In an exciting opening round matchup of the NCAA Tournament, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, representing Conference USA, are set to take on the Marquette Golden Eagles, a formidable team hailing from the Big East. This South Region clash promises to be an intense battle on Friday afternoon.

The Hilltoppers secured their spot in the tournament by triumphing over UTEP in a thrilling Conference USA championship game, winning 78-71 as a 2.5-point favorite. On the other hand, the Golden Eagles fell in the Big East Tournament title game to top-ranked UConn, losing 73-57 as a 9.5-point underdog.

These two teams have previously met only once before, back in 1976 when Marquette emerged victorious with a commanding 79-60 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Heading into the matchup, Western Kentucky will rely on their momentum after winning three consecutive games in the Conference USA Tournament. Despite closing the regular season with four straight losses, the Hilltoppers' impressive run earned them a record of 22-11 overall and 8-8 in conference play.

In their title game against UTEP, Western Kentucky jumped to a strong 17-4 lead early on, but saw their advantage reduced to just four points at halftime. However, a determined second-half effort propelled them to a 66-57 victory. Don McHenry led the charge with an outstanding performance, contributing 25 points, five rebounds, and four steals.

With an average of 80.6 points per game, the Hilltoppers boast an impressive scoring offense, ranking 31st in the nation. They also excel in rebounding, averaging 39.8 boards per contest, placing 18th in the country. Defensively, Western Kentucky aims to tighten up, as they allow an average of 74.1 points per game, ranking them 251st in scoring defense.

Marquette, on the other hand, entered the tournament with a 25-9 overall record and a strong 14-6 showing in the Big East regular season. Prior to their loss against UConn in the conference title game, the Golden Eagles had been on a three-game winning streak.

In the closely contested first half against UConn, Marquette trailed by just a pair of points at halftime. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum and ultimately succumbed to a 73-57 defeat. Kam Jones emerged as a leader for the Golden Eagles, contributing 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the loss.

Offensively, Marquette averages 78.3 points per game, positioning them 61st in the nation in scoring offense. Defensively, they have been solid, allowing an average of 69.7 points per game and ranking 104th in scoring defense.

The matchup presents challenges for Marquette, as they have been dealing with some injury concerns. Sean Jones is out for the season due to a knee injury, while Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro have also been nursing injuries but are expected to play in this game.

As the second-seeded team, Marquette enters the game as the favorite. However, the Hilltoppers should not be underestimated, as they have proven their ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. With Western Kentucky's strong offensive firepower and rebounding prowess, they might be able to keep this game closer than the 14.5-point spread suggests.

This NCAA Tournament clash between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Marquette Golden Eagles promises to be an exciting battle. Fans should prepare for an intense showdown as both teams vie for a chance to advance in the tournament.