Where They Stand: SEC

Eastern Division:

South Carolina 9-1 (0-0)
Florida 8-2 (0-0)
Tennessee 8-2 (0-0)
Kentucky 8-3 (0-0)
Vanderbilt 8-3 (0-0)
Georgia 7-3 (0-0)

Western Division:

Arkansas 8-1 (0-0)
LSU 8-1 (0-0)
Alabama 6-3 (0-0)
Ole Miss 7-4 (0-0)
Miss State 7-4 (0-0)
Auburn 6-4 (0-0)

Favorite: Tennessee
Contenders: Florida, South Carolina, and Arkansas
Sleeper: Kentucky
Destined for Last: Georgia and Auburn
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Tennessee 90 vs Georgetown 78
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Mercer wins over Alabama and Auburn

This is not football. Unfortunately the SEC is probably the worst BCS conference in the country. Tennessee is their best team and they are ranked #17 by the AP and there are four Big East teams ranked ahead of them. This conference has been cupcake city so I don't think anybody knows what to expect outside of Tennessee's success. The lack of quality competition is really a huge problem. LSU has not played anybody and neither has South Carolina, who lost to the College of Charleston. Sorry SEC fans but outside of the Vols and maybe Florida and Arkansas, your conference stinks.

Where They Stand: Pac-10

Stanford 8-0 (0-0)
Arizona State 10-1 (0-0)
California 9-2 (0-0)
UCLA 9-2 (0-0)
Arizona 8-3 (0-0)
USC 8-3 (0-0)
Washington State 8-3 (0-0)
Washington 7-3 (0-0)
Oregon 5-6 (0-0)
Oregon State 4-5 (0-0)

Favorite: UCLA
Contenders: Stanford, Arizona State, USC
Sleeper: Arizona
Destined for Last: The Oregon Schools
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Arizona 69 vs Gonzaga 64
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Portland 80 vs Washington 74

New coach Johnnie Dawkins has been loading up on cupcakes so his record is somewhat inflated. If they are good then it will show when conference play starts. Arizona State looks to be the team most capable of defeating UCLA and winning the Pac-10. USC freshman DeMar DeRozan is slowly coming along which will only help the Trojans get better. Arizona, a program that was almost torn apart by the abrupt retirement of Lute Olsen, is quietly a factor and boasts a solid trio in Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, and Nic Wise.

Where They Stand: Big East

Pittsburgh 12-0 (0-0)
Connecticut 10-0 (0-0)
Syracuse 12-1 (0-0)
Villanova 11-1 (0-0)
Georgetown 9-1 (0-0)
Cincinnati 10-2 (0-0)
Marquette 10-2 (0-0)
Notre Dame 9-2 (0-0)
St. John's 9-2 (0-0)
West Virginia 9-2 (0-0)
Louisville 7-2 (0-0)
Rutgers 9-3 (0-0)
Seton Hall 8-3 (0-0)
Providence 8-4 (0-0)
DePaul 7-5 (0-0)
USF 4-7 (0-0)

Favorite: Connecticut
Contenders: Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Louisville
Sleeper: West Virginia and Cincinnati
Destined for Last: USF
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Notre Dame 81 vs Texas 80
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Western Kentucky 68 vs Louisville 54

Depth and quality. The Big East has both and at they have at least 11 or 12 potential NCAA Tournament teams. It will be a dogfight during conference play because of the new 18 game schedule. Everybody plays everybody else at least once. UConn seems to be the best but will be challenge by Pitt, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. Louisville has been very disappointing and they look disinterested and they don't play hard. If Rick Pitino gets these guys into shape then they could be dangerous. The league will be dominant in March, this is the Year of the Big East.

