The set-up: Davidson and Mercer both have spent time as NCAA Tournament darlings in recent seasons, although that spotlight has focused longer and brighter on Davidson. The two teams meet for the second straight year aon Tuesday at Hawkins Arena on Mercer's campus.The Wildcats beat the Bears 77-71 last year at Belk Arena, Davidson's home court.

Davidson: The Wildcats are 4-1 and come off three straight wins, downing Missouri, Arizona State and Charlotte as they prepare for their first true road game with the Bears. The Wildcats have been good for some time under head coach Bob McKillop, who has won 520 games with the program since taking over for the 1989-90 season, during which the Wildcats have made eight NCAA trips. This year's team is led by the trio of senior guard Jack Gibbs (21.0 PPG), 6-7 junior forward Peyton Aldridge (19.8 & 7.6) and junior guard Jordan Watkins, (10.0 PPG). The Wildcats are averaging 76.2 PPG while allowing 68.2 and their lone loss came to Clemson.

Mercer: The Bears are 4-2 after losing by a basket to Akron in the championship game of the inaugural Savannah Invitational on Saturday. "It's a great test. Our schedule this year is amazing in itself and who we've already played, we've had great opponents, and Davidson is another one of those top-tier programs, top 50 in the country right now in RPI," Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman said. "So we understand coming in what they bring, what they're able to do, and if we can match that and do the things that we know we can do, we will have a great chance against them. They're really good." Mercer guard Holland (20.2 PPG) can match Davidson's Gibbs but the 6-6 Jelks (8.2 & 5.5) is no match for Davidson's 6-7 Peyton Aldridge.

The pick: the cream rise to the top in this one, even on the road. Davidson is a 10* play.