5:30 p.m. Princeton vs. North Dakota St.

8 p.m. Marquette vs. Northwestern St.

Saturday

5:30 p.m. Consolation

8 p.m. Championship,”

Blue and Gold Classic

Friday

5:30 p.m. Princeton vs. North Dakota St.

8 p.m. Marquette vs. Northwestern St.

Saturday

5:30 p.m. Consolation

8 p.m. Championship

Marquette (7-0)

Coach: Tom Crean

Conference: Big East

Best win: 73-62 vs. Duke

Key players: G Dominic James (so., 18.6 ppg), G Jerel McNeal (so., 13.4 ppg), G Wesley Matthews (so., 11.7 ppg)

Breakdown: The No. 8 Golden Eagles are heavy favorites to win back the title after losing to Winthrop in the 2005 final.

Northwestern State (4-2)

Coach: Mike McConathy

Conference: Southland

Best win: 88-71 vs. Utah State

Key players: F Trey Gilder (jr., 14.8 ppg), G Luke Rogers (sr., 13.0 ppg), F Colby Bargeman (jr., 13.0 ppg)

Breakdown: Remember when third-seeded Iowa got shocked in the 2006 NCAA tournament? These guys did the damage.

North Dakota State (3-2)

Coach: Tim Miles

Conference: Division I independent

Best loss: 81-85 at Texas Tech

Key players: F Andre Smith (sr., 18.8 ppg), F Brett Winkelman (so., 17.8 ppg), G Mike Nelson (so., 17.4 ppg)

Breakdown: Only one more year of transition before the Bison join their first Division I conference. Oh, and these guys stunned Wisconsin in Madison last year.

Princeton (4-1)

Coach: Joe Scott

Conference: Ivy League

Best win: 57-45 at Manhattan

Key players: F Kyle Koncz (jr., 14.0 ppg), F Justin Conway (sr., 9.6 ppg), F Luke Owings (sr., 8.4 ppg)

Breakdown: You know the offense: lots of patience, spacing, ball movement and backdoor cuts. Drives opposing teams crazy.

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