The Big Ten adds four West Coast programs -- UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington -- this season, and Illinois coach Brad Underwood believes that will benefit both Illinois and the Big Ten when it matters most: Selection Sunday.

"I saw one poll that had Northwestern ranked 15th in our league," Underwood said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast. "If Northwestern is 15th, then we're getting 15 or 16 teams in. I think we're a 10-, 11-, 12-bid league -- minimum."

Only six of the Big Ten's 14 teams -- Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin Nebraska, Northwestern -- reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

The league now moves to 18 teams in 2024-25 with the additions of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington.

Illinois is currently ranked 33rd in the ROTHSTEIN 45.

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Jon Rothstein is not a FanDuel employee. The reporting of Rothstein is not subject to FanDuel's verification and does not represent the views or input of FanDuel. Betting based on Rothstein's reporting will not guarantee a successful outcome. Always do your own due diligence and use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.

Rothstein has been a college basketball insider for CBS Sports since 2010 and a contributor to the CBS Broadcast Network since 2016. He joined FanDuel in 2022 as a Content Creator. Rothstein is also the host of the College Hoops Today Podcast via Compass Media Networks.