For more on Illinois' first-round opponent, Western Kentucky, click here.

On the off chance the Illini are knocked out of the NCAA tournament early – or that your bracket is wrecked before the first weekend arrives, or you have no connection to the University of Illinois – we've taken the time to provide you with some reasons to maintain your rooting interest in the rest of the event. Here's staff writer Tony Bleill's look at the field of 65, from the team that's easiest to root for to the hardest:

1. Illinois

Why root for the Illini: It'll make your neighbor happy. And your boss. And your postal carrier. And ...

The downside: Take a look at Chester Frazier's right hand.

Projection: Illinois averages 64 points a game. Gonzaga gets that in a half. Second-round exit.

2. Wake Forest

Why root for the Demon Deacons: Skip Prosser, known as a good guy's good guy, recruited the core of the team before his death in 2007.

The downside: That goofy mascot is capable of scaring the bejesus out of any kid under the age of 7.

Projection: First-round matchup (Cleveland State) might be tougher than second round (Arizona or Utah).

3. Michigan State

Why root for the Spartans: Not a classier head coach in the game than Tom Izzo. And you still remember those Spartans fans rooting for the Illini at the 2005 Final Four.

The downside: More Michigan State hardware only encourages the Izzone.

Projection: The Big Ten's best hope will be extinguished in the regional.

4. Florida State

Why root for the Seminoles: Solidarity! Long live the Chief – Illiniwek and Osceola.

The downside: Hey, if we can't keep our Chief, they shouldn't be allowed to keep theirs!

Projection: They'll survive Bucky Badger, but then it gets dicey.

5. Cleveland State

Why root for the Vikings: They were on top of the world in 1986, stunning Indiana and St. Joseph's, before falling into the depths for the past 23 years. Now, resurrection. Great story.

The downside: Trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not included.

Projection: LeBron James shows up at courtside and the Vikings stun Wake Forest.

6. Utah State

Why root for the Aggies: Their best player, forward Gary Wilkinson, is nearly as old as Loren Tate. OK, he's 26. But still.

The downside: Quality wins? Scarce. The best one was against Utah ... in December.

Projection: Very dangerous team that has won 30 of 34 games. The draw did them no favors, but they'll be in the Sweet 16.

7. Butler

Why root for the Bulldogs: After really big, important wins, the Bulldogs do cartwheels. It's a long story, but suffice to say it's an ode to a former football coach and athletic director. Cute, though.

The downside: Why not handstands? Do they have something against handstands? Or backflips?

Projection: LSU is a very, very good No. 8 seed. No Cinderella story this time.

8. Ohio State

Why root for the Buckeyes: A hard pill to swallow, we recognize. But trust us on this one: Hoopeston's Thad Matta is as nice as they come.

The downside: You know those necklaces that have buckeye nuts on them? Got one for you right here.

Projection: Spring football starts April 2. There will be no distractions offered by the basketball team.

9. Portland State

Why root for the Vikings: They're the best sleeper in the field that no one knows anything about ... especially if you live east of the Rockies.

The downside: Bet you didn't know the nickname was Vikings until you read the last sentence.

Projection: The upset of Gonzaga reveals Portland State as a live dark horse. They'll beat Xavier.

10. Binghamton

Why root for the Bearcats: They're playing Duke.

The downside: Among Binghamton's famous grads: ESPN's Tony Kornheiser and Karl Ravech.

Projection: Kornheiser better enjoy his school's 15 minutes of fame.

11. Minnesota

Why root for the Gophers: Didn't you love the furry little gopher in "Caddyshack." Love that movie.

The downside: You better hope Ralph Sampson III has better postseason luck than his dad, whose Virginia teams perennially underachieved.

Projection: Just happy to be at the party. Their fun ends after two hours.

12. Alabama State

Why root for the Hornets: They're 0-2 all time in the tournament. We're all about parity here.

The downside: Be honest – Have you ever actually watched the play-in game?

Projection: Will be leaving Dayton, Ohio, before most of the other teams even arrive.

13. Morgan State

Why root for the Bears: If you're into redemption stories, look no further than Todd Bozeman, the disgraced coach at Cal who has resurrected his career in Baltimore.

The downside: The folks in Berkeley probably aren't amused. Bozeman did tremendous damage to the program, forcing to forfeit the 1994-95 season and vacating a 1996 NCAA tourney appearance.

Projection: Bozeman will have to answer plenty of questions about his past from inquisitive media members, and the Bears will lose to Oklahoma.

14. North Dakota State

Why root for the Bison: They're in their first season of eligibility for the NCAA tournament. Since the field expanded in 1985, no team – until now – had reached the tournament in its first season of eligibility.

The downside: Will the bright lights be too much?

Projection: Let's go ahead and call it: NDSU 63, Kansas 60.

