FACTS & STATS: Site: American Airlines Arena (19,600) -- Miami, Florida. Television: CBS. NCAA Tournament Record: Cleveland State 2-1, Wake Forest 27-20. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: Following a three-year hiatus, the fourth-seeded Wake Forest Demon Deacons are back in the NCAA Tournament and they will clash with the 12th- seeded Cleveland State Vikings in the first round of the Midwest Region at American Airlines Arena. Awaiting the winner of this game is a spot in Sunday's second round bout against either Utah or Arizona.

The Demon Deacons put together a terrific campaign, that included a 16-0 start to the season and No.1 ranking, as they landed an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. Overall, Wake is appearing in its 21st NCAA Tournament, where it has gone 27-20, reaching the Sweet 16 on 10 occasions.

As for CSU, it won four straight games to claim its first-ever Horizon League Tournament title and the conference's automatic bid to the Big Dance. The Vikings, whose 25 wins are tied for the second-highest total in program history, are making just their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament and first since reaching the Sweet 16 in 1986.

Tonight's game marks the first-ever meeting between the Vikings and Deacons on the hardwood.

Defense is the name of the game for the Vikings, who are holding opponents to a mere 58.9 ppg and forcing them into nearly 16 turnovers per game. Offensively, the team is paced by J'Nathan Bullock, as he averages 15.3 ppg. The senior forward is also by far the squad's top rebounder, pulling in 7.0 rpg. Norris Cole is another option at 12.9 ppg and like Bullock, he has started every single game for CSU. Cedric Jackson has also earned a spot in the starting lineup in all 35 games and he is clearly the most versatile player on the club. The well-rounded Jackson adds 10.5 ppg and 5.7 rpg to the lineup and he is responsible for running the team, distributing 5.4 apg. Jackson, though, is more well known for his outstanding defense and he has recorded an eye-popping 104 steals this season.

The Demon Deacons have taken a completely different approach than the Vikings, as they rely heavily on their explosive offense, which is generating a healthy 81.4 ppg on 48.9 percent shooting from the field. Jeff Teague is one of the more skilled players in this tourney and he can just about to do it all, guiding Wake in scoring (19.1 ppg), assists (3.5 apg) and steals (58). James Johnson and Al-Farouq Aminu form a terrific frontcourt tandem that will surely give CSU all sorts of problems. The two are combining for a 16.6 rpg, helping the Demon Deacons outrebound foes by a 6.1 rpg. Johnson is the better scorer of the two with an average of 14.8 ppg, but Aminu isn't far behind, netting 12.8 ppg.

The Vikings are a stingy team and their ability to clamp down on defense will give the Demon Deacons some issues tonight. Wake though, has a big size advantage over CSU and that should help it control the paint en route to the victory.

Predicted Outcome

Wake Forest 73, Cleveland State 65