For as much as I’ve talked up Bramlage Coliseum — aka the Octagon of Doom — Kansas State lost at home to Oklahoma State last weekend. Anyone who watched KSU handle number-one Texas in that nasty environment in Manhattan must have been shocked to see the loss to OSU. I know I was. Something tells me the Wildcats will be ready to play on Saturday, however, especially since the College Gameday crew is coming to town.
Prediction: Kansas State 70, Kansas 68
GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Butler at Green Bay
Friday 8 p.m.
Butler hasn’t lost yet in Horizon League play. If the Bulldogs’ undefeated record were destroyed, it’d be tonight. This is their toughest game of the conference season.
Prediction: Butler 76, Green Bay 66
Duke at Georgetown
Saturday 12 p.m.
Duke is probably a little deeper than Georgetown, but the Hoyas’ starting five can play with anyone in the nation. At home, I’ll take G’Town in a squeaker.
Prediction: Georgetown 72, Duke 71
Oklahoma State at Missouri
Saturday 1 p.m.
If you like fast-paced basketball, watch this one on Saturday. Last year’s score in Stillwater was 97-95. Can you keep up?
Prediction: Missouri 88, Oklahoma State 80
Oklahoma State at Missouri
Saturday 1 p.m.
If you like fast-paced basketball, watch this one on Saturday. Last year’s score in Stillwater was 97-95. Can you keep up?
Prediction: Missouri 88, Oklahoma State 80
Baylor at Texas
Saturday 3 p.m.
Texas Tech gave Texas all it wanted and more on Wednesday in Austin. Baylor’s a better team than Tech with the same kind of offensive capabilities.
Prediction: Texas 78, Baylor 72
Vanderbilt at Kentucky
Saturday 3 p.m.
The first-place team in the SEC is starting to hit its stride. I’m talking about undefeated Vanderbilt, of course, who just won at Tennessee.
Prediction: Kentucky 75, Vanderbilt 68
Harvard at Cornell
Saturday 6
ESPN should pick this game up, because it’s the Game of the Year in the Ivy League. It’s a game featuring two of the league’s top players, Ryan Wittman of Cornell and Jeremy Lin of Harvard. But more importantly, it’s a game that may determine the regular season champion, and thus the NCAA Tournament invitee—because remember, there’s no conference tournament.
Prediction: Cornell 65, Harvard 63
Last week’s prediction record: 9-4
Overall prediction record: 94-54