1950–51 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers basketball | |
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NCBT Tournament, First Round | |
Conference | Ohio Valley Conference |
Record | 19–10 (4–4 OVC) |
Head coach |
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Assistant coach | Ted Hornback |
Home arena | Health & Physical Education Building |
The 1950–51 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College (now known as Western Kentucky University) during the 1950-51 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and All-Ohio Valley Conference player Rip Gish. [1] Gish also made the OVC Tournament team. The team participated in the only National Campus Basketball Tournament. [2] This was a new tournament hosted by Bradley University in response to the ongoing point shaving scandal. It was thought that hosting a tournament on a campus site would reduce the opportunity for such scandals. [3]
Date time, TV | Opponent | Result | Record | Site city, state | |||||||
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Regular Season | |||||||||||
11/30/1950* | Southeastern Louisiana | W 73–59 | 1–0 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
12/5/1950* | Georgetown (KY) | W 93–44 | 2–0 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
12/9/1950* | at Cincinnati | L 45–70 | 2–1 | Cincinnati Gardens Cincinnati, OH | |||||||
12/12/1950* | West Texas State | W 74–46 | 3–1 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
12/14/1950* | Tampa | W 103–70 | 4–1 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
12/16/1950* | High Point | W 77–64 | 5–1 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
12/18/1950 | at Morehead State | L 63–70 | 5–2 (0-1) | Button Auditorium Morehead, KY | |||||||
12/26/1950* | at No. 16 La Salle | W 73–63 | 6–2 | Wister Hall Philadelphia, PA | |||||||
12/28/1950* | vs. No. 4 Long Island | L 70–77 | 6–3 | Madison Square Garden New York, NY | |||||||
12/30/1950* | vs. St. Bonaventure | L 57–62 | 6–4 | Memorial Auditorium Buffalo, NY | |||||||
1/8/1951* | Xavier | W 79–62 | 7–4 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
1/10/1951 | vs. Evansville | W 75–63 | 8–4 (1-1) | Owensboro Sportscenter Owensboro, KY | |||||||
1/13/1951 | Murray State | W 65–56 | 9–4 (2-1) | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
1/16/1951* | Miami | W 89–47 | 10–4 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
1/18/1951 | at Evansville | L 46–77 | 10–5 (2-2) | Evansville, IN | |||||||
1/20/1951* | vs. Bowling Green State | W 69–68 | 11–5 | Owensboro Sportscenter Owensboro, KY | |||||||
1/26/1951* | at Miami | W 68–64 | 12–5 | Miami, FL | |||||||
1/27/1951* | at Tampa | W 67–64 | 13–5 | Tampa, FL | |||||||
2/3/1951 | at Eastern Kentucky | L 70–84 | 13–6 (2-3) | Weaver Gymnasium Richmond, KY | |||||||
2/8/1951* | No. 11 Cincinnati | W 75–70 | 14–6 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
2/10/1951 | at Murray State | L 70–77 | 14–7 (2-4) | Carr Health Building Murray, KY | |||||||
2/14/1951* | Kentucky Wesleyan | W 86–62 | 15–7 | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
2/17/1951 | Eastern Kentucky | W 84–80 | 16–7 (3-4) | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
2/19/1951 | Morehead State | W 95–73 | 17–7 (4-4) | Health & Phys Ed Building Bowling Green, KY | |||||||
1951 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament | |||||||||||
2/24/1951 | vs. No. 16 Murray State OVC Tournament Semifinal | L 77–78 | 17–8 | Jefferson County Armory Louisville, KY | |||||||
2/24/1951 | vs. Evansville OVC Tournament Consolation | W 72–71 | 18–8 | Jefferson County Armory Louisville, KY | |||||||
Regular Season | |||||||||||
2/28/1951* | at Xavier | L 64–67 | 18–9 | Schmidt Fieldhouse Cincinnati, OH | |||||||
3/15/1951* | vs. Bowling Green State | W 78–77 | 19–9 | Toledo, OH | |||||||
1951 National Campus Basketball Tournament | |||||||||||
3/27/1951* | at No. 6 Bradley NCBT Quarterfinal | L 71–75 | 19–10 | Robertson Memorial Field House Peoria, IL | |||||||
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. |
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier. It operates regional campuses in Glasgow, Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, and Owensboro. The main campus, which has been undergoing expansion and renovation since the 1990s, sits atop a hill overlooking the Barren River valley.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers currently compete in Conference USA. The team's most recent appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was in 2013. Steve Lutz was announced as the team's current head coach on March 18, 2023.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers are the athletic teams that represent Western Kentucky University (WKU), located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division I ranks, competing in the Conference USA (C-USA) since the 2014–15 academic year. The Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers previously competed in the Sun Belt Conference from 1982–83 to 2013–14; and in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) from 1948–49 to 1981–82.
