WKU mens basketball to face Marquette in first round of NCAA tournament
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This is the first time WKU men’s basketball has gone dancing since 2013.
Choosing The announcement of the Hilltoppers’ first-round opponent has passed, as has Sunday. The No. 15 Hilltoppers and No. 2 Marquette will play in Indianapolis on Friday.
The Hilltoppers will travel to the NCAA tournament for the first time in more than ten years after defeating University of Texas El Paso in their first Conference-USA Tournament victory.
The road was not easy for WKU.
In an opening-round thriller, the No. 3 Hilltoppers defeated No. 6 New Mexico State thanks to the efforts of All Conference-USA Tournament recipient Rodney Howard. Howard’s 20-point, five-rebound and three-block performance propelled WKU over the Aggies in a dominant fashion, securing a 20-point victory.
Before the Hilltoppers even took the floor for the first time during the tournament, No. 2 Louisiana Tech had already fallen to No. 7 Middle Tennessee in a classic David versus Goliath story, slating the Blue Raiders to take on the Hilltoppers for a trip to the Conference Championship on the line.
The Cinderella story ended early for MSTU, as the Hilltoppers defeated the Blue Raiders. An 18-point and four-rebound performance from WKU’s Don McHenry punched the Hilltoppers’ ticket to play on Saturday.
Though the Blue Raiders’ fairytale ended prematurely, there were plenty of surprises waiting for them on the opposing side of the bracket. The University of Texas El-Paso Miners, ranked fifth, stunned Sam Houston State, ranked first, and completed their championship run.
McHenry’s 25 points, five rebounds, and four steals helped the Hilltoppers defeat the Miners in the game’s finale and guarantee WKU a trip to Indianapolis.
Even when things haven’t gone well lately, the Hilltoppers have experience in the NCAA tournament.
No. 12 WKU created a lasting impression in 2008 when they defeated No. 5 Drake and No. 13 San Diego en route to a Sweet Sixteen run.
