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Arizona is in first place after beating California yesterday. Yes, the same Wildcats who lost by 17 points to Oklahoma and San Diego State and got run out of their own gym by BYU are now in first place in the Pac-10.

And with that, I lead you into what should be a crazy week of hoops.

OPENING THOUGHTS

Thought 1: Cornell is King

In decisive and impressive fashion, Cornell whooped Harvard 86-50 at home on Saturday in possibly the biggest game in Ivy League history. The Big Red seized control of the league, which doesn�t have a conference tournament. The two teams play again Feb. 19. With a RPI in the 30s, a win at Alabama and no bad losses, Cornell could soon enter the top-25 and receive a lofty seed from the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Now, the next step for this program is to win a game in the Dance, something it�s failed to do in the last two seasons.

WEEKLY PREVIEW

GAME OF THE WEEK

Michigan State at Wisconsin
Tuesday 8 p.m.

Technically, Wisconsin is still alive in the Big Ten race. Realistically, Michigan State will roll to the title.

Prediction: Michigan State 59, Wisconsin 58

OTHER GAMES OF NOTE

Connecticut at Louisville
Monday 6 p.m.

Both teams are coming off a loss and desperate to get a win�especially Louisville, which let a game slip away at West Virginia this weekend and needs to build its NCAA tourney resume.

Prediction: Louisville 77, Connecticut 70

Texas at Oklahoma State
Monday 8 p.m.

I�m looking like a fool for predicting that Texas would �roll from here to the Final Four.� The Longhorns are in the midst of a major swoon, and it�s not going to be easy to win at Gallagher-Iba.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 83, Texas 72

Mississippi at Kentucky
Tuesday 6 p.m.

I thought Vanderbilt would at least test Kentucky at Rupp on Saturday, but the Wildcats had no trouble breezing past Kevin Stallings� squad. I expect a similar result tomorrow night.

Prediction: Kentucky 80, Ole Miss 66

Pittsburgh at West Virginia
Wednesday 6 p.m.

This edition of the Backyard Brawl has even more importance for struggling Pittsburgh, who lost at South Florida this weekend. The Panthers have now lost three of four.

Prediction: West Virginia 72, Pittsburgh 62

William and Mary at Old Dominion
Tuesday 6 p.m.

Old Dominion already won at William and Mary in January, and the Tribe have now lost three games to fall to 6-4 in the CAA. It�s a shame that they�ve tumbled, since their out-of-conference performance (wins against Wake, Richmond and Maryland) would have put them in position for an at-large.

Prediction: Old Dominion 68, William and Mary 62

Marshall at Tulsa
Wednesday 7 p.m.

So much for Marshall�s hot start�it�s lost four in a row now.

Prediction: Tulsa 72, Marshall 62

Wichita State at Northern Iowa
Wednesday 7:05 p.m.

Wichita State is a different team on the road. Even though the Shockers handled Northern Iowa at Koch Arena, the Panthers shouldn�t have any trouble on Wednesday.

Prediction: Northern Iowa 68, Wichita State 55

Texas A&M at Missouri
Wednesday 8 p.m.

Missouri slaughtered Oklahoma State on Saturday by forcing the Cowboys into turnover after turnover. To be fair, OSU did play without point guard Raymond Penn. Then again, A&M guard Derrick Roland is out for the year after suffering that horrific injury against Washington.

Prediction: Missouri 86, Texas A&M 62

Georgia Tech at Duke
Thursday 8 p.m.

Duke will be out for blood after an embarrassing loss to Georgetown.

Prediction: Duke 78, Georgia Tech 65

Maryland at Florida State
Thursday 8 p.m.

Florida State�s biggest strength�its size�is Maryland�s biggest weakness. That�s what makes this game so intriguing.

Prediction: Florida State 75, Maryland 69

Last week�s prediction record: 5-2
Overall prediction record: 99-56

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