Chris
If you look back at 1 an 2 seeds since 2004, Big Ten teams have got that four times which is the same amount they've got a 4-5 seed. In reality, it's kind of a misperception. the B ig Ten is more powerful according to the RPI than they've been the last 5-6 seasons. The ACC is in top 1-2 every year, so Duke and NC are going to get some more notoriety.

Eugene
The push by Illinois fans must have worked. He responded by putting them 20 this week, higher than Paul Klee (22). He's seen the light.
Why he wasn't ranking Illinois? I don't know. Maybe their offensive struggles or maybe he wasn't a fan of this team. There is no star player on this team. That hurts them on the national scene.

Dan
My 1 seeds this week, prior to the Oklahoma loss, are Pitt, UConn, North Carolina and Oklahoma. I would argue Memphis, Louisville and Michigan State also are in the running. It cuts off after that. Maybe Duke if they run the table. You've got seven teams for four spots.

Tom
No. Absolutely not actually. If you look at the national champions since 2004, every national champ has ranked in the Top 5 in offensive AND defensive efficiency. Right now, North Carolina ranks second in offensive efficiency but 21st in defensive efficiency. On those numbers along, it shows their inadequacies on defense. Until they get that rectified, this is a team that won't win a national title.

Chris
Currently I have seven teams in the Big East. It will end up 6-8. Georgetown had a killer loss last night. They got beat down by Louisville. There is no way they make it as an at-large. Notre Dame is a little different. They're 15-11 right now, 3-9 vs. the RPI Top 50. St. Mary's, San Diego State, teams from mid-major conferences have a stronger case than Notre Dame. They have Rutgers and two crucial games - at UConn on Saturday, then Villanova, then St. John's. Notre Dame has two chances to prove to the committee that they have righted the ship. I don't see that happening.

Scott
If they beat State, also assuming they'd win against Minnesota and Penn State, and win two games in the BT tourney, I'd argue a three seed is definitely reachable. The strongest case for them: if they beat Michigan State, that would be their 7th RPI Top 50 win. That's one more than North Carolina and the same number as Pitt. However, the dominoes have to fall in the right place for a three seed to occur.

Tom
To ensure full disclosure, I'm an Illinois grad. In Lunardi's behalf, his bracket this week was a mock exercise conducted by the NCAA and ESPN. There were a number of variables in that that were not current. I think he had them as a 6 prior to Ohio State. For me, two reasons why I had Illinois where I had them: The Big Ten is No. 2 in the RPI, and No. 2 we're 6-4 vs. the RPI Top 50. The committee will reward marquee wins.

Bill
It stems from the fact that they've lost two games in the Big 12 and have a shot at winning the regular season title, but also running the table in the Big 12 tourney. We have more RPI Top 50 wins, have played a stronger schedule. But they've been dominating opponents from their own conference. The committee is going to recognize they posted a gaudy record in the Big 12. What fans have to understand is the rankings by the AP and USA Today are irrelevant. Those are all lightning rods for discussion. The committee throws those out.

O & B
I would say too low. Why? Because of those catastrophic losses. When we lose, we lose horrifically bad. There's nothing pretty about 30-point losses. The committee might have that in the back of their heads and unfairly devalue Illinois' seedings.

Darrin
Good question. I go by the adage: defense wins championships. Look at the national champs since 2004 and each is ranked in the top 5 in def. efficiency. Of all the Final Four teams since 2004, only one has ranked outside the top 20 in def. efficiency: Michigan State in 2005. In the Big Ten right now, only two teams are in the Top 25 offensive efficiency: MSU and Wisconsin. Three teams rank in the top 12 in defense. No surprise - it's the three teams leading the pack: Michigan State, Illinois and Purdue. Looking at the Big Ten, you can put your hat on that defense is the hallmark for the elite teams. People tend to overrate offense. As long as you have consistent defense, you can make a long run in the tournament.