15. Akron

Why root for the Zips: Coach Keith Dambrot was LeBron James' high school coach.

The downside: How much better would March Madness have been if LeBron had gone to college?

Projection: Road kill. Gonzaga big.

16. Robert Morris

Why root for the Colonials: Without Bob Morris – he was known as the "Financier of the Revolution" for his role in the Revolutionary War – we might all be eating tea and crumpets every day at 4 p.m.

The downside: Not so warm and fuzzy: Guard Mezie Nwigwe had a simple assault charge filed against him last week following a late-night incident in Pittsburgh.

Projection: Michigan State won't be kind.

17. Siena

Why root for the Saints: We prefer underdogs, especially ones that can play, and these guys definitely can.

The downside: Everyone from Dick Vitale to Dick Cheney is picking Siena as a dangerous sleeper. They're no secret.

Projection: Their "One Shining Moment" might last a lot longer than one moment. Dangerous.

18. Cornell

Why root for the Big Red: The Ivy League has produced seven NCAA tournament wins since 1980, so it's time for an uprising from the smart guys.

The downside: Your friends will look at you like you have three heads. Cornell?

Projection: We don't trust Mizzou, so this has the potential for a major upset.

19. Northern Iowa

Why root for the Panthers: Cedar Falls, Iowa, was heavily damaged by flooding last June, uprooting lives and homes in a wide swath. It's time for good things to happen in northeast Iowa.

The downside: The Missouri Valley was a bit down this season, so it's questionable how good the Panthers really are.

Projection: Northern Iowa upholds the honor of the Valley, pushing Purdue to the wire before falling.

20. Villanova

Why root for the Wildcats: If you're a woman, you know why. If you're a guy, go ask your wife. (And take a picture of Jay Wright with you.)

The downside: This ain't no beauty contest.

Projection: If the Big East is as good as everyone says, the Wildcats are supposed to make it to the second weekend.

21. Radford

Why root for the Highlanders: If you think of something, send an e-mail to tbleill@news-gazette.com.

The downside: North Carolina in the first round. So, don't bother.

Projection: Bye, bye Highlanders.

22. Purdue

Why root for the Boilermakers: To improve the mental health and self-esteem of oversized, sledgehammer-toting, blockheaded mascots everywhere.

The downside: A deep run by the Boilermakers would leave UI fans wondering "what if." Illinois thumped Purdue twice with Frazier in the lineup.

Projection: Might make the regional, but we wouldn't bet the rent on it.

23. Gonzaga

Why root for the Bulldogs: They're entertaining. Mark Few wouldn't have it any other way.

The downside: The Bulldogs consider defense to be merely an option.

Projection: Dynamic matchup of styles in the second round. Make sure you check out Paul Klee's prediction in Saturday's paper.

24. Stephen F. Austin

Why root for the Lumberjacks: Austin is considered the "Father of Texas" because he led the colonization of settlers in the region. No wonder everything in Texas is named after him.

The downside: Too bad Stephen F. Austin couldn't have played Robert Morris in the first round. Who doesn't love a good Steve vs. Bob matchup?

Projection: It was fun while it lasted.

25. Cal State Northridge

Why root for the Matadors: Possessor of one of the great nicknames in college sports.

The downside: Little-known NCAA rule – Teams with goofy nicknames are not permitted to cut down nets.

Projection: Sacrificial lamb at the altar of Memphis.

26. California

Why root for the Golden Bears: Despite what you might have read, academics matter, and they take their grades seriously in Berkeley.

The downside: The NCAA tournament isn't a biology quiz.

Projection: The Bears must jump off the NCAA bus at the stop labeled "Memphis."

27. American

Why root for the Eagles: Whacked by Tennessee in the first round last March, they get the pleasure of Villanova this time. Here's one sympathy vote.

The downside: The Villanova-American first-round matchup isn't exactly the stuff of great TV.

Projection: Packing light.

28. Marquette

Why root for the Golden Eagles: The team's best player, Dominic James, sustained a season-ending broken foot in February. The Eagles haven't been the same since.

The downside: We wish they wore those 1970s uniforms. Ah, the good ol' days.

Projection: First-round foe Utah State pulls the upset.

29. VCU

Why root for the Commodores: They're considered the overlooked stepchild in their own state, craving attention in the shadow of Virginia, Old Dominion and others.

The downside: Upending Duke as an 11th seed in 2007 means the element of surprise is gone.

Projection: Not expecting a 2007 repeat.

30. Arizona State

Why root for the Sun Devils: They're no longer shaving points.

The downside: With a nice campus, great weather and a fine team, they already have an embarrassment of riches. They don't need your help.

Projection: Herb Sendek guides the Sun Devils into the Sweet 16, and the sun shines brightly in Tempe.

