Western Kentucky vs. UTSA: Game preview, TV schedule, prediction

Conference USA has a couple of teams in line for a possible at-large bid. Will one of them, Western Kentucky, stay on course with a win against UTSA?

TV schedule: Saturday, February 3, 4:00 p.m. ET. Check Local Listings

Arena: UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas

It’s been a while since Conference USA basketball has been relevant in the national conversation. For the past several years, the league has been relegated to a one-bid league with little chance of anyone other than the automatic bid getting in.

That’s not the case this time around, with both Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky having legitimate shots at at-large bids.

In the latest edition of Busting Brackets’ Bracketology, two mid-major conferences received multiple at-large bids. The WCC was a given, with both Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s in the top-25 right now. The other was a surprise in Conference USA with MTSU getting a No. 10 seed and WKU a No. 11. But considering the resumes the Blue Raiders and Hilltoppers both have accomplished, it’s well deserved.

But the goal now is for both teams to not lose to teams outside of each other. That nearly happened to Western Kentucky who struggled at UTEP before winning 72-60. Justin Johnson was the star of the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Taveion Hollingsworth had 17 points on 5-for-9 from 3-point range.

The Hilltoppers have another tough road game up next against one of the best players in the conference in Jhivvan Jackson. He’s one of the top scorers in the league at 18.9 ppg, and while his point numbers can vary, his season-high 31 points at Oklahoma shows how dangerous he can be.

Next: Conference USA mid-season awards and recap

Jackson plays for UT-San Antonio, a middle of the road team in the league who shouldn’t pose too much of a threat talent wise. But with the game on the road, along with a high volume scorer to deal with, the Hilltoppers need to take this one seriously. Otherwise, all their hard work to get to this point will be seriously damaged.

Prediction: Western Kentucky 76 – UT San Antonio 65