Wednesday Championship Week Predictions

I'll go back to giving predictions today starting with the Big East Tournament games a couple others.

Big East Tournament

Villanova (19-11, 9-9) vs. Syracuse (19-12, 9-9): Expect a hard fought battle, but the balanced attack from Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, and Dante Greene will prove too much

Prediction: Syracuse 79-62

Providence (15-15, 6-12) vs. West Virginia (22-9, 11-7): West Virginia just needs to avoid a slip-up here and they're in the NCAA Tournament. Da'Sean Butler and Demitris Nichols will lead the Mountaineers perimeter attack.

Prediction: West Virginia 83-67

Cincinnatti (13-17, 8-10) vs. Pittsburgh (22-9, 10-8): A defensive battle here. Cincy has really fallen down the stretch after having a possibility of making a late run to the NCAAs. They just don't have enough to beat the Panthers.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 58-49

Seton Hall (17-14, 7-11) vs. #24 Marquette (22-8, 11-7): Brian Laing is a stud and I think this may turn out to be the most exciting game of the day. Jerel McNeal will shine for Marquette as well. This one comes down to the wire, but the favorite moves on here as well.

Prediction: Marquette 70-65

Atlantic 10

Saint Louis (16-14, 7-9) vs. Dayton (20-9, 8-8): Dayton is square on the bubble after some big non-conference wins followed by a subpar conference season. Chris Wright's back, and he'll help them pick up a win.

Prediction: Dayton 68-57

Fordham (12-16, 6-10) vs. Saint Joseph's (18-11, 9-7): St. Joe's is another A-10 team on the bubble that needs this win and probably more to get in. It's going to be about which A-10 team does the most in the tournament, and the conference will end up with 2 or 3 teams. The Hawks should have no trouble with one of the worst teams in the A-10.

Prediction: Saint Joseph's 80-62

Duquesne (17-12, 7-9) vs. LaSalle (14-16, 8-8): The one game that features 2 teams with 0% chance of an auto-bid. Duquesne's coach is very good and could move on to a bigger school following the season.

Prediction: Duquesne 83-65

Rhode Island (21-10, 7-9) vs. Charlotte (18-12, 8-8): Rhode Island could have a shot if they make a run to the A-10 finals and lose a close game. Look out for Will Daniels to shine here.

Prediction: Rhode Island 77-67

Pac-10

California (15-14, 6-12) vs. Washington (16-15, 7-11): Ryan Anderson could star if Cal can pick up a couple wins. He's perhaps the most unknown star in the Pac-10.

Prediction: California 67-65

Oregon State (6-24, 0-18) vs. Arizona (18-13, 8-10): A game Zona needs if they want to be in the NCAA Tournament. They just can't lose to a team who went 0-18 in the Pac-10 regular season.

Prediction: Arizona 63-52

Northeast Conference Final

Mount St. Mary's (17-14, 11-7) vs. Sacred Heart (18-13, 13-5): Sacred Heart gets the chance to earn their first ever NCAA Tournament bid. Brice Brooks is their key player, he'll be the focal point of their offense.

Prediction: Sacred Heart 74-62

Big Sky Final

Northern Arizona (21-10, 11-5) vs. Portland State (22-9, 14-2): Portland State brings a balanced attack led by Jeremiah Dominguez and Deonte Huff. They breezed through the Big Sky regular season, and won't have too much trouble in the title game.

Prediction: Portland State 69-56