Bill
It depends on matchups. Hard to gaze into the crystal ball, but I will say the Big Ten surprises every year. We're not winning national titles but we're not embarrassing ourselves either. I think we will have a fruitful postseason as a conference. Michigan State has the firepower to make the Final Four run, Kalin Lucas has been impressive, Suton is efficient and most importantly they control the glass on both ends of the floor. Do that and you have an excellent shot. I would argue Purdue can make a run too. It depends on the healthy of Robbie Hummel.

Andrew
Assuming Oklhaoma is one of those teams, they are one of the most beatable teams for Illinois. Griffin is going to hang 25 and 20 on us, but the Sooners don't play defense. If Illinois were to execute the offense like they did at Ohio State, they can be competitive. Oklahoma is 55th nationally in defensive efficiency, and 201st in three-point defense. With the help of Meacham, we could upset that team.
Worst matchup? UConn. I can't fathom what Hasheem Thabeet would do against Tisdale. More alarming with that team is the complementary players they have that don't get the recognition.

BDMAN
The pod system is going to take effect, so Illinois would be somewhere in the Midwest. The NCAA I think, with the economy as it is, will try to keep teams closer to home than ever. Dayton, Minneapolis and KC are the three opening round sites. Dayton would seem most logical. They'll between 3-5 barring a major downfall.

John
It's a good idea. Look at the Big Ten - No. 2 in the RPI. Would you argue a team like Minnesota, if they were to finish 8-10, deserves any less to get an at-large berth than BYU of the Mountain West? What you have to consider is the entire body of work, not just what they did it the conference. The committee has emphasized this year not to just look at the last 12 games, but the full body of work. I'm an advocate of the best 34 at-large teams regardless of conference records. If they're deserving of an at-large bid, then they deserve to get in. Take Ohio State. They're 4-7 against RPI Top 50 and have the 29th toughest schedule. Are they more deserving than Utah State? They've got a gaudy record but one win vs. RPI Top 50 and the 140th ranked schedule. Stripping away names, who do you take? I take Ohio State.

Charley,
I only take that line of thinking when two teams are close to another in seeding. For example, I have Purdue higher this week but three weeks ago I had Illinois and Mizzou as 4 seeds but I had Illinois one notch higher. If they're closely ranked, I would take that into consideration. Otherwise, no.

Evan
I think they have to win two games. You're looking at a minimum at eight RPI Top 50 wins - that number would be impressive in the committee's eyes and vault them to a three seed.
Let's say we beat Minnesota, then lose to Michigan State and Penn State. We would stil have a bye in the first round of the tournament. Let's say we get bounced in the first round. At that point, you're looking at a six seed.

Chris
About Illinois State, the Redbirds have a snowball's chance in hell of making the NCAAs. What really busted them was the Bracketbusters game against Niagra. They have to win the Missouri Valley tournament, and I think Creighton will steamroll everyone.
As far as Illinois, I think it will play a role because it is such a negative event. To do it twice in one season is almost inconceivable. People love to tune in to watch offense, not defense.

Barry
Right now, they're the ultimate bubble team. They needed to beat Iowa. They are 4-8 vs. the RPI Top 50 and have the 19th rated schedule, which are admirable qualities. The loss to Iowa was devastating. They play Purdue at home and at Wisconsin and Minnesota. They have to win two of those games plus one in the Big Ten tournament to feel comfortable on Selection Sunday.
I've got seven Big Ten teams in now: Michgan State, Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota and Penn State as a 10 seed. They have an impressive resume. A team like Temple, which beat Penn State in a close game earlier, is helping them because they're surging and about to play their way into the tournament.

Al
In order: Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Temple, St. Mary's, Kansas State, UAB, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame, Providence and New Mexico. It's a big bubble.
Last one in this week was Maryland. The next three in order: USC, UNLV and San Diego State.
The win at Louisville plays enormous for UNLV.