First round: Troy State (26-5): Won't be a walkover for Xavier. The Trojans love to run and push the tempo but won't be able to hang with XU down low.

Second round: Maryland (19-9): If the Terps can get past pesky UNCW, Xavier will meet a team with experienced guard play, but one that lacks an inside presence to challenge David West.

Sweet 16: Florida (24-7): The Gators have lost three straight and might not even be in the Sweet 16. Keeping Matt Bonner and David Lee off the boards is a must.

Elite Eight: Texas (22-6): The Longhorns are as well-balanced as any team in the nation. This would be an intriguing showcase of the top two Player of the Year candidates, T.J. Ford and West.

Semifinals: Oklahoma (24-6): Oklahoma outworked Xavier last season in a second-round game. The Sooners still have Hollis Price, who would be a difficult matchup, even for XU's stopper, Romain Sato.

Final: Kentucky (29-3): The Wildcats will be riding a 28-game winning-streak if they get this far, and it will take an almost-perfect game to unseat them as the best team in the nation.