Where They Stand: Big Twelve

Oklahoma 12-0 (0-0)
Baylor 10-1 (0-0)
Texas A&M 10-1 (0-0)
Texas 10-2 (0-0)
Missouri 9-2 (0-0)
Texas Tech 9-3 (0-0)
Kansas 8-3 (0-0)
Kansas State 8-3 (0-0)
Oklahoma State 8-3 (0-0)
Nebraska 7-3 (0-0)
Colorado 6-3 (0-0)
Iowa State 7-4 (0-0)

Favorite: Oklahoma
Contenders: Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas
Sleeper: Missouri
Destined for Last: Iowa State
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Texas 68 vs UCLA 64 / Oklahoma 87 vs Purdue 82
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: South Dakota State 65 vs Iowa State 58

The conference championships is Oklahoma's to lose. Baylor has great guard and wing players but they lack a big to battle Blake Griffin. Texas has stars with Damion James and AJ Abrams but their role players must step up if they want to beat Oklahoma. Missouri has been a nice surprise under Mike Anderson and so has Texas A&M. The Big 12 is down compared to past years but the top teams are great, it's just the overall quality that is lacking.

Where They Stand: Big Ten

Minnesota 11-0 (0-0)
Ohio State 9-0 (0-0)
Illinois 11-1 (0-0)
Penn State 11-2 (0-0)
Purdue 10-2 (0-0)
Michigan 9-2 (0-0)
Michigan State 8-2 (0-0)
Northwestern 8-2 (0-0)
Wisconsin 9-3 (0-0)
Iowa 9-3 (0-0)
Indiana 5-6 (0-0)

Favorite: Purdue
Contenders: Minnesota, Michigan State and Ohio State
Sleeper: Michigan
Destined For Last: Indiana
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Minnesota 70 vs Louisville 64
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Drake 60 vs Iowa 43

Minnesota is the story of the Big Ten so far because of their early success under Tubby Smith. They scheduled cupcakes but came away with a huge win against Louisville last weekend. They are young and may not be as talented as other teams, but if they listen to Smith they can shock some people and push Purdue and Michigan State down the stretch. The overall quality of the Big Ten is nice especially since the only team with a losing record, Indiana, is rebuilding the program. Michigan has wins over UCLA and Duke this year so don't sleep on the Wolverines.

Where They Stand: ACC

Clemson 12-0 (1-0)
North Carolina 11-0 (0-0)
Wake Forest 11-0 (0-0)
Duke 10-1 (0-0)
Florida State 11-2 (0-0)
Boston College 10-2 (0-0)
Maryland 8-2 (0-0)
NC State 7-2 (0-0)
Georgia Tech 7-3 (0-0)
Virginia Tech 8-4 (0-0)
Virginia 5-4 (0-0)
Miami 7-3 (0-1)

Favorite: North Carolina
Contenders: Clemson, Duke, Wake Forest
Sleeper: Florida State
Destined For Last: Virginia
Biggest Non-Conference Win: North Carolina 98 vs Michigan State 63/ Duke 76 vs Purdue 60
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Liberty 86 vs Virginia 82


Not much surprise in the ACC. North Carolina is destined to win the regular season and I doubt any team will put up a fight outside of maybe Duke. Florida State has been playing well all year but the shocker may be how well Wake Forest is playing. Many pundits said they were a year away but freshman forward Al-Farouq Aminu has emerged as a threat as well as sophomore sensation Jeff Teague. Miami has ground to make up but could also be dangerous as well.

Weekend Picks

(6) Duke vs (7) Xavier (East Rutherford, NJ)

Defense will win this game. Sean Miller and Mike Krzyzewski are known for preaching defense. On paper Duke looks like the better but make no mistake, Xavier will be ready to play. It will be interesting to see what happens in the post. Xavier freshman center Kenny Frease has good size and is the x factor in this game. His battle with Brian Zoubek in the post could tip the balance of the game. Unfortunately for Xavier, Duke is playing well and is hitting on all cylinders.

Duke 81 vs Xavier 72

(9) Louisville vs Minnesota (Glendale, AZ)

Rick Pitino's team has been steamrolling the competition since their loss to Western Kentucky. Minnesota is a feel good story with their renaissance under the guidance of Tubby Smith. The Golden Gophers are undefeated but they face a tall task with mismatch forward Earl Clark. Clark should carry Louisville and will help create space on the perimeter for Jerry Smith, Edgar Sosa, and company.

