When Does Wku Play Again in the Nit Tournament
In Western Kentucky'due south 69-67 Wednesday win over Saint Mary's in the beginning circular of the NIT, the Hilltoppers played inspired basketball.
However, the three days leading into this game were a different story. WKU was a squad with dueling emotions. The euphoria of winning in the tournament was mixed with the lingering frustrations about missing out on the tournament they'd focused on all flavor – the NCAA Tournament.
That dream was ripped away by North Texas in the Conference Us championship over the weekend when the Hilltoppers collapsed down the stretch against North Texas. That North Texas team was awarded a No. xiii seed and will face No. 4 seed Purdue Friday at 7:25 p.m. in the first circular of the NCAA Tournament. Had Western Kentucky held on against the Hateful Green, information technology would probable be the 1 holding that spot in the Big Trip the light fantastic toe.
Looking back at the win:Western Kentucky survives Saint Mary's to accelerate to the second round of the NIT
And Western Kentucky autobus Rick Stansbury knew that thought still lingered in the back of his players' minds, fifty-fifty as fourth dimension to tip off against Saint Mary's drew near.
"This first game was ane of the most challenging things these players volition e'er exist able to take to get off that mat in their lives nigh," Stansbury said. "To be able to come out and respond – they were pushed and challenged similar no other young men, only because their hearts and souls had been in this program and the way we lost that last game."
A heavy favorite to represent C-United states in the NCAA Tournament and a team that was in the discussion throughout the yr to play spoiler in the Big Trip the light fantastic instead walked off the courtroom in tears after the 61-57 overtime loss to the Mean Green.
The NIT invite still afforded Stansbury'due south bunch the risk to participate in March Madness, and with that thought, they huddled together after the rough weekend and had one message.
"Let's do this one last time," Luke Frampton said. "We have one last opportunity to come out and play."
From the tournament:Western Kentucky collapses in Conference USA championship, hopes of NCAA Tournament likely dashed
WKU showed plenty of resiliency in the opening game with the Gaels. Despite trailing early, it managed to take the lead in the first half and survived St. Mary's belatedly button where the Gaels took a two-point lead with 46 seconds to go. The Hilltoppers closed the game strong with a dunk by Charles Bassey, and 2 of Taveion Hollingsworth'due south game-loftier 21 points came at the costless throw line with 3 seconds to play which led to the win.
"Focus," Hollingsworth said is the key moving forrad. "We got the first 1 out the mode, and now you lot tin can't brand excuses for the next one.
"I'm glad the guys got over the pain and the hurt that nosotros were feeling all weekend, all calendar week. Pretty happy for them guys. They go to see nosotros're fixing to brand a run in this."
Surviving the commencement game was more than about mental toughness, Stansbury said, and now the team heads domicile to Bowling Green to rest until it has to render to Texas for its March 25 game against the winner of Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech.
It's not the NCAA Tournament, only the Hilltoppers feel there'south still plenty to play for.
"We're still competing for a national title," Stansbury said. "We knew what happened three years agone. Nosotros look back on that i at Madison Square Garden and that was a one possession game to getting to the championship game there. (Utah) hit a big three late on u.s. to take the lead.
"At that place's a lot of players and a lot of coaches who would still like to be in this situation, and anybody you play now takes on a lot more meaning. Merely this outset one was the biggest ane."
Reach Dominique Yates. Twitter: @RealDYates. Electronic mail: dyates@courierjournal.com.
Source: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2021/03/19/2021-nit-wku-basketball-national-invitational-tournament/4748416001/
0 Response to "When Does Wku Play Again in the Nit Tournament"
Postar um comentário