Go ahead. Laugh it up.

I read the comments. I know what you're thinking. And I'm fine with it and I deserve the criticism.

Not only did I fail in my quest for a perfect 5-0 weekend, I didn't even come close.

2-3?!?!?

C'mon, Northern Iowa. I mean, I was right on the overtime thing but not on the outcome. Same with Kansas-Utah. That was a battle.

Just one problem, for the purposes of my limited accuracy: The Jayhawks won that battle.

Kentucky over North Carolina was easy and my 15-point prediction for UK's margin of victory was off by only one. UCLA wasn't in Gonzaga's league. We all knew that.

But I was WAY off on Iowa State-Iowa. Let me explain my pregame reasoning. No Bryce Dejean-Jones for Iowa State in a rivalry road game. An Iowa team that was just over a week removed from that road win over North Carolina. Still, I forgot how personal this game is for the guys involved and disregarded Iowa's challenges in similar high-profile matchups in recent years.

My prediction of a three-point win for Iowa was ultimately a 15-point victory for Iowa State.

This week? I'm asking Santa for anything above 2-3.

Last week: 2-3

Overall: 17-8

UCLA vs. No. 1 Kentucky (United Center in Chicago), 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, CBS: The Bruins aren't bad. In some ways, they've surpassed expectations. Who thought Bryce Alford would evolve into an all-Pac-12ish point guard for Steve Alford? Norman Powell is one of the best all-around players in the country. Kevon Looney is a pro. But they're not capable of solving the Kentucky problem that might perplex every opponent the Wildcats face this season. It's a broken record, I know, but if you're dealing with a shot-blocking crew that protects the space within the arc better than any team in America and throws multiple 6-foot-10-and-up future pros at you on offense, how can you stop that over 40 minutes? UCLA won't have that answer during this CBS Sports Classic matchup.

Prediction: Kentucky 80, UCLA 60

No. 12 Ohio State vs. No. 24 North Carolina (United Center in Chicago), 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, CBS: In North Carolina's three losses, Marcus Paige committed three or more turnovers. He also went 14-for-44 from the field in those matchups. If you can pressure him, you can clog North Carolina's offense. And Shannon Scott (3.0 SPG), now one of the nation's top point guards, is the perfect guy to apply that pressure. Plus, the Buckeyes are a good 3-point shooting team that will stretch UNC's defense in a scrappy, tight game. Also, D'Angelo Russell is the truth. And the college basketball world will see that this weekend.

Prediction: Ohio State 69, UNC 67

No. 15 Oklahoma vs. No. 16 Washington (MGM Grand in Las Vegas), 9 p.m. ET, Saturday, ESPNU: A couple of surprising teams here that could make their respective conference races quite interesting. Oklahoma has emerged as a contender in the Big 12. Ryan Spangler and Houston transfer TaShawn Thomas form one of the best frontcourts in the country. The Sooners are holding opponents to a 40 percent clip inside the arc, 29 percent outside it. But the Huskies have Nigel Williams-Goss and a strong offense that has scored 76 points or more in six of its past nine games. But it hasn't faced a team with Oklahoma's balance or a player like Buddy Hield.

Prediction: Oklahoma 74, Washington 70

Indiana vs. No. 23 Butler (Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis), 2:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Fox Sports 1: The Hoosiers' offense is legit. Their 87.5 PPG is fifth in the nation. But their defense, on a per-possession rating by Ken Pomeroy, is 187th in the country. That's how they lost to Eastern Washington despite scoring 86 points. Butler, which boasts wins over Georgetown and North Carolina, is the opposite. Can't trust the Bulldogs' offense. Roosevelt Jones went 2-for-9 in each of his team's losses (to Tennessee, Oklahoma) and that messed up everything but also showcased Butler's limits. I'll take Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon and a team that shoots 42 percent from the 3-point line.

Prediction: Indiana 77, Butler 71

No. 17 Maryland at Oklahoma State, 2 p.m. ET, Sunday, ESPNU: Le'Bryan Nash (17.7 PPG and 6.4 RPG) is quietly putting together an impressive season now that he's the star of the Cowboys' show. His team's only blemish is a weird 26-point loss to South Carolina a few weeks ago. But Oklahoma State has been one of the nation's best defensive teams. Maryland is still winning without Dez Wells, who will return soon. In the meantime, the Terps have relied on freshman Melo Trimble (not enough folks are talking about him) and Jake Layman. Maryland could be a player in the Big Ten. But it will suffer another blemish in its first true road game of the season.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 79, Maryland 77 (OT)