Illini Bubble Watch

How goes the Illini bubble, you ask?

Let's take a look.

Last night's win by Butler to clinch the Horizon League's automatic bid was huge, as was St. John's win over UConn, but wins by Seton Hall, Rhode Island and Dayton - all bubble teams like the Illini - didn't help the Illini's chances.

Today has gone fairly well with nice wins by Georgetown and Marquette to eliminate Cinderella-minded South Florida and St. John's, respectively. But Nebraska beat Missouri so the Cornhuskers loom as a potential dagger Cinderella. They don't have a great chance to run the Big 12 table, but I don't like to see them looming.

Speaking of looming, more important games loom tonight. First, and most critical, is the Notre Dame-Seton Hall tilt, tipping off in about 30 minutes from the Garden. Lunardi has the Irish in and Seton Hall on the bubble, so the Illini would benefit from a Seton Hall loss. The more wins Seton Hall racks up, the more tantalizing they look to the selection committee for the last automatic tourney bid, the same spot the Illini covet.

Also helpful tonight would be wins by Morgan St., Sam Houston St., Louisville, Weber St., Quinnipiac and Jackson St. None of these wins are critical to the Illini's tournament chances, but they sure wouldn't hurt.

Games on.