Games to Watch this week
Get your TiVo programmer ready. There are a few games you are going to want to watch this week before a great day of Saturday basketball. And if they aren't on television, definitely pay attention to the results.
Tuesday Night:
Boston University at Michigan - Boston University is no South Florida. At 5-2 this season, BU is again expected to compete for the America East title along with Vermont. They should start two 6'8" big men against the Wolverines who are still looking for some consistency in their season. This game could come down to the turnover battle as both teams have excelled this year at taking the ball away from their opponents.
MRI Predicts: Boston University
Confidence factor: 52.01%
MRI Result: WIN
Illinois-Chicago at Duke - Why this game? The closest any team has played the MRI#1 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets all season was the Flames. That game was in Chicago and playing at home is nothing like playing at Cameron Indoor Stadium with the Duke fans shouting about your mother, sister, and ex-girlfriend. The Flames do feature one 6'9" sophomore who could give Sheldon Williams and Shavlik Randolph fits inside. This one will come down to how well UIC can contain the Duke shooters who have been lights out this season.
MRI Predicts: Duke
Confidence factor: 93.51%
MRI Result: WIN
Wednesday Night:
Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Wisconsin - UW-Milwaukee should be one of the 18 teams left without a loss were it not for a last second call against them in their game against Valparaiso. Their schedule to begin the year hasn't been the toughest. The Badgers should provide them a test with their tenacious defense. Coming off a tough loss to Marquette, Wisconsin will be trying to show that they are better than that game. The Panthers need this as a quality win out of conference in case things don't go well for them in their battle with the Flames for the Horizon league title.
MRI Predicts: Wisconsin
Confidence factor: 71.52%
MRI Result: WIN
Depaul at Northwestern - Why? Because it is an in-state rivalry, and you never know what will happen when Northwestern plays at home. Depaul is coming off a big victory over Notre Dame. They had four players score in double digits and will be looking for more of the same domination in this game. Depaul has had multiple personalities so far this season with a loss against Bradley coming before the win on Saturday. Look for the Blue Demons to try and take advantage of superior rebounding to get the ball back out to their shooters and dominate the game that way.
MRI Predicts: Depaul
Confidence factor: 55.56%
MRI Result: LOSS
Western Michigan at IUPUI - IUPUI. Remember that name. They have been to the conference title game in the Mid-Con Conference for three straight years and were the MRI favorite last year before losing to Valpo. This year has not gone as well for the Jaguars and therefore, they need this game to keep Oral Roberts looking over its shoulder. Western Michigan was last year's MAC representative in the tournament and ran up against a tough Vandy team. They will be looking to capitalize on that this season and are off to a great start in a league that is hoping to send more than one team this year. The Broncos need this to keep Kent State on its heels come conference time.
MRI Predicts: Western Michigan
Confidence factor: 55.56%
MRI Result: WIN
Thursday Night:
Ohio State at Texas Tech - Two teams in the MRI Top 25 square off in this match-up. Texas Tech will be looking to show that its early season so far has been for real as they have dominated every opponent except in a very strange loss to TCU in their second game. Turnovers were a big factor that night for Bob Knight's squad. They will be looking to continue their dominance over an Ohio State club just looking for respect. After their administration voted to keep them out of post-season play, you would think the team wouldn't have very much to play for. Still, this team went out on Saturday and dominated against Portland State. A win against the Red Raiders will have the administration questioning a decision to punish a team which did no wrong for the ills of its past, something that the NCAA has backed away from this season.
MRI Predicts: Texas Tech
Confidence factor: 77.45%
MRI Result: LOSS
Friday Night:
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Texas Southern - The independent Islanders have lost one game this season and by the end of the year could boast the best record for campuses with A&M in their name. They won't get a tournament bid, but this team has put up some impressive wins for a small school on an island: TCU, Old Dominion, Baylor, Florida State. Their only loss is against Kent State who current leads the MAC. This game would be more to watch if they can keep their run going and maybe make the tournament committee think twice before ruling out TAMUCC from the play-in game.
MRI Predicts: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Confidence factor: 64.51%
MRI Result: WIN
UAB at Richmond - Two tournament teams from last year hook up in what should be a close game. Richmond is looking for a good win before they begin conference play in what could be a very down year in the Atlantic 10. Their hopes may rest on beating George Washington in order to be dancing this year. The Blazers hope to continue with the tough defense that has gotten them four wins so far this season and has them looking to contend again in a very balanced Conference USA. UAB should be favored in this game but the Spiders will keep them honest.
MRI Predicts: UAB
Confidence factor: 64.51%
MRI Result: LOSS
That's it. Load 'em up and look for predictions added for the other games as the week continues as the MRI changes each night this week.
