Xavier sports a balanced scoring attack, like the Cougars, where any one guy can step up and produce big numbers on any given night. Justin Doellman, a 6-9 senior from Kentucky, is an outside threat the Cougars will need to deal with. Plaisted will get the early nod to chase Doellman.

"I'm not sure how many people truly appreciate the variety of ways Justin Doellman makes our team better," said Miller. "Whether it's scoring, rebounding, defense, passing or whatever we need. He has played at a high level as a senior, especially since we started conference play in January."

Doellman ranks among Xavier's career points and is third in blocked shots.

While Xavier has a roster full of NCAA Tournament experience, the Cougars have only one player who has played in a NCAA game, senior Mike Rose, who got in two possessions against Syracuse in Denver's Pepsi Center when Rafael Araujo led the Cougars into post-season play.

"I'm not concerned about our lack of NCAA experience," said Plaisted. "We have a lot of players who have played a lot of college basketball games. I know the NCAA Tournament is a different stage, but our team is confident."

BYU NOTE: On Wednesday, the Cougars took time to tour a horse farm, Cash is King Stables in Lexington, and saw the famed race horse Afleet Alex, winner of the Belmont Stakes and Preakness in 2005 and third in the 2003 Kentucky Derby.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com