Wednesday's Hidden Gems - There are a TON

Tonight is the culmination of the Big Ten - ACC Challenge, with the conferences knotted at three apiece. However, there is a bevy of quality and intriguing hoops going on in places lesser covered. The Maniac is here to provide a guide to some games worth catching, and some early fine tuning of the Cinderella slipper-worthiness (worthiness is a word, per Seinfeld's "sponge worthiness" episode) across the nation's landscape.

Pitt (-5.5) @ Duquesne: The Maniac liked Duquesne as a sleeper tourney pick out of the improved, balanced Atlantic Ten. Then they went out and lost to Western Carolina, after struggling to a three point win over Arkansas-Monticello. Yep, the famed power Arkansas-Monticello. Not an impressive start. But keep in mind they just got 6'3'' scoring guard Melquan Boldin back this week, giving the four of the five leading scorers from 2008-09 back on the floor.

Meanwhile Pitt has looked impressive, starting 5-1 and playing Texas tough for 32 minutes before capitulating late. The names on the front of the jerseys and the early season results would seem to tilt the scales pretty heavily in Pitt's favor. I still like the Dukes tonight, as the game means just a little bit more for them.

Here's a nice article on the history of the series. Plus, Papa Maniac will appreciate the reflection on the Duquesne glory days...

Siena @ Georgia Tech (-6): Georgia Tech is the only ACC squad not playing in the Challenge this week, but will still get a challenge from the Siena Saints. Siena burst into national consciousness with the Double OT upset of Ohio State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last year. They even opened this season ranked in several polls. However they have already lost to both Temple and St. John's; both bubble teams at best.

This looks like a classic case of the long underrated proving to be, um, more "appropriately" rated. Georgia Tech however is a budding beast. Long gone is the 11-18 season of 2008-2009. These Jackets have no intention of sitting out this postseason.

Give me the Jackets to win and cover.

Old Dominion @ Richmond (-3): Another great matchup of small school potential darlings come March. Old Dominion entered the season as the favorite in the undervalued CAA. Richmond is one of the sleepers (behind Xavier and Dayton) to shake up the A-10.

Richmond is 6-1 with wins over Missouri and Mississippi State, and their lone loss to William & Mary (not a bad loss - seriously - click here), Old Dominion has been a little less sharp losing the the same two school Richmond padded their resume against.

However the head-to-head matchup is the true test. If we were playing the who-beat-who game, LeMoyne is better than North Carolina.

That said, I like Richmond in a really intriguing ballgame.

Western Kentucky @ South Carolina (-5.5): South Carolina and Devan Downey entered the season hoping to challenge Kentucky and Tennessee in the SEC East; and expecting to dance in March. They got their doors blown off by Miami and showed the hangover effect, giving up 93 points to Jacksonville in a game they were lucky to win 97-93.

Their next three games will really set the table for how much work they will have to get done in the insanely deep and balanced SEC (no, they are not the best conference, but have less drop off from 3 to 11 than any other league). After this they host Clemson and travel to Richmond. First things first, knock off a twice-defending Sweet 16 participant in the Hilltoppers.

The Hilltoppers have been really disappointing thus far; losing to LSU and Indiana State, and winning by only 4 and 1 vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee and CS Northridge. Yuck.

South Carolina needs to bring some focus tonight. I think they will, and will win convincingly.

Rhode Island @ VCU (-4): Eric Maynor is gone, but VCU and first-year coach Shaka Smart have no intention of sitting out this year's Big Dance. They have already burried the memory of the loss to Western Michigan with big wins over Oklahoma and Nevada.

Rhode Island was one of the last teams on the outside of the bubble last year. Their early 4-0 start contains little to help remedy that in 2010. Tonight is huge for the Rams. They still have shots against Oklahoma St, Boston College and Providence. They can't afford many losses unless they want to be forced to win the A-10 to dance.

A really good game that most people will miss; give me RI in a close win.

Arkansas @ Oklahoma (-12): Hard to believe how much worse this game is than it sounds like it should be. Oklahoma has struggled mightily learning how to cope with the loss of the Griffin boys. Arkansas is scouring the campus for enough warm bodies to dress. What is this, Hickory High School??

Cover your eyes, and expect Oklahoma to take out a little frustration on the hapless Hogs.

The Maniac takes Willie Warren and the Sooners in a romp.

Oklahoma State (-2.5) @ Tulsa: This is one of the best games of the early season. An no one will get to see it. Except for the kids parents. And Tulsans. (Is that right? Tulsasians? Tulsainians? Can anyone help with this?)

Oklahoma State is has six easy cruising wins. However only the latest against Utah (who boasts losses to ) is evenly remotely relevant. After this, their only "games" before Big 12 play are against Pacific, Stanford and Rhode Island. All decent teams, but the Cowboys have a lot more opportunity for "bad losses" then they do "good wins." They need tonight more than it seems from a distance.

Their is no doubt of the importance of this game for Tulsa. Conference USA has become a one-bid league, more inline with the WCC and MVC than the Big Six. Many experts tabbed Tulsa as the pre-season fave (not us, it is still Memphis by a lot). They enter tonight 5-1, fresh off a loss to Missouri State. Tonight is a must win if they want to entertain notions of an at-large bid. After tonight, their two best remaining non-conference games are Colorado and Nebraska.

A won't put an official pick on this one; it really is a coin-flip to me. That said, I think the MO St. loss is a clear result of looking ahead to tonight and that Tulsa will give them one heck of a battle defending their home court.

These games all tip between 7-8pm EST. It is a fantastic early night for college hoops and one that will be reference back all season long as we begin to sort out RPI's and Power Rankings.

