Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers currently compete in Conference USA. The team's most recent appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was in 2013. Rick Stansbury was announced as the team's current head coach on March 28, 2016.[3]

This article is about men's basketball team. For women's basketball team, see Western Kentucky Lady Toppers basketball.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
2020–21 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball team
UniversityWestern Kentucky University
Head coachRick Stansbury (5th season)
ConferenceC-USA
LocationBowling Green, Kentucky
ArenaE. A. Diddle Arena
(Capacity: 7,500)
NicknameHilltoppers
ColorsRed and White[1]
         
Uniforms
Home
Away
NCAA Tournament Final Four
1971*
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
1940, 1971*
NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
1940, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1971*, 1978, 1993, 2008
NCAA Tournament Round of 32
1940, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971*,1976, 1978, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1995, 2008, 2009
NCAA Tournament Appearances
1940, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971*,1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013
*vacated by NCAA
Conference Tournament Champions
1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1965, 1966, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013
Conference Regular Season Champions
1949, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982 ,1987, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009
Conference Division Season Champions
Sun Belt East: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009[2]

The men's basketball program has the 16th most victories in the history of the NCAA[4] and has attained the eighth best winning percentage in NCAA history.[4] The school made an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1971, which was later vacated, and has made four NIT Final Four appearances, including three in the early days of the NIT when it was on par with the NCAA tournament. The program has won numerous Ohio Valley Conference championships and was very competitive in its previous conference, the Sun Belt Conference, regularly finishing near the top of the conference and competing for the conference championship. In 2014, the Hilltoppers joined Conference USA following conference realignment.

Street & Smith's publication "100 Greatest Programs", ranked WKU #31. WKU has had 30 All Americans and 56 Hilltoppers have played professionally following their collegiate careers.[5]

Conference affiliation history

Postseason

WKU has appeared in 39 national postseason tournaments and in four national final fours. The school currently has a policy of only accepting invitations to the NCAA or NIT tournaments, which precludes participation in other tournaments such as the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament and College Basketball Invitational.[6]

NCAA tournament results

The Hilltoppers have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 23 times. Their combined record is 19–24. Their appearance in the 1971 NCAA Tournament and third place finish were later vacated by the NCAA due to a player, Jim McDaniels, having signed a professional contract and accepted money during the season.[7]

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1940Elite EightDuquesneL 29–30
1960First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		Miami (FL)
Ohio State
Ohio		W 107–84
L 79–98
W 97–87
1962First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		Detroit
Ohio State
Butler		W 90–81
L 73–93
L 86–87
1966First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game		Loyola (IL)
Michigan
Dayton		W 105–86
L 79–80
W 82–62
1967First RoundDaytonL 67–69 OT
1970First RoundJacksonvilleL 96–109
1971*First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd Place Game		Jacksonville
Kentucky
Ohio State
Villanova
Kansas		W 74–72
W 107–83
W 81–78 OT
L 89–92 2OT
W 77–75
1976First RoundMarquetteL 60–79
1978First Round
Sweet Sixteen		Syracuse
Michigan State		W 87–86 OT
L 69–90
1980No. 10First RoundNo. 7 Virginia TechL 85–89 OT
1981No. 10First RoundNo. 7 UABL 68–93
1986No. 8First Round
Second Round		No. 9 Nebraska
No. 1 Kentucky		W 67–59
L 64–71
1987No. 10First Round
Second Round		No. 7 West Virginia
No. 2 Syracuse		W 64–62
L 86–104
1993No. 7First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		No. 10 Memphis
No. 2 Seton Hall
No. 3 Florida State		W 55–52
W 72–68
L 78–81 OT
1994No. 11First RoundNo. 6 TexasL 77–91
1995No. 8First Round
Second Round		No. 9 Michigan
No. 1 Kansas		W 82–76 OT
L 70–75
2001No. 14First RoundNo. 3 FloridaL 56–69
2002No. 9First RoundNo. 8 StanfordL 68–84
2003No. 13First RoundNo. 4 IllinoisL 60–65
2008No. 12First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		No. 5 Drake
No. 13 San Diego
No. 1 UCLA		W 101–99 OT
W 72–63
L 78–88
2009No. 12First Round
Second Round		No. 5 Illinois
No. 4 Gonzaga		W 76–72
L 81–83
2012No. 16First Four
First Round		No. 16 Mississippi Valley State
No. 1 Kentucky		W 59–58
L 66–81
2013No. 16First RoundNo. 1 KansasL 57–64

* Vacated by the NCAA

NIT results

The Hilltoppers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 14 times. When the NIT started, it was considered the premiere national college basketball tournament and remained on par with the NCAA Tournament through the mid 1950s, until the NCAA began giving automatic bids to conference champions in 1956.[8] Western Kentucky's first eight appearances occurred during this early period, including their 2nd place finish in 1942, 3rd place in 1948, and 4th place in 1954. WKU made the NIT Final Four in 2018. [9] Their combined record is 12–15.

