College Basketball Weekend Predictions: Must Win

SEC Action - Saturday (All times are Central)

Alabama at No. 3 Florida - 11 am on ESPN

It's going to be a loooooong day for the Tide. They should have just hung it up after losing to Auburn a few weeks back. That was just flat out embarrassing. Keeping the score within 20 would be a moral victory. Winner: Florida.

No. 18 Kentucky at Mississippi State - 12:30 pm on ESPN3

Kentucky has gained a lot of momentum and are playing great basketball since winning at Missouri rather decisively. The Wildcats also held Marshall Henderson in check for the most part. Mississippi State has no chance. Winner: Kentucky.

Tennessee at South Carolina - 2 pm on ESPNU

How Tennessee lost to a 7-man Vanderbilt this past week is beyond comprehension when you have Jarnell Stokes and McRae on your team. It's unexplainable. But I'm giving the Vols another chance. They get it done at SC. Winner: Tennessee.

Arkansas at Vanderbilt - 3 pm on ESPN3

Is it a stretch to say this is a must-win for Arkansas? The Hogs desperately need a split at Vandy and Mizzou in the next week before returning home for two games. Hopefully Arkansas can get Portis going again and get the shorthanded Commodores in foul trouble.

Auburn at LSU - 3 pm on ESPN3

Auburn comes into Baton Rouge as the hotter team. Wait, what? Yes, Auburn, after losing 15 straight SEC games, has run off three straight wins. I don't think they're going to get No. 4, though. Winner: LSU.

Missouri at Ole Miss - 4 pm on ESPN3

You almost have to go with the home team in close matchups. Ole Miss sits at 6-3 in league play, and I just really love watching Marshall Henderson. He's extremely entertaining and he has no chill when it comes to shot selection. He also did this when the Rebels played Mizzou last year. Winner: Ole Miss.

Texas A&M at Georgia - 7 pm on ESPN3

If you were to have told me UGA would be better in league play that Arkansas this season, I would have called it a damn lie. You just don't beat Georgia at home unless you're 10 points better than them entering the arena. I've got to go with Georgia. Winner: Georgia.

Top Non-SEC Action - Saturday

No. 10 Michigan at No. 17 Iowa - 1 pm on ESPN

Outside of Marshall Henderson, Nick Stauskas is probably my favorite player in college basketball to watch. He's improved his game leaps and bounds since last season, becoming a well-rounded player and not just a knockdown shooter. I like the Wolverines to take one in Carver Hawkeye Arena. Winner: Michigan.

Baylor at No. 21 Oklahoma - 6 pm on ESPN2

Oklahoma went into Waco in their last meeting with Baylor and stole one from them. I don't trust Scott Drew and Baylor. They play with such an AAU style mentality and that doesn't fly in the Big XII. Give me the Sooners by close to 10 points. Winner: Oklahoma.

No. 7 Cincinnati at Southern Methodist - 6:30 pm on ESPNU

I don't think there is a team in the nation with more grown men than Cincinnati. They are all older, stronger, and more mature looking players than anyone. But SMU has made its homecourt a fortress. SMU keeps it close, but the Bearcats older players take over and move to 12-0 in the American. Winner: Cincinnati.

No. 4 Wichita State at Northern Iowa - 8 pm on ESPN2

This has trap game written all over it. NIU took Iowa State to OT back in early December. They also kept it within 15 at Wichita State early in MVC play. I think NIU makes things extremely interesting, but fall just short. My Wichita State Shockers are the real deal, guys. Winner: Wichita State.

No. 23 Gonzaga at No. 24 Memphis - 8 pm on ESPN

Gonzaga has quietly creeped back in the top 25 after winning 11 of its last 12 games. But I like Josh Pastner and his club, flip phone and all. If they get to an up-and-down tempo against Gonzaga, their guards will take over and they'll run away from the Zags. That's a big if, though. I like Memphis in a good one. Winner: Memphis.