NCAA regional games at Boise, Idaho. All Hawaii times.

WEST REGION

No. 6 Marquette (24-9) vs. No. 11 Utah State (30-4)

Tip-off: 6:30 a.m.

Coaches: Buzz Williams (Marquette), Stew Morrill (Utah State)

Overview: Wesley Matthews has taken on more ball-handling responsibilities for Marquette since Dominic James was lost to a foot injury, eaving McNeal free to shoot and press. It will be up to PG Jared Quayle to get the Aggies into their sets against the Eagles' pressure.

Difference-makers: Marquette — G Jerel McNeal (19.6 ppg, 4.0 apg and 2.1 steals, 40.2% 3FG%, unofficial team barber). Utah State — F Gary Wilkinson (17.1 ppg, 58.6 FG%, 83.0 FT%, leads NCAA's best shooting team).

Stattitude: This is the second of two first-round meetings of teams ranked in the final USA TODAY/ESPN coaches poll. Marquette is 24th and the Aggies are 25th.

No. 3 Missouri (28-6) vs. No. 14 Cornell (21-9)

Tip-off: approx. 8:50 a.m.

Coaches: Mike Anderson (Missouri), Steve Donahue (Cornell)

Overview: The Tigers don't make many mistakes and are comfortable with a fast pace. The Big Red must draw the Mizzou forwards away from the basket with their motion offense and hope their three-point shooters are hot.

Difference-makers: Missouri — Fs DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons (combined 31 ppg and 13.3 rpg, both shoot above 50%). Cornell — F Ryan Wittman (18.5 ppg, 41.9% 3FG% with 93 made, over three a game, son of former Indiana University star and NBA player Randy Wittman).

Stattitude: Missouri committed only 32 turnovers in their three games in the Big 12 tournament. The Tigers have 628 assists and 420 turnovers on the season, the second-best ratio in the field behind only Pittsburgh.

EAST REGION

No. 4 Xavier (25-7) vs. No. 13 Portland State (23-9)

Tip-off: 1:25 p.m.

Coaches: Sean Miller (Xavier), Ken Bone (Portland State)

Overview: The Musketeers have struggled in offensive sets during their 5-5 stretch drive. They should be able to produce second-chance points, but the Vikings are deep and don't mind pushing the tempo. If Dominguez is hot, watch out. He became the team's point guard last year and has led it to the two best seasons in school history.

Difference-makers: Xavier — G/F B.J. Raymond and F Derrick Brown (combined 27.9 ppg, 113 made three-pointers). Portland State — Jeremiah Dominguez (12.9 ppg, 3.2 apg, 43.7 3FG%, Big Sky Tournament MVP).

Stattitude: Xavier is fifth in the country in rebound margin at +8.4 a game, but 279th in turnover margin at -2.2.

No. 5 Florida State (25-9) vs. No. 12 Wisconsin (19-12)

Tip-off: approx. 3:45 p.m.

Coaches: Leonard Hamilton (FSU), Bo Ryan (Wisconsin)

Overview: The Badgers have the edge in tournament experience with three starters back from last year's Sweet 16 squad. But the Seminoles have a senior hand at the controls in Douglas and a scary front court that averages 5.8 blocks a game. They were an ACC surprise, making the

tournament finals after defeating North Carolina. Tough non-league schedule included Pitt, Cincinnati and Cal.

Difference-makers: Florida State — G Toney Douglas (21.3 ppg and 2.9 apg while playing over 36 minutes, ACC defensive player of the year). isconsin — F Marcus Landry (12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, second-team All Big Ten).

Stattitude: Wisconsin is 12th nationally in scoring defense at 59.0 ppg. But FSU holds opponents to 38.6% from the field, good for seventh in the country.