The three-time reining conference champs will once again open the season with a bull’s-eye on their backs, nothing new for the Hilltoppers. A lot has happened in the off-season for Western. Coach Dennis Felton left for his “dream job” at Georgia, Chris Marcus finally has graduated, and Patrick Sparks, 2003 first team all Sun Belt and 2003 conference tournament Most Outstanding Player transferred to intrastate rival, the University of Kentucky. Seniors David Boyden, Filip Videnov, and Nate Williams graduate, leaving only one starter from last year’s team.
Sounds like a rebuilding year for the Hilltoppers. Maybe, but maybe not. Enter first year coach Darren Horn. Horn, a former Hilltopper himself knows about success at Western. As a player helped guide the Hilltoppers to the Sweet 16 in 1993 (incidentally, this is the last time a SBC team has won in the NCAA tournament.) Horn, an assistant under Tom Crean at Marquette (a former assistant at WKU) will bring back the run and gun offense that the Hilltoppers were long-time famous for. Patrick Sparks gone? Enter JUCO point guard transfer Antonio Haynes. Check out these amazing numbers from his sophomore year at Georiga Perimeter: 93.5% from the free-throw line, 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 14.6 assists, and 7 steals. Patrick who? Enter Todor Pandov. Todor tore his ACL in the season opener last year against Arizona. Todor, a senior, was set to have a breakout year for the Hilltoppers before going down. Enter senior transfer Nigel Dixon from Florida State. While sitting out a year, Nigel has trimmed and toned, the former “Big Jelly” is now “Big Firm.” At 6’11” 320 Lbs he will fill the void left by Chris Marcus. In the first exhibition game, Dixon scored 18 with 10 rebounds, in 24 minutes! Pretty good for his first outing. The Hilltoppers open the season with a tough non-conference schedule with Auburn, Mississippi State, and Louisville. It could be a rough, slow start for the Hilltoppers, but if the team buys into the new system they should be gelled by conference play and more then ready to defend their ownership of the Sun Belt.
STRENGTHS:
Mike Wells: Sun Belt Defensive player of the year enters his senior year.
Todor Pandov: He is hungry to play, after sitting out a year, this is his last year to impress the NBA scouts.
Nigel Dixon: He came to WKU because FSU wouldn't let him redshirt a year and shape up and slim down. He came to WKU to get in shape and impress the scouts.
Home Court Adv: WKU has the nations longest home winning streak at 39 games. The renovations are done and Diddle Arena is once again one of the premier on-campus basketball arenas. Oh, and did I mention the Sun Belt tournament is in Bowling Green?
WEAKNESS:
New Coach: Coach Horn is entering his FIRST year as head coach. WKU is short an assistant and lots of experience on the bench. However, rumors are former WKU Lady Topper coach Paul Sanderford will be helping on the bench. Sanderford took the Lady Toppers to three NCAA Final Fours, with one runner up.
New System: Felton played a half court game. Horn is installing a full court up tempo style game. Getting everyone on board will take some time.
Bench: The starting line up looks solid, but beyond that their are some questions. WKU certainly has the talent, but some players have yet to show their stuff.
Starting Line Up
Todor Pandov
Nigel Dixon
Anthony Winchester
Mike Wells
Danny Rump
WKU Center, NIGEL DIXON
Western Kentucky Preview
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