Thursday's Championship Week Predictions

My win/loss wasn't spectacular yesterday, but how about that St. Joe's/Fordham game? I hit the 80-62 final score right on the nose. Let's see if I can do that more often today.

Big East

Villanova (20-11, 9-9) vs. #9 Georgetown (25-4, 15-3): Villanova kept their NCAA hopes alive Wednesday with a big win over 'Cuse. A win here would probably be enough for the Wildcats, but it won't be easy against the regular season Big East champ. Expect a close game, but the Hoyas have too many weapons and too much defense.

Prediction: Georgetown 67-63

West Virginia (23-9, 11-7) vs. #15 Connecticut (24-7, 13-5): It looks good for West Virginia after yesterday's win over Providence. The team won 11 Big East games and didn't get upset in the first round of the Big East Tournament. However, they could feel completely safe with a win over Connecticut. The Mountaineers will be rooting for Georgetown as well, to avoid 'Nova jumping them. I don't think West Virginia will be able to have success on the inside, as Hasheem Thabeet is a force to be reckoned with. It will be more about Alex Ruoff and Darris Nichols knocking down shots from the perimeter. On the other side, Jeff Adrien should have a big game.

Prediction: Connecticut 73-64

Pittsburgh (23-9, 10-8) vs. #13 Louisville (24-7, 14-4): This one should be a real physical battle as Pittsburgh looks to pull off a big upset over the #2 seed in the tourney. Sam Young is playing his best basketball of the season, and I don't know if the Cardinals have a guy who can contain him. If they do, Keith Benjamin should benefit. Louisville will rely on Terrance Williams to deliver. This should be a neck-and-neck game to the finish, but I like the Panthers in the upset.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 62-60

#24 Marquette (23-8, 11-7) vs. #14 Notre Dame (24-6, 14-4): Marquette pulled away from Seton Hall to avoid a first round upset in last evening's nightcap. Now they have the opportunity to better their seed for the NCAA Tournament. Look for a big game from Dominic James for the Golden Eagles. On Notre Dame's side, they will try to look to Big East POY Luke Harangody. I think Marquette keeps him under 20 points, although I believe McAlarney will put up a bunch. In the end, Marquette has so many weapons and if they're making their shots, they could take the tourney.

Prediction: Marquette 81-71

ACC

Florida State (18-13, 7-9) vs. Wake Forest (17-12, 7-9): At one point a few weeks ago Wake was on the bubble after upsetting Dook, but they haven't been able to string together any more quality wins. Both teams would love the chance to face North Carolina in the next round. I think Jeff Teague is going to be the difference for the Demon Deacons.

Prediction: Wake Forest 63-58

North Carolina State (15-15, 4-12) vs. Miami (21-9, 8-8): A must-win for Miami. A loss and they are on the border of missing the NCAA's, a win and they should be in. N.C. State looks to recapture the magic they had in last season's ACC Tournament. Jack McClinton has been a great transfer for Miami, and he'll help them avoid the upset.

Prediction: Miami 68-66

Virginia (15-14, 5-11) vs. Georgia Tech (14-16, 7-9): The winner of this matchup will get a shot at upsetting Dook in the quarterfinals. This could be the final game of a great career for Sean Singletary. Virginia was a 4 seed in last year's NCAA Tournament, but losing all their key players (other then Singletary) has dropped the Cavs to the bottom of the ACC this season.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 81-77

Boston College (13-16, 4-12) vs. Maryland (18-13, 8-8): The finale is one of three wins the Terps need in this tournament in order to earn an at-large bid. They should be able to handle Boston College in this one, and they will move on to face Clemson with a win. Expect big games from Greivis Vasquez and Landon Milbourne.

Prediction: Maryland 77-75

Atlantic-10

Dayton (21-9, 8-8) vs. #12 Xavier (26-5, 14-2): The most intriguing game of any games in all the tourneys today in my opinion. Dayton is in the same boat as Villanova, beat the best team in your conference and you can feel safe. A loss, and it will be all about what other teams do. Xavier is looking to keep or improve their seeding by winning the tourney.

Prediction: Xavier 69-59

Saint Joseph's (19-11, 9-7) vs. Richmond (18-13, 9-7): St. Joe's easily handled Fordham yesterday and looks to beat Richmond today to keep their NCAA hopes alive. The Hawks handled Richmond by 18 in their only meeting earlier this season. Expect Ahmad Nivins to have the big game for St. Joe's.

Prediction: St. Joseph's 75-55

LaSalle (15-16, 8-8) vs. Temple (18-12, 11-5): Temple may need the auto-bid to get in the field of 65, despite finishing second in the conference and upsetting Xavier. Dionte Christmas should help Temple move into the semis.

Predictions: Temple 79-75

Charlotte (19-12, 9-7) vs. Massachusetts (21-9, 10-6): Charlotte helped end Rhode Island's collapse from being a NCAA Tournament candidate by taking them out in the first round. They look to do the same to the Minutemen, who should be in if they win this game. Add UMass's Gary Forbes to the best player you've never heard of list, he'll show how good he is in this game.

Prediction: Massachusetts 76-64

Big XII

Oklahoma State (16-14, 7-9) vs. Texas Tech (16-14, 7-9): Two teams with identical records face off in the opener of the tourney. Look for the Cowboys balanced attack to keep them in the game against Pat Knight's Red Raiders. I think Byron Eaton will step it up for OK State, and they'll move on.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 60-57

Colorado (11-19, 3-13) vs. Baylor (21-9, 9-7): Baylor needs this win to feel better about their NCAA chances. A loss here to the cellar dweller of the Big XII would be killer. Curtis Jerrills won't let it happen, and Baylor should move on to face Oklahoma.

Prediction: Baylor 64-50

Missouri (16-15, 6-10) vs. Nebraska (18-11, 7-9): Neither team has had a great season and this game could be a sloppy one. Nebraska has a talented center in Aleks Maric, and he'll be the best player on the floor. Mizzou's gone through a tough season that included dismissing their leading scorer from the team.

Prediction: Nebraska 64-63

Iowa State (14-17, 4-12) vs. Texas A&M (22-9, 8-8): The Aggies are right on the bubble and have to win this one, and possibly one more. A&M just doesn't have a top scorer to lead them like Acie Law did last season. I think they win this, but the next round could be trouble.

Prediction: Texas A&M 57-55

Big 10, SEC, and Pac-10 will all be posted around 10:30 am EST.