31. Temple

Why root for the Owls: Temple alum Bill Cosby is one funny dude.

The downside: John Chaney isn't coaching anymore.

Projection: Any chance we could get Cosby to perform at halftime?

32. Mississippi State

Why root for the Bulldogs: If I could name a single player on their team, I'd give you a reason.

The downside: Caught lightning in a bottle at the SEC tournament. Lightning rarely strikes the same spot twice.

Projection: More dangerous than your typical No. 13 seed, but Washington has been playing well.

33. Boston College

Why root for the Eagles: They're better than you think, having been the first squad to defeat a North Carolina team that, at the time, was thought to be invincible.

The downside: After the win against North Carolina, they promptly lost four straight, including one against Harvard. Harvard?

Projection: A second-round matchup against Michigan State will be a thriller.

34. Chattanooga

Why root for the Mocs: Before Illinois played the Mocs in the 1997 second round, former N-G beat writer Jeff D'Alessio wrote that he would "walk naked" from Charlotte, N.C., to Champaign if the Mocs won. (We're still waiting.)

The downside: Paul Klee has no such courage.

Projection: Connecticut's still smarting from that loss to Syracuse.

35. Utah

Why root for the Utes: Salt Lake City is one of the best places in the country for quality skiing.

The downside: It would help if you knew what a Ute was.

Projection: The Utes bid adieu in the second round.

36. Dayton

Why root for the Flyers: Because Trent Meacham still has a soft spot for his old club.

The downside: No one on the team can shoot like Meacham.

Projection: Will make life hard for West Virginia, and a win wouldn't be a surprise.

37. East Tennessee St.

Why root for the Buccaneers: Who doesn't appreciate a nice, lovable 16 seed? You got something against pirates?

The downside: Google search required to determine where the school is located (Johnson City, Tenn.)

Projection: Is this the year a 16 finally beats a 1? Look out, Pitt.

38. Wisconsin

Why root for the Badgers: Irascible Bo Ryan should be good for a few good postgame quotes, including a few at the expense of the media.

The downside: Steve Stricker wearing his Wisconsin cap at courtside, making Illinois fans again wonder which school paid for his scholarship.

Projection: One and done.

39. Morehead State

Why root for the Eagles: If they win the play-in game, you get to be immersed in a battle that will have the Commonwealth of Kentucky enthralled for, oh, a good 15 minutes or so.

The downside: If Morehead alum Phil Simms shows up, you can count on endless shots of the NFL analyst in the stands.

Projection: After beating Alabama State, the ride ends.

40. Xavier

Why root for the Musketeers: You can educate all of your friends; the school is pronounced "zayv-yer," not "ex-zayv-yer."

The downside: The last time an Atlantic 10 team reached the Final Four? Never.

Projection: Portland State's upset victim in the first round.

41. BYU

Why root for the Cougars: Their upset of Notre Dame in the 1981 regional semis ranks among the top buzzer beaters in tournament history.

The downside: Upon conclusion of the tournament, you must take a two-year mission overseas.

Projection: In the same subregional as UConn. 'Nuff said.

42. Texas A&M

Why root for the Aggies: The football program's "Sixth Man" tradition is one of the coolest things in college pigskin.

The downside: This isn't football.

Projection: Billy Gillispie is fired at Kentucky and returns to coach the Aggies.

43. Louisville

Why root for the Cardinals: Because they're the rival of Kentucky ... which is coached by Billy Gillispie ... who once coached under Bill Self. How's that for logic?

The downside: Pulling for a No. 1 seed is downright un-American.

The projection: A deserving favorite on a roll. Hard to see them being stopped before getting to Detroit.

44. Maryland

Why root for the Terrapins: Coach Gary Williams' squad was picked to finish next-to-last in the ACC. Some experts those folks are.

The downside: You're rooting for a turtle.

Projection: Mike Montgomery outcoaches Williams and the critics get loud again.

45. Clemson

Why root for the Tigers: Clemson, S.C., is a tiny, quaint burg that seems like a perfect place to enjoy a nice, quiet existence.

The downside: You might have to drive a couple miles ... or 20 ... to find the nearest grocery store.

Projection: They'll send Michigan home before falling to Oklahoma in a tight one.

46. Oklahoma

Why root for the Sooners: It's not the football team.

The downside: It's not the football team.

Projection: Sam Bradford wins the 2009 Heisman Trophy.

47. Texas

Why root for the Longhorns: Austin, Texas, is one of the coolest college towns you'll ever visit. You might not want to leave.

The downside: Ten-gallon hats required.

Projection: A team we can't quite figure out. Opener against Minnesota's a tossup.

48. Arizona

Why root for the Wildcats: Does Kevin O'Neill still coach here? No? Never mind.

The downside: It has something to do with the fact there's no way they should even be in the field.

