Lady Toppers Hoops: Lady Tops Look to Start Season Strong Against Missouri
The Western Kentucky Lady Toppers travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to participate in the 2017 Hawkeye Challenge Friday and Saturday. The Lady…
The Western Kentucky Lady Toppers travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to participate in the 2017 Hawkeye Challenge Friday and Saturday. The Lady Toppers open the 2017–18 campaign against the Missouri Tigers, who have won a game in both of the last two NCAA Tournaments.
Mizzou finished third in the SEC behind the two teams that met in the 2017 National Championship game a season ago, Mississippi State and South Carolina.
To say that this preseason tournament could be a test for the Lady Toppers would be an understatement. Missouri is ranked 16th in the preseason polls and predicted to finish third in arguably the toughest conference in the country. Iowa is the home team, and may be the underdog of the tournament despite winning three postseason games, albeit in the WNIT. Quinnipiac won 27 games in 2016–17, made the Sweet 16 last year before losing to South Carolina, and has received votes in the preseason polls for 2017–18.
WKU comes in with something to prove, however. The Lady Toppers have made it to three of the past four NCAA Tournaments, but have yet to win a game in their recent trips to the Big Dance. This tournament will play a factor into each program’s at-large chances down the road, as well as simulating a postseason tournament.
Despite losing key pieces to graduation and transfer, it is clear after a magnificent Hilltopper Hysteria and lone exhibition game that the Lady Toppers, if anything, have reloaded. Seniors Ivy Brown and Tashia Brown come in with a wealth of experience, having scored nearly 2,300 points in their careers combined. Both could finish this season ranked in the Top 10 in Lady Topper history in several statistical categories.
Returners Whitney Creech, Sidnee Bopp, and Dee Givens all look to play a significant role this year. True freshman Raneem Elgedawy looks like an absolute superstar. Freshmen Nichel Tampa, Sherry Porter, and others should add remarkable depth to the 2017–18 version of the Lady Toppers.
Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard has provided plenty of reason to cheer for the Lady Tops in her first few years on The Hill. WKU has looked the part of a champion, and has performed well in the biggest moments. WKU will have a big moment early in the season, when they open up their home slate against the fifth ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Diddle Arena on November 14.