Weekly Picks: Second Edition

So after a solid 32-11 start in picking winners, I feel confident heading into this week's picks. I'm a day late so I will just ignore last night's games and just do Tuesday through Sunday.

Anyway, I heard Dicky V. will be in town for Thursday night's Pitt-West Virginia game, which will be televised on ESPN at 9 p.m. Who's doing the play-by-play for WPTS-Pittsburgh, Pitt's campus radio station? None other than yours truly. Hey, maybe I'll meet Dick back in the media room, that would cool huh? I will keep you posted.

To the picks, and perhaps my demise after a good start:

Tuesday--February 7

TENNESSEE at Kentucky- Tennessee is the hottest team in the SEC and Kentucky just keep falling (in looooove, in love, with-a you...a little Alicia Keys for you). This game will be a close one, Tennessee by 3.

St. Joseph's at VILLANOVA- Remember when St. Joe's was great? Phil Martelli was the nation's hottest coach but now his club is 10-9 and about to get slaughtered. Villanova by 15.

MISSOURI at Baylor- Two of the country's most scandalous programs meet in a Big 12 showdown. While one team will obviously pay their players to beat the other team, who will probably play with no more than seven or eight dressed players, several of them soon to be wanted for murder. Inappropriate? Yes. Funny? Naturally. Missouri by 10.

Wichita State at NORTHERN IOWA- I love the MVC. My dad watched it growing up and now they are arguably one of the better conferences around. Look for the Panthers of Northern Iowa to rebound (pun intended) after a tough loss. Northern Iowa by 6.

PROVIDENCE at DePaul- DePaul doesn't have an answer inside for Randall Hanke. Providence is battling to make the Big East tournament, which would be nice considering they were expected to finish somewhere between 14th and 16th in the conference. Providence by 4.

DUKE at North Carolina- This will be a good game, I hope. But like the Steelers, you can expect Duke to have the officials on their side. Duke by 8.

Wednesday--February 8

ALBANY at Hartford- Look for Albany to get a key road victory led by Jamar Wilson. Hartford is struggling again, so this one shouldn't be too tough for Albany. Albany by 11.

South Carolina at FLORIDA- The Gators were just nasty against Kentucky and I don't see any reason why they won't win at home against a floundering South Carolina team. It's scramble mode in Columbia. Florida by 8.

SETON HALL at South Florida- Seton Hall is scorching hot, led by D-Nasty himself, Donald Copeland. South Florida couldn't buy a win at this point, especially if they can't be DePaul at home. Seton Hall by 7.

COLORADO at Texas A&M- I really didn't know who to pick in this game. I have a feeling it will be close, with both teams looking to get back on track after tough losses. Colorado by 1.

Indiana at WISCONSIN- Nobody, except Penn State apparently, can win on the road in the Big 10. Both of these teams are struggling, but Indiana just doesn't have the same capabilities without DJ White. Wisconsin by 5.

NC State at MIAMI- Upset special. Miami has some great guard play that should help them at home. NC State is coming off a big win against Maryland, so expect a little bit of a letdown. Miami is a tournament team in my eyes at this point. Miami by 3.

Rutgers at NOTRE DAME- Possibly the two teams with the worst luck in all of college basketball meet in South Bend for a thriller. This is a good game between two teams that are desperately trying to salvage their seasons. Douby will light it up but Notre Dame will get that elusive Big East win. Notre Dame by 4.

BOSTON COLLEGE at The Powerhouse formerly known as Wake Forest- Boston College will win this game, despite doing everything possible to lose it. Wake Forest is the definition of power conference trash. Boston College by 7.

Kansas at NEBRASKA- Nebraska's basketball team is arguably better than their football team! Kansas is playing a lot better now but this is a tough road contest. Nebraska will win a tight game by 3.

Arkansas at LSU- This is one of the best games this week in my opinion. Two very good teams that should be in the tournament meet in Baton Rouge for a, as Al Michaels would, "YOOGE" game. LSU wins by 5 because they are home.

Syracuse at UCONN- Oh, hey Syracuse...this is awkward. Shouldn't you be good? You kind of stink against good teams. UCONN is going to mop the floor with the Orangemen. UCONN by 13.

AIR FORCE at San Diego State- Great game. Air Force is quietly one of the best teams out west and San Diego State offers a formidable challenge. Look for a close one, but Air Force wins on the road by 4.

Thursday--February 9

Ohio State at MICHIGAN- Hello rivalry. Wrong sport, but still a good matchup. Michigan will win at home after losing big to Iowa. Ohio State will be fine, but it's just too tough to win on the road in the Big 10. Michigan by 5.

