WKU Basketball: Hilltoppers Open Conference USA Tournament Play Against North Texas

It’s been a long eight days since the Hilltoppers last took the court, in an overtime loss at home to UTSA, but it’s the start of a new…

It’s been a long eight days since the Hilltoppers last took the court, in an overtime loss at home to UTSA, but it’s the start of a new season and now every minute matters as the Tops look to forge their way back to the conference title game and their first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2013.

First up — North Texas.

Game Info

Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
Location: The Star | Frisco, Texas
TV: Stadium
Radio: The Hilltopper IMG Sports Network

WKU met North Texas just once this season, a 62–59 win in Denton but one that saw the Tops see a 15-point lead melt away and saw the Mean Green end the game red hot, hitting six of their final eight shots.

But, a win is a win, and that particular victory was amdist a five-game winning streak for the Tops, a season best.

After that point, however, the Tops were unable to put together consistent play, finishing the year 3–3 with wins against MTSU, UAB and Southern Miss while losing to the Blazers, ODU and UTSA (the latter two in bonus play, including the aforementioned overtime loss).

North Texas is coming off a 71–57 first-round win over FIU in which the Mean Green shot 42.4% from the floor, 36.7% from three and outrebounded the Panthers 49–25.

Half of our boots on the ground, Matt McCay, said the Mean Green looked every bit the 16–1 team they started the year off as against FIU. He also predicted how UNT will run their offense; running a weave up top and run backdoor cuts after they suck Bassey up towards the free throw line.

Will Rick Stansbury notice before it’s too late?