The Huge College Basketball Preview

According to ESPN, this is blockbuster Saturday and I am going to give you all the insight you will need.

1. Pittsburgh-at 21. Louisville- I am titling this game the Mitchy Bowl because our friends at Boom Business have been hating on the Cards while here at Chuck's Corner have been riding Louisville's jock all year. This game to me is too close to call, but I think when it boils down to if Louisville hits their outside shots, they will win this one if not, they are in big trouble. I take the Cards to knock off number one. LOUIS 85-81

2. Duke-vs. 12. Georgetown- The Hoyas have been through the gauntlet and this is the final test, a big time showdown at Cameron Indoor where the Dukies havent lost a non-conference game there in about 65 games. The Blue Devils have been playing some of the best basketball in the nation while the Hoyas have been on sort of a roller coaster. I think there really isnt one Duke player that can stop Greg Monroe inside and I think Georgetown can handle Duke perimeter game. In my opinion, this is a huge upset but number two goes down too. GT 74-69

3. Wake Forest-at 9. Clemson- I keep doubting the Demon Decons and I really want to here as well because they are playing their first road test in a couple weeks and the Clemson Tigers want to show the nation that they are the real deal this year and should be a force to reckon with the ACC. I think this is a close battle but I cannot see all top three teams losing this Saturday, very possible but wont happen. Also my consistent doubt of Wake Forest isnt right and I think they are very good and poise to win this game. WAKE 83-82

4. Connecticut-vs. Seton Hall (Sunday)-The Huskies looked alright in their game against the Red Storm, taking care of business late when they need and they get a home game against the hapless Pirates. UConn should have no problem in this one. UCONN 86-65

5. Oklahoma-at Texas A&M- The Sooners take their winning ways into College Station for a showdown with the Aggies. They have been tough on at home beating Baylor already this week and are looking to uspet one of the nation's best. If the Aggies want to win they need to stop Blake Griffen so they need a huge game out of Chinmelu Elonu to hold him at bay but I dont see it happening, the Sooners win late. OKLA 78-75

6. North Carolina-vs. Miami- The U have to be one of the most disappointing teams so far this season and they head into a ruckus Chapel Hill for a College GameDay night game which always proves tough. The Tar Heels got their swagger back with a win on Thursday and will be poised to do it again on Saturday. UNC 85-75

7. UCLA-vs. 15. Arizona State- No one has realized this but the Bruins are starting to pick up steam as of late. They are playing really good basketball and not many are noticing. The Sun Devils on the other hand lost to USC on Thursday and are sort of reeling as late. James Harden gives them a chance to win any game they are playing but I think his efforts wont be enough to beat Bruins. UCLA 74-68

8. Syracuse-vs. 13. Notre Dame- The Fighting Irish suffered another defeat by the hands of Louisville and I think it exposes that they arent very deep as a whole plus they have struggled on the road as of late. Now the Cuse got their asses handed to them earlier this week by Georgetown so both team are poised for a big game while I think Cuse doesnt have an answer for Harangoody, I think the Irish's road struggles are worst than people think. SYR 76-68

10. Michigan State-vs. Illinois- Is there any team in the nation thats hotter than the Spartans right now? I think they are playing some of the best basketball I have seen this year despite almost blowing a 17 pt lead in Happy Valley on Tuesday. I think the Illini have a good team and they have found ways to win on the road in the Big Ten although the Breslin Center is a different animal plus they have the size to matchup with the Illini. MSU 65-60

11. Texas-at Texas Tech- The Michael Crabtree Bowl? Nah, after that game though you expect the Longhorn fans are licking their chops as they play a poor Red Raider team who hasnt found its identity yet. Texas wins big in this one. TEXAS 76-61

14. Marquette-at Providence-As a Marquette fan, I am very worried about this game. The Friars played Georgetown very tough on the road and has beat Marquette at home, once or twice already during their time in the Big East. Although Marquette had a week to prepare for this one so I like their chances. MU 79-76

17. Minnesota-at Northwestern (Sunday)- I was really impressed with how the Gophers came back to beat the Badgers last night showing me they are team here to stay in the Top 25 all year but beware of the letdown. The Wildcats seem to bring out the worse in teams when they are on the road but I think the Gophers do the same thing as Purdue on Thursday and win one late. MINN 58-55

18. Butler-at Illinois-Chicago- The Bulldogs almost made me look foolish last week when they let a Detroit team hang around and this is the same situation, it no way should Butler lose to the Flames on Saturday. BUT 65-57

19. Purdue-vs. Iowa (Sunday)- The Boilermakers escaped near defeat on yesterday almost losing at Northwestern. They have gotten back to full strength and I think they will have no problem with the Hawkeyes. PURDUE 70-46

21. Baylor-vs. Oklahoma State- The Baylor Bears continue to hover around that 20-25 range and still really havent been tested all year by one of the bests in the Big 12. Oklahoma State is a decent team but hasnt shown the capability to beat the big teams, they will lose this one. BAY 75-62

22. Villanova-vs. St. John (Sunday)- The Wildcats have had over a week to think about how they pissed away the game against Louisville and will be ready to destroy the Red Storm who has played teams tough so far this year. I think the Wildcats will pull away in the second half. NOVA 72-57

23. California-at Stanford- The Big Game involving the return of Mike Montgomery to Stanford where I am sure the welcome will not be that warm. The Cardinal have had a rocky start to Pac-10 play losing a couple close battles and they need this win to fall behind even further. The goofy tree gets a win. STAN 72-64

24. Michigan-vs. Ohio State- Another great rivalry game this week and the both teams need a win to keep pace in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes are still without David Lighty and Mark Titus which will hurt them in all facets of the game but I believe they have come on strong of late. Michigan recently hasnt impressed me much with the way they have been playing. The Buckeyes get it done. OSU 68-65

25. St. Mary-vs. Pepperdine- The Gaels (what the hell is a Gael exactly?) appear in the Top 25, led by sensation Paddy Mills in the backcourt they should have no problem with the Waves. STM 78-59

-Charlie.