Louisville 85 vs Minnesota 73

(19) Michigan State vs (5) Texas (Houston, TX)

Tom Izzo's Spartans have been underwhelming this year because of injuries to frontcourt players Goran Suton and prized freshman Delvon Roe. This has been a trying season but once they get healthy, MSU will be dangerous. Kalin Lucas on AJ Abrams will be a track race and if MSU loses Abrams in transition, then he could get 30. Dexter Pittman is going up against a thin frontcourt and is confidence has only been getting better.

Texas 79 vs Michigan State 70

Temple at Kansas

Normally this would be a Kansas rout but the world is rethinking Temple, especially after their domination of Tennessee last weekend. Guard Dionte Christmas is a marked man and will see a litany of defenders. If Kansas contains Christmas, then sophomore Cole Aldrich will be able to work in the post and collect a double double. Easier said then done, Temple will keep it close but Sherron Collins will win it for the Jayhawks.

Kansas 78 vs Temple 73

Arizona at UNLV

During a day of basketball throwdowns, this game is under the radar but could prove to be a classic. UNLV was the popular it team going into the season. Arizona was written off because of the program's turmoil and change after Lute Olsen's departure. UNLV is the home team and Wink Adams is a great talent but is in a tough matchup with Nic Wise. Chase Budinger will own the wing and budding star Jordan Hill will control the post. Or Arizona could continue their Jekyell and Hyde act and lose this game. I think the confidence because of the Gonzaga win will last.

Arizona 75 vs UNLV 73

(22) Davidson vs (13) Purdue (Indianapolis, IN)

I had a chance to see Stephen Curry play in the Jimmy V Classic two weeks ago. He was absolutely fantastic and won the game when he needed too. Purdue has more talent than West Virginia and they will put Chris Kramer on Curry and hope for the best. The rest of Davidson will have to deal with E'Twuan Moore and Robbie Hummel. In the post, the chiseled Andrew Lovedale will push around JaJuan Johnson but won't do the same against Nemanja Calasan. Purdue just has too much.

Purdue 78 vs Davidson 72

(2) Connecticut vs (8) Gonzaga (Seattle, WA)

Talent and more talent will be on the floor in Seattle. Jeremy Pargo goes up against AJ Price, Austin Daye against Jeff Adrien and Josh Heytvelt against Hasheem Thabeet. UConn junior Stanley Robinson is back from exile and may be a game or two away from being a factor. These two teams, no matter who wins or loses, will both be Final Four contenders in March. Pargo showed his weakness is a trapping zone. UConn will be all over him. Gonzaga will counter with scoring power and tough D. This could be the game of the day.

Gonzaga 84 vs Connecticut 83

(11) Syracuse at (23) Memphis

This game is actually easier to pick because of the recent news regarding Syracuse. Junior guard Eric Devendorf is suspended for the game and sophomore star Jonny Flynn is a game time decision with a hip injury. Without their starting backcourt, it will be a tall task for the 'Cuse to pull one out on the road. Memphis gets a quality win but with an asterisk.

Memphis 82 vs Syracuse 74

BYU at (20) Arizona State

Even if BYU, I don't think it would be an upset. They are on the cusp of being a Top 25 team and feature a star in forward Lee Cummard. Cummard will be locked in a scoring battle with NBA talent James Harden. The role players will decide this game and I like Jeff Pendergraph, Ty Abbott, and three point threat Rihards Kuksiks better than Jimmer Fredette and Jonathan Tavernari.

Arizona State 78 vs BYU 70

UPSET OF THE WEEKEND

(3) Pittsburgh at Florida State

The Seminoles have height, a lot of height. Pitt's main inside threat, the uber talented DeJuan Blair, is a shade over 6-7. The Seminoles will use this size and hope that they can stop or at least contain the other part of the Pitt trio in Levance Fields and the pump fake king Sam Young. Freshman Chris Singleton will say hello to the country with a tremendous performance. If they win, consider Florida State a team that will finish in the top five of the ACC.

