Wednesday Night:
Columbia at Hofstra - Columbia isn't the team everyone expected to see at the head of the Ivy league at this point in the season but with only a loss to Stony Brook, that is where they are. The Lions are led by Senior Matt Preston who is averaging a little over 16 points and almost 7 boards a game. Preston provides Columbia with a man who can roam outside and in, scoring almost at will. Tonight they will be looking to knock off the unbeaten Pride of Hofstra. Hofstra is also not the team that was expected to be undefeated at this point in the season, though they haven't played the toughest of schedules so far. They have three main scoring options in Loren Stokes, Antoine Agudio, and Aurimas Kieza, meaning that the Lions will have their hands full trying to cover around the floor. However, if Columbia can hold tough on the inside and outboard the Pride, they may have a shot to dethrone the Pride. MRI Predicts: Hofstra Confidence factor: 71.69% MRI Result: WIN

South Carolina State at South Carolina - Why this matchup? Supremacy in the state of South Carolina is on the line. The Gamecocks have the inside track on this one but anything is always possible. Currently, South Carolina State is the only team worth thinking about in the MEAC. The Bulldogs won the conference in the regular season last year, but failed to keep up their run through the conference tournament. South Carolina State will never be an at large bid threat coming from one of the bottom conferences in Division 1, but they do remain an upset threat. They return all 5 starters from last year, plus their sixth man. The Gamecocks are looking for a little respect in the SEC. They are seldom considered one of the top teams but this year may be the exception. Coming off an NCAA tournament appearance last season, South Carolina is looking for a repeat performance with more luck in the conference season. They finished 8-8 after starting 6-2. They will count on a big game from Carlos Powell to drive them to the win. MRI Predicts: South Carolina Confidence factor: 77.99% MRI Result: WIN

Texas A&M Corpus Christi at Alabama - Not much to point out here other than that the Islanders hope to continue their amazing run this season. Unfortunately, they come up against a tough, and ranked, Alabama team. If Texas AMCC can somehow pull off a Chaminade over Virginia type upset, this will look great on a resume for that last at-large berth and a shot at the play-in game. MRI Predicts: Alabama Confidence factor: 77.99% MRI Result: WIN

Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Kansas - The Panthers couldn't pull off the win against Wisconsin last week. This week, they attempt to get that upper tier victory against a very good Kansas team. The Jayhawks are playing without team leader Wayne Simien who is out four to six weeks with a thumb injury suffered in the win against South Carolina. Kansas has enough talent that they should be able to make up for the loss but the 17 points and 12 rebounds will be missed. If Kansas can still control the inside game without Simien, they should have no problem dispatching the UW-Milwaukee. Unfortunately, that may prove harder done than said. MRI Predicts: Kansas Confidence factor: 93.83% MRI Result: WIN