Year Round Opponent Result
1942Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		CCNY
Creighton
West Virginia		W 49–46
W 49–36
L 45–47
1943QuarterfinalsFordhamL 58–60
1948Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		La Salle
Saint Louis
DePaul		W 68–61
L 53–60
W 61–59
1949QuarterfinalsBradleyL 86–95
1950First Round
Quarterfinals		Niagara
St. John's		W 79–72
L 46–65
1952First Round
Quarterfinals		Louisville
St. Bonaventure		W 62–59
L 69–70
1953QuarterfinalsDuquesneL 61–69
1954Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		Bowling Green
Holy Cross
Niagara		W 95–81
L 69–75
L 65-71
1965First Round
Quarterfinals		Fordham
Army		W 57–53
L 54–58
1982First RoundPurdueL 65–72
1992First RoundKansas StateL 74–85
2005Opening Round
First Round		Kent State
Wichita State		W 88–80
L 81–84
2006First RoundSouth CarolinaL 55–74
2018First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		Boston College
USC
Oklahoma State
Utah		W 79–62
W 79–75
W 92–84
L 64–69

Other tournament results

In 1936 Western Kentucky was invited to the National Olympic Playoffs representing the South. They played two games against the Southwest representative, Arkansas, in Little Rock, AK, losing both games by scores of 36-43 and 30-38. [10]

The Hilltoppers were scheduled to appear in the 1938 National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament;[11] however, the team was unable to make the trip and withdrew from the tournament.[12] The NAIA lists the game as a forfeit, but Western Kentucky does not recognize the contest as part of their official record.[13]

The Hilltoppers appeared in the 1951 National Campus Basketball Tournament where they were defeated by Bradley 71-75 in the first round.[14]

Milestones
Date Milestone Opponent Result (Won/Loss)
1914–1915First winBethel (Ky.)38–21 (W)
1/28/1932100th winBirmingham Southern37–25 (W)
12/5/1949500th winKentucky Wesleyan89–45 (W)
2/19/19771,000th winMurray State82–81 (W)
2/5/20051,500th winArkansas State76–72 (W)
2/6/1943500th gameLaSalle52–44 (W)
12/6/19601,000th gameLamar74–71 (W)
1/25/19972,000th gameNew Orleans70–66 (L)

E.A. Diddle Arena
E.A. Diddle Arena

The E.A. Diddle Arena is a 7,326-seat multi-purpose arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. The arena, built in 1963 is named after legendary WKU men's coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Edgar "E.A." Diddle.

Current coaching staff
  • Rick Stansbury - Head Coach
  • Mark Hsu - Assistant Coach
  • Nakita Johnson - Assistant Coach
  • Talvis Franklin - Director of Basketball Operations
  • Bob Hubbard - Academic Coordinator
  • Martin Cross - Associate Director of Basketball Operations
  • Erien Watson - Program Manager

