Even with a more-than-respectable RPI in the low 20s and a Western Athletic Conference championship, Utah State knew it would have its hands full in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

What the Aggies didn't know, but kind of hoped for, was that they would be playing in front of a presumably friendly crowd in Boise.

"We're unbelievably happy to be in and very pleased with where we're playing," Aggie coach Stew Morrill said. "We're excited how it turned out — Friday, at Boise, great opponent. I'm just so happy for our fans. We hope to get everybody there that we can."

Utah State has played at that arena every year for several seasons and played against Arizona in the 2005 NCAA Tournament in Boise. So adjusting to a different court and environment will not be a big a challenge as it might be for some schools.

Also working in USU's favor is the Friday tipoff.

"I'm really glad we got a Friday draw," Morrill said. "When we've had three grueling games and we're worn down and banged up, to be able to get some rest before gearing up again is very good stuff. Other than playing a big-time opponent, which we knew we were going to get, there's a lot of positives."

Playing in the NCAA tourney for the sixth time in 10 seasons, Utah State is eager to get out of the first round for a change. Only once since 1970 have the Aggies advanced to the second round.

"Our team is pretty centered and focused," said USU senior Gary Wilkinson. "We are confident and believe in each other. That in itself gets us to focus on us. We are here, let's do something. We have the potential and the capability of making a run."

The selection committee, holed up in a conference room in Indianapolis filled with statistics, scheduling resumes and brackets probably didn't plan this — in fact, they probably try to avoid it most seasons — but when Utah State meets Marquette Friday morning in the NCAA basketball tournament, it will be a rare first-round matchup between ranked teams.

The Golden Eagles are a frequent resident in the Top 25 and when the final regular season coaches poll came out Sunday night were ranked No. 24. Utah State, which spent three weeks in the polls during the season before falling out after losing at Saint Mary's in the ESPN BracketBuster game, is back and sits at No. 25 after winning four straight games.

"We're excited," USU guard Tyler Newbold said. "We know they are a traditional program that is always right up there. They have some great guards and it's going to be a challenge. But we're looking forward to it."

The Aggies and Golden Eagles will play the first of four games in Boise in Friday with the tipoff set for 10:30 a.m.

The winner will advance to play on Sunday against the winner of the Missouri vs. Cornell game.

E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com