The 2011–12 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by fourth year head coach Ken McDonald for the first 16 games of the season before he was fired and were then led by former assistant and new head coach Ray Harper for the remainder of the year. They played their home games at E. A. Diddle Arena and are members of the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They finished the season 16–19, 7–9 in Sun Belt Play to finish in a tie for third place in the East Division. The Hilltoppers were champions of the Sun Belt Basketball tournament to earn the conference's automatic bid into the 2012 NCAA tournament. It was their 22nd tournament appearance and first since 2009. WKU was also the first sub-.500 team to make the NCAA Tournament since Coppin State in 2008. They defeated Mississippi Valley State in the First Four round before falling in the second round to eventual national champion Kentucky. Derrick Gordon made the All-Conference Team; Gordon and Kahil McDonald were selected to the SBC Tournament Team, and George Fant was tournament MVP.
The 2017–18 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by head coach Rick Stansbury in his second season and played their home games at E. A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky as fourth-year members of Conference USA.
The 1981–82 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky University during the 1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by coach Clem Haskins and All-Ohio Valley Conference center Craig McCormick. In what would be their last year in the conference, WKU won the OVC championship, were OVC tournament runners-up, and received a bid to the 1982 National Invitation Tournament. Bobby Jones joined McCormick on the All-OVC Team; Jones and Kenny Ellis made the OVC Tournament Team and McCormick was tournament MVP. McCormick was selected in the NBA draft following the season.
The 1959–60 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1959-60 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle. The Hilltoppers won the Ohio Valley Conference championship, as well as the conference's automatic bid to the 1960 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, where they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. This team was very balanced, with four players being named to the All-Conference Team: Charlie Osborne, Bobby Rascoe, Al Ellison, and Don Parsons.
The 1953–54 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1953-54 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and consensus All-American, Tom Marshall. The Hilltoppers won the Ohio Valley Conference championship, and were invited to the 1954 National Invitation Tournament, where they were seeded as the number 2 team and advanced to the semifinals. For the NIT consolation game against fourth seeded Niagara, Coach Diddle looked to build experience for the next year’s team, only allowing his freshman and sophomores to play. During this period, the NIT was considered on par with the NCAA tournament. This was one of the finest teams in Western Kentucky history, they led the NCAA in wins and Marshall averaged more than 25 points and nearly 15 rebounds per game, setting school records for scoring and rebounding. Art Spoelstra, Jack Turner and Lynn Cole joined Marshall on the All-Conference and OVC Tournament teams.
The 1947–48 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State Teachers College during the 1947-48 NCAA basketball season. The team was led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle. The Hilltoppers won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, were NCAA Annual Team Champions, and received an invitation to the 1948 National Invitation Tournament, where they advanced to the semifinals. During this period, the NIT was considered by many to be the premiere college basketball tournament, with the winner being recognized as the national champion. This was one of the finest teams in Western Kentucky history, they had the best winning percentage in the NCAA, all five starters were named to the All-KIAC Team and three players were listed on various All-American teams, Spears, Ray, and Gibson.
