Layup Line: Tulane, Again

Another day, another game, same story: no room for error. If there's one thing the University of Cincinnati Bearcats can't do today, it's lose to the Tulane Green Wave.

Short and sweet Layup Line here as not much has changed for either UC or Tulane. The Green Wave sit at 5-10 in the conference, and (obviously) one of those victories came against the Bearcats just a couple weeks ago.

• Game: Saturday, February 28 @ 2:00pm ET
• Location: Devlin Fieldhouse; New Orleans, LA
• TV/Radio: ESPNNews; 700 WLW

I'm still convinced you're looking at a new and improved Cincinnati Bearcats squad. An attacking Shaq Thomas. A renewed backcourt with Caupain and Cobb starting together. Pushing the ball in transition. What's not to like lately?

Tulane doesn't play at a fast pace; they're in the bottom half of all of college basketball's tempo rankings. And, as you're probably aware, the Bearcats play at a snail's pace - which is partly why the last meeting between these two teams resulted in 99 combined points.

What the 'Cats have to do to win:

• Score. Obvious, right? The Green Wave have a bad offense. A really bad offense. The Bearcats should be able to hold them to less than 60. Which means if they score a few points, they'll win this one easily.

I said short and sweet, didn't I? This one won't be close. An attacking Bearcats squad out-muscles Tulane early, and the outcome's never in doubt: Bearcats win 64-53.