If there were a tournament for prognosticators, C. Mack (13-9) would be a prognosticator on the bubble and Uncle Joey (11-11) would find himself in the NIT.
Both hoop gurus went 2-2 last week, meaning C. Mack held a two-game lead over his elder.
This week, C. Mack said he was tired of being just a Texas two-step ahead of Uncle Joey and he was going to unveil some mania.
"After talking to Hulk Hogan, C. Mack was convinced all he needed was some sort of mania to distance himself from Uncle Joey," C. Mack said. "So, for all those disappointed, C. Mack had to give up his 'more skin to win' campaign.
"Here is a little dose of Mackamania. And don't underestimate C. Mack's 24-inch pythons."
Uncle Joey, confused by C. Mack's references to himself in the third person, had an answer to Mackamania.
"The only wrestler I represent is Shawn Michaels," he said. "HBK would give some sweet chin music to C. Mack any day."
MSU (16-9 overall, 11-3 Big Ten) at Penn State (9-14, 3-9)
Uncle Joey - If it were football season, I'd be worried. MSU football teams of the past are notorious for playing poorly the game after a big win. But don't worry. These basketball Spartans, coming off a nail-biting, thrilling win against Michigan, are too focused for a let-down. The Big Ten Championship keeps getting closer, and as the pressure builds, MSU keeps winning.
Wins have been hard to find for Penn State, which has a young and undersized backcourt. Though the conference season has been rough on freshman guards Ben Luber and Marlon Smith, who respectively are first and second on the team in minutes played, the duo no doubt has learned a lot this season and should be the backbone of Penn State basketball for the next few years.
The Spartans are only two wins from a Big Ten title, and after this game, only Wisconsin will stand in the way of conference glory.
MSU 71, Penn State 55
C. Mack - Remember when Penn State and Wisconsin shared the top spot in the Big Ten? Yeah, I didn't think so. Of course, I don't blame you. It was just one week into the conference season.
Since, Penn State has gone 1-9 in conference play and now is close to joining Minnesota in the Big Ten's cellar.
Ed DeChellis was given a lot of credit for "turning around" the Nittany Lions program. Now, his name is almost as scarce as a Paul Davis' smile.
The Spartans, winner of 11 of their last 13 games, should have no problems with Penn State, especially considering a Big Ten Championship is on the line.
As the team goes for the gold, it will play golden in a dominating victory over the Nittany Lions.
MSU 78, Penn State 61
Purdue (17-9) at 22 Wisconsin (17-6)
C. Mack - The Boilermakers need this win and they need it badly. I've been arguing for Purdue to be in the NCAA Tournament for the past two weeks, but this recent slide isn't helping my case.
Purdue has lost five of eight games, the only decent win coming against Indiana. I know the Boilermakers have big wins against Duke, Wisconsin, MSU and Illinois, but all those wins came before February.
In the world of "what have you done for me lately," Purdue has nothing to offer. The Boilermakers can spice up their NCAA Tournament résumé by sweeping the Badgers this season. But with Wisconsin's home dominance and Purdue's recent struggles, I don't see that happening.
Wisconsin 70, Purdue 67
Uncle Joey - Oh, poor Wisconsin. Three weeks ago, the Badgers were in the Big Ten driver's seat. They had only one conference loss and looked like the best team in the Big Ten. Then Wisconsin started playing road games - and losing. Four of the Badgers' last five games have been on the road, and they have lost all but one, dropping them to third place. So, it's a good thing the Badgers are playing Purdue at home.
It's too bad Purdue's NCAA Tournament hopes probably will depend on the outcome of this game. The Boilermakers deserve to be in, regardless of what happens against Wisconsin.
But the Badgers have something to prove. And at home, they're more than capable.
Wisconsin 64, Purdue 63
No. 19 Memphis (20-4) at No. 21 Louisville (17-7)
Uncle Joey - The only thing in Louisville's favor for this game is home-court advantage. The Cardinals, once ranked as high as fourth, have lost six of their last seven. Louisville head coach Rick Pitino favors a fast-paced offense but it looks like his team is out of gas.
While Louisville has faltered, Memphis has surprised. Senior guard and Memphis native Antonio Burks has led the upstart Tigers on their 11-game winning streak, which has thrust them to the top of Conference USA. It's too bad Dajuan Wagner didn't stick around for this. With him, the Tigers could be Final Four contenders.
Memphis 69, Louisville 59
C. Mack - Not so fast, Uncle Joey. Take the Tigers' 11-game winning streak, gift-wrap it and send it to all the Mackamaniacs so they can feast on it. That's about all it will be good for come Saturday.
What is going on in the Blue Grass state? Kentucky has been up and down, but the Cardinals seemingly have lost their wings. Louisville is, take a deep breath, tied for sixth in Conference USA. Sixth! The Tigers are sitting nicely in first place.
It's hard to make any argument for a team that has lost six of seven games over a team that is riding an 11-game winning streak, but hey, the Cardinals have to win sometime, don't they?
Louisville 84, Memphis 72
No. 2 St. Joseph's (25-0) at Rhode Island (17-11)
C. Mack - I'm finally a believer. I never hated the RedHawks; I just didn't think a team from the A-10 could be a national powerhouse. I know what the Daytons, the Xaviers and the Temples have done in the past, but St. Joe's?
Not only am I a believer, I am plugging St. Joe's in my NCAA Tournament Final Four. The Hawks will get a No. 1 seed, and they will finish the regular season undefeated. They, by far, are the best team in the A-10, and I highly expect them to enter the tourney as the only undefeated team (Stanford will choke, trust me).
So, as far as this game goes, the only Rhode Island team that could possibly shoot down the Hawks is the 1998 squad that featured Lamar Odom and Cuttino Mobley.
St. Joe's 101, Rhode Island 76
Uncle Joey - I figured St. Joe's combination of talent and a schedule that includes only one ranked team would equal a lot of wins. But I never would've thought the RedHawks would be two wins from regular-season perfection. Jameer Nelson is becoming a national celebrity - Sports Illustrated cover and all. He is the rare college basketball superstar to stay for four years,and now he is reaping the rewards. Nelson's game management and ability to hit the big shot are second to none. His right-hand man, shooting guard Delonte West, is a deadly shooter. Unlike C. Mack, I'm not yet convinced that St. Joe's is Final Four-bound, but the RedHawks will get by Rhode Island on the road.
St. Joe's 80, Rhode Island 67
