By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Texas guard Brandon Mouton. (AP photo)

Xavier will face an old nemesis Friday in its second Sweet 16 appearance. Of all the teams it could have been, the Musketeers' opponent in Atlanta is Texas.

The Longhorns, coincidentally, beat Xavier in 1990 in the Musketeers' only previous Sweet 16 game. So Friday's game is a classic rematch of sorts. The players and coaches are different, the game isn't in Dallas and the teams are both higher profile than 14 years ago.

But the stakes are the same: A trip to the Elite Eight is on the line.

Here is a look at how those matchups stacked up in 1990 and how they will figure into Friday's game. In 1990, Texas' Lance Blanks, Travis Mays and Joey Wright, erased a 12-point halftime deficit and raced to a 102-89 victory.

Xavier can only hope the rematch has a better ending than the original.

THEN: No. 6 XU vs. No. 10 UT, March 22, 1990, Dallas

Point guard

Xavier, Jamal Walker: An athletic, crafty point guard who can get his own shot as easily as he sets up an XU big man.

Texas, Joey Wright: Blazing fast ball handler who gets the ball up the floor quickly with a dribble and will look to score, too.

Shooting guard

XU, Jamie Gladden: Freshman playing in his third NCAA Tournament game more of a role player than go-to shooter.

UT, Travis Mays: Can fill up the scoring column fast.

Small forward

XU, Maurice Brantley: Freshman who started his first game in the first round after Michael Davenport suffered an ankle injury in MCC Championship game.

UT, Lance Blanks: Flat-out scoring machine who will take it to the hoop or pull up from long range. He loves to play fast.

Power forward

XU, Derek Strong: Good shooter for a big man and rebounds relentlessly.

UT, Guillermo "Pancho" Myers: In there to rebound and throw outlet passes.

Center

XU, Tyrone Hill: One of the top big men in college basketball who has great knowledge of how to rebound and score inside

UT, Locksley Collie: Has no chance to slow down Hill, but could be a big player on the boards.

Sixth man

XU, Aaron Williams: Freshman big man who could be effective if Hill or Strong get in foul trouble.

UT, Hank Dudek: Good outside shooter who complements the run-n-gun offense.

What happened

Xavier countered Texas' speed game for a half with its big men and led 53-41 at halftime. The Longhorns kept running, however, and Xavier couldn't keep up. Eventually, XU's guards tired and Texas ran away with the game playing in front of a partisan crowd in Dallas.

Final score

Texas 102, Xavier 89

NOW: No. 7 XU vs. No. 2 UT, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Atlanta

Point guard

Xavier, Lionel Chalmers: Game-changing playmaking ability and a knack to look for and hit big shots. A lethal scorer.

Texas, Royal Ivey: A capable senior who had to take over for T.J. Ford, but lacks offensive leadership skills.

Shooting guard

XU, Romain Sato: The best 3-point shooter in school history has added an aggressive streak to his game lately.

UT, Kenton Paulino: Sophomore shooter who can handle the ball as well should Ivey need a spell.

Small forward

XU, Justin Cage: Has not been able to create his own shot in Tournament and minutes have been cut by Dedrick Finn's play.

UT, Brandon Mouton: Team leader whose success usually determines whether or not Texas wins.

Power forward

XU, Justin Doellman: Usually the smartest player the court and makes the offense better when he touches the ball.

UT, Brad Buckman: Like most of the team, a productive role-player who has an occasional big game either scoring or rebounding.

Center

XU, Anthony Myles: Good one-on-one offensive player and rebounding like a senior defensively.

UT, Jason Klotz: A steady performer inside, but not a superstar who will overwhelm.

Sixth man

XU, Dedrick Finn: Tournament experience and composure has proven invaluable in first two games.

UT, Brian Boddicker, James Thomas or P.J. Tucker: Each could be the best player on the team.

What will happen

Xavier has dominated its previous two opponents in the second half, but that's unlikely to occur against a balanced team like Texas. More likely, the Musketeers will shoot well enough to maintain a slim lead and the game will come down to which team scores last.

Predicted score

Xavier 85, Texas 83.