Picks of the Week
By Tee Kane
February 21, 2008
I’m going to go easy on the politics this week, because it’s time to get focused on the hoops and start making some judgments about teams and how they will fare come tournament time. From now until the conference tournament, everything a team does should create a gut feeling about its ability to pull off a stretch run in March and early April. Pay special attention to any of teams with freshmen that would have normally jumped to the NBA before the age-limit rule (Kansas State-Michael Beasley, Indiana-Eric Gordon, UCLA-Kevin Love, USC-O.J. Mayo). One of these teams might rise to a new level and make an intriguing Final Four pick.
Memphis vs. Tennessee (February 23, 2008)
It’s quite a treat to have the top two teams in the national polls square off this late in the season. Tennessee is, to quote Abraham Lincoln, “the last best hope” to beat Memphis in the regular season. Memphis nearly gave up its undefeated season this past Saturday with a one-point victory over UAB. Even though Memphis and Tennessee are ranked number one and two respectively, there’s actually quite a large difference between the two teams (don’t be surprised if the opening line is close to 10 points). Memphis has been untouchable at home while Tennessee has underperformed in its last six road games. I’m going to jump all over Memphis in this game if the point spread if the game is six points or less.
Final Prediction: Memphis 86, Tennessee 72
Pittsburgh vs. Louisville (February 24, 2008)
This game could go a long way to deciding who will win the Big East regular season. Louisville is red hot and now has a lot of people claiming it’s the best team in the Big East. However, with Levance Fields back for his third game since breaking his foot, he should be back to his old self and give Pittsburgh the upset. A win will also get Louisville back into the race for one of the all-important top four seeds for the Big East tournament.
Final Prediction: Pittsburgh 62, Louisville 61
Kansas State vs. Texas (February 25, 2008)
I’m might more excited for this match-up than even the Memphis-Tennessee game. Kansas State is one of those aforementioned teams with a superstar freshman that could be headed for a deep run in March. They’ll get a great test when the host the red-hot Longhorns. Texas is probably the hottest team in the country at the moment with five wins against top-50 teams over the past three weeks, including an enormous win over Kansas. Despite all this, I believe Kansas State should be the favorite and the eventual victor. If there’s one thing Texas doesn’t do well, it’s keeping opposing teams off the offensive glass, and it just so happens that Michael Beasley, the best rebounder in the country, plays for Kansas State.
Final Prediction: Kansas State 70, Texas 67