Illinois (20-13) has been a very inconsistent team this year but when the Illini put it all together they can beat any team in the country. They did look good in Friday’s 73-62 victory over UNLV. Mike Davis tied his season high with 22 points and Demetri McCamey added 17 points and seven assists and Illinois dominated. The ninth-seeded Illini took control with an early 15-0 run and led by as many as 25. Illinois shot 60 percent from the field and 54 percent from 3-point range. Illinois moved to 15-0 this season when McCamey has at least seven assists. The Illini played without key freshman reserve Jereme Richmond, who was suspended for violating unspecified team rules. It’s thought he will play in this one.

The Illini, however are just 1-8 this year in games decided by five points or fewer, or in overtime. And they haven’t won back-to-back games since early January.

Kansas (33-2) didn’t have much trouble with Boston University in its opener, winning 72-53 for its ninth victory in a row. Stars Marcus and Markieff Morris combined for 31 points. The Jayhawks were a bit iffy in the first half, leading by just 3, before turning it on. KU is the only school in history that has lost three times as a No. 1 seed in the Round of 32, however. Kansas and Illinois have met in the NCAA Tournament twice previously. In each instance, one of the schools was a No. 1 seed and that school won the game. This is the first time the schools will play since Self left for Kansas in 2003 and Bruce Weber left Southern Illinois to take over for Self with the Illini.

Madness would not be betting on the NCAA Tournament at Bodog