Friday: College basketball predictions

It’s Friday! Time to predict this weekend’s lineup of college basketball!

Marquee Matchup

No. 4 Syracuse @ No. 12 Virginia, Saturday, 3 p.m., ESPN: This is the second straight weekend the ‘Cuse play at a top 25 opponent. This one has all the makings of a defensive slugfest. Virginia holds opponents to just 55 points per game, best in the country. Syracuse does a pretty good job on that end of the floor as well, boasting the seventh ranked defense in the nation. This one will come down to who can score. The Orange have struggled on offense recently, particularly Tyler Ennis an C.J. Fair. I like the Cavaliers at home in this one. Joe Harris and company has won 12 straight. They’ll make it 13 Saturday. Virginia 55 Syracuse 52.

Second Tier

No. 5 Kansas @ Oklahoma State, Saturday, 8 p.m., ESPN: I said this a couple Wednesdays ago in my Top 5; Oklahoma State will make a run at the end of the season. So far, that prediction seems to be coming true. The Cowboys have won two straight after seven in a row. They didn’t just win those games either. They destroyed their opponents by more than 20 points. Now that OSU has its swagger back, here comes the Jayhawks. Kansas is the best team in the Big 12 and is hoping for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. This would be a HUGE resume builder for Oklahoma State, not to mention some momentum heading into the Big 12 Tournament. Marcus Smart proves why he will be a NBA lottery pick and the Cowboys win this one. Oklahoma State 75 Kansas 71.

Could Get Interesting

No. 7 Louisville @ No. 21 Memphis, Saturday, 1 p.m., CBS: The Cardinals are back in the top 10 after an impressive win at Cincinnati last weekend and a beat-down of Temple Thursday. They’ve won seven straight and seem to be peaking at the right time. However, Memphis stands in their way Saturday. The Tigers already beat Louisville on the road this season, and are looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss at Houston. The last time these two teams met, it was a fantastic basketball game. Great tempo, highlight reel dunks, phenomenal defense. We could see a lot more of that, but I think Louisville comes out with a win. Louisville 70 Memphis 68.

Thing I Missed

-Only one top 25 team won in college basketball Thursday. Kentucky was not that team. 

-A brawl broke out last night in Utah during a game between New Mexico State and Utah Valley. 

-Nebraska men’s basketball looks to bounce back against Northwestern Saturday. What do the Huskers need to do to make the Big Dance?

-Speaking of the NCAA Tournament, here's the latest bracketology from ESPN's Joe Lunardi. 

-Jordan Hooper played her final home game Thursday night, and she didn’t disappoint.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! 

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