All-Americans
Year Name Position Notes
1938Red McCrocklinCenter(Chuck Taylor)
1940Carlisle ToweryCenter(Chuck Taylor)
1941Carlisle ToweryCenter(Chuck Taylor)
1943Oran McKinneyCenter(Helms Foundation)
1948Dee GibsonGuard(Associated Press***)
1948Don RayForward(Helms Foundation*)
1948Odie SpearsForward(Associated Press***)
1949Bob LavoyCenter(Associated Press***)
1949John OldhamGuard(United Press**, Associated Press***)
1950Buddy CateForward(Associated Press***)
1950Bob LavoyCenter(Chuck Taylor*, Associated Press***)
1953Tom MarshallForward(Look Magazine**, Associated Press***)
1953Art SpoelstraCenter(Associated Press***)
1954Tom MarshallForward(Associated Press*, United Press*, Look Magazine*)
1958Ralph CrosthwaiteCenter
1962Bobby RascoeGuard
1964Darel CarrierGuard(Helms Foundation)
1965Clem HaskinsForward(Associated Press***, United Press***)
1966Clem HaskinsForward(Associated Press, United Press, Converse*)
1967Clem HaskinsForward(USBWA, Associated Press,United Press,Helms Foundation, NABC*)
1969Jim McDanielsCenter(Helms Foundation, Associated Press***, United Press***, Converse***)
1970Jim McDanielsCenter(Helms Foundation, Associated Press***, United Press***, Converse*)
1971Jim McDanielsCenter(NABC, USBWA, Associated Press, Sporting News, United Press, NBA)
1976Johnny BrittGuard(Associated Press***)
1984Kannard JohnsonForward(Sporting News All-Freshman)
1987Tellis FrankForward(Associated Press***, Sporting News***)
1989Brett McNealGuard(Associated Press***, Basketball Times***)
1993Darnell MeeGuard(Associated Press***)
1996Chris RobinsonForward-Guard(Basketball Weekly***)
2001Chris MarcusCenter(Associated Press***, Lindy's Basketball Annual)[15]
2002Chris MarcusCenter(Associated Press***, Basketball America***)
2004Mike WellsGuard(Associated Press***)
2006Anthony WinchesterGuard(Associated Press***)
2008Courtney LeeGuard(Associated Press***,The NBA Draft Report**, Basketball Times**)
2009Orlando Mendez-ValdezGuard(Associated Press***)
*Second team – **Third team – ***Honorable mention

[16]

Retired jerseys

The first jerseys retired in honor of Hilltopper basketball greats were hung in E.A. Diddle Arena during the 1999–2000 season. Also even though the jerseys are retired current and future players can and do use the numbers of the players whose jerseys are retired.

Jim McDaniels
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers retired jerseys
No. Player Years
22Clem Haskins1964–1967
32Courtney Lee2004–2008
35Darel Carrier1961–1964
41Tom Marshall1951–1954
42John Oldham1942–1943; 1947–1949
42Carlisle Towery1938–1941
44Jim McDaniels1968–1971
45Bobby Rascoe1959–1962
—E. A. DiddleCoach, 1922–1964
—Wes StraderRadio voice

