Ahh, with the Hall of Fame Evaluations done, the College Football regular season done and Baseball still pretty far down the road, its time to find something else to write about which is leading to my first post about basketball and looking ahead to this weekend's action.
All, numbers, rankings, etc were found on ESPN.com
Friday:
Savannah State vs. (8) Baylor
For Baylor this is basically a scrimmage before moving on to the Big 12 portion of their schedule (which starts Tuesday with Iowa State) for Savannah State its another opportunity to maybe improve their strength of schedule which may or may not improve their RPI ranking of 337 (out of 351 teams). Savannah State has two wins, none of which are against Division I teams.
Pick: Baylor
Saturday:
Washington vs. (1) Arizona
Arizona is one of the few undefeated teams left in the country but have only seriously been tested against Duke. Washington has a pedestrian 8-5 record but a 198 RPI indicating they are little threat to upset Arizona or end up in the NCAA tournament. They've lost both games they've played against Top 25 competition (San Diego State & UConn).
Pick: Arizona
Miami (FL) vs. (2) Syracuse
We've got ourselves another undefeated squad in Syracuse that has already passed a couple of tough tests (Baylor & Villanova). The Hurricanes already have a conference loss on their hands and struggled against a weak non-conference slate going 805 and with an RPI of 107 it looks like it could be a long winter for them.
Pick: Syracuse
Nebraska vs. (3) Ohio State
Ohio State had a pretty weak non-conference slate with their only strong win coming against Marquette. Nebraska hasn't played any elite players and are coming at 8-4 but have an RPI of 49 indicating they could be a tournament team if they can at least play .500 ball in the big ten. However, they're gonna start behind the 8-ball being 0-1 in league play.
Pick: Ohio State
(5) Michigan State vs. Indiana
As expected, Michigan State has gotten off to a strong start with only one slip up against North Carolina. Indiana lost their Big 10 opener against Illinois and seems behind the pace compared to the last few years and with some work to do if they want to be back in the tourney.
Pick: Michigan State
(6) Oklahoma State vs Kansas State
Oklahoma State may be a bit under-rated at #6. They've scored themselves some nice wins against Memphis & Colorado and look primed to make a strong tourney run with Marcus Smart. Kansas State had a bad November but seem to have gotten things together in December and have a nice win over Gonzaga to their record but an RPI of 88 indicating they may struggle just to be a middle of the pack team.
Pick: Oklahoma State
(7) Duke vs. Notre Dame
Duke seems ranked this high more on historical success. Their best win was against Michigan and they've lost to the two other elite teams on their non-conference slate (Kansas & Arizona). Surprisingly, their RPI coming into conference play is at 35. Notre Dame is making their ACC debut, despite nearly handing Ohio State their first loss of the season. With a 74 RPI and the loss of Jerian Grant Notre Dame seems primed to struggle in their first ACC season.
Pick: Duke
Richmond vs. (12) Florida
This is Richmond's last game before moving on to this year's version of the Atlantic 10. They have a respectable 10-4 record but an RPI of 80 and a weaker Atlantic 10 conference. This seems very much like a NIT team. Florida may not come in with a perfect record (no shame in losing to Wisconsin & UConn) but they've also got nice wins over Kansas & Memphis. This looks to be a final tune up before Florida goes on to an SEC slate where they should be a top-3 team.
Pick: Florida
(13) Iowa State vs. Texas Tech
Iowa State is one of the last undefeated teams left. While they are bound to lose some games in a strong Big 12, they still look primed to be one of the better teams, if/when they lose I doubt its going to come at the hands of a Texas Tech team that already has a 141 RPI and tied w/West Virginia for the worst non-conference record in the Big 12.
Pick: Iowa State
(14) Louisville vs. Rutgers
Louisville won their first AAC game against UCF the other night (something that their football team could not do) and start their national championship defense in a weakened conference. Rutgers comes in with a 7-7 record and losses to several mid-major schools and a 225 RPI. This one's not even close.
