The Bones

I see about 9 spots left to be filled by at-larges going into tommorrow. And I see about 15 possible teams that could fill those spots. Of course if Arkansas or Wisconsin loses they will take one or two of those spots. Here's the possibilities... Arizona Arizona State Baylor Illinois State Kansas State Kentucky Massachusetts Mississippi New Mexico Ohio State Oregon South Alabama St. Joseph's Villanova VCU Virginia Tech Who gets in? Hope I'm not forgetting anyone. Edited to include South Alabama

I still think Tennessee gets the last one. The committee has shown a lack of importance on conference tournaments in the past.

America East - UMBC Atlantic Sun - Belmont Atlantic 10 - Temple Big East - Pittsburgh Big Sky - Portland State Big South - Winthrop Big West - Cal State Fullerton Colonial - George Mason C-USA - Memphis Horizon - Butler Ivy - Cornell MAAC - Siena MAC - Kent St. MEAC - Coppin St. Missouri Valley - Drake Mountain West - UNLV NEC - Mt. Saint Mary's Ohio Valley - Austin Peay Pac-10 - UCLA Patriot - American Southern - Davidson Summit - Oral Roberts Sun Belt - Western Kentucky SWAC - Miss Valley St. West Coast - San Diego WAC - Boise St. 5 left to be decided tomorrow ACC Big Ten Big 12 SEC Southland

Mike Davis will play a large role in Illinois' down low game next year. He's shown the ability to hit some open shots and pull in some rebounds this year and he should only get better with more time because he seems to be putting forth the hard work. Yes their strength next year will be their backcourt with the frontcourt being questionable, the exact opposite of this year. But I'd much rather have guys that can hit shots.

Probably the ugliest basketball game I've ever seen. I thought Illinois vs. Indiana in last year's Big Ten semifinals was bad but this probably beats it. Anyways, I give us about a 10% chance of winning tomorrow but who would have thought we'd have the chance to win one game to get into the NCAA Tournament?

Meh...I expect the Badgers to beat whoever wins this game by at least 10.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Mar 14, 2008 -> 11:44 PM) I guess I should come here to eat a little crow. A good lesson for you kids...... Don't post from your phone while drinking at a bar! One thing I find funny though after reading these posts is that Illinois fans can't be happy just b****ing about the officiating, they have to b**** about referees inother games too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend Illini fans. It's the last basketball you'll play this year. Come watch the Hoosiers play next weekend while your team is sitting on their asses at home. Yeah...you're so right. The officiating was fabulous. It's just too bad Indiana couldn't convert on more than 1 of those 5 foul opportunites in the last 5 seconds of the game. They should have called a loose ball foul on Hoffarber there on that last play to really seal the deal and give IU another 2 shots at the line. Oh...and I will enjoy every moment of watching that classy group of Hoosiers play next weekend. Nothing quite like watching a team quit on the season because the great coach they respected so much got run out of town for dragging the university's name through the mud.

That shot against Indiana was nothing for Blake Hoffarber. Talk about having the magic touch...

still some of the worst officiating i've ever seen though. wow! can't believe minnesota was able to overcome that screw job.

hahahahahahahahahahahaha enjoy your one game in the tournament indiana!

wonderful refereeing! congrats IU! hope you enjoy your win handed to you on a f***ing platter by the refs!

If by kick ass you mean Pruitt misses 10 straight free throws and Illinois loses in OT (check that...double overtime) then maybe. I would love another shot and Indiana right now the way they're playing. I don't see them making it past the first weekend in the tournament.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Mar 14, 2008 -> 07:48 PM) I hate the Big Ten Network. God damn it. I love Dish Network! Illinois!!!

It's true though. Anyone who doesn't make the tournament this year really has no argument because they all had opportunities to set themselves apart.

Seems like nobody wants to play in the tournament this year. So many bubble teams losing early in their conference tournaments. Arizona Arizona State Baylor Dayton Florida Maryland Massachusetts Ole Miss Oregon Villanova Makes me feel a little more confident about Illinois State's chances.

QUOTE(Felix @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 10:36 PM) ahahaha.. I could only hope. Maybe a bit of a stretch especially since it's in Indy but after the way IU played against PSU and MSU in recent days (yes I know they beat Minnesota in between those two games) I wouldn't be surprised if Indiana just doesn't show up ready to play as hard as a team like Minnesota. That and the fact that Jamarcus Ellis has mysteriously gone missing. And just like the real tournament it's no fun if I don't pick any upsets.

I'll throw my predictions out there just for the hell of it... First Round Michigan over Iowa Illinois over Penn State Minnesota over Northwestern Quarterfinals Wisconsin over Michigan Michigan State over Ohio State Purdue over Illinois Minnesota over Indiana Semifinals Wisconsin over Michigan State Purdue over Minnesota Championship Purdue over Wisconsin

Looks to me that the only reason is because they don't want 2 lefties going on back-to-back days. If Danks is the fifth starter they don't want Buehrle at #1. Whatever...I'm fine with it. #1 starter/#2 starter...it all evens itself out throughout the course of the season.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 08:27 PM) http://www.unf.edu/~jcoleman/dance.htm I didn't read the explanation all the way through but it's a bit ridiculous that they have Illinois State ranked ahead of Purdue...among many other things.

Horizon Butler vs. Cleveland State 9 pm, ESPN Summit Oral Roberts vs. IUPUI 7 pm, ESPN Sun Belt Middle Tennesse vs. Western Kentucky 9 pm, ESPN2 Bubble teams will be watching the Sun Belt and Horizon championships closely tonight.

At Staples Center Los Angeles FIRST ROUND Wednesday, March 12 Game 1: No. 8 Washington vs. No. 9 Cal (9 p.m.) Game 2: No. 7 Arizona vs. No. 10 Oregon State (11:30 p.m.) QUARTERFINALS Thursday, March 13 Game 3: No. 4 Southern California vs. No. 5 Arizona State (3 p.m.) Game 4: No. 1 UCLA vs. Game 1 winner (5:30 p.m.) Game 5: No. 3 Washington State vs. No. 6 Oregon (9 p.m.) Game 6: No. 2 Stanford vs. Game 2 winner (11:30 p.m.) SEMIFINALS Friday, March 14 Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner (9 p.m.) Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner (11:30 p.m.) CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday, March 15 Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner (CBS, 6:15 p.m.) Arizona, Arizona State, and Oregon need wins to avoid the burst of their bubble.

Four more teams will punch their tickets into the tournament tonight. Colonial William & Mary vs. George Mason 7 pm, ESPN MAAC Siena vs. Rider 7 pm, ESPN2 Southern Davidson vs. Elon 9 pm, ESPN2 West Coast Gonzaga vs. San Diego 9 pm, ESPN Bubble teams everywhere should be cheering for Davidson and Gonzaga tonight, especially Gonzaga. A San Diego win would most likely mean 3 teams from the WCC get in. If Elon wins Davidson would have an argument for at large consideration but probably be left out. Best to not risk it though. VCU already lost to William & Mary and even with their conference's recent history of performing well in the tournament I think they are out.

Illinois owns Minnesota at basketball. Now 19 in a row.

Keep track of who is officially in the 2008 NCAA Tournament here. Cornell - Ivy League Winthrop beat UNC-Asheville earlier today to represent the Big South Later today... Austin Peay vs. Tennessee State for the Ohio Valley Championship Belmont vs. Jacksonville for the Atlantic Sun Championship

Illinois State advances 63-58 over Missouri State...whew. Good to see we can still win on an off night. That might be enough to assure a spot in the tourney but I wouldn't mind winning tomorrow and Sunday just to be sure.