Atlantic Coast Conference

The Week That Was: The biggest upset of the season took place at Chapel Hill, where former No. 1 UNC (19-1) dropped its first game of the year to 18-point underdog Maryland, 82-80. The loss allowed Duke to move atop the ACC standings with a perfect 3-0 record. The Blue Devils are now the only Atlantic Coast team to be undefeated in conference play.

The Week That Will Be: No. 25 Clemson (15-4) takes on surprising Miami (14-4) on Sunday in one of the better games of the weekend. Last week wasn't a great one for the ACC as Carolina fell from top spot in the country and Miami dropped out of the top 25 altogether.

Keep an Eye On: Shamari Spears, Boston College. Many assumed that the departures of Sean Williams and Jared Dudley to the NBA would spell the end of BC's dynamic frontcourt. But the 6-foot-6-inch sophomore Spears is keeping the trend alive with a breakout season, averaging 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the surprising (12-5) Eagles. He's got a big matchup on Wednesday against UNC and Tyler Hansbrough, who'll be Spears' toughest defensive assignment to date.

Upset Watch: Georgia Tech (9-9) heads to Charlottesville on Sunday to take on Virginia (11-6). The Cavaliers are an erratic team who followed up a four-game win streak in December with a three-game losing streak to begin January. Tech is much better than its record indicates and have hung close with the likes of UNC (83-82 loss), Indiana (83-79 loss) and Kansas (71-66 loss) already this season.

Big 12

The Week That Was: No. 2 Kansas (19-0) narrowly missed moving atop the national polls, slightly out-pointed by new No. 1 Memphis. That's not to say, however, that the Jayhawks didn't cement themselves as the class of the Big 12. Kansas won a tough game at Missouri 76-70, and then crushed Iowa State 83-59. Meanwhile, No. 16 Texas A&M (15-4) continued its slide by losing to unranked Kansas State and then dropping a wild and wacky five-overtime loss to Baylor.

The Week That Will Be: Unfortunately, none of the three ranked teams - Kansas, Texas A&M or No. 12 Texas (15-3) - will face one another in the next seven days. But keep an eye on white-hot Baylor, who continue to amaze and, barring a monumental collapse, should be NCAA-bound in March. Nebraska (11-5) has fallen on hard times after its 11-2 start, dropping three straight conference games. They'll host Kansas in a massive Saturday contest before traveling to Missouri (11-8) on Wednesday. This two-game stretch could make or break the 'Huskers season.

Keep an Eye On: Kevin Rogers. The bruising Baylor forward is averaging 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest and is fresh off a stellar 13 point, 14 rebound effort against Nebraska. At 6 feet 9 inches and 240 pounds, he's a load and a real banger inside, one of the best bigs in the Big 12.

Upset Watch: On Saturday, Texas A&M will go to Oklahoma State (10-8) in what should be an interesting matchup. The Cowboys will be getting points at home and nearly knocked off Texas (lost 63-61 last week) in Stillwater. The Cowboys have beaten the likes of Washington, LSU and Texas Tech on their home floor and could be worth a wager.

Big East

The Week That Was: Georgetown avoided a big scare by taking care of Syracuse (13-7) in 64-62 an overtime thriller. West Virginia has moved into second spot in the conference after ripping off three Big East victories over 'Cuse, St. John's (7-10) and USF (10-10). No. 17 Pitt (16-3), No. 18 Villanova (13-4) and No. 20 Marquette (13-4) all remained in the national rankings for another week while the Mountaineers continue to knock on the door (currently ranked 29th).

The Week That Will Be: Intriguing matchup at Villanova this Saturday as the Wildcats host Notre Dame (13-4). All eyes will be on Wildcats big man Dante Cunningham, as he prepares to deal with Irish forward Luke Harangody, the Big East's leading scorer (18.9 points per game) and second leading rebounder (9.5 per game). In non-conference action, UConn travels to Indiana to take on the No. 7 Hoosiers, the best team in the Big 10.

Keep an Eye On: Donte Green. The 6-foot-11-inch Syracuse freshman battled Georgetown giant Roy Hibbert to a saw-off Monday night, putting up 15 points and nine rebounds in a losing cause. With only nine healthy scholarship players available, coach Jim Boeheim is leaning heavily on his prized frosh, and Green is responding.

