Weekend Predictions

The following with be a bunch of previews, altho shorter than they usually are. Nobody wants to read ridiculously long posts.  Learned that this summer.

Friday

Louisville vs. UConn
   UConn might have turned the corner late in the season with their win against Georgetown.  The Huskies will try to get revenge against Louisville, who beat UConn in a crazy double overtime win at the end of January.  Kemba Walker has been playing ridiculously, going for 31 pts and 10 assists against the Hoyas.  Since that win against Georgetown, Louisville has struggled going 3-3 in their last six games, including a four point win against DePaul.  Preston Knowles (15 ppg) and Peyton Siva (10 ppg and 5 apg) lead the Cardinals. Prediction: UConn 80-75

Saturday
Utah State at St. Mary's
   This is by far the highlight of the BracketBusters matchups this weekend.  It is between the 23rd and 24th ranked teams in the country.  Utah State is 24-3, but has won 19 of its last 20 games.  Tai Wesley (14 ppg, 7 rpg), Brian Wilson (11 ppg) and Brockeith Payne (11 ppg) lead the Aggies.  St. Mary's is coming off of an upset loss to San Diego on Wednesday, one that might knock them out of the rankings.  The Gaels are led by four players who score in double figures: Mickey McConnell (17 ppg, 7 apg), Rob Jones (14 ppg, 8 rpg), Matthew Dellavedova (13 ppg, 5 apg) and Mitchell Young (10 ppg, 5 rpg). Prediction: Utah State wins on the road, 86-80

Illinois at Michigan State
   This game is HUGE for the Spartans.  At 14-11, they might have to win out and win two games in the conference tournament to get into the NCAA's.  What will help MSU is the four more teams in, as well as college basketball being down as a whole.  The Spartans have been uncharacteristically shaky at home, already losing four times, but will need Kalin Lucas and his 16 ppg to win. The Illini are in the midst of possibly their hardest stretch of games this season and have a trip to Ohio State looming after this one.  Prediction: Michigan State wins a needed game, 76-72

Michigan at Iowa
   Wednesday's loss to Illinois might have been bad for the Wolverines, who are fighting for an NCAA berth.  Three of their next four games are winnable, but if they lose here, that might be a killer, one that sends the team to the NIT.  Iowa, on the other hand, is just looking for the season to be over, while also looking to place spoiler to teams like Michigan. Prediction: Michigan 80-67

Northwestern at Indiana
   Like Michigan and Michigan State, a win here is crucial for the slim chance the Wildcats have at a spot in the NCAA.  A win over Iowa put them at 15-10, but they will have to win their last four conference games to go .500 in conference play.  Indiana is not an easy place to play, however, as both Minnesota and Illinois, who were both ranked at the time, lost in Bloomington.  The Hoosiers are 11-5 at home. Prediction: Northwestern pulls out a win they wish could have come easier, 76-73