Hilltoppers represent: Western Kentucky upset Illinois yesterday in the first round of the NCAA tournament, winning 76-72. The team’s big red blob of a mascot was ecstatic, as was I. Tonight, the madness continues when the Cards tip off against Morehead State at 7:10 p.m.

Gag: Kentucky ranks 15th in the nation when it comes to toxic pollution. Our Hoosier neighbors to the north fared much worse, ranking third, behind Ohio and Alaska.

Bench lacks black judges: The Commission on Racial Fairness is calling on Gov. Steve Beshear and the state’s chief justice to appoint minorities to fill some judge vacancies in Jefferson County. The county lost its only two black trial judges to retirement earlier this year.

All is still: Experts believe the New Madrid fault system might be in the process of “shutting down” (their term, not mine), meaning Kentucky and surrounding states might be spared “the big one” after all.

Obama fumbles: It seems the president was a little to relaxed during his appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” last night, comparing his bowling game to the “Special Olympics, or something.”

Madoff in the clank: A federal appeals court ruled today that confessed Ponzi master Bernie Madoff must remain in prison until he is officially sentenced, meaning it’s very unlikely he will ever be free again. After defrauding clients out of billions of dollars, Madoff faces up 150  years in prison.