You knew (you did!) that #15 Michigan (17-6, 9-2) was going to fall soon, either by a multiple-game losing streak to the bevvy of ranked Big Ten teams, a frustrating defeat to a less heralded conference opponent, or in a blowout to a strong, revenge-seeking program. The latter two already happened. If they lose tonight (9:00 pm EST on ESPN) to #22 Ohio State (19-6, 6-5), back in the rankings after their own mid-season swoon, they'll have experienced all three.

The Wolverines have a lot of talent, but not like last year's championship qualifying team (nor do they have that roster's depth). In their last two losses (63-52 to Indiana on Feb. 2 and 85-67 to #15 Iowa on Feb. 8), they've been exposed for relying too heavily on sophomore shooting guard Nik Stauskas, who had been playing some of the best basketball of his career until the recent three-game stretch (mid-pointed by a 20 plus point win over Nebraska). In those games, he's averaged just over eight points on 5-15 shooting. That's from a guy who sometimes takes 15 shots in a game and averages 17 ppg, dented by the last three less than fruitful outings. Worse for the Wolverines, second leading scorer Glenn Robinson III (known more for his inconsistency than Stauskas) hasn't stepped up in lieu of his classmate's decline. Against Indiana, he fell short of his 13 ppg average with nine points; in the loss to Iowa he scored just two points on 1-7 shooting.

The Buckeyes have been on the right side of prosperity lately with a three-game win streak, two of which were away games at Wisconsin and Iowa. They're back in the national discussion, and back in the Big Ten mix after falling to 4-6 in the conference at one of their lowest points. Accordingly, they'll be 3.5 favorites. I won't let my negative energy affect the good times in Buck Eye country. The Ohio State for the cover.

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Record: 12-18

Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)

UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)

Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)

Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)

Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)

Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)

Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)

Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)

Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)

Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)

Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: W (picked Oklahoma, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Georgetown: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Michigan State @ Iowa: W (picked Michigan State, + 5)

St. John's @ Creighton: W (picked St. John's, + 12)

Iowa State @ Kansas: L (picked Iowa State, + 8.5)

Syracuse @ Wake Forest: L (picked Syracuse, -10)

Purdue @ Michigan: L (picked Michigan, -12)

Florida @ Mississippi State: W (picked Miss. State, + 15)

Duke @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -3)

Xavier @ Villanova: L (picked Xavier, + 10)

Nebraska @ Michigan: L (picked Nebraska, + 13)

Boston College @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -13)

Oregon @ Arizona: L (picked Arizona, -11)

Oklahamo State @ Texas Tech: W (picked Texas Tech, + 6.5)

West Virginia @ Kansas: L (picked WVU, + 14)

Maryland @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -11)

Iowa State @ West Virginia: L (picked Iowa State, - 1.5)