The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be playing the Xavier Musketeers in the first round of this year's NCAA Tournament after landing the No. 7 seed in the South region. The Irish received an at-large invitation to the tournament after losing to Louisville in the semifinals of the Big East Conference Tournament.
This year, the Irish are eyeing their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2003, when they beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Illinois before losing to Arizona. In 2011, Notre Dame won its first round game against Akron, but it then lost to Florida State in the second round. The Irish have made the Sweet 16 three times since making the Final Four in 1978.
The Musketeers finished the season with a 21-12 record. Xavier advanced to the Atlantic 10 Tournament championship game, where it lost to St. Bonaventure. The Musketeers started the season with a bang, but unfortunately was involved in the brawl with Cincinnati and never fully recovered.
Brackets on the brain? Us too! Play Yahoo! Tourney Pick'em and be part of the craziest month of college basketball. It is fun, easy and free!! Stay tuned to SB Nation College Basketball for all your coverage during March Madness.