FACTS & STATS: Site: Taco Bell Arena (12,380) -- Boise State, Idaho. Television: CBS. NCAA Tournament Record: Utah State 6-19, Marquette 33-27. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: For the fourth straight season Marquette will take part in the NCAA Tournament, as the sixth-seeded Golden Eagles collide with the 11th- seeded Utah State Aggies in first round play of the West Region at Taco Bell Arena.

The Aggies are making their 27th overall postseason appearance, and the 18th showing in the NCAA Tournament. Utah State has not enjoyed much success in this event, posting a meager 6-19 ledger. The team has lost five straight tournament games and has not tasted victory since it defeated Ohio State, 77-68 in overtime back in 2001. This year could be a different story though, as the Aggies head into the Big Dance with an outstanding 30-4 record. They claimed the regular season and conference titles in the Western Athletic Conference and are currently riding a four-game win streak.

As for the Golden Eagles, they finished the regular season with a 24-9 mark, and a 12-6 record in the Big East Conference. However, Marquette stumbles into this event, having lost five of its last six games, including a 76-75 setback to Villanova in the Big East tournament. This is the 27th overall appearance for Marquette in the NCAA Tournament and the fourth in a row. The Golden Eagles have enjoyed some success in the Big Dance, posting a 33-27 ledger, while advancing to the Final Four on three different occasions. Last year the Golden Eagles soared past Kentucky before having their wings clipped by Stanford.

This is the first ever matchup between the two schools on the hardwood.

The Aggies are a well balanced team and have been able to get by the opposition with both impressive offensive play and tough defensive efforts. Defensively Utah State is holding opponents to just 62.1 ppg, and has also dominated the boards, outrebounding opponents by seven caroms per contest. While the Aggies have been solid defensively, the team's efforts at the other end of the floor should not be overlooked, as Utah State comes into this tournament averaging a solid 72.9 ppg. The Aggies are a very dangerous shooting team, as the squad is leading the country with a 49.8 percent shooting effort. The team is also shooting a healthy 39.8 percent from behind the arc, while connecting on a solid 73.9 percent of its attempts from the charity stripe. Gary Wilkinson has been the main scoring threat on the season for Utah State, as the big man is averaging 17.1 ppg, while also grabbing a team-high 6.9 rpg. Running the show on the floor has been Jared Quayle, who is pacing the team with 127 assists, while also contributing 12.9 ppg. Also lending a hand down low has been Tai Wesley, who is posting 11.9 ppg and 6.1 rpg.

The Golden Eagles have soared at the offensive end of floor this season, but since the loss of Dominic James (foot surgery), Marquette has won just once. However, even without James the Golden Eagles still come into this event averaging an impressive 76.6 ppg, behind a healthy 45.5 percent shooting effort. Jerel McNeal is currently pacing the team with 19.3 ppg, and also has 167 assists to his credit and a team-high 67 steals. Wesley Matthews is contributing 17.8 ppg on the season, while Lazar Hayward has dominated the paint, posting 15.6 ppg and a team-high 8.3 rpg. Not to be overlooked however, is the team's play defensively, as the Golden Eagles are limiting teams to just 68.1 ppg. Opponents are shooting 45.0 percent against Marquette, but the Golden Eagles are forcing 14.9 turnovers per contest, and have also collected 261 steals on the year.

The Golden Eagles have not flown right since the loss of James, and it is evident by the team's struggles down the stretch. If Utah State plays its game, the Aggies should be able to pull off the victory.

Predicted Outcome

Utah State 75, Marquette 72