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Don't be Surprised

Wisconsin has earned a spot in the NCAA tournament field. With one more victory, so will an Illinois team with a losing record.

The surprising Illini look to finish of a remarkable weekend with another upset and secure an NCAA bid when they face the eighth-ranked and top-seeded Badgers in the Big Ten tournament final Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis.

Something to Play For

After another brilliant performance from the national player of the year, defending ACC tournament champion North Carolina is back in the conference tournament title game. A win would likely give the top-ranked Tar Heels the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament and keep them in their home state through at least the first two rounds.

Clemson, meanwhile, doesn't have the same NCAA tournament prospects riding on this game, but for the first time in nearly a half century, the Tigers are playing for the program's first ACC tournament championship.

Too Much to Ask?

It seems like a lot to ask.

The Texas Longhorns, the only team in the country with three wins over teams currently ranked in the top five, will be out to make it four on Sunday.

In a scene that's probably becoming irksome to the rest of the league, No. 6 Texas will meet fifth-ranked and two-time defending champion Kansas on Sunday for the Big 12 tournament title for the third year in a row.

Playing Tough D

Wisconsin's defense propelled it to an ugly win in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. Michigan State saw first hand in the only regular season meeting between the two just how frustrating that defense can be.

The No. 8 Badgers and No. 19 Spartans face off Saturday in the tournament semifinals as Wisconsin tries to advance to the championship game for the third time in four years.

Expecting a Front

UCLA cruised through the Pac-10 tournament quarterfinals with its first convincing win in two weeks. The Bruins don't expect their next opponent to go down quite as easily.

The third-ranked Bruins meet archrival Southern California in the tournament semifinals at Staples Center on Friday, hoping to advance to the championship game by beating one of only three teams to defeat them this season.