Season-by-season results
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
J.L. Arthur (Independent) (1914–1916)
1914–15 Western Kentucky State Normal School 5–1
1915–16 WKS 2–1
J.L.Arthur: 7–2 (.875)
No Team (World War I) (1916–1921)
L.T. Smith (Independent) (1921–1922)
1921–22 Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College 3–1
L.T.Smith: 3–1 (.750)
E. A. Diddle (Independent) (1922–1926)
1922–23 WKS 12–2
1923–24 WKS 9–9
1924–25 WKS 8–6
1925–26 WKS 10–4
E. A. Diddle (Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1926–1948)
1926–27 WKS 12–7
1927–28 WKS 10–7
1928–29 WKS 8–10
1929–30 WKS 4–12
1930–31 WKS 11–3
1931–32 WKS 15–81st KIAC
1932–33 WKS 16–61st KIAC
1933–34 WKS 28–81st KIAC 1st SIAA
1934–35 WKS 24–31st KIAC
1935–36 WKS 26–41st KIACNational Olympic Playoffs
1936–37 WKS 21–21st KIAC 1st SIAA
1937–38 WKS 30–31st KIAC 1st SIAANIBT * (withdrew / forfeit)
1938–39 WKS 22–31st KIAC 1st SIAA
1939–40 WKS 24–61st KIAC 1st SIAANCAA Elite 8
1940–41 WKS 22–41st SIAA
1941–42 WKS 29–51st KIAC 1st SIAANIT Runner Up
1942–43 WKS 24–31st KIACNIT Quarterfinals
1943–44 WKS 13–9
1944–45 WKS 17–10
1945–46 WKS 15–19
1946–47 WKS 25–41st KIAC 1st SIAA
1947–48 Western Kentucky State College 28–21st KIAC
NCAA Annual Team Champions[17]		NIT 3rd place
E. A. Diddle (Ohio Valley Conference) (1948–1964)
1948–49 WKSC 25–48–21stNIT Quarterfinals
1949–50 WKSC 25–68–01stNIT Quarterfinals
1950–51 WKSC 19–104–44thNCBT 1st Round
1951–52 WKSC 26–511–11stNIT Quarterfinals
1952–53 WKSC 25–68–22ndNIT Quarterfinals
1953–54 WKSC 29–39–11stNIT 4th Place
1954–55 WKSC 18–108–21st
1955–56 WKSC 16–127–3T–1st
1956–57 WKSC 17–99–1T–1st
1957–58 WKSC 14–115–53rd
1958–59 WKSC 16–108–42nd
1959–60 WKSC 21–710–21stNCAA Sweet Sixteen
1960–61 WKSC 18–89–3T–1st
1961–62 WKSC 17–1011–11stNCAA Sweet Sixteen
1962–63 WKSC 5–163–97th
1963–64 WKSC 5–163–118th
E. A. Diddle: 759–302 (.715)121–51
John Oldham (Ohio Valley Conference) (1964–1971)
1964–65 WKSC 18–910–42ndNIT Quarterfinals
1965–66 Western Kentucky University 25–314–01stNCAA Sweet Sixteen
1966–67 WKU 23–313–11stNCAA Round of 23
1967–68 WKU 18–79–53rd
1968–69 WKU 16–109–53rd
1969–70 WKU 22–314–01stNCAA Round of 25
1970–71 WKU 24–612–21stNCAA Final Four * (Vacated)
John Oldham: 142–40 (.780)81–17
Jim Richards (Ohio Valley Conference) (1971–1978)
1971–72 WKU 15–119–5T–1st
1972–73 WKU 10–166–86th (NCAA Probation)
1973–74 WKU 15–108–64th (NCAA Probation)
1974–75 WKU 16–811–32nd (NCAA Probation)
1975–76 WKU 20–911–31stNCAA Round of 32
1976–77 WKU 10–166–8T–5th
1977–78 WKU 16–149–5T–3rdNCAA Sweet Sixteen
Jim Richards: 102–84 (.548)60–38
Gene Keady (Ohio Valley Conference) (1978–1980)
1978–79 WKU 17–117–5T–2nd
1979–80 WKU 21–810–2T–1stNCAA Round of 48
Gene Keady: 38–19 (.667)17–7
Clem Haskins (Ohio Valley Conference) (1980–1982)
1980–81 WKU 21–812–21stNCAA Round of 48
1981–82 WKU 19–1013–3T–1stNIT 1st Round
Clem Haskins (Sun Belt Conference) (1982–1986)
1982–83 WKU 12–164–107th
1983–84 WKU 12–175–96th
1984–85 WKU 14–145–97th
1985–86 WKU 23–810–42ndNCAA Round of 32
Clem Haskins: 101–73 (.580)49–37
Murray Arnold (Sun Belt Conference) (1986–1990)
1986–87 WKU 29–912–21stNCAA Round of 32
1987–88 WKU 15–136–86th
1988–89 WKU 14–154–107th
1989–90 WKU 13–177–7T–3rd
Murray Arnold: 71–54 (.568)29–27
Ralph Willard (Sun Belt Conference) (1990–1994)
1990–91 WKU 14–148–6T–3rd
1991–92 WKU 21–1110–64thNIT 1st Round
1992–93 WKU 26–614–42ndNCAA Sweet Sixteen
1993–94 WKU 20–1114–41stNCAA Round of 64
Ralph Willard: 81–42 (.667)46–20
Matt Kilcullen (Sun Belt Conference) (1994–1998)
1994–95 WKU 27–417–11stNCAA Round of 32
1995–96 WKU 13–1410–8T–3rd
1996–97 WKU 12–159–9T–6th
1997–98 WKU 10–196–12T–8th(Ron Brown and Al Seibert named Co-head Coach after 23 games)
Ron Brown and Al Seibert (Co. head coaches last 6 games in 1997–98 season) (3–3)
Matt Kilcullen: 59–49 (.546)42–30
Ron Brown and Al Seibert: 3–3 (.500)
Dennis Felton (Sun Belt Conference) (1998–2003)
1998–99 WKU 13–167–7T–3rd
1999–00 WKU 11–188–85th
2000–01 WKU 24–714–21st (East) NCAA Round of 64
2001–02 WKU 28–413–11st (East) NCAA Round of 64
2002–03 WKU 24–912–21st (East) NCAA Round of 64
Dennis Felton: 100–54 (.649)54–20
Darrin Horn (Sun Belt Conference) (2003–2008)
2003–04 WKU 15–138–65th
2004–05 WKU 22–99–52nd (East) NIT 2nd Round
2005–06 WKU 23–812–21st (East) NIT 1st Round
2006–07 WKU 22–1112–62nd (East)
2007–08 WKU 29–716–2T–1st (East) NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Darrin Horn: 111–48 (.698)57–21
Ken McDonald (Sun Belt Conference) (2008–2012)
2008–09 WKU 25–815–31st (East)NCAA Round of 32
2009–10 WKU 21–1312–63rd (East)
2010–11 WKU 16–168–83rd (East)
2011–12 WKU 5–111–2–(Ray Harper promoted to Head Coach after 16 games)
Ken McDonald: 67–48 (.583)36–19
Ray Harper (Sun Belt Conference) (2012–2014)
2011–12 WKU 11–810–7T–3rd (East)NCAA Round of 64
2012–13 WKU 20–1610–104th (East)NCAA Round of 64
2013–14 WKU 21–1112–62nd
Ray Harper (Conference USA) (2014–2016)
2014–15 WKU 20–1212–64th
2015–16 WKU 18–168–108th
Ray Harper: 90–63 (.588)42–34
Rick Stansbury (Conference USA) (2016–present)
2016–17 WKU 15–179–98th
2017–18 WKU 27–1114–43rdNIT Final Four
2018–19 WKU 20–1411–72nd
2019–20 WKU 20–1013–52ndTournaments cancelled
2020–21 WKU 13–46-2
Rick Stansbury: 95–56 (.622)53–27
Total:1815–928 (.661)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

