Cleveland State Snatches Victory Marshmallows

Screaming Vikings. The Butler didn't do it. Haven't had enough time elapse since the last use of bruised-cucumber infused beverage humor, unfortunately. Still, the Vikings did plenty of screaming last night, as Cleveland State knocked off No. 12 Butler 56-52. The win marked just the second time the Vikings had beaten a top 25 team in 28 lifetime attempts. The other W came in 1986, when Cleveland State shocked Indiana in the first round of the 1986 NCAA tournament. The Vikings have taken the Horizon League by storm, running out to a stunning 6-0 start in conference play. For Butler, the loss may well have been more disturbing than watching a disoriented game show contestant snatch marshmallows out of mid-air with rubber bands tied around his face. It's close anyway.

The A-10 is meshuganeh. How else to explain the latest conference jaw-dropper, this one from the Scottrade Center: Saint Louis 68, No. 23 Rhode Island 61. Yes, that's the same Saint Louis team that just a week ago set a modern college basketball record for fewest points scored in a game, with just 20. Tommie Liddell scored 23 points for the Billikens, who held the Rams to season lows in points scored and shooting percentage. On the plus side, Rhode Island got 11 points from the man who's going to make you forget Lucius Pusey. Yes, there's a new sheriff in town, and his name is... Parfait Bitee!

Hec of a job, Brocky. Oregon came into last night's game at Washington with a better record and stronger overall talent. Still, U-Dub's 78-70 win qualifies as a mild upset at best, given the Huskies' great track record at home in the Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Bruising forward Jon Brockman did the heavy lifting, nabbing 21 points and 17 rebounds. The win was Washington's first in Pac-10 play, as the Huskies face an uphill climb in what might be the country's toughest conference.

Predictions. I picked No. 6 Tennessee to beat No. 16 Vanderbilt by three and Louisville over No. 13 Marquette by four. Tennessee and Louisville both got the wins, but by 20 points each. The Cardinals befuddled Marquette with their zone defense, holding the Golden Eagles to 30 percent shooting and overpowering them inside. The Eagles got more bad news from Dominic James, who scored just three points before leaving late in the second half with a wrist injury. Meanwhile, Tennessee held Vandy to just 3-for-21 behind the arc in their big win. In the more bad news department, A.J. Ogilvy got outplayed for the second straight game, this time by Wayne Chism.

Holy Cross 57, Bucknell 55. The Crusaders are coming off a 14-point home loss to Army (!!!) and are 0-2 in conference play. Perfect time to pick a win for the team that's reached the big dance in four of the past seven seasons.

No. 4 UCLA 66, USC 58. The Trojans always seem to keep things close in this L.A. rivalry, even when they're outmatched. In the end, though, they'll have no answer for Player of the Year candidate Kevin Love.

Tchaka Shipp Jokes 63, Anchorman Quotes 62. In a stunning upset, Newark Pants Party attendees will bring the goods on Saturday, recalling the Seton Hall forward who thrilled us with his game and especially his name in the 90s. Oh, and Louisville 77, Seton Hall 64.

Record: 8-5 Results within five points: 1-12