Florida State 68 vs Pittsburgh 66

Last Week: 4-1
Season: 4-1

Weekend Picks

My picks for the top games of the weekend.

(8) Tennessee at Temple:

There is a lot to like about Bruce Pearl's team right now. Tyler Smith looks like he is becoming the star people know he can be and JUCO transfer Bobby Maze is handling the job at point guard with ease. Pearl is never afraid to schedule tough games but this is not the same Temple teams that we're accustomed to seeing. They beat Penn State is their last game and came within four points of knocking off Clemson. Those teams, however, are nowhere close to Tennessee.

Tennessee 82 at Temple 70

(17) Memphis at (19) Georgetown:

A heavyweight matchup last season and this year the game still has a lot of intrigue. Freshman Tyreke Evans (Memphis) and Greg Monroe (Georgetown) have been solid players so far this year. What this game comes down to is style. If Memphis can run and push the tempo, they could win. On the other side, if Georgetown slows down the pace than Memphis is in trouble. I like the guard play for Georgetown better with Jessie Sapp, Chris Wright, and Austin Freeman. DaJuan Summers and Robert Dozier could be a wash up front. The home team prevails, but it will be close.

Georgetown 71 vs Memphis 67

Indiana at Kentucky:

Normally this game is full of talent because these two programs are among the most storied in college basketball. IU's program is slowly getting built back up but a hostile Rupp Arena crowd won't cut them any slack. Indiana does not have a big man to match UK's sophomore sensation Patrick Patterson.

Kentucky 79 vs Indiana 60

Utah at (5) Oklahoma

This game has upset written all over but OU knows that and will come out on fire. Luke Nevill against Blake Griffin in the post should be fun to watch because both are big time talents. The role players will decide this game and Oklahoma, with Taylor Griffin, Willie Warren, Austin Johnson, and Cade Davis have more talent than a Utah team that did win at Oregon earlier this season. Oregon and Oklahoma are on two different levels right now, it won't be easy but Utah could make it interesting.

Oklahoma 80 vs Utah 73

(10) Xavier at Cincinnati

The Battle for Ohio is so much more now that Mick Cronin has Cincinnati on the rise. Xavier has posted some quality wins beating Missouri, Virginia Tech (on a buzzer beater), and Memphis in overtime. They have great talent in B.J. Raymond, Derrick Brown, C.J. Anderson, and Dante Jackson. If Xavier underestimates their opponent, they could lose. Cincinnati boasts Deonta Vaughn, Mike Williams, Alvin Mitchell, and freshman Yancy Gates. Their only loss came at the hands of rising ACC power Florida State. This looks like an upset game but Xavier knows that and it will eke one out. This game could be a classic.

Xavier 75 at Cincinnati 74

If your looking for upsets, there aren't many games that could provide it. Cincinnati has a chance as does Utah. One more possible upset game is Villanova at LaSalle. Jay Wright's club has not been playing well recently and that will give LaSalle a lot of confidence. They have players like Rodney Green, Kimmani Barrett, and a guy with a great name in Yves Mekongo Mbala. Watch out for this Philly slugfest.

Jimmy V Classic Recap

Some thoughts and quick-hitters from the games tonight.

Davidson 68 vs West Virginia 65

Stephen Curry's sidekick, whether he likes it or not, is senior big man Andrew Lovedale. He possesses a fantastic inside-out game because of his feathery touch and fearlessness to mix it up inside. He finished with 15 points and also collected three critical blocks. Curry may be the entree but Lovedale is certainly a tempting appetizer.

Davidson controlled the game until they lost it with under two minutes to play, only to gain it back when Curry launched a three to cut WVU's lead to one and then another bomb thirty seconds later to put Davidson ahead by two. It was a lead they never gave up. Kudos to forward Ben Allison and his ten points off the bench tonight. Davidson was playing without guard Max Paulhus-Gosselin (sounds like a Renaissance monarch) and needed someone to step up, it was Allison. He had several thunderous slams in the first half that energized the team and kept them going.

