Xavier will Win the NCAA Tournament - Reasons Why By Shawn O'Neal

1.Sean Miller's last three Xavier NCAA Tournament teams have advanced to at least the Sweet 16 and this version had to win its way in after a mid-season swoon, entering the Big East Tournament on a seven-game winning streak before losing a tight game to Marquette in MSG that they led by as many as 14. This is a good First Four team.

2Zach Freemantle appears healthy after missing all of last season and dealing with a knee injury earlier this season with six of the team's 11 losses happening either while he was out or getting back up to speed. The team is 12-4 in its last 16 games with a road loss to Villanova its only setback against a team not in the field.

3.Ryan Conwell is a third-team All-Big East selection and the designated gunner on a team that doesn't shoot a ton of 3s,  but makes them when they do, connecting at the sixth best clip in America. Conwell is both shot taker and maker, with a 41% clip on 232 attempts on the season.  

4.Xavier's offense is driven by attacking the basket as no Big East team converted their shot attempts more into free throws and the Musketeers shot 80% as a team from the line.

5As the only Ohio entry in the tourney -- where you at Bucks, Flyers and Bearcats? -- security measures are being put in place for the seeming inevitability of JD Vance jumping on the bandwagon.

Shawn O'Neal