TK — The Spartans looked like a much different team Wednesday at Breslin Center than the one that got bounced at Iowa and Indiana. Granted, it was against Northwestern, the France of the Big Ten. But that's what home-court advantage does. Since conference play started, Big Ten home teams are 12-2.

That edge — and hopefully a full game from Raymar Morgan — should be enough to even up MSU's conference record.

MSU 68, Illinois 60

EC — MSU needs a big game from freshman forward Raymar Morgan, ASAP. He's the key cog in the Spartans' offense. He can slash, shoot and crash the offensive boards. Hopefully for the Spartans — playing their most important game of the season — he'll be back in the flow.

If this were a road game, I'd give the edge to the Illini. But the Izzone should lift the Spartans to an ugly, grind-it-out victory.

MSU 58, Illinois 53

MB — When two good but struggling squads get together, it usually equals a good game. Both these teams are hungry and, as weird as it sounds, have something to prove.

Both these teams have the talent, but will they execute?

Illinois has a two-game Breslin Center winning streak. Do I see that extending? Not a chance.

MSU 67, Illinois 63

JH — MSU plays its best all-around game to defeat Illinois and even its Big Ten record.

MSU 60, Illinois 55

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No. 25 Maryland vs. No. 14 Clemson

2 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU

TK — Clemson, the last remaining undefeated team in the nation, will unquestionably get a wake-up call soon. The Tigers have won four games by four points or fewer, and the three ACC teams they've beaten are a combined 0-7 in the conference. That's got "BACK TO EARTH" written all over it in permanent marker.

I still think the Tigers can keep their streak alive through this game. But their stretch of games starting this weekend against UNC, Boston College and Duke? That might get ugly.

Clemson 74, Maryland 71

EC — Of the 12 teams in the ACC, no squad would seem less likely to be undefeated in mid-January than Clemson. But the Tigers are no fraud — just look at their defensive statistics: 60.4 points allowed per game, 10.3 steals per game and 5.6 blocks per games. Baskets come at a premium when you're playing Clemson. I'll take the Tigers in a close one, especially since Darryl Strawberry could fall off the wagon at any time, leading to a big distraction for his son (and Terps guard) D.J. Strawberry.

Clemson 74, Maryland 71

MB — Clemson? Undefeated? Really? Can I end another sentence with a question mark?

This should be one of the better games of the weekend (as if you already didn't realize that). The stats don't really support Clemson's record, but you don't get this far into the season unbeaten unless the talent is there.

Will Clemson remain undefeated? Bank on it!

Clemson 74, Maryland 71

JH — It's Strawberry time as Maryland defeats the nation's only unbeaten team.

Maryland 82, Clemson 72

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No. 16 Tennessee vs. No. 5 Ohio State

1 p.m. Saturday, CBS

TK — Since Greg Oden returned from wrist surgery, Ohio State's only two losses came when he was held to 10 points or fewer. Unfortunately for the Vols, they don't have anybody capable of putting the clamp on him like that. Tennessee's all-underclassman frontcourt has been a collective sieve so far. Expect Oden to go off for 30 points, then finally announce that's his real age.

Ohio State 94, Tennessee 85

EC — I think it's a bit early for Oden to drop 30 points. Let's wait until he's got two hands to work with. Right now, he's only scoring from point blank. Here's a more likely scenario: Bruce Pearl's profuse sweating creates a large puddle near the Tennessee bench, which Oden will slip in, spraining his left wrist in an attempt to break the fall. It just seems like a bad luck week for the Bucknuts.

(But they'll still top the Vols.)

Ohio State 83, Tennessee 68

MB — Was it just me or did it look like Greg Oden aged about six years during Ohio State's loss to Wisconsin? (For those keeping score at home, he is anywhere from 26 to 46 years old now).

Despite the loss, the Buckeyes gained some momentum in the final minute of that Wisconsin game, but will that help them here? I don't think so.

Tennessee 78, Ohio State 77

JH — It's run and shoot with Tennessee's pressing defense, but Oden is too much for the Volunteers.

Ohio State 86, Tennessee 78

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Iowa vs. MSU women

3:05 p.m. Sunday, Carver-Hawkeye Arena

TK — Iowa guard Zoraa Quoie might have the best Scrabble name ever, but that's about all the Hawkeyes have going for them right now. They've lost five of their last eight games and have the worst scoring defense in the Big Ten. You'd think getting back to Carver-Hawkeye Arena would help, but they've lost five of their last six home games, too.

MSU, meanwhile, seems poised for a nice little run. If the Spartans can get past this game, they've got three very winnable ones (Michigan, Iowa again, Penn State) looming ahead. As The Cars once said, let the good times roll.

MSU 74, Iowa 66

EC — The Spartans had no answer for Iowa center Megan Skouby when they last ventured to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Skouby's career best in points and rebounds have all come against MSU. The Green and White struggled to win on the road in the Big Ten last season, and until they prove otherwise, I can't give them the nod.

Iowa 72, MSU 62

MB — Going on the road always seems more challenging than it is. The Spartans have been pretty decent away from the friendly confines of Breslin Center this season, compiling a 5-1 record on the road.

Iowa, though, is one tough cookie. Freshman center Allyssa DeHaan will have her hands full with Iowa 6-foot-6 sophomore center Megan Skouby, who torched the Spartans last season.

We'll see what happens here, but I think MSU has the talent to grind out another tough victory.

MSU 59, Iowa 52

JH — Iowa is no match for the highly-rated Spartans, who are too quick and too tall for the Hawkeyes.

MSU 72, Iowa 60