March 14, 2010

CINCINNATI -- The Xavier men's basketball team will make its fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Friday as the No. 6 seed in the West region Musketeers face off against the No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee Wis. This is the first meeting between the two teams.

Xavier (25-8) is clinched its fourth-straight Atlantic 10 regular season title on March 6 with a win over St. Bonaventure. Most recently the Musketeers fell to Richmond in the Atlantic 10 semifinals 89-85 in an overtime thriller. First year head coach Chris Mack will be making his NCAA Tournament coaching debut.

This will mark XU's 21st overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament and its ninth in the last 10 years. Xavier advanced to the "Sweet 16" last season and the "Elite Eight" in 2004 and 2008.

Minnesota (21-13) is making its eighth overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament and its second consecutive appearance. The Gophers have won seven of its last 10 games including three over top 15 ranked opponents entering the NCAA Tournament.

The winner of Friday's matchup will face the winner of No. 3 seed Pittsburgh and No. 14 seed Oakland on Sunday.