Tennessee basketball's unbeaten non-conference record sets the Vols up well in the NCAA Tournament picture. The Vols (13-0) will have numerous chances to add to a 3-0 Quadrant 1 record via a daunting SEC schedule. Wins over Illinois and Baylor earlier this season will also help.

Illinois destroyed Oregon in Big Ten play on Thursday night in Eugene, setting a new NCAA record in the process.

Clemson basketball has solid footing in the NCAA Tournament picture as conference play continues in January. The Tigers have quality wins against Kentucky and Penn State and no losses outside of Quadrant 2.

But even as Illinois (10-3, 2-1 Big Ten) was learning more about itself and pollsters were cool toward the Illini during their hit-or-miss run in proving-ground games, the data-based NCAA NET rankings were comparatively higher.