Pick: Louisville
(17) UConn vs. SMU
While UConn did score a win over Florida in non-conference play, they started league play with a loss to Houston and a 36 RPI which could put them on the bubble come February. SMU is at 10-3 but with no marquee wins an a 58 RPI. The outcome of this game may increase in importance as the season progresses.
Pick: UConn
Cincinnati vs. (18) Memphis
Cincinnati may not be ranked but could be with a win here. Their 34 RPI indicates that they could very much be in the mix in the AAC. Memphis for the most part has taken care of business against teams they should beat but not quite sold on them dominating in the AAC. I think Cincinnati gets themselves a good win here.
Pick: Cincinnati
Miami (OH) vs. (23) UMass
UMass has their final non-conference tune up against one of the bottom feeders in the MAC before commencing on their Atlantic 10 Schedule. While they are barely nationally ranked, the computers seem to think this team is pretty legit (#1 RPI, #7 BPI).
Pick: UMass
Pacific vs. (24) Gonzaga
Pacific has been one of the better Big West teams historically and have moved to the West Coast Conference. Their first game was a loss to St. Mary's and this match up against Gonzaga won't be much easier. The computers seem to be okay with Pacific with a 61 RPI but they will need to get some good wins to be seriously in the tourney conversation. Gonzaga is one team where the humans and computers agree on ranking (#24) but they didn't get any major marquee wins in non-conference but look on their way to a dominating performance with a 2-0 conference start so far (though a #1 seeding again looks to be out of the question.
Pick: Gonzaga
Long Beach State vs. (25) Missouri
Long Beach State has had a very intense non conference schedule and did get themselves a win over USC for what its worth before they move on to a much less challenging Big West slate. Missouri is barely ranked despite one blemish (narrow loss to Illinois) but seem to be in good shape to compete in a fairly weak SEC.
Pick: Missouri
Sunday:
(22) Iowa vs. (4) Wisconsin
Both teams have exceeded expectations so far, Iowa comes in at #22 and the computer numbers indicate that they are legit, Wisconsin is still undefeated and are off to one of their best starts ever. I think Iowa can compete with them but the home field advantage in this game is likely a bit much to overcome.
Pick: Wisconsin
Northern Iowa vs. (8) Wichita State
Wichita State is undefeated and has high aspirations after last year's final four run. Every team is gonna give Wichita State a run for their money. I think this game may be close for awhile (they did take fellow undefeated team Iowa State to overtime) but there's no way they win on the road.
Pick: Wichita State
(10) Oregon vs. (20) Colorado
Oregon is undefeated but have needed to go to OT twice to maintain that claim and appear to be for real. Colorado has been strong overall and has a nice win over Kansas to their record. They seem to be legit competition to Oregon to determine who will finish second to Arizona in the Pac-12. I think Colorado pulls this one out.
Pick: Colorado
Providence vs. (11) Villanova
If nothing else, Providence has played some close games, already going to OT three times this year but as a threat to pull off the upset, not so much with an 84 RPI. Villanova also knows a thing or two about playin on the edge with two OT victories to their credit (Iowa & Butler). In a Big East league with very few strong teams, they look poised to be the strongest of the bunch.
Pick: Villanova
(21) San Diego St. vs (16) Kansas
Interesting non-conference battle. San Diego State's only blemish is a 9 point loss to Arizona and they have nice wins over Creighton & Marquette on the mantle.Kansas looks to be one of the stronger Big 12 teams despite a few early losses. I think Kansas will have the better year but I think San Diego St. pulls off the upset on Sunday.
Pick: San Diego State
(19) North Carolina vs Wake Forest
North Carolina is another team I think will get stronger as the season goes on but seem a bit vulnerable at this stage (with losses to Belmont & UAB) to their record. Wake Forest has shown that they may not be great but aren't a pushover either (they only lost to Kansas by 9), I think they get themselves their best win of the season on Sunday.
Pick: Wake Forest
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