In this week's Tipoff, we look at who's hot and who's not, top five most lopsided UC losses during the Bob Huggins coaching era, our Sweet Sixteen, must-see TV, and our player of the week (St. Joe's Jameer Nelson). We'll also ask Temple coach John Chaney five questions, catch up with ex-UK star Tayshaun Prince, and answer your questions in our Xavier Q&A.

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WHO'S HOT

UMass

The Minutemen put up the defensive effort of the season Wednesday, shutting out St. Bonaventure. UMass had been giving up more than 66 points a game, but Steve Lappas obviously devised the right game plan this time.

Championship Week

With all the scandalous headlines dominating college basketball last week, it's nice to know next week will be full of non-stop games. As long as no one forfeits.

Pittsburgh

The Panthers have recovered from their midseason mini-slump and appear to be the strongest team in the Big East. Ben Howland is showing why he was last season's national coach of the year.

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WHO'S NOT

Linda Bruno

The A-10 commissioner said she did not demand that St. Bonaventure play its final two games. Why not? She's the commissioner. That's her job. Instead, the A-10 appears to have no control over its teams' actions.

Jim Harrick

Could Georgia's coach have appeared any more arrogant during his interview with Dick Vitale? Please. It has been proven he was way off on the graduation statistics he boasted of to Vitale. Are we supposed to believe Harrick and his son are being set up?

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys, once the Big 12 leaders, have fallen to a tie for fourth with three straight losses. It's doubtful this team can do much against the Big 12 powers in the conference tournament.

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TOP FIVE

This week's topic: The five most lopsided UC losses during the Bob Huggins coaching era:

• North Carolina 90, UC 63 - Nov. 19, 1993

• Indiana 81, UC 60 - Jan. 4, 1992

• Xavier 88, UC 68 - Nov. 13, 1997

• Memphis 67, UC 48 - March 1, 2003

• Memphis 82, UC 64 - Feb. 3, 1990; and Notre Dame 69, UC 51 - Nov. 25, 2000

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SWEET 16

1. Kentucky	A classic regular-season finale today in Gainesville.
2. Arizona	Starters could get some rest today at Oregon before Pacific-10 Tourney.
3. Kansas	Can claim an impressive Big 12 title Sunday at Mizzou.
4. Texas	Showing signs of a complete team heading into postseason.
5. Oklahoma	Needs to beat Texas today and have Kansas lose Sunday to share Big 12 title.
6. Florida	Not a terrible loss at Georgia, but defense must improve.
7. Wake Forest	How far can the Deacons take their dream season?
8. Pittsburgh	Panthers are turning up the intensity at the right time.
9. Syracuse	Jim Boeheim always has the Orangemen playing well late.
10. Marquette	First regular-season title in nine years for the Golden Eagles.
11. Xavier	Don't expect another down-to-the-wire game on Senior Day.
12. Maryland	Terps finishing strong, go to lowly Virginia on Sunday.
13. Duke	Best road win of the season is at Georgia Tech - not impressive.
14. Stanford	Exceeded all expectations this season and could get to Sweet 16.
15. Memphis	Ten-game winning streak puts Tigers on national map.
16. Wisconsin	Credit the Badgers for winning the Big Ten, a very sad league this season.

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MUST-SEE TV

Temple at Xavier, noon today (ESPN): David West's final game at Cintas Center should be special.

Kentucky at Florida, 2 p.m. today (Ch. 12): The biggest game of the week could have NCAA Tournament seeding ramifications.

Texas at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. today (Ch. 9, 2): The second-biggest game of the week has Big 12 and NCAA ramifications.

West Coast Conference Championship, midnight Monday (ESPN): If anyone but Gonzaga wins, the WCC probably gets two teams into the NCAAs.

Missouri Valley Conference Championship, 9 p.m. Monday (ESPN): Creighton and Southern Illinois are the likely favorites to battle for the MVC's best seed.

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Player of the week: Jameer Nelson

The Saint Joseph's star point guard took his team on his shoulders with an injured Delonte West unable to play against Xavier.

Nelson scored 33 points in an overtime loss to the Musketeers, just four days after he scored 25 points in a win against Richmond.

THIS WEEK'S TIPOFF

• Enquirer Tipoff page • Catching up with Tayshaun Prince • Five questions with John Chaney • UC/Xavier Q&A