Upset Watch: The Wildcats were on the wrong end of a 80-68 stunner from minnows Rutgers (9-11) on Wednesday night. They head into Saturday's game versus ND reeling. Look for the Irish to stun a smallish 'Nova team at home and for Harangody to go off.

Big Ten

The Week That Was: Both Wisconsin and No. 8 Indiana (17-1) remained undefeated in Big Ten play. The Badgers handled Penn State (10-8) and Northwestern (6-9) before narrowly escaping Michigan, 64-61. The Hoosiers also defeated Penn State and won a tough road game in Minnesota (12-5), beating the Gophers 65-60. Purdue continue to impress after a mediocre pre-conference performance. The Boilermakers are 4-1 in conference play, tied for third with No. 10 Michigan State (16-2).

The Week That Will Be: Everything is really in a holding pattern until Thursday, Jan. 31, when Indiana and Wisconsin lock horns for the first time this season. Still, there are some games worth mentioning. Ohio State hosts Minnesota in a game of conference also-rans that might have a shot at March Madness. On Sunday, the Spartans renew their interstate rivalry with the Wolverines (5-14) in the battle of Michigan.

Keep an Eye On: Jamar Butler. The forgotten man in Ohio State after the departures of Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., Daequan Cook and Ivan Harris, Butler has taken the Buckeyes on his shoulders en route to a 13-6 record. Butler leads the Big Ten in assists (6.2 per game) and has a solid assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.66.

Upset Watch: Michigan will be laying huge points at Michigan State on Sunday, but the Wolverines have been playing solid ball of late and seem to be adjusting to new coach John Beilein. Slim losses to Iowa and Wisconsin has Michigan believing it can play with anybody in the coference.

Pac-10

The Week That Was: No. 7 UCLA (16-2) suffered its first conference loss in a stunning loss to crosstown rivals USC. Oregon State fired coach Jay John after the Beavers got off to a 6-12 start. They then kicked center C.J. Giles off the team, capping a tumultuous week in Corvallis.

The Week That Will Be: No. 6 Washington State (16-1) makes the tough trek through Arizona to face the Wildcats (12-6) and No. 24 Sun Devils (14-3). The Arizona State game has taken on less of a life with the news that super frosh James Harden may miss the game due to a groin injury.

Keep an Eye On: When former UW standout Spencer Hawes left for the NBA, many assumed his twin tower, current Huskies center Jon Brockman, would struggle. Well, that's hardly happened. The 6-foot-7-inch junior is putting up 18.7 points per game and 11.6 rebounds and possibly playing his way into the NBA lottery.

Upset Watch: If Harden is a go, take a gander at the line for the Wazzu-Arizona State game on Saturday. Both teams play grind-it-out basketball and the game screams for an under. Also, anytime you get a quality team like the Sun Devils laying points at home, you jump on it.

Southeastern Conference

The Week That Was: Kentucky continued to slay SEC giants (a weird phrase if there ever was one), this time taking care of No. 5 Tennessee 72-66 at Rupp Arena. It was the second big home court upset for the 'Cats in as many weeks - last Saturday they sent Vanderbilt to its first loss of the season in a double-overtime thriller. Meanwhile, Mississippi State has quietly moved atop the conference standings with a perfect 4-0 record.

The Week That Will Be: The battle of Mississippi goes for the first time this Saturday as Ole Miss travels to State. No. 13 Vanderbilt will get a tough test in the swamp against white-hot Florida (17-3) while the Volunteers will travel to Alabama on Tuesday in the ESPN nightcap.

Keep an Eye On: Devan Downey. Let's hear it for the little guy. At 5 feet 9 inches, this sophomore guard from South Carolina has been scoring with the big boys, averaging 19.9 points per game, second best in the SEC.

Upset Watch: Alabama (11-8) won 11 of its first 15, then promptly went 0-4 in conference play. They'll be hungry for a win over Tennessee at home in front of a national television audience. Keep an eye as the line opens for Tuesday's matchup and take 'Bama plus the points they'll be getting.