WKU basketball

What Could Have Been: WKU Goes Ice Cold, Loses Close Contest to #1 Kansas

Kevin Willis — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 03:13:06 +0000

The WKU Hilltoppers gave the #1 seed Kansas Jayhawks all they could handle Friday night, leading at the half and remaining within four points with 25 seconds left in the game.

But WKU went ice cold offensively in the second half, and Kansas held on to win 64-57.

WKU shot only 31% from the field for the game, and the Hilltoppers went 3-20 from three-point range.

Senior point guard Jamal Crook ended his WKU career with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and four assists.

WKU fans now have the 2013-14 season to think about, with forward George Fant and guard T.J. Price returning to form a nice nucleus for the two-time defending Sun Belt Conference champions.

Lady Hilltoppers Advance in WNIT

Joe Corcoran — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:37:06 +0000

It took them overtime to do it, but the WKU Lady Hilltopper basketball team beat East Carolina University 88-77 Thursday night at Diddle Arena to advance to the second round of the 2013 Women's National Invitational Tournament.

Alexis Govan's three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining forced the overtime and the Lady Tops outscored ECU 15-4 in the extra session. Govan posted a double-double in the game with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Game Preview: WKU Big Underdog vs Kansas

WKU Public Radio News — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:38:29 +0000

No #16 seed has ever beaten a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The WKU Hilltoppers are looking to make history Friday night when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks in Kansas City, Mo.

The Hilltoppers are 20 point underdogs heading into their opening game.

It's the second straight NCAA tournament appearance for WKU.

Here's a preview of the Hilltopper-Jayhawks game, courtesy of Kentuckysports.co.

WKU Hilltoppers Get Praise from Fans, Now Await Selection Sunday

Kevin Willis — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:50:00 +0000

The WKU men's basketball team received a hero's welcome Tuesday afternoon after their trip home from the Sun Belt Conference championship. Monday night's win in the title game means WKU will play in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year.

After being congratulated by fans outside E.A. Diddle Arena, sophomore forward and Bowling Green native George Fant said he wasn't thinking about what tournament seed the Hilltoppers will receive this Sunday.

"I don't know what we deserve. I don't really want to get into that. I'm just happy with the fact that we're there. For a team that was supposed to be the seventh-best team in our conference, to do this two years in a row is unbelievable," said Fant, who scored 17 points and had 13 rebounds in Monday night's win over Florida International.

Sophomore guard T.J. Price also refused to predict what seed he thought WKU would receive. The Louisiana native says he can't wait to experience the excitement of the NCAA tournament again.

"Just the feeling...when you step out on that court there's no better feeling ever. I remember last year how I felt, and I've always said I wanted the same feeling again, and now I get that chance," Price told WKU Public Radio.

Fans Can Welcome Home 2013 Sun Belt Conference Champs

WKU Athletics — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:45:51 +0000

After capturing its second-straight Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship Monday night in Hot Springs, Ark., WKU will be returning to Bowling Green on Tuesday.

A pep rally will be held outside the U.S. Bank Entrance at E.A. Diddle Arena upon the team's return to campus at approximately 4:00 PM (CT). Fans are welcome and encouraged to attend and welcome home the 2013 Sun Belt Conference Tournament champions.

In addition, WKU will be hosting an NCAA Tournament Selection Show watch party on Sunday to see where the Hilltoppers will be playing in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Doors open at 4:00 (CT), and the Selection Show begins at 5:00 (CT) and will be broadcast on the video boards inside the arena.