Disappointing season

[nashvillegoldenflash]

I admit last year I made hyperbolic statements regarding the Topper basketball program and how it would dominate other Conference USA opponents. Although I'm willing to admit that Conference USA is a stronger conference, I don't believe that it is so much stronger than the Sun Belt that it should be used as an excuse for Western's less than stellar performance this season. If you look at RPI power conference rankings you will see Conference USA is only the 16th best conference in the nation, four places below the Mid-American Conference (see link). Given Western's past history in basketball, it seems to me the Tops should perform much better than they are. Anything less than a top three finish should be completely unacceptable.

RPI Power Conference Rankings

 

[nashvillegoldenflash]

I realize that RPI is subject to change but the current conference power rankings can't be too far off. Last month the MAC was ranked 10th (see link) among the conferences and now it is 12th. But the point is Conference USA is not close to being a top 10 conference so the suggestion that the level of competition in Conference USA is a reason to lower fan expectations is not valid. I'm not only unhappy with the Toppers this season but I'm also not pleased with my other alma mater, Kent State. Although the Golden Flashes were the regular season co-champions, they lost to Akron in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals 51-53. Sure, you will find plenty of fans who will be satisfied with a three-way tie for a regular season championship but I'm not one of them. Whether it's Western or Kent State, winning the conference tournament or at least playing for a conference championship should be the only true barometer for success of these two programs. Anything less should not be acceptable.

RPI Power Conference Ranking

 

[nashvillegoldenflash]

I'm certain at both Belmont and Murray State, the motto is "We play for championships." And I recall not too long ago, the mantra at Kent State was "tradition never graduates." Despite WKU moving up from the OVC and the Sun Belt to Conference USA, I don't see why the Tops can't have a similar motto to aspire to, even if they don't always quite achieve it.

 

[SBeardenRivals]

WKU has the 3rd most conference championships behind only UK and Kansas. I think rather then come up with some catchy motto about playing for championships. WKU actually goes out and wins them more often then not. Yes, the season did not turn out how many Topper fans had hoped. But, I wouldn't start comparing WKU basketball to Murray, Belmont, or Kent St (no offense) just yet. Despite the fact WKU lost to both Murray St and Belmont this season.

Conference Championships:

Kansas - 57
UK - 52
WKU 42

Also WKU is 7th all-time in 20 win seasons with 43

WKU is 98-54 all-time against Murray State
WKU is 4-3 all-time against Belmont
WKU is 4-0 all-time against Kent St.


I know it doesn't make WKU fans feel better about this season. But Harper did something this season that no other coach in the history of the WKU program has done (and the Tops have had some great coaches). Harper is the first coach to ever win 20+ games in each of his first 3 seasons on the hill. I think WKU fans should remain hopeful for the future.

 

[nashvillegoldenflash]

Shane, I'm even more familiar with WKU basketball than you considering I have followed Topper basketball since Jim McDaniel (1971). But given Western's rich basketball history, that is precisely the reason why I have been so disappointed since the Tops strong performance against Kansas in 2013. You have to admit the losses to Marshall the last two seasons are hard to take given how bad the Herd are in basketball. There is simply no reason to have lost those two games. With respect to 20-win seasons, I would be more impressed if some of those wins didn't come from the likes of Brescia and Alice Lloyd College. But I can make the same argument against Kent State because the Flashes have also built a reputation of 20-win seasons at the expense of lesser known programs (see below). With expectations of conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances, the 20-win seasons are just not enough to satisfy everyone. That's not to say I'm asking for a coaching change, I'm just merely stating how disappointed I have been the last two seasons.

Brief summary of Kent State basketball over the last 17 years:

Since 1998, Kent State has been one of the most consistent in the Mid-American Conference with a league record ten straight twenty-win seasons from the 1998-99 season through the 2007-08 season (the previous record was five straight). Kent State was one of only eight NCAA Division I men's basketball programs in the United States to have ten consecutive seasons with twenty or more wins. KSU also holds the MAC record for consecutive seasons with double-digit conference wins, also for ten consecutive seasons (the previous record was eight straight), and in 2002 finished 17-1 in conference play, setting a MAC record for conference wins in a season. The Flashes amassed thirty victories in the 2001-02 season which culminated in a berth in the NCAA Elite Eight. Kent State has made ten MAC tournament title game appearances (second most in conference history) and has won five (second most), along with three regular-season MAC overall titles and six MAC East titles.

This post was edited on 3/14 9:31 PM by nashvillegoldenflash

Kent State part of select company with 20 wins

 

[bmwrseries]

Personally, I think Western peaked at the wrong time of the season. If Western had a center that could at least compete routinely....game after game other than flashes of improvement, the season would have ended on a better note. Best wishes to George, Jackson, and TJ........it was a blast watching them compete!!