Overrated
1. Florida (3)
2. Xavier (1)
3. Texas A&M (2)
4. Saint John's
5. Villanova
Florida lost at Kentucky this week, just as I predicted, yet only dropped to #14 in both polls. This Florida team has 4 bad losses on the season, including a 3-point loss to Jacksonville in December, a team that is currently ranked #158 in my rankings. Florida will lose again this week, this time when they visit Vanderbilt, but will probably still be somewhat overrated as it enters the SEC Tournament.
Xavier had the smallest chance of losing among the overrated teams last week, and they followed through with their part. They should finish this week unblemished as well, which will clinch them first place in the Atlantic 10 and a favorable draw in the conference tournament.
Texas A&M was upset by Baylor this week, but is still holding on to one of the last spots in the polls, which keeps them firmly in the overrated ranks again this week. They play Kansas tomorrow, and after they are blown out yet again by a Big 12 power, they should drop from the national polls and finally leave the overrated rankings.
Saint John's may be the hottest team in the entire country right now, along with Gonzaga, but two December losses are still holding them down in my rankings, Saint Bonaventure (#157) and Fordham (#296). A loss to Seton Hall this week may bring them back down to earth.
Villanova has now lost three straight games, all to ranked teams, but the margin of victory is increasing for their opponents in each game also. That trend will probably continue this week, as the Wildcats are visiting conference leader Pitt to end the regular season.
Underrated
1. Washington (1)
2. Belmont (2)
3. Maryland (4)
4. Illinois (3)
5. Marquette
Washington was back on the roller coaster this week, beating up on city rival Seattle on Tuesday before losing to in-state rival Washington State by 11 at home on Sunday. They are the best team in the Pac 10, but they haven't been playing like it, and unless they can get their act together, they may be praying just to make it to March Madness.
Somehow, the Belmont Bruins have been losing votes in the polls over the past few weeks (their single vote is still the most among the underrated teams), despite the fact that they haven't lost since January 25 and blew out their last opponent, Kennesaw State, 88-41. The Atlantic Sun tournament opens tomorrow with Belmont facing that same team in the first round, so look for a similar result.
Maryland beat a very solid Florida State team this week before losing on the road to conference leader North Carolina, yet remains as voteless as ever in the polls. Maryland is currently projected as missing March Madness altogether, which would be a travesty for a team that has the talent to pull a nice first-round upset.
Illinois didn't even put up a fight in their loss to Ohio State this week, but they are still a solid team that only has one bad loss all season, and with a current projection of a 10-seed, they could be in perfect position to surprise someone in March.
Marquette has lost to only one team all season that is not currently ranked, and that team (Gonzaga) is currently #28 in my rankings. Their road upset of UConn this week should have earned them a few votes, but they are being ignored due to the large number of Big East schools currently in the polls, but they won't be ignored much longer.
NBA Player of the Day
Marcus Thornton - SAC - 29 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl, 9-16 FG, 1-4 3P, 10-12 FT
In just his 3rd game as a King, Thornton took over in the 4th quarter, scoring 16 points and bringing Sacramento back from a 5-point deficit at the end of the third quarter almost single-handedly. Add Thornton to Sacramento's current pair of young stars and you have a team that could be scary very soon.
Predictions - 1 Mar
Upset picks are in italics.
Possible upsets are underlined.
NBA
Warriors at Pacers - Pacers by 5
Knicks at Magic - Magic by 8
Mavericks at 76ers - 76ers by 1
Hornets at Raptors - Hornets by 5
Pistons at Bucks - Bucks by 5
Lakers at Timberwolves - Lakers by 9
Spurs at Grizzlies - Spurs by 2
Rockets at Trail Blazers - Blazers by 2
College Basketball
(1) Ohio State at Penn State - Ohio State by 8
Illinois at (6) Purdue - Purdue by 11
(9) San Diego State at Wyoming - San Diego State by 13
Alabama at (14) Florida - Florida by 9
(20) Vanderbilt at (23) Kentucky - Kentucky by 9
(24) Missouri at Nebraska - Nebraska by 2
Prediction Results - 28 Feb
NBA: 5-0 (1.000) 505-204 overall (.712)
College Basketball: 1-1 (.500) 505-123 overall (.804)
Upsets: 2-0 (1.000) 134-83 overall (.618)
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