I had to take a day to think about this one. My first reaction was that WKU was going to beat Mt like they beat us but I knew that was just short term memory taking over. Unless Justin Johnson has another girlfriend he's going to propose to? Big love action in Western KY? Not likely.

So the arguments that swayed me to pick MT:

-Experience and Mental toughness. MT has been there before, have had a target on their back all year, and for the most part have found a way to win. Nick King is that clutch player you want to get the ball to in those last seconds with the game on the line.

-Home court advantage. MT has it Western doesn't. Pretty simple, though I'd forgotten for a bit how close the schools were so I imagine Western will have their own cheering section.

-The 1-3-1. And this was what ultimately pushed me to MT. I'd forgotten they played it and how well they play it until it was mentioned again here. Western had their way with our man to man. But that 1-3-1 is vexing.


I'd only be surprised by a blowout though and really not that surprised, it's almost March.

clt hopes this isn’t a NCAA tourney first round game

WKU had won by a avg 26 point over the last 3 games and shot over 55% for 5 straight games, the 1-3-1 Will be our biggest challenge. Luckily we are healthy going into this game which should give us a better showing than the first matchup against MT. Don’t know who wins, but its a damn big and a very exciting game coming up with HUGE Explications on the line

(02-26-2018 08:11 PM)Snozberry Wrote:  Does WKU have a shot at a NCAA tournament bid if they win this game?

Yes. As long as some other bubble teams lose, i think our rpi would be around 35

(02-26-2018 08:13 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  WKU had won by a avg 26 point over the last 3 games and shot over 55% for 5 straight games, the 1-3-1 Will be our biggest challenge. Luckily we are healthy going into this game which should give us a better showing than the first matchup against MT. Don’t know who wins, but its a damn big and a very exciting game coming up with HUGE Explications on the line

I think the home court advantage might be nearly as big of a challenge. It's gonna be sold out and LOUD in there. CBS televising the game, 23rd ranked in latest poll, and a crowd wearing mostly blue (tho I know there will be a cheering section wearing red!). UAB game was very loud and the crowd wasn't that raucous given the blowout score. I expect an even better and unbelievable atmosphere Thursday.

(02-26-2018 08:21 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 08:13 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  WKU had won by a avg 26 point over the last 3 games and shot over 55% for 5 straight games, the 1-3-1 Will be our biggest challenge. Luckily we are healthy going into this game which should give us a better showing than the first matchup against MT. Don’t know who wins, but its a damn big and a very exciting game coming up with HUGE Explications on the line

I think the home court advantage might be nearly as big of a challenge. It's gonna be sold out and LOUD in there. CBS televising the game, 23rd ranked in latest poll, and a crowd wearing mostly blue (tho I know there will be a cheering section wearing red!). UAB game was very loud and the crowd wasn't that raucous given the blowout score. I expect an even better and unbelievable atmosphere Thursday.

This will be good for CUSA, perception wise on a bigger scale than Stadium or BeIn

(02-26-2018 08:21 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 08:13 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  WKU had won by a avg 26 point over the last 3 games and shot over 55% for 5 straight games, the 1-3-1 Will be our biggest challenge. Luckily we are healthy going into this game which should give us a better showing than the first matchup against MT. Don’t know who wins, but its a damn big and a very exciting game coming up with HUGE Explications on the line

I think the home court advantage might be nearly as big of a challenge. It's gonna be sold out and LOUD in there. CBS televising the game, 23rd ranked in latest poll, and a crowd wearing mostly blue (tho I know there will be a cheering section wearing red!). UAB game was very loud and the crowd wasn't that raucous given the blowout score. I expect an even better and unbelievable atmosphere Thursday.

Games like this is what makes fans! Seeing a great / fun atmosphere become addictive and they want more

(02-26-2018 08:21 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 08:13 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  WKU had won by a avg 26 point over the last 3 games and shot over 55% for 5 straight games, the 1-3-1 Will be our biggest challenge. Luckily we are healthy going into this game which should give us a better showing than the first matchup against MT. Don’t know who wins, but its a damn big and a very exciting game coming up with HUGE Explications on the line

I think the home court advantage might be nearly as big of a challenge. It's gonna be sold out and LOUD in there. CBS televising the game, 23rd ranked in latest poll, and a crowd wearing mostly blue (tho I know there will be a cheering section wearing red!). UAB game was very loud and the crowd wasn't that raucous given the blowout score. I expect an even better and unbelievable atmosphere Thursday.

