Joe Lunardi is considered the "dean" of Bracketology these days.  His website is updated daily and his ever-changing brackets are seen on ESPN or CBS Sports all the time. College basketball fans hold their breath daily (almost hourly)  over whether or not their team is in the running to be in the NCAA Tournament.

And I have no problem with that.  More power to Lunardi and all the other "bracketologists" who have jumped into the fray.  After all..... it is great water cooler conversation and can be a lot of fun. And these guys do their homework....going through RPI numbers and strength of schedule...etc.  There is a method to the madness (I think).

The bracketology feature I kind of enjoy is the "last 4 into the tournament"...and " last 4 teams out of the tourney".  If you are a fan (or a coach) and you are paying close attention.... your NCAA hopes can go up or down... depending on which list your team is on.

I just get kind of tickled about the whole process.  I mean....anyone can play the bracket guessing game.  Sure...some things are easy....Kansas, Kentucky, and Syracuse are probably going to be #1 seeds....with that 4th #1 seed up for grabs....especially now with the news of the season-ending knee injury to Purdue's Robbie Hummel.  Most likely Kansas will be the top seed in Oklahoma City...not far from Bill Self's old stomping grounds in the Sooner State. 

The #2 seeds are also relatively easy to figure.  But after that....your guess is as good as mine (or Joe Lunardi's) as far as where teams are headed for their first-round games.

In fact...one day last week...I saw where Illinois was listed by several different bracketologists as being  safely in the tournament...but I saw them going everywhere from Oklahoma City...to Milwaukee...to Buffalo.... to New Orleans...and seeded anywhere from #8 to #11.

Take your pick.

So if everyone is guessing on this...how about my guess for the Illini?.....a #9 seed in Oklahoma City......with a 2nd round matchup against Bill Self and top-seeded Kanas.....Wouldnt that be fun?

Then again...how about a #8 seed in New Orleans with a 2nd round matchup with Villanova?......or how about....well...you get the idea.

First things first....Lets get the Illini into the tournament....then point me in the right direction!