Week Of: Feb. 25-March 3

#23 Kansas State @ #12 Kansas

Monday, February 25, 9:00 p.m.

This game is really interesting. I have been predicting that Kansas will make a comeback to win the Big 12 for the 15th year in a row, but after last night’s thrashing they took from Texas Tech, I have major doubts. Kansas State currently leads the conference, one game ahead of Texas Tech and two games ahead of Kansas. With just four games left on the season, the Jayhawks need to win this one to keep their streak alive. Before last night, I would have picked Kansas in this game, but after a 29-point loss to Texas Tech, I just don’t see how they can bounce back from that. It’s always difficult picking against Kansas on their home court, but that’s what I’m going to do here. It’s been a great run, but their time has finally come.

Predicted Winner: Kansas State

#11 Marquette @ #17 Villanova

Wednesday, February 27, 9:00 p.m.

The last time these two teams met up, it resulted in a great game with Marquette winning by a point. This time the Golden Eagles will have to go on the road and face the Wildcats, the only other threat to win the Big East. Currently Villanova sits 1.5 games behind, so this game will be a must-win if they want to win the conference. Wildcat fans cannot feel too confident going into this game however, since they’ve lost three games in a row. Now is not the best time of the season to get cold for any team. Marquette is coming in as winners of four straight, and have been the better team all season long. Guard Markus Howard is one of the best players in the country, and I think he will once again be a big factor in this matchup.

Predicted Winner: Marquette

#4 Kentucky @#5 Tennessee

Saturday, March 2, 2:00 p.m.

This was a much anticipated matchup the last time these two teams played, but didn’t live up to the hype. Kentucky beat Tennessee by 17 points in Lexington, giving the Volunteers their first conference loss. Tennessee went on to lose another SEC game yesterday to LSU. Now there is a three-way tie atop the conference with Kentucky, Tennessee, and LSU all 12-2. While Tennessee has slipped a little as of late, the Wildcats have turned it on. They seem to have really figured things out, winning 13 of their last 14 games. The one loss in that stretch came to LSU on a last second tip-in. The winner of this game will still have a shot at winning the conference, if LSU were to lose another game. But with LSU holding the tiebreaker against both teams, they are the ones in the driver’s seat. There is no doubt these two teams come out with everything they have, which should provide for a very fun game to watch. I believe Kentucky pulls off the season sweep of a very good Tennessee team.

Predicted Winner: Kentucky

Princeton @ Harvard

Saturday, March 2, 7:00 p.m.

Princeton and Harvard are both tied for 2nd in the Ivy League, one game behind Yale. The Tigers made it through a rough patch where they lost three in a row, including a loss to Harvard. Since then they’ve won three in a row, with a match they should win against Dartmouth on Friday. It’s really strange that Princeton will play on back-to-back days, but I checked the schedule and so does Harvard. The Crimson will have a matchup with Penn on Friday before taking on the Tigers on Saturday. Both teams will probably come in a little fatigued, especially at this point in the season, but will need to bring everything they have in order to have a shot at winning the conference. I think Princeton will get their revenge against Harvard on the road, setting up a huge matchup with Yale with the last game of the regular season.

Predicted Winner: Princeton

#6 Nevada @ Utah State

Saturday, March 2, 8:30 p.m.

Most likely, the Mountain West conference will come down to this game. Currently, Nevada sits atop the standings, but are only a half game ahead of Utah State. If the Aggies were to win out, they would capture the conference title. The last time these two teams played, Nevada took care of business very easily, defeating Utah State 72-49. The Aggies will get their rematch, this time at home, and could make a huge statement to the NCAA tournament selection committee with a win here. Personally, while I would like to see Utah State knock off Nevada, I don’t think it will happen. Nevada features a starting lineup complete with all 5th year seniors, which is maybe more experience than any team in the history of college basketball. Experience is exactly what you want in big games, so I think it will be the difference-maker in this one.

Predicted Winner: Nevada

Garett

College Basketball: Weekly Games to Keep an Eye On

Week Of: Feb. 25-March 3