MSU men vs. No. 4 Ohio State
4 p.m. Saturday, Breslin Center TK — MSU has the ideal roster to match up with Ohio State — four big guys to ride Greg Oden like a mechanical bull — but the Spartans are going to need a lot more consistency if they're going to finish what they started in Columbus last weekend. They need to find a reliable second scoring option, cut their turnovers significantly and stop digging themselves into holes that are too big to climb out of.I'm not sure this team has the makeup to do that yet.
Ohio State 78, MSU 67
EC — To borrow from ESPN's Bill Simmons, this has all the makings of a "Kitchen Sink Game." MSU will win for one simple reason: The Spartans need the win much more than Ohio State does. The Green and White are fighting for their tournament lives, while the Buckeyes are a lock for a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance. Look for Tom Izzo to pull out all the stops, even if it means calling in Tonya Harding's ex-husband to put a bounty on Greg Oden's head.
MSU 63, Ohio State 62
MB — Last weekend's game certainly was interesting. MSU went all-out and nearly came away with a pretty big upset.
With the news that Mateen Cleaves' jersey will be raised to Breslin Center's rafters, I expect the Spartans to come out with a fire and intensity that hasn't been seen in a while around here. But if they put out another complete dud of a first half, this will get ugly. If MSU allows Ohio State to get up by even 10 points early this time, it's all over.
I don't see that happening.
MSU 68, Ohio State 65
SR — What can't be said about Ohio State phenom Greg Oden, as he helped to hold off a furious rally from the Spartans last week. The first half wasn't one to remember, so we know MSU head coach Tom Izzo and his staff will make sure that situation won't repeat itself. Look for the Spartans to bounce back.
Ohio State does have other weapons, but with the improved play of MSU's Drew Neitzel and Raymar Morgan, look for the Spartans to deal a blow to the Buckeyes' momentum. The Spartans will pull off a close one, so sit back and enjoy a Spartans win.
MSU 74, Ohio State 69 (OT)
No. 6 Kansas vs. No. 10 Texas A&M
9 p.m. Saturday TK — Since an early season hiccup against Oral Roberts, Kansas barely has been challenged at Allen Fieldhouse, having notched 13 straight home wins, only one of which was by fewer than 10 points. And Texas A&M's three losses all have come on the road, including last week against Texas Tech.In an otherwise even — and very enticing — matchup, home cooking is the edge.
Kansas 74, Texas A&M 71
EC — The crowd at Allen Fieldhouse may be enough to make most opposing teams cower in fear, but Texas A&M is too good on the defensive end for this game to be a blowout. Led by senior guard Acie Law, the Aggies will get the win against a Jayhawks team that isn't immune to folding under the pressure of big games.
Texas A&M 76, Kansas 72
MB — Kansas certainly looked impressive Monday, laying a whipping on Nebraska. The Jayhawks have dominated their last three games after a disappointing loss to Texas Tech.
This game should be a dandy. When I look at the rankings and see Texas A&M as a top 10 team, it just doesn't compute. Despite the Aggies being somewhat of a feel-good story, I don't see them being able to pull off the win here, especially on the road.
Kansas 84, Texas A&M 77
SR — Head coach Billy Gillespie has done wonders in just two years to turn around an Aggie program that was headed south fast. He has his team confident and ready to test themselves on the road in Kansas. Allen Fieldhouse is almost an impossible place to get a win, but this will be the midterm exam both teams need to head down the final stretch of the Big 12. Look for an intense battle between two of college basketball's top teams and coaches. Kansas has the home-court advantage, and it will show early.
Kansas 87, Texas A&M 82
Arkansas vs. Kentucky
1:05 p.m. Saturday TK — I like Arkansas. It's got a pair of pint-sized guards a la MSU (Patrick Beverley and Gary Ervin) and a 7-footer whose ponytail reminds me of our tech guy at The State News.But seeing as how the Razorbacks have lost four of six, I like the Wildcats a little bit more. Kentucky had won 11 straight before a recent two-game skid, and its size advantage should be a big factor down the stretch.
Kentucky 72, Arkansas 61
EC — I wish I could just cop out and flip a coin when I'm not sure what to say about a game, but unlike some of my fellow proggers (ahem … Bishop), I am a man of integrity.
Both teams are holding opponents to less than 66 points per game in SEC play. It'll be a close game, but Kentucky will win in the final minutes because of superior coaching by head coach Tubby Smith.
Kentucky 65, Arkansas 63
MB — I don't know what it is, but I just can't get into SEC games. So let's go to my awesome friend "The Dime" because "The Quarter" is not in stock today.
Arkansas is heads, Kentucky is tails.
Kentucky 68, Arkansas 64
SR — Kentucky has great scoring inside with Randolph Morris and a slashing wing dynamo in Michigan product Joe Crawford. Arkansas head coach Stan Heath, a former MSU assistant, has his team playing well at home. Kentucky will try to keep the pace fast and furious, but that plays right into the hands of Heath and Co. Look for Arkansas to continue its strong play at home and pull out a nail-biter against the Wildcats.
Arkansas 83, Kentucky 77
MSU women vs. Illinois
2 p.m. Sunday, Breslin Center TK — Joanne P. McCallie said her team's biggest problem on its road trip was rebounding, and now the Big Ten's best rebounding team is coming to town. That's like having really bad allergies on Christmas, then getting a ragweed-covered kitten as a gift.But the Illini have enough other deficiencies to raise some red flags. They've been very turnover-prone and have had problems against teams with size, which the Spartans have in spades. MSU is undoubtedly struggling, but Breslin Center is always a good place to get out of a funk.
MSU 59, Illinois 56
EC — Much like the men's team, the MSU women are reeling after two straight road losses. And much like the men's team, I expect their homecoming to be a sweet one. Allyssa DeHaan and Aisha Jefferson will re-establish MSU's rebounding prowess, and the Spartans will get back on the right track.
MSU 60, Illinois 49
MB — This will be an interesting test for the Spartans, facing a Big Ten team that is right in the middle of the pack like themselves. With the game being at Breslin Center, I anticipate an MSU win, but it certainly won't be easy.
Despite some pretty good success the past few seasons against the Fighting Illini, this will be a hard-fought game from start to finish. Illinois has some tough inside players with a lot of people who can rebound and a lot of people who can block shots. MSU has to be wary of this.
MSU 64, Illinois 57
SR — The Spartans will have a tough matchup against an Illinois team that is looking to leapfrog MSU in the Big Ten race. This will be an important game because whoever wins this game will have time to dwell on the results until they meet again Feb. 22 in Champaign, Ill.
MSU's Victoria Lucas-Perry and Allyssa DeHaan pose a nice inside-outside threat, but Illinois brings its own duo in Lori Bjork and Jenna Smith. Look for the Spartans to make an example of the Illini and get a big win in the friendly confines of Breslin Center.
MSU 62, Illinois 52
