March 20th, 2011

7:40 pm CST

Who: Kansas Jayhawks vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Where: BOK Center, Tulsa OK

TV: TNT

Welcome to the Rock Chalk Talk and your open thread for the first round of the NCAA tournament and the Kansas Jayhawks vs the Illinois Fighting Illini.

There are no gimmes after round one of the NCAA tournament and based on the play by both teams on Friday, this could be an interesting one.  The backstory on this one of course centers around Bill Self facing his former employer in Illinois, but the reality is that those types of things mean more to the fans than anyone that will step on the court today.  For the players, this is a chance to extend the season one more weekend.  Illinois has a chance to knock off a top seed.  Kansas has a chance to head to the Sweet Sixteen and with that an opportunity to play for a Southwest Regional trophy.  This team said they set out to grab four trophies this year.  So far they are two for two and today is another step toward grabbing all four.

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Beak 'em Hawks!