Every time Western Kentucky beats a Sun Belt Conference opponent in E.A. Diddle Arena, the record for the longest home court winning streak in the league gets a little more impressive.
The Hilltoppers have won 25 home conference games in a row now. The last time they lost at home is still burned into the minds of the players.
Louisiana beat WKU 86-77 on Jan. 29, 2000. When the game ended, the Ragin’ Cajuns proceeded to dance on the Toppers’ home court.
“We still remember that,” senior Nate Williams said. “That’s something I will remember as long as I am here. This may be my last chance to get some more revenge on them. That’s just more motivation to want to beat them.”
Western Kentucky plays at Louisiana on Wednesday night to see just who is the top team in the league this year. Both teams enter the game – which will be nationally televised on ESPN2 at 8:30 p.m.– with only two conference losses.
This is the third straight season both the Hilltoppers and Cajuns have been at the top of the SBC standings and that, along with UL’s impromptu dance party three years ago, has all the makings for a big-time rivalry.
“We’ve been the best team in the league and Louisiana has been right there. That makes for some strong rivalries and strong emotions,” WKU coach Dennis Felton said. “I’m sure they see it as an extremely big game.”
There’s not many games within the Sun Belt that could be classified as a grudge match, but Louisiana heads up the list.
“I would think they are our biggest rival,” Williams said. “They have a lot of tough competitors and we like to compete. Any time two teams like that meet up, it’s going to be a good game.”
To make things even more heated, WKU has eliminated Louisiana in three of the past four SBC Tournaments, including last season’s championship game.
“I suppose they have a lot of pent-up frustrations when it comes to us because they haven’t beaten us in so long, yet they’ve been a very, very good team in their conference,” Felton said. “We also ended their hopes for an NCAA Tournament last year and that only compounds the frustration.”
This is the third straight season that the Louisiana WKU game has been the Sun Belt’s lone regular-season national telecast.
But just because the game is on TV doesn’t make it such a big deal to the players.
“You gotta call Mom and the rest of the family to let them know it’s on TV,” Williams said. “But other than that, it’s just another camera.”
One thing that television does have an impact on is the number of fans that turn out.
Louisiana has been near the top of the conference in attendance all year, and will likely get its biggest crowd of the season Wednesday.
“I expect a crazed environment. They are having a great season and I know their fans have to be excited about what they are doing,” Felton said. “I think them and their fans see this as a big showdown game. I expect it to be the kind of game that you would see when it’s all or nothing.” of the family to let them know it’s on TV,” Williams said. “But other than that, it’s just another camera.”
One thing that television does have an impact on is the number of fans that turn out.
Louisiana has been near the top of the conference in attendance all year, and will likely get its biggest crowd of the season Wednesday.
“I expect a crazed environment. They are having a great season and I know their fans have to be excited about what they are doing,” Felton said. “I think them and their fans see this as a big showdown game. I expect it to be the kind of game that you would see when it’s all or nothing.”
The source of the story
By OJ Stapleton,
ojstapleton@bgdailynews.com
270-783-3239
Sun Belt shootout
Quote
Sparks ignites defensive fire for WKU
