Thanks to an astounding miracle run through the Conference USA Tournament to capture the conference’s automatic bid, the Saint Louis University men’s basketball team will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament tonight in Cleveland. The Bills will tangle with the University of Utah Utes at approximately 9 p.m. for the right to advance through the 64-team field.

The Billikens received a No. 9 seed in the field. Utah is a No. 8 seed.

The Billikens won four games in four days to grab the automatic bid to the tournament. One of those wins was over then-No. 1-ranked Cincinnati. SLU defeated DePaul for the championship on Saturday.

“I think we’re on a mission. We’re focused,” said Justin Love, who was named C-USA tournament Most Valuable Player. “Not too many people thought we’d be in this position, but I’m just happy to be here.”

Hanno Mottolla leads the Utes in scoring, averaging 17.4 points per game. Alex Jensen averages 13.8 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. Both of those players can bang in the blocks and step outside and knock down a jumper.

“It’s going to be a war,” said coach Lorenzo Romar. “Utah always plays a physical style of basketball.”