With the First Four beginning tonight, here’s an open thread for commenters that want to discuss the NCAA Tournament and other basketball news, such as the Illinois coaching search.  (For what it’s worth, Shaka Smart is definitely the candidate that has the broadest support in Illini Nation from the fan base up to the top administrators and the Board of Trustees.  If he wants the job, it’s his.)  Conference realignment and college football playoff discussions should be kept on the Sports Data from Nielsen post until I have a new entry later this week.  Enjoy the games!