After Eastern Washington University captured its first NCAA Tournament berth by winning the Big Sky Conference tournament last Wednesday, senior guard Alvin Snow walked into sociology class the next morning to a standing ovation.

Coach Ray Giacoletti has had a blast the last few days appearing on dozens of radio shows, talking up EWU's program to national audiences.

Sunday brought another day of celebration as Giacoletti was given the key to the city by Cheney Mayor Amy Jo Sooy and hundreds of fans joined players and coaches at Reese Court to watch the NCAA Tournament pairings announced on CBS's selection show.

But shortly after the Eagles saw their name pop up as the No. 15 seed opposite No. 2 Oklahoma State on Friday at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., EWU slowly began shifting back into basketball mode.

"I just know they're a good basketball team and so are we," Snow said. "We're going to face each other and we're going to try to put on Cinderella's slipper. It's business now. It's all fun. We appreciate everyone coming out, but for us we have to be prepared because we have a game to play."

The Eagles (17-12) and seventh-ranked Cowboys (27-3) will meet at about 11:45 a.m. Exact game time is 30 minutes after the conclusion of No. 7 Memphis versus No. 10 South Carolina, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Under the NCAA's new naming system, EWU is in the East Rutherford Region, which in previous years would have been known as the East Region.

Whatever the NCAA wants to call it, the Eagles are tickled to be involved, even though they face the Big 12 Conference regular-season and tournament champions. Number 15 seeds are 4-72 against No. 2s.

The Eagles may be newcomers to the NCAA Tournament, but they're familiar with the type of teams that fill the high seeds on the bracket sheets. EWU's non-conference schedule included road games against Washington, Oklahoma and Iowa. The Eagles have played Gonzaga the last three seasons.

"It'll probably feel like we are in the non-conference section of our season again," Giacoletti said with a wry smile.

EWU's staff taped several of OSU's recent games figuring it would face a top 10 team. Giacoletti watched some of the Cowboys' 65-49 thrashing of Texas for the Big 12 tournament championship Sunday. Some thought that might boost OSU to a No. 1 seed.

"I haven't watched a lot of their tape, but I would say they're more athletic than we are," Giacoletti said, unable to suppress a grin. "Just a wild hunch."

Freshman center Matt Nelson spent ample time on the Internet the last few days, scouring NCAA Tournament projection sites to get a feel for potential first-round opponents.

"I always check out `Bracketology' and the other sites and the last time I checked it had us against Oklahoma State in Kansas City, so I wasn't too surprised," he said.

Sophomore guard Danny Pariseau was just the opposite. Until Sunday, he had never watched the selection show and he only occasionally watches games on TV.

"Other guys can watch it," he shrugged. "I'll go out and shoot and try to get better."

Of course, that left him open for needling when the pairings were announced.

"I don't keep up with all the names and stats. I was kind of mad because our guys were telling me (the Cowboys) were all big guys and I thought (John) Lucas was a big guy and I wanted to play somebody with a good point guard," Pariseau said. "Then coach (Giacoletti) told me Lucas is a point guard so now I'm happy. That's the way I can gauge myself -- play as hard as I can and see where I end up and then see what I need to work on."

Lucas, the son of the former NBA great John Lucas, is one of four Cowboys to average in double figures. Tony Allen tops OSU at 16 points per game.

The Eagles insist they won't be intimidated. Said Snow: "I'm not familiar with that term, I'm sorry."

EWU needs a positive mindset, Snow added. "One of the first things coach Giacoletti asked us after we won the (Big Sky) tournament was if the team wanted to go and treat it as a vacation. All the guys said, `No, we're not going on vacation and seeing the sights.' We're going to try to win a basketball game."

Just having that opportunity is special for Giacoletti. Selection show parties played out on college campuses across the nation Sunday, but EWU's triggered genuine emotion in Giacoletti.

"As good a day as I've had in (18 years of) coaching," said Giacoletti, water rising in his eyes. "Just seeing the guys, seeing the people here, hopefully there's a sense of pride in this program, university and community. It's just been fun to see."