Duke, Kansas, Mizzou .... UGH!!!

For Bleill's complete initial list, click here

On Selection Sunday, we asked Tony Bleill to rank 1 to 65 the teams Illinois fans should root for during the NCAA tournament. After the first weekend, Bleill is in a bitter mood. That's because many of the teams he's rooting against — anyone remember Bill Self? — are still alive.

Here's where Bleill ranked the remaining teams

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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