The NCAA Tournament is fast approaching, and over the next three weeks the Field of 64 will begin to take shape. All three of tonight’s national TV games feature “bubble teams” as Michigan, Xavier, Alabama and Arkansas battle it out for those final postseason spots with critical conference games tonight.

Below is a look at each game on ESPN and ESPN-2 for Tuesday.

ILLINOIS (-1 ½, 135) at MICHIGAN (ESPN)

Illinois was the national runner-up last season, and despite losing two of their best players, the Illini are once again a Top 10 team and are 22-4 SU on the season. This is a difficult time for Illinois as they must travel and play their second game in three days, following a huge home win over Indiana on national television on Sunday afternoon.

Illinois won the opener against Michigan, 79-74 on January 14, but Michigan got the points coverage as a 10 ½-point underdog on the road. Michigan outscored Illinois 46-42 percent overall and 46-39 percent from three-point range.

Michigan is just 1-4 SU/ATS in its last five games, but three of those four recent losses have come on the road. The Wolverines have been strong at home this season, going 12-2 SU. Michigan is battling numerous injuries and three key players — Chris Hunter, Jerret Smith and Lester Abram — are listed as questionable tonight.

Hunter is second on the team in blocks (21) and fifth in scoring (7.0 ppg). Smith is third on the team in assists (41) this season and Abram is the team’s fourth leading scorer (11.5 ppg).

XAVIER -1 ½ in DAYTON (espn2)

Xavier enters this game from a three game home position where they went 2-1 SU, but just 1-2 ATS. The Musketeers lost the first game against LaSalle, 79-70, as an 11 1/2-point favorite, but then rebounded with easy wins over Fordham, 84-64, and Duquesne 91-70. Xavier easily covered as a 10 ½-point favorite against Fordham, but failed to cover an inflated 22 ½-point line against Duquesne.

Dayton has one of the most extreme home/road dichotomies in the nation this season, as the Flyers are 11-4 SU at home but just 1-10 SU away. Dayton is just 4-8 SU in conference play this season, but has beaten each of its last four Atlantic-10 home opponents.

Both teams are solid defensively, as Xavier is allowing just 62.4 points per game on 39.4 percent from the field (vs. opponents averaging 66.3 ppg and 43.1 percent overall) and Dayton is allowing just 61.0 points and 40.0 percent (against opponents averaging 67.0 ppg and 43.1 percent overall). 42.9 percent overall).

Xavier won the first meeting this season, 60-55, but couldn’t cover as a 12-point home favorite on Jan. 28. The Musketeers led 29-23 at halftime and outscored the Flyers 41-35 percent from the field. The difference in the game was a 21-8 advantage in free throws (attempts) for Xavier.

ALABAMA at ARKANSAS (-7 ½, 137) (ESPN)

A battle between two “bubble teams” in the SEC tonight as both teams are about to make it to the NCAA Tournament. Alabama is currently ranked 38th in the RPI, while Arkansas is ranked 57th. The biggest difference has been Alabama’s stronger schedule, as the Crimson Tide has faced the fifth toughest opponents list, while Arkansas only he has faced the 73rd most difficult schedule. Alabama is also 3-4 SU against top 50 opponents and 8-8 SU against top 100 clubs, while Arkansas is 3-6 SU against top 50 teams and just 5-6 SU against top 100 foes.

Alabama underperformed through November and December and, in fact, has played better basketball since losing its leading scorer, Chuck Davis (15.4 ppg) to a knee injury in early January. Since their loss on Jan. 7 in the final game in Davis, the Crimson Tide have gone an excellent 8-3 SU and 6-3-2 ATS.

Arkansas lost at Alabama, 78-75 in overtime, as a 1 ½-point underdog on Jan. 18, despite outscoring the Crimson Tide 42-40 percent from the field. Arkansas is just 3-7 SU on the road this season, but a much stronger 14-1 SU at home, including an 85-81 win over Florida on Saturday.

STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get your Premium plays here.