Western Kentucky Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Hilltoppers

By Brian Rauf | Oct 4, 2018

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers has a conversation with Lamonte Bearden #1 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the second quarter during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Non-conference schedule

Nov. 6: at Washington
Nov. 10: UT-Martin
Nov. 15-18: Myrtle Beach Invitational
Nov. 24: at Indiana State
Dec. 1: Tennessee State
Dec. 5: at Missouri State
Dec. 8: at Arkansas
Dec. 16: Troy
Dec. 19: at Belmont
Dec. 22: Saint Mary’s
Dec. 29: Wisconsin

Like most mid-major programs, Western Kentucky’s only real chance to pick up marquee Quadrant 1 wins that will impact their at-large chances will come in their non-conference schedule. The Hilltoppers have scheduled to that and have given themselves a number of chances to pick up those key wins.

That starts immediately on college basketball’s opening night when they take on Washington in Seattle on Nov. 6. The Huskies are a fringe preseason top 25 team who will be one of the best teams in the Pac-12. Facing them on the road is no easy task, especially when Stansbury is trying to fit together all of their new pieces.

The Hilltoppers will get another chance for bit wins at the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Should things go according to plan, WKU will face Valpo in the opener and West Virginia in the second round, followed by either Wake Forest or UCF in their final game. Cal State Fullerton, Monmouth, and Saint Joesph’s are also participating in the tournament.

Western Kentucky’s next big test will come at Arkansas, which is a very winnable game given that the Razorbacks are expected to be in a rebuilding year that will likely result in them missing the NCAA Tournament. This matchup will provide a showdown between two of the best big men in the country in Bassey and Arkansas’ Daniel Gafford, which is plenty of reason for the casual fan to watch this one.

The Hilltoppers then close with two huge games – AT HOME! – against Saint Mary’s and Wisconsin. These are WKU’s best chances to pick up those wins because 1) they’re at home and 2) Bearden will be back for them. Both the Gaels and Badgers are quality programs but both have major flaws that can be exploited. Don’t be surprised if the results of these two games determine if Western Kentucky gets an at-large bid or not.