Main Street: Big East brawl in Jersey tonight

For UConn it's about locking up another undefeated conference season and making sure they get that one seed in the NCAA tournament. For Rutgers it's about playing spoiler, protecting their homecourt and raising their stock for the NCAA seeding process.

The Summary: After a horrid start, the Scarlet Knight have come on strong. For awhile, it didn't seem that they were going to be playing in any post-season tournament. They started off 2-4, including getting blown out by 40 to top-ranked Duke. Then, they went on a tear, going 17-3 in their last 20 games. UConn is UConn, but no one expected them to be as good as they have been this season. Tina Charles, the #1 recruit last season, has been as good as advertised.

The Stakes: UConn already has the league title, as they are 15-0 in league play and three games ahead of Rutgers so there is no threat there, but it would be nice to run the gauntlet and almost ensure the one seed in the NCAA. Rutgers has done well in their last 20 games and have won five in a row. Coach Stringer knows if she can get the upset than she can get a higher tourney seed. UConn is 26-2 overall, with losses to Tennessee and UNC. Rutgers is 19-7 overall and 12-3 in the conference.

The Series: UConn won earlier this seasonin Storrs, 60-50, but Rutgers has won two of the last three meetings. UConn leads the overall series 19-4.

The Say: If Matee Ajavon plays like she did against their last opponent, Notre Dame, Rutgers might be able to pull off the upset. UConn is good, but this isn't UConn of old and I believe we will see them get upset in Rutgers tonight. Final Word: Rutgers pulls off the upset in a thriller!

Airs on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

Main Street: Weekend matchup showcases important Pac-10 finale

Talk about being riddled with bad luck. USC is a program on the rise, but four redshitrs have hampered Mark Trakh's Women of Troy from excelling this season and now they lay on the bubble. Stanford hasn't exactly been lucky either after losing JJ Hones to an ACL and now All-American Candace Wiggins is recovering from a hamstring injury. This game is important for both teams for very different reasons.

The Summary: Stanford was a preseason pick for the final four, but they started out rough. Besides a flub up at Cal, the Cardinal are once again dominating the Pac-10. Without Candace Wiggins in the lineup, though, the Cardinal are vulnerable and USC has been playing well of late. Coach Mark Trakh is building a program at the once powerful USC campus. Three years on the job and the last two have ended with NCAA appearances. Anyone remember in just his first year that he nearly upset eventual national runner-up, Michigan State, in the second round? Injuries have plagued him this year, but once again, USC can increase their NCAA chances with a big road win over the Cardinal.

The Stakes: Stanford holds a one-game lead over Arizona State in the league and will win the conference outright by defeating USC on Sunday. They are 23-4 overall. USC is 16-10 overall, but they have gone 10-4 in their last 14 games and nearly upset Cal in OT at Berkeley last night. They are well-coached and can be dangerous. USC is obviously trying for their third consecutive NCAA appearance, but they will definitely need this one over Stanford for any chance. Stanford is obviously in, but they don't want to share the Pac-10 title.

The Series: The last game saw Stanford defeat USC by 16 points. Trakh has yet to get his first win against the Cardinal.

The Say: Next season USC will be a thorn in Stanford's side for years to come as Coach Trakh will hopefully be healthy with Jackie Gemelos and other star players plus a top 20 recruiting class. I think USC will give Stanford a run on Sunday, but in the end Stanford gets the last word and another Pac-10 title. Final word: Stanford, minus Wiggins, still has enough to oust USC and send the Women of Troy to the WNIT.

Main Street: Big Ten battle between a lock and a bubble

Tonight's Main Street focuses on surging Michigan State and slumping Illinois. The Illini need this win for even a sniff of a chance at the NCAA's. They haven't been dancing since 2003. Michigan State has come off of big wins on the road against OSU and Purdue and has become a program under Coach McAuley that seems to be a consistent NCAA team.

The Summary: After a rough start, MSU has pulled it together and their youth has pulled off big wins against ranked Big Ten faves, Purdue and OSU. They are definitely the favorite here, but you can't count out the Hall of Fame legend, Theresa Grentz. Her team started out strong, but has once again struggled to end the season. Grentz needs to get this program back on track. When she first came to Illinois she took a nothing program to back-to-back Sweet 16's within three seasons, but since has done little and has been relegated to the WNIT. Every season she has been in Champaign she has beaten a ranked team (last year it was Oklahoma) and they have not done this yet. Tonight they have a perfect chance at home.

The Stakes: MSU is 21-7 and 12-2 in the conference. To stay in contention for the league title they can't flub up here. They are also fighting for a potential four seed. Right now I would have them at a five or six. Illinois is young, sitting at 17-9 overall and 7-6 in the Big Ten. They need to win this game and probably the next at home versus Purdue for a shot at the NCAA's. That would put them at 9-7 and a solid fourth place in the Big Ten, though the league is as weak as it has ever been.

The Series: MSU leads overall 29-24, but Illinois is 14-9 against the Spartans at home. MSU defeated Illinois by 10 earlier this season.

The Say: Obviously, MSU is playing well and should get out of this game on the road alive, but I have to believe that the Grentz, one of my favorite coaches in the game will have her team pumped and inspired to defeat a ranked opponent to get their eighth Big Ten win and move towards an NCAA bid. A loss hear seals their fate to the "other" tourney. While all signs point to Coach Jo P., I am thinking upset! Final word: Illinois shocks the Spartans, slows their momentum and pulls off the upset!

