Bradley at MSU

TK — I don't know who this Bradley guy is, but he's pretty gutsy to think he can beat the entire MSU team by himself. Remember the score the last time someone tried that? MSU 287, George 2. I know the game is becoming more one-on-one, but this is ridiculous. Next time, Brad should at least invite some friends along.

MSU 81, Bradley 59

SH — The bad news: Bradley is one of those pesky midmajors that can knock you off at any point and your fan base will say, "What the heck?" The good news: The Braves just lost to Tennessee Tech. This one should be a tough game, but honestly, Bradley seems to be getting a little cocky, as evident by changing its name to just Brad. Being cocky never pays off (just ask Apollo Creed and Clubber Lang).

MSU 74, Bradley 62

JN — If Bradley thinks it's going to use the "we're a midmajor team, so we can sneak up on anybody and win the Preseason NIT (Butler) or go to the Final Four (George Mason)" strategy, it's wrong. The Braves' cover has been blown. You can bet every major conference coach is well aware that these little guys have the ability to ball with the big boys. They're not surprising anybody.

MSU 76, Bradley 58

Abraham Lincoln — All my accomplishments in that whole "Civil War" thing make people forget I almost gave up politics to become a professional basketball player. Think about it — a 6-foot-4 (7-foot if you count the hat), lean, mean, shot-abolishing machine. But most importantly, I always looked to include my teammates. That's why I like this Tom Izzo guy — he knows all men are created equal.

MSU four score and seven, Bradley 61

No. 21 Gonzaga at No. 25 Texas

TK — Is Gonzaga's goal to recruit every weird-looking white player in the country? The Bulldogs have a scrawny guy with no neck (Derek Raivio), a goofy guy with red hair (David Pendergraft) … they even replaced one gangly, long-haired guy (Adam Morrison) with another one (freshman Matt Bouldin). I wouldn't be surprised if their next recruiting class includes Napoleon Dynamite. Texas wins on cool points alone.

Texas 78, Gonzaga 68

SH — Both of these teams are dangerous in one way or another, but with this game being on a neutral floor, I see no decided advantage for either squad. With that being said, I think the 'Zags will pull out a win. We'll see how Texas responds now that it's being forced off the Cupcake Diet for a few games.

Gonzaga 74, Texas 69

JN — Why won't I ever root for Gonzaga? I like its coach, its mascot and its style of play. It has played in some of the nation's best games the last few seasons. I even enjoy saying point guard Derek Raivio's last name with a bad Italian accent. Ah, yes, I remember — it's the Adam Morrison factor. I'll never forget the lanky, awkward, moustached Morrison running down the floor, making real athletes look like the scout team. And I'll never pick his team to win. Plus, Texas is just plain better.

Texas 82, Gonzaga 66

George W. Bush — My fellow Americans, Gonzaga is a threat to liberty. Our intelligence is telling us that former player Adam Morrison might be harboring weapons of mass destruction in his moustache. It is imperative the Longhorns win this game to help preserve our homeland security. Oh, and don't mess with Texas.

Texas 78, Gonzaga 71

No. 22 Wichita State at No. 14 Syracuse

TK — Wichita State has given midmajors something to be proud of this season, creeping into the rankings after a 4-0 start that included a road upset of No. 6 LSU. The Shockers even have beaten a reigning Final Four team. (Yes, George Mason counts.) After they take down Syracuse, "midmajor" just won't cut it anymore. We'll have to start calling them an "uber-midmajor."

Wichita State 61, Syracuse 57

SH — Well, well, well, this weekend sure is chock-full of big games, isn't it? Here we have the Shockers looking to eat the Orange. OK, that joke was horrible, but that's one thing this game won't be. Wichita State is a solid basketball team, and I bet you Tom Izzo is glad he isn't playing them again this season. I don't ever know what to think about Syracuse. It seems the Orange have all this talent, but outside of Carmelo Anthony, I can't remember them doing much the past few seasons.

Wichita State 77, Syracuse 61

JN — Whoa, apparently everybody's picking the Shockers to win this one. And here I am, still thinking it's a joke that Wichita State is even in the Top 25. What's one to do? Take the Shockers, who boast an upset of LSU along with wins against Fort Hays State and Rockhurst College? Or the Orange, who took it to Northeastern and Canisius? I'm sure either Gerry MacNamara, Carmelo Anthony or Hakim Warrick will come up big for 'Cuse to pull it out. Oh, wait.

Syracuse 69, Wichita State 64

Bill Clinton — I've always loved Syracuse, mostly because it has a great intern program. I've always loved its campus, mostly because it's within walking distance of a Hooters. And I've always loved Jim Boeheim as a coach, mostly because he looks less masculine than my wife. But come on, how can I pick against a team called the Shockers?

Wichita State 69, Syracuse 64

Women: South Florida at No. 20 MSU

TK — In 39 games as a Spartan, Goran Suton has 22 blocks. In six games as a Spartan, Allyssa DeHaan has 24 blocks. DeHaan has more blocks by herself than four other Big Ten women's teams. The MSU career record for blocks is 194 by Kristen Rasmussen — DeHaan should break that by midway through her sophomore year. In sum, Allyssa DeHaan blocks a lot of shots, which will help MSU defeat South Florida.

MSU 67, South Florida 59

SH — The women get the varsity game at Breslin this weekend, as they tip after the men have completed their game against Brad. Will the crowd stay? I sure hope so. This is a very exciting team that is a heck of a lot of fun to watch. This team deserves your support, so now that you have a chance to do it, let's see Breslin Center packed for two games and show that MSU is the premier university for men's and women's basketball.

MSU 61, South Florida 55

JN — What do we call the female athletes at South Florida? The Lady Bulls? Is it just me or is that a contradictory nickname? For the Spartans, Allyssa DeHaan just can't be reckoned with. With 24 blocks already this season, she's sure to reject any Bull Shot that comes her way. Head coach Joanne P. McCallie better keep an eye on her star center or DeHaan's going to be leaving early for the WNBA Draft.

MSU 63, South Florida 58

Woodrow Wilson — You know, it was during my presidency that women got the right to vote. And if that never happened, do you think women's basketball would have advanced to where it is today? No way. So I guess what I'm saying is: Don't I deserve a cut of the ticket revenue from this game?

MSU 68, South Florida 63