Preview | Gonzaga vs. Davidson, 9:25 a.m., TV: Ch. 7

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Record: 25-7 overall, 13-1 in West Coast Conference.

Seed: 7. RPI: 30. Bid: At-large.

Tournament record: 12-10; made it to regional final in 1999.

Last tournament appearance: Lost in first round to Indiana last year, 70-57.

Davidson Wildcats

Record: 26-6 overall, 20-0 in Southern Conference.

Seed: 10. RPI: 35. Bid: Automatic.

Tournament record: 5-9; hasn't been past first round since 1969.

Last tournament appearance: Lost in first round to Maryland last year, 82-70.

Who has the edge?

On the perimeter

Gonzaga's Steven Gray vs. Davidson's Stephen Curry: Gray is only a freshman but he's one of the headiest and steadiest Zags. His defense has improved so much he has been designated to guard Curry. The Davidson star, son of former NBA player Dell Curry, shoots it just like his dad. He made 43 percent of his three-point shots this season and was conference player of the year. Edge: Davidson.

Gonzaga's Matt Bouldin vs. Davidson's Max Paulhus Gosselin: Bouldin had an erratic sophomore season. Zags need the smart, steady-shooting Bouldin to show up in the tournament. Paulhus Gosselin is Davidson's defensive stopper. Edge: Gonzaga.

Gonzaga's Jeremy Pargo vs. Davidson's Jason Richards. Pargo, one of the strongest guards on the West Coast, gets to the basket at will and is a fierce defender. Richards is the engine that makes the Davidson offense run, a great distributor. Edge: Even.

Among the bigs

Gonzaga's Josh Heytvelt vs. Davidson's Andrew Lovedale. Heytvelt doesn't start, but in big games, he plays big minutes. He has lottery-pick talent, but he fell in love with the three-point line and the Zags will need him tough in the low post if they expect to win this opening game. Lovedale was second on the team in both rebounds (5.2 per game) and blocked shots (27 for the season). Davidson started winning when he was inserted into the starting lineup. Edge: Gonzaga.

Gonzaga's David Pendergraft vs. Davidson's Thomas Sander. Pendergraft, the quintessential Zag, has improved every year. He's a very good long distance shooter, tough-minded rebounder and lockdown defender. Like most of this team, his numbers don't tell his story. He's a banger who does all the dirty work. Edge: Gonzaga.

Bench

Gonzaga might be as deep as any team in the country. They bring a potential future lottery pick, 6-10 freshman Austin Daye, off the bench. Want three-point shooting? Former McDonald's All-American Micah Downs provides it. Davidson isn't as deep as Gonzaga. Its sixth man, however, 6-foot-8 Boris Meno, started 12 games this season and leads the team in rebounding and blocked shots. Edge: Gonzaga.

Coaching

Gonzaga's Mark Few vs. Davidson's Bob McKillop. Few is always rumored for other jobs when openings come up, but has stayed at Gonzaga and has made the NCAA tournament every year. His teams are disciplined, hard-working and his players get better from October to March and from their freshman seasons to their senior. McKillop is a seven-time Southern Conference coach of the year. Trademarks of McKillop's teams are unselfishness, discipline and all of his teams can shoot threes. Edge: Even.

Prediction

Gonzaga 72, Davidson 70