Cornell caught looking ahead

This guy was happy with Cornell's loss to Penn

Friday night was supposed to be a warm up game for Cornell vs Penn as they prepped for Saturday's showdown with undefeated Princeton for sole possession of first place in the Ivy.  Apparently, nobody informed Penn who stunned Big Red in Philadelphia 79-64.  The Quakers entered Friday night's contest with a ghastly record of 3-15 although they were 2-2 in Ivy league play.  Still, Cornell was the class of the league winning conference games by an average of 25 points.  Penn came out guns blazing to begin the 2nd half with a 15-0 run and handed Cornell its first loss in league play of the season.  Jack Eggleston scored a career high 24 points and the Quakers shot over 56% including 11-21 from beyond the arc.  All of a sudden Cornell who were ranked nationally for the first time in school history are being put to a major test.  They'll need to bounce back quickly against Princeton on Saturday to regain a share of first place.  A second loss to Princeton could be fatal especially since the committee will not look past what happened on Friday night in Philly.

Notable games this weekend

• Cincinnati at U Conn - Both teams desperately need a win and for the loser, it might take a deep run in the Big East tournament to even gain consideration for the Big Dance.  The Bearcats have lost 3 of 4 and look to be headed to the NIT anyway with a brutal stretch of games appraching.  After a trip to Storrs, they'll face S Florida on the road followed by Marquette at home.  U Conn will get a big emotional boost from the return of coach Jim Calhoun to the sidelines.  After nearly upsetting Syracuse on the road, the Huskies will attempt to salvage their season first with Cincinnati and then on Big Monday at Villanova.  
• Oklahoma at Oklahoma St - The annual interstate rivalry game known as "Bedlam" becomes even more important with both teams on the bubble.  The Sooners who pulled off the upset over Texas last week have a lot more work to do and a win over the Pokes would keep that momentum going.  Oklahoma State needs to hold serve and get back on the right track after 3 straight conference losses.
• UNLV at San Diego St - The Rebels entered the AP top 25 for the first time this week.  The Aztecs need a signature win and they'll get that opportunity Saturday night in front of their fans.  San Diego St. sits one game behind UNLV in the MWC standings.  The Rebels rebounding woes contributed greatly to the loss vs New Mexico as they were punished on the glass 45-23 including 17 offensive boards.  The Aztecs will look to avenge an early season loss to UNLV and will have a healthy Billy White this time around.  
• George Mason at Old Dominion - George Mason's thrilling overtime win over VCU on Tuesday helped them keep pace in the CAA race.  Saturday the two teams tied for second place with 11-3 conference records will square off.  The Monarchs are 12-0 at home this season but George Mason won the first game handily 71-55 so it won't be easy.  Old Dominion is second in the nation in scoring defense.  
• Texas A & M at Texas Tech - The Red Raiders who swept the Oklahomas will continue its brutal stretch of games that will determine whether they are NIT or NCAA bound.  First up, the red hot Aggies who have won 5 of their last 6 games including a 15 point win over Tech in the first meeting at College Station.  The Red Raiders are a different team at home with a 13-1 record.  
•  Memphis at Tulsa - 2 bubble teams that share 2nd place in Conference USA clash in a pivotal showdown in Tulsa.  The Golden Hurricane are undefeated at home this season at 15-0.  Tulsa will look to take advantage of its size advantage vs Memphis especially with the dismissal of 6'8 300 lb Pierre Henderson-Niles from the team for disciplinary reasons.  
• S Florida at Marquette- 2 Big East teams trying to get on the right side of the bubble...
• Louisville at Syracuse - The Cardinals continue to stumble with their latest loss to St. John's on the road.  While they haven't had the results, Louisville has risen to the occasion several times this season against teams that are far superior on paper.  Can they shock the world and solve that impenetrable Syracuse zone that has baffled everyone?