MSU men vs. Michigan
9 p.m. Tuesday, Breslin Center
TK — Michigan is about as disciplined as my IM team. (That's not a compliment.) I'm not sure how a Big Ten squad can get by playing with such little direction, but the Wolverines just seem to float through games without any semblance of a game plan. Even in the middle of its longest skid in years, MSU should be well-coached enough to take advantage.MSU 74, U-M 69
EC — MSU … on five days rest … at home … against Tommy Turtleneck. Yeah, I think I'll go with the Green and White on this one.
MSU 75, U-M 60
MB — Well here we go, the classic rivalry game. Both of these teams are close to desperation mode in terms of making the NCAA Tournament. For U-M, making the Big Dance would be icing on the cake. More than likely, they'll head to the NIT (which was just for starters a few years back, according to rapper-extraordinare/forward Brent Petway) where they could make another run at being No. 66. And, please, I beg you fellow students — do not let there be another "If you can read this sign, you're not Brent Petway" sign in the Izzone this time.
MSU 71, U-M 66
JB — Both of these teams are in need of a win. I think both teams are 4-5 in Big Ten play (as of Wednesday), so that adds to the rivalry aspect of the game. But I really feel MSU will win the game.
MSU 72, U-M 69
Georgetown vs. Marquette
Noon Saturday
TK — Both teams enter on extended winning streaks — Marquette has won eight straight, the Hoyas six. But a closer look reveals which streak means more. Marquette's run includes wins against then-ranked UConn, then-ranked West Virginia and a huge road victory at then-No. 6 Pitt. Georgetown has been beating up on South Florida, Rutgers and the rest of the Big East's cellar dwellers. Smells like teen spirit — er, fool's gold — to me.
Marquette 67, Georgetown 62
EC — (Putting on my Matt Bishop mask … ) Obviously, this is a big game. Can the Hoyas keep it going? Bank on it! It Should be a good one, gang!
Georgetown 73, Marquette 69
MB — Because I was chastised by Ethan Conley for picking a game with a flip of a coin last week (and, like the ball, the coin never lies), I have decided to do it again this week. It comes up tails, meaning a big Marquette win.
Marquette 74, Georgetown 61
JB — Marquette is one of the hotter teams in the country. It's not a great shooting team, but it's a team that's very good defensively and has three outstanding guards. The key to the game is (Marquette forward) Dan Fitzgerald — if he's knocking shots down, Marquette is hard to beat.
But Georgetown is a real sleeper team for the NCAA Tournament and Final Four. I think Georgetown will play a lot of zone and win.
Georgetown 68, Marquette 66
Kentucky vs. Florida
9 p.m. Saturday
TK — Pretty remarkable stat: Each one of Florida's starting five is averaging at least 10 points a game. James Naismith himself couldn't have drawn up a more well-balanced offense. At this point, the Gators look like one of the few legit contenders for the national title, along with North Carolina and maybe UCLA. You'll notice Kentucky is not on that list.
Florida 81, Kentucky 68
EC — I don't see any way Kentucky can pull off the upset. The Wildcats would need a monster game from Randolph Morris. They won't get one — not with Joakim Noah and Al Horford roaming the paint for the defending champs, who are looking unstoppable.
Florida 82, Kentucky 67
MB — Florida is a very solid team and SEC games of this nature are always tough. Florida has a lot of big game experience. Despite Tubby Smith's best efforts, the Gators will walk away from this unscathed and stay in great position to go on another big run.
Florida 79, Kentucky 70
JB — This is our ESPN GameDay game. Florida, I think, is the best team in the country. They're the most mature, and they've got all their roles down pat. Kentucky is a younger team that is just starting to hit stride a little bit, but Florida wins this one.
Florida 81, Kentucky 74
MSU women vs. Purdue
3:10 p.m. Sunday, Mackey Arena
TK — The first meeting between these two teams was a statistical dead heat except for one area — Purdue hit nine of its 19 3-point attempts, while MSU hit just five of 23. If either team moves closer to its season average, Purdue probably doesn't win that game. The Spartans are due for a big road win, and this rematch seems as likely a time as any.
MSU 64, Purdue 61
EC — I was at Mackey Arena last season when Katie Gearlds lit up the Spartans for 23 points, six assists and five rebounds in a 73-53 Boilermakers win. Gearlds is a year older, but the Spartans are much younger. MSU has never been a sure bet on the road, and I don't see them hanging close for more than a half. Purdue wins big.
Purdue 69, MSU 50
MB — This is going to be a very tough challenge for the ladies. Purdue already has defeated the Spartans this season in a game that MSU could've and should've won, but little breakdowns prevented that from happening. The Spartans need to come into this game hungry and focused to win. But even with that, the tough environment and even tougher team might be too much to overcome.
Purdue 71, MSU 59
JB — I do watch women's games, but I don't know enough about them. I'd just be making it up.
