Today's Picks

Minnesota (-5) over Ohio State - An experienced backcourt of Hoffarbar and Westbrook and the huge advantage of playing at home (9-0) at Williams Arena gives Minnesota the edge in this one. Keep an eye down low on the battle between Ralph Sampson's not very good son Ralph Sampson III, and Dallas Lauderdale. With both bigs surrounded by small players, if either one gets in foul trouble it will pose big problems on the boards. Look for the Gophers to get to 3-1 in the Big Ten, and defeat the Buckeyes.

UTEP (-2.5) over BYU - Remember Derrick Caracter, Louisville's star recruit from '06 who refused to lose enough weight for Rick Pitino to keep him around? He's had a double-double in five out of the eight games he's appeared in this season for the Miners, and will prove too much to handle for BYU down low. Also, it was just determined that BYU star point guard Jimmer Fredette has contracted mono. With Fredette out, or at least limited, UTEP will defend homecourt tonight against the visiting Mormons.

Thursday 1-2

Overall 37-26