Main Street: Tonight's matchup is a Big 12, Lonestar State battle

Tonight we look at a battle in the Big 12, an improved conference this season, and one that will be even better in years to come with the addition of Kristy Curry to the coaching ranks at Tech. She already has made her mark with no recruits of her own so watch out Kim and Sherri! Texas A&M has swept the conference-faves, Oklahoma this season, and is a dangerous team come March.

The Summary: A&M is a lock for the Big Dance yet again and Gary Blair has done a great job getting the Aggies out of the Big 12 basement and into a #18 ranking and a chance at the league title. Texas Tech is dangerous and surprising. Curry has added some spunk to the program and she could pull off the upset tonight.

The Stakes: Tech is 15-12 and 6-7 in the Big 12 and likely headed for the WNIT, however, an upset here, a win at Texas and a win over surging Iowa State in Lubbock to end the season could put them in contention for the NCAA's. Right now they are bubble. A&M is fighting to stay alive at the cluttered top of the Big 12 with Oklahoma and Baylor. They need to protect their home court if they want the title.

The Series: Tech owns this series easily at 52-10, but A&M won the earlier season meeting by two points in Lubbock. They split the meetings last year.

The Say: A&M should win this game with their lofty ranking and improved level of play. In just four short years, the formidable Blair has built them into a Sweet 16 contender this season. Tech, though, could play spoiler. They have quality wins over Nebraska, UCLA, Texas and Tulane and nearly beat Oklahoma and A&M in previous meetings this season. You know the ultra-competitive Curry, who is used to the NCAA's at Purdue and LaTech, wants to end the season on a roll and have a chance to dance this March. A&M has faltered before this season when favored so an upset could be brewing. Final word: Close, but no cigar. A&M wins in a barnburner!

Main Street: Tonight's matchup focuses on the bubble

Today on Main Street, our daily guide to the best game around, we look at West Virginia at Pittsburgh

The Summary: Life on the bubble is hard. While Pittsburgh should feel comfortable with their chances of getting into the NCAA's this season after just missing out last year, West Virginia's situation is a bit more iffy. Both Pitt and West Virginia are tied in the Big East at 8-5, along with a host of others, in a bottle jam at the middle of the conference. After winning seven in a row, West Virginia has gone 2-2. Pittsburgh is a program on the rise, but has suspect losses to cellar dwellars in the Big East like Seton Hall and St. John's.

The Stakes: Staying out of the WNIT and going to the Big Dance. West Virginina was the Cinderella of the Big East Tourney last season, upsetting team after team before getting beaten in the championship game by UConn. They did not play well at the beginning of the season, but have improved their overall record to 17-9. Pittsburgh started the season on a tear, winning their first 12 games and being ranked. Then they went 3-5. They have gone 5-1 since and stand at 20-6 overall. Last season Pittsburgh finished in the WNIT Final Four.

The Series: Pitt won last season's meeting, but West Virginia leads the all-time series 19-14.

The Say: While this game is hardly a marquee matchup, it is important to understand life on the bubble for two mid-level Big East teams. The Big East will likely get six teams in the NCAA's. UConn, Marquette, Louisville and Rutgers are locks, while Pitt, West Virginia, Notre Dame, South Florida and DePaul are all battling for the final two spots. Tonight's game will go a long way in helping narrow those final two teams down. Pittsburgh is at home and should win this game, but it will be close. West Virginia is very capable of pulling off the upset at a place where Pitt has had some bad home losses. Final word: Pittsburgh by less than five points.

Main Street: Tonight's marqee matchup pits Tennessee vs. LSU

Today on Main Street, our daily guide to the best game around, we look at #2 Tennessee and #7 LSU.

The Summary: These two have been the powerhouses in the SEC for most of this decade. LSU is rebuilding this season after losing National POY, Seimone Augustus, but they have still garnered quality wins over Ohio State, Michigan State and Georgia. Tennessee is having a banner year with National POY candidate Candace Parker. There only losses this season have been to #1 Duke and #4 UNC.

The Stakes: Unlike the past few years, this matchup has no real implications. Tennessee is a definite one seed. LSU, though, could basically secure a two seed with the home win and upset tonight. They fell short against #3 UConn at home last week when Porsha Phillips' three point attempt at the buzzer swooshed through, but was actually only a two-pointer, thereby causing the Lady Tigers to lose by one point and snap the nation's longest home winning streak. Tennessee should already have the SEC Title wrapped up, unless they would lose against LSU and Vandy to end the season.

The Series: Tennessee leads 34-9 overall and last defeated LSU in the 2006 SEC Championship Game 63-62, although LSU has won the previous two regular season matchups.

The Stars: For Tennessee it is obviously Candace Parker, although Alexis Hornbuckle adds an edge to the Lady Vols and Sidney Spencer is a dangerous three-point threat. For LSU, watch Sylvia Fowles, who is a double-double waiting to happen with her imposing presence. Quianna Chaney is the team's second-leading scorer.

The Say: Our take is that the game will be tight, however, Tennessee should pull away in the second half. The Lady Vols are used to hostile environments so they shouldn't be scared, and LSU isn't what they were the last few years with a go-to star like Augustus. LSU hangs their hat on their suffocating defense and that might be enough to pull off the upset. Tennessee wins.

On Air at 7 p.m. ESPN2