The Butler Didn't Do It

Struggling Butler needs a win on Saturday after getting upset again by a non-ranked team (Loyola-Chicago) on Thursday. The Bulldogs have lost 3 of their last 5. We believe that they need to win their conference for an NCAA bid. Not looking like it.

Saturday's games:

3. Florida: at LSU. Remember when LSU was ranked? Remember Glen "Big Baby" Davis? Oh, those were the days. Forward-wind to now and LSU is 14-13 and will not see any post-season play. Davis is still working hard, but his supporting cast stands around and watches. Gators win this one big.

4. UCLA: host Stanford. While the Cardinals did beat the Bruins a month ago, they are struggling as of late and will have a hard time with UCLA. Quality depth will be the key in this game as UCLA will win. BUT, it will be close. No upset, though.

6. Kansas: play host to Iowa State. No need to pontificate. Jayhawks win this one at home.

8. Pitt: at #12 Georgetown. We have been waiting for this one. This is the game of the day. Battle of the two teams tied for first in the Big East. The Hoyas have won 10 straight, while the Panthers are struggling, having won their last 2 games against unranked and not-good teams by an average of only 3.5 points. We have said all year that Pitt is over-rated, and we still believe it. So, the Hoyas win this game.

9. Texas A&M: host Baylor. Baylor is 13-13 and have lost 4 of their last 5 games. Aggies roll.

10. Nevada: at Boise State. Nevada has lost just 1 out of its last 19 games, BUT, they only beat Boise State by 4 in their last meeting. The Broncos have won 5 straight, and they are no joke. What happens? Upset. Boise State wins by less than 10. This game will rely on guard play.

11. Washington State: at Oregon State. Yes, the Cougars just lost to Oregon, but they are still strong, and will rebound with a win over bottom-of-the-barrel OSU.

13. Air Force: at TCU. The basic call is that the Falcons are very good and the Horned Frogs (what the heck?) are not. The Frogs have lost 11 straight, by-the-way. One of those losses was a 36-point slaughter by Air Force. Enough said? We think so. Falcons fly!

14. Southern Illinois: play host to Evansville. The Salukis' last loss was to Evansville, and it was a fluke. The hound dogs are going as far as the Sweet Sixteen this season, and the Aces (what kind of a team name is that?) will have 16 losses this season. No contest. Southern Illinois wins.

15. Butler: hosts Detroit. Butler is sucking wind, and sits a half game behind Wright State (not ranked) in the no-talent Horizon League. The Bulldogs have lost 3 of their last 5. So, what are they doing with a #15 ranking? That's what we want to know. Butler is bad. BUT, they will win this game. Does anyone care? We don't, since they won't see the second round of the Big Dance. They are a non-factor.

16. Marquette: at #23 Notre Dame. The Irish have just hung around the rankings this year, but they look like they are peaking. Marquette has lost 3 of their last 4. Lack of experience is what is killing the Golden Eagles. We think upset on this one. Notre Dame wins.

19. Virginia: play host to Georgia Tech. Good game to watch. This is a battle of the guards. But, experience will prevail as the Cavaliers win.

20. Texas: at Oklahoma. Texas is peaking. Oklahoma is not. Longhorns win.

22. BYU: at San Diego State. The Mormons are rolling with 8-straight wins. The Aztecs, however, have won 6 of their last 7. This game deserves a close look. Our call? Unless BYU starts hitting 3-pointers, San Diego State will win, especially if the Mormons start racking up the fouls. AND, the Aztecs have only lost 2 games at home this season, with one of them being to then-#15 Arizona. Aztecs win.

24. Oregon: host Washington. We wish someone would tell us how Oregon is even ranked. They have lost 5 of their last 7 games for goodness sakes! Washington is no better, entering this game with a 3-game losing streak. But, we really think the Huskies will win. Upset!

25. Alabama: play host to Auburn. Both teams suck. The Tigers pounded Bama by 24 a month ago. Not much has changed since then. Bama loses and hopefully falls out of the rankings for good.

Bonne nuit!