Logan » What kind of game can Utah State expect from Marquette on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Boise?

Think New Mexico State -- only more so.

Despite the loss of their team leader, junior guard Dominic James, to a broken foot on Feb. 24, the sixth-seeded Golden Eagles (24-9) of the Big East Conference remain a guard-dominated team that can score quickly and in bunches.

The 11th-seeded Aggies (30-4) are pleased about their draw as well as playing on the familiar Taco Bell court, home of Boise State.

"It's fabulous that we're going to Boise," said USU coach Stew Morrill, who expected a seeding between 10 and 12. "We've drawn a great opponent. I don't know much about them."

Morrill and his Western Athletic Conference champions will soon learn about Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal, who have combined to score nearly 38 points a game. The two seniors have also taken the ball away from opponents 109 times.

The 6-foot-5 Matthews and 6-foot-3 McNeal slash to the basket and present matchup problems for Utah State's smaller backcourt.

"We'd like to show them what we have," said USU center Gary Wilkinson, the regular season and WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. "They look like a tough team. They like to push the ball."

Much has been made of Marquette losing five of six since James' departure. Three of those losses, however, were to eventual NCAA No. 1 seeds Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Louisville, which won by four points.

"We're grateful for the six [seed]," Marquette coach Buzz Williams said.

Marquette is one of seven teams from the Big East to play in the tournament. Friday's winner will meet either No. 3 seed Missouri or No. 14 Cornell.

"The [NCAA] committee did right," Williams said. "I think there are enough basketball people on the committee; they understood the power and the depth of our league. That's why it shook out the way it did."

Williams already has 14 game films featuring Utah State as well as five text messages from coaches who have played the Aggies.

"It's very humbling," Williams said of playing in the tournament. "We're thankful."

So are the Aggies, who had to defeat Nevada on its home court Saturday to claim a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Morrill used that fact to motivate his team.

Sunday, in front of a few dozen USU fans gathered in front of televisions to watch CBS' presentation of the tournament bracket, Morrill began motivating again, telling the Aggie supporters that their team had more work to do.

"They need to know we have to compete," Morrill said.

As for the game site, all Williams could say was, "I know they have a blue football field. ... Like my assistant said, 'They should have a hell of a potato bar.'"

martyr@sltrib.com