Tops and Lady Tops Start CUSA Thursday vs. Liberty
Both teams from both schools are good and figure to factor in to the CUSA race for a crucial bye in conference tourney at the end of the year. Will any of the four teams look back with regret?
Western Kentucky Basketball is on the rise, and this year, that statement applies to be the men and the women. The fellas are 9-4, and in case you missed it, the ladies have the better record at 9-3. The men were projected to be this good or so, while the women are a complete surprise.
On the opposite side of the court, Liberty men’s and women’s basketball are both good and pose a serious threat. The Liberty men are a sparkling 12-1 and sit 61st in the NET rankings. Their women, led by star 6’6” center Bella Smuda, are a respectable 7-4 heading into conference play and are metrically comparable to the Lady Tops thus far this season.
The Hilltoppers were picked to finish second in the league, while the Flames were picked tied for fifth. Liberty’s women were picked second, and WKU was picked fourth.
A young, budding rivalry in all sports, if LU and WKU continue to stay conference mates, it’s foreseeable that Liberty could become WKU’s biggest rival over time. Step aside, MTSU, unless you guys want to, you know, be relevant in most sports. Right now, virtually every sport between Liberty and WKU is about even in everything. Both athletic programs have good infrastructure, and few programs are terribly out of the championship picture.
It’s only natural that these two programs could end up hating each other. For now, I don’t think many would say Liberty is hated, other than the minority of people that take religious issue with the university. But on the court and between the two schools, there really isn’t any bad blood. There isn’t an instant classic that went down to the last second like there was with Marshall. There isn’t anything that I’ve ever heard of in terms of fans getting into arguments or people getting stuff thrown at them. There’s no serious trolling or anything.
For now, the bigger storyline, though, is whether all four of these programs will compete for a championship this year. It’s a really good barometer to start conference play for both matchups. For the men, the Tops get Liberty, and then they get FIU Saturday, a team that probably will not compete seriously for any kind of impactful standing in CUSA. For the ladies, the Tops also get FIU Saturday, but FIU was picked third in the preseason. Admittedly, they are 4-7 and sit at 280 in the NET rankings, but all of that could change if they get their act together at some point before March.
Pack Diddle
Make sure you put Conference USA play for both teams on your radar. First of all, the men’s games have been terribly attended, and you and your family showing up would make a big difference. Are we Toppers or not?!? Those boys are playing undermanned, not due to their own fault, and all they do is pour their guts out for their school and win more than 2/3 of the time. Secondly, why not go to the Lady Toppers? They’re cheaper to go to, and just a little FYI: They’re usually better year in and year out than the men! As mentioned, they currently have the better record.
These two teams are good. Show up to Diddle Arena, and consider going to Huntsville for CUSA Tourney in March! We’ll be there!
GO TOPS!
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GO TOPS!!!!