Redemption AwaitsRedemption Awaits We have known for awhile that the Hilltoppers were not in the running for an NCAA at-large bid. In fact, some argue that this knowledge deflated the team’s hopes and has contributed to their late-season slump. But, none of that matters much now. The Tops have two games that they should win this week (Kentucky Wesleyan tonight and Florida International on Saturday), and then they can shift their focus to the Sun Belt Tournament in Lafayette, Louisiana, March 4-6. The FIU game on Saturday is still important, because WKU could lose its bye in the conference tourney if the Tops were to slip. Essentially, the post-season starts right now. Basketball coaches and analysts speak of three mini-seasons within the larger season: non-conference games, conference games, and post-season. Before conference play started, one would have to view the Toppers season as successful. The road win at Georgia and wins over UAB and at Montana offset expected losses to Florida and at Tennessee. The Nebraska loss was tough, but the Huskers have been good at home and the Tops were pretty banged up in that one. The home loss to Southern Illinois was painful, but does not look so bad now as the Salukis are charging toward the Missouri Valley Championship and a lofty seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Sun Belt conference season (the second mini-season) would have to be classified as disappointing. As preseason favorites, the Toppers are still likely to have the second best league record, but six losses seemed almost unthinkable when the Belt games began. The loss of Benson Callier and the defensive struggles have left fans and hoops aficionados puzzled. But, one of the great themes of college basketball is the theme of redemption. Last season, the Florida Gators lost six SEC games in a mid-season slump before righting the ship and tearing through the NCAA Tourney to a national title. A team just north of here has played lackluster basketball all season, but now sits in third place in the Big East and heading for a solid bracket appearance. The Tops have wandered away from home and squandered their early season wealth, but salvation is still available. Hope rests in the final leg for our Toppers: the post-season. South Alabama is the favorite heading into the conference tournament, but they were dismantled in the second half against lowly FIU on Sunday. While the Jags are certainly still the favorite, the tournament is wide open. Few would be surprised to see Arkansas State, North Texas, or WKU walk away with the crown. FAU has been playing well lately, too. A good finish by the Toppers this week will have them set up for their primary goal since October 15: get to the NCAA Tournament. If that occurs, a multitude of sins will be washed away in the glory of a 65-team congregation. The bracket is wide open, WKU controls its own destiny for a bye, and they have as much talent as any Sun Belt team. But, they have to close strong to secure their bye and ensure a path of lesser resistance. Closing strong means firmly handling Kentucky Wesleyan tonight and dispatching FIU to claim their bye and return to the straight and narrow on Saturday. Most Popular |
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