WKU Athletic Communications Assistant Jeremy Brown will be updating this blog detailing some behind-the-scenes aspects of WKU's trip to the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Saturday, March 23: 3:15 PM
The WKU basketball team arrived back in Bowling Green to the greeting of Hilltopper fans at the airport. It's been a fun couple of weeks for the team, winning the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Hot Springs, Ark. and battling top-seeded Kansas toe-to-toe in the NCAA Tournament. WKU appreciates the vast amount of fan support received all season and is already looking forward to the 2013-14 season! As head coach Ray Harper said after the game last night, "Next year is going to be fun."
Friday, March 22: 11:15 PM
A back-and-forth battle between WKU and Kansas ended up going the Jayhawks way as the Hilltoppers fell 64-57. WKU held the lead from the 9:22 marker in the first half until the 17:55 marker in the second half and never trailed by more than six points until the final five minutes of the game. Four Hilltoppers hit double figures, including senior Jamal Crook who played in his last collegiate game. Crook ended the night with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Sophomores T.J. Price and George Fant also hit double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively. WKU connected on more field goals, outrebounded and turned the ball over less than the Jayhawks, but Kansas' 12-point advantage at the free throw line proved to be insurmountable. WKU became the first Kansas opponent in 200 games to hold the Jayhawks without a three-point field goal. After the game was over head coach Ray Harper told his team how proud he was of them and that they showed the whole country what WKU basketball was all about. WKU finished the season 20-16 with its second-straight Sun Belt Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Here are a few snapshots from the game.
Friday, March 22: 10:05 PM
WKU played a great first half of basketball, dictating the pace of the game and heading into the locker room at halftime with a 31-30 lead over No.1 seed Kansas. Freshman Alex Rostov led all scorers in the opening frame with nine points on 4-of-4 shooting. The Sprint Center was full of nervous Jayhawks fans who didn't expect the Hilltoppers to be causing them so many problems. Here's a look at the first half box score.
Friday, March 22: 9:00 PM
Game time! After an exciting day of games in the Sprint Center it was finally time for WKU and Kansas to cap a full day of hoops. The Hilltoppers circled around T.J. Price for their pre-game ritual and were ready to take on No.1 seed Kansas in front of 18,488 fans.
Friday, March 22: 1:15 PM
WKU ventured over to the UMKC basketball facility for a pre-game shootaround. The mood is optimistic around the Hilltopper players and fans in Kansas City. No.12 seed Ole Miss already upset No.5 seed Wisconsin in the Sprint Center and No.13 seed LaSalle has controlled the majority of its game versus No.4 seed Kansas State so far. Hopefully the lower seed trend continues tonight at 8:50 (CT) as WKU looks to make NCAA history with a win over No.1 seed Kansas!
Thursday, March 21: 6:00-7:00 PM
The spotlight was soley on WKU for an hour at the Sprint Center as the Hilltoppers held a practice open to the public and were made avaialble to dozens of media outlets from around the midwest. Sophomore forward George Fant received the opportunity to be interviewed by TNT's Craig Sager, the courtside reporter for tomorrow's game. Sager's segment with Fant can be seen during TNT's broadcast tomorrow during the game. The Hilltoppers were bombarded with cameras and questions from loads of media as you can see below. WKU is loose, confident and had a great time entertaining fans and media this evening. As pictured below you can see the Hilltopper locker room anxiously watching No.16 seed Southern go toe-to-toe with No.1 seed Gonzaga in the West Region. Gonzaga hung on for the victory, giving WKU a chance to make more history by becoming the first No.16 seed to advance to the round of 32. During practice WKU Basketball's Sports Information Director Michael Schroeder, Director of Athletic Communications, briefed TNT play-by-play legend Marv Albert and analyst Steve Kerr. Kerr was on the call as an analyst during WKU's historic comeback over Mississippi Valley State at last year's NCAA Tournament. Here are a few pictures capturing all the evening's festivities!
Thursday, March 21: 12:15 PM
The Hilltoppers practiced for the first time since arriving in Kansas City, utilizing the basketball facilities of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. WKU is trying to become the first No.16 seed in NCAA history to beat a No.1 seed. This Hilltopper bunch is no stranger to making NCAA history, however, as they have set a pair of NCAA records in the last 12 months. In the 2012 NCAA Tournament, WKU erased a 16-point deficit with under five minutes to play against Mississippi Valley State, marking the largest comeback in tournament history with under five minutes to go. By winning the 2013 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship, the Hilltoppers became the first team in NCAA history to win back-to-back conference tournaments by winning four games in four days. WKU will be tasked with stopping the Jayhawks' All-American duo of Ben McLemore and Jeff Withey, but if anyone knows how to pull off the improbable in March, its the Hilltoppers' head coach Ray Harper.
Thursday, March 21: 10:00 AM
The WKU Athletic Media Relations team arrived at the Sprint Center for the Sports Information Directors meeting between all the teams playing their NCAA Tournament games in Kansas City, Mo. The SIDs were briefed on CBS/Turner Sports plans for today's media day and tomorrow's games. Here's a look at the Sprint Center court where WKU will take on No.1 Kansas tomorrow night.
Wednesday, March 20: 6:30 PM
The Hilltoppers enjoyed some fine dining at Jack Stack Barbecue in downtown Kansas City. From full racks of ribs to Jack Stack's famous burnt ends, no stomach left the building unsatisfied. The WKU players enjoyed their time together, head coach Ray Harper picked up some new fans and the managers had fun with a giant bull!
Wednesday, March 20: 3:15 PM
WKU arrived at the Embassy Suites in downtown Kansas City. Embassy Suites has been friendly to the Hilltoppers the past two seasons, as it housed the team during each of its last two Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championships in Hot Springs, Ark. The hotel staff greeted us graciously with this WKU colored balloon arch!
Wednesday, March 20: 12:30 PM
The Hilltoppers departed Bowling Green Airport for Kansas City, Mo., where they will take on No.1 seed Kansas Friday evening on TNT. WKU's spirits are high as the team is heading back to the NCAA Tournament for a second-straight year. As you can see junior Kene Anyigbo and sophomores George Fant and T.J. Price aren't camera shy!
