UPDATE: WEEK IN PREVIEW—OMARION TAKES EARLY LEAD

The spiking ain’t quite over yet, folks, but retail is gradually returning to workaday late-winter reality.

Early reports from retail strongly suggest that B2K member Omarion’s solo debut on Epic will debut at #1 tomorrow on the Top 50 Albums chart on sales of about 170k, and possibly as much as 180k.

Following Omarion will be Reprise’s Green Day, who look good for #2 with sales of around 110k-115k.

Ray Charles (Concord) now looks like a solid #3, with sales shaping up to total 112k-115k. The Game (G-Unit/Aftermath/Interscope) should grab #4, with sales headed toward a weekly total of about 100k-105k.

Emerging Columbia star John Legend and established superstar Usher (LaFace/ZLG) have an appointment in the 80s, while Republic/Universal’s 3 Doors Down and Shady/Interscope’s Eminem are all on target for finishes somewhere in the 70s. Also look for RCA/RMG's Kelly Clarkson to remain in the Top 10 with sales of around 63k.

Epic’s Tori Amos looks like she'll come in at 70k or just shy of it in her first week at retail, which could be good for a Top 10 debut. Likewise, Razor and Tie's Kidz Bop 7, driven by a major direct-response TV campaign, is look like it's headed for a possible Top10 debut as well, with sales looking like 70k or so.

As always, we end this wild speculation with a disclaimer: these numbers are certain to change as more information comes our way.