BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU's annual tip-off event for Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball, Hilltopper Hysteria, is set to take place Thursday, Oct. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. CT at E.A. Diddle Arena.
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Both programs will be introduced and will go through scrimmages on John Oldham Court, but in a change from years past, the men's team will instead go through a full, game-length open scrimmage in front of the Hysteria crowd.
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Parking and admission are free for the event. Med Center Health is the presenting sponsor of the 2019-20 Hilltopper Basketball season, and Hilltop Club is an associate sponsor of Hilltopper Hysteria.
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The Hilltoppers have traditionally hosted a full scrimmage open to the public over Homecoming weekend following Hysteria, but will instead integrate that more detailed annual look at the team into the Hysteria event.
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In addition to both teams' introductions and scrimmages, there will be contests and promotions on the court during breaks in the action. An autograph session on the court will conclude the evening.
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Hilltopper Hysteria will once again be a ticketed event this season, although it remains free admission. Season ticket holders for men's basketball will have first priority to ensure their season ticket seat locations for Hysteria, but must do so by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.
After that, women's basketball season ticket holders will have priority to secure remaining seats for Hysteria from Monday, Oct 7 through Wednesday, Oct. 9. Starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 through the time of the event, seats will be available to the general public.
To reserve your season ticket seats, call 1-800-5-BIGRED, text your name to 1-800-524-4733 or email tickets@wku.edu.
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The Hilltoppers are 7-3 against the Power Five over the last two seasons and have won 47 total games over that span. They return four starters from a 2018-19 squad that won 20 games and advanced to the Conference USA championship game for the second straight year. WKU ranks third in NCAA history in regular-season league titles (42), seventh in 20-win seasons (45), eighth in all-time winning percentage (.660) and 16th in all-time wins (1,795).
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The Tops face Kentucky State in an exhibition on Nov. 2 before opening the regular season at home against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 5.
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Lady Topper Basketball is entering its second season under head coach Greg Collins and has an active streak of seven consecutive 20-win seasons, match the previous program record. All-C-USA selections Dee Givens and Raneem Elgedawy are set to star for a Lady Topper lineup that returns all five starters from a team that reached the third round of the Postseason WNIT a season ago.
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The Lady Toppers will meet Kentucky Wesleyan in an exhibition on Oct. 31 before beginning the regular season on the road at Louisville on Nov. 5.
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Season tickets are now available for Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball! Season tickets start as low as $160 each for the men and $45 for the women. Help us sell out Diddle Arena as limited tickets remain for this men's basketball season. Family plan tickets are available for both men's and women's basketball when purchased in groups of four or more. For more information, call 1-800-5-BIGRED or visit WKUTickets.com.
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