of Aleks Maric.

Prediction: Kansas 80-58

SEC

South Carolina (14-17, 5-11) vs. #4 Tennessee (28-3, 14-2): In what could be South Carolina coach Dave Odom's final game (he's going to retire after the season), the Gamecocks have a tough task. They probably can't contain JaJuan Smith and Chris Lofton from outside, and Wayne Chism will do work on the interior.

Prediction: Tennessee 79-53

#17 Vanderbilt (26-6, 10-6) vs. Arkansas (20-10, 9-7): I think Arkansas should get in if they can handle Vandy in this one. They have to be able to contain sharpshooter Shan Foster in order to pull off the win. Look for a big game from Darian Townes, and the Razorbacks will move on.

Prediction: Arkansas 74-66

Alabama (17-15, 5-11) vs. Mississippi State (21-9, 12-4): Alabama looked good in their upset over Florida, but Mississippi State is the second best team in the SEC. Jamont Gordon should get his points, and Jarvis Varnardo controls the defensive paint.

Prediction: Mississippi State 70-61

Georgia (14-16, 4-12) vs. Kentucky (18-11, 12-4): Kentucky won't be safe if they let the Bulldogs upset them in this matchup. I for one believe Georgia can win it, with some solid defense and good shooting from Sundiata Gaines and Terrance Woodbury. This will leave Kentucky right on the edge of the bubble.

Prediction: Georgia 67-51

Pac-10

USC (21-10, 11-7) vs. #2 UCLA (29-3, 16-2): I think this one will be the most exciting game of the day/night. OJ Mayo and Taj Gibson can do enough to take down the Bruins, but UCLA looked very strong in the win over Cal. Look for Kevin Love and Darren Collison to lead the charge, but this is one that could come down to the final possession.

Prediction: UCLA 79-77

#21 Washington State (24-7, 11-7) vs. #11 Stanford (25-6, 13-5): Another good matchup pits the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the Pac-10. I think Taylor Rochestie and do everything guy Kyle Weaver will keep Wazzu in the game. Washington State will go after the Lopez twins and get them in foul trouble. I do believe that Lawrence Hill and Anthony Goods can step it up when this happens. We'll be seeing the top 2 teams in the Pac-10 in the final.

Prediction: Stanford 74-61

Atlantic-10

St. Joseph's (20-11, 9-7) vs. #12 Xavier (27-5, 14-2): With all these teams losing, Saint Joe's is the one team playing their way in. That could continue tonight against the top team in the conference. A win pretty much locks up an at-large bid for the Hawks. Look for Ahmad Nivins to play great again, and for exceptional coaching by Phil Martelli to push St. Joe's into the final.

Prediction: St. Joseph's 83-74

Charlotte (20-12, 9-7) vs. Temple (19-12, 11-5): Is it time to take a closer look at Temple? With UMass and Dayton losing, Temple has a chance to boost their stock by advancing to the finals. They finished second in the regular season and did beat Xavier. Leemire Goldwire is a star on Charlotte. He should help them stay in the game, and this should be one that comes down to the final seconds.

Prediction: Charlotte 58-56

Patriot League Championship

Colgate (18-13, 7-7) vs. American (20-11, 10-4): Colgate has found their way to the championship game, where the #1 seed awaits them. League stalwarts Bucknell and Holy Cross had rough seasons, so this game is something different. I'm feeling the upset, as Colgate gets it done with a team effort.

Prediction: Colgate 82-75