What time is the game Thursday (7 PM)? Is it on CBS or CBSSN? I didn't realize it was on a major TV network. Will look forward to watching the game, even if I have to tape it and see it after ODU's game. Should be a good one.

(02-26-2018 10:49 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 08:21 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 08:13 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  WKU had won by a avg 26 point over the last 3 games and shot over 55% for 5 straight games, the 1-3-1 Will be our biggest challenge. Luckily we are healthy going into this game which should give us a better showing than the first matchup against MT. Don’t know who wins, but its a damn big and a very exciting game coming up with HUGE Explications on the line

I think the home court advantage might be nearly as big of a challenge. It's gonna be sold out and LOUD in there. CBS televising the game, 23rd ranked in latest poll, and a crowd wearing mostly blue (tho I know there will be a cheering section wearing red!). UAB game was very loud and the crowd wasn't that raucous given the blowout score. I expect an even better and unbelievable atmosphere Thursday.

What time is the game Thursday (7 PM)? Is it on CBS or CBSSN? I didn't realize it was on a major TV network. Will look forward to watching the game, even if I have to tape it and see it after ODU's game. Should be a good one.

7pm central on CBS Sports Network

Doing a little digging I can't find a single time in our history where both entered the game with 20+ wins at the same time nor I can I find an end of season game where the winner would likely decide who would win the regular season title. We have met in conference tournament finals before but nothing like this in the regular season.

The last time I can even find that MT and wkcc played each other in the same year both won 20+ games was the 1985-86 season but the game between the two teams occurred early in the year.

Interesting...

(02-26-2018 08:31 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 08:21 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 08:13 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  WKU had won by a avg 26 point over the last 3 games and shot over 55% for 5 straight games, the 1-3-1 Will be our biggest challenge. Luckily we are healthy going into this game which should give us a better showing than the first matchup against MT. Don’t know who wins, but its a damn big and a very exciting game coming up with HUGE Explications on the line

I think the home court advantage might be nearly as big of a challenge. It's gonna be sold out and LOUD in there. CBS televising the game, 23rd ranked in latest poll, and a crowd wearing mostly blue (tho I know there will be a cheering section wearing red!). UAB game was very loud and the crowd wasn't that raucous given the blowout score. I expect an even better and unbelievable atmosphere Thursday.

Games like this is what makes fans! Seeing a great / fun atmosphere become addictive and they want more

Absolutely. This is a positive situation, all around, and should be an amazing game.

Yes game is on CBS Sports Network. Sorry for any confusion. Not national CBS on a weekday that would never happen lol

Got this from the Western board from a very knowledge fan.....doesn't post on this board but I wish he would. A fan that hardly ever makes excuses or blames anyone for wins or losses. Another stat guy

Quote:There are 52 college basketball games on Thursday. The only game with a higher KenPom "thrill score" is Virginia at Louisville. Add in the non-Robot factors of a) what's on the line for the CUSA championship and b) the rivalry component and any objective fan would say it's the most important game in the country on Thursday.

(02-27-2018 12:54 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  Got this from the Western board from a very knowledge fan.....doesn't post on this board but I wish he would. A fan that hardly ever makes excuses or blames anyone for wins or losses. Another stat guy

Quote:There are 52 college basketball games on Thursday. The only game with a higher KenPom "thrill score" is Virginia at Louisville. Add in the non-Robot factors of a) what's on the line for the CUSA championship and b) the rivalry component and any objective fan would say it's the most important game in the country on Thursday.

Wow, that pretty incredible.

(02-27-2018 12:54 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  Got this from the Western board from a very knowledge fan.....doesn't post on this board but I wish he would. A fan that hardly ever makes excuses or blames anyone for wins or losses. Another stat guy

Quote:There are 52 college basketball games on Thursday. The only game with a higher KenPom "thrill score" is Virginia at Louisville. Add in the non-Robot factors of a) what's on the line for the CUSA championship and b) the rivalry component and any objective fan would say it's the most important game in the country on Thursday.

So cool! Wish more people would realize this.