Posted: Friday March 07, 2003 11:40 AM
Updated: Friday March 07, 2003 12:52 PM
SI.com's Luke Winn forecasts the weekend's biggest games each Friday.
March 8-9
It's crunch time, the final weekend of the season, so ... This week's format: Which team needs the win more?
Sat., 1:30 p.m. ET
Cincinnati at No. 8 Marquette
The Golden Eagles, who can take the C-USA title outright here. The Bearcats, meanwhile, are preoccupied with selling Bob Huggins' new bobblehead doll. The logos on the doll are a bit disturbing, however: Considering Huggins' recent health issues, should his likeness really be sponsored by Skyline Chili?
Golden Eagles 81, Bearcats 75
Sat., 2 p.m. ET
No. 2 Kentucky at No. 3 Florida
The Gators. Kentucky is already a No. 1 seed lock, while Florida needs this to further its case for an additional SEC No. 1 in the NCAAs. And with that coveted top seed comes quite the first-round prize: having your way with Siena rather than, say, Montana. Wildcats 74, Gators 72
Sat., 2 p.m. ET
Connecticut at Boston College
The Huskies. B.C. can lose and still grab a share of the Big East East title, while UConn needs a win here to be annointed Big East East co-champions. If you go ahead and print up a celebratory shirt for that occasion, 1) what the heck does it look like? and 2) who wants to wear it? Eagles 71, Huskies 60
Sat., 3:30 p.m. ET
No. 4 Texas at No. 5 Oklahoma
The Sooners, who have the nation's longest home win streak on the line. With the backcourt of Hollis Price, Ebi Ere and Quannas White leaving at season's end, OU best beat Texas now, because T.J. Ford -- who said he's returning to Texas -- will run the Sooners into the ground next year. Sooners 68, Longhorns 66
Sat., 2 p.m. ET
Dayton at St. Bonaventure
The Flyers, who are trying to improve their NCAA tournament seed and cap off an undefeated-except-by-Xavier A-10 season. The Bonnies really have no chance here anyway -- really, they might as well just forfeit and leave the score a respectable ... Flyers 2, Bonnies 0
Sun., 2 p.m. ET
No. 6 Kansas at Missouri
The Jayhawks. Kansas needs this game to win the Big 12 outright, rather than share it with a Johnny-come-lately like Texas or Oklahoma. KU is once again posturing for a No. 1 seed in the field of 64, which they will likely once again squander sometime before the title game. Tigers 77, Jayhawks 74
