WKU MBB: Conference Play Predictions?

[Jaredr24]

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5 in out-of-conference play) are set to begin their conference play for the season Sunday at Marshall (4-9).

My question to you guys is how do you see WKU doing in conference play this season?

The Tops finished 12-6 in conference play their first year in Conference USA last year which was pretty good for their first year but I feel like they could finish a lot better than 5th place this year.

One reason is that they have some of the harder games like UAB, MTSU, and LA Tech at home this year and WKU's home record in the C-USA is pretty good (only one loss against Rice) and they haven't lost a home game yet this season despite having some really close calls.

Also the conference as a whole hasn't been as good this year. Teams like LA Tech, UAB, UTEP, and MTSU still have a lot of their star players from last year and they'll be good teams but Old Dominion is one team that was really good last year (top 25 caliber) and already have 6 losses this year but could still be a threat but other than that, most teams in the C-USA have losing records. I'm sure WKU is bound to lose to at least one of the bottom teams just because it happens and they have off nights but I feel like they shouldn't really have many problems with teams like USM and UTSA (but then again, they still lost to Rice which was at the bottom of the conference last year.)

With all things considered, my prediction is that WKU will finish 13-5 and will be 21-10 going into the conference tournament. The talent this team has is just now starting to get everything figured out and I feel like they will during conference play.

 

[Sean_Williams]

Jared, that's a really good assessment of how things could play out for Western Kentucky during C-USA play. I would agree with your record prediction, I'm thinking they finish 13-5 or 12-6, somewhere in that range. There are still some really good teams in the conference this season, but it's not as loaded as it was last season and beating WKU at home will be a tough task for teams like MTSU, La Tech, and UAB like you mentioned.

Hilltoppers have proven they have a talented lineup and while I think Harper is still trying to figure things out from a lineup perspective, they should fair well in C-USA this season. However, I think their will be a unexpected loss here and there but that's to be expected during conference play.

 

[bmwrseries]

I do not share the same positive outcome. Hopefully, .500. They are lacking the same thing the past several years. No production from the inside. Leading rebounders are not suppose to be the point guard!!

 

[Sean_Williams]

I do not share the same positive outcome. Hopefully, .500. They are lacking the same thing the past several years. No production from the inside. Leading rebounders are not suppose to be the point guard!!

After Sunday's performance, I'm starting to agree with you @bmwrseries

 

[bmwrseries]

We haven't received any decent stats from Rostov, Lawson, or Snipes for the last few years. When Rostov was a freshman, he played with intensity. I just don't see much intensity from any of these players. I think they'd be better off playing a small line-up and see what happens. I hope the freshman center who is currently hurt has some internal drive!!