Illinois has set its second round NIT game against Boise State for Monday night at 8:00 at State Farm Center. You’ll hear it on 98.9 WJEZ with the pre-game on the Illini Sports Network beginning at 7:00.

Illinois State men’s basketball rode hot shooting and kept UC-Irvine at arm’s length as the Redbirds captured an 85-71 win in the first round of the NIT. Deontae Hawkins was 6-of-6 from behind the arc and led the Redbirds with 22 points. Illinois State hosts Central Florida on Monday night at 6 in the NIT second round.  UCF advanced with a 79-74 win over Colorado.

The March Madness brackets begin filling in today as the NCAA men’s basketball tournament opens today with the first 16 games. Five Big Ten schools are in action today–Northwestern against Vanderbilt, Minnesota vs. Middle Tennessee State, Purdue and Vermont, Maryland facing Xavier and Wisconsin vs. Virginia Tech.

In last night’s final games of the First Four in Dayton to finalize the NCAA bracket, UC-Davis held off North Carolina Central 67-63 and USC edged Providence 75-71.

The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Bulls 98-91.

On the ice, the Anaheim Ducks edged the Blues 2-1. The Blackhawks visit the Ottawa Senators tonight.