College Basketball: 5 Bold Predictions to Close the 2011 Regular Season

The 2011 NCAA basketball regular season is coming to an end.

With little time left, players are racing to win the competitive Player of the Year honors, teams are vying to get off the bubble, and yes, even a coach and team are trying to remain perfect.

These five bold predictions will set the premise for the madness that is about to begin this March.

1. Ohio State Finishes Undefeated But Will Lose in The Big 10 Tournament

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini fans try to distract a free throw attempt by Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State won 73-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty

Player of the year candidate Jared Sullinger will lead his team past Wisconsin twice before the end of the year, but the third time will be the charm for the Badgers as they will beat the Buckeyes in the conference championship game, thus ruining their perfect season.

2. The Georgia Bulldogs Finish the Season with a Share of the SEC East

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LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 29: Terrence Jones #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball while defended by Trey Thompkins #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the SEC game at Rupp Arena on January 29, 2011 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 66-60. (Photo

Despite the loss last night to Xavier, the Bulldogs—currently ranked #2 in the SEC East—have already played arguably their two toughest games this year by traveling to Lexington (losing to Kentucky) and Nashville (falling to Vanderbilt).

Expect the Bulldogs to take care of business against the SEC West and get revenge against the Commodores in their own Stegeman Coliseum, along with Trey Thompkins earning conference tournament MVP honors.

3. BYU Finishes in the Top 5 and Jimmer Fredette Wins Player of the Year Honors

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LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 05: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars appears on the court during a game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center January 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. BYU won 89-77. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Ge

With the recent decline of UConn star Kemba Walker, the player of the year candidacy is a two-horse race between Sullinger of OSU and Fredette.

Fredette will have two more 40 point perfomances this year and will raise his scoring average to just under 30 points per game. One of these will come against top ten SDSU, propelling the Cougars to a top five ranking.

4. Neither Duke Nor UNC Will Win the ACC Tournament

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COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 2: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils drives to the basket during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins on February 2, 2011 at the Comcast Arena in College Park, Maryland. The Blue Devils won 80-62. (Phot

With the recent news of Larry Drew II’s transfer request and the lingering injury of Duke’s potential All-American Freshman Kyrie Irving, neither the Tar Heels nor Blue Devils will win the ACC tournament.

Drew II started 17 games for the Heels, and his leadership will be missed. Irving gave the Blue Devils something truly special with his scoring ability he displayed during their games.

Expect either Clemson or Florida St. to take the crown.

5. Michigan St. Bounces Back and Sneaks into the NCAA Tournament Field of 68

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan Spartans drives to the basket alongside Brandon Triche #20 of the Syracuse Orange during their game at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo b

Preseason ranked #2 Michigan St. will finish the year off winning five out of their last seven games in the Big Ten, thus obtaining a record of 10-8 in conference.

Kalin Lucas will lead his team fairly deep into the Big Ten tournament and become a part of the MVP conversation, along with Jared Sullinger and Jordan Taylor.