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.