The 1941–42 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College during the 1941-42 NCAA basketball season. The team was led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle. The Hilltoppers won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships, led NCAA in wins, and received an invitation to the 1942 National Invitation Tournament, where they advanced to the championship game. During this period, the NIT was considered to be the premiere college basketball tournament, with the winner being recognized as the national champion. This was the first Kentucky team to participate in the NIT. Oran McKinney, Earl Shelton, and Wallace “Buck” Sydnor were selected to the All-SIAA team, while the All-KIAC Team included Howard “Tip” Downing, Shelton, and Sydnor.
The 1939–40 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College during the 1939-40 NCAA basketball season. The team was led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and All-American center Carlisle Towery. The Hilltoppers won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships, and received an invitation to the 1940 NCAA basketball tournament. This was the first team from Kentucky to participate in the NCAA tournament Herb Ball and Howard “Tip” Downing were selected to the All-SIAA team, while Towery made the All-KIAC Team.
The 1952–53 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1952-53 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and All-American player Tom Marshall. The Hilltoppers won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament and were invited to the 1953 National Invitation Tournament. During this period, the NIT was considered on par with the NCAA tournament. Art Spoelstra joined Marshall on the All-Conference and OVC Tournament teams.
The 1948–49 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1948-49 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and All-American guard John Oldham. This was the inaugural season for the newly established Ohio Valley Conference and Western Kentucky won the conference championships, and appeared in the 1949 National Invitation Tournament. During this period, the NIT was considered by many to be the premiere college basketball tournament, with the winner being recognized as the national champion. Oldham and Center Bob Lavoy were named to the All-Conference team as well as the OVC All-Tournament team. This was the first year that a widely distributed, national poll was published by the Associated Press, and Western Kentucky was ranked 3rd in the initial poll and finished the season ranked 5th.
The 1949–50 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1949-50 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and All-American center Bob Lavoy. The team then won the Ohio Valley Conference season championship and appeared in the 1950 National Invitation Tournament. During this period, the NIT was considered to be on par with the NCAA tournament. Lavoy and Johnny Givens were named to the All-Conference team, Lavoy was also selected to the OVC All-Tournament team.
The 1951–52 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1951-52 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and leading scorer, forward Tom Marshall. The Hilltoppers won the Ohio Valley Conference season and tournament championships, and were invited to the 1952 National Invitation Tournament. During this period, the NIT was considered on par with the NCAA tournament. Marshall, Art Spoelstra, Gene Rhodes, and Richard White were named to the All-Conference and OVC Tournament teams.
The 1942–43 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College(now known as Western Kentucky University) during the 1942-43 NCAA basketball season. The team was led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and Helms Foundation All-American center Oran McKinney. The Hilltoppers won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and were invited to the 1943 National Invitation Tournament. During this period, the NIT was considered to be the premiere college basketball tournament, with the winner being recognized as the national champion. Dero Downing and Wallace “Buck” Sydnor were team captains and Don “Duck” Ray led the team in scoring. There were several military teams on Western Kentucky's schedule, which was not uncommon during World War II.
The 1960–61 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1960-61 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and finished in a three-way tie for the Ohio Valley Conference championship. No conference tournament was held, so a playoff was scheduled to determine which team would go to the NCAA tournament. Western Kentucky lost in the playoff to Morehead State. Bobby Rascoe, Charlie Osborne, and Harry Todd were named to the All-Conference Team.
The 1954–55 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1954-55 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle. Western won the Ohio Valley Conference season championship but lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Ralph Crosthwaite and Forest Able were named to the All-Conference and OVC Tournament teams.
The 1955–56 Western Kentucky State Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State College during the 1955-56 NCAA University Division Basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle and leading scorer Forest Able. Western finished in a three-way tie for the Ohio Valley Conference championship. There was no conference tournament, so a playoff was held to determine which team would advance to the NCAA tournament, which was won by Morehead Sate.