The tenth seeded Xavier Musketeers will take on the seventh seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish Friday night in Greensboro. \u00a0<\/p>\n
NCAA Tournament Matchup: Xavier vs. Notre Dame Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Both of these teams have had plenty of ups and down all throughout the season. Xavier started 8-0, but they went just 13-12 the rest of the way.<\/p>\n Notre Dame lost its top player at the start of the season, but they went on to a surprising 22-11 finish.<\/p>\n The Musketeers are led by senior point guard Tu Holloway. Holloway is one of the best point guards in the nation.<\/p>\n His numbers are actually down slightly from last year, but he is definitely capable of carrying this team. Mark Lyons is a senior shooting guard who averages 15.3 points per game. Lyons is a very good all-around player.<\/p>\n Kenny Frease gives the Musketeers a solid low post presence. Frease is a 7\u20190 center who averages 9.5 points and 6.1 boards per game. Dezmine Wells is only a freshman, but he has had some huge games for this team this year.<\/p>\n Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey has had the team slow the tempo down in a big way this year. The Fighting Irish use up the entire shot clock on almost every possession.\u00a0[soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n Notre Dame has been great on defense this year, and that has propelled them to their terrific season. Opponents are averaging just 61.5 points per game against the Fighting Irish.<\/p>\n Jack Cooley is one of the most improved players in the nation. Cooley averages 12.4 points per game this year, and he is shooting a splendid 61.4% from the floor. Jerian Grant and Eric Atkins have done a great job taking care of the ball in the back court. Coach Brey believes these two will be among the best guards in the nation next season.<\/p>\n Scott Martin is an important part of this team as well, and he is the type of guy who will do everything in his power to help the team win.<\/p>\n Xavier hasn\u2019t been playing very well down the stretch, but I think their senior leadership will help them a lot in this one. Notre Dame has had lots of early exits in the last few years.<\/p>\n I like Xavier to pull off the upset.<\/p>\n
\nSouth Region
\nLocation: Greensboro, North Carolina
\nTime\/TV: 9:45 PM EST on CBS
\nCollege Basketball Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
\nNCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Notre Dame -2.5
\nOver\/Under: 124<\/strong><\/p>\n