ESPN.com - NCB - Cardinal rule says no 'jinx' this week

The Illini fans praised the decision to put Illinois on top of the Sweet 16 last week. Well, most of them. Maybe too many past broken promises in Champaign made this comment ring louder than most:

"Thanks a lot for putting Illinois No. 1. They'll blow it in Columbus. You've jinxed 'em."

Well, the Illini didn't exactly "blow it" Thursday night, but they certainly didn't play like the best team in the nation. No, the best team in the nation is indeed out West. They play in the Pac-10. They call Maples Pavilion "home." And they are now 25-1.

But Stanford has a big game on the road Saturday as well. In fact, it's a rematch against the lone team to beat the Cardinal this season -- UCLA.

A Sweet 16 "jinx?" We'll soon see.

As always, your opinions are welcomed. Click here to voice your approval or disdain for this week's Sweet 16.

(Records as of Sunday, Feb. 25)

No. 1 Seeds

TEAM

Stanford
Record: 25-1

Duke
Record: 25-3

North Carolina
Record: 22-4

Illinois
Record: 21-5

COMMENT
Member of '6th Man' claims Maples crowd was booing halftime show, not Cardinal when trailed by eight to WSU.
Up Next: Opportunity to right only wrong this season.

You're not a true Dukie until you break an rival's heart with a buzzer-beater. Introducing Chris Duhon: A true devil.
Up Next: Only Terps & UNC to prep for ACC tourney.

Sunday drives home down Tobacco Road haven't exactly been pleasant the past two weeks.
Up Next: Rivalry week at home: State & Duke.

Ran into a hot Buckeyes club in Columbus. Then took out frustrations on Hawkeyes.
Up Next: Claiming share of regular-season title.

No. 2 Seeds

TEAM

Michigan State
Record: 22-3

Iowa State
Record: 23-4

Florida
Record: 20-5

Kentucky
Record: 18-8

COMMENT
Win at Penn State is better than it looks on surface. Spartans could really impress with repeat in Madison.
Up Next: Trip to Wisconsin, home to Wolverines.

Loss in Austin was out of character. Blame it on feature done by certain magazine known to 'jinx' subjects
Up Next: Two in Ames ... a.k.a. "Blowout City"

Talk about a nice week: 2 wins in 4 days by 20-plus points against a top 15 foe for third straight 20-win season.
Up Next: Vandy tuneup for SEC East showdown Sunday.

Sunday was a great example of a good team in late February needing a win on its own court.
Up Next: Home to Auburn to tuneup ... (see Florida above)

No. 3 Seeds

TEAM

Virginia
Record: 19-6

Kansas
Record: 21-5

UCLA
Record: 19-6

Boston College
Record: 20-4

COMMENT
Can make strong case that University Hall was toughest place to play in ACC this season. Ask Heels & Devils.
Up Next: Clemson, then interesting finale at College Park.

Jayhawks actually won two straight last week ... a first since Jan. 27. A No. 2 seed still within reach.
Up Next: First to welcome Kareem Rush back in action?

Have won seven straight since beating No. 1 Stanford. Could start thinking West's No. 1 seed with sweep.
Up Next: Cal ... then Cardinal on Saturday.

First Big East school to go from worst to first in one season. With Irish, form all-Catholic championship.
Up Next: Morris who? The Johnnies & Mounties.

No. 4 Seeds

TEAM

Oklahoma
Record: 21-6

Mississippi
Record: 22-5

St. Joseph's
Record: 23-4

Arizona
Record: 19-7

COMMENT
Plenty of mail last week for leaving Sooners off Sweet 16. Our excuse ... 28-point loss to OSU blinded us.
Up Next: Colorado and chance to burst Cowboy's bubble.

Couldn't keep up with Gators, but still better than rest of SEC West. Should still be No. 1 seed in SEC tourney.
Up Next: At LSU, home to Tide.

Even if they aren't seeded this high, Martelli knows how to get Red Hawks into real Sweet 16.
Up Next: Chance to get to 25 wins by week's end.

Last two wins have come by 44 and 30 points. Quietly clicking, but for how long?
Up Next: Home to pesky duo from Oregon.

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Feb. 18: Sweet 16