What more can you say about Curry? When his team needed him he delivered, what a special player.

For the Mountaineers team, they have to be happy about having one of the best forward tandems in the Big East in Da'Sean Butler and freshman Devin Ebanks. Butler has a nice shot, can play superb defense, and is athletic. He crashed the boards and ended up with 17 of them to go with his team-high 24 points. As for Ebanks, he is a Rudy Gay clone. He possess a similar build and at this point in his career, he rebounds better than Gay and is not afraid to shoot. Ebanks has some problems with the nuances of the game but what freshman doesn't? Ebanks will be a special player in Morgantown.

The Mountaineers failed where all of Curry's foe's have also failed: late game defense. Curry is not unguardable by any stretch of the imagination but in late game situations, WVU needs to find the shooters and stay with them. Curry faked a pick and used a step back to create space that led to the first of his pair of threes that ended WVU's chance to win. Also, not sure what happened to PG Joe Mazzulla but WVU was struggling with their half court sets because he was not in. His ability to get in the lane and draw defenders is so important to the team.

Butler's travel with 23 seconds left pretty much ended the game and Butler looked upset. Lets hope he has another chance to redeem himself.

Texas 67 vs Villanova 58

Rick Barnes should be absolutely ecstatic about the way his bench played tonight. The bench scored 14 points and collected 21 rebounds. Underused guard Varez Ward was thrust onto the court and played very well and did not look nervous playing in front a pro-Villanova crowd at Madison Square Garden. Sophomore Gary Johnson was active on the glass and always took a shot when he was open. His 3-11 night looks bad on paper but his willingness to shoot and grab boards will pay dividends down the road.

The defense of Dogus Balbay on Scottie Reynolds in the first half was exquisite. He forced Reynolds into two offensive fouls and got in his head because the usually unflappable Reynolds was visibly upset and frustrated with himself.

Texas has a great two man game with Damion James and AJ Abrams, who combined for 42 of the teams 67 points. That won't win the Big 12 (or maybe it will) but it will keep them in contention. Their teammates need to learn how to pick their spots and find open space when James and Abrams play the pick and roll game. Justin Mason could be that third star but for now, Rick Barnes will settle with Mason's steady hand (seven assists) and timely defense ( two steals). His ability to run the offense will allow Abrams to focus on scoring.

If Dexter Pittman gets in shape, watch out. The big (huge) man from Texas played only 15 minutes but was very effective. Texas constantly fed him the ball with a high lob into the post. His frame lets him easily carve out space in the paint and that was visible against a small Villanova team ('Nova seems to always be small).

Davidson needs to rebound if they want to be a player in March again.

West Virginia needs consistency and the steady hand of Joe Mazzulla.

Texas needs to find another reliable scorer to go with Abrams and James.

Villanova needs to cut down on turnovers (they had 19) and also force Corey Stokes to diversify his game (took nine shots and seven were from deep).

Picks for the weekend coming on Friday

2008 ACC-Big Ten Challenge

These two conferences are somewhat down compared to past seasons but the top teams are still fantastic and the fans will be treating to two possibly epic showdowns: Duke-Purdue and North Carolina-Michigan State. Here are my predictions for the Challenge.

Monday Dec. 1

Wisconsin at Virginia Tech

Tuesday Dec. 2

Duke at Purdue
Clemson at Illinois
Ohio St at Miami
Virginia at Minnesota
Iowa at Boston College

Wednesday Dec. 3

North Carolina vs Michigan State (Ford Field, Detroit)
Indiana at Wake Forest
Michigan at Maryland
Florida State at Northwestern
Penn State at Georgia Tech

WINNERS:
Virginia Tech
Purdue
Clemson
Miami
Minnesota
Boston College
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Maryland
Florida State
*Upset Special Penn State over Georgia Tech

ACC 8-3

The ACC dominance will because of the lack of depth in the Big Ten and also key games will be played at ACC venues with the exception of the Duke-Purdue game.