MANIAC'S PICKS (RECAP):
Duquesne +5.5
Georgia Tech -6
Richmond -3
South Carolina -5.5
Rhode Island +4
Oklahoma -12

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Saturday Picks

Maniac Quick Picks - Saturday Dec 13th

We stick with the road less traveled, picking 7 road teams to cover Saturday. Don't be surprised if Butler or Memphis win outright.

Butler +8.5 @ Ohio St.
Tennessee -6 @ Temple
Memphis +3.5 @ Georgetown
Indiana +16.5 @ Kentucky
Utah +14 @ Oklahoma
West Virginia -7 @ Duquesne
W. Kentucky +1 @ Evansville

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On 'Top

What Has 2 Thumbs and Loves an Upset Win Over Louisville?

THIS Guy!

Bracketeering - Nov 30th

Take it or leave it - the Maniac's second edition of Bracketeering for 08-09

FINAL FOUR:

1. UNC - Thrashings of Notre Dame and Kentucky looked routine. Is there any doubt they do the same thing to Michigan St. this Tuesday?

2. UCONN - Wins over Miami and Wisconsin. UConn will have some competition for certain, but appears to be ready to tangle with a tough Big East.

3. Duke - We'll find out how tough Duke is this week against Purdue. My guess? Tough enough.

4. Oklahoma - Played a tough Davidson squad last week in what had the feel of a "third round" tourney game. Took care of Purdue this week in a "Regional Final."

ELITE EIGHT:

5. Gonzaga - This is written before their tilt with #12 Tennessee. I think the Zags win it, and gear up for the Duke tilt later this month.

6. Notre Dame - Yes, Carolina had their way with them, but they are going to make a lot of good teams look very pedestrian. Notre Dame's win over Texas and steady play in 08 are enough to erase the memory of the Ty Lawson track meet in Maui.

7. Pitt- OK, I give in. This is one of a small handful of the best teams in the country. For now.

8. Xavier - Originally an admitted homer pick, but with every team around them taking losses or ducking competition, the Muskies hang on to the 8th slot for another week. Upcoming games against Butler, Cincinnati, Auburn, Virginia and Duke will settle whether they belong.

Sweet and lurking: The next tier
Texas, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Davidson, Tennessee, Baylor, LSU, Louisville, Michigan St, Villanova

Bracket Busts: Some early season disappointments
Lousiville, USC, Marquette, Southern Illinois

Half Court Heaves: Long shots worth keeping an eye on
Dayton, Seton Hall, Minnesota, Cincinnati, St. Mary's, Air Force, Kentucky (forget the VMI game, this will be a tourney team) and Western Kentucky (bad 28-pt. loss to Murray St last week, but gets a temporary nod after dismantling the 'Ville in Freedom Hall)

Not as big as last year's tourney run, but a nice win for the 'Toppers in Louisville.

Who Will Win Thursday?

Thursday Predictions:

#3 Xavier v. #7 West Virginia

Tough one to pick, because of my obvious Xavier bias, but I think the Muskies truly have the edge in this one. X has a much stronger backcourt, with the playmaking and tempo-controlling of Drew Lavender and tenacious defense and will of Stanley Burrell. Add in a versatile post corp, led by Josh Duncan and you have some matchup advantages.

For West Virginia, Joe Alexander can give you some nightmares. The big junior forward has unique ability to dominate a game from any spot on the floor. Curry has been the darling of round one, Kevin Love, Hansbrough and Derrick Rose have bigger names. Joe might be the single most dangerous player left in the tourney.

Also - don't underestimate the bob Huggins impact. He KNOWS Xavier very well, having been a part of the Crosstown Shootout for more than a decade. He will not let his player get lost in the "who are these Ex-ay-vier guys" malaise that can plague Big 6 conference teams.

OUTCOME: Tough match-up, but in the end Xavier's poise, balance and tenacious switching on up top ball screens stifle the Mountaineer's offense. Xavier cans more big free throws late and win by 7. FINAL: Xavier 72, W. VA 65 (BTW - it is Zay-Vyer.. in case you didn't know or are employed by freakin' CBS!!!!)

#1 North Carolina v #4 Washington St.

Tempo, tempo, tempo. UNC wants to push it, run and score. Washington State wants to grind it out and slow it down. It makes for a much more interesting game than many people think. It pits one of the best offensive teams against one of the best defensive teams in the country. Do not be surprised if UNC has some struggles with getting control of the tempo in this game. In the end the athletic wings and inside play of Hansbrough prevail in a lower-than-expected scoring affair.

OUTCOME: UNC 66 - Washington St 62

#1 UCLA v. #12 W. Kentucky

It will be interesting to see how hard UCLA pushes some of their injury problems in this one. Courtney Lee is good, but the most under looked "upset" team of the tourney does little to garner any more headlines. UCLA's explosive guard play and Kevin Love's 20-10 propel the Bruins to one small step away from their 3rd straight Final Four

OUTCOME: UCLA 84 W. Kentucky 58

#3 Louisville v #2 Tennessee

Quite possibly the best game of the night (though UNC v/ Wazzou is better than people realize...) I give the edge to Louisville because of two reasons: 1. The depth and versatility inside to matchup well and control tempo against Tennessee and 2. The inability of Tennessee's guards to handle the pressure or Louisville's defense.

Anyone who watched them struggle to take care of the basketball against Butler (a much less athletic team than the Cards) saw their premier weakness exposed. Louisville should be able to exploit it even more than the Bulldogs.

A little overlooked is Louisville's struggles from the line. Much has been made of the beleaguered efforts of Memphis from the charity stripe, but statistically Louisville is not much better. The difference is that Louisville's dominant ball handlers shoot them at a respectable clip. If they can keep the ball in the right hands late, they should be able to hold off a gritty tough Vol squad.

OUTCOME: Lousiville 82, Tennessee 80

Enjoy the games!