My good friend Howard Garfinkel said it best, "just when you think you've an answer to anything in college basketball, stop yourself. Logic does not exist."

Garf was right. As usual.

Last night's Coaches vs. Cancer tourney at MSG saw Syracuse dismantle Cal and North Carolina survive against a very scrappy Ohio State team. I thought Cal's guards would put up more of a fight against the Orange but the Bears missed sharpshooter Theo Robertson. In the second game, the Tarheels length bothered Buckeyes star Evan Turner all night long.

Now to the preview for tonight's title game.

SYRACUSE VS. NORTH CAROLINA

If Jim Boeheim gets guard play from Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche like he did last night, Syracuse could be good enough to win the Big East. That coupled with the Orange's tremendous length in their vintage 2-3 zone should be enough to give the Tarheels fits. We love North Carolina's imposing frontline of Deon Thompson, Ed Davis, and Tyler Zeller but for the first time in decades, the Tarheels don't have typical Chapel Hill guards. That could affect their decision making. And questionable decision making against Syracuse usually results in a loss.

PREDICTION: SYRACUSE 78, NORTH CAROLINA 72

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Check out my 1-on-1 interview with Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin for MSG.

CLICK HERE

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Pop the champagne! College basketball is in full swing and Thursday night, Madison Square Garden will play host to four of the top teams in the country. Here's a preview of the 2009 Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament:

SYRACUSE VS. CAL

Great frontline versus great guards. Hmm, let's think about this. I love Jim Boeheim's frontline with Arinze Onuaku, Rick Jackson, and Shawn Marion clone Wesley Johnson but college basketball is and always will be a guards game. Cal has two of the best in seniors Patrick Christopher and Jerome Randle and also sport a deadly sharpshooter in Theo Robertson. Their perimeter should be enough to get them past the Orange.

PREDICTION: CAL 72, SYRACUSE 66

AP Photo/Jay LaPrete

OHIO STATE VS. NORTH CAROLINA Ohio State has no true point and no true center. And that's why I love them to win this game. The Buckeyes entail multiple players that can provide matchup problems for any team in college basketball and have maybe the most underrated player in the country in 6-foot-5 undersized power forward David Lighty. They also have Evan Turner, and on most days, that's going to mean they have the best player on the floor.

PREDICTION: OHIO STATE 82, UNC 77

THIS AND THAT:

• Lewis Jackson's injury is a huge loss for Purdue. The undersized PG was the perfect general for the Boilermakers offense.
• I don't care how many games Tennessee wins or how much they win them by. I'm not a Bobby Maze fan and don't believe he can the point guard on a team that goes deep in the NCAA Tournament. Volunteers head coach Bruce Pearl is still searching for a floor general since Ramar Smith was booted from the program last year.
• Siena is better than last year. Yes, seriously. The Saints won't miss a beat with Clarence Jackson replacing last year's MAAC Player of the Year Kenny Hasbrouck and the off guard spot and the more and more I see Ryan Rossiter, he reminds me of former Pitt garbage man Levon Kendall.
• People need to start talking about the job John Dunne is doing at St. Peter's. Dunne had the Peacocks on the verge of a major upset over Seton Hall before the Pirates won last Friday at the buzzer and yesterday, St. Peter's dominated Monmouth as part of ESPN's 24 hours of college basketball. This team is ready to climb the MAAC standings.
• St. John's escape over St. Bonaventure last night was a huge road win for the Red Storm and is just one part of an ambitious non-conference schedule. Norm Roberts' team still have to play Siena and Temple next week in the Philly Classic along with a trip to Duke and a matchup with Hofstra at MSG as part of the Holiday Festival.

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Check out my interview with St. John's head coach Norm Roberts for MSG.

LISTEN HERE

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College basketball isn't just about the stars. The All-Americans might make preseason magazines and highlights on Sportscenter but it's the glue guys that win championships.

Take a look at my top five across the nation:

1. MARCUS GINYARD, NORTH CAROLINA

Back and better than ever, Ginyard has his eyes on redemption after being forced to watch the Tarheels National Championship run from the sidelines last year due to an injury. A recalibrated three-point shot has his confidence soaring and his defense is still his biggest asset. NBA scouts, think Bruce Bowen the sequel.

2. CHRIS KRAMER, PURDUE

Tough as nails, Kramer is the perfect symbol for Matt Painter's Boilermakers. At 6-foot 3, Kramer is tough, stubborn, and will guard as well as anyone in the Big Ten. What he doesn't produce in the box score, Kramer makes up for with his biggest weapon; his heart.

3. REGGIE REDDING, VILLANOVA

Even though he's suspended for the first semester, Redding is impossible to keep off this list. A physical defender and underrated playmaker, this senior could be the biggest key to whether or not Jay Wright's club has a shot to return to the Final Four for a second consecutive year.

4. JUSTIN MASON, TEXAS

Just like Royal Ivey did in 2003, Mason will try and do the little things to push the Longhorns to the Final Four. Scary thing is, Rick Barnes might have a more talented team now than he did when T.J. Ford ran the show six years ago.

5. VENOY OVERTON, WASHINGTON

Overton is just one part of best backcourt in the PAC-10. While Isiah Thomas and super freshman Abdul Gaddy will pace the Husky offense, look for the 5-foot-11 Overton to increase the ball pressure and turn Lorenzo Romar's squad into one of the toughest perimeter's in the country.

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