December 9 Predictions (Late shift)

Arizona (14 - AP, 15 - ESPN/USA TODAY) @ San Diego State (Not Ranked)

Upset alert is at level 11 out of a possible 10. Brandon Heath (20 ppg, 2.4 spg) is probably the best guard on the West Coast and his Aztecs have tied the best nine-game start in school history.

They are going up against the legendary Lute Olsen, though folks, and his 14th ranked Wildcats are ranked that high in the country for a reason.

Highly touted freshman Chase Budinger (19.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) gets all the attention, but Ivan Radenovic (18.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

Prediction: San Diego State 75, Arizona 70

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Washington (13, 8) @ Gonzaga (18, 18)

With the nation's longest home winning streak, the Bulldogs will have their hands full with in-state rival the Washington Huskies.

Gonzaga through the first couple weeks, were much better than I gave them credit for. Then when I start giving them daps, they go off and lose to Washington State (useless info of the day: my alma mater Radford lost to the Cougars by 17 ... but WSU is 8-1 this year).

So I'll just keep my mouth shut about Gonzaga. I will say that they will look for a big game out of Josh Heytvelt (17.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg) as he goes up against HS class of 2005 Top 10 recruit Spencer Hawes (12.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg).

Prediction: Gonzaga 72, Washington 68

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Xavier (24, NR) @ Creighton (NR)

A lot of readers have been writing me this week telling me to keep an eye on Creighton in this matchup. I respect Dana Altman. He's a great head coach and his BlueJays will have a great season in the Missouri Valley Conference and will move onto the NCAA tournament. But they won't get past the X-men.

Xavier is one of the most balanced teams in the country. Yeah I said it. And no I haven't been drinking the kool-aid. Forwards Josh Duncan (13.6 ppg, 5 rpg) and Justin Doellman (10.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) complement each other wonderfully. Stanley Burrell (11.8 ppg, 3.4 apg) is the best guard in the state of Ohio and probably the best guard in the A-10. Justin Cage ( 9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) is one of the most versatile players in the nation. Oklahoma transfer Drew Lavender (6.5 ppg, 4.1 apg) is beginning to gel with the rest of the team. Head Coach Sean Miller's squad will get to at least the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Sorry, but no upset here.

Prediction: Xavier 77, Creighton 71