1. Kentucky (26-1)

2. Syracuse (27-1)

3. Missouri (25-2)

4. Duke (23-4)

5. Michigan State 22-5)

6. Kansas (22-5)

7. North Carolina (23-4)

8. Georgetown (20-5)

9. Marquette (22-5)

10. Ohio State (22-5)

11. Florida (21-6)

12. Michigan (20-7)

13. Murray State (26-1)

14. Wichita State (24-4)

15. Louisville (21-6)

Monday - Baylor at Texas

Light schedule on Monday night but a big game in the Big 12 as a struggling Baylor Bears team heads to Texas to take on a young Longhorns team who is battling for a spot in the big dance.  Texas sits at 17-10 right now so they should get in but a win against a top 25 opponent would go a long way in securing a bid.  Baylor has lost 3 out of 4 including a home game against Kansas State on Saturday.  I think the skid will continue on Monday night and Texas will inch closer to that tournament bid.

Pick - Texas

Tuesday - Georgetown at Seton Hall

A battle in the Big East where Georgetown will look to hold onto a spot in the top 4 in and try and secure the valuable double bye in the Big East tournament.  Seton Hall is sitting on the bubble and probably the wrong side right now so a win at home against a top 10 oppoenent would be huge as they look to jump into that top 8 and get that bye.  Seton Hall will not want to have to play 5 games in the Big Easy tourny so a win here is huge for them.  If they can get to 8-8 in the conference they will position themselves to get into the tournament.  I think Georgetown is too skilled and are playing to well right now to let this one slip.

Pick - Georgetown

Wednesday - West Virginia at Notre Dame

Big East seeding is on the line here and for West Virginia a chance to improve their resume as they look to inch closer to a big in the tournament.  Notre Dame already beaet West Virgnia in Morgantown a few weeks ago so they will head into this one with confidence especially being the home team where they are tough to beat. Notre Dame along with Marquette are probably the only two teams who have a chance to catch Syracuse for the Big East regular season championship but I don't like their odds the way Syracuse is playing.  West Virginia wants to win and stay in the top 8 to avoid potentially having to play 5 games in 5 nights.  Notre Dame has been a huge surprise this year and I see them continuing they strong play.

Pick - Notre Dame

Thursday - Duke at Florida State

Duke will head to Tallahassee where they look to avenge their home loss to the Seminoles a few weeks ago.  This is a huge game as there is a 3 way tie atop the ACC right now with North Carolina being the other.  Florida State is traditionally a very strong home team.  They have already blown out North Carolina at home and if they can pull this one out they will go to 3-0 against Duke and UNC and will put themselves in good position in the ACC.  Michael Snaer has already hit two game winning three point field goals this year including his winner at Duke.  As much as FSU has been dominant at home I see Duke avenging their earlier defeat.

Pick - Duke

Friday - Marquette at West Virginia

Another big game for WVU this week and depending on how their game on Wednesday goes they will have an opportunity to pull off a big upset on their home court.  Marquette is playing really good basketball right now and is still challenging for the top spot in the Big East.  I think they are a very disciplined team and can handle the road crowd.

Pick - Marquette

Saturday - Syrcause at Connecticut

Big week for the Big East as you can see and this one is huge for both clubs for a number of reasons.  First you have Syracuse who can pretty much wrap things up in the Big East with 2 wins this week and also position themselves for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.  UConn has been terrible lately getting blown out at home to Marquette and in desperate need of a win.  Right now they appear to have done enough to make the tournament but they really need to pick up another quality win to feel good about themselves.  UConn has talent all over the place but it just isn't clicking and they are running out of time.  Syracuse has too much to play for to let this one slip away.

Pick - Syracuse

Sunday - Wisconsin at Ohio State

Ohio State's loss against Michigan put them behind Michigan State by 1 game in the loss column so they need to probably win out if they want to at least get a share of the Big Ten championship.  Wisconsin sits two games out of first place and 1 behind Ohio State and Michigan but seem to have build enough of a cusion to take a first round bye to the Big 10 tournament.  Ohio State is a different team home and away so I don't like Wisconsins chances in this one.  I think Ohio bounces back from their tough loss to Michigan.

Pick - Ohio State

There you have it we are 1 week closer to March Madness and the games on next weeks slate will be some of the biggest of the season.  Conference tournaments are right around the corner.