It is basketball's best time of year again. Wisconsin is headed to the championship game of the Big 10 tournament tomorrow, and I expect them to give Illinois a better game this time than they did in the last match in Champaign. Although it's hard to imagine the Badgers making a big run in the NCAA tournament, I wouldn't be surprised to see them win a couple of games. Wisconsin's edge is Bo Ryan. The Badgers this year have won all five of their games decided by 5 points or less, and that doesn't just happen. That's good coaching.

My sentimental Cinderella is Utah State, which is in the process of dismantling Pacific as I write this. Last year Utah State was denied a spot in the tournament, but they will enter this year as the Big West tournament champion. Again, look at the coach: Stew Morrill has been extraordinary for the little school in Logan.

Once we have the brackets filled out on Monday, I will make my picks public. Just as I disclaim any responsibility for legal advice, however, I will tell you that I make a habit of picking all of the wrong upsets in the early rounds, though I have a pretty good record of picking the final four. Here is a sneak preview of my final two, no matter what the brackets look like: Illinois and Duke.

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