NCAA bracket expert Jerry Palm updated his projections on Tuesday afternoon, and he has good news for the Northwestern Wildcats: they're in the field as a 12-seed. The Wildcats are not listed among Palm's last four in the tournament, which is also good news, but their placement at the 12-seed means their situation is still plenty tenuous at this point.

Related: Bracketology 2012: Michigan State Conquers The Top Line

Beating Minnesota on Saturday helped them, and they can strengthen their case in the next eight days if they can pull off an upset over Michigan or Ohio State.

As for Illinois, Palm sees the Illini's situation as much more dire. Palm has dropped them from his bracket, and they are not listed among the first four teams left out. Bruce Weber and company are going to have to turn things around in a hurry.

Notre Dame's been playing well and likely won't be sweating come selection Sunday -- Palm projects the Irish as a No. 6 seed as of today.

For more on Illinois basketball, visit SB Nation's Illinois blog Hail To The Orange. For more on Northwestern basketball, visit SB Nation's Northwestern blog Sippin On Purple. For more Fighting Irish coverage, visit Notre Dame blog One Foot Down. And for more news and notes from around the country, visit SB Nation's men's basketball news hub.