MILWAUKEE — The Marquette Golden Eagles are in Dallas for the NCAA tournament. They play North Carolina State Friday night in the Sweet 16. 

Former Brookfield Central star David Joplin of Marquette was very open. He can't wait for Friday night's game.

"They've won seven in a row, rather hot, super confident," said Joplin. "It's up to us to try to put a stop to that. We think we can and they think they're going to beat us. So, it's just the clash. I mean, I'm so excited."

Marquette practiced in Dallas Thursday. There was a lot of focus on Golden Eagles coach Shaka Smart. He's the former coach of the Texas Longhorns.

"When the season started, I always do this," said Smart. "I look up the NCAA tournament sites. And so today, we could be in five places. We could be in Detroit, Boston, L.A., Dallas, or we could be in Milwaukee because the season's over and I would have taken any of those first four. So, to be here in Dallas is awesome."

"We're not really looking at the past," said Marquette guard Tyler Kolek. "We're trying to go forward with this team. He's trying to build a new legacy over here at Marquette."

Kolek's return after missing six games with an oblique injury has been a big boost for Marquette.

"Tyler carries himself with a great demeanor, serious demeanor," said Marquette guard Kam Jones. "Just wants to win. Very, very fierce competitor. He's sharpened my competitive edge."

"I think the ball definitely moves a lot better, not just his assists, but when he gets the ball and it just it's a domino for the rest of play," said Marquette forward Oso Ighodaro. "I think when he was out, me and Kam had the ball a lot and it was a lot more one on one, a lot of ISO.  We won some games like that, but I don't know if that was sustainable. We're definitely a much better team with him on the floor."

The Marquette game will tip off shortly after 6:00 Friday night.