The Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 27

This week, The Trap makes a stop at the American Airlines Arena to check out AI and ‘Melo against the revamped Heat, then heads to Knoxville for the SEC showdown between Tennessee and John Pelhrey’s Hogs. Before I delve into the substance of this week’s column, congratulations are in order for two Trap favorites. Last week, Gary Williams won his 600th game and Tim Floyd collected career victory number 300. Well done, gentlemen. Now, on to this week’s topics:

1. Notre Dame and UCONN meet this week in a matchup of the two hottest teams in the Big East. The Irish won the battle in South Bend earlier this season. The winner here stays right on the heels of Georgetown for conference supremacy.
2. Memphis begins a very dangerous three game stretch against Houson Wednesday night. The Tigers’ battle against Tennessee on the 23rd is getting immense hype. However, if the Tigers fail to focus against the Cougars, or at UAB or Tulane, the game against the Vols will lose a lot of its luster because Memphis will no longer be undefeated.
3. Drake’s magic carpet ride of a season continues. One of the biggest roadblocks remaining for the Bulldogs comes Wednesday night. A trip to Carbondale is never easy for the visitors. Southern Illinois is trying to right their ship prior to the MVC tournament. It should be intense.
4. The SEC race comes down to Wednesday night. A Tennessee win gives the Vols a complete stranglehold on the regular season title. A victory by Arkansas gives hope to the Hogs, as well as Mississippi State and, at least on paper, Kentucky.
5. The death march that is the PAC 10 schedule likely claims a victim on Thursday night. Arizona, stinging from back to back losses and the injury to Nic Wise, hosts a Cal team desperate for a win after being run out of their own gym Saturday by Oregon. The loser, especially if it’s the Golden Bears, will have serious work to do in order to make the Big Dance.
6. The second matchup of the season between UCLA and USC comes at a very intriguing time. Both teams are smarting from losses over the weekend. The Trojans claimed a breakthrough win at Pauley Pavilion earlier this season. Look for this to be one of the most hotly contested, emotional games of the regular season.

Until next week, stay classy, Volnation.