BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Ray Harper brought a “now plan” to the Western Kentucky head coaching job when the school removed the interim tag from his title in February.

Now, WKU (15-18) — the first team since Coppin State in 2009 to make the NCAA tournament field with a losing record — will face Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Mississippi Valley Tuesday in Dayton as part of the First Four.

WKU is one of eight teams coming to Dayton and UD Arena for the First Four, the opening round of the 68-team NCAA tournament. The field features the last four seeds and the final four at-large bids.

The Hilltoppers haven’t lost since Harper announced his approach and after winning its last two regular-season games, Western Kentucky won four games in a row during an improbable run to capture the Sun Belt Conference tournament title.

“I’ll see you Tuesday in Dayton,” Harper told fans, “and I’ll see you again Thursday in Louisville.”

Among other First Four storylines:

• Iona is glad to have another game after winning the MAAC regular-season title, but falling in the tournament.

• Lamar comes to Dayton led by Pat Knight, son of legendary basketball coach Bobby Knight.

• Stan Heath, who led Kent State to the NCAA tournament a decade ago, leads South Florida to its first appearance since 1992.