[18][19] [20]

BOLD indicates lead the NCAA in victories.[21]
NCBT – National Campus Basketball Tournament[22]
NIBT – National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament[23]
NIT – National Invitation Tournament
NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association

See also

References
  1. WKU Colors (PDF). WKU Communication & Branding Manual. August 21, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  2. "Sun Belt All-Time Standings" (PDF). 2011–12 Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Media Guide. Sun Belt Conference. pp. 93–95. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2012-03-06.
  3. http://www.wkusports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/032816aac.html
  4. "NCAA All Time Winningest Teams at ncaa.org" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-08-12.
  5. 100 Greatest College Basketball Programs of All Time. Smith & Street. January 25, 2005.
  6. "HILLTOPPER FOCUS: WKU would not accept bid to CBI, CIT". Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  7. Pratt, Elliott. "Standing Alone: WKU's 1971 Final Four team remains in a league of its own". College Heights Herald. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  8. Miller, Ralph (1990). "Ralph Miller: Spanning the Game." Sagamore Publishing LLC. p. 56. ISBN 0915611384. "Had the Aggies lost one, we would have been forced to have a playoff, and that was the problem. We had already accepted a bid to play in the [1954] National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The tournament picture was much different then. There was no announcement of NIT teams following the selection of the NCAA field as exists today. The reason was that the NIT was still considered a premier tournament."
  9. https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2018-03-27/nit-bracket-2018-scores-times-printable-pdf-years-tournament
  10. https://wkusports.com/documents/2019/10/7/2019_20_WKU_Hilltopper_Basketball_Media_Guide.pdf
  11. NAIA Through the Decades, NAIA.org retrieved May 20, 2020
  12. The Historical NAIA Tournament VSN (admin) Published Wednesday, July 04, 2018, retrieved May 20, 2020
  13. Ruby, Earl (1979). Red Towel Territory : A History of Athletics at Western Kentucky University. American National Bank and Trust Co.
  14. http://www.luckyshow.org/basketball/campustourney.htm
  15. Marcus honored by publication, WKU center lands on All-America team, By Justin Willis, Bowling Green Daily News, Aug 3, 2001 retrieved 27 April 2020
  16. 2011–12 WKU media guide
  17. 2011 NCAA Division I Basketball Records, retrieved 30 April 2020
  18. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2012/DI.pdf
  19. "College Basketball - Standings - Rivals.com". Rivals.yahoo.com. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
  20. https://admin.xosn.com/fls/5400//Misc%20Files/Copy%20of%202011-12%20WKU%20Men%27s%20Basketball%20Media%20Information%20Guide.pdf?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID= 5400
  21. E. A. Diddle CBB Records, Sports Reference, retrieved October 6, 2018
  22. National Campus Basketball Tournament, retrieved May 20, 2020
  23. NAIA Through the Decades, NAIA.org retrieved May 20, 2020
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