Weekly Picks: Shortened Edition

Sorry for the wait, folks. I know some of you out there are nervous about me and my absence. Fear not, faithful readers, for I am suffering from a rare, acute illness otherwise known as laziness. I will pick winners just from Thursday to Sunday this week. (Huzzah for Tennessee, by the way, who beat Florida 76-72 to complete a season sweep and show the world that Florida IS NOT THAT GOOD.)

Season records:

Winners-26-16 last week to bring the total to 86-43
Spread- 24-18 to bring the season tally to 58-71

Thursday--February 23rd

GEORGE MASON at Hofstra--This is a huge game in the CAA. The battle for the beans. The fight for the right to party come Selection Sunday. George Mason will win this game because they are one of the hottest teams in the country, carrying an 8-game winning streak into tonight's game. George Mason, in a close one, by 2.

VILLANOVA at Cincinnati--Cincinnati is coming around and Andy Kennedy is making headway as a top coaching prospect for teams with vacancies this summer. Villanova, in my opinion, is the best team in the country. They will handle the Bearcats rough defense and score more than Cincinnati will. That is how you win, isn't it? The argument seems foolish--and it is--but 'Nova will win because they are just too good. Villanova by 5.

Friday--February 24th

East Tennessee State at LIPSCOMB--The last time these two teams played, Lipscomb won by two in a thriller. This time, Brian Fisk and Eddie Ard will bring the pain. LIPSCOMB by 5.

Saturday--February 25th

SYRACUSE at Georgetown--I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Hoyas' victory over Rutgers might be even bigger than their win over Duke. They were sliding out of the top 25 and back onto the bubble with three straight losses. Syracuse needs this game and they are very hot right now. It's hard picking against Georgetown at home, but I have a feeling about this one. Syracuse by 4.

Arkansas at TENNESSEE--Coming off the huge win over 'Bama, Arkansas will hit a brick wall when they reach Knoxville. Tennessee just proved that they are the studs of the SEC. This will be one heck of a game. Tennessee by 2.

Michigan at OHIO STATE--The Buckeyes are playing good basketball right now. Michigan is coming off an emotional win so we'll see if they can keep the energy high on Saturday. I don't think they can in this rivalry game. State by 5.

Louisville at WEST VIRGINIA--Louisville is playing their way out of the NCAA tournament, despite the deceiving tally of 17 wins. West Virginia is far superior to the Cardinals in every aspect and now David Padgett is out for the season. See you next year, Louisville. West Virginia by 9.

NORTHERN IOWA at Southern Illinois--Northern Iowa is a tough team and looks like a Sweet 16 candidate. Southern Illinois is struggling and squarely on the bubble. This will be a good game, like every other MVC matchup. Northern Iowa by 3.

Kentucky at LSU--Yes, I am picking against the university that hails from my birthplace, Lexington, Ky. Nonetheless, LSU is a better team AND they have the Wildcats at home. Kentucky, I think, is in the tournament, so a loss here isn't too bad. LSU by 4.

Boston College at NC STATE--How about NC State stinking up the joint against UNC? Maybe I was wrong about the Tar Heels...nah, they are still garbage. Boston College is too. Heck, the ACC should just give Duke the conference tournament bid now and avoid the embarrassment of having one of the worst conference finals in ACC history. NC State by 6.

Nebraska at TEXAS A&M--I like these teams. I really do. But I think a loss to A&M here puts Nebraska out of the tournament. In fact, I think they are probably done anyway. Texas A&M by 5.

MARQUETTE at Notre Dame--Marquette can beat anyone in the Big East at this point. They are playing solid ball. Notre Dame will probably have a chance to win this game and blow it. Just shocking if you ask me. Marquette by 1.

Iowa at ILLINOIS--Picking this game is hard. These are two good teams with legitimate shots at making a run in the NCAA tournament. Illinois wins, because they are home, by 3.

Providence at PITT--The Panthers do not lose at home. Providence has been playing well lately, but they blew their chance of beating Pitt this year in the second half of the game in the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Pitt by 7.

Creighton at MISSOURI STATE--This is another huge MVC game. The loser of this game is in serious trouble of not making the tournament. State wins by 3, but Creighton will still find a way to get in the tourney.

Kansas at TEXAS--I think Texas could very well lose this game. Kansas plays without fear and some serious athleticism. They could cause Texas trouble. But the Longhorns are home and making a push for a 1 seed. Texas by 4.

Sunday--February 26th

MICHIGAN STATE at Indiana--Indiana's season went from shocking group of upstart, energetic players to disenfranchised, timid losers. And it's not Mike Davis' fault. Michigan State by 5.

VILLANOVA at UConn--I don't know why, but I have that feeling again. UConn will be at home, yes, but they don't have the guard play to keep with 'Nova. Cats by 3.

Florida at ALABAMA--Ronald Steele will be the best player on the court. Oh, slam! Florida just got served! 'Bama by 3.

CAL at Washington--Both good teams. Cal needs it more. Cal by 4.



That concludes another edition of Weekly Picks. To reiterate: The ACC is trash, Florida stinks, Villanova and Duke are clear and away the best teams in the country and I am a very lazy person.