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We asked media types who cover the Illini for their thoughts on how Bruce Weber's Illini will fare in Portland, Ore:

"The Illini aren't getting much respect across the country, but I think the Mike and Mike combination inside will be too much for the Hilltoppers to handle. Get the ball to Davis and Tisdale and the Illini move into a Saturday night second round game against Gonzaga. I pick Illinois in a close one over (N-G beat writer Paul) Klee's alma mater." – Steve Kelly, Illini Sports Network

"A win would validate an overachieving season for Illinois, but reaching the Sweet 16 is probably too great a task. Next year is when Illinois gets back into the second weekend." – John Supinie, Gatehouse News Service

"In 2003 against Western Kentucky, freshman Dee Brown, Deron Williams and James Augustine beat the Hilltoppers in their first tournament game only to lose to Notre Dame next. Here it happens for the sophomore nucleus of Demetri McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale against WKU, but they go out in the second round to Gonzaga." – Steven Breitwieser, WICD

"All season long the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has done more than I have expected from them. My heart says this team will get to the Sweet 16, but my head says a win over Western Kentucky, followed by a tough loss to Gonzaga in the second round." – Chad Dare, Danville Commercial-News

"The Illini will mimick their 2003 first-round win over Western Kentucky – right down to the 65-60 score – and then suffer a prolonged drought against Gonzaga's rugged defense in Round 2. The Zags' win allows Klee's diploma to appreciate in value." – Lindsey Willhite, Arlington Heights Daily Herald

"I like Illinois to befuddle all the experts looking for the annual 5-12 upset and beat Western Kentucky. I expect Illinois' guards to take away the Hilltoppers' strong perimeter scoring with good defense, and one or both of the Mikes to have a big offensive game. I also think Gonzaga is a very difficult matchup. So I only see one win for the Illini." – Herb Gould, Chicago Sun-Times

"So, about 93.7 percent of the so-called basketball cognoscenti are predicting Illinois will be the latest No. 5 seed to fall to a No. 12 in the first round. It's too easy a pick, which is why it won't happen. If it's Gonzaga in the second round, though, that's a different game, almost a road game for Illinois. Toss a coin." – Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune

"Away from Assembly Hall this season the Illini have been a .500 team. They upset Purdue in West Lafayette, but they also tanked against Minnesota in Minneapolis. They need to be fearless! The sophomores will be key. And, they're obviously much better with 'Coach Frazier' on the court with them. I like them against Gonzaga if they can get past WKU." – Adam Mikulich, WCIA

"More than ever, Illini need Demetri McCamey to play like an elite guard. If he is at his best, Illini can reach Sweet 16. If not, they could be one-and-done." – Mark Tupper, Decatur Herald & Review

"I don't care what Seth Davis says, I like the draw and I think not only should the Illini get by WKU, they have at least a 50-50 shot at the Zags ... Then against Carolina they're on their own!" – Dan Roan, WGN

"Despite a large portion of the national media picking against the Illini, I like their first round match up. Even if Chester Frazier is out of the lineup, I still like the Illini to take down Western Kentucky. I do have cause for concern against Gonzaga, who would be playing essentially a home game in Portland. If Illinois is to make a run to the Sweet Sixteen, they will need to score the basketball much better then they did against Purdue. I just don't see this happening without Frazier in the lineup to create and run the offense." – Brian Jodice, WAND

"The incredible national-TV zest to bag on the Big Ten and Illinois notwithstanding, this is not a vintage Western Kentucky team and Gonzaga can be guarded. Sweet 16 possible for an Illini team I long thought would lose Game 1." – Bill Liesse, Peoria Journal Star

"The Illini have an outside shot to make the Sweet 16. As offensively challenged as this team has been, defense will be the key. I can certainly see a rematch of the '05 title game with North Carolina in the Sweet 16. That's where it ends though." – Don O'Brien, Quincy Herald-Whig