NCAA Tournament Preview: Kansas vs Illinois - KU Hoping To Put Illini Away Early

There were a few moments in the Kansas Jayhawks' opening round game against the Boston U. Terriers where the thought of witnessing the first 16 over 1 seed was a possibility. For the entire first half, and the opening minutes of the second, KU fans stopped answering calls and stopped replying to text messages from Jayhawk naysayers trying to taint the true fans.

But in the end KU's size and skill helped set back the Terrier with a commanding 72-53 victory.

Tonight won't be as easy, and if KU gets off to another slow start, the Illinois Fighting Illini might be able to capitalize and knock off the top seed in the Southwest.

Mike Davis is the Illini's second leading scorer, and has really developed as a big man since the last time the Big 12 paid attention to Illinois -- a 75-64 loss to Mizzou on December 22. -- but will have his hands full today with a frontline that includes Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris and Thomas Robinson.

For Illinois to win, Demetri McCamey must have a career type of day. Otherwise, the Rock Chalk chant will start early in Tulsa.

The game tips tonight at 7:40 p.m. CT and can be seen on TNT.