George Mason at VCU- Big time game for two teams bound for their conference championship. Perhaps a preview? VCU wins by 4 at home.

St. John's at GEORGETOWN- The Hoyas are unstoppable at home. They've got lots of momentum and the Red Storm just lost to Providence. Georgetown wins by 9.

West Virginia at PITT- Pitt draws first blood in their return to the Petersen Events Center. West Virginia will win in Morgantown, but Pitt has too much riding on this game to lose it. Pitt by 3.

Stanford at CAL- "YOOGE" game. Stanford is catching some February heat and Cal is a good team in general. Cal's big fella Powe looks a lot like Ike Diogu. Cal by 4.

USC at WASHINGTON- Oh no! Both teams are in caps :-(. I don't know who he picked...Well, USC is always in caps, but Washington isn't. The Trojans are climbing back into the Pac-10 race, but Washington needs this game more. Huskies by 7.

Friday--February 10

Stetson at MERCER- Their combined records at 11-32, but you gotta love the trio of Skogen, Brown and Emerson on Mercer. This will be a good game just like the last matchup, when Mercer won by 1 point. Mercer by 3.

Saturday--February 11

IOWA at Indiana- Iowa has a three-man wrecking crew that is going to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. Brunner, Haluska and Horner are all good players. Indiana is struggling. Iowa by 3.

South Florida at LOUISVILLE- How huge was that Taquan Dean three-pointer against Notre Dame? Too bad the Cards lost to Cincinnati in a rivalry game. South Florida is just not ready to actually win Big East games. They can compete most certainly, just not win. Louisville by 9.

LSU at Florida- Yeah, I'm picking LSU. I don't know why, I just have a hunch. LSU by 3.

DUKE at Maryland- Duke will be wearing their special, black-and-white striped jerseys to this game even though it's on the road. Duke by 7.

VILLANOVA at DePaul- Villanova has too much experience. DePaul will be good next year I think, but this year is a learning experience. 'Nova by 9.

Southern Illinois at CREIGHTON- Another big game in the MVC. With Creighton at home, it's hard to pick against them. Creighton by 4.

UCLA at Washington- UCLA is a good team. Washington is a good team. Game on. UCLA by 2.

Nebraska at TEXAS- Oh baby, another good game! Texas will handle their business at home. I love their new setup with Paulino in the starting lineup. I think I said that last week. Texas by 11.

Iowa State at KANSAS- Last year this game was incredible. Iowa State got hosed on some calls and eventually lost to an overrated Kansas team. This year, Kansas actually has to work for respect, and they'll get it with a tough home win. Kansas by 5.

UCONN at Seton Hall- This will be a tough test for UCONN on the road against a very gritty team. But UConn isn't the most talented team in the nation for nothin'. UConn by 9.

Stanford at GONZAGA- Blah blah blah, ADAM MORRISON, blah blah blah. Gonzaga by 6.

Sunday-February 12

SIENA at Rider- The other school in the beautiful town of Princeton, N.J., will lose a tough home game against a very mediocre Siena team. Siena by 8.

ILLINOIS at Ohiop State- Big time game between two big time teams. Illinois will win. Why? Dee "Holy S---, did he really just make that?" Brown, that's why (oh, I like his reasoning). Illinois by 5.

MARQUETTE at Rutgers- This will be a great game. Marquette is a good team and Rutgers is so tough at home. It's hard picking against the old A-Ten mop ups, but why not? Marquette gets a HUGE road win by 3.

Cincinnati at PITT- Pitt will win with their depth and all-around better teamwork. Cincy is a decent team, but there just seems to be too much going on off the court to allow them to really excel on the hardwood. Pitt by 5.

SYRACUSE at St. John's- It's hard picking against St. John's twice in one week, but Syracuse has to win some games. Syracuse by 3.

WEST VIRGINIA at Georgetown- Fantastic game on tap for Big East and college basketball fans. This will be a gritty one. West Virginia by 4.

North Carolina at MIAMI- Again, I really like Miami. UNC is good for a young team, but Miami has that guard experience that really helps down the stretch. Miami by 5.

Alabama State at ALABAMA A&M- The thrilla in Huntsveel (Huntsville, Ala.). Obie Trotter arguably has the best name in all of college basketball. Look for A&M to light it up with their three big scorers. A&M by 5.

That'll do it ladies and gents. Look at my rankings posted above. Tell me what you think. See you soon.

After one week: Winners 32-11; Spread 16-27.