With the college football season headed into the bowl season, the eyes of sports fans everywhere this weekend will be fixated on college hoops. This weekend is filled with some mouth-watering matchups between some in-state rivals. Marquette travels to last year’s national runners-up in Wisconsin with star freshman Henry Ellenson looking to give the Golden Eagles bragging rights of the state.

Matchup Of The Week

However, all eyes are on the intracity matchup between 12th ranked Xavier and 23rd ranked Cincinnati. If you don’t recall, there is some bad blood between the teams that ensued back in 2011 when Xavier blew out the Bearcats at home. With nine seconds left, a brawl ensued.

The Musketeers are looking to extend their win streak to three over Cincinnati and will be looking at Trevon Bluiett to lead the charge for them. The 6’6’’ guard is averaging just under 16 points and over 8 rebounds a game. Meanwhile, Cincinnati is looking Octavius Ellis to carry them to an upset. The 6'10'' forward averages 11 points and over 7 rebounds a game.

Here’s this week’s picks.

VAVEL NCAA Basketball Writer’s Picks

  Alberto Klinger Handel Anderson White Thomas Irby Splane
Ohio State - UConn UConn UConn OSU UConn OSU OSU UConn OSU
Marquette - Wisconsin Marquette Marquette Wisconsin Wisconsin Marquette Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin
Tennessee - Butler Butler Butler Butler Butler Butler Butler Butler Tennessee
Utah - Wichita State WSU Utah Utah Utah WSU WSU WSU Utah
Kansas State - Texas A&M Kansas State Texas A&M Texas A&M Kansas State Texas A&M Texas A&M Texas A&M Kansas State
Cincinnati - Xavier Xavier Cincinnati Cincinnati    Xavier Cincinnati Xavier Xavier Xavier
Northern Iowa - New Mexico Northern Iowa New Mexico Northern Iowa New Mexico Northern Iowa Northern iowa Northern Iowa New Mexico
UCLA - Gonzaga Gonzaga Gonzaga Gonzaga UCLA Gonzaga UCLA Gonzaga Gonzaga
Alabama - Clemson Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Clemson Clemson
St. Joesph’s - Temple St. Joseph's St. Joseph's St. Joseph's Temple Temple Temple St. Joseph's Temple
  7-3 7-3 4-6 6-4 5-5 7-3 6-4 2-8