Who's ready for a BracketBusting announcement?

Behind this curtain of anonymity, ESPNU has paired off teams for its annual BracketBuster extravaganza and the SIU men's basketball team is anxiously awaiting who they will draw.

Well, I don't know that for a fact. In fact, if a birdie told me today who they were playing and I asked head coach Chris Lowery about it, he'd probably laugh and start talking to me about the Illinois State game.

Still, I care about who SIU will be playing.

Southern is 5-1 in these BracketBuster games, with its only loss coming at home (back when home losses were rare) against Louisiana Tech, which was led by Paul Millsap ... who currently serves as my SF/PF/C on my fantasy basketball team.

So where do I want the Salukis to travel? Well, I thought you'd never ask.

1. Who? Loyola-Chicago (12-11). Why? Because it means a trip home for yours truly back to the City of Wind. It won't be along trip and it will give the Chicagoland area Salukis a chance to cheer on their downstate alma mater.
2. Who? Illinois-Chicago (10-11). Why? Not only is UIC another chance to take a trip home, but it's a chance to dine in nearby Little Italy. I can taste Al's Italian Beef right now. I'd also like a chance to interview Flames' head coach Jimmy Collins, a Chicago icon.
3. Who? Wisconsin-Milwaukee (12-10). Why? It's almost a road trip home, in fact, I'd make it a road trip home. I'd leave for The City on Friday night and then to Milwaukee for Saturday's game. MillerTown obviously has great beer, but it also has amazing food.
4. Who? Southeast Missouri State (3-20). Why? No home trips, but I'm pretty sure there is a Lambert's or Chick Fil A over by SEMO and I get hungry on road trips. And that's what it's about ... eating food from different places.