FACTS & STATS: Site: Taco Bell Arena (12,820) -- Boise, Idaho. Television: CBS. NCAA Tournament Record: Portland State 0-1, Xavier 15-19. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The fourth-seeded Xavier Musketeers will attempt to avoid a first- round upset as they take on the 13th-seeded Portland State Vikings on the second day of the NCAA Tournament. Awaiting the winner of this matchup is a second-round clash with either fifth-seeded Florida State or 12th-seeded Wisconsin.

Portland State is in search of its first-ever NCAA Tournament win, as the team made its first trip to the "Big Dance" last season and was defeated by eventual national champion Kansas in the first round. The Vikings own the same exact record as they did heading into the event a year ago (23-9), but while they were a 16 seed in 2008, the team's 13 seed in 2009 is much more favorable. Head coach Ken Bone was pleasantly surprised by the respect paid to Portland State by the selection committee, and he credits that to the fact that his team won the Big Sky Conference Tournament on the road and picked up non-league wins over Gonzaga, Boise State and Cal State Fullerton.

Xavier is making its 20th NCAA Tournament appearance and owns a 15-19 record in the event. The Musketeers won the Atlantic 10 regular season title, and although they were upset in the conference tournament by Temple, they are 25-7 overall and a formidable opponent to say the least. Xavier has many impressive wins on its resume', including triumphs over NCAA Tournament participants such as Memphis, Missouri and LSU.

This game marks the first-ever meeting between Xavier and Portland State on the hardwood.

Portland State lacks the type of player who is capable of consistently dominating a game at the offensive end of the floor. What the team does possess, however, is a balanced lineup with four double-digit scorers. Jeremiah Dominguez has been outstanding lately, as he has scored 22 or more points in three of the last seven outings. Dominguez is netting 12.9 ppg this season and is a 43.7 percent shooter from three-point range. More than just a scorer, he has dished out 97 assists to go along with 53 steals. Dominic Waters is posting 11.5 ppg, and his 46.2 percent three-point efficiency is certainly impressive. Phil Nelson adds 11.2 ppg to the mix, and Andre Murray is scoring 11.0 ppg. The Vikings are generating 73.8 ppg while allowing 68.3 ppg to foes. Last season, Portland State may have simply been happy to be a part of the NCAA Tournament field, but this year's club seemingly has a much more realistic chance of getting out of the first round.

Xavier depends heavily on its strong defensive play to win games. The team is limiting foes to 62.4 ppg on 38.9 percent shooting from the field, impressive considering the quality of opposition that the squad has faced this season. The Musketeers are averaging 72.4 ppg, and they are paced offensively by B.J. Raymond. One of four players that has started all 32 games this season, Raymond is posting 14.1 ppg on the strength of his 42.6 percent shooting from three-point range. Derrick Brown checks in with 13.8 ppg, and he is ripping down a team-high 6.1 rpg. Rounding out a trio of double-digit scorers is C.J. Anderson with an even 10.0 ppg. Xavier is a tremendous rebounding team that is ripping down 8.4 rpg more than its opponents. On a down note, the Musketeers have committed 480 turnovers, an average of 15 per contest.

Expect this game to be fairly close, as Portland State will put up a fight. The edge goes to Xavier, however, as the team will undoubtedly be motivated and focused following the disappointing loss in the A-10 Tournament.

Predicted Outcome

Xavier 74, Portland State 66