Every day, Sippin' on Purple will be taking an updated roundup and look at Northwestern's chances of making the NCAA Tournament. We promise not to jinx it.

February 21, 2012

Bracket Matrix: 11.8 seed, 58 out of 68 brackets (note: the majority of the brackets NU is not included in have not been updated since Saturday's win) Up since yesterday

RPI: 44 (same as yesterday)

Kenpom: 50 (same as yesterday)

Sagarin: 49 (same as yesterday)

Big Ten standings: 7th (first round opponent, Illinois) (same as yesterday)

In or out, consensus: In! (Although, obviously, Northwestern has to perform)

Feeling: That tonight is overwhelmingly enormous. There's not much else to say. Last night's Baylor-Texas game helped remove one "last four in" team from its current state, but to be honest, Texas right now is essentially Northwestern if Northwestern loses to Michigan tonight. Which is to say, NU's chances aren't over if they lose to Michigan tonight, but it would be so, so awesome.

Other bracketology updates: Well, pretty much anybody has Northwestern in - SBN's Chris Doppertean took Northwestern out of the First Four! Other reputable sources to bump NU in are the Sporting News, Yahoo, Rush The Court, and the Washington Post.

Beat Michigan!