Projection: Got a good draw in the opener, but they're done in the second round.

49. Oklahoma State

Why root for the Cowboys: The better the Cowboys do, the more money T. Boone Pickens pours into the sputtering economy.

The downside: The Cowboys were a lot more fun when Eddie Sutton was on the sideline.

Projection: We'll be watching what should be an entertaining opener against Tennessee.

50. Pittsburgh

Why root for the Panthers: If you like watching Big Ten-style basketball – lots of defense and plenty of wayward jumpers – you'll love the rough-and-tumble Panthers.

The downside: Hasn't the city of Pittsburgh had enough winners? Ever heard of the Steelers?

Projection: It's time for the Panthers to live up to their seeding.

51. Washington

Why root for the Huskies: Rick Neuheisel used to run one of the best office pools around.

The downside: Unfortunately, it got him canned as the football coach.

Projection: Just a guess, but they won't make it past the first weekend.

52. UCLA

Why root for the Bruins: Once upon a time, John Wooden was a Big Ten guy ... even if it was at Purdue.

The downside: Haven't they won enough championships?

Projection: Inconsistent offensive team will pay the price as soon as the second round.

53. North Carolina

Why root for the Tar Heels: Jeff Jordan's father has been known to show up at Illinois games wearing orange.

The downside: Get out your towels, dadgummit. Ol' Roy is fixin' to cry again if his team wins it all. Or doesn't.

Projection: Detroit-bound, but they better hope Ty Lawson gets well soon.

54. Western Kentucky

Why root for the Hilltoppers: You feel sorry for anyone who has to live in Bowling Green, Ky.

The downside: Your UI season tickets will be revoked.

Projection: Unless Mike Davis breaks his right hand, the Hilltoppers won't fight on.

55. Southern California

Why root for the Trojans: The fight song is cool. And don't get me started on the cheerleaders.

The downside: Athletic director Mike Garrett, the former star running back, was just informed last week that his school has a men's basketball team.

Projection: Will win the Rose Bowl for the 24th consecutive season next January.

56. Syracuse

Why root for the Orange: You were overwhelmed by their pluck and guile in that overtime-after-overtime performance in the Big East tournament.

The downside: Two words. (Honk if you can see this one coming ...) Nancy Cantor.

Projection: After an exhausting weekend, we won't be surprised if they come out flat and flame out early.

57. West Virginia

Why root for the Mountaineers: This exercise tests our creativity. Root for Bob Huggins? What, Hugo Chavez doesn't have a team?

The downside: Too much to mention. There's only so much space on this page.

Projection: A tough draw, starting with dangerous Dayton.

58. Memphis

Why root for the Tigers: You're big on justice, and in your heart you know which team should have won the national championship last April.

The downside: Every time you watch John Calipari on TV, you feel like you need to go take a shower. Not exactly the NCAA's poster boy for ethics.

Projection: Final Four.

59. Connecticut

Why root for the Huskies: Let's-get-cute newspaper editors can write headlines using Hasheem Thabeet's name. Like "Thabeet goes on for UConn."

The downside: You know how Midwesterners tend to refer to East Coast folks as being a little, well, not nice? Jim Calhoun fits the profile perfectly.

Projection: Calhoun is too good a coach to preside over an early exit, but it's hard to like their chances for a title.

60. LSU

Why root for the Tigers: Athletic director Joe Alleva left Duke for this job and coach Trent Johnson left Stanford for his gig, lending an air of academia and propriety to a jock factory.

The downside: If you've ever been to Baton Rouge or an LSU football game, you know that LSU fans are the gold standard for boorish behavior.

Projection: A sleeper, but they'll probably be stopped by Carolina in the second round.

61. Michigan

Why root for the Wolverines: If you're an Illinois fan, you know full well that there is no acceptable answer.

The downside: After rooting for Michigan, what's next? Locusts? A flood? The Earth spinning off its axis?

Projection: Can't see how they get past Clemson.

62. Duke

Why root for the Blue Devils: You drew the Blue Devils in a blind draw in your office pool. What other reason could there be?

The downside: Pregame pep rallies are MC'd by Dick Vitale.

Projection: Not convinced they're the real deal, but the draw is favorable.

63. Kansas

Why root for the Jayhawks: Time heals all wounds.

The downside: Some wounds are deeper than others.

Projection: Is North Dakota State the next Bucknell? We're intrigued by the possibility.

64. Tennessee

Why root for the Volunteers: We could be here until Wednesday and not come up with a reason.

The downside: You prefer a different shade of orange.

Projection: The only hope is to make Pitt play a fullcourt game.

65. Missouri

Why root for the Tigers: C'mon. Seriously.

The downside: This would suggest there's an upside.

Projection: Something about the Tigers screams "fraud!" Maybe it was that loss to Illinois.