In USA TODAY Sports' latest Bracketology projections, Shelby Mast has West No. 5 seed Cincinnati facing No. 12 Illinois State in Milwaukee before a potential meeting with the winner of No. 4 Duke (and former Franklin High School star and Wooden Award candidate Luke Kennard) vs. No. 13 Akron.
Late last week, Mast had Xavier as a No. 6 seed in the West, facing No. 11 Middle Tennessee in Greenville before a potential second-round showdown with No. 3 Duke.
Mast also has Midwest No. 7 Xavier playing No. 10 Michigan State in Indianapolis before a possible second-round matchup with No.