CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — A year after missing the NCAA tournament, Illinois will be back again this year after being picked as a fifth seed.

The Illini, who are 24-9, will take on 12th-seeded Western Kentucky in Portland, Ore., on Thursday.

The Hilltoppers, the Sun Belt Conference champs, are 24-8 on the season.

Illinois is one of seven Big 10 teams that will play in the NCAA tournament. The tournament selections were announced Sunday.